Around the Green

Bill Penn Grant Applications Now Open

The Texas Golf Association and TGA Foundation today announced that applications are open for the Bill Penn Grant.  Bill Penn served as the Executive Director of the TGA for more than a decade.  He was a true ambassador of golf with a commitment to growing the game throughout Texas.  The TGA Foundation created a grant in his honor and awards up to $5,000 annually to support community outreach programs providing local level instruction, educational materials and encouragement to juniors interested in pursuing golf.

The following four organizations were awarded Bill Penn Grants in 2017.

• The First Tee of Fort Worth: Funds used to provide transportation for students attending after-school programs. The funding allowed participantion by kids living in urban areas who are at-risk and economically disadvantaged.
• TGA Sports Foundation: TGASF planned to expand programming to 5 new under resourced schools targeting 150 under-served and disadvantaged children in kindergarten through eighth grades.  The five-level school enrichment program provides children with the opportunity to be part of a golf program that promotes the physical, educational, social and character-building elements of the sport.
• The First Tee of El Paso: Funds expanded programming at Ft. Bliss Underwood Golf Complex. The Youth at this location are children that move often, change schools and parents are deployed for long periods of time.
• The First Tee of Greater Houston: Funds used for program expansion at two schools in the East End of Houston that are near Gus Wortham Park Golf Course. This expansion grant directly serves 1,400 mostly low-income youth through program delivery by the PE teachers.

Since establishing the Bill Penn Grant, organizations have benefitted from funding for program expansion, equipment acquisition or enhancement of services.  Funds may not be used for daily operations or ongoing programming.

Applications will be accepted and will be available HERE beginning February 15.  Interested organizations are encouraged to complete the application no later than March 31, 2018.  For more information, please contact Stacy Dennis.