A Quick Look Back While Looking Ahead

At 3:00am a mere 368 days ago my alarm sounded off, alerting me the day had arrived. The day my family had been anxiously anticipating for a month or so. Moving Day. By 4:00am my dad and I were on the road, both cars packed to the brim, headed north on I-95 to meet the moving trucks here in Pinehurst by 10:30am. The drive was honestly a complete fog. I had filled up on coffee, Red Bull, Bojangles and car snacks during the drive and without much recollection safely arrived in town to pick up the rental keys and head to the house. Once I opened that door, the next chapter of our family’s story would officially begin. Though, it wasn’t until two weeks later that my husband and children would be able to officially relocate, giving me time to adjust and prepare a house to be our home for their arrival. Three days later, one year ago today, I eagerly walked into an unfamiliar office carrying an overstuffed tupperware of work belongings, double wrapped with packing tape, guarded not to explode. The sign on the door read, The First Tee of the Sandhills, a trademark full of history, passion and promise. Looking back on my first 365 days at The First Tee, I don’t regret a thing. Except maybe to have had the opportunity to take more advantage of the forty plus golf courses that call Moore County home. To be frank, this time last year feels like an eternity ago. It has probably been the fastest year to date, with so many activities, projects and experiences packed in that it feels like we moved ages ago. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to be a part of The First Tee of the Sandhills in 2015. Proud of our staff, volunteers and supporters for helping make it a year to remember. With 2016 spring programs registration opening next week, 2015 is firmly in the review mirror. A benchmark for future success. Jamie Martin and I are excited to continue planning and providing a quality Life Skills Curriculum program to youth throughout the Sandhills while interjecting some extra FUN into the year. In 2016, we will be offering Skills Days in between Life Skills Curriculum sessions, giving our youth that have gotten the golf bug, an opportunity to work on and improve their golf skills and keep the dust off their clubs. Allowing our curriculum through golf to be the larger focus during the eight week programs in the spring, summer and fall. A new addition to our office is the Reward Room. Whether it’s earning A/B Honor Roll, having perfect attendance at programming, completing a national participant opportunity or volunteering in the community; we are excited to invite participants to pick out a fun gift. From sleeves of golf balls, ball caps, water bottles, golf shoes and everything in between, it’s a well-deserved reward for their hard work and commitment. All graciously donated my members of our community! For the first time, this summer, participants will have the opportunity to play with us in the PGA Junior League, representing our chapter in a team environment while enjoying comradery with other area juniors. We are thrilled to have been invited to join the league and look forward to the new experiences! These are a glimpse into some of our new FUN plans for 2016 and there is even more to come! Personally, I’m looking forward to being a part of the next 365 days at The First Tee of the Sandhills, adding to our history, igniting new passion and delivering on the promise we’ve made to ourselves to be a positive influence on the next generation.