First Tee – Greater New Orleans
First Tee – Greater New Orleans stands out as a driving force and youth development program that empowers kids and teens through the game of golf. Founded in 2003, the organization has spent the last 20 years helping children ages 5 to 18 not only learn the basics of golf but also acquire essential life skills. Sasha Bourne, the Marketing and Development Manager, elaborates on the unique and transformative nature of First Tee.
”It is proven that sports are an amazing medium in which to teach kids about valuable life lessons and skills,” she explains. “So we use golf, because golf is a sport that you can take with you until you’re old and gray.”
Tee Time
The coaches and mentors at First Tee focus on teaching “soft skills” such as honesty, respect, perseverance, and integrity. These soft skills complement the “hard skills” taught like time management, conflict resolution, and networking. Children in the program are able to take these skills and apply them to not just the game of golf, but to their academics and general lifestyle. The program runs after-school and weekend classes year-round, divided into age groups, and even includes a specialized Ace program for teens looking to take their golf skills and expertise to a professional level. The teenagers learn additional skills involving college preparation, mental healthcare, and wellness, gaining resources for future goals and career planning.
Golf is as much a mental game as it is physical, which is why these skills are so important. “When you’re playing this game, you’re playing against yourself,” Bourne says. “You’re not always going to get a hole-in one… you might never get a hole-in-one! But it’s all about knowing that you approached it with a positive mindset and that you put your best foot forward.”
First Tee aims to provide access to golf regardless of financial and socioeconomic backgrounds. It offers scholarships for school and financial aid for its classes to ensure any child can participate. “We want to diversify the game of golf. It is historically exclusive of a lot of groups, and we are not about that,” Bourne emphasizes. “We want to do as much as we can to bring the sport and also the First Tee benefits to everyone in the city.”
The program also focuses on networking opportunities, often through interactions on the golf course. “Golf is a networking sport, and our participants might meet someone who can offer them an internship or other opportunities,” Bourne notes. Many First Tee program graduates have gone on to play at the collegiate level and also forge successful career paths because of the connections they made on the fairway.
More Than a Game
Beyond regular classes, First Tee engages with the community through partnerships with organizations like the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and The 18th Ward. Last year, First Tee served 19,000 kids total through community and in-school programming. Bourne found that through working with community programs to bring their curriculum to more kids, they were often able to convert many kids to regular participants. In-school programs play a significant role, in using safe, modified equipment to teach golf in physical education classes. This is how First Tee truly came to be a safe and healthy environment, where children and teens could come to explore and take risks without fear of being judged.
Reflecting on the organization’s broader goals, Bourne emphasizes inclusivity and empowerment. “Our biggest goal is to bring the game to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it,” she states. “Not only that, but [we] also want to help kids navigate this crazy world they’re in. We want a safe space for kids to be able to learn how to navigate life’s most difficult challenges in a healthy way.” Bourne believes this holistic approach is what really sets the organization apart.
First Tee’s impact extends to families as well. Parents see the positive changes in their children at home, like improved discipline and respect. “Lots of our kids play golf with their families, and it’s a time for them to bond,” Bourne states. One First Tee parent shares how the program changed their child, expressing, “The biggest value is that it has impacted their self-confidence, improved their communication skills, and made them more empathetic.” This involvement underscores the community-centric nature of First Tee, making it a pivotal part of the participants’ lives. As Bourne says, “We look beyond just the game.”
Play It As It Lies
This program successfully exemplifies how a sports program can transcend athletic training to shape well-rounded, motivated individuals. Looking ahead, First Tee – Greater New Orleans remains committed to its mission: to continue offering kids the tools and resources they need to overcome life’s challenges. Stay tuned for its upcoming fall and winter programming, and sign up your child today by visiting firstteenola.org, or following them on Instagram @firstteenola.
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