First Tee Golf Program returns to Boston
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA), and the John D. Mineck Foundation are teaming up to offer young people (ages 7 to 17) an opportunity to participate in the First Tee of Massachusetts junior golf program at the William Devine Golf Course in Franklin Park.
The First Tee of Massachusetts was established in 2003 in hopes of bringing the game of golf to the Bay State's underprivileged and at-risk youth. Taught by PGA professionals, the sessions will begin July 11 and end the week of August 22, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (for 7 to 11-year-olds) and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (for 12 to 17-year-olds). The program is free to Boston residents. Non-residents are welcome to enroll for a fee of $75. To register, please go to www.thefirstteemass.org.
The First Tee introduces the game of golf and its inherent values to young people. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has grown into a robust youth service organization, impacting the lives of more than 9 million young people and exposing them to core values and life skills.
Participants progress through a series of golf lessons, and are introduced to the different aspects of a golf course including the green, tee, fairway, rough, bunkers, and water hazards. They are also shown the basic elements of the game of golf and the swing, including distance and accuracy control, course management, how to score, pace of play, and proper grip, stance, and posture.
On-course play takes place from week two through week seven. In addition to golf, participants are introduced to the nine core values inherent to the game including honesty, integrity, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, sportsmanship, judgment, respect, and courtesy.
The program also helps participants become comfortable with introducing themselves to others, meeting new people, learning something new, setting goals, and properly managing conflict. These life skills are useful for the participants both on and off the golf course.
For more information, please contact Joe McCabe at jmccabe@mgalinks.org or (774) 430-9109 or visit The First Tee of Massachusetts at www.thefirstteemass.org.
