The Future Generations Tournament is the cornerstone event for The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas on the Grand Strand, recognizing the contribution of our major sponsors, volunteers, educators and The First Tee participants who have exhibited The First Tee Nine Core Values™ while honing their golf skills.
Georgetown County Schools joined the Carol S. Petrea Youth Golf Foundation in 2012, forming the Branded Program Affiliate The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas along with Horry County Schools. Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier served on the Board of Directors, with Keith Brown taking his seat in the 2013-2014 school year. Dr. Dozier continues as Director Emeritus and directs the School District’s major financial support of our Chapter and remains very active in our programs and events.
With the support of Dr. Randall Dozier, Superintendent of the Georgetown County Schools, the National School Program is active in all of the county’s 10 elementary schools, plus Coastal Montessori, impacting over 4500 K-5 students NSP is taught by the Physical Education Teachers as a part of their curriculum, and is the official Youth Development Program for Georgetown County Schools.
The School Day Program, headed up by Georgetown County Schools’ The First Tee District Coordinator Keith Brown, was piloted in 2012 and now includes all Georgetown County elementary schools and the Montessori Learning Center. Nine times per school year, our volunteers work with fourth grade classes, and their Physical Education teachers, at a green-grass facility during a 60-minute class centered on The First Tee Nine Core Values™, using golf as the medium.
The School Day Program culminates with the Champions Challenge, to be held at Wedgefield Country Club in Georgetown. Eleven elementary schools select a team of 14 fourth graders (7 girls, 7 boys) to compete in a golf skills challenge, with a total of 154 youth participating in the event every year since 2013.
Keith Brown, Instructional Technology Curriculum Coach, Physical Education District Coordinator and The First Tee District Coordinator, continues to serve on the Board of The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas. Keith works with the schools to see that equipment is maintained for the National School Programs that take place in all of the county’s Elementary School’s PE classes for Kindergarten through 5th grades. In addition, Keith coordinates the GCS School Day Program with The First Tee’s coaching and volunteer staff that engages over 700 4th graders in eight Spring and Fall golf sessions at Cherry Hill Country Club, Tradition Golf Club and Wedgefield Country Club. The School Day Program involves transportation of all 4th graders to the sites, working with the Principals and Physical Education teachers to maintain the schedule, handling weather issues, which are numerous, with The First Tee coaches. Over 6000 Georgetown County youth are involved in the National School Program and School Day Program!
Keith also works with The First Tee and the schools to schedule and stage the Champions Challenge event. Conducted each May since 2014, the Champions Challenge is a spirited inter-school competition among the 4th grade classes who each field a team of 7 boys and 7 girls. Participants are chosen based on their academic effort, demonstration of The Nine Core Values and, of course, golf skills. In addition to the 154 participants, the Champions Challenge draws many spectators including parents, teachers, administrators and the local media.
“The First Tee Program has prompted discipline, created enthusiasm, provided fun, and enhanced opportunities for our students to learn the great game of golf; and along the way, through the Nine Core Values, learn the skills that will make them successful in life. The program has given our students a renewed sense of responsibility, and has boosted school spirit.”
Keith Brown – District Liaison
Georgetown County Schools
In honor of Keith’s dedicated service to The First Tee programs over the past eight years, we are initiating the Keith Brown First Tee of Coastal Carolinas Scholarship Fund to assist The First Tee of Coastal Carolina youth in furthering their academic careers beyond high school. Interested donors may support the Scholarship Fund by sending a check to: The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas PO Box 1820 Shallotte, NC 28459 OR Click Here to DONATE. Designate Keith Brown First Tee of Coastal Carolinas Scholarship Fund on the dropdown box.