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The First Tee of Columbus serves as a unique learning environment for youth
ages 5-18 by using golf to teach life skills. Columbus State Community
College Bridgeview Golf Course and Driving Range is proud to be the home of
The First Tee of Columbus.
The First Tee of Columbus programs encourage youth to succeed and contribute
to their future as well as to society. The program gives the opportunity to
bring people of all ages, races and skill level together to play a game,
which has yet to be perfected, with dignity and grace.
In an atmosphere where learning is exciting, youth are assisted in the
process of developing these traits through peer group-learning, course play,
range practice, PGA instructional clinics, motivational workshops,
tournament play, event exposure and educational components. Further, youth
develop a sense respect, acceptance and confidence by being exposed to the
etiquette expected on the golf course and the history of a game that is by
most, considered elite.
The First Tee of Columbus is administered through Columbus State Community
College’s K-12 Initiatives. The First Tee of Columbus staff is committed to
creating and maintaining a diverse, educational and supportive program that
promotes self-discipline, honesty, integrity, motivation and excellence.
Serving central Ohio youth, The First Tee of Columbus offers junior golfers
professional instruction, access to a nine-hole golf course, driving range,
and development workshops at our newly renovated indoor training facility.
The program is overseen and has the active support of a committee comprised
of members representing The Masters Tournament, the Ladies Professional Golf
Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, and the United States Golf
Association.
The World Golf Foundation
Through research it was determined that the primary reason more children,
and especially economically disadvantaged children, did not play golf was
because of the lack of places that welcomed them, places they could
physically get to, and places that they could afford. The
World Golf
Foundation created The First Tee in 1997 as a way to introduce young people
of all backgrounds to the game of golf and its inherently positive value,
from respect and integrity to individual responsibility and sportsmanship.
The World Golf Foundation plays an important role in garnering the support
of golf's major organizations to grow and promote The First Tee. The program
is overseen and has the active support of a committee comprised of members
representing The Masters Tournament, the Ladies Professional Golf
Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, and the United States Golf
Association. In addition, former President George Bush serves as Honorary
Chairman.
Along with establishing an initial goal of having 100 golf-learning
facilities in some form of development by the end of the year 2000, The
First Tee realized that there existed a larger opportunity than just
teaching the game of golf. The primary objectives began to evolve around
providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through
golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty,
integrity and sportsmanship. This immediately led to the development of
The First Tee Life Skills Experience™.
The First Tee Life Skills Experience™ was formulated with the help of
academic, coaching and golf experts. Although there are many sports that
teach valuable lessons, The First Tee is unique in that it proactively
teaches these lessons for life as part of the basic instruction program. A
child cannot participate in The First Tee and opt out of the life skills
instruction and learning because these lessons are seamlessly integrated
into the physical instruction. Today, The First Tee is recognizes as on of
the premier youth charter education program in the country.
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