FGCU PGA Golf Management Program and The First Tee of Naples/Collier Announce Partnership to Attract Students to the Game of Golf
5/17/2010

FORT MYERS, FL - Florida Gulf Coast University PGA Golf Management Program and The First Tee of Naples/Collier announce a partnership where students act as volunteer instructors and receive course credit. In recognition of this partnership, FGCU President Wilson G. Bradshaw has designated a scholarship to be awarded to a graduate of The First Tee of Naples/Collier program who enters the PGA Golf Management Program at FGCU.

"We are very excited and appreciative of the scholarship that has been offered to our First Tee participants," said Cindy Darland, executive director for The First Tee of Naples/Collier. “The FGCU PGA Golf Management Program has been a tremendous partner in the past year with students participating as mentors and volunteers within our programs. This scholarship will strengthen an already great relationship."

The First Tee of Naples/Collier's mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf. Visit the local chapter website at www.thefirstteenaplescollier.org or the national website at www.thefirsttee.org. The First Tee of Naples/Collier is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

The FGCU PGA Golf Management Program (PGM) is one of 20 PGA of America accredited programs in the U.S., and currently has over 120 students from all over the country including several international students. The four-and-a-half year curriculum educates its students in the business, the people and the game of golf.

FGCU recently moved the PGM program into its new home in the Herbert and Margaret Sugden Resort and Hospitality Management Building. The students have access to the latest in golf technology using a Swing Simulator, JC Video Analysis Bay, SAM Putt System, Club Repair and Merchandise Golf Shop labs. In addition, the PGA Golf Management Program partners with over 35 golf courses in Collier and Lee counties where students intern, practice and play.

"The First Tee program is a great initiative to attract young people to the game of golf which for me, is a game for life," said Tara McKenna, the newly appointed director of the PGA Golf Management Program.

"The PGM program at FGCU is proud to be partnered with such an important organization and to have one of our incoming freshmen, Alex Giguere, be the first recipient of this scholarship award. The relationship our PGM program has with the local golf community is the foundation of its strength and the First Tee is an integral part."

Giguere will graduate this summer from Naples High School with a 3.5 GPA and has spent much of his young life helping others while pursuing his passion for golf. He has volunteered his time for Special Olympics, The First Tee, American Legion Post 135 Naples, Hope for Haiti and currently works at Glen Eagle Golf and Country Club. He was recently selected to attend a week of instruction at the prestigious Hank Haney Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

For more information, contact McKenna at (239) 590-7717 or tmckenna@fgcu.edu; or Darland at (239) 825-4851 or darlandnfl@aol.com.

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