It is always nice to see improvement in our participants’ golf skills. Although I am relatively new to The First Tee, I have gotten to know some of the players in the few weeks that I have help coach. This past week (May 24-28), I was amazed at the improvement I saw in just a couple of weeks of programming. For the Teen group that comes on Tuesday afternoons, we took the participants out on the course and played a 5-person scramble with Brandon and I on separate teams. Being my first time out on the course with this group, I must say I was a little anxious – I did not know if there practice on the range would transfer over to the course. Looking back, I have no idea why I was so nervous! Brandon put a stipulation on the game saying that the group could only use mine or his shots once per hole and the rest was up to them. My group didn’t use a single one of my shots and made par all on their own! I was so proud of them for applying what we taught them in the past weeks to their game on the course. Their improvement and focus was so impressive! What was even more impressive, though, was their composure on the course. We taught them about respect and integrity on the course, but I saw it in action that day. They stayed calm under pressure and encouraged the other team members if they hit an errant shot. Their maturity and poise on the golf course was better than most adults’ behavior on the course!
I had been told that junior golfers will amaze you with the things they absorb and produce on the golf course, but I did not expect the improvements to be so rapid! I am thrilled with the golf I have seen this week and look forward to future programs.
- Lexie
