More than a Game2011 Parent’s Guide

to The First Tee

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As a participant in The First Tee, your child is now part of an international youthdevelopment organization supported by the leading organizations in golf.

Young people who become members of The First Tee enjoy a variety of opportunitiesto learn life skills that can help them grow as individuals and prepare for thefuture. As they progress through the various skill levels, participants cultivateinterpersonal and self-management skills, learn to set goals and experience thedynamics of community interaction. They also develop a sense of social responsibilitythat can positively impact them both on the golf course and in their everydaylives. Many young people learn the lifelong benefits of volunteering, mentoring andtutoring through their association with The First Tee.

Additionally, The First Tee Life Skills Experience™ teaches participants about TheFirst Tee Nine Core Values™ and how to develop and display positive charactertraits inherent in the game of golf. Participants often cite the Nine Core Values asa meaningful part of their learning experience. We hope you will reinforce theseimportant values with your children at home, at school and in other extracurricularactivities.

The information on the following pages provides an overview of the manyopportunities available to participants ages 13-18. For participants in this agegroup, we have created the PACE (Providing Assistance for Careers and Education)Resource Center. Through PACE, eligible participants will learn, among other things,about applying for college, college scholarships and career exploration. We encourageyou to get involved with your local chapter to help extend the reach of The FirstTee in your community.

Thank you for your involvement with The First Tee as we strive to make a differencein the lives of young people.

Sincerely,

Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.Chief Executive Officer

DEAR PARENT OR GUARDIAN:

Welcome to The First Tee!

- Introduced golf and its values tomore than 4.7 million participants

- Offered the Life Skills Experience atmore than 750 program locations

- Established over 1,100 affiliaterelationships with golf coursesthat offer access and reduced ratesto participants

- Established the National School Programin more than 4.000 elementary schools

- Increased diversity in golf

The First Tee has come a long way since its establishment in 1997.What started as an initiative to create affordable access for those notpreviously exposed to the game has become a leading youthdevelopment organization. Through its mission of teaching life skillsand character education through the game of golf,The First Tee ishaving a positive impact on participants, their families and theircommunities.

The FirstTee National School Program, launched in 2004, introduceschildren to the game of golf andThe FirstTeeNine CoreValues duringphysical education classes through the use of SNAG® (Starting NewAt Golf) equipment. Supported by the PGATOUR and a growingnumber of tournaments and other sponsors, the National SchoolProgram promotes character education and seeks to mainstream golfin school physical education classes in the United States

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The First TeeCode of Conduct

RESPECT FOR MYSELF• I will dress neatly and wear golf or athletic shoes.

• I will always try my best when I play or practice.• I will keep a positive attitude and catch myself doingsomething right regardless of the outcome.

• I will be physically active, eat well, get enough sleep,and take care of myself so I can stay healthy.

• I will be honest at all times, including when I keepscore and if I break a rule.

• I will use proper etiquette and maintain my composureeven when others may not be watching.

RESPECT FOR OTHERS• I will follow all instructions and safety rules.• I will keep up with the pace of play on the golf course.• I will be friendly, courteous and helpful.• I will remain still and quiet while others are playing andhave fun without being loud and rowdy.• I will be a good sport toward others whether I win or lose.

RESPECT FOR MY SURROUNDINGS• I will keep the golf course and practice areas clean and inas good or better shape than I found them.• I will clean and take care of my and others’golf equipment.• I will be careful not to damage anythingthat belongs to others.

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The FirstTee Life Skills Experience, a curriculum for teachingcharacter education through life skills, is one of the unique featuresthat differentiatesThe FirstTee from other youth initiatives and juniorgolf programs. It ultimately strives to instill in participantsThe FirstTeeNine CoreValues: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence,responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. Through the LifeSkills Experience, young people discover how skills essential to successon a golf course can also help them flourish in life. These skills includeself-management, interpersonal communication, goal-setting,mentoringand effective conflict resolution. This curriculum was developed by expertsin the field of positive youth development and is delivered in our chapter-based program by coaches trained throughThe FirstTee Coach program.

The First TeeLife Skills ExperienceOverview

PARTICIPANTS LEARNTO:• Introduce themselves• Manage emotions• Resolve conflicts• Set step-by-step goals• Plan for the future• Appreciate diversity

COACHESARETRAINEDTO:• Empower youth to make decisionsby thinking about the consequences• Build rapport and establish positiverelationships• Nurture golf and life skills development• Create a fun learning environment

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The First TeeLife Skills Experience Levels

A key strategyThe First Tee chapters utilize to successfully deliver life

skills programs is the use of core lessons. Coaches use core lesson plans

to seamlessly deliver a golf and life skill through golf-related activities.

