Watch for details about the 7TH ANNUAL FIRST TEE GOLF CLASSIC Summer 2012!

The Youth Foundation is very excited to have partnered with James Lee's Karate to enhance the value of the First Tee program. James Lee has generously donated 100% of his time, and all materials needed to make the First Tee program a huge success for the next six weeks. For more information please go to www.jamesleekarate.com

The First Tee of Eagle County

Learning Core Values for Life

The First Tee of Eagle County impacts the lives of young people by providing social, physical and educational programs emphasizing core values that promote character development through a progression of golf related programs. The First Tee of Eagle County provides year-round learning experiences, serving as a facet of the after school enrichment program during the school year in addition to affording a wide array of summer experiences for its participants. All programming is focused on the teaching and assimilation of nine important core values: confidence, courtesy, honesty, integrity, judgment, perseverance, respect, responsibility, and sportsmanship. In addition to building physical and emotional skills required to become a competent golfer, emphasis on these core values enable The First Tee of Eagle County to use its instructional programs to make participants aware of the importance of valuing diversity, building trusting relationships, and enhancing language, math, and reading skills that will become valuable tools throughout life.

The Life Skills Experience is a unique feature of The First Tee program. The program is intended for students ranging in age from 7-18. The First Tee of Eagle County enjoys a strong commitment of support from all of the golf courses in Eagle County and The Eagle County School District. Participants are taught to develop skills such as goal setting, handling pressure, conflict resolution, building a strong support team, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude as strategies for effectively dealing with challenges presented not only in golf, but in virtually all phases of life. The progressive format of program offerings assures repeated opportunities for continuing participants to assimilate and develop these important life skills. Research studies verify that the development of these life skills directly correlates to positive attitudes, behavior, and academic performance in school.

The Youth Foundation Sports & Fitness for Life Camp

The First Tee of Eagle County, is part of The Youth Foundation, is unique among the 203 First Tee chapters comprising an international network. The Youth Foundation Sports and Fitness for Life Summer Camp teaches and reinforces life skills development while providing physical skill instruction in a variety of activities by combining The First Tee Life Skills experience, soccer, martial arts, and fitness in a half day camp format over a six week time frame. Specific life skills and core values are emphasized in all activities during a given session of the camp. This enables participants to see how these skills and values are applied in different settings. Instructional sessions occur at Cotton Ranch, Eagle Ranch and Eagle Vail Golf Clubs.

As participants develop their golf skills and are able to apply the life skills and core values they have learned The First Tee of Eagle County offers numerous opportunities to play the game of golf. On course playing lessons emphasize the importance of skills such as patience, judgment and course management while participants play under the supervision of a professional instructor. Many First Tee players take advantage of the opportunity to play at reduced rates in supervised open play days on summer afternoons. The Girls Night Out program affords teen and near teen girls instruction on how to use golf to develop social contacts, self-esteem, and prepare for future educational and employment opportunities while learning and improving their golf games. Finally, more advanced players can represent one of the participating courses in The First Tee of Eagle County Players League. As members of their team, they receive instruction in golf and life skills from a PGA professional coach, attend mandatory practices, and earn the right to play in weekly tournaments. Virtually every golf course in Eagle County contributes to the success of this very popular program.

Golf Club Making

The First Tee of Eagle County plays a significant role in The Youth Foundation’s after school enrichment program during the school year. Participants in the golf club making program apply math, reasoning, and reading skills from their academic work as they learn how to build their own custom fit golf clubs. When the clubs have been made, students receive basic instruction on their correct use, including safety and etiquette expectations. This program reinforces the importance of values such as respect, confidence, courtesy, judgment, perseverance and responsibility in meeting academic and social challenges in the school environment.