"Kids on Course"

East Bay Golf Foundation
Diablo Creek Golf Course
Concord, California

"Kids on Course"

Wee seek to help develop better citizens
 rather than superior golfers.

The East Bay Golf Foundation is a youth charity program established to teach life skills and instill core values through the game of golf for young people in Contra Costa County by creating affordable and accessible golf facilities and instruction for those who have not previously had exposure to the game and its positive values. We provide golf instruction, equipment, and life skill education to any interested junior golfer referral (ages 7 through high school).

While we are very interested in introducing kids to golf and mentoring them to be good people; our primary goal is to instill core life skills to children in the program that will be tools in their everyday lives. We want to turn out better players, but mostly we turn out better human beings.

Qualified participating youth for the "Kids on Course" program will be identified through existing non-profit organizations and school districts such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County, Martinez, Concord, and Pleasant Hill; the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA and YWCA, Big Brother /  Big Sister, and Mt. Diablo School District.

The individual child will:

• Learn golf's positive values of honesty, integrity, sportsman keys to success.

• Develop greater self-esteem, civic responsibility, and confidence to assist him/her with goal-setting skills.

As juniors move into the upper levels of the program, they become mentors and instructors in all skills to the juniors who are younger and new to the game.

"It just makes so much sense . . . to have an organized program with some purpose for these kids," This happens to be related to golf, but anything that gives them a purpose and a meaning to their life, that's just so important today.” 

-  Jack Nicklaus

Our Objective

"Research conducted by the National Golf Foundation revealed that only two percent of children aged twelve to seventeen every try golf and that only five percent of the nation's golfers are minorities. Studies showed that the major barrier to attracting more children, and especially economically disadvantaged children, to the game was the lack of places that welcomed them, places they could physically get to, and places that they could afford."

The First Tee is a nationwide initiative of the World Golf Foundation, dedicated to making the game of golf accessible to youth of all economic and ethnic backgrounds, who otherwise might not have an opportunity to learn the game of golf. At the same time, the structure of the program concentrates on instilling our youth with such essential values as honesty, integrity, good sportsmanship, responsibility, and a solid work ethic.

"It just makes so much sense . . . to have an organized program with some purpose for these kids," This happens to be related to golf, but anything that gives them a purpose and a meaning to their life, that's just so important today.” 

-  Jack Nicklaus

The National First Tee serves as a catalyst for the formation of local chapters, each of which is an independent 501(c) (3) corporation. Presently, the East Bay Golf Foundation has applied to become the Chapter for Contra Costa County and is being favorably considered after a site visit conducted in October by representatives of the First Tee. The Chapter is expected to be officially recognized in the Spring/Summer of 2004.

The First Tee Executive Director, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. --the son of former heavyweight champ Joe Louis states, "The First Tee won't teach just golf, but life skills,  To teach kids to set goals, trust their judgment, and to have confidence. To get kids who would otherwise not have access to golf."

The First Tee Teaches More than Golf.

The First Tee Life Skills Program is one of the unique features that sets The First Tee apart from many other successful junior golf programs. It is very important that youth not only improve their game through the program but they also improve themselves by learning valuable life skills, Through one-on-one relationships with mentors, and a curriculum designed exclusively for The First Tee. participants build valuable life skills including: interpersonal communication, goal setting, self-management and resistance skills.

Nine Core Values

The First Tee has established Nine Core Values that represent some of the many inherently positive values connected with the game of golf. These Nine Core Values have been incorporated into The First Tee  experience. They are:

1. Honesty - the quality or state of being truthful; not deceptive.
   Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves.

2. Integrity - strict adherence to a standard of value or conduct. Personal honesty and independence.
   Golf is a game of honesty, etiquette and composure. You are responsible for your actions and personal conduct on the golf course.

3. Sportsmanship - observing the rules of play and winning or losing with grace.
   You must know and abide by the rules of golf and be able to conduct yourself in a respectful manner.

4. Respect - to feel or show deferential regard for, esteem.
   In golf it is important to show respect for yourself, your partners, your opponents and the golf course as well as for the honor and traditions of the game..

5. Confidence - reliance or trust, A feeling of self-assurance.
   Confidence plays a key role in the level of play that you achieve, You must have confidence in your abilities every time you play.

6. Responsibility - accounting for one's actions, Dependable.
   In golf, you are responsible for yourself and your actions on the golf course.  It is up to you to keep score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green and keep up with the pace of play.

7. Perseverance - to persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles.
   To succeed in golf, you must learn to persevere through bad breaks and your own mistakes.

8. Courtesy - considerate behavior toward others. A polite remark o gesture.
   A round of golf should begin and end with a handshake between fellow competitors.
   Show courtesy toward others by remaining still and quiet while they prepare and execute a shot.

9. Judgment - the ability to make a decision or form an opinion. A decision reached after consideration.
   Using good judgment is critical in golf. It comes into play when deciding on strategy, club selection, when to play safe and when to take a chance. the type of shot you consider executing, as well as understanding and abiding by etiquette.

"The First Tee..is a program that effectively uses golf, not only to provide a recreational resource that is both a life extender and life enhancer, but even more importantly, to instill core values that will provide young people with resources for living constructive lives."

-former USGA President Sandy Tatum, President, The First Tee of San Francisco.

http://www.thefirstteecontracosta.org