Coaches create lesson plans based upon the following:

TARGET outreach PLAYer PAR

BIRDIE EAGLE ACE

(recommendedmin. age 5)

Introduction toThe First Tee

Life Skills Experience;provides a fun and safeenvironment that

creates curiosity aboutthe game of golf.

(required min. age 7)Introduces playingthe game of golf withspecial emphasis onlearning golf andTheFirst Tee Code of

Conduct, appreciatingthe rules and etiquetteof the game, and

developing your gamein golf and life.

(recommendedmin. age 9)Focuses oninterpersonal

communication andself-management skills.

(recommendedmin. age 11)Emphasizesgoal-setting.

(recommendedmin. age 13)

Builds on PLAYer,Par and Birdie levelsand emphasizes

resilience skills, conflictresolution and planning

for the future.

(requiredmin. age 14 or

entering 9th grade)The advanced levelof The First Tee

Life Skills Experience;focuses on personalplanning for golf, career,volunteerism andeducation.

Teaching Life SkillsThrough Core Lessons

• Number of participants in the class• Participant to coach ratio• Participants’ age and golf skill level• Selection of a practical golf activityto match the life skill lesson

• Bridging the golf lesson to life byasking open-ended questions

Research Validates...Independent research confirmsThe First Tee’s ability to teachlife skills andThe First Tee Nine CoreValues to youth.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:• In all four years, school was unanimously identified as a setting inwhich participants transferred life skills. Job/college, friends andout-of-school activities also showed an increase in life skills transfer.

• After three consecutive years of participation inThe First Tee, 73%reported high confidence in their ability to do well academicallyand 82% felt confident in their social skills with peers.

• During personal interviews, 78% of interviewees described theirability to transfer life skills through specific examples and stories.

• 57% of youth surveyed across three years creditedThe First Tee fortheirmeeting and greeting skills, and 52% credited the programfor their ability to appreciate diversity.

The “2005-2008 Longitudinal Effects of The First Tee Life Skills Programs on PositiveYouth Development” study was led by University of Minnesota’s Maureen R.Weiss, Ph.D.

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THE FIRSTTEEACADEMIESEach summer, participants will attend week-long academies on college campuseswhere they play golf and participate in in-depth life skills activities and careerexploration. They meet other young people from around the world and manyexperience life on a college campus for the first time. The overall purpose of eachacademy is to provide participants with valuable character education and leadershipinstruction.Transportation, meals and lodging are provided for participants.

Life Skills and LeadershipAcademy eligibility information:• A maximum of 100 students will be selected to participate• Must be between the ages of 13-17• Birdie-certified, Eagle level or Eagle-certified in the life skillsprogram at the time of application

• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

PLAYerAdvancedAcademy eligibility information:• A maximum of 25 students will be selected to participate• Must be between the ages of 14 -18• Eagle-certified,Ace level or Ace-certified in the life skillsprogram at the time of application

• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

THE FIRSTTEETRAINING PROGRAMAT HANK HANEY IJGAThrough a partnership withThe First Tee and the Hank Haney International JuniorGolf Academy (IJGA), participants are selected to attend a unique week-long trainingat the IJGA in Hilton Head, S.C. Activities include daily instruction with Hank HaneyJGA instructors andThe First Tee Coaches on all aspects of the golf game (full swing,short game, and on course). Mental training, fitness training and college placementsessions are also held. The First Tee life skills curriculum is infused into the HankHaney instruction throughout the program. There is a feefor participants and/or chapters to attend, however, it is ata significant discount.

Eligibility information:• A maximum of 50 students will be selectedto participate

• Must be in high school• USGA handicap of 12 or better for malesand 15 or better for females

• Minimum Birdie-certified in the life skillsprogram at the time of application

• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

The First Tee offers several events for participants. Almost all use an applicationand committee review process to select young people who will benefit the mostfrom each opportunity. The following eligibility requirements pertain to all homeoffice events.All applicants must:• Be registered by their chapter in the home office participant database• Submit a completed application packet• Be active at The First Tee upon submitting application

Application deadlines and criteria are subject to change, soplease contact your chapter for complete and current information.

Events are often added, changed or deleted based on funding and therequests of sponsors. Please check with your chapter frequently for currentinformation and listing of events forThe First Tee participants.

