When you think about it, most of the rules of sports can pretty much be applied to life in general.
At First Tee – Connecticut, that simple concept spawned a network of national and international nonprofit groups, called First Tee, that teaches and empowers kids to navigate life through the game of golf.
Started in the late 1990’s, the founding principle of the organization was to make golf more accessible to kids who normally wouldn’t have access to it.
“The leadership of the various governing bodies in golf all got together and sort of said ‘We should try to make golf more accessible and more diverse, bring golf to kids of diverse backgrounds,” said Mark Moriarty, First Tee's executive director and a golf coach with the organization. “And then they realized very quickly that while they were having a round of golf with kids they could teach them some core values about life, to teach them it’s more than just a game and to teach them how to apply some of the values of golf to their lives.”
The First Tee grew out of that and was adopted by the PGA tour. Today there are 150 chapters nationally, including First Tee – Connecticut, headquartered at the Tournament Players Club in Cromwell.
The nonprofit organization runs dozens of programs throughout the state, partnering with cities, towns and other organizations to operate golf camps year-round, including summer camps, group lessons, family play and winter programs.
First Tee relies on corporate sponsors and individual donors, as well as a cadre of volunteers to help coach and administer its programs. First Tee – Connecticut enrolls about 75,000 children in its programs each year.
“We welcome all kids from all backgrounds. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with character-building, we create learning experiences that help kids uncover their inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that they can carry to everything they do.
“For instance, while we’re teaching them about putting, we're also talking to them about perseverance, how to develop patience, how to listen and receive feedback. While they’re active and having fun we’re exposing them to the nine core values that First Tee seeks to impart to all its participants: Respect, responsibility, confidence, courtesy, integrity, judgment, sportsmanship, honesty and perseverance.”
To become a donor or volunteer contact:
First Tee – Connecticut
55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell
Phone: 860-882-1660
Email: info@firstteect.org
Online: Firstteect.org
On Social: First Tee Connecticut