Category: Blog

Drive, Chip, and Putt has continued to gain momentum in the world of junior golf since its inception in 2013! As the name suggests, kids compete to score points in those three facets of the game. Next weekend you’ll have the opportunity to watch kiddos from all over the country compete in the National Drive, Chip and Putt Championship on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. These participants earned their spot in the finals via local, sub regional and regional qualifiers during summer and fall of 2018. Registration is already open for kiddos to take their shot to compete in this FUN and FREE Competition with Qualifiers taking place this summer for the 2020 National Championship. We are excited to see two (2) Sandhills area golf courses, Methodist University Golf Club and Pinewild Country Club, will host Local Qualifying for boys and girls, ages 7 to 15 on June 1 and June 8, respectively. To help kiddos get ready for the local qualifiers, we have partnered with PGA Professionals and Methodist PGM Students to allow participants to practice their Drive, Chip and Putt skills with valuable guidance and instruction from local teaching professionals. In addition, they will be exposed to the format of the Drive, Chip and Putt event, set up of each competition station and participate in a mock competition – allowing them to feel prepared to have a fun experience during the local qualifier in June! Our ‘Get Drive, Chip and Putt Ready’ Series will take place at Gates Four Golf & CC on April 7th, April 14th and April 28th. With a second series at Pinehurst No. 6 scheduled for April 28th, May 5th, May 19th and May 26th. Whether your junior wants to sign up to participate in the official Local Qualifier for Drive, Chip and Putt or is simply interested in seeing what it’s all about – these upcoming series are a perfect fit for additional exposure to the game of golf while picking up great tips. To learn more about the series, determine which age group your kiddos falls into and register, visit firstteesandhills.org/dcp.

Week one of spring programs is officially in the books. With our recent wet springs, we decided to kick off a week early, giving some wiggle room for possible make up dates. And thanks to a little luck from Mother Nature, the prior week’s yucky-ness subsided for a beautiful kick off week in the Sandhills. For the 110, or so kiddos, that attended PLAYer level programs, they kicked things off with a big ‘word of the week’ – Respect. Respect for Yourself. Respect for Others. Respect for our Surroundings – the golf course, our home, classroom, everywhere we live. But first, let me take a pause to provide you a snapshot. The overarching focus for participants in PLAYer level programs is to introduce playing the game of golf with special emphasis on learning The First Tee Code of Conduct, Core Values, Golf Skills and Healthy Habits – all while appreciating the etiquette and rules of the game. So when kiddos show up for that week’s ninety minute program, we leap frog right into all areas of focus. They play, they learn, they begin to appreciate, and they are encouraged to reflect on the activities of the day and its application to tomorrow. Back to Week One. Participants didn’t just learn the definition of Respect. They talked about it, broke it down, explored what it means, and figured out how they can show respect and apply it to future situations. Throughout class, kiddos were tasked with providing examples to one another on how they already show Respect and based off of what they learned, how they can begin to show Respect. Whether it be speaking to each other in a respectful manner or taking care of their golf clubs and equipment that they just ‘checked out’ for the next two months. And don’t worry. There was plenty of FUN to be had. Be it when they tried to conquer their balance in a Superman pose during warm ups, be the first kiddo to get to 21 points in a chipping game, or take off running down the first fairway to find the 200 yard marker while they were learning about the parts of the course. We are successful when these kiddos leave for the day having seamlessly learned a Core Value, a Golf Skill and Healthy Habit – all while having FUN! Next week, we will build on Showing Respect to talk about Courtesy Towards Others. An appropriate progression in skills. Now, the real question for you is this: Are you able to show Respect and Courtesy to your friends and foes when the final point of your upcoming interclub match comes down to the last hole? Win or Lose, how will you handle the situation?

In a world where technology continues to strive to dominate our day, it’s reassuring to see that a mountain of glow sticks, illuminated golf balls, bee-bop music and some sweet treats can successfully engage a group of kiddos – at least for a few hours. As Pat McGowan pointed out – when you walk around these activities, you’re not going to see a cell phone, the kids are enjoying being in the moment, getting something positive out of their experience and simply being kids. Now, that makes for a breath of fresh air. And something worth writing about! Last weekend’s Glow Ball Night festivities in Fayetteville and Whispering Pines were truly a fun filled winter finale. A celebration where kids giggled, golfed and gamed with their new and old friends. 99 of them to be exact. Whether they were on the Galaxy Golf Course, Cosmic Tic-Tac-Toe board or competing in an intense game of Laser Toss – the real winner of the evening was FUN. Glow-tastic fun, that is. All thanks to Gates Four Golf & CC, Country Club of Whispering Pines, Pinehurst Resort and many of our highly enthusiastic volunteers! It’s just another nod to how successful we can be when Community comes together. Because, together, we can do so much! VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT(S)

