FALL 2014
THE FIRST TEE ACADEMIES
ELITE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNIOR GOLFERS
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
THE FIRST TEE ALUMS ON THE MOVE
THE FIRST TEE NATIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM LINKING STUDENTS WITH SYMETRA TOUR PLAYERS
THE FIRST TEE DRIVE
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM DRIVES IN-SCHOOL SUCCESS
MAGAZINE
THE FIRST TEE
More Than a Game
OUR MISSION To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
HONESTY | INTEGRITY | SPORTSMANSHIP | RESPECT | CONFIDENCE | RESPONSIBILITY | PERSEVERANCE | COURTESY | JUDGMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS A Message from Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.................................................................2 The First Tee Academies......................................................................................3 Where Are They Now?......................................................................................4–5 The First Tee National School Program..............................................................6 The First Tee DRIVE...............................................................................................7 Linking Participants to the STEM of Golf...........................................................8 Full Circle: From Participant to Coach................................................................9 Corporate Partners: The Power of Support..................................................... 10 Network News..............................................................................................11–13
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Reconnecting with The First Tee of Greater Austin alumni Preston Schaub (L) and Ryan Thill (R) during the 2014 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.
A Message from Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.
D
uring this year’s Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, I had the great pleasure of catching up with two alumni from The First Tee of Greater Austin: Preston Schaub and Ryan Thill (above). Preston and Ryan grew up together in Austin, attending classes at The First Tee of Greater Austin. As their golf skills progressed, both were selected to participate in several national opportunities. In fact, I was paired with Preston at the inaugural 2003 First Tee Open. In 2007, Preston returned to Pebble Beach to caddie for his friend Ryan during the tournament. Now working in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas respectively, both took time to drive to the Monterey Peninsula for this year’s tournament. Here we are—some 17 years after launching The First Tee and I can’t
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help but think about all the friendships that have been made and all of the young people who have been positively impacted because of our organization. We hear story after story of participants growing up, heading off to college, or moving out on their own, and then slowly making their way back to The First Tee— to serve as a volunteer or coach at a chapter (page 9). As these young people grow up and enter the work force, they are incredible examples of living The First Tee Nine Core Values. The First Tee has come a long way, and continues to grow. I am proud of all that is happening through the chapter network (page 11–13), in schools through The First Tee National School Program (page 6) and am pleased to see the interest and early growth of The First Tee DRIVE (page 7).
At the onset of our 2011–2017 strategic plan, our goal was to partner with 200 youth-serving locations to deliver The First Tee DRIVE. Based on interest and the opportunity to reach more young people, we have increased that goal to 850 locations, and are on track to exceed it. I want to thank all of you involved in The First Tee. I am grateful for the widespread support at the home office and chapter level, which serves as a daily reminder that it’s more than a game.
Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Chief Executive Officer
THE FIRST TEE ACADEMIES The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy and The First Tee PLAYer Advanced Academy have established a reputation as two of the most elite opportunities for participants across The First Tee network. The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy was developed in 2000 as a response to the growing number of participants across the network. It has grown into a competitive, prestigious national opportunity that teaches character education and leadership instruction. Nearly 100 junior golfers are given the opportunity to work on various life skills such as self-management, planning and decision-making, interpersonal skills, and helping others. The Academy experience recognizes and rewards youth for their accomplishments and teaches them important mentoring skills they in turn can put into practice at their chapter and in their daily life. “What surprised me was that I learned more about myself as a leader and golfer,” said Michael Mahlberg, a participant from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento who attended the 2014 Life Skills & Leadership Academy. “This Academy was a great learning experience from sun up to sun down. I learned great things that will help me on the course and throughout life.” “We’ve seen that it’s a way to develop future leaders,” said Dedric
Holmes, senior director of Coach Training and Delivery at The First Tee. “They are leaders back at their chapters and they are inspiring the young people at those chapters and in their community.” The PLAYer Advanced Academy provides top-level instruction for some of The First Tee’s most elite golfers. When it started in 2009, the network was growing, and so were the number of participants looking to take the next step on the course. Today, 24 golfers, all in high school and with a USGA handicap index below 6, receive instruction from eight of the network’s best coaches. And each of the participants have the same goal: to play college golf. “It’s definitely the type of experience that any golfer who wishes to play collegiate golf should aim to attend, because that’s essentially what it was—a week in the life of a college golfer,” reflects Cameryn Smith, a participant at The First Tee of Brunswick County who attended the 2014 PLAYer Advanced Academy. The First Tee has produced more than 1,750 college golfers and even more leaders in communities across the country.
