Local Teen Achieves Top Certification from National Youth Development Organization First Tee

 Thomas Nickel from First Tee of Howard County among 23 National Ace-Certified Recipients in 2019

  Columbia, MD (November 26, 2019) – Thomas Nickel from First Tee of Howard County has achieved Ace certification, the highest level of certification from First Tee, a national youth development organization dedicated to impacting young people by building character and instilling life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Thomas is one of 23 participants this year, and one of 157 since 2006, to achieve Ace certification. To become Ace-certified, participants must complete four major projects – Community Service, Career, Educational Opportunities and Golf – which are submitted and reviewed by a national committee. It is a notable feat and the honorable culmination of hours of volunteering, goal-setting, preparation and practice. “Completing the Ace program took a lot of time, work and self-discipline, but was definitely worth it as I learned more about my golf game, my future and myself through the unique opportunities involved. Beyond that, I discovered how much fun volunteering could be, and feel like I found my calling when I started coaching younger First Tee kids,” said Nickel. “We could not be more proud of Thomas. Less than 1 percent of First Tee participants achieve Ace certification, so he is now among a small, elite group of junior golfers nationwide with this distinction” commented Don Van Deusen, executive director of First Tee of Howard County. Ace certification is the final step and the pinnacle of the First Tee program. Participants can work towards Ace certification after completing PLAYer, Par, Birdie and Eagle level certifications. The certification process requires a higher level of personal planning through First Tee’s Life Skills Experience that includes interpersonal communication, self-management, goal-setting, self-coaching and resiliency skills — building an important foundation for success in higher education and career planning. Nickel has been a participant at First Tee of Howard County since age eight, and is active on the speech and debate team, a capella group and choir, and is also a school ambassador at Loyola Blakefield where he is a junior. For more information about First Tee of Howard County, visit www.firstteehowardcounty.org. To request an interview with Thomas Nickel or Don Van Deusen, contact Lindsley Stys at [email protected].   *** About First Tee of Howard County: The First Tee of Howard County is one of the county’s premier youth organizations, providing life-skills instruction through the game of golf. Founded in 2000 and headquartered at the Fairway Hills Golf Course in Columbia, Maryland, the program is centered on nine core personal values that children aged 5 to 18, put into practice on the golf course, at home, at school and in every aspect of their lives. The First Tee’s Life Skills Experience allows participants to learn valuable lessons such as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude; how to make decisions by thinking about the possible consequences; how to define and set goals; and how to transfer values such as responsibility, honesty, integrity, respect, confidence and sportsmanship from the golf course to everyday life. Sessions are currently offered throughout the year at more than five local courses. For more information visit www.firstteehowardcounty.org, like us on Facebook, email [email protected] or call 410.730.1114. ###

First Tee of Howard County Teen Selected to Compete in PGA TOUR Champions PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee

