Golf, Grow, Grades, Graduate

The “Golf, Grow, Grades, Graduate” program was developed by Pittsburgh Youth Golf Foundation in conjunction with the Tri-State Section of the PGA of America. The program introduces the game of golf to the inner-city youth of our community, using golf as a medium to improve each child’s self-esteem, self-discipline, responsibility and perseverance.

By involving these children in their formative years, this program has a proven record of success, enhancing the lives of these youngsters through golf. PYGF’s founders asked nothing of the Pittsburgh regional community, starting literally from scratch and building a vision for the future.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Cooperative Program

The Pittsburgh Public School Program is a four-week spring golf program taken by students in place of their regular physical education classes. The first two weeks are spent in the school classroom facility where basic golf instruction takes place. The teachers select the top 25-35 students and they travel to Scally’s golf center for further, more intense instruction for the next 3 weeks. Scally’s Golf Center includes for student use: a driving range, instructional putting green, instructional sand bunker, pitch and putt course, and an Executive Par 3 course. When the last 3 weeks of instruction are complete, the PGA professionals select the top male and female golfers and those students play a Championship Tournament, followed by a Luncheon and Awards Ceremony each year at the Scally’s Golf Center. The students are treated to lunch, a guest speaker and an awards ceremony where a male and female student from each school is recognized for a Sportsmanship Award, Most Improved, and Outstanding Golfer Awards. The final awards are given to the winning girls and boys teams with a plaque with their names and school on it to be displayed in the school for the next year. Second and third place schools are given silver and bronze medals respectively.

The current participating middle school is Pittsburgh Sterrett.

Students are also offered the exposure to professional golf through attendance at USGA Events, PGA Tournaments, LPGA Tournaments and Senior Tour Tournaments.

Bob Yeager Family Summer Camp

The Pittsburgh Youth Golf Foundation offers a free summer golf camp to middle school students of Pittsburgh and surrounding area. Camp is two weeks with transportation and lunch provided daily. All participants are given instruction by Tri-State PGA professionals. Competitions are held daily and students are grouped according to abilities. Accommodations in equipment and instruction are made for special needs students.

The Dave Vietmeier City Connections Program

Pittsburgh Youth Golf Foundation is proud of our partnership with the Dave Vietmeier City Connections Transition Program from the Pittsburgh Public Schools to bring golf instruction and philosophy to their students. The program is held in the spring and fall and also features a summer camp in July.

The Pittsburgh Public Schools City Connections Transitions Program was established to provide a unique opportunity for young adults, age 18-21, to continue their education. At each site, students can continue their educational program in an urban, community-focused learning and working environment outside of a traditional high school campus.

PYGF provides these young people with an opportunity to learn a life-long physical fitness activity through individualized golf instruction, including modified clubs to meet the needs of the students. PYGF uses the tenants of the game to teach nine core values: integrity, confidence, responsibility, trust, respect, courtesy, equity, and accountability, to help these young people to succeed in life.