The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge held its third annual spring luncheon at Farmington Country Club. More than 130 supporters attended to celebrate the impressive progress the group has made since its establishment in 2016 and to raise funds for the coming year.
As a youth development organization, the mission of The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge is to positively impact the lives of all young people by providing transformational, character building and educational programs, using the game of golf as the vehicle for these programs.
In its first two years The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge has reached over 9,000 young people; the organization has formed partnerships with UVa’s Birdwood Golf Course and Highlands Golf Park, 12 elementary schools in Albemarle and Greene County and in all 7 Charlottesville City Schools and 7 youth centers to deliver its programs.
The luncheon’s keynote speaker, Dr. Ellen Markowitz, Assistant Professor, UVa Curry School of Education, emphasized how The First Tee’s approach to youth development is making a difference both on and off the golf course. “I am thrilled that The First Tee is back in Charlottesville. It is an excellent model of sports-based youth development in action. The lessons that youth learn in this program stay with these young people long after, providing the skills and competencies to help them succeed in life.”
Lunch guests were also moved by testimonials, including the story told by William, who made friends, developed confidence and skills at the same time having fun learning to play a fun sport. The program caused William to want to give back to the community which he is doing by contributing as a leader within The First Tee and at the Boys and Girls Club of Southwood.
The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge is an independent, nonprofit organization that is entirely supported by local community donors, businesses and foundations. Its goal is to create more partnerships to serve more kids; it also seeks to provide more program scholarships for kids from under resourced communities.
The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge is holding an open house on April 12 from 5-6pm at Birdwood Golf Course for anyone interested in participating or volunteering.
For more information about The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge, visit www.thefirstteevirginiablueridge.org or call (434) 987-0133.
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About The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge
The First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge is a youth development organization that positively impacts the lives of youth by teaching life skills, core values such as integrity, sportsmanship, and judgment, and healthy habits through the game of golf. The chapter serves the city of Charlottesville as well as Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson and Orange counties. Since our founding in 2016, we have launched programs across Albemarle and Greene counties in elementary schools, in youth-serving organizations, and on golf courses, teaching our Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits to over 9,193 area youth.