Branden Nguyen heads to Pebble Beach this month Columbia, Maryland (September 16, 2019) – The First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions have announced that Branden Nguyen will represent The First Tee of Howard County when he competes in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event to be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, September 24-29. The 16th annual event, which is hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, will be televised internationally on Golf Channel.
Branden Nguyen (Photo credit: Doug Kapustin / Baltimore Sun Media Group)
Branden Nguyen, a senior at Atholton High School, has participated in The First Tee of Howard County for the past seven years. It was friendly competition between siblings that motivated him to take up golf; his older sister, Bryana, worked her way up through The First Tee of Howard County levels, going on to graduate from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill on a golf scholarship and become a professional golfer. In fact, Branden attended this same tournament back in 2011, cheering on Bryana as she played with PGA Tour member, Fred Funk. Branden’s accolades include serving as captain as the Atholton golf team, where he led in average scoring for the entire county last year, placed third in district championships and in the top 15 golfers in states. He is also a member of Atholton’s Letterman’s Club. In addition, Branden works as the assistant golf coach for the MAPGA Jr. League at Hobbit’s Glen. “We are thrilled that Branden has earned this well-deserved opportunity to represent The First Tee of Howard County on a national stage,” said Don Van Deusen, executive director of The First Tee of Howard County. “His hard work and commitment both on and off the golf course has led to this experience of a lifetime, and we know that Branden will make our community proud at Pebble Beach.” “It is a great opportunity to be one of the few selected to play at Pebble Beach with the Champions tour,” commented Branden. “I’m excited to represent my hometown chapter, The First Tee of Howard County, and cannot wait to play one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. On top of that, my family will be there by my side. It’s going to be an awesome week.”
The Nguyen family (Branden, center front) at the 2011 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach.
The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee is the only event of its kind where 78 First Tee teenagers from across the country are paired up with 78 PGA TOUR Champions players and 156 amateurs during an official PGA TOUR Champions tournament. Nguyen will compete for the Pro-Junior Team title. He will join 77 other participants from First Tee chapters across the country. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their understanding and application of the values and life skills learned through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. “We are proud to continue our involvement with this prestigious event and help support the great work of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and First Tee,” said Katherine Frattarola, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “The impact this event has on the incredible young men and women from the First Tee makes this sponsorship tremendously rewarding for our entire team.” The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” on July 3, including a video of World Golf Hall of Fame Member Jack Nicklaus surprising one of the First Tee participants. Other surprises by PGA TOUR players and Golf Channel hosts had been recorded over the last month and aired today as part of the PURE Insurance Championship announcement. This year’s field of professionals will include World Golf Hall of Fame Members Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen, as well as defending champion and recent KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship winner Ken Tanigawa. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship. Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course on Friday and Saturday, with the final round contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 23 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday. Nearly 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field. The First Tee is a youth development organization dedicated to helping young people build character through the game of golf. The First Tee of Howard County is one of 150 chapters around the world introducing the sport of golf and First Tee’s Core Values to kids, positively impacting their lives. Serving the Howard County area since 2000, more than 20,000 kids have been impacted through The First Tee of Howard County’s programs. To learn more about First Tee of County, visit www.firstteehowardcounty.org. For more information on the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship, visit www.pureinsurancechampionship.com. For more information on Branden Nguyen, to request an interview or photos, contact Lindsley Stys at [email protected] or 443.824.6079.   *** About The First Tee of Howard County The First Tee of Howard County is one of the county’s premier youth organizations, providing life-skills instruction through the game of golf. Founded in 2000 and headquartered at the Fairway Hills Golf Course in Columbia, Maryland, the program is centered on nine core personal values that children aged 5 to 18, put into practice on the golf course, at home, at school and in every aspect of their lives. The First Tee’s Life Skills Experience allows participants to learn valuable lessons such as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude; how to make decisions by thinking about the possible consequences; how to define and set goals; and how to transfer values such as responsibility, honesty, integrity, respect, confidence and sportsmanship from the golf course to everyday life. Sessions are currently offered throughout the year at more than five local courses. For more information visit www.firstteehowardcounty.org, like us on Facebook, email [email protected] or call 410.730.1114.   About Monterey Peninsula Foundation Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization which donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. www.attpbgolf.com www.pureinsurancechampionship.com   About PURE Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is a member-owned reciprocal insurer dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth individuals and families. PURE provides customizable coverage for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal liability, watercraft, flood, fraud and cyber fraud to more than 75,000 responsible, high net worth families throughout the U.S.  Inspired by some of the finest policyholder-owned companies, PURE emphasizes alignment of interests and transparency. PURE’s low cost of capital, careful member selection and proactive risk management all contribute to highly competitive rates. In return for a fee, PURE Risk Management, LLC acts as Attorney-in-Fact for PURE. PURE membership is subject to an executed Subscriber’s Agreement & Power of Attorney. For more information or to find a local broker, visit pureinsurance.com. You can follow PURE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.   About PGA TOUR Champions PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. In 2019, the PGA TOUR Champions schedule includes 27 tournaments across the United States, Scotland and Canada, with purses totaling more than $56 million. The Charles Schwab Cup, which includes the Regular Season and the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, is used to determine the season-long champion. All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, telecasts air in excess of 190 countries and territories, reaching more than 350 million potential households. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @championstour.   ###

