First Tee Programs Help Kids Learn the Game & Build Character

You will not see smiles on the faces of these young folks as they learn the basics of the game of golf.

That’s because those upturned lips are covered with the symbol of the COVID restrictions of this year: face masks.

They are part of First Tee of Central Valley and the annual summer program held at area golf courses.

First Tee started nationally in 1997 in an effort to bring more young people into the game.

There is no First Tee program going on in Merced County this summer. But that did not stop several parents from taking their youngsters from Merced County north to the program sites in Modesto, Stanislaus County.

“The Merced County programs were ready to go, but the two courses we worked with there (Rancho Del Rey and Merced Country Club) were not able to open up for First Tee due to the County Health Department COVID restrictions,” said First Tee of Central Valley Executive Director John M. Griston. “But our program is open to all, and at least five to ten families Merced County families are driving forty miles away to take part.”

Youth aged five to seventeen are eligible to participate. “It’s open to kids from all backgrounds,” John says. ”Diversity is huge element of the program.”

For nine weeks, the participants are introduced to elements of the game with instruction based on their age.

The youngest golfers learn the basics. The middle level builds on that skills base as coaches add exposure to character values to the program.

• honesty,
• integrity
• sportsmanship
• respect
• confidence
• responsibility
• perseverance
• courtesy
• judgement

As the players age into the appropriate level of the instruction, golf learning continues while the core character values piece is enhanced with other skills such as building interpersonal skills, communicating, and asking for help.

First Tee of the Central Valley is one of a few enrichment programs for youth going on this summer.

Many programs that generally take place at schools, churches, and community centers did not operate this year.

“Safety is our number one concern,” John says. “But through our headquarters in Florida, there was a plan for coming back. We were ready to go.”

That plan includes masks, temperature checks, and the cleaning of golf equipment after each session.

This year, First Tee of Central Valley had three-hundred applications.

Through its fund-raising efforts, the non-profit organization was able to fund forty scholarships for families requesting help.

No one was turned down.

They also offer sibling and military discounts to families.

The program is focused on golf and character development.

But it also has a leadership element.

Former participants who have aged out of the training frequently come back as coaches.

“People are drawn back to the program because they feel it’s a way of giving back to the community,” John says.

He should know. Growing up in East Los Angeles in the 1970s, John was in a neighborhood where he had no access to golf courses.

But he had coaches in baseball who were inspirational.

After serving in the Armed Services, he decided to volunteer for First Tee upon his retirement.

It was during that time as a volunteer that he was moved by something he saw in his First Tee coach training.

“I saw kids who didn’t have shoelaces in their shoes,” he said. “When I saw those kids gravitate to the game, that’s what got me.”

Once the summer program ends, the organization will look to a fall program as well as other special events scheduled across the calendar.

First Tee will provide outreach to schools and other organizations. The need for volunteers is always there, and like most non-profits, fund raising is a key to success.

As for the face masks, everyone taking part in the program at St. Stanislaus Golf Course understands the new reality.

The coaches as well as the kids take it all in stride.

“It’s hard to see their smiles under those masks,” John says. “But we know the smiles are there.”