2009 More Than A Game Magazine

BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER THROUGH GOLF The First Tee National School Program Continues to Bring Unique Opportunities to Teachers and Students The First Tee National School Program (NSP) continues to impact communities in more ways than just introducing golf to elementary school students in their physical education classes. Program sponsors and school districts are teaming up with local golf communities to create opportunities for students to access the game outside of the classroom. During the spring and summer months, teachers and students from several NSP communities participated in events that brought them closer to the game.

The Memorial Tournament hosted fifth grade students and teachers from elementary schools in the Columbus, Ohio area for a field trip to watch PGA TOUR professionals on the last day of practice rounds. Another PGA TOUR event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, welcomed elementary students from Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Fla. to a junior golf clinic featuring PGA TOUR pro Billy Andrade.

PGA TOUR pro Billy Andrade

School districts are also teaming up with local golf communities to give teachers unique experiences with golf. In Nebraska, Lincoln Public Schools teamed with Lincoln City golf courses to plan a development day focused on golf. Teachers from the area received a review of the NSP along with a free lesson from PGA professionals from the Lincoln City courses.

Communities and schools continue to work together to maximize The First Tee National School Program’s positive impact on students and teachers involved in the program.

To stay current on program news, or to bring the program to your community, visit www.thefirsttee.org/nationalschoolprogram.

CONFIDENCE

National School Program Instructor Nominated for Teacher of the Year Lana Peterson, physical education teacher at Russeau Elementary in Lincoln, Neb., was nominated by her peers for the National Association of Sport and Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award for Nebraska.

Peterson is one of The First Tee National School Program’s certified national trainers and has been involved in the program since 2005.

“We are incredibly grateful to have exceptional national trainers like Peterson and Cherie Mathews and Diane Lamb, previous winners of this award,” said Benna Cawthorn, director of the National School Program. “Their dedication to the program has undoubtedly given numerous students and teachers the opportunity to truly understand and benefit from the program’s positive impacts.”

Confidence — reliance or trust in one’s abilities; a feeling of self-assurance Confidence plays a key role in the level of play that one achieves. Players can increase confidence in their abilities by being positive and focusing on something they are doing well regardless of the outcome. www.thefirsttee.org

5

Down to the Wire in Pebble!

The Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble

Champions Tour, Walmart, LPGA,

Beach presented by Nature Valley entered

The First Tee and even from actor

its sixth year with Champions Tour

Bill Murray, who spoke about

professionals, participants of The First Tee

honesty. Each speaker took one

and amateur players equally enjoying and

core value and spoke to its meaning

learning from each other at Pebble Beach

from his or her perspective.

Golf Links. Throughout the week, all were taken in by the scenery and the chance

Junior participants attended

to play one of the most notable courses

the Unilever Leadership Forum to

in the country.

learn about health and wellness, environmental awareness and

Early in the week, junior golfers attended

self-esteem from executives of

the Pairings Party where Peter Jacobsen

Unilever and Walmart.

was master of ceremonies, reeling off junior and professional golfer pairings who were matched for tournament play.

The same day, World Golf Hall of Fame member Gary Player delivered a spirited address about wellness, and the day

A highlight of the event every year is the Legends and Leaders reception. The

concluded with awards and a community challenge for each participant.

Surprise Visit to Girls Participant Selection Process

participants heard how The First Tee Nine Core Values relate to the lives of other individuals,

The tournament showcased

Thirty-six girls from The First Tee

exciting play from all of

Chapters worldwide converged in

including representatives

the juniors, amateurs,

Rye, N.H. to compete for 22 spots

from the PGA TOUR,

and professionals with

in the Walmart First Tee Open at

Sunday coming down

Pebble Beach and very special guests

to the final group. On

stopped by to wish them well. The First

the professional side, Jeff Sluman held on to win his second consecutive Walmart

Tee Honorary Chairman and former President George H.W. Bush, his wife Barbara and granddaughter Jenna

First Tee Open at Pebble Beach,

surprised the girls during their round

while Will Bishop, 16, (The

of golf.

First Tee of Lexington) and his professional partner David

A similar selection event for boys was

Eger held off Sluman and junior

held at Shadow Valley Country Club in

partner Ericka Schneider (The

Rogers, Ark., where 84 boys competed

First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee)

for 48 spots in the Walmart First Tee

to capture the Pro/Jr division of

Open at Pebble Beach.

the tournament.

