FOUNDATION FOCUS
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Michael O’Connor, PGA President PGA REACH WNY The Kahkwa Club Michael O’Connor PGA, CPGA, CMAA mjokah@aol.com
Since inception back in 2014, the PGA REACH WNY Foundation has raised $821,000 and distributed over $769,000 back to the Communities within the WNYPGA Section. The foundation continues to grow each year and there are new and exciting projects underway. Despite a challenging year with Covid-19, PGA REACH WNY made a significant strides in impacting our Communities and moving the needle on an exiting project at our Section homesite. A very special thank you to Steve Bartkowski our Executive Director, and Jacob Coles our Foundation Operations Coordinator for all there efforts throughout this challenging year. Their passion, dedication and hard work were the driving force behind numerous initiatives such as; PGA HOPE Clinics, Memorial Day Closest to the Pin, Playing for Covid-19, Summer Golf Nights for PGA HOPE, PGA HOPE Buffalo Chapter Classes, Tee it for the Troops and 100-Hole Marathons. Thank you to all the Professionals, Volunteers, WNYPGA Board as well as the PGA REACH WNY Committee for their support and effort in supporting our vision! Our leadership is working on Project F.O.R.E. (Fostering Opportunities through Recreation and Education) at our Section Office. This project will create indoor/outdoor learning centers to provide more affordable year round access for our Veterans, Youth and Diverse populations. The project will see a short course, indoor learning center and academy. Potential land has been identified near the WNYPGA Section home office and a 6-hole short game facility has been designed. Concepts for an indoor simulator area have also been in the works. The vision is to establish similar facilities in Rochester and Erie. The Committee is finalizing the plans for the capital campaign to fund the construction. Our Committee will be meeting in November and will update you on our progress.
Please keep in mind that our goal is to have a positive impact on lives throughout our Section through the game of golf. Our foundation supports a variety of initiatives that serve our founding pillars, youth, military and diversity in golf. If you want to get involved or have an idea please reach out to myself, Steve or Jacob. Kind Regards, Michael O’Connor, PGA PGA REACH WNY PGA Professional
www.westernnewyork.pga.com/foundation