Interview with Logan Lurie – National Opportunities

We were fortunate to catch up with ACE-level participant and Howard High student Logan Lurie about her experience this summer at the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy (a national opportunity through The First Tee) at Boise State in Idaho. Read on for the low-down from Logan on this memorable experience! Q: What made you want to apply to the Leadership Academy opportunity? A: I applied for the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy because it was one of The First Tee national opportunities that I had not yet been accepted to.  At age fourteen, I began to apply for national opportunities because I saw the incredible experiences my older sister, Harper, had at the ones she was selected for.  After attending my first national opportunity, The First Tee/USGA Learning Science through Golf Academy in New Jersey, I could not wait to apply for another!  From the amazing participants and coaches I have met, to the new friends I now have from across the country, to the world-class golf courses I have played, to the once-in-a-lifetime experiences I have had, each of the national opportunities have been amazing! Q: What did the application process entail? Was it fairly simple to apply? A: The application process for all of the national opportunities is simple and straightforward, if the participant does not wait until the last minute to begin them.  Each application includes General Participant Information (such as name, address, school, grade, parent information); one to a few short-answer questions; a letter of recommendation from a coach, teacher, or advisor; Chapter Participation Survey (that you request from our Chapter), and a Community Service & activities chart.  Start keeping track of these items now!  This information will also be useful when you have to write a resume, apply for a job and college applications!  Opportunities that focus on golf play will also require a golf resume and your handicap.  Once you apply for one national opportunity, it becomes much easier to apply for any others, because all you will need to do is update any information, write a new essay and ask for another letter of recommendation.  The General Participant Information and Community Service & Activities Charts are saved in the application system. In the past, there have been 5-8 national opportunities sponsored by The First Tee each year.  Many are co-sponsored by partner organizations such as John Deere, Coca-Cola, the USGA, Auntie Anne’s, Perfect Sense, Pure Insurance and Wells Fargo.  General information can be found at: https://firsttee.org/national-events/  Our coaches, fellow participants, alumni, and our Executive Director, Don Van Deusen can tell you even more! Q: It seems like the Leadership Academy is a great opportunity to gain some independence. I’m sure that could be a little nerve-racking though, especially if you don’t know anyone else going. Were you nervous at all? What helped you enjoy the experience and overcome any jitters? A: Before I left for the first national opportunity I attended, I was nervous because I didn’t know anybody or know any of The First Tee home office staff who attend the events.  Shortly after arriving, I had already made new friends and was getting to know the friendly staff and chaperones (who are First Tee alumni).  It is very easy to meet new friends at national opportunities, because we are all in the same situation:  everyone is from a different chapter, we are all very excited to make new friends and get to know each other.  I have met some of my best friends at national opportunities (some I met right away in the van from the airport, others were my roommate and others simply said hello) and it is now so much fun to be reunited with some of them at another national opportunity.  Since my first opportunity, I have not really been nervous when leaving for another because I know how easy it is to make new friends.  For any of our chapter participants considering applying to The First Tee national opportunities but are nervous, I encourage you to embrace the new opportunity, because I know you will have the best time! Q: Can you describe some of the highlights of your trip?  A: The highlight of every opportunity is always meeting new friends, but the highlight of the Joe Louis Barrow Jr., Life Skills and Leadership Academy would have to be the golf courses we played and the coaches we got to work with.  Over the course of the week, we played two beautiful golf courses many times, in various types of play formats.  I loved getting to know my coaches from all over The First Tee Network and learning from them.  It was a really great opportunity to learn from my coaches not only golf skills but Leadership and Life Skills as well. Q: The description for the Leadership Academy talks about giving teens the opportunity to develop and hone their leadership skills, but that’s a pretty broad description. Can you fill us in on more specifics about the types of activities and experiences you got to participate in there? A: Many of the leadership skills we worked on at the Academy came from team building activities and reinforcing that within a team there are various types of leaders.  One night we played team-building games such as figuring out how to orient a lot of people to fit onto small spaces, playing team memory games, and team matching games.  All of the games were fun, but required a high level of teamwork.  Another team building game we played was a French Fry Sauce competition, we were in Idaho! It was fun, and tasty, but also helped us build our leadership skills while working in a team with varying opinions. Finally, we went to a RISE Leadership Seminar about appreciating diversity and embracing differences in a team or group.  It was very enlightening and made me think about different leadership situations and scenarios that I had not have thought about before. Q: What was dorm life like? A: At many national opportunities, we are housed in college dorms and all of the dorms are slightly different.  While some are nicer than others, they are all perfect at getting The First Tee participants ready for college life.  The dorms at Boise State where I stayed during the Life Skills and Leadership Academy were very nice.  They were clean and well-kept, and spacious enough for my roommate and me.  They provided sheets and towels.  This time I had to learn how to deal with a common, hall bathroom.  It is a really good experience to see what dorm life is like before moving into one full-time for college. Q: What else would you want to tell your peers who haven’t considered applying to national opportunities in the past? A: I would tell every The First Tee participant who hasn’t participated in a national opportunity to start applying.  The national opportunities are such great chances to learn more about you as a golfer, leader and individual, while getting to meet some of the most amazing people.  They are such a unique part of The First Tee, and you never know if you will get in, until you apply.  Once you go to one opportunity, I know you will be hooked too!