2014 Life Skills & Leadership Academy
50 boys and 46 girls were hosted by The First Tee of San Diego, Sycuan Golf Resort and San Diego State University.
Activities included: • A keynote speech on the meaning of leadership and how to be a great leader • A visit to the headquarters of TaylorMade- adidas Golf to learn about the career opportunities in the golf industry • A beach clean-up community project • A tour of the USS Carl Vinson and a trip to the San Diego Zoo
2014 PLAYer Advanced Academy
14 boys and 10 girls were hosted by The First Tee of the Triad and Wake Forest University.
PLAYer Highlights: • 21 were initially introduced to golf through The First Tee • 17 students plan to work within the golf industry • All 24 have introduced a friend or family member to golf over the past 12 months • All 24 had tournament scores under 79 during the two official tournament rounds WWW.TH E FIRS T TE E .ORG | 3
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The First Tee Alums: On the Move
Cameron Champ
Robin Dawson
Maggie Noel
Cameron Champ has made a big move. An alumnus of The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, he has moved to the central plains on a golf scholarship at Texas A&M University. Cameron took a second place finish earlier this year at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club—a tournament reserved for the top 54 junior golfers in the world. But he also kept his focus in the classroom—he completed 31 hours of college credits before even setting foot in College Station, Texas.
Robin Dawson has used his win at the Irish Boys’ Amateur Championship as a stepping stone to the next level in golf. He was invited to the same prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Club tournament as alumnus Cameron Champ, and finished T-29 among the world’s best 54 junior golfers. In June, he finished 12th at the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship. But amidst the prestigious tournaments and laudable finishes, Robin has still found the time to give back, assisting The First Tee of Ireland coaches with the program’s younger participants.
Golf did not go the way Maggie Noel had thought it would. The former participant of The First Tee of Greater Houston/F.M. Law Park had earned a scholarship to play at the University of North Texas, but stepped away from the game in college after having to be treated for performance anxiety. The pursuit of a brief acting career after graduation further removed her from the game, but she has now returned. In addition to operating Maggie’s School of Golf for kids and women, she is employed at Top Golf of Houston as the only female instructor in the company.
Golf Channel, The First Tee’s Proud Media Partner, gave three alumni of The First Tee a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity—a 12-week summer internship at the Golf Channel studios in Orlando. The program allowed these hard-working interns to gain first-hand experience in their respective areas, while developing work samples for their personal portfolio.
Golf Channel host Damon Hack with interns (L-R): Lauren Conder, Drake Mosley and Kayla Jackson
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The three alums who made up the 2014 inaugural class of The First Tee Golf Channel interns were: Lauren Conder, news production (The First Tee of Contra Costa); Drake Mosley, marketing (The First Tee of the Golden Triangle); and Kayla Jackson, digital (The First Tee of Raritan Valley).
Sam Odi In 2012, Sam Odi stood before The First Tee Trustees at their annual meeting, preceding The First Tee Honorary Chair and former president George W. Bush, and gave a speech to those in attendance. “Please, keep in mind that I am only one young person and one story. There are more than 10 million stories from 10 million young people waiting to happen out there,” he said. His story continues. Sam is now a junior majoring in economics at the University of Virginia and spent this past summer interning at The First Tee home office in St. Augustine, Fla. He has also served as an inspirational spokesman on behalf on The First Tee, giving a speech to the 2013 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club field.
