News

November 9, 2022 (St. Louis) - First Tee – Greater St. Louis is pleased to announce that Normandie Golf Club has been named their flagship course beginning in 2024. 

“Normandie is a perfect fit for our organization’s strategic growth,” said Anne Klein, executive director of First Tee – Greater St. Louis. “As an addition to our already excellent footprint in the region, the course offers a convenient location and excellent experience to the young golfers and families we serve. We look forward to growing our youth programming together.” 

First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build strength of character by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. They reached 456 children during their 2022 season with on-course lessons at seven locations. First Tee school- and community-based programming reaches more than 35,000 kids annually. 

First Tee will be Normandie’s primary nonprofit partner for junior golf programming. 

Normandie Golf Club is currently undergoing a $15 million redevelopment that will earn them a designation as a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. The course was founded in 1901 and is one of the oldest public courses west of the Mississippi. Its renovation is a collaboration between the Metropolitan Golf Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association) and partner Beyond Housing. 

Nicklaus, one of the most accomplished golfers of all time, is donating his services to lead the design effort due to Normandie’s notable history in golf. 

“The Metropolitan Golf Foundation and the Normandie Reimagined team are thrilled that First Tee – Greater St. Louis will call Normandie Golf Club their flagship program in this region. This aligns with our goals of Normandie being the hub for junior golf programming in this region!" said Curt Rohe, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association. 

Earlier this year, the Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson announced a long-term partnership with the Normandie Golf Course renovation project including financial support, charitable and tournament alignment, and investments to help make golf more diverse and inclusive in North St. Louis County and beyond.

“Having the renovated Normandie serve as the flagship golf course for the First Tee - Greater St. Louis is a wonderful development as our region continues to find ways to make golf more diverse, inclusive, and accessible,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President of Ascension and First Tee-Greater St. Louis board member. “We believe this is a big step in the right direction.” 

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About First Tee – Greater St. Louis: Building Game Changers 

First Tee – Greater St. Louis is a nonprofit organization that empowers kids and teens to be the best versions of themselves through the game of golf. They create learning experiences that help children uncover their inner strength, build self-confidence, and gain resilience. They currently offer lessons at seven courses throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. They also offer in-school curriculum at local elementary schools, community programs at youth centers, and opportunity for golf and leadership events on a national level. Learn more at https://firstteestlouis.org/ .  

About Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association 

Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association licensed by the USGA to provide amateur golf services in the Metropolitan St. Louis, Central and Southern Illinois regions. MAGA provides service to 150 member clubs and 22,000+ individual golfers. For more information, visit www.metga.org . 

About Beyond Housing 

Beyond Housing is a nationally recognized community development organization focused on creating a stronger, more equitable, and prosperous St. Louis for all. Beyond Housing has invested more than a $150 million in the 24:1 Community which comprises the geographic district of the Normandie Schools Collaborative. For more information visit, www.beyondhousing.org .