The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is seeking applicants for golf lesson scholarships aimed at helping local youth learn and grow through the game of golf. The 2022 Michael Goldman Memorial Golf Scholarship is available to Highland Park and Highwood middle and high school students who are facing economic, social, or emotional challenges. The opportunity includes one-on-one golf instruction by the Park District of Highland Park professional staff as well as loaner clubs and use of Sunset Valley Golf Club’s world-class practice facilities.

This third annual scholarship is available thanks to a generous $10,000 donation from the family of longtime Highland Park resident Michael Goldman, whose devotion to the sport throughout a time of illness demonstrated that golf is more than a game – but rather, a means to overcome obstacles and foster physical and emotional well-being. His family’s goal is to help young people develop the focus and discipline that golf inspires while enjoying a healthy, outdoor activity that offers lifelong benefits.  Over the past two years, 12 students have participated in the program.  

“Golf teaches each of us about ourselves. How we deal with the many aspects of the game gets us ready for what happens in our daily life,” said Rob Saunders, PGA professional and Park District of Highland Park Golf Program Manager. “We encourage kids who need some help to apply for this program and look forward to making these lessons a really enjoyable experience.”

Highland Park and Highwood students ages 12-18 who have an interest in learning to play golf and demonstrate need are eligible. Applications are currently available and will be accepted through April. Each participant will receive approximately eight private lessons plus practice time and the chance to develop a personal relationship with a caring golf pro and member of the Park District of Highland Park staff.

For more information, please contact Rob Saunders at rsaunders@pdhp.org or 847-579-4162.

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated to the belief that every resident deserves the opportunity for an enriched healthy life. The Foundation supports and enhances the Park District of Highland Park’s exceptional facilities and provides resources to ensure that all community members are able to participate in Park District programs. The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit https://pfhpil.org

The Parks Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every Highland Park/Highwood resident has the opportunity for an enriched, healthy lifestyle. Our scholarships help families in financial need participate in Park District programs. The Foundation funds…

• $150,000 in annual grants for Park District classes and camps
• Learn-to-Swim lessons for Highwood children
• A new golf instruction program for at-risk youth
• Construction of SVGC Youth Golf Development Center 

The Parks Foundation Board is currently seeking new members and volunteers! If you have a passion for your community and your parks, we would love to have you be a part of our team.

About the Parks Foundation of Highland Park 

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park, an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2016 to support access to the world-class Park District programs and facilities that enhance community life in Highland Park.

For more information about the Parks Foundation go to pfhpil.org or call 847-579-3136.

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from the Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation. These funds will be used to support construction of the Youth Golf Development and Short Game Center at Sunset Valley Golf Club.

This new learning facility at the recently renovated Sunset Valley Golf Club will offer a welcoming environment where young people can practice the game of golf while learning the qualities of discipline, fairness, and patience embodied by the sport. The Center will allow young golfers to develop skills in short game fundamentals, including short shots from bunkers, fairways, and roughs. Through lessons, summer camps, junior leagues, and local team practices, the site will encourage youth to improve their game and sports etiquette among seasoned players and professionals at an award-winning park district course. The Parks Foundation is proud to spearhead funding for this state-of-the-art facility typically found only at private clubs, and to further its mission of making world-class outdoor and recreational opportunities accessible to all community members.

“We are grateful that the Wadsworth Foundation recognizes the importance of our effort to establish the Youth Golf Development and Short Game Center,” said Parks Foundation Board President Bob Bernstein. “The Parks Foundation supports the Park District of Highland Park mission to enrich community life through healthy leisure pursuits and an appreciation of the natural world. That includes carrying on Sunset Valley’s tradition of being the primary center for generations of Highland Park and Highwood residents to learn and love the game of golf.”

The Wadsworth Foundation grant adds to the nearly $175,000 generously committed by the community to date toward an estimated total project cost of $200,000. The Parks Foundations actively seeks additional donations to complete the project and invites the public to chip in by buying a brick or contributing at https://pfhpil.aplos.org/Playitforward

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park believes every resident deserves the opportunity for an enriched healthy life. It provides the resources necessary for everyone in our community to have access to the benefits of our world-class park district and contributes to enduring legacies within the community for future generations. The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit https://pfhpil.aplos.org/

The Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation is dedicated to improving communities through the embodiment of the moral, ethical and cultural codes of the game of golf. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, seeks to make golf and the character-building attributes of the game more accessible to more people, with the ultimate goal of not only enhancing lives but helping to build stronger communities. For more information, visit http://www.wadsworthgolffoundation.org/

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