In August of 2006, The First Tee of Essex County was formed through a partnership between the Metropolitan Golf Association, New Jersey PGA and New Jersey State Golf Association. Located at Weequahic Park Golf Course in the heart of Newark’s South Ward, our organization converted a blighted former dumping site into our beautiful Junior Learning Facility to serve the youth of Essex County. This facility is a versatile practice area that can be used for short game instruction, a limited flight driving range and a three-hole short course to introduce youth people to the game and its positive values.
Click on the corresponding program for more information about each:
Students begin at The First Tee in Target Level and that progress through PLAYer, Par, Birdie and Eagle Levels. This past year, Ace Level was created with an emphasis on leadership, community service, game improvement, and career planning.
The First Tee of Essex County has reached hundreds of young people since its founding, with plans for expanded opportunity and programming in the 2008 season. This will include the inception of the National Golf In Schools Programs at 16 selected school near Weequahic Park in the spring and fall.
Our Program Director at Weequahic Golf Course is Chaz Moses who is a PGA Apprentice currently at work attaining his Class A certification. Chaz is a Newark native and graduate of Renaissance Golf and Newark Youth Golf, two of the groups that we serve at the facility. Additional participants are recruited from local organizations including:
TEAM Academy
Boys and Girls Club of Newark
Newark Extended Day School Programs
Newark Now
Irvington Housing Authority
USGA/LPGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark
Please e-mail kspear@thefirstteemetny.org, to get more information about individual sign-ups or getting your group enrolled in classes of The First Tee.
Weequahic Park is the oldest public golf course in New Jersey, with the original 9 of its current 18 holes dating to 1913, and is part of the historic Essex County Parks System. Francis Byrne Golf Course in West Orange and Hendricks Field Golf Course in Belleville are two other wonderful public facilities owned and operated by Essex County. The County has been extremely generous in giving our participants access to all of these courses, and our partnership has been critical to the success of our efforts. Please click HERE for additional information on the Essex County courses.
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