First Tee of Tulsa Helps Youth
Twelve years ago the First Tee of Tulsa program was just a notion in a board room. Today the First Tee program has taught valuable lessons and life skills to over 12,000 children through the game of golf.
On June 2, public golf courses and private country clubs in the Tulsa area will join together in an endeavor to benefit The First Tee of Tulsa program and provide funding for much-needed renovations to the practice tee and driving range. You can be a part of this endeavor by playing golf at one of the participating courses and making a donation, or sending a donation directly to The First Tee of Tulsa.
Participating courses include Southern Hills Country Club, The Oaks Country Club, Meadowbrook Country Club, Tulsa Country Club, Cedar Ridge Country Club, LaFortune Park Golf Course, Battle Creek Golf Course, Emerald Falls Golf Club, Page Belcher Golf Course, South Lakes Golf Course and White Hawk Golf Course.
The First Tee has had a life changing effect on many Tulsa youth. “The basis of golf is a standard that lends itself to positive development. Golf encourages the highest level of sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, respect and courtesy,” says Janice Gibson, director of the First Tee of Tulsa program. “It teaches children to use good judgment and take responsibility for their actions.”
Gibson oversees a staff of 30 local amateurs who teach more than 600 kids a week, ages 8 to 18, at Mohawk Park Golf Course. Because of the fundraising efforts that are spearheaded by Southern Hills Country Club general manager Nick Sidorakis, the program is free to any child who wants to take part. Even the equipment can be borrowed or is provided at no cost.
“We look to continually improve the program every year so that we can enrich the lives of more Tulsa youth with the life lessons of golf, and we have set our goal high this year,” says Sidorakis. The First Tee of Tulsa is one of a handful of First Tee chapters across the nation that offers the program at no cost to the children. “We have amazing people supporting us, like Bob and Kathy West who are generously matching donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000, so I know we can reach our goal of raising $100,000.”
For more information on making a donation to the First Tee of Tulsa contact Nick Sidorakis at 918-477-5270 or visit www.thefirstteetulsa.org.
Updated 05-20-2012
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