The International Federation of PGA Tours has announced that it is in the final stages of executing an agreement that would establish a First Tee facility at a junior golf venue located within 10 kilometers of Valderrama Golf Club, site of the World Golf Championships – American Express Championship.
The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing affordable golf access to those who otherwise might not have an opportunity to play the game, with a special emphasis on kids.
The First Tee facility will be located at La Cañada Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones-designed, nine-hole course that provides free golf and golf lessons to youth. A new clubhouse and an additional nine holes, designed by Dave Thomas, are under construction. Cabell Robinson, based in Mijas, Spain, and the only member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects working independently in Europe, has offered to assist in making improvements to the original nine holes at no cost to the project.
La Cañada Golf Club will become the first First Tee Chapter outside North America and joins Montreal, Canada and Puerto Rico as one of three First Tree locations outside the United States.
The World Golf Championships – American Express Championship will donate $250,000 to charities in the region of Andalucia with The First Tree initiative at La Canada Golf Club being the principal recipient.
This brings to over $1 million the total pledge made to The First Tree by the International Federation this year from the three World Golf Championships events, which also include the Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship and the NEC Invitational.
A letter of intent has been signed between The First Tee, European Tour Executive Director Ken Schofield and Juan Gomez, President of La Cañada Golf Club.