A/B HONOR ROLLThe First Tee A/B Honor Roll program encourages all participants to excel academicallyand to stay on track for eligibility in the Scholars program. Semi-annually, in January andJuly, chapters report a listing of participants who have earned all A-grades or B-grades(or equivalent) on their report cards.All participants, regardless of age, are eligible.The First Tee home office creates award certificates signed by Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.,chief executive officer of The First Tee.The certificates are mailed directly to thechapter for distribution.

THE FIRSTTEE COURSE REPORTERSTwo or more Junior Course Reporters are selected from chapters located nearvarious PGATOUR tournament locations to receive official media credentials and“cover” the tournament via blogs on PGATOUR.com,Twitter, or other media outlets.The Junior Course Reporters enjoy a two-day, inside-the-ropes experience includingthe opportunity to:• Visit the Golf Channel and Shotlink trucks• Meet and interview players, sponsors, caddies,PGATOUR executives and celebrity guests

• Take a tour of the clubhouse/locker room• Attend player press conferences and media interviews

Eligibility information:• Minimum age of 15 years old• Participant at The First Tee two years or more• Minimum life skills level of Birdie• Strong academic standing• Interest in journalism (print or broadcast),writing, etc.

• Excellent communication skills, especially writing• Avid interest in golf• Availability to miss two days of school

Participant Opportunities

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RBSACHIEVERS OFTHEYEARAWARDSThe RBS Achievers of theYear Awards are given to participants who haveovercome challenges in their lives while upholdingThe First Tee Nine CoreValues. A committee selects a group of semifinalists from chapter nominations,then RBS chooses one male and one female winner, whom each receive a $10,000scholarship.The remaining semifinalists each receive a $2,000 scholarship to beused for ongoing education.

Eligibility information:• 10 participants are recognized and receive scholarships• Must be a high school junior, senior or recent high school graduate to apply• Minimum Par-certified in the life skills program at the time of application• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

THE FIRSTTEE OPENAT PEBBLE BEACHEach summerThe First Tee Open at Pebble Beach showcases the talentand character of young people who participate at The First Tee chaptersworldwide. An official ChampionsTour event, the tournament pairs onejunior with a ChampionsTour player and two amateurs. To be selected,juniors are measured in both golf proficiency and life skills knowledge.The tournament is televised nationally on the Golf Channel.

Eligibility information:• 78 students will be selected to participate: 70 throughThe First Teeand eight exemptions awarded by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation

• Participants must be between the ages of 15-18• USGA handicap of 8 or better for males and 10 or better for females• Minimum Birdie-certified in the life skills program at the time of application• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

AMERICA’S FUTURE –THE COCA-COLA COMPANYDedicated to impacting communities,The Coca-Cola Company supports The FirstTee by offering five participants annually the chance to experience working at oneof the largest corporations in the world.The semifinalists spend two days in the heartof downtownAtlanta visiting the Coca-Cola campus, attending a new-hire training,meeting with executives, and taking part in interviews to determine the winner of a$5,000 scholarship. Four runners-up each receive a $1,000 scholarship. The winneralso returns to Atlanta for aVIP trip toTHETOUR Championship presented byCoca-Cola.

Eligibility information:The First Tee chapters can send a maximum of three applications.• Must be classified and enrolled as a high school senior• Preferred GPA of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)• Successful completion of Birdie certification requirements• Available to travel to Atlanta, Ga in August• Available to travel toTHETOUR Championship presented byCoca-Cola in Atlanta in September

WALMART NWARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIPPRESENTED BY P&GEach fall, theWalmart NWArkansas Championship presented by P&G gives girlsfromThe First Tee a unique opportunity to play alongside the stars of the LPGATour.Those selected participate in the official tournament pro-am and in the first two roundsof the tournament competition. Additionally, the girls have the opportunity to meetand interact with executives fromWalmart and their vendors.To be selected, girls mustdemonstrate both golf proficiency and life skills knowledge. A limited number of chaptersare eligible to participate.The tournament is televised nationally on the Golf Channel.

Eligibility information:• A maximum of 30 girls will be selected to participate• Must be in high school at the time of the event• USGA handicap of 15 or better• Minimum Birdie-certified in the life skills programat the time of applicationn

• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

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FUTURE LEADERS FORUMTheToro Company andWalt DisneyWorld Resort in Lake BuenaVista, Fla. havepartnered to allowThe First Tee participants to explore career paths in the golfindustry. In conjunction with the final tournament in the PGATOUR Fall Series,participants receive a three-day immersion in the sport, business and science of golf.Participants are guided by PGATOUR tournament staff and volunteers and learnfirst-hand from industry leaders about career opportunities in turf management,entertainment, community relations and marketing.As part of the forum, studentsreceive leadership training provided by the world-renowned Disney Institute.

