About 9,000 children have learned about golf and life skills through the First Tee – Augusta program which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
“We’re pretty proud of the work we’ve done,” said Jill Brown, the organization’s executive director.
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The program is open to children between the ages of 5 and 17, and there are different skills associated with each age level.
First Tee – Augusta incorporates the nine core values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment into its programs.
One element teaching responsibility is its birdie bucks’ program, said Brown.
Participants earn play money that they can save to buy items such as golf balls or golf clubs.
The program also offers a safe, socially distanced activity. Brown said they’ve been able to operate during the pandemic because it’s easy for children to stay six feet apart.
The 40-acre site offers six holes. Greens fees for members are $1 for six holes, or they can hit a bucket of balls on the driving range for 50 cents. Non-members can also use the greens, but the fees are more.
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In typical years, First Tee – Augusta would be the site of the Rock Fore! Dough concert when the Masters Tournament was in town, but this isn’t a typical year. The concert is taking a virtual format tonight, but Brown said she hopes people will take time to make a donation to the program.
The non-profit leases the land from the city, but it’s responsible for the upkeep of the course. It doesn’t receive any funding from the city.
“Maintaining a golf course is not cheap,” said Brown. “And we only have six holes to maintain.”
Brown said while the Augusta National Golf Club has been a generous sponsor, the program has relied on the funds generated through Rock Fore! Dough.
The concerts have generated more than $1.65 million for the organization according to a news release.
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This year’s concert is a virtual one and will feature Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Josh Kelley and Drew Holcomb. It will be aired at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at facebook.com/RockForeDough/ Cash and Dub from Kicks 99 will emcee the event live at First Tee – Augusta and will be joined in person by local singer/songwriter John Kruger and Brown.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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