New York Life awards Community Impact Grant to The First Tee of Howard County

THE FIRST TEE OF HOWARD COUNTY RECEIVES COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT FROM NEW YORK LIFE

COLUMBIA, MD, July 17, 2019 – The First Tee of Howard County, which provides youth development programming that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf, announced today that it was awarded a $10,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life. The grant will support The First Tee’s National School Program and D.R.I.V.E. program, which bring golf and its inherently positive benefits to elementary-aged students in schools and after-school programs through partnerships with Howard County Public Schools and Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. Rob Ugiansky, a board member with The First Tee of Howard County who was instrumental in connecting the nonprofit with New York Life, commented “I am proud to have New York Life join us in our initiative to provide The First Tee’s Life Skills and Healthy Habits curriculum to the youth of Howard County.” In the past year, The First Tee’s National School Program and D.R.I.V.E afterschool program introduced more than 19,500 elementary school students in Howard County schools to the game of golf. This year, the nonprofit plans to reach even more young students throughout the county; the grant from New York Life will enable an additional seven school programs to open, engaging more than 2,500 students. “We are grateful for New York Life’s investment in our National School Program and D.R.I.V.E., which introduce youth to the positive personal and social values associated with golf, a lifelong game and physical fitness activity,” said Don Van Deusen, Executive Director of The First Tee of Howard County. “Without the support from New York Life, we wouldn’t be able to expand these important programs to reach more youth throughout Howard County.” The Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations which are championed by New York Life agents and employees to serve the needs of their local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 500 grants totaling nearly $7 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country.

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About The First Tee of Howard County The First Tee of Howard County is one of the county’s premier youth organizations, providing life-skills instruction through the game of golf. Founded in 2000 and headquartered at the Fairway Hills Golf Course in Columbia, Maryland, the program is centered on nine core personal values that children aged 5 to 18, put into practice on the golf course, at home, at school and in every aspect of their lives. The First Tee’s Life Skills Experience allows participants to learn valuable lessons such as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude; how to make decisions by thinking about the possible consequences; how to define and set goals; and how to transfer values such as responsibility, honesty, integrity, respect, confidence and sportsmanship from the golf course to everyday life. Sessions are currently offered throughout the year at more than five local courses. For more information, visit www.firstteehowardcounty.org, email [email protected] or call 410.730.1114.

