First Tee of Augusta promoting the love of golf in youth

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Eyes from all over the world are focusing on one thing in Augusta this week–golf.

And while the fairways may be quiet over at the First Tee of Augusta, leaders tell us the noise is coming from the impact they’re making on the next generation of golf, one swing at a time

First Tee serves kids in Richmond, Columbia, Burke and McDuffie Counties who never thought they would have a chance at the sport.

The goal is to give children in our area a chance to not only learn to love the game but to master it without the hefty price tag.

First Tee golfers are taught life skills through the game, how to present their cards, use their clubs, and more.

And thanks to fundraising events during tournament week like Rock Fore Dough, Jill Brown, executive director of First Tee of Augusta, says they’re not just able to maintain their goal, they’re growing it.

“It’s not just a program, it is an actual location where people can come,” said Brown. “It’s like the club experience for young people, and I don’t mean in a frou-frou kind of way, but just to help them understand how to navigate the course, how to check in. We teach positive life skills through this curriculum that we have here at First Tee as young people come into our facility to check in to get a bucket of balls or to play the golf course, that is what we encourage through all of those transactions.”

But with the course closed to the public due to construction on a new course partnership, they need help from the community this year more than ever.

The good news is, you don’t even have to love the game to help.

“This is our 21st year, so we are very grateful for the community’s ,” said Brown. “I had no idea it would ever go on this long, buying a ticket to Rock Fore Doguh, buying a VIP table, becoming a sponsor, those are all ways that you can, if you’re not a golfer but you’re a music lover, you’re just looking for something to do, Masters week, to get out in the mix of things. All the funds from things like Rock Fore Dough, people making donations, whether it’s equipment donations or cash, all go toward that intentional effort to keep golf accessible.”

If you’re looking for something to do Tuesday night, head on out to Lady A for a country music showdown.

You can purchase tickets on their website.

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