James started First Tee when he was 7 years old, alongside two of his brothers. James’ favorite part of class is going to the driving range because he gets to hit the ball really far! James also enjoys playing with his three lizards, four snakes, all his cats, and his five brothers. Beyond First Tee, James also participates in Cub Scouts, where he has been a member since the age of five. He also enjoys creating art masterpieces and building things, like derby cars.
“Jamie consistently and accurately answers questions at every class. He is also considerate and coconscious in his decision making. At class, two weeks ago, when taking a restroom break, he jumped ahead of everyone and held the door until all participants had come inside. He then waited patiently for his turn. Jamie is a wonderful student and a friend to all,” said Coach Lisa Harvey.
For many families, the return of spring means outdoor sports are back in play.
Whether your children play golf or participate in other physical activities, it’s important to keep them safe. Did you know a third of childhood injuries occur during sports?
One of the best ways to make sure your child is prepared to play this spring is by encouraging them to warm up before exercise.
“At First Tee we utilize warmups in a couple different ways,” said Ali Miller, senior manager of programs training at First Tee. “If it has been a little while since your child has been active in sports or they are new to sports in general, warmups are a great way to get their body used to being active. Warmups also allow our coaches to build a foundation of movement that helps facilitate better golf technique using exercises and movements that your child may be more used to such as throwing or kicking a ball.”
All First Tee classes start with a warmup, and coaches aim to make them fun, so kids feel excited about the rest of the lesson, Miller said. Not only is warming up healthy before exercise, but it’s also a great way to instill in kids the importance of preparing for a task.
Miller recommends warmups that combine a few different exercises to focus on different skills and muscles. For example, she’ll combine skiers for balance and agility with lunges for strength and flexibility.
“Lastly, I always have kids do some kind of throwing, kicking or hitting motion, which covers object control. All these actions mimic golf skills and help me see what kids are capable of movement wise,” Miller said.
“I also usually organize these exercises into some kind of circuit or obstacle course to keep things fun and keep kids moving for the whole warmup.”
When it comes to other tips to prepare for spring sports, Miller said kids are generally resilient, but it never hurts to take your child to the doctor for a physical, especially if they’ve been more sedentary over winter.
“Our coaches place safety as a number one priority but parents can help by making sure kids are wearing golf or athletic shoes and clothing that is easy to move around in,” she said. “As always if your child has any allergies or physical limitations let your local First Tee staff know so they can make sure everything is in order and they’re set up for success.”
Born and raised in The Five Towns area of Long Island, Joe Derosa completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate of advanced study degrees in education and administration at the State University of New York at New Paltz and State University at Albany. From there, he embarked on a 35-year career as a teacher, administrator, and baseball coach in the Arlington Central School district and Dutchess Community College near Poughkeepsie, NY.
Following retirement from teaching and coaching in 2005, Mr. Derosa relocated to Boca Raton, FL, where they assisted family with a new business venture and returned to coaching youth baseball. This eventually led to coaching opportunities with the Federation of Italian Baseball, where they spent six years teaching and coaching in Italy. In 2011, he returned to New York and volunteered as an assistant coach for the New Paltz baseball team until 2013.
Derosa’s journey eventually led to Pinehurst, NC where he learned about the First Tee Program in 2018. And, lucky for us, it was an instant fit! Derosa quickly became involved, volunteering under different coaches and embracing its curriculum focused on life skills through golf.
He first served as a volunteer under the leadership of coach Jim Curley at Pinewild CC, then added the program at Seven Lakes under coach Bill Baker. From time to time, Joe filled in at Legacy Golf Links and Knollwood Fairways. Derosa embraced the curriculum built around “The Nine Core Values,” using golf as a platform to integrate and convey Life Skills to all participants.
When asked to reflect on any extra special moments at First Tee – Sandhills, Mr. Derosa said, “every session provides unique memories and teachable moments, however there is one that stands out above the rest. My first volunteer assignment was a clinic at Pinehurst No. 6. The lead coach assigned me to work at the chipping and pitching activity. Now, I am a mid-handicap player and this is the weakest part of the game… My hands turn to stone as I get anxious over sending the ball flying across the green or chunking the shot.”
He continued that as part of his ice breaker to encourage the kids to not be hard on themselves he shared this story, “as I was conveying my anxiety to the kiddos by saying I get nervous about hitting a bad shot in front of my playing partners, this one young girl stepped up to me and said she had a solution to my problem.” She stated, “the next time I am faced with that situation, tell the other golfers in my group to turn around and not look while I’m chipping! Precious advice.”