Wells Fargo Awards Grant to The First Tee of Howard County

We are pleased to share that Wells Fargo has awarded a $5,000 grant to our chapter in support of the National School Program, a partnership with the Howard County Public School System that offers The First Tee programming during regularly-scheduled physical education classes.
Currently, there are 33 Howard County elementary schools that participate in the National School Program (NSP), a number we are aiming to expand this school year with the help of grant funding. The program creates an environment where young people experience the lifelong sport of golf while learning basic golf motor skills and the inherent values of the game. Physical educators receive professional development training and are provided age-appropriate curriculum and equipment for effective implementation into their programs. Last year, we engaged more than 19,000 students with the game of golf through NSP.
Nationally, The First Tee has partnered with more than 6,000 schools in 800 school districts to offer the National School Program during regularly-scheduled physical education classes.
We are grateful to the support of Wells Fargo in helping to build stronger communities.

Meet & Greet with Terry Owens

Terry Owens
We are thrilled that board member Terry Owens is chairing this year’s Taste for The First Tee, bringing a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to make this our best Taste yet. Currently the Director of Communications for the District Department of Transportation, Terry was formerly a VP with the Howard County Economic Development Authority and longtime television news personality at WMAR in Baltimore. He has also made time throughout his career to give back to the community, serving on boards for nonprofits including Board of Child Care, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake, Center for Urban Families and the Baltimore Association of Black Media Workers. Terry is a graduate of Leadership Howard County and has lived here since 1992, currently as a resident of North Laurel. Both his children are graduates of the public school system and the University of Maryland, College Park.  Terry brings his previous board experience and an ever-growing love of the game of golf to the board. Terry received his BA in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. Terry recently answered a few questions for us about his involvement and this year’s Taste event; read on below for his responses. Q: When did you first get involved with The First Tee of Howard County, and why? A: I joined the board four years ago after graduating from Leadership Howard County. One of the requirements of the program was that individuals find a way a place to serve in the community, and with my passion for kids and golf, The First Tee was a perfect fit. I have always supported worthwhile causes and The First Tee deserves all of the support the community can muster. When I was made aware of the opportunity, it took little convincing to get me involved. Q: What makes the Taste event special? A: The Taste event represents the best of Howard County. Local businesses volunteer their time and their resources, supporters purchase tickets and provide auction items, and the gathering itself provides a wonderful opportunity for some fun and camaraderie. Q: Can guests at the Taste event expect anything new or different this year? A: We are working on some new activities for this year’s event in an effort to make it more appealing to our guests and sponsors. Stay tuned for details!      

