My first experience with this organization hooked me over seven years ago. During my initial volunteer session, a young man of 11 years walked up to me while I was standing by myself on the putting green waiting for the coach to begin class, reached out his hand, looked me in the eye, and introduced himself with the confidence of a much older person, "Hi, I'm Trevor. What's your name?" Since then, I've seen this organization grow past serving over 10,000 kids annually in the Colorado region both in school and on the course. First Tee CRM cares about its students, staff, and volunteers and has the fiscal responsibility of a first-class, professionally managed company.
I had known of First Tee vaguely for years, mostly as place I could donate my used golf clubs for supposedly needy kids of some sort. Several years ago, I was invited to their annual luncheon and I became a total believer in this program and their results. First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains serves kids from all walks of life, from ages four to 18. Watching and listening to their identification with the nine core values as well as their stories and successes you can’t help but fall in love with the kids and the programs they participate in. These kids are smart, polite, aware, erudite, and fun. I was fortunate enough earlier this year to be asked to join the board and gladly jumped in right away. Seeing the difference First Tee makes with 10,000 Colorado kids each year is just incredible.
When my daughters were 5 years old, I first took them to The First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains (then it was called First Tee of Denver) for golf classes. I didn't want the next Annika Sörenstam, I just wanted to connect the girls to the game I love.
In the first class, the coaches started talking about The Nine Core Values. The value of the day was "Respect". They asked what the kids thought "Respect" means. Then they talked about why it was important to respect the game, your partners, and yourself. The kids were listening. I think it was because they were being taught by teenage coaches. After this, they went off to hit some balls and do some golf drills that were age appropriate. The kids who did not have clubs were given clubs to use and told to keep them for the session.
The Core Values segment was important to me because I have never liked playing with golfers who disrespected the course, the game, or the golf course employees. When I thought about this more, these Core Values were the same values I was trying to instill in my children so that they can be healthy, contributing members of society. I was hooked on First Tee. Not only were they being taught how to hit a drive and sink a putt, but they were also being taught the values that the game instills and the values that bleed over to school, work, and life.
My daughters took classes and progressed with their game for nine years and eventually got their first jobs, as Junior Coaches, for the Frist Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains when they turned 14. Now they teach the little kids about the value of a good stance, how to hit out of a trap, and how to carry yourself on the course (and off).
For the last five years, I have been a volunteer for this organization and the more I know about it the more I love it. They serve around 10,000 kids each year in the 10 counties they serve. I found out that 50% of paid classes go toward tuition for kids who can't afford to pay. That they do in-school programs to teach golf for free. They have a Read-n-Swing program, which is a one-on-one out-loud reading program that successfully gets struggling students up to grade-level reading. They show the kids a useful application for math by having them measure and cut a golf shaft that they get to keep. They give out multiple college scholarships in the amount of $10,000 every year.
My daughters are about to go off to college. One of the girls hopes to play golf for her college team. They are tributes to the First Tee-CRM. More importantly, I have the perfect way to spend time with my teenage girls that we all enjoy. Thanks, First Tee!
I have had the privilege of sitting on the First Tee board for the last two years - Every engagement with the organization (staff, participant, fellow board member, etc.) is a positive one! Our mission is inspiring and everyone engaged lives by the nine Core Values of Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Courtesy, Sportsmanship, Judgment, Perseverance, and Confidence.
This is the best youth development program in Denver! Yes, it looks like a golf program and it is but it is so much more. They actually take an interest in the kids and help them develop by sharing core values with each golf lesson. They have a wonderful junior coach/mentor program that helps kids, 14 - 18 years old, learn how to create a resume, cover letter, get a transcript and letters of reference and learn how to interview. I have seen so many kids go thru this program and increase their confidence and emotional well being. I would recommend this to any kid who is looking for a great place to belong.
The First Tee has offered me the experience to learn the Core Values of life through the education of golf. I am truly grateful for everything they have given me, whether golf lessons or life lessons. I am more knowledgable about living life with an attitude of confidence, preserverence, and an attitude of integrity. Not only that, but I have also been working for The First Tee for the past couple of summers and have gained leadership from working and teaching kids in the classes.
The First Tee of Denver is a nonprofit group that has primary focus on education for the youth of the community. They adequately engage participants through summer programs as well as several school related curriculum throughout the school year. I can relate first hand to the beneficial experiences The First Tee gave me. After the first encounter with this nonprofit was brilliant and I just kept coming back. I believe the most powerful asset The First Tee has is the enthusiastic, charismatic, passionate individuals who are involved with the goals they are accomplishing. They care and believe in what they are doing which is a very powerful statement for this great nonprofit.
Participating as a volunteer has been very rewarding. Members of the First Tee staff are terrific and demonstrate a love for the students as well as the game of golf. I have helped with homework, read books, built golf clubs, and introduced students to the fundamentals and etiquette of golf. Each session is well structured and students are taught important decision making, listening, and life skills. I feel lucky to have the chance to escape the stresses of the day and spend time with the students. They truly have blessed my life. I recommend the First Tee of Denver without reservation.
The opportunity provided by The First Tee of Denver golf program the students of Loyola Catholic Elementary School has been beneficial to their development. We have 22 students who are participating in the Read and Swing program. This program has increased their reading levels and most improtantly their grades have improved. They are learning how important it is to focus not only in the classroom but also on the golf course. Each student recognizes that they are responsible for their actions on and off the course and take responsibility for their behavior. The program has taught them to respect each other and themselves. The coaches have been fantastic and a bond has been formed with the students as they look to the coaches for guidance .
I have been involved with the First Tee of Denver for eight years. I started out as a participant in their 'Girls Night Out' Class then moved up to being a member of the 'Players Club'. I am now a Mentor over the summer and volunteer with the Read N Swing program during the school year. The First Tee of Denver has played a huge role in who I am today and who I hope to be in the future. The program's nine core values are some of my most prized qualities, and are the reason that I continue to succeed in school and other aspects of my life. The organization also helped me develop my future plans of being a teacher. Through personal experience it has become clear to me that the First Tee of Denver truly cares about all of their participants.