After sharing this sweet story from 2018, Mr. Derosa was quick to provide a kind review of our Chapter’s team. He shared, “The administrative and teaching staff from the Sandhills branch provide an outstanding foundation for delivering a comprehensive curriculum. They encourage sensitive observation, timely intervention, and multi-disciplinary teamwork. The on-site coaches and fellow volunteers engage in positive interaction to mold, shape, and refine their approach that makes it motivating and fun for all involved. Who would not want to be a part of that environment?”
We agree, Joe. And, THANK YOU Coach Derosa for your commitment to Building Game Changers.
Earlier this year, Coach Riley was accepted into the Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) and we promised a monthly recap of each of his new experiences. If you aren’t caught up, click here to learn about this adventure!
In this month’s MCLI update, Riley and the MCLI team explored County Services, delving into the intricacies of Emergency Response within our county. Riley was able to learn all about our county’s Emergency Response teams and just how intricate their work is. “One fascinating discovery was the role of property tax in funding these services. Much like a subscription, residents contribute a percentage of their property tax to County Services, granting them access to free ambulance services. This funding mechanism also ensures that Emergency Services can regularly update their equipment and vehicles, ensuring nothing becomes outdated and hindering their ability to assist those in need.”
During this visit, Riley also learned about the vital role of Tele-Communicators in dispatching resources throughout the county. Despite having only 3-4 Tele-Communicators available at any given time, an automated dispatch system efficiently determines the nature of emergencies and sends the nearest unit to the scene. However, one significant challenge faced by these professionals is the misuse of 911 as a directory service (411), which delays the response time for genuine emergencies. Surprisingly, the average working lifespan of a Tele-Communicator is only 18-36 months before they seek employment elsewhere.
Following the visit to County Services, Riley and the MCLI team proceeded to Union Pines to explore their Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. Union Pines provides a diverse array of classes aimed at preparing students for immediate employment upon high school graduation. From agriculture to culinary arts, automotive, carpentry, nursing, and robotics, the school offers a wide range of vocational options.
Of particular interest was Riley’s conversation with the automotive teacher, who highlighted the potential for students to secure employment at shops or dealerships after completing the program’s four steps. They discussed the challenges faced by today’s youth in a technology-driven world, where face-to-face communication skills may be overshadowed by online interactions. Riley noted the dichotomy of students’ struggles to retain knowledge alongside their adeptness at finding answers online.
Next stop in the MCLI program will be in April 17th to explore community services within our county.
My name is Alexa Vela, a student at Rice University studying business and sport management.
I am also a proud First Tee alumni and Scholar who has been fortunate enough to grow up playing the game of golf, and as a result have been taught a variety of fundamental lessons and values such as patience, confidence and integrity whether on or off the course.
All of which have been instilled within me by First Tee and have been fundamental in shaping me into the leader that I am today; dedicated to establishing an environment where everyone feels welcomed.
This devotion to creating inclusive spaces is the result of the community and friendships that I have been granted through First Tee.
As a First Tee participant and now alumni and Scholar, I am certain that my accomplishments and ability to effectively serve my community and college campus is the result of the program’s ability to grant me a renewed sense of confidence as well as allow me to discover the power of my voice.
Through the years, I recognized the importance of using this voice as a means to embrace my authenticity and create a space that encouraged others to embrace theirs.
Such a realization is what not only led me into my current academic areas of interests, sport management and business, with the intent to unite my love for growing the game of golf with my curiosity on how the game can take active strides in becoming more inclusive and accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, but is what recently empowered me to revamp the Club Golf Team here at Rice University.
Growing golf in Houston has been especially important to me, considering that it is where I learned to love the game, but also where I was able to witness firsthand the impact that having access to the game of golf can have in the lives of many. Whether it be the ability to develop and foster community or be granted a space where you can enjoy yourself in nature, I recognized that very need here on Rice’s campus.
After a year of researching the process and correct steps to take in order to make this dream a reality, the club team was established in January of this year!
The team essentially provides all Rice students the opportunity to play golf, whether it be recreationally or competitively by participating in tournaments where students have an opportunity to represent Rice as a team, regardless of previous exposure or experience with the game.
My vision for the team is to create community on the golf course by allowing all students to have the opportunity to participate in practices or tournaments without having to incur a huge financial undertaking.
