PGA of America

PGA Foundation

National Association of Golf Amputees

Applicant:

NC State University PGA Golf Management Program

Contact:Susan Colby919-515-8792

Mr. Steve Jubb, PGA

Director, PGA Charities100 Avenue of ChampionsPalm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

Dear Mr. Jubb,

The NC State PGA Golf Management Program (PGM) seeks to grow the game of golf by establishing adapted golf programs at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course (LPGC) at NC State University. Growing the game of golf and providing opportunities for people of all abilities and disabilities keeps the NC State PGM Program in line with the mission of its accrediting body, the PGA of America, and the PGA Foundation and NC State University by being “Locally Responsive” to community needs.

As of October 31, 2011 there will no longer be an established adapted golf program in the Triangle Area of NC (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding communities) due to the closing of Hillendale Golf Course which has served as the home course for Triangle Area athletes since 2008. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau report, the Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of Raleigh-Durham-Cary, North Carolina was 1,749,525 people. Select individuals within this population fall under the category of special needs populations due to spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, amputations and paralyzations. Therefore, the NC State PGM Program is moved to provide adapted golf programs making accessibility and the opportunity to learn, re-learn, and play golf available to a wider range of individuals.

The following proposal explains:

why the NC State PGA Golf Management program feels it is necessary to offer such programs, how it plans to partner with the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State and Bridge-II-Sports, a

non-profit 501 ( c ) (3) adaptive sport organization to offer this program, the needs of each organization in order to make the program successful, who will oversee and manage the instruction and equipment used for the program, the amount of money required to start the program with appropriate equipment, an evaluation process for monitoring the program, and the contact person who will assist with the administrative aspect of the program

Your review of this information, along with your desire to see the game of golf grow and move forward to those with various levels of ability, is appreciated. I look forward to speaking with you regarding the possibility of assistance from the PGA Foundation in order for the NC State PGA Golf Management Program to make this happen. You may contact me at (919)-515-8792 or via email, susan_colby@ncsu.edu, to review how we can work together to serve those in need in NC.

Sincerely,

Susan ColbyStudent Services CoordinatorNC State PGA Golf Management ProgramNC State University

Introduction

The NC State PGA Golf Management program is one of 20 PGA accredited university programs throughout the United States. The curriculum provides students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for success in the golf industry via extensive in and out of the classroom studies and internship experiences. Students earn a college degree and obtain PGA membership upon job placement.

“PGA Golf Management programs developed and operated by institutions of higher education in conjunction with the PGA of America are comprehensive degree programs. These programs provide future PGA members a respected academic major in a field applicable to the golf industry integrated with the specific knowledge and skills of the PGA’s Golf Management program developed by the PGA. The PGA, based upon a desire to insure a consistent measure of quality in both the process and product, developed specific standards to define the basic criteria required for the organization and approval of all PGA Golf Management programs. Schools with PGA accredited programs accept these standards in concert with those of their other accrediting bodies to guide the organization and operation of the PGA Golf Management programs.” (PGA of America, 2010)

In addition to educating and producing the next generation of PGA professionals, these educational institutions are encouraged to plan and conducted creative ways in which to grow the game of golf throughout their home communities and across the nation. Collaborations and partnerships with other organizations, such as the First Tee, are made available to students in order to gain experience with not only teaching others how to play the game, but also to instill core values and life skills in various populations. Those values are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. Life skills include: self-management, interpersonal communication, goal setting, mentor and effective conflict resolution. (The First Tee, 2010, www.thefirsttee.org)

In order to effectively teach these skills to others, PGA Golf Management students undergo intense training in which they learn various techniques of teaching the game to multiple populations. In some cases, teaching techniques require different equipment to effectively teach a particular community. Multiple special needs groups require such equipment. Examples include persons with spinal cord injuries, stoke victims, amputees and persons with visual impairments. Specialized golf cars, clubs and balls make it possible for persons with spinal cord injuries, amputations and paralyzations and visual impairments to play golf. PGA Golf Management students who are knowledgeable about this equipment and how it works, and who are able to participate in teaching clinics and work with special populations groups, will graduate and bring their specialized skills to their new job. Therefore, allowing the golf facility to grow the game through clinics and seminars for many individuals regardless of ability or disability. In turn, those attending the clinics and seminars experience how to play the game of golf, and also experience the core values and life skills associated with the game.

