said David. “Our boards have always put junior golf first and foremost in their decisions.” “The Indiana Junior Golf Program started just as I fell in love with the game of golf,” said Bo Van Pelt, PGA Tour player and Indiana Golf Hall of Fame member. “It gave me a chance to grow up as a person and to see where my game stacked up against the best in the state. The high level of competition prepared me to play college golf at Oklahoma State and provided the foundation for me to become an All-American and total, the First Tee was reaching about 6,000 kids in green grass programming and the First Tee’s National School Program. Today, thanks to the help of generous volunteers, dedicated donors, and a passionate staff, the First Tee reaches nearly 100,000 kids statewide. In each of these program locations, the First Tee - Indiana has a local volunteer committee that is leading the efforts to implement First Tee programs into local elementary schools, and to guarantee that the First Tee Life Skills Experience is available at green grass facilities. During personal interviews, 78% of First Tee participants described their ability to transfer life skills through specific examples and stories. Skills including decision-making, selfmanagement and goal-setting were consistently transferred to situations involving school, family, friends, jobs, college, career and out-of-school activities. In addition, through to have a 17-year professional golf career. The importance of the Indiana Junior Golf Tour cannot be overstated in the effect it has had on my life.” Junior golf in Indiana is not only about competitive opportunities. The Indiana Golf Foundation, formed in 1994, has focused its efforts not only on providing playing opportunities for Indiana youth but also using the game to instill life skills in program participants. In 2012, largely due to the efforts of Alice Dye, the Indiana Golf Foundation had an opportunity to pull the First Tee brand under its organizational umbrella. The Foundation’s mission is ‘Teaching Life Lessons Through the Game of Golf’ – which made the First Tee, a program centered on character development and core values, a natural fit. When the Foundation took over the administration of the First Tee - Indiana Chapter, there were two operating areas – Indianapolis and Richmond. In Indiana Golf Journal
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