PGA donates $10,000 to junior program at Bayou District Foundation

NEW ORLEANS -- The PGA of America presented a $10,000 donation Wednesday to the Bayou District Foundation Junior Golf Program, with funds targeted to support the curriculum, equipment and instructors that are committed to supporting and expanding youth golf access in New Orleans.

The presentation comes as some 400 delegates of The PGA America gather for the 93rd PGA Annual Meeting, Nov. 12-14, at the Ritz Carlton. The presentation was made in a ceremony at the City Park pavilion, with attendees including Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, representatives of the City of New Orleans, the Bayou District Foundation, Gulf States PGA Professionals and junior golf program participants.

The Bayou District Foundation Junior Golf Program was founded in the winter of 2006 to produce a junior golf program for youngsters in New Orleans. The Foundation, which has teamed with Gulf States PGA Professionals to conduct more than 15 golf clinics since its origin, currently touches more than 100 families, with youths from ages 7 to 17.

"The PGA of America is very proud to have this opportunity to support junior golf within New Orleans and the wonderful work to reshape lives that is a focus of the Bayou District Foundation Junior Golf Program," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "It is our hope that through golf, our PGA Professionals can encourage more individuals to support the youth of New Orleans to gain access to the game and to bring families together in order that they may experience golf and its invaluable life lessons."

The Bayou District Foundation's goal is to help rebuild the "Bayou District" neighborhood by creating excellent housing, high quality schools, retail/commercial services and abundant recreational resources. Since the Bayou District borders the historic New Orleans City Park golf courses and the park's many other recreation and youth sports amenities, the redevelopment of the park's dormant golf facilities has become a committed objective of the Bayou District Foundation's recreational plan.

"The PGA of America is a key partner in expanding access and strengthening our communities," said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. "Their efforts are creating opportunities for the youth of New Orleans and building a better future for our city."

Bayou District Foundation officials anticipate expanding the junior golf program this fall to include some 40 students.

"The PGA of America has been a great friend to the City of New Orleans and Bayou District Foundation. We couldn't be more excited about their donation to our foundation as it will directly help kids trying to learn the game of golf," said Foundation Board member Mike Rodrigue. "This is exactly the help we need as we try and rebuild community assets after the damage caused by [Hurricane] Katrina."

The PGA Annual Meeting, which carries the theme "Building a Blueprint for Success in Challenging Times," arrives in New Orleans in support of the city's overall rebuilding efforts and focuses on the current economic conditions the industry and country are experiencing and how delegates can best be prepared and successful in their jobs.

About the Bayou District Foundation

In the fall of 2005, in the months after Hurricane Katrina's devastating hit on the Gulf Coast, a group of civic-minded New Orleans residents formed the Bayou District Foundation. Their vision was to assist in the rebirth of the City of New Orleans by helping to restore the areas in and around New Orleans City Park. Today that vision is a reality. Bayou District Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose members include highly engaged community leaders within both the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.

About The PGA of America

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.