For Immediate Release:
October 2, 2023

County Commissioners, Park System and
First Tee - Jersey Shore announce partnership

WALL TWP., NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, the Monmouth County Park System and First Tee – Jersey Shore have announced a new partnership to host programs at Bel-Aire Golf Course with the goal of empowering kids and teens through the game of golf.

“First Tee – Jersey Shore needed a location to support the growing interest of kids and teens in golf,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The Board is happy to partner with this remarkable organization to provide a beautiful and safe location to learn the game at one of our award winning golf courses.”

“Our County Park System is honored to host First Tee – Jersey Shore programs,” said Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, liaison to the Monmouth County Park System. “We hope that the First Tee participants enjoy their experience on the course and come back to play on it for years to come.”

"As a small nonprofit working to provide access and opportunity to First Tee for as many Monmouth County families as possible, we are grateful for the support of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and the Monmouth County Park System. First Tee coaches are so thrilled to be welcomed into the wonderful golf learning spaces at Bel-Aire Golf Course this fall," said Tara Kelly, Executive Director of First Tee – Jersey Shore.

"The popularity of golf has increased 25% since the start of the pandemic and we found ourselves without enough location space to meet the demand," said Maureen McHugh, Board Chair of First Tee – Jersey Shore. "The waitlists have been at least 150 kids each year. We are now able to open more slots and offer more access for kids and teens. We look forward to that waitlist number decreasing even more in the coming years thanks to this partnership and the support of Monmouth County leadership."

First Tee — Jersey Shore is a youth development organization that empowers kids and teens through the game of golf. First Tee coaches use golf as a learning tool to enable kids to build strength of character that helps empower them through a lifetime of new challenges. The curriculum is designed to provide active learning experiences through golf that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

To learn more about the Monmouth County Park System, go to www.monmouthcountyparks.com. To learn more about First Tee – Jersey Shore, go to www.firstteejerseyshore.org.

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