Sara Scarlett Meet Sara Scarlett—she is a stand-out Ace-certified alumna from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento with a wicked swing and a passion for golf cart safety. After attending The First Tee Outstanding Participant and Leadership Summit in 2013, Sara
Ericka Schneider
Bryan Yan
A former student of The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee and participant in the 2008 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, Ericka made her professional debut on the Symetra Tour earlier this year. Before, she played golf for four years at the University of Mississippi where she was on the Dean’s Honor Roll. Ericka has her sights set on qualifying for the LPGA Tour and hopes to be an ambassador for girls golf and The First Tee. “I want kids to know I went to The First Tee and started right where they are. No dream is too big to chase as long as you work hard at it.”
Earlier this year, Bryan stood before members of Congress and golf industry representatives at National Golf Day in Washington, DC to tell them how The First Tee has positively impacted his life. Bryan is another alumnus on the move, especially geographically. This Ace-level participant from The First Tee of Silicon Valley attends Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and will major in economics and computer science. He is split between aspirations of working on Wall Street, working as a programmer in Silicon Valley and teaching. Bryan still makes time for The First Tee in his first year of college at one of The First Tee of Pittsburgh locations.
applied the leadership and presentation skills she learned to help further the mission of Cart Smarts. After the death of a family friend from a golf cart-related accident, she co-founded Cart Smarts to help promote cart safety to everyone, especially junior golfers. Sara plays golf for the University of Texas and plans to major in public relations. She has her sights set on finding a career that blends her love for golf, traveling and communicating with individuals. She still returns to her chapter to encourage participants to be safe and smart in the golf cart. “I have been amazed by how many people approach me to talk about golf cart accidents they have been involved in,” she says. “It really can happen to anyone, not just golfers.”
The First Tee Alumni Network Are you a past participant? Do you know someone who is? The First Tee has launched a new alumni network created exclusively for past participants who are interested in reconnecting, networking or taking a proactive approach to career development by building professional relationships with other alumni. Past participants can learn more about The First Tee Alumni Network at www.thefirsttee.org/alumni or join The First Tee Alumni Network on LinkedIn.
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Students enjoy a junior golf clinic with Symetra Tour players during the Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club.
THE FIRST TEE NATIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM
Linking Students with Symetra Tour Players Wispy clouds floated across the blue Arizona sky as more than 200 elementary school students from The First Tee National School Program in the Mesa Public Schools excitedly awaited the start of their junior golf clinic that took place during the Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club. Led by The First Tee of Phoenix, volunteers from the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona divided the students into groups. Using what they had learned from the National School Program during their P.E. classes, the students practiced golf skills, such as distance control and target awareness. Because physical education programs are a great way to introduce young people to new activities, The First Tee National School Program was created to help students develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf. When six Symetra Tour players arrived at the clinic to give golf 6 | THE F IR S T T E E M AG A Z I N E
demonstrations, their energy and excitement was contagious. Players Casey Grice, Kim Kaufman, Amy Meier, Haley Millsap, Caroline Powers and Emily Talley thrilled students with an interactive golf clinic, showing them the fundamentals of the full swing, chipping and putting. The players then stayed for a question-andanswer session where they discussed their experiences on the Symetra Tour and how they plan to reach their ultimate career goal—a spot on the LPGA Tour. The First Tee National School Program combines health and wellness principles with golf, motor skills development and character education. The First Tee of Phoenix has brought the
program to more than 150 schools in five school districts, reaching more than 95,000 young people annually in Maricopa County. Since 2004, The First Tee National School Program has been introduced to more than 6,000 elementary schools and more than 800 school districts across the country. The First Tee plans to expand the program to 10,000 schools by 2017.