The Mission

“In keeping with the mission of The PGA of America, the PGA Foundation is dedicated to providing resources, professional expertise and programs to make golf accessible to all segments of the population. Its priority is to grow the game of golf while using the game to enhance the quality of life for all people, especially for those who are under-served by the game… Regardless of gender, age, social and economic background, ability or disability, every golfer can experience these values through their involvement in the game.” (PGA Foundation, 2010, www.pgafoundation.com)

The NC State PGM Program, as an extension of the PGA of America, shares this same goal.

The Partners

Two organizations in which the NC State PGM program partners are the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State University (LPGC) and Bridge II Sport, an organization dedicated to providing adapted sports programs to a variety of special needs populations.

The Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State is a public facility which opened in July 2009. It is currently seeking ways to offer new programs to a wider target audience than the University and its surrounding community. The LPGC works directly with the NC State PGM program as a learning laboratory in which students are hired and supervised by Class A PGA professionals to learn the intricate details within the business, as well as the teaching and tournament operations areas of the golf industry (See Appendix A). The LPGC seeks to increase its programming to include adapted golf programs provided it has qualified instructors and the appropriate equipment.

“Bridge II Sports is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for children and adults who are physically challenged to play team and individual sports. Bridge II Sports, in partnership with community partners, provides the equipment, coaching and play space, as well as develops teams. The goal of Bridge II Sports is to help individuals discover tenacity, confidence, self-esteem, and the joy of finding the player within. Bridge II Sports is a volunteer based organization and welcomes new volunteers with enthusiasm.” (Bridge II Sports, 2010, http://www.bridge2sports.org/)

The Problem

At this time, the NC State PGA Golf Management program has no specialized equipment in which its students can obtain a working knowledge. Therefore, upon graduation, students entering the work force are unable to offer these skills and abilities to their hiring organization for beginning golf clinics for special needs groups. Nor can they step in and teach for those facilities which already have clinics in place for these groups.

Also, at the present time, the Lonnie Poole Golf Course does not offer clinics for special needs populations. The LPGC seeks to increase its programming to include adapted golf programs provided it has qualified instructors and the appropriate equipment. Currently it has neither.

October 31, 2011 marks the end of a three year partnership Bridge II Sports has had with Hillendale Golf Club in Durham, NC. Hillendale has been the site of the Bridge II Sports adapted golf program but is scheduled to close its doors the end of October. Adapted golf participants throughout the Triangle have travelled to Hillendale as it is the only site which hosts this program. Now these athletes have no place to practice and play the sport in which they love.

The Need

The purpose of this proposal is to acquire funding from the PGA Foundation, over a three year period, in order to purchase specialized equipment in which NC State PGA Golf Management students may be trained to use, and to present, adapted golf programs, to provide equipment and trained personnel to the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State in order to provide such adapted programs, and to provide Bridge II Sports with more equipment, additional volunteer staff and a location in which to continue serving a population which is underserved in the Raleigh, NC and Triangle Area.

Amount Requested: $60,000 over a 3 year period ($20,000/year)

Year 1 - $20,000

1 adapted golf car - $12,000 5 sets of adapted ambidextrous clubs - $5000 5 GPS units for the players who are visually impaired - $2000 Balls, special tees, equipment for participants who cannot bend - $1000

Year 2 - $20,000

1 adapted golf car - $12,000 5 sets of adapted ambidextrous clubs - $5000 5 GPS units for the players who are visually impaired - $2000 Balls, special tees, equipment for participants who cannot bend - $1000

Year 3 - $20,000

1 adapted golf car - $12,000 5 sets of adapted ambidextrous clubs - $5000 5 GPS units for the players who are visually impaired - $2000 Balls, special tees, equipment for participants who cannot bend - $1000

Grand Total – 3 Years, $60,000

To date no funding has been sought to purchase equipment for the NC State PGA Golf Management program or to establish adapted programs at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State. Funding for Bridge II Sport is through in-kind gifts such as donations of driving range time and staff time at Hillendale Golf Course and through sponsorships from companies such as Coca-Cola, Chick-Fil-A, and RBC Bank.