In addition to this, the club golf team’s presence on campus provides an outlet for females at Rice to play golf competitively considering the school does not currently have a women’s golf team.
With our first golf tournament as a team in the books, I am excited to see the future of Club Golf here at Rice and the impact it will create here on campus.
Just as time off has been shown to improve work performance in adults, Spring Break provides a great opportunity for kids to decompress amid a busy school year. It’s also an opportunity for parents to empower their kids to use good judgment, a focus of the First Tee curriculum.
“Whether you have a vacation planned or are staying home this spring break, there are plenty of opportunities for your child to make thoughtful decisions,” said Lexie Milford, senior director of programs technology and support at First Tee and mother to two boys. “For example, if you’re traveling, empower your kiddo to help pack the snacks. What choices are healthy? What is best for a car ride? What needs to be kept cold?”
Ask your child to walk you through their decision-making process and follow up later to see if they’ll do anything different next time. You might have your child weigh in on different topics as they get older because using good judgment gets easier with practice.
When it comes to making the most of Spring Break, it can also be beneficial to help your child set a few short-term goals, which can have a positive impact on their self-confidence. “Start with things they can control and take ownership around, like chores, reading or screen time,” Milford said.
Maybe your child wants to clock a specific number of community service hours during Spring Break or complete a certain number of lessons on the First Tee app, for example.
Of course, spring breaks can look different depending on your child’s age, interests and your own work obligations.
“As a working parent, it’s hard to balance kids being home while work continues on,” acknowledged Milford. “Relying on your kid to entertain themselves – and being comfortable with however they choose to do that so long as it’s safe – can be unnerving sometimes. But taking the week to let your kid be a kid, make some of their own choices, and just enjoy the freedom of play can be an amazing experience for them to unwind from stresses of school.”
Many First Tee chapters offer spring break programming. Learn more opportunities to enroll.
Hailing from Miami, Florida, Derek’s journey spans from excelling in high school baseball and football to volunteering at Shea Stadium in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.
Witnessing the military buildup in the Middle East while working as a stockbroker, he felt a profound calling to enlist in the U.S. Army, dedicating over 18 years to Special Operations in some of the world’s most dangerous regions.
Amidst the chaos, a newfound passion for golf emerged just three years ago, leading to a commitment of playing three times a week. Beyond personal enjoyment, he extended his love for the game by volunteering as a coach for First Tee – Sandhills and a girls’ high school team over the past year and a half, contributing to the growth of young golf enthusiasts. Derek’s profound love for the game of golf transcends personal boundaries into acts of community service and inspiration.
“My favorite moment while coaching at First Tee – Sandhills had to have been while working a goal post drill on the range. One of the players was having difficulty making good contact, let alone getting it through the goal posts we had set up. But, with some extra encouragement from the other players, he was able to knock it through. The smile on his face and the loud cheering and emotion from his friends, is a moment I will never forget.”
Look for Derek this Spring at First Tee – Sandhills Programs at Gates Four Golf & CC and Stryker Golf Course.
Thanks Coach Derek for your commitment to Building Game Changers.
Eyna Alaan’s favorite part of coaching at First Tee – Greater Pasadena is collaborating with her colleagues to make classes fun for kids.
“I love working with the other coaches to create games,” she said. Eyna has been coaching since 2015, and in that time, she’s gotten to see participants grow and evolve. “It’s just been amazing to see these kids progress. It’s like I’ve been there from the beginning,” she said.
Eyna herself was fresh out of high school when she began coaching at First Tee – Greater Pasadena. She was playing golf at Glendale Community College where her coach was involved with the First Tee chapter and told her about the program.
“When I was growing up, I went to golf academy where it felt like golf was everything,” she said. “If you weren’t one of the best players, you fell by the weigh side. When I started teaching at First Tee and I was learning about the curriculum, I just thought it was great that it focused on the whole person – not just their golf skills.”
Eyna has advanced to First Tee’s Level 3 coach training, which she attended last year in Portland. “A lot of people say patience is the key to coaching, but I think empathy is really important. Kids at different ages are in different places. They may not be able to grasp certain concepts yet, but you still need to be able to connect with them.”
Eyna was born in the Philippines and moved to Southern California when she was 5. Her dad encouraged her to play golf, a sport he took up to bond with his older brothers.
Eyna’s sister attended Morehead State University on a golf scholarship and is working toward her LPGA certification. “It just really tickles my dad,” she said. “He always brags to my family. He’s so proud to have daughters that work in golf.”