THE FIRST TEE DRIVE
After-School Program Drives In-School Success Research in 2013 led by Deborah Lowe Vandell, dean of the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine, concluded that high participation in after-school programs is directly related with academic success, conduct, work habits and even self-efficacy*. The First Tee DRIVE curriculum is developed in a way that encourages all of those crucial elements. Using a golf platform to seamlessly introduce The First Tee Nine Core Values to young people, The First Tee DRIVE introduces golf at after-school programs and youth-serving organizations (such as YMCAs, Boys & Girls
Clubs, and Parks & Recreation departments). The program modifies traditional sports—such as baseball, football, bowling and tennis—to incorporate the four basic golf shots: putt, chip, pitch and full swing.
“The First Tee DRIVE has given me the ability to offer programming that incorporates core values, physical activity and fun,” said a Gilroy Youth Center Recreation Leader who heads the program.
“I like that it’s not just regular golf,” said a participant of the Gilroy Youth Center in Gilroy, Calif. “We get to play fun games that are different.”
After the program was piloted at 50 locations from 2011–2012, The First Tee DRIVE officially launched in 2013. It was operating at 200 locations in its first year and will be in 350 locations by the end of 2014. The First Tee’s goal is to reach 850 locations by 2017.
This interactive approach helps develop golf skills in a fun environment, introducing young people to a sport that can be played for a lifetime.
* www.expandinglearning.org
Expanding Learning 15 million school-age children are on their own after school each day, according to research completed by Afterschool Alliance†, a program committed to raising awareness and expanding resources for afterschool programs. Among that 15 million, more than one million are in grades K–5. It was also found that only 8.4 million K–12 children participate in after-school programs, but 18.5 million would participate if a quality program were available in their community. †
www.afterschoolalliance.org
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Linking Participants to the STEM of Golf Many may not understand how orbital angular momentum, the Magnus effect and the coefficient of restitution play a part in determining their own 6-DOF biomechanical golf swing, but some participants of The First Tee can. In partnership with Shell Oil Company, The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner, and TEQGames, The First Tee developed STEM Links: a program that leads participants through experiments that align STEM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with relevant golf experiences. The program officially launched at the PGA TOUR’s Shell Houston Open in April 2014. Marvin Odum, president of Shell Oil Company said, “The First Tee program can help shape tomorrow’s business and community leaders and it does this in an environment that’s fun and interactive for the students. We’re certainly proud to see the program’s expansion and to be part of its good work.” Geared for middle school to high school-aged students, the program’s 8 | THE F IR S T T E E M AG A Z I N E
content reflects the respective grade-level math and science concepts. Short term, the program can inspire The First Tee participants to pay more attention and gain interest in their math and science classes. Long term, STEM Links graduates may pursue majors and/or career choices in the Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematic fields.
STEM Links experiments,” said Ryan Graff, senior director of Curriculum and Research at The First Tee. “They’re mapping golf greens, slopes, left/right dispersions for each club. They’re empowered to figure it out for themselves and apply this knowledge to improve their golf game.”
“The STEM Links curriculum is eye opening for the many career opportunities within the fields of engineering, biology and statistics,” said Brian Ladet, The First Tee of Greater Houston curriculum and volunteer coordinator. “The program also helps participants’ confidence with different STEM terminology when they encounter it away from the golf course.” The testing stages of the program started in late summer of 2013 with five chapters: teenage approval and participation in the programs of these chapters allowed for a smooth transition to the program’s launch and an even better first year. The program has now been delivered to a total of 25 chapters of The First Tee. “Teenagers are having fun doing the
Participants from The First Tee of Greater Houston were joined by PGA TOUR player and 2013 Shell Houston Open defending champion D.A. Points for some on-site STEM activities.
FULL CIRCLE: From Participant to Coach “The First Tee offered me a place to continue to build my golf game and my character as a man,” reflects Joe Sobaski, coach at The First Tee of Southern Nevada.
chapter at two national events hosted by The First Tee home office—the 2006 RBS Achievers of the Year and the 2007 Future Leaders Forum in Orlando.
