For Immediate Release: September 5, 2009
Norton, MA — A group of youngsters enjoyed a trip of a lifetime. On August 24, 12 youngsters representing The First Tee of Massachusetts competed in The Barclays Tri-Match at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, NJ. Those golfers were joined by teams from The First Tee chapters of Metropolitan New York and Ireland.
The Barclays Tri-Match was launched in 2007 by Barclays PLC, the PGA TOUR and The First Tee of Metropolitan New York in order to give participants in The First Tee program the opportunity to compete and meet their peers from other chapters. The inaugural Barclays Tri-Match was held at Liberty National in Jersey City, NJ, the site of The Barclays this year. One year ago, the event moved to The Country Club in Brookline, MA.
"Barclays is proud to support The First Tee through the Barclays Tri-Match," said Robert E. Diamond Jr., president, Barclays PLC. "We share with The First Tee the belief that golf provides young people with lessons to build character, and values to benefit their entire lives."
The Barclays Cup teams consisted of eight boys and four girls between the ages of 12 and 17 from The First Tee facilities within the region. Teams competed in three 9-hole rounds with a different format each round including individual stroke play, two-man best ball and two-man alternate shot. During the course of each round, players were also asked "life skill aptitude questions" in order to earn additional points towards their team's score.
The First Tee uses the game of golf to promote character-development and life-enhancing values to inner-city children at learning facilities located throughout the United States and in five other countries.
"With four locations in Massachusetts, our youth development program is offering thousands youngsters an enriching golf and Life Skills experience," said Joe McCabe, executive director of the Massachusetts Chapter. "The vision of The First Tee has come full circle here in the Bay State. Many of our youngsters are now graduating on to college and other opportunities with the help of our Chapter. These are very exciting times."
The Team from Massachusetts finished in second place overall. Congratulations to all of the participants on a job well done in New Jersey and – most importantly – on the difference they are making both on and off the course!
The First Tee of Massachusetts
John Beadle, 13 - North Atterborough, Mass.
Cora Bernier, 14 - Taunton, Mass.
Trevor Bernier, 16 - Taunton, Mass.
Brendan Callanan, 16 -- Mansfield, Mass.
Max Cantin, 15 - Norton, Mass.
Brett Chatfield, 13 - Attleboro, Mass.
Ryan Consentino, 15 - Norton, Mass.
Nick Cotto, 12 - Springfield, Mass.
Connor Johnson, 15 - Taunton, Mass.
Anna Haynes, 13 - Hopedale, Mass.
Elizabeth LaVerghetta, 15 - Norton, Mass.
Molly Marcotte, 14 -- Barnstable, Mass.
Photo Caption: Kids and staff from Massachusetts, Ireland, and New York pose in front of the clubhouse at Plainfield CC on Sunday August 23.
Photo Caption (left to right): Michael Garibaldi (Plainfield CC), Connor Johnson (Masachusetts), Ryan O’Mahoney (Ireland), and Patrick O’Keefe (Plainfield CC) pose for a picture during the practice round at Plainfield CC on Sunday August 23rd.
About the MGA Junior Golf Fund
In 2006, the Massachusetts Golf Association launched the MGA Junior Golf Fund in hopes of supporting all of its junior golf initiatives.
The MGA currently operates The First Tee of Massachusetts in hopes of introducing a younger generation to the game of golf. The First Tee of Massachusetts is a statewide initiative that offers programming at MGA Links at Mamantapett located in Norton. The program is offered at sites in Lynnfield, Springfield, and Hyannis in addition to a variety of seasonal programs at other locations around the state. The First Tee is a unique program that introduces children to the game of golf while at the same time using the Nine Core Values of The First Tee curriculum to teach life skills that are important on and off the golf course.