Winter at The First Tee of the Sandhills can feel like an eternity, as our formal ‘off season’ from curriculum programs runs November through February. It’s always our goal to find fun, unique ways to keep existing participants engaged and connected while encouraging new families to check out our programs and meet our volunteers. Throughout ‘winter’ we’ve hosted Play Days, Skills Days, Bowling and more. As our winter calendar comes to a close, we’ve decided to celebrate by combining some of our favorite things – golf, bright lights, and food – into two fun nights for kids. On Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 we’re hosting Glow Ball Night Events at Gates Four Golf & CC and the Country Club of Whispering Pines, respectively. The fun and games are open to all youth age 7 to 12. Past participation in The First Tee is not a requirement. While some golf experience is encouraged! Just imagine Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory converted into a glowing masterpiece and you get Night Golf. Participants will have their chance play a glow golf putting course, a cosmic corn hole challenge, illuminated tic-tac-toe and more! Friendly competition will ensue, by age group, with winners taking home glow-tastic prizes and dessert to top off a fun night indoors! There will be a staggered start for participants based on age. Seven and Eight year olds start first (between 4 – 6pm) with Eleven and Twelve year olds, last (around 7:00pm). This is a drop-off youth event. Space in the ballroom is limited, The First Tee of the Sandhills Staff and Trained Volunteers will be taking kiddos through the evening’s activities. Just think, a Date Night on behalf of The First Tee! Families must register in advance. Space will be limited! To learn more and get your family registered, visit firstteesandhills.org/glowball or call our office at 910.255.3035. We’re looking forward to a great winter finale!

This week I’ve been on a vacation of sorts in Ormond Beach, Florida with my mom, Pam. It’s our first trip out of town together, san the kiddos, since before they were born, 10 years ago. While we’ve been away, I’ve met a lot of really great people, including one in particular, Miguel Eugenio Collado, the proud father of three, including UCF Sophomore, Ana Laura Collado. Mr. Collado is completing his third year of a three year term on the Executive Committee for the Mexican Golf Federation where he serves as the National Youth Children Committee counselor, advocate and leader. What was most inspiring about getting to know Miguel over about four hours was his personal story with the game of golf. His oldest of three children, now 23, came to him at the age of 7 declaring he wanted to play golf. Dad, immediately concerned, because he had never played or been around the sport, was taken back by his young son’s maturity in stating, dad don’t worry about it, I’m going to figure it out. Miguel quickly realized that if he son had fallen in love with an activity, he wanted to be involved, to be able to understand the game and support his son’s endeavors. Now, three golfing children later, Mr. Collado still does not play the sport, but is deeply rooted in the game. Getting involved in the golf world in Mexico while his children were still young school age, Miguel saw something different about the sport. Everyone he met was welcoming, encouraging and positive role models. He truly loved what he was seeing about the people that played the sport and recognized he was an environment he wanted his children to grow up in. So, he began to get involved himself. Encouraging more families across Mexico to play the game, showing them the opportunities their children could gain by playing golf and coming to the United States for college. Paths that lead him to his current role with the Mexican Golf Federation. A volunteer role which keeps him incredibly busy traveling across Mexico, mentoring his representatives in each state, four times a year, and working with families to help them along their path. When you talk to Miguel about golf in Mexico, he truly lights up, expressing the positive impact the sport is having on the country and his family. He doesn’t speak about revenue or tourist impact, only about the Core Values he sees kids and families learning and applying through the sport. A pretty cool story to sit back and listen to from a man so far away from a local chapter of The First Tee. A family man who has seen the sport naturally make a positive impact on so many families and who is driven to keep progressing the game in the Mexican culture. I didn’t know I would meet Miguel Eugenio Collado during my vacation, but I’m sure glad I did! And, maybe, you’ll have the chance to meet him too, he hopes in the coming years his daughter will be eligible to play in the North and South Women’s Amateur right here in Pinehurst.