Being a young female coach sometimes helps Eyna connect with participants. “There are sometimes those classes with one or two girls, and immediately they’re a little intimidated,” she said. “In high school, I had to play on boys’ team, and I didn’t have any female teammates until I was a senior and my sister joined the team as a freshman. I understand how they’re feeling, and I want to help them build confidence.”
At First Tee, we believe golf is for everyone, but the sport can feel intimidating, especially for families who are new to it. That’s why it’s important to remember, golf is meant to be fun, according to Ali Miller, senior manager of programs training at First Tee.
Miller grew up learning the game at First Tee – Quad Cities before playing collegiate golf and joining the staff at First Tee headquarters. She played an important role in developing First Tee’s updated curriculum, which was rolled out in 2023. It uses fun golf activities to teach life skills and help kids uncover their values.
As someone who’s spent lots of time on golf courses – and even trains First Tee coaches – here is her take on the rules of golf.
Q: How does understanding the basic rules of golf make the sport safer and more enjoyable?
A: Knowing the basics makes golf more enjoyable because it’s a little less intimidating when you feel like you know what’s going on. In golf there are written and unwritten rules. The best way to get comfortable is to be around the game, be on the golf course and play with people who are more experienced – like a First Tee coach, or an older participant in the program. Some rules are also important for golf course safety, like out of bounds. It usually indicates areas you don’t want to go, and it’s safer to avoid them.
It takes exposure to the game to get comfortable with the official rules, however the sport can be enjoyed using intuitive etiquette, like taking turns and not distracting people when they are swinging. At First Tee we believe it’s so important that the rules of golf aren’t a barrier to entry. Remember most people are happy to help guide you or your child, whether it’s a First Tee coach, a PGA or LPGA professional or golf course staff. Most golfers can remember a time they didn’t know a rule, and someone helped them, so they want to pay it forward.
Interestingly enough, many of the rules are designed to help level the playing field and allow for people with different abilities to still enjoy playing and competing together.
Q: How do you balance having fun when you’re learning a new game?
A: Golf is a very social game. The fun part is being outside and walking and talking with your friends – and hopefully hitting some good shots along the way. I would focus on that aspect when your child is starting out. If they’re out there playing with friends, they should be having fun while also learning about the game and understanding the rules as they spend more time with the sport. If they make a mistake on the rules, it’s not a big issue.
We invite parents to become familiar with scoring basics – like in any sport – as we encourage it for all age groups. Of course, some younger players might not be able to do it on their own and that’s OK too. Additionally, First Tee coaches are trained to coach different ages, and we recommend shorter holes for younger kids. For example, for kids under 9, we suggest 25 yards for a Par 3 or 50 yards for a Par 4, which just means teeing off a little further down the fairway. These kinds of adaptations help kids enjoy the game.
If you’ve ever played golf, you know it’s tough if you take it or yourself too seriously! It takes lots of work to become a scratch golfer, and new golfers shouldn’t compare themselves to experienced players. That’s where the concept of Personal Par comes in. We encourage kids to focus on achieving their personal best, which helps them stay positive. Golf – like life – is a journey.
If your child advances or wants to play competitively, there’s always someone around to help. It can feel intimidating to ask, but that’s what rules officials and tournament staff are there for. It’s funny, when I was playing competitively, my dad didn’t know the rules well, and he always thought I scored way better than I did. But I just remember he was out there supporting me, and that was the important thing.
Q: What should new golfers know?
A: In a perfect world, you or your child should try to be on time for a tee time. It’s an unwritten rule that you should aim to be 10 minutes early. It helps you calm the nerves on the first tee and obviously is considerate to other golfers.
Other rules that come up often include out-of-bounds and losing your ball. In these cases, you can typically either take a one-stroke penalty and retry the shot or take a two-stroke penalty and play from the edge of the fairway near where your ball landed. Try not to play someone else’s ball, which is why you’ll see professional players put markings on their golf balls to identify them. First Tee’s app has great, kid-friendly helpful lessons on many of these rules.
That said, I think new golfers should know we’ve all been in their shoes. So our primary rule at First Tee is have fun and be safe. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions. We want you to be on the course!
Q: You just alluded to the fact that golf courses are shared spaces. How does following the rules help ensure everyone enjoys their round?
A: Most golf courses will indicate the pace at which they expect golfers to finish 9 or 18 holes. Keeping up that pace and following out-of-bounds rules are important to ensure everyone has a fun and safe round. A lot of golf courses have homes on them, so out-of-bounds rules can protect golfers and homeowners.
