When you look at their respective missions, it only makes sense that eventually First Tee – The Lowcountry and the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton would join forces.
For First Tee – The Lowcountry, the job is simple: to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. For the Boys & Girls Club, it’s to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Both missions boil down to one thing: helping our children be the best they can be. Through a new partnership, both organizations are accomplishing those goals in more ways than ever. A new pilot program operated by both recently allowed 10 young people from the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton to see how First Tee operates during a special outing at Rose Hill Golf Club.
“It’s the exact same setup and lesson plans as any other First Tee session, just catered to the age group, which was 10- to 12-year-olds,” said First Tee – The Lowcountry Program Director Aaron Immel. “This is the first time we’ve been involved with the Bluffton club. We’ve partnered with Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head and with Jasper County, so we felt that partnership was missing and it was a no-brainer to get more kids.”
Under the guidance of First Tee instructors, these 10 Boys & Girls Club members were able to experience everything that the organization has to offer. That includes the fundamentals of the game of golf, but by no means is it limited to that. Along with tips on straightening out a drive and reading a green, First Tee instructors lead their students to greater self-fulfillment, emphasizing character development, self-confidence and sportsmanship.
For helping this new pilot program move forward, Immel credits Keish Glover and Aaron Jenkins at the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton. For giving these students a place to play, Rose Hill Golf Club deserves some flowers of its own – especially when First Tee found themselves without a venue just days before the first class was to tee off.
“We originally had this program running at a different course, which has since closed. Mark Teed at Rose Hill really stepped up to give us use of their facilities,” said Immel. “He’s been so hospitable and great to work with.”
Through Rose Hill’s support, 10 young members of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton were able to spend the day learning skills to help them both on and off the course. And First Tee – The Lowcountry was able to expand on partnerships they’ve built across the Lowcountry to help kids, one swing at a time.