As Sobaski knows, The First Tee coaches can play a key role in helping young people develop resilience, cope with disappointment, learn from mistakes and make adjustments to strategies both on
After high school, Sobaski attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, enrolling in the PGA Golf Management Program to become a PGA Professional. Although he completed internships in Utah and Oregon, he
“Joe is the kind of person I would have wanted working with me. He truly lives the core values of The First Tee and has, and will, continue to have an impact on the lives of many.”
~ Glen Becker, parent
and off the golf course. Because of the important role The First Tee coaches had in his life, Sobaski has come full circle—currently working as a coach at the very chapter that gave him solace after a difficult childhood. “The First Tee of Southern Nevada gave me a place to talk openly about issues that bothered me from early childhood without feeling judged,” Sobaski continued. “Their support was something that I could not find elsewhere.” Sobaski joined The First Tee of Southern Nevada at the suggestion of a fellow player on his high school golf team. Quickly becoming active in his chapter, Sobaski joined in by mentoring younger participants, helping coaches set up for clinics, volunteering at events and fundraisers, and ultimately representing his
knew he wanted to return to Las Vegas to be close to family and work as a coach at The First Tee of Southern Nevada. “Because of what The First Tee meant to me, I knew I wanted to work at the chapter,” continues Sobaski. “It was a place I felt comfortable and they always encouraged me to strive to be better. I wanted to help instill the core values I learned as a junior into the participants of today. I have taught junior clinics at previous clubs and they have a completely different feel—they are more focused on the golfer’s swing rather than their character.” Judging from the participants and parents singing his praises, it seems Sobaski has found his career home. “Coach Joe makes golfing for The First Tee extremely enjoyable, even
when I’m not having a great round,” said Sydney Smith (14), a participant. “He shows his support and encouragement at each event and has impacted my golf game by putting me in a good frame of mind. What I like most about Coach Joe is his fun and caring personality for all of us in the tournaments.” Currently on track to advance in The First Tee Coach Program, Sobaski says that his favorite part about being a coach is seeing a participant’s smiling face after they hit a good shot. “I hope to let participants know they should never settle and should always strive to be the best they can be,” says Sobaski. “When I see one of my golfers struggling, I encourage them to continue to work hard because things will get better and there are always people around them who care about them and will help them, me included.”
Coach Joe Sobaski, The First Tee of Southern Nevada WWW.TH E FIRS T TE E .ORG | 9
CORPORATE PARTNERS
THE POWER OF SUPPORT
TRUSTEE
Since 2000, PwC has been a loyal supporter of The First Tee, serving as a Trustee, partner and friend to participants. With associates, retired partners and staff serving as volunteer board members for chapters of The First Tee, PwC continues its company-wide support through a variety of activities and opportunities for participants.
The First Tee recognizes corporations that made first-time and renewed commitments in 2014*
Scholars of The First Tee attend PwC’s Executive Business Forum during THE PLAYERS Championship (L to R): Jessica Kent, Andrew Leigh, Christopher Childers and Kirsten Ortez
“The First Tee is grateful for the longstanding support of The First Tee nationally and in chapter markets provided by PwC,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. “Their commitment to our efforts positively impacts young people through educational programs that promote character development, and we are especially appreciative of the more than 200 PwC associates that volunteer their time to interact directly with participants.” In addition to hosting financial literacy events for participants and their parents at chapters across the country, PwC also selects four of The First Tee Scholars to attend its annual Executive Business Forum during THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
PLATINUM
GOLD
Designed to introduce participants to corporate America, the Executive Business Forum enables the Scholars to interact with corporate leaders and hear from speakers on topics facing American business today. Several of the attendees have gone on to not only intern at a PwC office, but also secure full-time positions at the company. “It’s great to see how we have been able to increase our connectivity with The First Tee through these Scholars—another benefit for our firm is our wonderful partnership with The First Tee! We want to thank The First Tee for the tremendous work it does to develop talented young people who will soon be future PwC stars,” said Jay Henderson, vice chairman of client service at PwC.
