A little more than a year ago, I ran into a long-lost childhood friend at a golf event. This chance meeting in itself was wonderful. Though we didn’t play in the same foursome, the memories of our childhood poured out over a beer after the round. However, it was a short portion of our encounter that would give new meaning to my life and affect me in ways I never could have imagined as I teed it up that morning.

My friend, Debbie, is coach and member of the board for The First Tee of San Joaquin. I had always been interested in this organization as it teaches 9 core values through the game of golf to kids from the ages of 7 to 17. It also tries to bring golf to youth that might not normally be exposed to the game. The core values of courtesy, confidence, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, perseverance, and judgment are seamlessly integrated into activities and games. At the end of 9 week-sessions, the young golfers pass certification through tests and observations to show they actually exhibit the values on the course. The studies show the participants also apply these values at home and in school. One child at a time, changes within communities can be made.

Prior to reuniting with Debbie, I had been interested in volunteering for The First Tee. However, I thought I needed to wait until my golf skills were a bit more polished. Debbie informed me that wasn’t the case and before I knew it, I had agreed to come to the following Saturday’s session. Within minutes that Saturday morning, I was in love. The coaches, the kids, the activities, the values, and the golf activities all mixed into a perfect, mesmerizing alchemy. I was sold.

As addicted as I am to golf, I never imagined I wouldn’t mind giving up my Saturday morning round in order to coach, but standing on the putting green with young golfers talking about golf, and more importantly, life brought me so much joy that I could hardly believe it. There is no place I would rather be each Saturday. In fact, I try to go to weekday sessions when my work schedule permits.

Recently, four other local coaches and I were fortunate enough to be sent to a 3-day intensive training program for The First Tee. There were forty participants and 4 trainers. I loved this organization prior to the training, but now I am completely crazy for it. In the 3 rather long days not a single minute was wasted. When the trainers demonstrated a lesson with actual kids, it looked like a staged production because the lesson went so smoothly, and the kids were having a blast. They had no idea how much they were learning because the trainers were so good at integrating the core values into the golf-related games.

To complete our training, we had to run a session using the formal lesson plan we had written based on what we had learned. My fellow coaches had boundless energy, and our lessons were great. The kids really loved what we did, and they shook our hands and thanked us at the end of the session. When is the last time a 10-year old walked up to you hand extended, cap off to say thank you? How could I not love being in the middle of all this?

I came to a couple realizations during the three days. The first is that I am overwhelmed by the passion and energy the directors and my fellow coaches have for this organization. It seems that once you become involved in The First Tee, it enters in your bloodstream and pumps energy into your veins. The second is that I want to do more. I hope to continue my training in the fall. I catch myself daydreaming about being out there with the kids when we are on break. If finances allowed, I would do nothing else. Our community needs this program. It needs to grow. More kids’ lives can be touched. I am committed to do more. There are many of us involved with The First Tee who feel this way. I hope to convince even more to make the commitment to our community. All I had to do was show up one Saturday morning and the good I saw being done compelled me to become a coach. Inside of me, there was a shift. I have been given far more than I ever thought was possible. New priorities. New energy. New opportunities.

For more information:
National site: www.thefirsttee.org
San Joaquin Chapter: www.thefirstteesanjoaquin.org

For the last week or so, emails have been flying around between the gals who were on the EWGA match play team I was on last year. More players showed an interest in being on the team, and a qualifier was on the horizon. I will admit that my nerves kicked in a bit as I really want to make the team again. Last year we just showed up, and the 8 of us were on the team. This year 11 gals, the original 8 and 3 more, expressed interest in obtaining one of the 8 spots available. For various reasons, we are back down to our original 8 without the qualifier, and I am back on the team for certain. Last year’s team is in completely intact. I adore the gals who had to back out, but there is something special having the last year’s team be able to give it another shot.

These initial stages of planning have pushed me to reflect on last year’s journey as a team. I think I can speak for all of us when I say it was amazing. We came together to form a team, and we are extremely proud of our “rookie” season. We breezed through regional qualifying undefeated, with just one tied match, winning 11.5 of 12 possible points. We then only had a month to prep for our trip across country to PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I remember logging on to the registration website and realizing we would be competing on the Champion course for one of our rounds. Yes, the Bear Trap. Yes, that Bear Trap, the one on TV during the Honda Classic, a stop on the PGA Tour. I ran around the house in excitement. How in the world was it possible that a 20-handicap golfer was going to compete on that course? I feel a little sorry for those who were in contact with me for those 4 weeks between qualifying and leaving for Florida. I chattered on incessantly about it. My excitement spilled out everywhere I went.

Arriving at PGA National, however, left me a bit speechless. I looked at all the memorabilia and pictures on the walls. A major and a Ryder Cup were played there. I watched the sunset over the large central lake and looked at the row flags I had seen on TV many times. After dinner we walked around as a team and took pictures in front the logo sign right outside the pro-shop. Some team building and lots of laughter were our remedies for jet-lag.

A couple of days of practice rounds and we were feeling ready for the weekend’s competition. The Bear Trap ate me up both times I went through. I lost count of the balls lost during the practice round. The enormity of the venue made me tense, and I didn’t have my best game. However, I played well enough to win my singles match after my partner and team captain, Kris, had carried me through our foursomes match on day one. Ultimately, we finished 5th nationally, which we felt was awesome for a bunch of rookies. We came home exhausted but very proud.
But the results are not the most important piece of the experience. It was the whole journey for all 8 of us to get there that stands out in my mind and most likely in theirs too. Was it all sunshine and rainbows? No, but as good teams do, we forged ahead together and solidified our connections to each other. We were led by an incredibly giving and motivating captain in Kris. We worked hard in practice sessions and enjoyed dinner and especially cocktails in the evening. In some rooms card games ensued till bedtime. It was in these moments that a team formed and I know I wanted to last a lot longer than one season.

Since that moment, I have relived the experience in my head many times. I was glued to the TV during March’s Honda Classic. I even walked my parents through every shot as we watched the coverage of pros. I streamed it on my phone when I couldn’t be near a TV.
I was a little sad thinking we might not have the same opportunity this year. Some of us might not make the team or might not be able to participate for one reason or another. Then today an email came out and the team is intact. Practice rounds will be on the calendar soon. With a little luck and some hard work, we will make it through regional qualifying and be on our way to the national cup again. One thing is sure: this team will be battle-ready.