2018 Parent Survey Results

To those parents who provided their impressions of your own and your child(rens’) experiences with The First Tee of Howard County in 2018, a hearty Thank You! This was our inaugural survey of opinions, and our plan now would be to conduct a similar survey each off-season to help us set our goals for the following year. Your comments were overwhelmingly very complimentary toward the program and positive as to its effects on your children. Thank you very much!  Although there were some areas of concern which we will do our best to address in future sessions, we were extremely pleased with what we heard. Question #1 received responses that told us that 48 percent of you (the top category) had heard about this program from a friend or relative. This is tremendous feedback, and we hope those who are enjoying the experience will continue to help us “get the word out!”
  • If ever any of you are inclined to help us do that, we are invited to various after-school functions and outdoor activities to advertise the program, and we certainly could use your help in manning a table, talking about your experience, and demonstrating the basics of our program with equipment and collateral and training that we can supply.
Almost half of you (41%) responded that 2018 was your child’s first year of participation in The First Tee, and we are very pleased to be reaching new participants! Also a positive: another 43% responded that their children have been participants for three years or longer. The highest participation rates appeared to be Fall, Spring and Summer, in that order. (Question #2) While 49% of you hail from Columbia and Ellicott City, 16% come from other counties to participate in our programs here, for which we are grateful. We continue to work to establish a stronger footprint in the western and southern parts of the county, where the remaining 35% reside. On the satisfaction scale, combining responses of Strongly Agree and Agree, 89% reported that their children enjoyed the program; and 97% that classes were priced appropriately. Ninety-one percent indicated that the program was beneficial for their children, and 90% that they were satisfied with the golf skills the children learned. 86% Agreed or Strongly Agreed that they were satisfied with the overall instruction, and the same percentage were satisfied with the timing and variety of classes offered. Your opinions on the coaching staff were also encouraging, with:
  • 97% stating that their child(rens’) coaches were friendly and approachable
  • 95% felt that the coaches were prepared and organized
  • 97% felt that the coaches were knowledgeable and conveyed the knowledge well, and
  • 89% felt that the coaches made the program fun
We have communicated with our coaches and will re-emphasize during our yearly training before classes begin this spring, the few negative comments we received about particular situations that you told us have made a few participants reticent about returning. We thank you for your honesty and hope you will give us the opportunity to improve those few situations. When we asked about The First Tee’s A/B Honor Roll Program, in which all chapters are asked to participate so that the National Headquarters can evaluate the individual impact of the program on our participants’ academic success, 62 percent of you said that you found this program a useful form of recognition. Only 10% said they did not find it useful while 28% said they were not aware of the program. That is an area for us to work on.
  • We are asked to report this information (numbers only) to First Tee Headquarters annually at the end of November, covering the previous year’s first and second semester grades. First Tee uses it to measure the effect of First Tee progression on grades. Alumni have reported a very high coincidence of longevity and progress in The First Tee and better grades.
  • We collect this information from you in two ways. One, each time you register a child you are asked to fill out a number of demographic questions, one of which (for ages 7 and up) is, “Did your child make the AB Honor Roll this past semester?” In addition, as second and fourth marking periods approach, we advertise via email, FB Blast and Newsletter, and open a place on our home page where parents can certify that their participants received all A’s and B’s.
  • We collate this information, enter it into your children’s’ electronic records, and use it to generate our list of AB Honor Roll participants.
  • When we asked about whether recognition certificates, produced once a year for the previous second and fourth quarter grades were preferred over another form of recognition, such as bag tags or some other token, 59% said they would prefer some token or bag tag to the certificates we print. We will be looking at that possibility in the coming year. (Question 9)
We asked whether the program met your expectations. 93% said yes, while 7% said no. When asked if you would recommend this program to other families, 93% said yes. While there were no “No” answers perse, 7% (4 respondents) offered comments.
  • A very small number of respondents opined about a lower than expected level of golf skills being imparted. Each year when we send out the class welcome messages, we attach a copy of the criteria for completing the current registered level (which are set by The First Tee in St. Augustine, FL). In addition, we are evaluated on our delivery of a set few skills at each level, with the greatest emphasis in early levels (PLAYer and Par–as it should be with all golfers) on the area and the shots used closest to the hole (e.g., putting, chipping and pitching).
    • These are the skills that produce lower scores, and unfortunately the ones most ignored by weekend golfers—a primary reason why the average 18-hole score for the 20+ million US adults who play Golf has not gone below 100 in 60 years, despite advances in equipment and golf course maintenance, according to the National Golf Foundation.