Visionworks, a Silver Corporate Partner of The First Tee, provided 14 chapters across the country with free vision screenings to participants. Young people in need of vision correction were given a voucher for a free comprehensive eye exam and pair of glasses redeemable at any area Visionworks store. This strategic partnership helps educate participants and their families about the importance of eye health. Healthy sight has a positive impact on academic achievement and sports performance, and also helps build self-confidence.
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Dazmaii Paul, from The First Tee of Miami, received a free follow-up eye exam and glasses at Visionworks. His godparents, John and Haydee Ahearn, were grateful for this service and expressed that “as a young man growing up without his biological parents and being raised by his extended family, we have to tell you that every bit of support helps. A huge difference has been made in his life and has helped him take another step towards adulthood.”
SILVER Barrington Birdie Ball Blackbaud CharityMania Fundraisers Chideo Clazic Donor Action DonorSnap From the Rough Great Shot Golf Golf Genius Software HC Golf Kwik Golf Millennium Logo Gloves PerryGolf PowerBilt Prize Possessions SCNS Sports Foods Skillzys SYNLawn THINQ Golf Tru Table UrCart Zero Friction *as of October 27, 2014
NETWORK NEWS Chapters of The First Tee offer programs at almost 900 golf locations in the United States and select international markets. Their efforts result in a positive impact on young people, their families and communities. Below are some highlights from The First Tee chapters. Getting into the swing of things! The First Tee of Aiken (S.C.) has a new partnership with the Walton Foundation for Independence to offer an adaptive golf program for people ages 15 or older with physical disabilities. The program brings together able-bodied players with those who have physical disabilities, teaching beginners how to play and bringing longtime golfers back to the game with adaptive assistance. These no-cost clinics provide the necessary equipment to meet the needs of the participants and are open to anyone with a life-changing physical disability, including spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, mobility and sensory impairments (see picture below).
And the gold medal goes to … everyone! The First Tee of Canton (Ohio) partnered with the Canton City School District to volunteer at the annual Stark County Exceptional Olympics. This event offered several hundred students with cognitive, behavioral and communication conditions the opportunity to compete in
Putting the “drive” in The First Tee DRIVE! The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge partnered with The First Tee of East Baton Rouge
sports—like the 50-yard dash, football and basketball—and participate in fun activities like face painting and a throw at the dunking booth. The chapter’s staff and volunteers introduced the game of golf to many who had never had the opportunity to play (see picture above).
Parish (La.) to bring golf to neighborhoods known as “play deserts.” Young people in these areas do not have a playground within walking distance. Using the GEAUX Mobile (see picture left), a mobile recreation unit filled with sports equipment, The First Tee DRIVE is delivered to children ages 13 and younger. This program, in cooperation with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, has the ability to bring the game of golf to 3,000 or more young people annually. WWW.TH E FIRS T TE E .ORG | 11
A new place to call home! After seeing growth in their participants last year, The First Tee of Greater Vancouver (Canada), in partnership with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, has put down roots at Rupert Park Pitch & Putt. Several PGA TOUR Canada players were on hand to help celebrate the grand opening of this new permanent location, including James Allenby (see picture below), treating the junior golfers to chipping and putting lessons as well as answering questions about golf and their experiences on the TOUR. Reaching more than 1,000 young people through this new programming location and local schools, the chapter expects to extend its reach to more young people in the community next year.
The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC is proud to announce that The First Tee National School Program is swinging into 11 Fairfax County, Va., elementary schools as part of the physical education curriculum (see picture at the top). Six of the 11 schools will implement the program in association with Southern Company, The First Tee’s Education Patron, through an extension of its longstanding relationship with the PGA TOUR. “Southern Company is guided by 1 2 | THE F IR S T T E E M AG A ZI N E
Southern Style—the company’s value proposition that includes unquestionable trust, superior performance and total commitment,” said Southern Company President of External Affairs Christopher C. Womack. “The character education lessons taught through The First Tee National School Program—such as honesty, judgment, respect and responsibility—are consistent with the principles to which employees of Southern Company and our subsidiaries aspire.”
