Sept 2010
The fall session for GfG begins with great anticipation. Three levels of classes will be offered: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. This will comprise the largest class ever held by GfG. Over 160 students will be participating in this session alone. Classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at various courses. We regret that all classes are filled at the present time.
GfG will once again be co-sponsoring the PGA Nationwide Tour's Soboba Golf Classic Jr Clinic. The date for the clinic is Tuesday, Sept. 28th, beginning at 4:30 pm until 6 pm. Attendees will receive a free shirt, food and refreshments, along with expert golf instruction. Additions this year are many new kid-related activities along with the PGA pro instuction.
GfG continues to host the GfG Men's Golf Club on Thursday mornings at Golden Era Community Center and Golf Course. This remains an important fund raising event needed to support the program, with all proceeds going directly to GfG. Anyone wanting to join and play 18 holes of golf with continental breakfast, full lunch and prizes for $25.00 can call 909-754-4148.
GfG is, of course, experiencing growing pains and is in need of volunteers to help in all aspects of the game of golf. Experience in golf is NOT neccessary. Anyone can volunteer. Backround checks are conducted.
Tony Viola- President
Anthony Viola - President
"GfG" is pleased to inform everyone that our newly named "Marty Finn Memorial Grandfathers for Golf Tournament" was very successful. In a time of financial restraint, we are very thankful for everyone's support.
Our summer session is in its last week, and "GfG" has been very fortunate to have several new volunteers from the college golf ranks. Our special thanks go out to Katherine New , Justin King, Robert Figueroa, and Gary Nelson of the Mt. San Jacinto College men's and women's teams, and Eric Burge from LaVerne College men's team. Their participation allowed some of our regular instructors to have some much-needed time off this summer.
The Fall session will begin September 15th and 17th @ 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. We will temporarily be relocated to Golden Era Golf Course on N. San Jacinto Street in San Jacinto. "GfG" will be bussing in children from three local middle schools: North Mountain, Monte Vista, and Dartmouth. Additional participants are very much welcome, and will need to provide their own transportation.
The Nationwide Tour Soboba Classic is quickly approaching. "GfG" will be sponsoring the Nationwide Tour Junior Clinic as well as participating in the main event. Ticket sales to this point have been sluggish at best. Remember: 100% of the proceeds from tickets purchased under the name of "GfG" go directly to "GfG"! Remember, too, that this is going to be the biggest golf event ever held in the San Jacinto Valley, with major benefits to retail establishments along with all the local charities. Our little burg will be nationally and globally televised...we need to put our best foot forward with lots of local participation!
Anthony Viola
President
It is with deep sadness that Grandfathers for Golf, Inc. must now continue forward without its founder and biggest advocate. Marty Finn passed away quietly on Thursday evening June 11th, after a short illness. The void he leaves at "GfG" will be difficult to fill, and great a challenge to the rest of the "GfG" family to continue this wonderful program for years to come. After a unanimous vote the Board of Directors has officially adopted a new name for its annual tournament. It will now be known as:
Marty Finn Memorial
Grandfathers for Golf Tournament
As of this newsletter we are rapidly approaching this year's newly-named tournament. We have already surpassed last years numbers and are expecting a hugely successful event, another testament to Marty's commitment.
The new summer class 3A &B 2009 will be starting up Tuesday June 23 and only has a few slots open.
Anthony Viola
President
Grandfathers for Golf, Inc. recently completed session #2 for 2009. What made this session different then any other session before was the pilot program of admitting eight students who are wards of the state and come from a home for severely abused children.
On the first day as they came off the bus, some were surly, some were scared, and all demanded special attention. Many did not respond to the simplest of directions as we went through the orientation. Their distrust for their instructors and new surroundings was very apparent. By the end of the first day I was very concerned if we would be able to incorporate these kids into our program without taking away from our regular students.
With great patience and extra effort from all of our instructors, little by little, trust was established. By the end of the sixth week an outside observer would not be able to tell one kid from another. All our kids were just being kids, having fun, learning a sport and, most of all, interacting with eachother and adults in a happy and trusting manner.
Given the success acknowledged by both the "GfG" staff and the counselors and social workers from the State, we are proud to announce we are increasing the number of these students from eight to ten in our next session.
This latest graduation saw our total number of graduates pass the 1100 mark since our first class in 1999.
Grandfathers for Golf, Inc. recently lost an important funding resource when the State of California pulled its after school program funding from the San Jacinto Unified School District. This, in addition to the lost off after school program funding from Hemet Unified School District, leaves Grandfathers for Golf, Inc. in a financial quandary. Fortunately the PGA Tour Soboba Classic this September should help offset some of this loss. Don't forget our annual Grandfathers for Golf Tournament is right around the corner, and support is needed by all in order for us to continue serving at-risk youth with this valuable program.
Anthony Viola
President
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2009 SCGA Foundation Scholars -Gary Nelson, Jr.
http://www.scgafoundation.org/
2009Scholars.html
Gary Nelson. Jr. currently attends Mt. San Jacinto College and works at Soboba Springs Golf Course. He would like to become a Physical Education teacher or start a program for children with special needs like himself. Nelson is a member of Grandfathers for Golf.
