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New Mission Statement for Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee Contact Name: Andy Mears Contact Email: andy@thefirstteesm.org Contact Phone Number: 269-491-4653 Sarasota, FL (September 17, 2019) – The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee (TFTSM) -- an organization founded in 2000 with the primary goal of impacting the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf – announces a Mission statement update for the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association (GSJGA), its competitive tournament brand. The new mission statement reads…Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association (GSJGA) mission is to provide a relaxed and fun competitive golf experience. GSJGA is a platform for any junior golfer to gain knowledge of the rules, the etiquette of the game, pace of play, and engage in tournament golf. First and foremost, we want the junior golfers to have fun on the golf course. GSJGA will prepare the players to play competitive golf, enable a smooth transition to the next level and create lifetime golfers. TFTSM Executive Director, Lexi McKenney said, “We believe this new Mission statement best reflects the natural extension from learning the game of golf through The First Tee to learning to play competitive golf. The GSJGA wants to provide all kids interested in tournament golf a platform to begin that journey. Florida is blessed with many great junior golf tours and we see ourselves as that segway to those tours or for good competitive golf close to home.” Starting in January 2019 The Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association (GSJGA) joined TFTSM in an effort to provide area youth golfers with affordable golf opportunities. TFTSM has transitioned into operating and running the junior tournaments throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. GSJGA will run a full slate of competitive, yet fun events with its next competition scheduled for Sunday, September 29 at Serenoa Golf Club. Interested juniors can register at www.sarasotajuniorgolf.com. McKenney concluded by saying, “The combined strength of TFTSM and GSJGA will provide a broader platform to introduce kids to the game and keep them in the game, creating lifetime golfers, which is vital to Golf’s future.” The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee currently serves area youth at its golf course locations and in-school programs, as well as, LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Sarasota/Manatee, Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association, and PGA Jr. League. TFTSM is supported by generous donations from corporate partners, foundation grants and individual donors.