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York alumna Michelle Formato drew upon the core value of courtesy during her interview for a spot in the Macaulay Honors College program at the prestigious John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan: “When I arrived at the interview I looked the interviewer right in the eye, I extended my arm, I shook her hand and said ‘Hi, I’m Michelle Formato,’ just the way they taught me at The First Tee. And from that point on, I proceeded to nail the interview.” The interpersonal, self-management and goal-setting skills she learned at her chapter have helped her realize her dreams. “I may never get a hole-in-one,” she said, “but with the help of everyone at The First Tee, I aced my interview and I am on
my way to the honors program and a career in forensic science!” Congratulations to Michelle for her accomplishment!
The girls at The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas prove that they’ve got game! From caddying for Michelle Wie in the Pro-Am, to sinking putts in front of LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan, these young ladies played important roles during the LPGA’s 2014 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. As part of a network-wide effort to attract, engage and retain girls, the chapter asked 100 of its female participants to be caddies, 50 to serve as gatekeepers and six to work as Junior Course Reporters during the tournament. On hand to encourage young female golfers to “stay with it”, LPGA Tour player Cristie Kerr led a clinic for 25 girls from the chapter (see picture below), offering tips to improve their game and sharing her experiences from her career.
Hangin’ with the pros! During the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst, N.C., Wells Fargo hosted an event for young ladies from The First Tee of the Sandhills (N.C.) to meet two greats of the game: World Golf Hall of Fame member and spokesperson for The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits™, Annika Sörenstam, and current LPGA Tour player, Laura Diaz (see picture above). These two amazing women spent almost two hours with the junior golfers, sharing insights and stories from across their golfing careers. The question-
and-answer format gave the participants a chance to ask questions ranging from what was the hardest course they ever played (to which Diaz responded, “Pinehurst #2!”) to whether they still got nervous when they played (both said yes!) to which clubs they liked best (both favor their wedges). In addition to urging the girls to spend time practicing their short games, Sörenstam and Diaz encouraged the participants to always put their education first and to have fun while playing golf.
It takes a village! The small, tight-knit city of Tooele, Utah (population 22,000) is enthusiastically embracing its new program location for The First Tee of Utah (see picture above). In addition to a green grass location, The First Tee National School Program is now in six of the city’s 11 elementary schools thanks to leadership from the Tooele Education Foundation.
More than 5,200 young people in Tooele will be introduced to The First Tee this year with more expected next year. One of the high schools is also offering The First Tee STEM Links and school administrators are trying to have the class count as a science elective. It’s no wonder that the city’s mayor, Patrick Dunlavy, issued a proclamation declaring June 27 “The First Tee Day” in Tooele!
Golf truly is a game for everyone! Brad Munn and Darin Key (see picture below, left to right) at The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin worked with Dane County to offer programming with course access to more than 20 students from The Shelter Home. The Shelter Home provides residential services for juveniles who may need a place to stay pending further court action but for whom placement in a secure setting is not necessary. “Our youth are in varying stages of trauma and/or turmoil and The First Tee provides safe, engaging and challenging activities for them,” said Britt Falbo, director of The Shelter Home. “While participating at the chapter, students experienced pride and confidence, which many are lacking at this stage in life. They are building integrity, self-respect and persistence, and we have seen great strides in our students since programming started.”
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World Golf Village 425 South Legacy Trail St. Augustine, Florida 32092 904-940-4300 www.thefirsttee.org
A thank you note from a participant at The First Tee of Greater Houston.
The First Tee is a nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. 2014 The First Tee. All rights reserved. Use with permission.
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