For new golfers, it can feel intimidating to have a fast group right behind you. The etiquette here would be to pause and let them play through.
Q: What should you do if you make a mistake?
A: First, remember it’s normal and OK. If you’re playing with friends, own up to it and learn from it. If you’re playing in a tournament, there can be other consequences, but in most cases, golfers are given an opportunity to fix their mistakes.
The USGA is a Founding Partner of First Tee and they publish a rulebook each year and even offers a junior version in comic book form.
Q: How can learning the rules of golf help a child off the course?
A: Golf is a lot like life, right? Sometimes you need to ask for help. At First Tee, we believe mentorship is a powerful tool, and we hope our participants have coaches they can turn to on and off the golf course. On the golf course, there are usually officials around, but it’s a big place. Sometimes you might need to call a penalty on yourself, take responsibility and record your score accurately.
Having to react to unexpected situations or recover their composure after a bad shot on the golf course can prepare kids to do the same in life. Golf is a fun and engaging activity that provides challenges, requires commitment and effort over time, but is so worth it. It’s a lifelong sport available for people with all abilities. Learn more about how to get involved.
Earlier this year, Coach Riley was accepted into the Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) and we promised a monthly recap of each of his new experiences. If you aren’t caught up, click here to learn about this adventure!
After participating in a two-day retreat in January, February would be the MCLI teams first day trip. This month, visiting North Moore. Riley was eager to share his findings when returning back to First Tee – Sandhills. Take a moment to hear what they learned and discovered in Robbins.
“We started the day at Robbins Fire Department with a presentation about the history of Robbins by the Town Manager, Clint Mack. The presentation really focused on the ups and downs of Robbins throughout the years as they continuously fluctuated between a bustling hub of industry, and on the verge of economic collapse. It really showed the resiliency of the people of the town worked through the hard times to live life in the good. After presenting the history, he went into a little more on the modern day issues that Robbins is currently facing and the steps they are taking to solve them. There are three major things they will be tackling. First is updating their water infrastructure; Second is renovating old shop-faces to start driving up business within the community; and Third is working on what will drive people to come to Robbins. After this, we took a small tour of the town and were shown the storefronts that are being renovated throughout Robbins.”
“Later we visited Misty Morning Ranch where we learned about what it takes to run an Ostrich Farm. The owners Ryan and Rich (who is also in MCLI), discussed the challenges they had to overcome, especially with ostrich farming being a “newer” concept where best practices are ever changing. Ryan is on the forefront of innovation when it comes to raising ostriches, especially in decreasing the overall Ostrich chick fatality rate, which on a national level sits at about 65%, he has managed to drop his down to 18% with a few changes in the way he houses them as they grow through those vital couple months. He went on to discuss future plans they have, from increasing their farm and processable ostriches to opening their own processing plant in NC where all forms of red meat may be processed.”
“Overall, learning the hardships that both the community and the Ostrich farm have overcome as they both continue to grow while navigating challenges, was impressive. For a small community, they are highly resilient and it’s a side of Moore County you don’t get to see enough. I am excited to see Robbins flourish.”
Next stop in the MCLI program will be March 13 to County Services.
Golf has always been part of Kelly Allen’s life. “I’ve had a club in my hand since I was 2. I still have that little cut down 2 iron somewhere,” he said.
Kelly joined First Tee – North Florida at 7 years old, and at 12, he decided to give up football and baseball to focus on golf. His choice coincided with the 2005 Masters, when Tiger Woods famously chipped in from the rough on 16 before going on to win in a playoff. Kelly remembers going crazy in his living room.
“It was just super exciting what he was doing for the game, and I wanted a piece of it,” he said.
As a teenager, Kelly traveled to a variety of First Tee national opportunities and earned the chance to play twice at the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, which became his favorite golf course.
“I made a bunch of friends across the country through First Tee,” he said. “I had unforgettable experiences and received timeless benefits. First Tee shows you that golf is much more than swinging a club and hitting a ball. It’s networking, seeing the world and building character.”
Kelly is a Jacksonville, Florida, native and began his college career at Johnson & Wales before transferring to Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. The decision was largely driven by golf, but ultimately, Kelly said he’s glad he experienced attending an HBCU.
“Being a part of a team culture, especially in golf, it’s very unique because unless you’re playing for a Ryder Cup or something like that, you don’t get that very often,” he said. “I enjoyed the comradery and the bond with my teammates. That whole idea of us against the world was the best part of it.” His team won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship in 2015. Kelly was also crowned the overall champion.
