First Tee Chapter Continues to Empower Youth

“A leader is someone who leads people through tough times.” Not only is this a profound statement but when it is part of a program that is taught to our children, it makes it much more special. The above statement was the answer Scott Maxey, of Wilmington, gave to the question “What is a leader?” This is a very strong statement for a 13 year old. Scott is just one of the many young people from the Wilmington area who are learning golf skills and life skills at the First Tee of Wilmington.

If you are not familiar with The First Tee, it is a tremendous program which focuses on not only teaching golf skills but also developing life-enhancing values. Their mission is 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.

I can personally testify that they are achieving their goals. I had the pleasure this past Saturday of playing 9 holes of golf at Wilmington Municipal with Scott Maxey and Sam Hillman of TFT of Wilmington. Not knowing a lot about TFT Program of Wilmington before we began our round, I quickly became impressed with Scott and Sam’s respect of the rules of golf and their enthusiasm for the 9 core values they are learning.

Scott and Sam recently represented the Wilmington chapter of TFT at the Brunswick County TFT Leadership Academy. The academy brought together young people from all over the state to St. James Plantation in Southport. For 5 days the camp offered all of the young golfer’s life skills and leadership development workshops, golf clinics and career exploration. “I had a great experience at the academy and made a lot of new friends” Sam commented. While staying with his host family Scott shared “I had no time to feel homesick, I was having too much fun.” Their days were filled with guest speakers, golf clinics, playing golf and eating lots of ice cream. What young golfer doesn’t enjoy ice cream?

Every year two lucky golfers get chosen to attend the Brunswick County TFT Leadership Academy. Scott and Sam were very appreciative that they were chosen this year by Jan Marie Tingle the Executive Director of the TFT of Wilmington. They hope that next year the two golfers who are chosen enjoy the experience as much as they did. As a longtime golfer myself, I have always valued the lessons golf has taught me about life. I am now surely impressed with the way The First Tee and golf is making an impression on these two young lives.

Story and Photo: Chris Miranda

To register a child for the First Tee, become a volunteer or find out more information email Jan at ...

Jan@thefirstteewilmington.org.

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT