Youth Military Inclusion
10,000+ LIVES ENGAGED WITH PROGRAMMING
$500,000+
DONATED TO LOCAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS AND THOSE UNDERSERVED BY THE GAME
Promoting the goodwill and growth of the game of golf by positively impacting the lives of junior golfers, veterans, and those who are underserved by the game
Hours donated by PGA Professionals annually
College Scholarships provided since 2015
Lives engaged with programming
Donated to local children’s hospitals and those underserved by the game
Scholarships granted
Financial Aid Scholarships Provided yearly
Interns since 2000
Of donations go towards delivering programs to serve our mission
$1,000 & UP
Labritz, McNeil, and Young have proven their ability to compete at the highest levels of their trade, but it’s their work off the course that shows their true character. Their desire to make a difference in the community on local and national levels is unmatched and we are extremely excited to have them as representatives of our Foundation initiatives.
Charlie Robson, Chairman
Brian Crowell, PGA
Rich
Kevin
Augie
Dave Scialabba
1,324 100 140 2,132 995
Junior Tour Members Tournaments
Jr. League Programs
Boys and Girls participated in Jr. League
Drive, Chip & Putt partipants
The Metropolitan PGA Foundation provides over 5,000 children each year with access to golf through several key initiatives: the Met PGA Junior Tour, PGA Junior League, and Drive, Chip, and Putt. These programs provide a clear roadmap for children of all skill levels, whether they’re just starting out or are advanced junior golfers aiming for collegiate play. Together, these programs foster not only the development of young golfers’ skills but also their overall growth as individuals, setting them up for success in both golf and life.
Founded in 1975, the Met PGA Junior Tour consists of over 1,300 members and offers more than 100 tournaments each season for junior golfers aged 7-18. The Tour offers three levels based on playing ability. The 9-Hole Tour is designed for beginners, focusing on fundamentals and building confidence. The Players Tour caters to more experienced juniors, providing a higher level of competition and skill development. Finally, the Future Series is for advanced players, preparing them for collegiate golf and beyond.
The Drive, Chip & Putt Championship is a nationwide junior golf skills competition designed to help grow the game of golf. This joint initiative by the PGA of America, Masters Tournament, and USGA is open to juniors aged 7-15. Locally, the Foundation hosts multiple qualifiers for the Championship, providing young players with an opportunity to showcase and develop their skills.
PGA Jr. League brings family and friends together around fun team golf experiences with expert coaching from PGA and LPGA Professionals. The program focuses on fun, recreation, good health, and sportsmanship, and character development for boys and girls ages 17 and under to learn and enjoy the game of golf. PGA Jr. League teams play four 9-hole matches in a two-person scramble format, reinforcing the team concept and creating a nurturing environment for learning the game.
We offer financial assistance to any junior golfer in need, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent young athletes from participating in our programs. In addition, we provide college scholarships to help support the next generation of golfers as they pursue their academic and athletic goals. These initiatives ensure that every child, regardless of their financial situation, has the opportunity to succeed and continue their golfing journey at the collegiate level and beyond.
The Met PGA has offered over 200 college internship opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the golf industry. These internships provide valuable exposure to various aspects of the profession, from golf operations to event management. Additionally, PGA Universities serve as a pathway for juniors to prepare for a career in the golf industry, offering specialized education and training that can lead to exciting opportunities within the field.
PGA WORKS Fellowship aspires to be the most valuable entry-level employment opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to garner experience in all facets of the golf industry. The Metropolitan Section PGA is proud to have mentored six PGA WORKS Fellows since the inception of the program.
We strive to provide resources, professional expertise, and programs to make golf accessible to all segments of the population through various community outreach programs such as: Golf-in-Schools, and our NYC Public School Athletic League Golf Program. Our PSAL program pairs PGA Professionals with 40 inner-city school teams to enhance their knowledge and skill level and has over 350 kids participating.
The Met PGA Foundation issues yearly grants to PGA Professionals who are running programs that align with our mission to expand the reach of our Foundation to those who are underserved by the game.
Veterans served since 2015
Military Golf League participants
Veterans graduated PGA HOPE yearly
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), is an adaptive golf program offered free of charge by PGA Professionals that utilizes golf as a rehabilitation tool to improve our veterans’ quality of life by enhancing their mental, social, physical, and emotional wellbeing. The program is open to all veterans with an emphasis on serving those with physical and emotional disabilities who would benefit the most from such an initiative.