Kelly has played golf across the country, but Brentwood Golf Course in Jacksonville is where he learned the game and still the place he calls home. The facility played an important role in the city’s civil rights history, when a group of Black golfers showed up to play there on a Tuesday. At the time, Black golfers were only allowed to play Brentwood on Mondays. They launched a legal battle that ultimately led to the desegregation of public recreation facilities in the area.
Kelly was working at Brentwood when he learned about an exciting new opportunity. With support from THE PLAYERS, Edward Waters College, the oldest HBCU in Florida, was launching a women’s golf team and needed a coach.
“It just made so much sense to pursue because Edward Waters is in the middle of the neighborhood where I grew up,” Kelly said. “Growing up I seen a lot of life get lost to the streets. I see this program as a great way to serve my community put some life back into it.”
Kelly is passionate about building a winning culture at Edward Waters, and he’s learned a lot about coaching. “I realized quickly that this job isn’t just about golf. It’s about leading and nurturing young women” he said. “Each girl is facing her own unique set of challenges on and off the course. As a coach, you have to be able to help them navigate through it. Some are away from home and their families for the first time. The coach is their advocate while they are here on campus.”
Not only does Kelly coach his players on the course, but he also manages recruiting, tournament registrations, ordering uniforms, booking travel, planning practice schedules, player development and more. “It has been very challenging but that’s the reason I love it,” he said. “It’ll be that much more satisfying when we reach our goals.”
In addition to his busy schedule as a coach, Kelly has his own brand called Golf By Kelly, which is all about bringing eccentric style to golf.
February is Black History Month, an important time to recognize the contributions and remember the hardships endured by generations of African Americans. Appreciating diversity and what makes us each unique remains an integral part of First Tee’s DNA year-round.
“When you bring together people with different perspectives and different experiences, the whole becomes stronger than the sum of its parts,” said Pepper Peete, whose career in golf began more than two decades ago when she established the men’s team at Edward Waters College, an HBCU in Jacksonville, Florida. Peete now helps lead culture and inclusion efforts at First Tee headquarters.
Access for All
First Tee has always been committed to reaching kids from all backgrounds and making sure they feel included in our programming. At First Tee we commit to:
Appreciating what makes us different.
Providing everyone with what they need to succeed, knowing that our needs and challenges may differ.
Creating space that makes every individual feel like they belong and can see themselves reflected.
Collaborating with others – including those who are different from you – is a Key Commitment at First Tee, and it means showing respect, kindness and care for everyone. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation or lived experience, we’re all unique.
Here are some ways kids can get more comfortable learning about and from others.
A-L-R is a tool for learning about others
First Tee coaches introduce the concept of appreciating diversity by explaining that people differ in many ways and are similar in other ways, and we all have strengths and weaknesses. It is important for kids and teens to understand, accept and appreciate their own strengths and weaknesses, but it is equally important they do the same with others.
Engaging others in conversation doesn’t always come naturally to children, but it can be one of the best ways to form meaningful connections across perceived barriers. A-L-R is a strategy we teach at First Tee.
Ask questions: Invite your child to ask questions to discover more about a person’s background and past experiences, which might provide insight into who they are today and the commonalities they share.
Listen to understand: Introduce active listening by encouraging your child to focus on what others are saying rather than thinking about what to say next.
Reflect and respond: Invite your child to show how they were listening by responding with a thoughtful question or sharing your own thoughts or feelings on the topic at hand.
Through this exercise, kids might learn they share common interests with someone who looks or sounds different to them.
Don’t forget that in addition to learning about others, preteens are often grappling with and discovering their own identities. If your family positions diversity as an asset, your child might feel more comfortable being themself.
Exposing your child to food, music or books from other cultures can help them see the commonalities we share and appreciate that our differences make the world a richer place. You can also discuss the diversity that exists within your own family or community to show that diversity is everywhere, including the golf space.
“Golf has given me an opportunity to go places I never would have been able to go and meet people I never would have been able to meet,” said Peete, who was married to Calvin Peete, one of the most successful Black professional golfers in history. “I think golf can open up unexpected doors.”
A lifelong golfer and mother to two daughters who played golf at HBCUs, Peete has seen the sport become more accessible, especially to women, and she believes the golf course is a perfect place to break down barriers. “You get to meet so many different people through golf,” Peete said.
