The First Tee's mission is "to impact the live of young people by providing learning facilities and education programs that promote character and life-enhancing values through the game." The First Tee is a non-profit organization founded by The World Golf Foundation in November of 1997. Since the First Tee opened, it introduced the game of golf and its nine core values to more than two million students. The First Tee has over 30 offices, operates in 48 states and in five international locations including Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, Singapore and New Zealand.The First Tee' Life Skills Education program is offered in two places in St. Johns County. The First Tee of St. Johns County is located in St. Augustine and The First Tee Home Office is located in the World Golf Village. Since the opening of the St. Johns County office in 2001, this organization has influenced the lives of many county residents including the employees, member, golfers and families.
Missy Rockafellow, 85, is one person who has been impacted. Rockafellow has worked as the executive assistant at the St. Johns County office for over six years. "What a great experience it is to work with a staff that is so genuinely committed to young people and their welfare. Golf is important but more so are the life skills that are taught which will be with them [young people] all life long," said Rockafellow. At the organization, through the game of golf, the golf instructors teach nine core values. Those nine values are honesty, integrity, perseverance, judgement, sportsmanship, courtesy, confidence, responsibility, and respect.
"It's been such a pleasure to watch the young people grow and learn how to handle themselves in different situations. They learn honesty, integrity, how to meet people and how important it is to give others. All of the work done at the First Tee is done with a sense of humor and fair play," said Rockafellow. Through the Life Skills program, participants have improved in the knowledge and understanding of the life skills by 47 percent.
Tommy Kayworth, 17, a junior at Pedro Menendez High school in south St. Augustine, is a regular participant of the First Tee. "They have helped me develop good quality life skills and has helped my golf game improve drastically," said Kayworth. Kayworth's older brother, Andrew, is a sophomore at Flagler and recognizes the improvement his brother has made. "It really is a great program to learn golf. My brother's communication skills, confidence, social skills, grades and golf game have really changed. For the better," said his older brother.
You do not necessarily have to be an employee or a member to appreciate the work of the First Tee. "The First Tee has given me the opportunity to work with volunteers that give their time and efforts to help make things run smoothly for all of the youngsters," said Rockafellow. "As a matter of fact, the volunteers are a great cheering section for all of the girls and boys to reach their goals. Being a volunteer has given me the chance to meet people from all over and to share with them the First Tee story, I feel privileged to have a small part in this organization," said Rockafellow.
To participate in the First Tee you can be an ambassador, make a donation, be a volunteer, help with teaching, be a sponsor, be a peer mentor and an employee. The options are endless. Chris Bray, 20, is a student at Flagler College and is on the golf team. "It is really great to see this organization expand and make so much more progress. The golf is great but learning the values of respect and responsibility is awesome. Being a member or a volunteer, it will give you the opportunities to learn to become a better person," said Bray.
Since the opening of the First Tee, the programs and the people impacted grow greatly every year. The First Tee plans on implanting the First Tee National School Program and it will be placed in more than 2,600 elementary schools within the next year.
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