Welcome to The First Tee This is a brief introduction to The First Tee. Over the course of this presentation, we will review four basic areas:

Course Overview What is The First Tee? What is The First Tee? Research-proven Success Core Values & Life Skills National School Program

What is The First Tee? Our Mission To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf

What is The First Tee? First and foremost The First Tee is a Youth Development Organization

What is The First Tee? The First Tee trademarks are the Nine Core Values® and the Life Skills Experience.

What is The First Tee? The First Tee Nine Core Values® are traits that are exhibited through personal behavior by coaches, staff and volunteers. A value can be taught only through example. The First Tee Life Skills are very specific lessons geared to teach young people effective habits that, when incorporated on the course and in daily life, can lead to positive decisions and outcomes.

The First Tee Nine Core Values The Nine Core Values ® The First Tee embraces are inherent to the game of golf. These values have been incorporated into The First Tee Life Skills Experience and the National School Program.

The First Tee Nine Core Values The First Tee Nine Core Values® Honesty - the quality or state of being truthful; not deceptive Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves and report their own score. Integrity - strict adherence to a standard of value or conduct; personal honesty and independence Golf is a game of etiquette and composure. Players are responsible for their actions and personal conduct on the golf course even at times when others may not be looking. Sportsmanship - observing the rules of play and winning or losing with grace Players must know and abide by the rules of golf and be able to conduct themselves in a kind and respectful manner towards others even in a competitive game. Respect - to feel or show deferential regard for; esteem In golf it is important to show respect for oneself, playing partners, fellow competitors, the golf course, and for the honor and traditions of the game. Confidence - reliance or trust; a feeling of self-assurance Confidence plays a key role in the level of play that one achieves. Players can increase confidence in their abilities by being positive and focusing on something they are doing well, regardless of the outcome.

The First Tee Nine Core Values The First Tee Nine Core Values® Responsibility - accounting for one’s actions; dependable Players are responsible for their actions on the golf course. It is up to them to keep score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green, and keep up with the pace of play. Perseverance - to persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles To succeed in golf, players must continue through bad breaks and their own mistakes, while learning from past experiences. Courtesy - considerate behavior toward others; a polite remark or gesture A round of golf should begin and end with a handshake between fellow competitors. Players also should be still and quiet while others are preparing and performing a shot. Judgment - the ability to make a decision or form an opinion; a decision reached after consideration Using good judgment is very important 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 players consider executing, as well as making healthy choices on and off the golf course.

Life Skills Experience While The First Tee uses golf as an instructional platform, the keystone of our program is the Life Skills Experience. The First Tee is proactive in reaching youth and giving them sound, fundamental life skills to manage their life. In a sense, we tackle all problems of youth today, as we empower young people to achieve their dreams and give them a skill set to do so.

Life Skills Experience The First Tee participants will be well prepared to manage their life by the time they reach the “at-risk” years. We do this by teaching them: Interpersonal skills & self-management skills – how to interact with others, how to communicate, and how to manage their emotions. This gives youth the skills to present themselves to others in a positive manner and techniques to manage their emotions when others do not treat them in the same positive manner.

Life Skills Experience Goal setting skills – What are their dreams? Where do they want to go in life? We ask young people to dream and then teach them how to set goal ladders to be able to reach their dreams. Resilience skills – we teach young people skills to overcome challenges and obstacles. Once you set goals, there are going to be barriers which prevent you from achieving them. The First Tee provides a wide variety of tools and techniques which allow participants the best opportunity to overcome these challenges and ultimately achieve their goals.

Life Skills Experience Life Skills lessons are taught in a seamless approach while participants are working on golf skills. It’s more than a game

Life Skills Experience Life Skills are skills for life The First Tee wants everyone who completes the program to have acquired basic golf skills and to be able to demonstrate certain fundamental life skill concepts such as interpersonal communication and the importance of rules and etiquette.

Life Skills Experience Certification The Life Skills Experience moves participants through five levels of certification - PLAYer, Par, Birdie, Eagle and Ace. Each level focuses on increasing golf skills and Life Skills which are age-appropriate for physical and cognitive abilities.

Life Skills Experience Life Skills Categories PLAYerParBirdieEagle Interpersonal Skills Self-management Goal Setting Resilience Skills

# Par # Birdie # Eagle 10Explore the Game16Dreams and Goals22Stay Well for Life 11 Respecting the Rules 17 Positive and Important to You 23Building a Go-to Team 12 Meeting and Greeting with A-L-R 18Specific24Appreciating Diversity 13 Having Fun While You Learn 19Under Your Control25Dealing with Conflicts 14Staying Cool20 Goal Ladder 26Be a Go-to Person 15Personal Par21 Dealing with Challenges 27Planning for the Future PLAYerPLAYer Life Skills Experience

PLAYer The First Tee has an innovative program called PLAYer. PLAYer is a unique aspect of teaching golf. Instead of learning the swing at the driving range, we introduce young people to the game where it is played - on the course. Young people learn the concept of the game and become comfortable with, and respectful of, the course and course etiquette first. This method is similar to how young people learn other sports like soccer, football, baseball and basketball.

Research Does The First Tee program work? In 2003, The First Tee developed a strategic plan for ongoing research to: Measure the impact of the Life Skills Education programs on participants Examine how and why The First Tee is a valuable youth development organization Enable The First Tee to improve its programs for participants

Research Independent research was conducted by University of Nevada - Las Vegas, University of Florida and University of Virginia. Results after two years of the longitudinal study show: 90% of participants in the study transfer life skills to school, home and other areas 90% retained life skills over time Of the participants in the study, The First Tee had an 83% retention rate compared to 50% average for other youth- serving organizations

Research When comparing The First Tee participants with youth in other sports: The First Tee participants scored higher on meeting and greeting, managing emotions, resolving conflicts, appreciating diversity and getting help from others Youth in The First Tee also scored higher on goal setting, initiative, emotional regulation, prosocial norms and positive relationships The First Tee youth scored higher on perceived academic competence (confidence), moral conduct (responsibility, honesty, integrity), self-efficacy to resist peer pressure (judgment), and preference for challenging skills (perseverance)

National School Program The Nine Core Values® are also introduced in elementary school Physical Education classes through The First Tee National School Program. The National School Program teaches physical educators to teach golf to elementary-age children while incorporating the Nine Core Values® into each lesson.

National School Program PE teachers cited the positive changes in their students’ behavior as a result of the Nine Core Values® delivered through the National School Program. The National School Program is in over 3,400 elementary schools. The First Tee Chapters increase their impact in a community by sponsoring the National School Program in their area.

Conclusion The First Tee is a youth development organization that uses proven methods to teach young people Life Skills and Core Values through the game of golf. When these lessons become life-long habits, they help The First Tee participants be successful on and off the golf course.

Welcome to The First Tee Please be confident that the time and effort you devote to The First Tee is appreciated not only by your Chapter staff, but by the young people in your community whose lives you will impact. Thank you for joining The First Tee!