Governor Cuomo kicks off PGA Championship
by announcing Free Youth Golf Day on July 20
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 15, 2019) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo kicked off the PGA Championship today by announcing Free Youth Golf Day, a statewide event offering youths 18 and younger a free round at all 28 New York State Parks golf courses. The event will take place July 20, serving to introduce children across the state to the game and the opportunities available at New York State Parks. The PGA Championship at Bethpage State Park is currently underway through Sunday, May 19.
"I'm excited about the PGA of America and what they've done. We want to encourage and grow the sport of golf in New York. To help encourage that, the state is going to sponsor an event on July 20th where anyone under the age of 18 years old can golf for free at any of our state facilities," Cuomo said. "It's a nice way to get young people out to experience the game, and I think once they experience it and they understand it, they will be hooked, so we look forward to doing that."
"The PGA Championship is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to New York," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "We're encouraging more young people to utilize our golf courses across the state, and the Free Youth Golf Day will help to support increased activity and participation. New York has some of the best golf courses at our state parks, and programs like these build on our efforts to promote recreation and tourism statewide."
New York State Parks golf courses are now open for the season. Some of the best courses and golf values in New York can be found within state parks, including the famed Black Course at Bethpage State Park – the site of two previous U.S. Opens, the 2019 PGA Championship and 2024 Ryder Cup; the Robert Trent Jones-designed Green Lakes course, James Baird and Montauk Downs courses; and the championship course at Saratoga Spa. Tee times can be booked online for many of the New York state golf courses.
"State Park golf courses offer great value and some of the most challenging play in the country," State Parks Acting Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. "I applaud Governor Cuomo for helping to support youth golf in New York state. We look forward to seeing our regular golfers and many new visitors hitting the links soon."
New York State Parks currently maintains and oversees 28 golf courses across the state. Approximately 600,000 rounds of golf are played at State Park golf courses each year, bringing in an average of $17 million in annual revenue. Under the State Park golf program, which contracts with PGA golf professionals, both experienced and novice golfers can take lessons from some of the best players in this sport.
For a list of State Park golf courses, and specific details for fees and lessons with PGA golf professionals, go to https://parks.ny.gov/golf.
(Governor’s Press Office)