First year for The First Tee

The First Tee at Kwinana Golf Club celebrated its first birthday last month and the junior development program has proven to be a hit with local families.

Based on a program which has been introduced to more than 7000 schools in the US, Kwinana is the only club in Australia running The First Tee and currently has 158 students aged between seven and 17 enrolled in the weekly lessons.

Program manager Trish Glazbrook said the club decided to give The First Tee a try after it was seen in action and discussed with local coaches.

“This program is all about using golf as a vehicle to delver the nine core values of respect, courtesy, honestly, integrity, perseverance, confidence, sportsmanship, responsibility and judgment,” she said.

“This program is free to join and children do not require any of their own equipment.

“Students learn to chip, pitch and swing and understand the game of golf while learning skills to use in life as well as in sport.”

The First Tee operates during the school term and is run by accredited volunteer coaches and PGA professionals.

The program caters for students with disabilities and more than 75 per cent of participants live in the Kwinana area.

For more information contact tftatkwinana@gmail.com.