Liguori: Family Golf Challenge Helps Grow The Game

By Ann Liguori
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The Family Golf Challenge, an amateur skills competition which features a putting and long-drive competition for two-person teams comprised of adults and kids, is a program that deserves recognition, as its core goals are to grow the game of golf and help an organization, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, a not-for-profit organization which teaches young people about golf and the Game's Core Values: sportsmanship, courtesy, respect, integrity, responsibility, honesty, confidence, perseverance and good judgment.

Dads and Moms can participate with their sons and daughters in a skills competition that is inexpensive to enter ($15.00 per person) and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

The Family Golf Challenge started this summer and have already held events at public golf courses throughout the New York Metropolitan area including Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, Galloping Hill Golf Course in New Jersey and Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Connecticut. Today and tomorrow (Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30), the Family Golf Challenge heads to the East End of Long Island at Long Island National Golf Club in Riverhead, New York.

The driving competition consists of each person hitting three drives. The distance is measured in yards from a FlightScope. The longest drive of each player is recorded on the score sheet and the team with the highest combined yardage is declared the winner. The putting competition is divided into three sections with holes set at 6', 12' and 18' from the starting line. Each hole has a ring around it with specific points. This involves a bit of team strategy as it is determined which player goes for which distance. The highest combined team score wins. Local venue winners are determined at the end of the day competition and are awarded golf, silver and bronze medals. Winners in each category can compete in a regional competition.

Managing Partners Bill Carroll and Jon Clay, both passionate golfers with sports marketing backgrounds, started Family Golf Challenge for a number of reasons. "It is a way to grow the game of golf – broaden participation, be all-inclusive," says Carroll, "and bring the entire family together for a fun competition."

"And most importantly," adds Clay, "$5.00 out of the $15.00 entry fee goes to the First Tee of Metropolitan New York, a not-for-profit that teaches young people about the game of golf and all of its values." The First Tee's mission has been to educate, enrich and empower young people and their Nine Core Values, mentioned above, are values that every person on the planet should instill in their daily lives!

For more information on Family Golf Challenge and/or to register for future events, visit www.familygolfchallenge.com.

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Ann is a spokesperson for Family Golf Challenge. For more information on Ann, visit www.annliguori.com.