BIRTHDAY COMING UP? PLEASE SUPPORT JUNIOR GOLF

Palm Beach County golfers have no doubt taken notice of the “Golf Capital of the World” license plate proudly displayed on thousands of local automobiles. Many golfers do not know that the benefitting charity of this license plate is junior golf. Created in 2002 by the Dade Amateur Golf Association, the Florida Junior Golf Council was formed for the benefit of Florida’s junior golf programs. Through the efforts of the late Charlie DeLucca, the “Golf Capital of the World” license plate was passed into law by the Florida legislature and Governor Jeb Bush. All revenue generated supports junior golf programs. To date, over $8.7 million has been distributed to support junior golf. The FJGC license plate grant program is designed to assist organizations that introduce young people to golf, through instruction and competition, teach the values and Rules of Golf, stress integrity, courtesy, self-discipline, and other life skills.  Additionally, the grant program assists junior golf organizations that serve economically disadvantaged youth, children with special needs and the general population.  The FJGC is planning to significantly increase the size of grants for the next year because of the impact of COVID-19 on junior golf programs. “We are now seeing that junior golf programs have to offer smaller class sizes, pay for more coaches to ensure safety and spend unbudgeted funds on thermometers, sanitizer, masks and gloves,” said Charlie DeLucca III, Executive Director of the First Tee of Miami and board member of the FJGC. “After speaking with several junior program executive directors and administrators it became obvious that the FJGC needed to step in and assist these important programs. All Florida golfers recognize the license plate, but many do not understand the incredible impact it has on junior golf. (Pictured above: Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta with one of his two FJGC license plates.) The easiest way to purchase the license plate is during your birthday month by renewing your tag registration. The plate can be purchased online or in person at the office of the tax collector or tag agency. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!