Mission Statement
First Tee - Coastal Carolinas Grand Strand region will be working from a solid platform to expand our Life Skills Experience programs throughout the Grand Strand in partnership with our schools, volunteers, golf industry leaders and the business community at large. We reached our goal to reach at least 10,000 youth in 2017, and our goal is to grow that number annually.
Our Nine Core Values™ – Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Responsibility, Courtesy, Confidence, Judgment and Perseverance – are embedded in all The First Tee programs.
With the enthusiastic 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 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, piloted in 2012, 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. Over 850 Georgetown County 4th graders participate in School Day Programs.
The School Day Program culminates with the Champions Challenge, held at J.B Beck Field. Eleven elementary schools select a team of 14 fourth graders (7 girls, 7 boys) to compete in a skills challenge, with a total of 154 youth participating in the event.
With the blessing of Dr. Rick Maxey, Superintendent of Horry County Schools, First Tee - Coastal Carolinas has expanded the National School Program to 14 of the 25 elementary schools in Horry County. Our goals include hosting one or more Champions Challenge events and, ultimately expanding the NSP to all 25 elementary schools in Horry County.
First Tee -Coastal Carolinas has expanded After School and Saturday programs to provide access to golf, fun and the First Tee Nine Core Values™ for all interested youth. After School & Saturday programs are now offered at eight locations with over 150 youth attending the Spring and Fall sessions.
In partnership with the Grand Strand Miracle Leagues, First Tee -Coastal Carolinas provides golf instruction for Special Needs children and adults in the Fall, utilizing the Miracle League’s facility at All Star Park.
The Future Generation Golf Tournament is the cornerstone event for the Grand Strand region, recognizing the contribution of our major sponsors and our First Tee participants who have exhibited The First Tee Nine Core Values™ while honing their golf skills. Held annually at the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, and co-hosted by Kelly Tilghman and Charlie Rymer of The Golf Channel, The FGT features a First Tee youth participant in each group.
Like all First Tee programs, First Tee -Coastal Carolinas exists at the pleasure of the local community. Virtually all of our funding is generated locally via individual and corporate donations, grants and fundraising events such as the Future Generations Tournament. To support First Tee -Coastal Carolinas, simply click on the Donate button.
For more information, please contact:
| Patrick O’Brien, Program Director [email protected] (843) 467-3020 |