NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
08 April 2002

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW CITY GOLF PRACTICE RANGE IN RESERVOIR PARK

Harrisburg, PA — Mayor Stephen R. Reed today conducted groundbreaking ceremonies for a new golf practice range being constructed in Reservoir Park. Funding for the new, ’short’ game practice range is being provided by a $50,000 “For The Good of the Game” grant from the United States Golf Association, which is in addition to a $40,000 U.S.G.A. program funding grant given to the city for the city’s nationally-acclaimed Junior Golf Program.

Reed said the project unveiled today will include the construction of a new golf practice facility that includes a putting green, chipping green, sand traps and other golf course hazards. The 8,300 square foot practice range will become the primary instructional facility for participants in the city’s highly popular Junior Golf Program, with the range open for use by the general public at all other times. There is no fee for use of the facility.

The Mayor said the city started the Junior Golf Program 6 years ago. It is administered by the Harrisburg Parks Partnership, and has grown from 30 youth in 1997 to more than 150 last year. Over 285 youth have participated in the program during its history, making the Harrisburg program one of the most successful junior golf programs in the Nation, according to the U.S.G.A.

The city Junior Golf Program is coordinated by noted city resident Cleveland Wade, a retired senior PGA Tour caddy, and the program is primarily funded by revenues raised during the annual Mayor’s Golf Outing, held every August and this year slated for Friday, August 9 at the Dauphin Highlands Golf Course.

“Today’s activities continue a long history of golfing in Reservoir Park,” said Mayor Reed, noting that the Park was once dominated by a nine-hole golf course that traversed most of the Park into the 1940’s. “We are delighted to usher in a new era of golfing in Reservoir Park, and provide a free and convenient practice facility for both the general public as well as participants in the Junior Golf Program.

“As any golfer will tell you, proficiency in the so-called ’short’ game is the most important aspect of golfing, occupying the majority of shots in a normal round of golf. With this new facility our Junior Golfers will have a first-class short game practice area that is free and easily accessible, allowing for increased practice time regardless of whether it is structured through the city’s program, or on their own free time. No longer will such issues as course fees, transportation arrangements or other impediments prevent our youth from enjoying this true life sport at any time they wish.”

Reed said design of the new golf practice range was provided H. Edward Black and Associates, with construction bids to be solicited within the next 30 days. The facility is expected to be ready for public use by late Summer.

The Mayor noted that the city’s Junior Golf Program is always soliciting good used golf equipment for use by program participants, with a special need for quality shoes, gloves, smaller-sized clubs and golf balls. Persons interested in donating good used equipment to the Junior Golf Program, learning more about the city’s youth golf activities, registering for the Mayor’s August Golf Outing, or finding out more about the new Reservoir Park facility can contact the Harrisburg Parks Partnership at (717) 233.7462.

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