First Tee – Tampa Bay, a Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA program, has received a $100,000 grant from the United States Automobile Association (USAA) to help advance racial equality in Tampa Bay.
Because of the grant, First Tee – Tampa Bay will be able to provide free golf lessons to an estimated 600 minority students in Title I schools throughout Hillsborough County. The grant also will enable the organization to offer 80 golf tournament scholarships and five college scholarships to minority students.
“The goal is to eliminate cost as an obstacle for any children from these specific schools and get them involved in our program,” First Tee – Tampa Bay Executive Director Ian Baxter said, in a news release. “We are extremely appreciative to USAA for their generosity, which will introduce the game of golf to more children by removing any financial barriers.”
First Tee – Tampa Bay formed in 1999. It provides more than 80,000 children each year with hands-on, interactive golf experiences and focuses on developing core values.
In addition to being a program of Tampa YMCA, First Tee – Tampa Bay also partners with community members such as the Tampa Sports Authority, the City of Tampa and various golf facilities to offer year-round programming for kids and teens. The organization also offers programming in over 175 Hillsborough County Public Schools, afterschool programs or weeklong summer camp experiences.
For more information, call First Tee – Tampa Bay at 813-238-7320.
