One of the most important aspects of what First Tee does for students generally happens fairly young. When younger children undergo their first program with the organization, there’s a decent chance that child is holding a golf club for the first time. That initial step, that first introduction, has long been a vital part of the impact First Tee is able to make.
With their new teen pathways programs, First Tee – The Lowcountry is looking at what happens long after that first introduction, when younger students enter their teen years.
“With Teen Pathways, we want to give these students advanced golf instruction along with internships and mentorship opportunities. That means both mentoring under First Tee alumni and mentoring the younger kids,” said Program Director Aaron Immel. “The end goal of the program is for these students to have a more robust resume heading into college, earn college scholarships from us, and be selected at one of the First Tee national events.”
The program selects students who have been with First Tee – The Lowcountry for several years and show adeptness with the organization’s commitment to teaching life skills. It then provides them with advanced opportunities, like the group of 12 students who are working with Hilton Head Prep’s Institute of Business and Innovation to create and implement a marketing strategy for First Tee. That is just one of many opportunities available to teens. Two teens who have jumped into the program wholeheartedly are Brennan and Emily Roedig.
“Overall, there are a lot of good opportunities that First Tee gives us,” said Brennan, 15. “We do lots of volunteer work, which helps build a resume, and it’s just a good program to be a part of.”
“We probably wouldn’t have been able to go to The RBC Heritage if it weren’t for First Tee – The Lowcountry,” added Emily, 14. “And there are so many opportunities like that. They make golf fun, but also teach us a lot about leadership.”
As participants in the Teen Pathways program, they get to pass that leadership along.
Brennan and Emily Roedig
“They both have a lot on their plate. They’re both in cross country and Brennan is second in the nation for his age in pole vaulting,” Immel said. “But they also show up. They’re just so devoted to First Tee and everything that goes along with it.”
Another program Immel is excited for is the return of the Ace Program, guiding First Tee students through hands-on projects and personal development.
“The Ace Program is First Tee’s capstone program, and we’re about to completely revitalize it,” Immell said. “It goes in line with Teen Pathways, but offers more advanced instruction and volunteer opportunities, as well as lets them pick two projects to work on within the greater community. It’s a great resume builder and, as always, none of this would be possible without our amazing partners.”
Those partners include courses in the tour card program that allow First Tee students to play for free, including Palmetto Dunes, Palmetto Hall, Sea Pines, Port Royal, Shipyard, and Old South, as well as tour card course Hilton Head Lakes, which also hosts summer camps and life skills lessons.
“This community has always been incredibly generous in helping us enrich these kids’ lives,” Immel said.
To learn more, visit firstteelowcountry.org.