The First Tee selection process identifies participants who have integrated life skills learned through The First Tee into other aspects of their life. Participants were chosen through a series of interviews, essays and a 36-hole golf-proficiency event.

A committee of representatives from The First Tee, Walmart Stores, Inc., and invited guests from the golf industry judged the participants and made the final selection.

RESPONSIBILITY 8

www.thefirsttee.org

Responsibility — accounting for one’s actions; dependable Players are responsible for their actions on the golf course. It is up to them to keep score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green, and keep up with the pace of play.

World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam visits The First Tee of Dallas It was a fun-filled day for The First Tee of Dallas as World Golf Hall of Fame Member and eight-time LPGA Player of the Year Annika Sorenstam held a summer golf clinic for 36 excited participants. Sorenstam talked to the group about her experiences growing up in golf while she held demonstrations and answered questions. She also spent one on one time with each student, providing tips for success in both golf and life. The day ended with each participant receiving an autographed photo.

“This is unbelievable!” exclaimed Jasper Smith, parent of two young ladies in The First Tee of Dallas program. “Do you realize how close we are to Annika Sorenstam right now? This is a priceless experience that my girls will remember for a lifetime.”

LPGA Player Nicole Castrale Hosts Clinic in Richmond

K.J. Choi Hosts Golf Clinic at Houston/F.M. Law Park PGA TOUR player KJ Choi teamed up with The First Tee of Houston/F.M. Law Park to host a golf clinic for participants of the program. The Houston native spent four hours with staff, participants and parents sharing his interpretations of different life skills. In addition to spending time at the Chapter, he also pledged to make a financial commitment and visit the Chapter again when time allows.

The clinic was well attended and gave Choi an opportunity to see the positive impact of The First Tee in his hometown.

San Joaquin Country Club Provides Honorary Memberships to Participants Alanna Loyd and Kirsten Keyser can now add a country club membership to their list of accomplishments. As a part of a program designed to enhance the life experiences of deserving youth at The First Tee of Fresno, these two participants received honorary memberships to San Joaquin Country Club. Loyd and Keyser were selected after an interview, Q&A session and

HONESTY 12

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INTEGRITY

Charlotte Participant Interviews PGA TOUR Player Anthony Kim

Food and fun was the theme of the 8th annual Ukrop’s The First Tee Golf Tournament hosted

by The First Tee Richmond & Chesterfield. This summer, LPGA professional Nicole Castrale conducted a lunchtime clinic and played in both the morning and afternoon tournaments. Robert Ukrop, The First Tee Trustee and President and CEO of Ukrop’s Super Markets said, “It was a great event including fine fellowship, food and fun on the golf course!” The tournament netted more than $50,000 in support of The First Tee of Richmond & Chesterfield.

There was a new reporter on the scene covering the Quail Hollow Championship this summer. CJ Carson, a participant from The First Tee of Charlotte, had the opportunity to meet and interview PGA TOUR player and The First Tee Young Ambassador Anthony Kim. Carson was among three young people selected by My School Rocks Magazine, an educational publication that highlights events, students, teachers and more in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

a golf skills demonstration on the driving range.

Both participants play on their school’s golf team and have proven successes in the classroom and in the community. They will each enjoy one year memberships at the course. By creating this membership program, San Joaquin Country Club is opening its doors to deserving youth who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to be exposed to the benefits of a country club membership. Not only will these juniors have access to a premier practice facility where they can work on their game, but they will also have the ability to socialize with business professionals and learn more about college and career opportunities.

SPORTSMANSHIP

RESPECT

CONFIDENCE

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 222 ST. AUGUSTINE, FL World Golf Village 425 South Legacy Trail St. Augustine, FL 32092 USA T (904) 940-4300 F (904) 940-1556

www.thefirsttee.org

HONESTY

Honesty — the quality or state of being truthful; not deceptive Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves and report their own score.

The Toro Company, a preferred supplier of golf course maintenance and irrigation equipment for The First Tee, donated golf maintenance equipment to The First Tee of Rapid City. During a ceremony at LaCroix Links Golf Course, Toro officials presented two Greensmaster™ greens mowers and a Toro® Workman utility vehicle, valued at more than $20,000.

The equipment will be used to maintain the Chapter’s learning facility at YMCA LaCroix Links, a 9-hole, par-3 course owned by the city. This is the sixth year Toro has donated equipment to a deserving Chapter of The First Tee.

—Judson M. Tharin, manager, giving program and community relations

©2009 World Golf Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved. Use with permission.