The Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Foundation and Sticks for Kids program partner National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) are proud to announce the recipient of the inaugural Sticks for Kids Excellence Award: Friends of Sandy Springs Foundation in Sandy Springs, Ga.
The award is meant to honor an outstanding junior golf program that has utilized its granted Sticks for Kids program to the fullest potential. That can be accomplished by establishing and growing a junior golf program and using it as an outreach and youth development tool for area youth as well as a means to grow the game.
“With the Sticks for Kids program partnership in its fifth year, we felt it was time to recognize the accomplishments of the excellent programs that are teaching golf to underprivileged youth across the US,” said GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel.
Friends of Sandy Springs Foundation started Sticks for Kids programming in 2010 and through the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department it has taken a multi-pronged approach to support the youth in its community. A no-charge afterschool program has been established at three elementary schools in the community with demonstrations, drills, skills contests and game activities three times a week while school is in session. Another program is held during summer camp and many of the children attend on scholarship and are introduced to golf for the first time.
“The Sticks for Kids grant has allowed us to develop a free golf program in our community, which helps us reach out to children from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds,” said Sharon Griswold, development director for Friends of Sandy Springs.
Said Trevor Ramos, Sandy Spring Recreation and Parks athletic coordinator and Sticks for Kids golf instructor: “Not only is golf great physical exercise, but we are able to teach these children great life lessons such as patience, honesty and integrity.”
The Sticks for Kids Excellence Award will be presented at the GCBAA Summer Meeting, Aug. 10 to 12, in Atlanta, during the special 40th Anniversary Recognition Dinner Thursday evening.
“We are proud of our partnership with the GCBAA Foundation. We look forward to implementing the Sticks for Kids program to help engage youth in healthy outdoor activities while learning to enjoy the lifetime game of golf,” said Nancy Logan, senior manager of partnerships for NRPA. “We salute the GCBAA Foundation for their understanding of the health and wellness benefits that parks and recreation provide to over 300 million Americans, as well as the important role they play in the development of golf participation.”
For more information about the event or Sticks for Kids, contact the GCBAA.
About the GCBAA and the GCBAA Foundation
The Golf Course Builders Association of America is a non-profit trade association of the world’s foremost golf course builders and leading suppliers to the golf course construction industry. It was founded in the early 1970s and its members represent all segments of the golf course industry. The GCBAA Foundation is the charitable arm of the GCBAA and a separate, 501(c)(3) organization. The GCBAA’s national executive office is located in Lincoln, Neb. For more information, visit www.gcbaa.org or call 402-476-4444.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of roughly 21,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.