Since its launch in 2015, the Metropolitan Section has served over 1,500 veterans, offering them a safe and fun environment where they can reconnect and regain the camaraderie they may have lost after leaving the service. This program is a collaboration between the Metropolitan Section Foundation of the PGA, PGA REACH, and local VA hospitals, and it runs across eight programs in the Metropolitan area, each with 36 veterans participating. The classes run for six weeks, with each session lasting two hours. Each spring and fall we celebrate new veterans joining the PGA HOPE family. At the end of both the Spring and Fall seasons, PGA HOPE hosts a special graduation ceremony to honor the veterans who have completed the program. This event is a celebration of their journey and a heartfelt welcome into the PGA HOPE family. This ceremony serves as a powerful reminder that their journey doesn’t end with the program; they are now part of a larger, supportive community that will continue to have their back.
Upon graduating from the Met PGA HOPE program, veterans are gifted a new set of golf clubs to help them continue their golfing journey. They are also invited to join the PGA HOPE Military Golf League, where they can continue building their skills and camaraderie. The Military Golf League is made up of 32 teams of 15 veterans, each led by a PGA Professional who serves as the team captain at various local golf clubs. Throughout the season, these teams compete in friendly matches against each other, promoting both healthy competition and further bonding among the veterans. In addition to the matches, veterans receive team shirts and weekly instruction from their PGA Professional, ensuring they have the support and guidance to keep improving their game.This continuation of the program allows veterans to stay connected, improve their golfing skills, and remain part of the PGA HOPE family, fostering a long-term sense of community and achievement.
The Metropolitan PGA Section Foundation connects military veterans with part-time and full-time employment opportunities at golf courses within the Metropolitan Section. The program is designed to offer veterans a meaningful career path in the golf industry while leveraging their unique skills and experiences gained through their military service. Through VETWORKS, PGA Professionals at participating golf courses provide mentorship and hands-on training, ensuring that each veteran has the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in their new role. The opportunity to work within the golf community gives veterans a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, further enhancing their post-service journey.
Since 2024, Northwell Health has proudly served as the title sponsor of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programming and the official healthcare sponsor of the Metropolitan Section PGA. With a shared commitment to supporting those who have served our country, Northwell Health, New York State’s largest healthcare provider, has significantly expanded access to PGA HOPE for area veterans. Their support has allowed the program to reach more veterans and continue to grow, especially through the expansion of post-program initiatives that offer veterans continued opportunities to stay connected and engaged in the game.
We are proud to be a founding partner of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx whose mission is to teach young people who have traditionally not had access to the game, valuable Life Skills, and Nine Core Values. Since its opening in 2001, the facility has been at the forefront of advancing our Foundation’s mission and it is the first of many planned Foundation Learning Centers. In addition to First Tee programming, the facility hosts Met PGA Junior Tour events, PGA Jr. League Teams, is the home to our Bronx PGA HOPE Program, and offers golf course access for our junior golfers and veterans.
In 2021, through a partnership with The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation (JSFF), we opened The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Adaptive Sports Center at the Northport Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Northport, NY. The three-year project included the renovation of the Adaptive Sports wing at the Northport VA which now includes a new Veteran’s Gym and Golf Center, featuring a Full Swing Simulator, putting green, and lounge. For many injured veterans, adaptive sports provide their first exposure to physical activity after injury and functions as a form of therapy. Thanks to a JSFF financial grant, and additional funds contributed by the Met PGA Foundation the veterans of the Northport VA now have year round access to golf, as well as over ten other virtual sports through the donated Full Swing Simulator
In 2021, we completed an adaptive 7-hole pitch and putt golf course at the NYISE’s School for the Blind in the Bronx, NY that features synthetic greens, teeing grounds, and equipment. The project features a small golf course, built on an open space amid their campus, that is functional and accessible for students at the institute. This was a joint effort between the Met PGA Section Foundation, Long Island Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the Middle Atlantic Blind Golfers Association and was funded through the Richard Spear Memorial Golf Outing.
Fundraising and donations are crucial to the continued success and growth of our foundation’s programs, and our PGA Professionals and the local golf community play an essential role in making it all happen.
There are a number of ways to support our efforts, whether through participating in exciting events such as The Augie Met PGA Professional Pro-Am or The Jeff McNeil & Hank Azaria Poker Showdown. Can’t attend in person? You can still make an impact by backing our PGA Professional’s fundraising initiatives, such as the Met PGA Birdie Bash, which has already raised half a million dollars for local children’s hospitals.
At the heart of all these efforts is our dedicated local golf community, ensuring that the game of golf continues to reach and positively impact countless lives. Through their passion and commitment, we’re able to make a real difference both on and off the course. To make a donation please visit www.metpgafoundation.org
