Youth Golf Programs Such As First Tee Know That The Future Of Golf Is With The Kids
By Bob Sherwin
Juniors obviously are golf’s future — as participants, equipment buyers and spectators. Yet many youngsters can’t even get into the game because of high costs and low accessibility.
Various groups and organizations, however, are dedicated to changing that.
One of the biggest groups devoted to youth golf — particularly low-income kids – is The First Tee organization, based in St. Augustine, Fla. Organized 10 years ago through a World Golf Foundation initiative, its mission is to promote youth golf while instilling life-enhancing values intrinsic to golf, such as honesty, sportsmanship, respect and courtesy.
There are 206 chapters across the country, including four in the state of Washington: Seattle, Snohomish, Olympia and Tri-Cities.
“We try to empower them,’’ said Gordy Graybeal, president of The First Tee of Greater Seattle.
During the summer, Seattle First Tee tutors more than a thousand kids at Jefferson and Jackson golf courses, and at the Crossroads par-3 course. The instructors, including some First Tee graduates, are volunteers.
Entry fees cover only about one-fifth of the cost per child, so the group seeks donations and holds fund-raisers to make up the difference. Scholarships are provided for needy families.
The Boeing Classic, the senior PGA tour event held each August at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, is a major supporter of First Tee. It allows the group to hold a fund-raiser on the course the Monday after the tournament and donates items for its auction.
This spring, the Seattle group joined with the Seattle School District in bringing the message of physical education and character building to 18 elementary schools in the city. The group introduced basic golf skills to children and promoted golf’s core values as part of their “life skills curriculum.”
“We’re trying not only to teach them golf skills but also character traits that will serve them well throughout their lives,’’ said Jeff Cornish, director of The First Tee of Snohomish County.
The Snohomish group uses the Lynnwood Golf Course as its primary facility along with Choice Turf driving range near the Snohomish airport. The group also has cooperative arrangements with Kenwanda, Battle Creek and Snohomish golf courses.
“Seattle may target inner-city kids at risk but here in Snohomish it’s mostly suburban kids. But those kids need life skills just like inner-city kids,’’ Cornish said. “These skills transfer to other areas of life. If we have another Tiger Woods come out of this, that’s great, but more likely we’ll have senators, scientists, business leaders and loving husbands and fathers.’’
Cornish said there have been some preliminary university studies that show kids involved in a program such as First Tee experience improvement in more than just their golf game.
“What they’re finding is, No. 1, their confidence improves,’’ he added. “They’ve seen grades come up. Parents have told us they (children) have a greater respect for others. Golf etiquette sets the stage for that.’’
A fifth First Tee chapter is expected to begin operation this summer in Yakima.