    • A solid grounding in these three strokes translates to longer range strokes later on, but the fundamentals are all encompassed in those shots around the green. At the PLAYer level, we are asked to teach four swings (Putt, Chip, Pitch and Full Swing); and Three Golf Fundamentals (Target Awareness, Distance Response, and Get Ready to Swing, each with two or three “Factors of Influence”). So, for example, Target Awareness includes Factors of Influence of Target Selection, and Distance to the Target; Distance-response includes Size or Length of Motion and Club Selection; while Get ready to Swing includes Hold, Setup and Aim and Alignment. It takes time to ingrain these, and it should, after all, for, with the possible exception of competitive shooting or archery, the Golf Hole (4 ¼” in diameter) is the smallest target in sport, and must be reached using an instrument (golf club) without the ball being touched by the hands. (Question 10)
Your general narrative comments were enlightening and useful.  One theme that came through was course time for the kids. Obviously, conducting our classes on revenue-producing, largely public golf courses limits our ability to get the kids on course during class times, which whether weekday or weekend, coincide with the high public or member usage periods for these courses. While some The First Tee Chapters have dedicated facilities, this is a rare situation. We continue to exploit time on  course when we can, and we are working to create playtimes outside First Tee class hours for First Tee participants at Fairway Hills and elsewhere to the extent that we can when schools are not in session. Watch for new opportunities this spring and summer. Several responses remarked about the burden of homework in The First Tee Yardage Book. These books contain most of what is required for participants to pass their written First Tee written exams on Life Skills, Healthy Habits and Golf Knowledge, supplemented by the knowledge transferred by our coaches during classes and exercises.
  • There are few such additional materials in most Junior Golf programs, but then, they are not in the Youth Development business–We are. Therefore, the extra work required enhances participants’ maturity, sociability and ability to perform complex tasks – a mission unique to The First Tee.
    • These materials are designed in coordination with various recognized experts in the fields of positive youth development, sport psychology, physical education, golf fitness and youth golf coaching.
    • The curriculum (Yardage Books plus the other materials we use) has evolved based on 20 years of feedback from The First Tee chapter network and third-party research specifically designed to assess longitudinal effects of The First Tee’s Life Skills Experience certification levels on positive youth development through golf.
    • Finally, with the recent wholesale changes in the Rules of Golf, we are expecting the Yardage books to be amended and rewritten to accommodate the new definitions and simpler rules, although there is no timeline for this reprinting as yet announced. As a result we will be training our coaches in the new terms and providing additional materials until they are incorporated in the Yardage Books.
On themes such as homework, boredom with the “same old drills,” “too much time in the classroom,” etc., we have heard you, but, participant completion of the Yardage Books at each level is a requirement for advancement in every First Tee chapter in the network. These books contain exercises for the kids to do on their own, or with parental assistance, and provide them different ways to think about the context surrounding their learning environment.
  • We are happy to help you navigate these materials at any time.
  • We are working to standardize our lesson plans across levels of The First Tee and hope to have PLAYer, Par and Birdie completed before classes begin in April.
  • While bad weather and meeting some of the academic requirements in The First Tee will force us to spend time inside, the new Lesson Plans will emphasize to coaches the need to do more of what we do outside in our golf and related exercises.
  • Additionally, working at the younger levels first, and expanding to the older participants, we are creating standardized lesson plans and exercises for our coaches so that all participants at the same level are exposed to essentially the same material, and have opportunities to enjoy competition (another comment that was voiced) within the bounds of class, as the opportunity presents.
  • Also, these lesson plans will (except for the vagaries of bad weather) emphasize time OUTSIDE, with Life Skills being taught with and through the golf drills the kids experience. This should help their mastery and exposure to the material.
  • Participants will still be responsible for assimilating the material and passing the skills tests required at each level. As always, our lessons will close with a Bridge to Life, which will help participants translate the skills and core concepts they learn here to life outside of golf, which is our primary mission.
Finally, there were a few comments that indicated discomfort in the broad age span for PLAYer/Par classes, especially when kids older than 11 are required to begin The First Tee at the PLAYer level. While we cannot change the starting level for newcomers, because it is mandated by The First Tee and all that comes later has its basis in the Nine Core Values that are taught at PLAYer level, we will be making a change this year.
  • Beginning in April (as we were prior to 2016), we will return to the format of separate PLAYer and Par classes. Thus, participants 7 and older will begin at PLAYer, and all PLAYer students once certified at that level will move to a 9 and older Par class next, rather than having both levels together.
  • For first entry students age 12 and older, we will continue to host our Rising Teens class, which will still work at moving those slightly more mature participants through the first two levels (PLAYer and Par) in a single 8-week session. Those who are not certified at the Par level upon completion of that session will then require another Par class as a follow-up to become certified at Par to move to Birdie level (11 and up).
So, once again, we thank you for completing the survey!  We hope that the changes we are making will have a positive impact on the next survey. As we promised, one respondent was chosen at random to receive the First Tee Goody Bag we offered, and we will be delivering that shortly. Please watch for our next survey at the end of this First Tee year, sometime hopefully in November-December 2019. And, once again, thank you for bringing your child(ren) to The First Tee of Howard County!  

