By Jim Workman
Register-Herald Sports Writer
BECKLEY —
With golf season upon us, it’s also time to think about lending a hand to a worthy organization.
And time for youngsters to learn the game while picking up valuable life lessons as well.
The First Tee of West Virginia will hold a reception at 6 p.m. Thursday in the ballroom at Black Knight Country Club.
Interested volunteers, participants, parents and the general public are urged to attend.
The First Tee of West Virginia is an organization that impacts young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and values through the game of golf.
In preparation for the launch of its fifth season of summer programming for Beckley area youth, The First Tee is calling on parents and community members to enlist youth participants and adult volunteers in the program.
“We’ll be having a meet and greet reception,” First Tee of West Virginia executive director Mike Mays explained. “It’s a way to introduce myself to some of the fine volunteers we’ve had in the past while also introducing the First Tee program to new people that are interested. We want to increase public awareness about this great program. We will be giving out information and there will be sign-up sheets as well. It will be an informal occasion to get to know each other.”
Volunteers are especially needed, Mays said.
“There’s an urgent need for volunteers,” he said. “Your abilities or inabilities in golf don’t really matter. What we look for are mentors, and not just chaperones.
“We’re looking for people who will help instill the core values to children.”
The First Tee nine core values are honesty, integrity, perseverance, sportsmanship, confidence, courtesy, respect, responsibility and judgment.
Topics discussed in the meeting will include the programming schedule, progress on The First Tee of West Virginia expansion, the Ben McGraw Learning Center at Beckley, statewide expansion of the program and Youth/First Tee Day at the PGA event, The Greenbrier Classic.
“The rewards (for participating) are priceless,” Mays added. “It’s very exciting. We hope to keep our momentum going.”
The White House and first lady Michelle Obama have designated The First Tee as a national priority program in battling childhood obesity.
There is no charge for the event. For more information or to RSVP, contact Dana White at dwhite@wvccc.com or call 304-254-9196.
— E-mail: jworkman@register-herald.com
