The First Tee of The Palm Beaches Celebrates First Graduating Students

Aug. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- The First Tee of The Palm Beaches, one of 203 International Chapters is a youth development organization which teaches young people life skills and core values through the game of golf. "We’ve successfully completed the inaugural First Tee summer programs since receiving our license in October 2009,” stated Chapter Executive Director and PGA Professional Craig Watson.  “Parents and students were able to choose from a virtual menu of dates and times to participate over the 8 weeks of programming which adapted to busy student summer schedules and accommodated parent requests for timely drop off and pick-up.  The ceremony today was the culmination for those committed students that stayed for the complete 8 week curriculum. In total, 144 hours of life skills and golf instruction, practice and regular play on both our 10 hole course and weekly access to the beautiful golf course at Iron Horse Country Club thanks to the generosity of the Owners, Staff and Members.”  

"We are extremely proud" added Director of Development, Jack Barrett "to have these young people participate in what was a memorable event for them, and a rewarding one for their parents, our staff and our important volunteers." Barrett went on to say "it was gratifying to watch the perseverance of the students through the hot summer and demonstrating both on and off the golf course their understanding of The First Tee Nine Core Values and life skills learned at our Chapter."

Graduating students: Paul and Karley Yesbeck of West Palm Beach and Western Pines M.S., Sheldon Meyer from West Palm Beach and Dwyer H.S. and Lucas Clark of Lake Worth and Lake Worth H.S. will be the nucleus for a yearlong program on Saturday afternoons continuing throughout the upcoming school year. Watson goes on to say "These students are ready to begin the First Tee PAR certified curriculum and get fully engaged in The First Tee Life Skills Experience.” The school year program is a 3 hour class per week for 12 weeks, two additional weeks for make ups and the testing of golf skills and knowledge and practice of life skills in order to move on to the next BIRDIE level. Each week has a focus on one of The First Tee Nine Core Values which is seamlessly delivered along with a particular golf skill for the week. New students over the age of 12 with an intermediate level of golf skills will be able to join this group before they start in mid- September.

The new school year also will see The First Tee of The Palm Beaches increase last spring's hugely successful After School Program to ten elementary schools and six middle schools, all in the vicinity of Dyer Park. Barrett goes on to say "450 + students a week will be coming through our doors between 2:30 and 6pm, Monday through Friday, having a blast while  becoming familiar with a life skills curriculum which will help them to make some decisions which will positively impact their futures, and learning golf at the same time." Jack Barrett will be heading up an initiative to reach the 45+ PB County schools who received The First Tee's SNAG equipment (a First Tee acronym: Starting New At Golf) a result of the generosity of The Honda Classic and coordinate a learning platform with First Tee online training with the network of PB County P.E./Health teachers to continue to introduce The First Tee National School Program to elementary school students in gym classes.

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Our mission is to impact the lives of young people, including those with special needs, by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.