Eyeing the set up on the driving range at Little Rock’s Alotian Golf Club, the world’s most recognizable golfer, Tiger Woods, readies himself for the task at hand. At the same time, four hundred miles south and a little west, Beaumont attorney Giles Kibbe is checking things out on a driving range right here in the Golden Triangle.

Each is just about to participate in an important event. Are they preparing for respective golf championships? Perhaps on another day...but not on this day. On this day, Woods and Kibbe, are joining forces with hundreds of other professionals, amateurs, business representatives, retirees, educators and community leaders from all across the country, to serve in one of the most important roles in golf.

  That of “volunteer” of The First Tee.

This scene is from a real day in 2006 but similar scenes are played out each week in and around the communities of the 200 plus Chapters of The First Tee. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2007, the mission of The First Tee remains — “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.”

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has established 202 Chapters in 46 states and introduced the game of golf and its values to over 675,000 young people. Locally, The First Tee of The Golden Triangle, begins its third year of operation and has already conducted several planning meetings to establish goals and objectives for 2007 in the areas of programming, fundraising and volunteering.

The local program has seen participation in its unique golf and life skills program double in its first two years and is on course to double again by early 2008. Programming enhancements for 2007 feature an expanded number of sessions in which young people can participate, establishment of on-course playing opportunities and the addition of several new affiliate locations around the Golden Triangle.

Though new Chapters receive start-up grants from the national organization and its financial partners, by the third year of operation, these grants begin to be phased out and chapters are expected to become self sufficient. That means that The First Tee of the Golden Triangle needs the financial support from the community and thus, will be expanding its fundraising efforts in 2007.

“We have had great initial support from several local businesses, organizations and individuals,” says Patrick Murphy, Executive Director of the YMCA of Port Arthur and sponsoring partner of the local Chapter.”

The late Henry Durham, a legend in Southeast Texas golf circles and champion for The First Tee of the Golden Triangle, used to say, “if people and businesses in our community will just take the time to look at the many ways young people benefit from this program, I know they will want to help support it.”

Because The First Tee of the Golden Triangle is experiencing such exciting growth, perhaps the greatest area of immediate need is in expanding the ranks of its volunteers.

Nationally, Woods is joined by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Sergio Garcia, Annika Sorenstam, and Paula Creamer and many, many more, who volunteer their time for various Chapters around the country but the real heroes are the men an women from each community who volunteer their time and talents to help these young people throughout the entire year.

The First Tee of the Golden Triangle has been blessed with a corps of loyal and enthusiastic volunteers during its first two years but doubling the program means doubling the volunteer corps as well. 

If you are interested in supporting the youth in this 501c3 organization, or lending your talents to this unique and rewarding youth development program, contact Partick Murphy or Kevin Nectoux at 962-6644.  Join Tiger in volunteering to help teach the golfers and leaders of tomorrow...the young people of The First Tee. 

Jerry Honza is a local PGA Golf Professional and serves as Director of Golf and Instruction for The First Tee of the Golden Triangle. He can be reached at 409-719-3949