August 18th, 2022 – First Tee – Metropolitan New York, the largest Chapter of the national First Tee, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, today announced the launching of its pilot program in the Town of Islip at Brentwood Country Club and Holbrook Country Club.
The program is set to begin in the fall of 2022 with the support of the Islip Parks Foundation, the Town of Islip and Suffolk Transportation Services’ donation today, of a 15-seat van that will serve as the program’s headquarters in the Town of Islip and also, as mobile educational tool and satellite office that will bring First Tee into communities throughout the Town, and eventually into communities throughout Suffolk County. First Tee currently serves more than 3,500 youth in the Metropolitan region with a focus on those from underprivileged backgrounds.
“On behalf of the Islip Parks Foundation and the Islip Town Board, we are pleased to partner with First Tee-Metropolitan New York in offering this exceptional golf program to kids and teens. Participants will build self-esteem, confidence, and develop life-skills that they’ll carry with them in all their endeavors,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “A special thank you to Suffolk Transportation Services for its generous donation of this vehicle, which will serve as First Tee’s mobile education center and satellite office,” said the Supervisor.
Existing municipal partnerships in Nassau County, NYC and Essex County, NJ provide a blueprint for bringing golf and its recreational and educational benefits to all children through First Tee’s unique core values and life skills curriculum. To date, alumni of the program have also received more than $3.1 million in college scholarships through their involvement.
“We are thrilled to introduce our Life Skills and education curriculum to Islip and Suffolk County with this new partnership. Our programs will help create outstanding new opportunities for girls and boys through the game of golf, while also developing them as young men and women of strong character/values. It is so exciting for First Tee – Metropolitan New York to help advance the lives of our youth in Islip with strong community support,” said Gene Bernstein, First Tee – Met NY Board Chairman.
"On behalf of our entire team at First Tee - Met New York, we are delighted to be introducing our youth development programs to the Town of Islip and Suffolk County via the launch of this new campus. It is so exciting to bring our mission to teach life skills and create educational opportunities for underserved/underrepresented communities through the game of golf to the Islip community, and we are confident students and families in the area will experience meaningful results and relationships with our program. The expansion into Suffolk County is critical for our organization to continue serving all of Long Island, and we would like to give a special thank you to the Town of Islip, Islip Parks Foundation, Angie Carpenter, Suffolk Transportation, and Tom McAteer for making this possible," said Matt Rawitzer, Executive Director of First Tee - Metropolitan New York.
“I am excited to bring the First Tee Metropolitan- New York program to Islip. As a Town of Islip resident and an alumni of the Bay Shore public school system, I am looking forward to serving the youth of the area. Special thanks to Suffolk Transportation, Islip Parks Foundation and Islip Supervisor, Angie Carpenter,” said Justin Draycott, Long Island Program Director, First Tee-Metropolitan New York.
“We are happy to help First Tee Metropolitan New York expand their great program into Suffolk County. The Islip Parks Foundation should be commended for providing the energy behind this expansion,” said John Corrado, President, Suffolk Transportation Services.
