By Matt Mauney | Staff Writer
Since 1999, The First Tee of Tampa Bay has been providing more than 25,000 children each year the opportunity to learn the game of golf.
On Aug. 11, the program will come to Walden Lake Golf and Country Club in Plant City.
As a branch of the Tampa YMCA, The First Tee provides children ages 5-18 a chance to learn the game while providing them with other quality lessons, such as promoting academic success and positive self esteem. This is the first year that the Plant City Family YMCA has become involved with The First Tee.
“It’s a great thing to have in our own backyard,” said Eric Poe, executive director of the Plant City YMCA.
Poe said many Plant City parents enrolled their children in the First Tee program in Lakeland in the past. Poe even convinced his two children to take part in the program in Tampa.
“One of the benefits of this is that it gives kids a sport they can play for the rest of their lives,” Poe said.
And for $84 for a seven-week session, it’s also an affordable opportunity to introduce children to an otherwise expensive game.
“We have ways to work with parents to ensure that anyone interested can participate,” said Ian Baxter, executive director of First Tee of Tampa Bay. “We want to be able to work with parents so no child is held out of this opportunity for any reason.”
Various scholarship opportunities are available, he said.
In addition to learning the game, First Tee also teaches life-enhancing values, such as confidence, perseverance and judgment, along with life skills such as goal-setting and personal skills.
“Our philosophy here isn’t to create the next Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie, but to teach life skills — both on the course and off,” Baxter said. “Things such as shaking hands when you meet someone or after a game and looking them in the eye. These things go beyond golf.”
Baxter also noted that all equipment is provided by First Tee; however, participants are welcome to bring their own clubs.
The sessions are taught in small groups by trained golf professionals to allow for plenty of one-on-one attention. The First Tee program also has advanced levels, in which children can later qualify for other programs.
“Our goal is for kids to not just take one seven-week session but continue to take more advanced sessions,” Baxter said. “As kids pass certain golf skills and life skills, meeting the criteria, they are allowed to move on to more advanced lessons.”
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
FIRST TEE
WHEN: Aug. 11
WHERE: Walden Lake Golf and Country Club, 2001 Clubhouse Drive
AGES: 5-18
COST: $84 for a seven-week, once-per-week session
EQUIPMENT: All equipment is provided by First Tee, but participants may bring their own clubs if they have them.
REGISTRATION: Visit www.thefirstteetampabay.org or contact First Tee at thefirstteetampabay@tampaymca.org or (813) 238-7320 for more information,