This year, we have trained and certified more than 600 new physical educators through our in-person and online trainings. Since the program's existence more than 3,000 physical educators have been trained and certified. Our network of schools continues to grow and currently includes more than 2,900 elementary schools involving more than 1.4 million elementary students. As the program continues to grow and more students become familiar with the game, communities will begin to establish connections and bring people together through golf. Establishing community connections is the foundation of creating unique opportunities for students and teachers to access the game beyond the classroom. Below you will find some valuable stories and information on ways to connect people in your community through The First Tee National School Program. Sincerely, The First Tee National School Program Team

GOLF IN THE OLYMPICS

 

HORRY COUNTY ADDS NSP

 

NSP COMES TO MIDDLETOWN

State Golf Associations Team Up to Bring Golf to Kids 

All of the Vermont state golf assocaitions have taken a team approach to growing the game through The First Tee National School Program.

 

This joint initiative has connected the five statewide organizations (Vermont Golf Association, Vermont Women's Golf Association, Vermont PGA, Vermont Senior Golf Association, and Vermont Scholarship Fund) to more than 50 schools throughout the state. These organizations have developed a strong model that not only brings the program to schools, but connects the schools with individuals in local golf communities.

 

Through this friendly collaboration, the state golf organizations work together to promote the program to schools across the state through information sessions and presenting at the annual Vermont AHPERD conference.

 

Schools interested in  the program submit an application that shows they have a connection with a local golf community representative, as well as a commitment to cover a quarter of the cost of the program.

 

Establishing a connection with the local golf community before program implementation has allowed for a smooth process of planning transition activities for students. This collaborative effort has connected schools to local golf communities resulting in more children being exposed to the game.
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National School Program school districts are teaming up with local golf communities to give physical educators unique experiences with golf. In Nebraska, Lincoln Public Schools had the opportunity to partner with Lincoln City Golf Courses to plan a professional development day focused on golf.

Lincoln educators traveled to one of the local city courses and participated in a refresher on the National School Program conducted by National School Program trainer Lana Peterson. Following the refresher, PGA professionals from the Lincoln city courses conducted free lessons for all. The teachers were paired with PGA professionals from courses that are adjacent to their schools and received lessons on chipping, putting, and full swing. The PGA professionals shared tips with the teachers on teaching kids grip, stance, and posture as well as sharing information on how to involve their students in golf opportunities around Lincoln.

 

Communities and schools are continuing to work together to positively impact the lives of students and physical educators through The First Tee National School Program.

 

Click Here to Read a Full Story

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf (Girls Golf), the only national initiative of its kind, invites girls from across the United States to learn to play the game of golf in a fun, supportive atmosphere. 

 

For 20 years, Girls Golf has provided the perfect environment to encourage interest and stimulate enthusiasm, while building self-confidence and assurance.  With more than 180 sites around the country, Girls Golf serves as an option to provide golf opportunities for National School Program students outside the classroom.

 

Programs are led by site directors who are LPGA or PGA teaching professionals, USGA members, Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA) members, Hook A Kid On Golf directors, parents, members of local civic organizations or golf associations. Additionally, 44 Chapters of The First Tee include Girls Golf as part of their programming.

 

Whether the goal is to compete at the highest levels - as past members Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel did - or to play on a high school golf team or simply to be outdoors and have fun with friends -  girls are gaining more than just an athletic skill through this program.  

 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009, Girls Golf is administered through a partnership between the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), both 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

 

If you are interested in finding out if there is a LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program near your community Click Here.

 

To learn more about LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, contact Sherry Greene at (386) 274-6222 or sherry.greene@lpga.com. 

 

Connect Your Students to Golf Through JuniorLinks.com 

 

Visit the ultimate junior golf website to find junior golf opportunities in your community for your students. JuniorLinks.com contains an ever-growing database of junior programs around the country. The web site allows users to search for programs in their area, as well as register programs and learn about rules and ettiquette of the game. This site is a great source for students, parents, and teachers to find junior golf opportunities in their communities.

 

Click Here to Visit the Web Site 

 

We are excited to have you as a part of The First Tee Family and want to work with you to provide you with everything we can to enhance your implementation of the National School Program in your schools!

 

In our recent survey we learned that there are new physical educators in a few schools implementing The First Tee National School Program.   According to our records, these new teachers have not yet had the opportunity to participate and be certified through our training program. The training is free of charge and can be accessed at aytime online. This will enhance safe, effective implementation and therefore is a required element for all physical educators teaching the National School Program. 

 

More information about The First Tee National School Program eLearning course is available on our Web site, www.thefirsttee.org/nationalschoolprogram.  Click on the "eLearning Training Information" link to preview the eCourse and eCourse schedule.  Any physical educators (new or previously certified) at a National School Program school may request registration for one of our monthly offerings free of charge.

 

Those physical educators new to the program will need to review and sign, along with their school principals, the attached Individual School Agreement. These forms may be faxed to (904) 940-1556, or mailed to the address provided on the form. The First Tee Home Office must have a completed and signed Individual School Agreement in order for teachers to become fully certified.

 

Please contact Sandie Bowen at your earliest convenience so that we can provide this valuable program to all physical educators in schools that have been sponsored in your district. 

 

We look forward to honoring your sponsor's commitment and impacting more students and teachers in your community.

 

For more information, please contact Sandie Bowen at sbowen@thefirsttee.org.   
 

 

If you need to purchase additional equipment, please email Will Bratton at wbratton@thefirsttee.org. Once your email is received and read, you will be sent a link to purchase SNAG Equipment. Please note that you must be an existing school in the program to purchase additional equipment.