New Year’s Day I was lucky enough to tee it up on Pinehurst No. 2. My first round on the course since moving back in 2015. I shot a larger than life number on the front but scrapped around an even par on the back nine that concluded with a birdie on 18! So, here we were, playing under the new Rules of Golf on the first day of the year. I was excited to see if any of the rules would come into play during our casual round. On the first green, I was delighted to tap down imperfections that interfered with the line between my ball and the hole. Possibly one of my favorite new rules of the game! Throughout the round, we didn’t have many new rules scenarios come up. Or so we thought! There was one drop taken from knee height. We wondered if the knees should, or could, be bent or if a straight leg was required. On another hole there was a wayward tee shot. We were pretty confident the ball went out – of – bounds but never found it, so determining which rule to play the next shot under became confusing.  Were we allowed to play the new OB rule or did we need to return to the tee hitting three? With the recent rain, we saw our share of loose impediments in the bunkers and happily removed those while ensuring our ball didn’t move. On a few longer putts we left the flag in, instead of having someone tend it, simply to keep up our pace of play. One rule we unintentionally may have broken involved standing behind a player once they began taking their shot. For example, when we had similar lines on the putting green. Luckily, this Tuesday I’m signed up to attend the Carolinas Golf Association Rules of Golf Seminar and I look forward to bringing up a few situations we had on course to see how they should have played out under the new Rules of Golf. As a side bar, if you’re interested in a Rules of Golf Seminar, the CGA is hosting many over the next few months, free of charge, visit their website and find one that works for you! As I’ve learned more about the changes to the Rules of Golf, one thing has become clear – while golf has always been a sport of Integrity, where players call infringements on themselves, today’s rules require a golfer to take on an even greater level of Honesty, Integrity and Judgment while on course. For example, in year’s past, the other player’s in your foursome, especially the individual assigned to keep your score, would be involved in the process of agreeing upon the line your ball crossed when entering a Hazard, now a penalty area, or agreeing that you took relief from a cart path or ground under repair, correctly. Today, those decisions and procedures do not require other members of the group to be involved or in agreement, the ownership lies simply on the golfer themselves. In fact, I’m not certain, but I believe there is much less expectation on members of your foursome to even track your shots and be able to provide input. Another example of applying honesty under the new rules comes into play with preferred lies. Previously you would be required to mark your ball, say with a tee, measure out a club length, with another tee, and replace your ball within the tee boundaries, no closer to the hole. Today, marking the ball is not required, you may simply lift the ball and place no closer to the hole. Then, there are some brand new rules, those about on course etiquette and player code of conduct. Rule 1 now introduces three simple principles of the game for the player. They include playing the course as you find it and the ball as it lies. Playing by the Rules and in the spirit of the game. And your personal responsibility for applying your own penalties if you breach a Rule. Today, more than ever, Golf’s uniqueness stands out. It’s truly a game that will teach and test us in how we apply Life Skills and Core Values on the golf course, and later, off the course. I’m excited to see how the game of golf evolves in 2019 while learning more about the Rules of Golf and their positive impact on our sport.    

“Like the health of one’s body, it is important to also explore the health of one’s community and discover how one can give back and care for its environment and safety.” – Community, one of The First Tee’s Nine Healthy Habits The First Tee of the Sandhills footprint stretches across an incredibly rural area of North Carolina – where extremely diverse demographics are deeply intertwined throughout communities. It’s our goal to bring more kiddos into Life Skills Curriculum programs, those who may need a scholarship and additional support to get involved. Thanks to corporate and community partners we are able to make our multi week curriculum programs high quality while keeping the cost as affordable as possible. Four years ago The First Tee of the Sandhills created a formal scholarship for youth attending our golf and life skills programs. Implementing a policy to never turn a child away, regardless of circumstances. While ensuring all scholarship youth are afforded the same opportunities for participation, equipment check out and between session special events. Since inception, over 900 participants attending The First Tee of the Sandhills multi week programs requested financial aid with 100% being approved! Last year we realized raising awareness and needed funds for this initiative would be key in 2017 and beyond – and that’s where The Fall Classic was born. Community members associated with area golf courses raised their hand to volunteer as a Captain – covering seven golf courses in Moore County – Country Club of North Carolina, Forest Creek Golf Club, Mid Pines Golf Club, Mid South Club, Pinehurst No. 6 & 7 and Pinewild Country Club. They eagerly ‘got to work’ recruiting friends, colleagues and golf group buddies to support the cause by signing up to participate in a friendly nine hole golf competition, or by sponsoring a hole. The commitment? Sponsor a Child for a future scholarship at The First Tee of the Sandhills. Then, throughout the month of October, over 230 community members raised their hand in support of the mission. Some heading out for a late afternoon competition, other putting a stake in the ground to acknowledge their commitment. And, this week, to add a layer of comradery in, the winning foursome from each of the seven facilities earned a coveted spot to represent their club in the Finale at Pinehurst No. 4! Captains, fellow participants, and spouses came out to watch the action late Wednesday afternoon – cheering on their respective facility. And when it was all said and done, the 2018 winners represented Forest Creek Golf Club! But, everyone in attendance agreed, the real winners were the kids. Thanks to the generosity of these local facilities, the captains, participants and sponsors – 390 program scholarships were raised. Hats off to a great year two of The Fall Classic. It’s an amazing tally, a humble feat, a celebration of community coming together! As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” And much, they did, indeed.