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YMCA To Host Forum On Youth Golf Program

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2008

TAMPA - A community forum on a youth golf program at Rogers Park Golf Course will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the course, 7911 N. Willie Black Drive.

The event will be hosted by the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, which has a contract with the city and the Tampa Sports Authority to provide the First Tee of Tampa Bay program.

The national program teaches golf and life skills primarily to low-income, at-risk youth. The YMCA plans to renovate the course's original clubhouse as First Tee headquarters.

Program participants will include youngsters from Franklin Middle School and Academy Prep Center as well as local Boys & Girls Clubs, parks and recreation groups and church youth groups.

A group known as Citizens Who Support Keeping Rogers Park Public opposes the contract, which the Tampa City Council approved two years ago. Group members worry the YMCA's involvement is a step toward privatizing the golf course, which was the only one open to blacks during segregation.

YMCA and city officials have said the city will maintain ownership and the sports authority will continue managing the course.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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