Eligibility information:• A maximum of 50 students will be selected to participate• Must be a high school junior or senior• Minimum Birdie-certified in the life skills program by eachyear’s application deadline

• Participant at The First Tee for 1½ years or more

THE FIRSTTEE OUTSTANDINGPARTICIPANTAWARDThe First Tee Outstanding Participant Award represents the pinnacle of accomplishmentfor deserving participants of The First Tee. It recognizes exemplary achievement by youngpeople involved in the program in academics, community service, chapter involvement,leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation. The Outstanding ParticipantAward is administered every other year in conjunction withThe First Tee NetworkMeeting. One participant is awarded a $20,000 college scholarship and, two are awarded$10,000 scholarships.

Eligibility information:• Eight students will be selected to participate –one from each of The First Tee’s regional territories

• Must be between the ages of 15-18• Minimum Birdie-certified in the life skills programby each year’s application deadline

• Participant at The First Tee for 2½ years or more

THE SCHOLARS PROGRAMMore than 20 colleges and universities offer partial merit-based or leadershipscholarships to participants who excel in academics, leadership, characterdevelopment, and chapter and community involvement.The monetary valueof each leadership scholarship varies by school. Each participant meetingspecific eligibility requirements is encouraged to apply for the designationof The First Tee Scholar.A student designated as a Scholar will be eligible toparticipate in any educational scholarship programs made available byThe FirstTee and/or one of its partner institutions.The First Tee Scholarship AdvisoryCommittee convenes each December to review applications and to designatethe Scholars.

Academic requirements:• Completion of a competitive course of study during high school• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in core curriculum• Minimum score of 1275 on the SAT I (Critical Reading, MathandWriting) and/or 19 on the ACT

• Excellent writing skills as evidenced by the quality of theapplicant’s personal essays

• Current transcript and a school profile must be provided with thecompleted application (this can be obtained from a guidance counselor)

• Recommendation from a current high school teacher of a corecurriculum subject

Participation requirements:• Actively involved inThe First Tee at the time of application• Minimum of Eagle level in the life skills program by eachyear’s application deadline

• Participant at the First Tee for 2½ years or more

Character, Leadership, Chapter andCommunity Participation requirements:• Evidence of leadership positions held• Involvement in chapter activities, such asmentoring, at the time of application

• Evidence of responsible citizenship throughmeaningful involvement in community or civicactivities

• A recommendation from the chapter executivedirector, golf instructor or board member whocan attest to the applicant’s conduct as reflectiveof The First Tee Nine CoreValues

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ABOUTTHE FIRSTTEEThe FirstTee (www.thefirsttee.org),a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youthdevelopment organization whose mission is to impact the livesof young people by providing educational programs that buildcharacter, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthychoices through the game of golf. With its home office atWorldGolf Village in St.Augustine, Fla.,The First Tee reaches youngpeople on golf courses, in elementary schools and on militaryinstallations.

Since its inception in 1997,The First Tee has introduced thegame of golf and its values to more than 4.7 million participantsin all 50 United States and six international locations.The FirstTee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation and itsFounding Partners are LPGA,the MastersTournament,PGA ofAmerica,PGATOUR and the USGA.Former President GeorgeW.Bush serves as honorary chairman.

CONGRESSIONAL BREAKFASTThis annual event is held in the spring and brings two high-achieving Scholars to ournation’s capitol to enlighten Members of Congress and golf industry executives aboutthe positive impact The First Tee has had on their life.

PwC EXECUTIVE FORUMEach May, PwC invites Scholars of The First Tee to attend an executive business forumheld duringTHE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in PonteVedra Beach, Fla.The Scholars are selected by PwC based on their college major or interest in businessmanagement, economics, finance and accounting.The Scholars spend three days interactingwith global business leaders and attending sessions on risk management, corporate socialresponsibility and corporate governance.Two of the Scholars address the corporateattendees during one of the formal gatherings.

Eligibility information:• Available only to designatedThe First Tee Scholars in good standing• Scholars currently freshmen in college who show interest and potentialin the fields of accounting, finance or business are considered

Special Events forDesignated Scholars Only

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WORLD GOLF VILLAGE425 South Legacy Trail • St. Augustine, FL 32092 • 904.940.4300

www.thefirsttee.org

©© 2011 The First Tee. All rights reserved. Use with permission.

MISSIONTo impact the lives of young people by providing educationalograms that build character, instill life-enhancing valuesand promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

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