When she was little, Paul Reavis said he would take his granddaughter, Maya, to the golf course with him.
As time passed, the trips became more than just golf cart rides.
“As she got more interested, we got her a set of beginner clubs,” said Reavis. And, they also signed her up for the First Tee golf program.
Over the past four years in the program, the grandfather said he’s seen Maya grow as more than just a player but also as a person.
The program’s instructors emphasize core values like honesty, integrity, confidence and responsibility, among others, with golf-based activities.
“They’re good at pointing out how this particular trait applies to your golf game and how things apply to your life,” said Reavis.
Rules like “play the ball where it lies” carries meaning beyond telling kids not to move the golf ball after they hit it.
Reavis said, “They learn that early in First Tee be very straightforward and honest about what you’re doing.”
Garry Pritchett, Danville’s First Tee director, said the 21-year-old eight-week program stresses progress and process over outcomes.
“We know if you perfect the process, then eventually you’ll consistently have good strong outcomes,” said Pritchett. “When the kids buy into that, you do see a lot of growth.”
It’s about their “personal par,” he says. This is the par they set for themselves.
A more advanced child’s goal may be to reach a hole in four strokes, whereas a child who is still learning might aim for finishing in eight.
“If you’re achieving the most you can with your knowledge skills and ability, then you’re successful,” said Pritchett.
In addition, it teaches the kids how to care about something bigger than them.
At some points during the program’s existence, Pritchett has been able to provide each participant with a First Tee shirt and hat to wear.
As he handed the shirts out, he said he would explain that when each of the kids wore the shirt, they were ambassadors of the program and their actions would reflect on more than them as individuals.
One year, a boy who had been in and out of his elementary school principal’s office joined the program.
One day, the boy clashed with a classmate, but unlike previous incidents, he was wearing his First Tee shirt.
“He told the boy, ‘You’re lucky today because I’m wearing my First Tee shirt and Mr. Pritchett says when I wear my First Tee shirt on I can’t bother anybody and I can’t be mean,’” said Pritchett, laughing. “He was able to buy in and understand that, OK, I’m representing something and I have to be different.”
He continued, “We’re tricking them because we’ve embedded all this good stuff in there that they don’t even know that they’re getting.”
The program takes place twice a year, explained Pritchett, once in the fall and once in the spring.
Eligible to students age 7 to 18, Pritchett said they typically coach around 200 children per year between the eight-week programs and the golf camps they host.
Over time, students can advance through different five levels of the program and rise from player to what’s called ACE. The levels are based on age, fold knowledge and skill requirements, explained Pritchett.
“We want students to progress through the program at their own pace and based on their interest. All kids are not looking to play competitive golf,” he said.
Pritchett’s seen a variety of skill and interest levels pass through First Tee, with a few playing in college, a handful competing in high school and others who just play for the fun of the game.
During the program, the kids practice once a week, either at the Goodyear Golf Course or at Jones Crossing.
Goodyear pro-shop manager and events coordinator Courtney Creamer said they’ve worked with First Tee for at least 17 of its 21 years. She has enjoyed watching more kids get exposed to the sport as more than just something that’s “boring to watch on television.”
“A lot of kids who show up to these are kids who’ve never swung a golf club in their life,” said Creamer. “The game is so complex it’s wonderful and can be intimidating but there are so many great life lessons you can learn.”
Looking at Maya Reavis, Pritchett said when she’d first arrived at First Tee, she was somewhat withdrawn and uncertain of herself.
After two to three cycles through the program, Maya Reavis decided she would try out for Dan River High School’s team with her friend, Jayla Edmonds, who also took part in First Tee.
As the lone female members of the golf team, they managed to letter on varsity in their freshman year.
To watch First Tee members flourish, Pritchett said, “It’s like one of your children achieving something important.”
Creamer said she loved that First Tee’s programs and clinics are introducing the game to more people who may not have considered it as an option before.
“It’s been so exclusive for years and it shouldn’t be that way, golf is for everybody,” she said.
The Goodyear course itself had been built for use by the plant’s employees, but has provided a space for several local organizations and institutions to hold annual golf tournaments as fundraisers like the Boys and Girls Club or Averett University.
After its latest fall session ended two weeks ago, Pritchett said First Tee’s spring programming will start again in March.
Anyone interested in more information can visit the program’s website at www.thefirstteetriad.org.
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