Goodwin Park Golf Course A New First Tee Hotbed
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here’s a youthful vibe circulating around Hartford, Ct.’s Goodwin Park Golf Course. That’s because the First Tee of Connecticut has taken over partial stewardship of the course as it seeks to grow its Hartford area footprint and enhance its programming. There aren’t any dramatic changes to the course’s operation, explained Mark Moriarity, First Tee Connecticut executive director and a First Tee coach, but there may be more youngsters around the facility this year and additional programs for those enrolled in the organization. “We have been running First Tee programming at Goodwin Park since 1999 and this was a chance to enhance our presence in the Greater Hartford area,” said Moriarity. “The operators and city have always been good to us, and customers shouldn’t expect any big changes, just maybe signage explaining
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Golfing Magazine • New England Edition Golfing Magazine • New England Edition
the First Tee’s role at the course. More junior golfers will be enjoying the course through play and programs. We will insure that any golfer that comes to Goodwin will be treated warmly. We won’t let our taking over management of the course interfere with golfers’ enjoyment playing Goodwin Park.” Moriarity continued, “Long term, we hope what we are doing at River Highlands (another First Tee headquarters and operational facility in Cromwell) will happen at Goodwin. Things like summer camps and programs such as parents getting a complimentary round if they are with their child or children, and charity events to benefit the First Tee. We may not be able to add a lot of new programming this year but 2023 will see an enhanced First Tee at Goodwin. In the meantime, those involved with First Tee will have easy access to a golf