The NC State PGM program is housed at NC State University, a public land-grant institution in Raleigh, NC. Budget crises within the State of NC have led legislators to cut funding to public institutions of higher education since the fiscal year 2008-2009. Financial cuts as high as 15% have been dealt to these institutions. These cuts have had a tremendous impact to NC State University and the classes in which it offers.

The NC State PGM program receives a limited operating allocation from its home department, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, which is intended for the daily operation of the PGM program during the academic/fiscal year. There is no other revenue stream for the PGM program. There are not enough funds allocated for the purchase of specialized equipment or to pay trained staff to lead an adapted golf program. (See Appendix B – Budgets for the NC State PGA Golf Management Program and the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State).

As stated previously, Bridge II Sports is a 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit organization which operates primarily through sponsorships and in-kind donations. It houses a staff of two which conducts its programs and does not charge pre-registered participants for its program services.

Overseers of Program Operation and Equipment (See Appendix C)

Persons responsible for the oversight and management of the equipment and adapted golf programs include:

Andy Betz, PGA Professional, Internship Coordinator / Player Development Instructor – NC State PGA Golf Management Program

Nick Dillman, PGA Professional, Head Professional – Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State University

Ashley Thomas, Executive Director, Bridge II Sports

Contact Person for Funding Information: Susan Colby, Student Services Coordinator, NC State PGA Golf Management Program, 919-515-8792, susan_colby@ncsu.edu

Evaluation Process

The evaluation process is a key component to determining the success of the adapted golf program and the satisfaction of the athletes. The following describes the responsibilities per each partner:

NC State PGA Golf Management Andy Betz will administer tests to students during class sessions on the use of equipment

and teaching techniques, Students will complete surveys as to their experience before and after going through class

sessions on learning to use the equipment and on their confidence level in conducting an adapted golf program,

Students will conduct mock-clinics throughout the semester in order to familiarize themselves with using the equipment and working with various special population groups,

Andy Betz, Nick Dillman and Ashley Thomas will evaluate and lend constructive criticism to students during mock-clinic sessions.

Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State Nick Dillman will meet monthly with Andy Betz and Ashley Thomas to evaluate the

marketing strategies and operational logistics of offering adapted golf programs. Bridge II Sports

Ashley Thomas will conduct informal weekly surveys with athletes as to their satisfaction with the equipment and quality of program presented,

Ashley Thomas will conduct a formal survey of the athletes at the completion of the session (ex: 5 weeks, 8 weeks) as to their satisfaction with the program.

PGM, LPGC, Bridge II Sports Andy Betz, Nick Dillman and Ashley Thomas will evaluate the student volunteers

serving as instructors to the newly initiated adapted golf program. A written performance evaluation will be presented to each student during a formal evaluation meeting at the end of the program session, the semester, or the time in which the student is no longer serving as a volunteer.

Commitment and Ability to Complete the Project

The NC State PGA Golf Management Program is committed to the completion of this 3 year project in order to educate its students in the area of adapted golf programs and to keep in line with the missions of the PGA and the PGA Foundation in growing the game of golf and to make the game accessible to people of all abilities and disabilities. In completing this project, the NC State PGA Golf Management program will also serve the mission of NC State University to be “Locally Responsive” to the needs of the local community.

The Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State is committed to the completion of this 3 year project to also be in line with the mission of NC State University in being “Locally Responsive” to community needs. The LPGC, under the leadership of PGA professionals, will also adhere to the mission of the PGA and PGA Foundation.

