The First Tee Operates Year-Round, Helping Kids Learn Life Skills and Core Values (And Golf)
by Elsa Bonstein
In the north, golf is a spring, summer and fall sport. Most courses close down from November to March and golfers who have sufficient time and treasure plan their vacations in the sunny south. Not so here in Brunswick County where golf is a year-long passion for many of our residents. Likewise, The First Tee of Brunswick County conducts classes, clinics, tournaments and social activities all year long.
Parents sign up their kids for fall programming at the end of the summer and a few weeks later several hundred kids are swinging clubs, shaking hands, having fun and learning the rules of golf and the rules of life. The fall program lasts 12 weeks, as does the spring session.
Walmart Invitational
One of the most important events of the fall season is the annual Walmart Invitational for the benefit of The First Tee of Brunswick County. At a hefty $1,000 per team (plus other, grander sponsorships), 36 teams filled 18 holes of Thistle Golf Club on September 22.
When the totals came in from sponsorships, raffles and auctions, Walt Stachura (Tournament Chair of the event) made the happy announcement that over $50,000 had been raised for The First Tee of Brunswick County.
“Brunswick County truly believes in what we are doing,” Walt said. “Considering the down economy, it is remarkable that we topped last year’s tournament. We are truly grateful to our three Walmart stores for their support, and to the dozens of individuals and local businesses that supported this event. We also owe a world of thanks to Rusty Mackey, the owner of Thistle Golf Club for giving us this beautiful, old Scottish-style venue.”
Attending the tournament was Richard Heysek of The World Golf Foundation, the parent organization of The First Tee.
“We have 204 chapters in The First Tee, and the Brunswick County chapter is one of our best,” Richard said. “You have hundreds of kids participating in regular programming, plus the First Tee National Schools Program (NSP) is being taught in all your elementary schools. Most of the golf courses in Brunswick County provide facilities for regular programming, clinics, tournaments or course play for the kids. You have deep and abiding community support for what you do.”
The Golf Card
The First Tee of Brunswick County is now selling a Player Card for $100. The card is only available to Brunswick County residents and is valid from 11/15/09 to 2/15/10 and again from 5/15/10 to 9/15/10. The card is valid for one play per course and tee times can be made 48 hours in advance. A valid Brunswick County driver’s license is required at check-in.
“The Player Card gives golfers the chance to play a wide variety of courses for only $25,” said Pete LaBoy, board member and director of fundraising. “Our local golf courses have been extremely generous and enthusiastic in their support of this project. It’s a win-win situation, a great fund-raiser for our kids that offers a deep discount at 23 local courses for Brunswick County residents.”
Golf courses listed on the Player Card include Brick Landing, Brierwood, Brunswick Plantation, Carolina National, Crow Creek, Farmstead, Meadowlands, Lions Paw, Lockwood Folly, Magnolia Greens, Oak Island Club, Olde Fort, Oyster Bay, Panthers Run, Rivers Edge, Sandpiper Bay, The Byrd, Jones and Maples Courses at Sea Trail, The Founders Club at St. James, The Lakes and Thistle Golf Club. Bald Head Island is available only in October of 2009 and September of 2010 due to renovations.
Golfers may purchase the Player Card through The First Tee website www.thefirstteebrunswickcounty.org. Call 910-754-5288 for more information.
National Schools Program (NSP)
During the school year, the National Schools Program (NSP) of The First Tee is taught in all Brunswick County elementary schools through their physical education classes. Teachers and First Tee volunteers use SNAG (Starting New at Golf) equipment to teach golf and life skills to students in an indoor setting.
In addition, this fall, fourth graders at six elementary schools were bussed to Cinghiale Creek for six sessions of School Day Programming.
Brunswick County is the only school system on the East Coast that offers this on-site golf and life skills instruction at a golf facility. Children learn golf, but more importantly, they learn life skills and core values like respect, honestly, integrity, sportsmanship, perseverance, courtesy, confidence, judgment and responsibility.
Independent studies have shown that membership in The First Tee impacts youth positively, reducing dropout rates and improving academic excellence. There are currently, 2,900 elementary schools in 41 states that have NSP in their physical education classes.
In a recent study, 50 percent of physical education teachers reported The First Tee and its lessons on core values had a positive impact on student behavior. 14 percent reported there was a carry-over impact in other physical education and student activities.
Academic excellence is stressed in all programs of The First Tee. Each year, members of The First Tee who have all A’s and B’s on their report card receive a certificate from the home office of The First Tee. Their names are listed in our local newspapers and posted at the Learning Center at Cinghiale Creek.
Other Programs
During the cool weather months, golf courses sometimes host mini-tournaments for First Tee kids. Last winter, Ocean Ridge held a multi week event in December and January where residents, who volunteer at The First Tee, played four tournaments with First Tee Eagle-Level participants.
“Since outside play is down in the winter months and the courses are less crowded, our local golf courses often invite our kids over for a free clinic given by the golf professional. It’s a great opportunity for them to learn from a real teaching professional,” said Al Arrigoni executive director of The First Tee of Brunswick County. “While our First Tee coaches are trained in how to communicate both life skills and golf skills to the children, it’s always nice to have PGA and LPGA pros work with them directly.”
Social Activities
Brick Landing is one of the sites that host regular programming. Near the end of the fall programming, there is a pizza party for the kids in the clubhouse. “One of our coaches, John Karkut, volunteered to make the pizzas the first year,” said Gene Bonstein, lead coach at Brick Landing. “John makes his own sauce and his own dough for the crust. His pizzas and calzones have become an annual favorite with the kids.
In addition to their home course at Cinghiale Creek and Brick Landing, The First Tee of Brunswick County conducts regular programming at St. James Plantation, Magnolia Greens, Oak Island Club, Olde Fort and South Harbour Golf Links. Many of the coaches bring special snacks and homemade cookies to their classes.
Spring Session - In February, the 12-week spring session begins. More coaches, more clubs, more core values.
Christmas Party
Several times a year, The First Tee hosts seasonal parties for both kids and volunteers. One of the most popular events is the annual Christmas Party.
Last year, Chuck Flemming, who has a wonderful full head and beard of silver hair, came to The Learning Center at Cinghiale in a full Santa Claus suit.
“The kids had a great time. We played golf games outdoors, did holiday crafts in The Learning Center; then Santa showed up with gifts for everyone,” said Kaitlyn Johnston program director. “The kids got really excited to see him.”
A few weeks later, Flemming was shopping for groceries in his regular clothes, when a little girl saw him and yelled, “Look, Mommy. There’s Santa Claus!”
The eager mom brought the child to Chuck and he happily listened to her Christmas wishes in the middle of the produce department.
“Christmas is a happy time of year,” said Flemming. “The kids are wonderful and I love the role I play in making them happy.”
Strong Community Support Brings Success
Bob Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The First Tee of Brunswick County, sees strong community support as one of the foundations of their success in bringing life skills and core values to the youth of Brunswick County.
“We have great community support,” he said. “Our fund-raising events are successful because people care and open up their wallets for the kids. Our coaches give selflessly of their time and energy to teach our youth values and skills that will last a lifetime. Our volunteers drive kids to golf clinics and tournaments. They invite our older kids to play in guest days and sponsor them to participate in charity events.”“We are very blessed to have this kind of support from the individuals, golf course owners, PGA and LPGA pros and local businesses. Each week we can see how our programs impact kids in a positive way. What we do today will have far reaching impact in creating responsible, caring adults.”
To find out more about The First Tee of Brunswick County, visit