Why Should Girls Play Golf?

Girls Golf: The First TeeGirls who participate in sports and are physically active:*
  • have greater levels of self-esteem and self-image
  • are associated with a lower prevalence of sexual risk-taking behaviors
  • are more satisfied with their weight (regardless of how much they weigh)
  • are significantly less likely to have ever used illicit drugs
Are you looking for a program that will empower your daughter to succeed? Our golf and life skills programs may be just what she’s looking for. Girls are encouraged to join any of the programs offered at First Tee-Howard County, and we also provide programs geared exclusively for girls. Often led by female coaches and role models, the programs are designed to empower and inspire girls on the golf course, in the classroom and as they pursue college and careers. The programs provide them with the confidence and skills to become tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please contact Karin Van Slyke.

GIRLS WILL:

  • Learn the many life-long benefits from golf
  • Build lasting relationships with other girls
  • Experience competition in a fun, supportive environment

PROGRAMS CAN VARY FROM YEAR TO YEAR, BUT MAY INCLUDE:

  • LPGA-USGA Girls Golf
  • Personal interaction with LPGA professionals, EWGA members and female PGA of America members
  • One-on-one mentoring programs that pairs girls with positive role models in their community
  • Assistance with college applications and scholarships
At First Tee, we’re teaching more than the game of golf – through the program, girls are empowered and inspired to succeed in the game of life.

2019 Registration Information from Coach Jim

Happy New Year! There will be some subtle changes in registration for 2019 classes beginning with the Spring Session (4/24-6/25 2019). We want you to know about those, and also make a few requests to ease the administrative burden on us and you in registering your children this year. So here are Seven Things That You Should Know:
  1. Schedules are now posted on the Registration Page for all three sessions for planning purposes only. Registration will open on February 2 for all three sessions.
  2. PLAYer and Par classes will be separated. To provide a better product at each level, we have gone back this year to the structure observed by most First Tee chapters, separating the PLAYer (7-8 year old) and Par (9-10 year old) levels. We believe this will be a better and more consistent teaching/learning environment for your participants and our coaches. As has been the case previously, ALL participants 7 or older regardless of age, must start at the PLAYer Level.
  3. Please remember that when you register, your registration is not “Complete” until you have processed your payment (or requested financial aid). If you begin a registration and do not take it through payment within 72 hours, it will be marked “Abandoned” so that it does not deny others who are ready to pay, a chance to register. This is not controlled by us, but by the Salesforce registration software.
  4. Please be judicious in registering your child for ONE class only in each session in which you register. The registration software is not a smorgasbord of alternative registrations. It is a straightforward class list like those used in any school that uses electronic registration. There were entirely too many Cancellations, Abandoned/In Process and re-registrations last year (almost 14%).
  5. There have been some subtle changes in rates this year for TARGET ($65), PLAYer ($100), and Par ($110) levels.
  6. IMPORTANT: For children who will be 12 or older on their first day of class, if this is their initial First Tee experience, we would strongly recommend that they participate in our Rising Teens Class (#150 Spring, #151 Summer, #152 Fall) on Monday evening (ONLY), where they will have an opportunity to complete the first two levels of the program in 8 weeks. Should they fail to complete Par certification, they must enroll for another Par class in the subsequent session. With the split of PLAYer and Par, that means that 12 and olders who cannot make that Monday class will be placed with 7 and olders in a PLAYer class, and while we will do our best to accommodate them, we cannot make any guarantees about advancement beyond the PLAYer level in that session.
  7. The discounts (sibling and military*) will continue in effect.
*The Military Discount will be applied automatically if the Account Holder has identified him/herself as Military when entering a participant for the first time. If you are Active Duty Military and your file is not so annotated, please contact us at 410-730-1114, or via email at [email protected] to have your file updated.