It’s not Pebble Beach, but Rockaway Beach. 

Josiah Morrison is learning the finer points of golf at the Beach 30th Street Playground Field along the boardwalk in Far Rockaway. It's the CityParks Golf Summer Beginner Program, led by Anthony Attanasio, a longtime physical education teacher and coach at Brooklyn's Fort Hamilton High School. 

The free lessons are run by the City Parks Foundation, which offers programming throughout city parks.

What You Need To Know

  • The City Parks Foundation offers free golf lessons for kids age 7-17 through its CityParks Golf Program

  • Lessons at the Beach 30th Street Playground in Far Rockaway were made possible through a partnership with L + M Development Partners

  • Equipment is provided and modified to the age and size of the students and the location of the lessons
  • City Parks Foundation offers programming in NYC Parks throughout the five boroughs

"It's to give the local kids an opportunity to be introduced and learn the basics of golf, so hopefully they will continue on and play a sport that they can play the rest of their lives,” said Attanasio, who is the site director at Beach 30th Street Playground. 

To bring the free program to the Rockaways, City Parks Foundation partnered with L + M Development Partners, which is developing a mixed-income, mixed-use community on vacant land adjacent to the playground. 

"We are trying to figure out other ways to activate this beach, and just bring attention and resources to the community,” said Gingi Pica, director of community investment for L + M Development Partners. 

The program provides all the equipment, modified to the students’ ages and sizes, including limited flight balls, which don't look like golf balls but sure act like them. 

It's been a great opportunity for kids like Josiah Morrison, in a part of Queens where the nearest golf course isn't easy to get to. 

“Yeah, they are doing a great job. I really like them. They really helped me with things that I really needed help on,” said Morrison. 

Danny Whalen, who has had some golf experience, said his game has improved through the program. 

"Putting, chipping, I'm a lot better,” said Whalen. 

Aaron Morrison, Josiah’s brother, also sees more golf in his future. 

“I want to keep playing golf, it’s fun,” said Morrison. 

Find out more about the program here.