Bridge II Sports is committed to the completion of this 3 year project in order to continue serving the athletes who are currently without a course in which to practice and play the game of golf. Partnering with the NC State PGA Golf Management program and the Lonnie

Poole Golf Course at NC State will allow Bridge II Sport to increase the number of athletes served at any one time, therefore continuing to act as a leader in providing opportunities for special population groups to learn, or re-learn, and enjoy playing golf.

Executive Summary

The NC State PGA Golf Management program has no specialized equipment in which students can obtain a working knowledge to instruct or lead adapted golf programs. Students entering the work force are unable to offer these skills to their hiring organization.

The Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State does not offer clinics for special needs populations. It seeks to increase its programming to include adapted golf programs provided it has qualified instructors and the appropriate equipment.

Bridge II Sports ends a three year partnership with Hillendale Golf Club, Durham, NC,

Hillendale has served as the home site, and ONLY site in the Triangle area, of an adapted golf program,

The course is closing 10/31/2011, Athletes have no place to practice and play golf.

The solution:

Acquire funding from the PGA Foundation over a three year period to purchase equipment which students may be trained to use, and present, adapted golf programs,

Provide equipment and trained personnel (PGA Golf Management students) to the Lonnie Poole Golf Course to provide adapted programs,

Provide Bridge II Sports with equipment, volunteer staff and a location to continue serving an underserved population in the Raleigh, NC and Triangle area.

Amount requested is $60,000 ($20,000/year) to purchase annually one adapted golf car, five sets of adapted ambidextrous clubs, five GPS units for players who are visually impaired and balls, special tees and equipment for athletes who cannot bend,

Budget cuts to higher education in NC prevent NC State PGM from purchasing equipment or paying trained personnel to offer adapted golf programs,

Bridge II Sport is a non-profit, 501 ( c ) (3) organization operating via sponsorships and in-kind donations.

No money has been allocated to grow the game of golf through adapted programs at NC State University and the Triangle Area of NC.

NC State PGM, under the leadership of PGA professionals, is committed to the completion of this project in order to:

Educate its students in the area of adapted golf programs, Keep in line with the missions of the PGA and the PGA Foundation in growing the game

of golf and to make the game accessible to people of all abilities and disabilities, Serve the mission of NC State University to be “Locally Responsive” to the needs of the

local community.

Appendix A

Agreement between Carolinas Golf Group, which manages the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State, and the NC State PGA Golf Management Program

Appendix B

2011 Annual Operating Budget for the NC State PGA Golf Management Program

2011-2012 Budget Allocation Total - $6500.00

2009-10 Annual Operating Budget for the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State

Appendix C

Andy Betz – NC State PGA Golf Management Program

Nick Dillman – Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State**

** Nick Dillman was promoted to Head Golf Professional – Spring 2011

Ashley Thomas – Executive Director, Bridge II Sport

Ashley Thomas has the ability to create a platform of hope. Hope encourages those whose bodies have a disability, to begin to heal and interface with their community. This platform of hope comes in the form of adapted sports. Ashley is the founder and ED of Bridge II Sports, a US Paralympic Sport Club, member of Disabled Sports USA and through community collaboration working on a statewide network bridging communities and people with

disabilities to sustainable adapted sports. (UNCG, 2011, http://www.uncg.edu/hhp/pagwspa/local-advisory-board.html)

References

Bridge II Sports. (2010, ). website: http://www.bridge2sports.org/

NC State PGA Golf Management Financial Reports

PGA Of America. (2010). NC State PGA Golf Management Accreditation Report 2010. PGA Standards for the Organization and Operation of Accredited PGA Golf Management Programs, 1-274.

PGA Foundation. (2010, ). website: http://www.pgafoundation.com

The First Tee. (2010, ). website: http://www.thefirsttee.org

UNCG. (2011, ). Retrieved from Association for Girls and Women in Sport website: http://www.uncg.edu/hhp/pagwspa/local-advisory-board.html