The First Tee, what is it all about? We have all seen the commercials during the tournament broadcast on television. Have you ever wondered when the program started, why it started? Hopefully I can answer a few of those questions for you and inspire you to get involved in your local program, by volunteering or getting a child involved.
The First Tee, a youth development organization, impacts 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. Supported by golf’s major organizations, including the LPGA, Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and USGA, The First Tee has reached more than 6.5 million young people since its inception in 1997 and reaches youth on golf courses, in schools and on military installations.
The First Tee Program
The First Tee was established by the World Golf Foundation in November 1997 as a not-for-profit organization 501(c) 3. The initial focus was on creating affordable access for those not previously exposed to the game of golf. It has since broadened its focus to that of a youth development organization that teaches life skills using golf as a platform. Founding partners include the PGA TOUR, LPGA, PGA of America, USGA and the Masters Tournament. Former President George H.W. Bush served as honorary chairman from 1997-2010 at which he moved to an emeritus role. In 2011, his son and former President George W. Bush stepped into the role and became the honorary chairman.
The First Tee Life Skills Experience
The First Tee curriculum focuses on teaching character education and it’s “Nine Core Values” (honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment). The First Tee chapters use a teaching curriculum developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and delivered by coaches. Through this experience, participants learn to transfer the values of golf to everyday life.
The Life Skills Experience includes six levels starting with Target, the introduction level which provides a fun and safe environment that creates curiosity about the game and recommended for ages five and up, to Ace, the advanced level which focuses on personal planning for golf, career, volunteerism and education for ages 14 and up. The other levels include: Player, Par, Birdie and Eagle.
Chapters and Locations
The First Tee has approximately 200 chapters across the U.S. and in six international locations (Vancouver, Montreal, Ireland, Manchester UK, Singapore and New Zealand). With a total of over 2.6 million participants at 198 chapter locations, 4716 elementary school and 120 military installations. The First Tee program has 36% female enrollment and 64% male enrollment. This is compared to the general golf population of 25% female and 75% male. These numbers bode well for the future of women’s golf.
Launching the Next Phase
Looking towards the future The First Tee program has a goal of positively impacting 10 million additional young people between 2011 and 2017. Their goal is to expand the program locations from 700 to 1,500. They want to grow the number of coaches from 700 to 1750. They also want to extend the network-wide volunteer base from 4,000 to 14,000. They want to expand the number of the elementary schools delivering the program from 4,000 to 13,000. Increase the female participation at the chapters from 36% to 45%. Increase the ethnic minority participation at chapters from 48% to 55%.
Why 10 million more young people one might ask? The reasons are pretty simple. One in four public school children in America drop out of school before the finish high school. That’s 1.3 million students a year, one every 26 seconds, 7,000 every day of school. For African-American and Hispanic students, the chances of graduating are 50-50. One-third of young people in American today are overweight or obese. So The First Tee program is not only hoping to grow the game of golf but has the bigger picture in mind, to help out the future of our country period. Please get involved in your local First Tee Chapter, check out www.thefirsttee.org to find a location nearest to you. Let’s grow the game of golf and at the same time make a difference in a young person’s life.
By Staff Writer Mike Halle “History with Hallee”
Follow Mike on Twitter @halleegolfman
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