Making a difference in the lives of Syracuse City youth through golf continues to be the goal in 2024 thanks to the generosity of Dick’s House of Sports.
With a $5,000 grant received in 2023, PGA REACH Central New York successful launched a PGA Jr. League team at Sunnycrest. The program gave inner city boys and girls an opportunity to learn the game.
Plans to expand the PGA Jr. League program at Sunnycrest will be moving forward as a result of an additional $10,000 grant from the Dick’s House of Sports Foundation. The foundation made a surprise presentation June 18 at the annual Dick’s Sporting Goods Open Pro-Am draw party.
On hand to accept the grant were PGA REACH Central New York Executive Director Joe Tesori, CNY PGA CEO Alan Seamans and Foundation Coordinator Don Zorn.
“We are so grateful for the Dick’s Foundation, Ryan Evans, Mark Mackisoc, and the entire team at Dick’s Sporting Goods,” Tesori said.
Prior to the grant announcement, Tesori spoke about how the 2023 funds were used to provide golf equipment for team members, access to the golf course at Sunnycrest as well as professional instruction. At the conclusion of the speech, Kristen Garmey from the Dick’s Foundation made a surprise presentation of a $10,000 check.
“These dollars will help us grow this game with our inner-city youth here in Central New York,” Tesori said. “Every kid deserves a chance to play and learn the game of golf and this will help make that a reality. Thank you to the Dick’s Foundation from everyone here at PGA REACH CNY and for everything you do for our youth here in our local community and section.”
Plans for the 2024 grant include building out a PGA camp at Sunnycrest for the summer of 2025 with the main purpose to introduce more juniors to the game of golf from underrepresented demographics. Another objective is to retain those youth golfers and have them transition to a PGA Jr. League team and eventually to the PGA Junior Tour.
PGA of America Member Ryan Evans (Dick’s House of Sport) has been pivotal in securing the two grants from the Dick’s Foundation. These grants are allowing the PGA REACH Central New York to achieve its mission to positively impact the lives of youth and diverse populations by enabling access to the game of golf.
