When we began, we knew we were opening access to the game. What we discovered was that we were also opening access to powerful personal growth.
First Tee began in 1997 as a partnership among the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR, and the USGA to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids. As we introduced the game, we also introduced a life skills curriculum that supported the development of Nine Core Values inherently found within the game of golf (honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment). This was a game changer – for the kids, and for our organization. Now, for over two decades we’ve been committed to helping kids build character strengths and important life skills through the game and providing all kids with access to opportunities for personal growth in a fun and safe environment. While we began on golf courses, we expanded by bringing our program to physical education classes across the country through our in-school and after-school programs.
First Tee-Howard County is located at the Fairway Hills Golf Club in Columbia, Maryland. Fairway Hills is owned and managed by the Columbia Association. The facility has a First Tee Learning Center, club house, putting green and driving range.
We enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids carry to everything they do.
With the belief that all kids deserve the chance to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them, we are dedicated to building programs that are accessible, welcoming, and as impactful as they are fun.