Cover Story: Summer in New York City
Golf, The Park, and Other Things
by Tom Kertes

There are a multitude of ways for children (of all ages) to have major fun in the sun in Central Park this summer. But few programs can match the scope and imagination of the tennis and golf programs run by the City Parks Foundation, the private, non-profit branch of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department.

“We have a dual function,” stated Amy Murnick, the Foundation’s Media Director. “We raise private funds that support programs in City parks. And we run the tennis and golf arms of our projects ourselves—hopefully, with some creativity and imagination.”

City Parks Youth Tennis, which started operations in 1977, has become the largest municipally-run program of its kind in the United States. In its fourteen years, the program has provided free, high-quality tennis lessons to over 200,000 youths aged 4-16.

“We provide over 10,000 kids each summer with free, weekly instruction by tennis professionals, as well as free use of racquets and balls,” Murnick said. “And, as kids get better, we’ve had Nike, Reebok and other organizations sponsor an advanced Tennis Academy and weekly tournaments.” Each year, the 25 best players are selected to play indoors year-round. As a result, New York City has produced the No. 1-ranked, under-14 girl player in the country for the past two years: Shaleisha Robinson (a serious super-talent expected to grow into a world-class player), and Palina Zarester.

“Our original goal was just to provide access to tennis to city kids who would otherwise be unable to afford lessons,” explained Murnick. “Still, developing these great players has certainly been a nice bonus.”

The Foundation also runs a golf project that is a mere two years young. The JP Morgan Chase Junior Golf Camps run three-week sessions manned by PGA-certified professionals on New York City baseball fields. These free lessons are provided to over 2,000 kids.

“Besides high costs, accessibility is one of the main reasons why golf has not enjoyed popularity with urban youths as other sports,” said Mike Silverman, the Foundation’s Director. “There are, after all, a lot more ball fields and basketball courts in the city than golf courses. Our goal is to introduce the game to city kids by utilizing ball fields within their easy reach.”

The golf camps teach beginners the basics in driving, pitching and putting. Lessons also include contests, giveaways and basic skills tests. The top 60 kids get free entry into the Foundation Golf Academy for advanced instruction.

Thirteen year-old Malik Lewter, who never played the game before the camp last summer, recently shot an outstanding 60 on a par-3 course. He is one kid who claims to want to keep on playing—and maybe even become the Next Tiger Woods. “I watch a lot of golf on TV, and I try to do what the pros do,” he said. ”I love to watch Tiger play. But I could be the future.” #

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