Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) and Top-Flite today announced a partnership with New York’s City Parks Foundation to become the official equipment sponsor of the CityParks Junior Golf Center. Callaway Golf CEO George Fellows will join New York State and City officials for opening ceremonies at the Junior Golf Center on June 6.
The state-of-the-art Center is the first comprehensive facility of its kind in the nation, completely free of cost to participants, and open only to juniors ages 6 to 17. Located next to the Dyker Beach public golf course in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the Center provides New York City youth with opportunities to learn the game of golf from beginner to advanced levels, making available a sport that has been difficult for urban youth to access.
Callaway and Top-Flite will be donating all equipment and golf balls to the facility that will serve thousands of junior golfers annually. Callaway will provide its XJ Series™ Junior Sets which includes the XJ Odyssey 2-Ball Putter and incorporates the same technological and innovative advancements that has been put into the X Series for adults. Top-Flite will be donating a wide array of value and premium golf balls that incorporate its signature Dimple In Dimple Aerodynamics. In addition to equipment, Callaway will also be providing golf clothing and gloves to children and staff at the Center.
“Callaway Golf and Top-Flite are thrilled to take part in this important initiative to grow the game through the next generation of golfers,” said George Fellows, President and CEO Callaway Golf. “As someone who grew up in New York City, I know first hand how difficult it is for city kids to learn and gain access to this great game.”
The CityParks Junior Golf Center will offer free, challenging programs to develop well-rounded players who can play for the rest of their lives. All participants will become automatic members of the Center, enjoying benefits including free use of the facility and equipment, and invitations to special events.
“The CityParks Junior Golf Center will be the cornerstone of our CityParks Golf program, which begins teaching kids about golf in neighborhood parks across the city,” said City Parks Foundation Executive Director David Rivel. “The CityParks Junior Golf Center will give New York City’s kids a chance to develop into advanced golfers, with the potential to earn college scholarships, while enjoying the outdoors, learning sportsmanship, and developing skills that translate for life off the course.”
The CityParks Junior Golf Center will consist of a six-hole golf course, a 9,875 square foot practice putting green, a 9,075 square foot chipping green, a 8,100 square foot sand trap, a nine-station covered driving range, a 4,275 square foot Clubhouse Learning Center with classroom space, and full-time instructors, directed by PGA professional Gregg Gaulocher.
Detailed program information, updates about the Center, and registration instructions are available at www.JuniorGolfCenter.org. For more information on Callaway Golf and Top-Flite, please visit www.callawaygolf.com and www.NeverLayUp.com.
About Callaway Golf
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Odyssey(R), Top-Flite(R), and Ben Hogan(R) brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or shop.callawaygolf.com.
About City Parks Foundation:
City Parks Foundation has offered CityParks Golf since 1999, now serving over 1,800 youth each year. The program serves beginners, intermediate, and advanced players in parks across all five boroughs with equipment provided free of charge. By offering instruction in neighborhood parks, City Parks Foundation has been able to introduce thousands of urban kids to the game of golf.
Construction on the $8 million Junior Golf Center began in November 2006 after American Golf and the City of New York gave City Parks Foundation the right to operate the Center on an unused 12 acre portion of the Dyker Beach Golf Course. The CityParks Junior Golf Center will give kids in the CityParks Golf program a flagship location to hone their skills and to meet other junior golfers while offering all New York City youth a facility they can truly call their own.
The CityParks Junior Golf Center is supported by the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Foundation; USGA; ConEdison; Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City; New York City Council under the leadership of Christine C. Quinn; and Hon. Martin J. Golden, NYS Senator, 22nd District.
City Parks Foundation is the only independent, non-profit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. By presenting a broad range of free arts, sports and educational programs to more than 600,000 people in 700 parks citywide, and by helping citizens support their local parks, CPF contributes to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.
Contacts:
Tim Buckman, 760-804-4133
Tim.Buckman@CallawayGolf.com
