To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The First Tee strives to make golf accessible and affordable to all young people in each community served, particularly those youth who may not have had the opportunity for previous exposure to the game.

The First Tee Life Skills Experience teaches character education through specific life skills. The curriculum is introduced through TARGET sessions and progresses through the Par, Birdie, Eagle and Ace levels of certification. Participants discover how the skills essential to success on a golf course can help them flourish in life. These skills include self-management, interpersonal communication, goal-setting, mentoring and effective conflict resolution. The Life Skills Experience sets The First Tee apart from other junior golf and youth development programs and ultimately strives to instill in participants The First Tee’s Nine Core Values.

• TARGET programs offered on site to schools, youth groups and other community organizations provide an introduction to golf and to the basic elements of The First Tee program. In many cases these programs serve as a physical/recreational component to the school or youth development group’s offerings. Summer Camps are offered at area golf facilities to provide an introduction to golf and to the basic elements of the The First Tee program as well as to acquaint families with accessible public golf facilities.

• Many summer camp participants ultimately enroll in the Life Skills program. Life Skills classes are the core of The First Tee Curriculum. Participants progress through four levels of curriculum with the emphasis on both golf instruction and the development of life skills and values that can be transferred from the golf course to everyday life. Classes meet once a week for 10 weeks with multiple sessions throughout the year. Fees are nominal and no child is turned away because of inability to pay. Instructional sessions are staffed by a combination of paid and trained volunteer instructors including members of the PGA. The goal is to have one adult for every six children in Life Skills classes. Lead instructors attend The First Tee national Coach Training. Programming has been offered at Pecan Valley, Leonard Links, Glen Garden, Rockwood and Benbrook Driving Range. Now that the First Tee’s beautiful new Practice Facility is completed at Rockwood Park, most Life Skills classes will be taught there. This will also be the home of the spectacular new Ben Hogan Learning Center.

Since its inception, this program has blossomed into a favorite of the juniors at The First Tee of Fort Worth and the PGA TOUR players. On the 13th hole during our Monday and Wednesday Pro-Ams one of the juniors at The First Tee of Fort Worth has the opportunity to caddie for a PGA TOUR professional. For the juniors it is a dream come true to caddie for one of the PGA TOUR stars. For the PGA TOUR professionals they can easily relate to what such an opportunity would have meant to them as a young player just getting started in the sport.