The First Tee of the Triad Donates Elementary School Program Equipment to Piedmont Triad Schools

THE FIRST TEE OF THE TRIAD DONATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM EQUIPMENT TO PIEDMONT TRIAD SCHOOLS

GREENSBORO, N.C. – – The First Tee of the Triad wants to help as many Piedmont Triad children as possible learn life skills through golf; earlier today, the chapter enhanced that effort by donating golf equipment to Haynes-Inman Education Center and Jones Elementary School to augment its in-school programming at those locations, The First Tee of the Triad announced today. The First Tee of the Triad is the local chapter of the international movement to teach children life skills through golf.

Both Haynes-Inman and Jones Elementary schools received “Snag Equipment” which teaches students to make a full golf swing and putt a golf ball. The First Tee’s elementary school programs require modified equipment that fits movement and muscle coordination typical with those of beginners. A safe, effective school golf program requires modified equipment that fits movement and muscle coordination typical with that of beginners. The equipment utilized as part of The First Tee National School Program and The First Tee DRIVE is modified, developmentally-appropriate golf equipment consisting of over-sized clubs, tennis-style balls and a variety of targets.

“We are thrilled to place this equipment in these two schools,” The First Tee of the Triad CEO Mike Barber said. “The First Tee teaches life skills through golf, and for us to be able to place this equipment in these two schools is really gratifying. Seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they make solid contact with the golf ball makes everything we do worthwhile. Moments like that are why our volunteers and staff are so passionate about what we do.”

The First Tee of the Triad donated equipment to Jones Elementary School some time ago, but it needed to be replaced due to recent fire damage. Haynes-Inman Education Center serves approximately 130 students who range in age from preschool to 22 with severe to profound cognitive and/or physical disabilities. For Haynes-Inman, the equipment was modified allowing students to participate in the programs despite physical limitations.

About The First Tee of the Triad:
The First Tee of the Triad is currently operating at 17 facilities throughout the Piedmont Triad, central North Carolina and southern Virginia. Its programming is offered at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, Country Club of Salisbury, DHA-Jones Crossing in Danville, Va., Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro, Grandover Resort in Greensboro, Goodyear Golf Course in Danville, Va., Greensboro National Golf Club in Summerfield, Indian Valley Golf Course in Burlington, Iron Play Par 3 Links in Summerfield, Jamestown Park Golf Course, Oak Hollow Golf Course in High Point, Rick Murphy Golf Academy in Greensboro, Ringgold Golf Course in Ringgold, Va., Statesville Country Club, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, Winding Creek Golf Course in Thomasville and Winston Lake Golf Course in Winston-Salem. The First Tee of the Triad is one of 180 chapters operating some 1,000 golf programming locations in all 50 states and four foreign countries with more than 10 million participants. More than 7,000 elementary schools participate in The First Tee National School Program. For additional information, please visit www.thefirstteetriad.org.

About The First Tee:
The First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, has as its mission, “To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.” The goal of The First Tee is to provide the golf-learning facilities and the experience that will enable kids from every walk of life to partake of a game that teaches values for life and which can be played for a lifetime. Founded by the World Golf Foundation in 1997, The First Tee is a way to bring golf to children that otherwise would not be exposed to the game or its positive values. The program is overseen and has the active support of committee members representing Augusta National Golf Club, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the United States Golf Association. Former President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chairman; he succeeds his father, former president George H.W. Bush, who served as the The First Tee’s Honorary Chairman since the organization’s inception in 1997 and now serves as the Honorary Chair Emeritus.

Contact:Mike Barber, The First Tee of the Triad