{"id":228213,"date":"2026-05-12T04:27:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T04:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/228213\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T04:27:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T04:27:57","slug":"ballys-links-hosts-annual-city-parks-foundation-golf-classic-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/228213\/","title":{"rendered":"Bally\u2019s Links hosts annual City Parks Foundation Golf Classic \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bally\u2019s Links hosted a sold-out group for the annual City Parks Foundation Golf Classic, which raises funds for youth sports, arts and educational programming in 320 parks citywide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The group of about 100 golfers on May 11 faced overcast skies, cool breeze and no rain for the all-day event, which featured lunch, cocktails and friendly competition in an 18-hole scramble tournament, with a future free round of golf for the winning team.<\/p>\n

\"\"At the golf course, pre-construction work is just beginning for the future casino-hotel complex that was granted state licensure in Dec. 2025. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

The event raised more than $200,000 and provided an opportunity to celebrate Bally\u2019s Links\u2019 ongoing partnership with the City Parks Foundation and its CityParks Play<\/a> program. The nonprofit has helped more than 10,000 New York City youth learn a \u201csport for life\u201d \u2014 track and field, soccer, tennis and golf \u2014 in their own neighborhood parks at no cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the golf program, the highest-level youth players ages 10 to 17 get to play at Bally\u2019s, designed by legendary golf pro Jack Nicklaus with stunning skyline views in every direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to provide opportunity, simple as that,\u201d Mike Silverman, director of special projects for CityParks Play, told the Bronx Times.\n<\/p>\n

When kids get to play at a top-notch course at a young age, it makes a big impression, he added.
\n\"\"Mike Silverman speaks during lunch at the City Parks Foundation fundraiser. Photo by Emily Swanson\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is their Pebble Beach,\u201d he said, referencing the California public course widely considered to be the best in the country. \u201cThe experience [kids] have here, it can be life-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n

CityParks golf has about 1,500 youth members and a proven track record of success. Alumni of the program have gone on to win college scholarships and earn national rankings.<\/p>\n

And kids ages 10 to 17 are also making names for themselves. The two teams affiliated with the PGA Junior League, based out of Bally\u2019s Links and the Junior Golf Center<\/a> in Brooklyn, have made the regional finals for the past four years and have their eyes set on the national championship, according to Chris Brady or \u201cCoach Chris,\u201d co-director of golf at the center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

In teaching golf \u2014especially to those who may be intimidated by the game or have little exposure to it\u2014 keeping it fun is key, Brady said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

CityParks golfers don\u2019t spend hours a driving range with an instructor looming them. Instead, young golfers start at baseball fields in their neighborhood parks, using wiffle balls and putting onto a tic-tac-toe board on the ground to test their accuracy.<\/p>\n

Under this model, young players form fast friendships, build essential golf skills and are motivated to stick with it, Brady said. \u201cThey don\u2019t even realize that they\u2019re learning.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The ultimate hope is that young people not only learn how to drive and putt but build healthy habits and life skills such as confidence, mental toughness and teamwork that carry them through the rest of their lives, Silverman said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nothing is more important than \u201caccess and opportunity,\u201d he added.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Brian Crowell<\/a>, general manager of Bally\u2019s Links who was named National PGA Professional of the Year, reiterated Bally\u2019s commitment to bringing more young people into the game.<\/p>\n

Golf \u201cchecks all the boxes\u201d to prepare kids for life, he said during his lunch remarks.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Crowell introduced two up-and-coming stars of the game: Eduard Tervooren<\/a>, 10, and Ava Chen<\/a>, 11, both from Brooklyn, whom he said represent \u201cTiger Woods-type stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Eduard Tervooren, age 10, and Ava Chen, 11, are both making a name for themselves in the golf world after getting their start in the CityParks Play golf program. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

Chen just won her age division at the 2026 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals<\/a> at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5 and already played at some of the world\u2019s top courses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing how poised and composed young Ava Chen is,\u201d Crowell said.\n<\/p>\n

Tervooren has won 9 of his last 12 tournaments and will play in the U.S. Golf Kids World Championship this summer.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Both young players have strong support from their families but got their start through free lessons in their area parks. \u201cWhat CityParks has done for them is immeasurable,\u201d Crowell said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reach Emily Swanson at\u00a0eswanson@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(646) 717-0015<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n