Read Further...
http://www.scgafoundation.org/
2009Scholars.html
Gary Nelson. Jr. currently attends Mt. San Jacinto College and works at Soboba Springs Golf Course. He would like to become a Physical Education teacher or start a program for children with special needs like himself. Nelson is a member of Grandfathers for Golf.
Read Further...
Grandfathers For Golf Brings Youth to the Game
San Jacinto Valley Program Bridges Generation Gap
By Chris Czarnecki
First-Year Fellow, USGA
Press Enterprise golf columnist Marty Finn was used to observing trends in the golf community and sharing his opinions on local golf happenings. In 1996, however, the Hemet, Calif. writer noticed a trend that would eventually change his life. Finn noticed that a key component was missing from the local golf landscape: juniors. Read Futher...
San Jacinto Valley Program Bridges Generation Gap
By Chris Czarnecki
First-Year Fellow, USGA
Press Enterprise golf columnist Marty Finn was used to observing trends in the golf community and sharing his opinions on local golf happenings. In 1996, however, the Hemet, Calif. writer noticed a trend that would eventually change his life. Finn noticed that a key component was missing from the local golf landscape: juniors. Read Futher...
Senior Golfers Reach Out To Teens
By Erica Shen
The Press-Enterprise
June 3, 2008
...The program consists of 10 group lessons taught by local instructors. When students complete their eighth lesson, they each receive a set of golf clubs, a bag, balls and a pair of shoes. At the end of the program, students take a test on the rules and etiquette of the game to graduate. Graduates can play a round of golf with a "surrogate" grandfather twice a month at the country club for free.
It costs $50 to join the program, but Grandfathers for Golf offers scholarships to cover costs students cannot afford, so everyone can have the opportunity to play. Read Further...
By Erica Shen
The Press-Enterprise
June 3, 2008
...The program consists of 10 group lessons taught by local instructors. When students complete their eighth lesson, they each receive a set of golf clubs, a bag, balls and a pair of shoes. At the end of the program, students take a test on the rules and etiquette of the game to graduate. Graduates can play a round of golf with a "surrogate" grandfather twice a month at the country club for free.
It costs $50 to join the program, but Grandfathers for Golf offers scholarships to cover costs students cannot afford, so everyone can have the opportunity to play. Read Further...
At the close of 2009 GfG has gone through some significant changes. Our classes are now split between our long time home at Soboba Springs C.C. and just down the road, at Golden Era Golf Club. Our regular GfG class size has increased by 40%.
GfG along with the SCGA has formed a new advanced novice class called GfG Jr Golf. This group was formed by GfG's long time head swing instructor Frank McCollum. Many of these students are graduates of regular GfG but now have a place to showcase their skills on the course. GfG Jr Golf already has at least 1 tournement set for March and several in the planning stages.
GfG is proud that in a time of uncertain finances we have been able to not only continue to provide quality instuction and playing oppotunities to young golfers, we have expanded to reach more kids who need us.
GfG has selected June 21 for its annual "Marty Finn Memorial Golf Tournament' at Soboba Springs C. C. Tickets will go on sale for $65.00 per player soon through our web site. Last year we sold out so you may want to order yours quickly.
Our next session begins in April and a sign ups are starting. Call to reserve a spot.
Anthony Viola - President
G4Golf Youth on Course June 2010 Schedule
For the first two weeks of June we will continue meeting at Golden Era on Tuesdays and Soboba on Thursday 2:30 to 5:30 late arrival expected. Starting the week of June 21 through the end of summer we will meet on Tuesdays at Golden Era at 2:30 to 5:30and at Soboba on Thursdays however we will change the meeting time at Soboba to early morning 8:00 to 11:00 am. June 8, 15, 22 and 29 Golden Era is open to early morning play 8:00 am, to all youth on course certified players. This would be a good time to learn to get together outside of the G4Golf established schedule, you will need to develop your own Tee Times and Playing partners and possibly some different types of games i.e., Two Man Scramble, Three Club + putter, One Wood or Metal Club + even number clubs only; for tee times call Tony Viola. June 20, Fathers Day / Son / Daughter Tournament at Diamond Valley sign-in 12:00 first tee time 1:00 – Youth on Course playing fee $5.00 dollars range balls $1.00 dollar – adult playing fee $10.00 dollars + Cart Fee; I need a list of intended players ASAP.
June Schedule
Thursday June 3, Soboba on course and instruction.
Tuesday June 8, Golden Era Golden Era on course play.
No planed schedule for Tuesday 15 and Thursday June 17 I will be in Baltimore that week.
Tuesday June 22, Golden Era on course play.
Thursday June 24, Soboba on course and instruction.
Tuesday June 29, Golden Era on course play.
No schedule for July1, we will have a new July schedule starting July 6, 2010
Anthony Viola - President