2003 MMJGA News
Growth of the Game Award from the PGA Foundation
MMJGA President Jay Berine accepting the 2003 Growth of the Game award from the PGA Foundation on October 27, 2003 at the Golden Valley Golf & Country Club
The MMJGA and its Executive Director Jackie Cherryhomes were honored to be among the recipients of this year’s Growth of the Game award from the PGA Foundation. President Jay Berine accepted the award on behalf of Jackie and MMJGA during a meeting of the MN Section of PGA at Golden Valley Golf and Country Club.
“We are truly honored to have been selected for this award,” said Jackie. “We have an incredible organization, with an exceptionally dedicated staff and volunteers. The MMJGA program does so much for the lives of youngsters, introducing them to the game of golf, to business contacts and to great friendships. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this organization.”
This award highlights the PGA of America’s commitment to partner with its members to fuel the growth of golf. The PGA Foundation's priority is to grow the game of golf while using the game to enhance the quality of life for all people. Directly associated with golf programs are core values such as honesty, integrity, respect, self-assurance, courtesy, and perseverance. Regardless of gender, age, social and economic background, or playing ability, every golfer experiences these values through their involvement in the game. These values are particularly important for golf programs conducted in under-served communities.
With the financial assistance of these grants, PGA professionals can develop and administer important programs that open doors of opportunity for participants to enter the game and, ultimately, remain a part of a growing golf population. PGA professionals nationwide are the driving force and inspiration behind numerous initiatives that introduce golf to diverse cultural, racial and economic segments of society.
The MMJGA and PGA Professional and MMJGA Caddie Master Michael Hinton will use this grant to grow the game of golf by introducing golf to urban young people and their families, many of who would never have the opportunity to participate without our organization, focusing on developing the "life skills" of our participants; developing entrepreneurial skills through caddying; awarding scholarhships to qualifying caddies; and parental involvement. Our Caddie Master maintains a very hands-on relationship with the kids in the program and provides positive mentoring.
Support from the PGA Foundation has also allowed us to institute a Monday golf league which enables caddies that are learning to caddie and learning the game of golf to actually play golf.
MMJGA, its Board of Directors and staff, care deeply about the future of our young people. We believe we are building stronger citizens, familie and communities while growing the game of golf.
End of Season Awards Brunch
Saturday, October 18 , 2003
Caddies in the 2003 program celebrated the end of a great golfing season with MMJGA board members and staff at a brunch hosted at Rosen's City Tavern in downtown Minneapolis.
A program followed the brunch which included welcoming remarks from our president Jay Berine and special guest speaker Jason Pung, an Evans Scholarship winner at the University of Minnesota. Jason worked his way up to an honor caddie at Minnekhada Country Club. He spent a total of 14 years as a caddie there, starting at at age 12. We thank Jason for sharing his insight and experience.
Caddiemaster Michael Hinton followed with season highlights and awards.
Season Highlights
This season we developed good working relationships with a number of private clubs, such as Interlachen, Spring Hill, North Oaks, Hazeltine National, Minneapolis and Minnekahda. Through extensive training, solid leadership and a commitment to excellence, our caddies have performed wonderfully at these clubs and are in demand for loops. Our program in 2003 trained over 40 caddies that were employed through various private courses. Of that 40, approximately 20, who had no prior experience as golf, were trained to play. In 2004 we will have six strong Evans Scholar candidates.
This year we instituted a Monday golf league to give caddies that were learning to caddie and learning the game of golf, the opportunity to play. Our hope is to expand this Monday program in 2004, making it a relatively competitive event.
Award Recipients
- Caddie Of The Year: Quinten C.
- Most Improved: Courtney B.
- Professional Award: Justin R. and Jeremy R.
MMJGA Program on KSTP News.
Caddie Desmond Howard and Caddie Master Michael Hinton were interviewed for the segment on KSTP, Channel 5, 6:00 news on Friday, July 11, 2003.
MMJGA Program in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine.
"Links to the Future," J. Roe, Minneapolis St. Paul, p. 184 (April 2003).