Established by the World Golf Association in 1997, the stated mission of The First Tee, a national, non-profit organization, is "to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character-development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Toward that end, the organization has established Nine Core Values that represent some of the inherent values of the game. The Nine Core Values have been defined as follows:
Honesty - the quality or state of being truthful; not deceptive. Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves and report their own score.
Integrity - strict adherence to a standard of value or conduct; personal honesty and independence. Golf is a game of etiquette and composure. Players are responsible for their actions and personal conduct on the golf course even at times when others may not be looking.
Sportsmanship - observing the rules of play and winning or losing with grace. Players must know and abide by the rules of golf and be able to conduct themselves in a kind and respectful manner towards others even in a competitive game.
Respect - to show deferential regard. In golf, it is important to show respect for oneself, playing partners, fellow competitors, the golf course, and for the honor and traditions of the game.
Confidence – self-reliance or trust. A feeling of self-assurance. Confidence plays a key role in the level of play that one achieves. Players can increase confidence in their abilities by being positive and focusing on something they are doing well regardless of the outcome.
Responsibility - accounting for one’s actions; being dependable. Players are responsible for their actions on the golf course. It is up to them to keep score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green, and keep up with the pace of play. Perseverance - to persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles. To succeed in golf, players must continue through bad breaks and their own mistakes, while learning from past experiences.
Courtesy - considerate behavior toward others; a polite remark or gesture. A round of golf should begin and end with a handshake between fellow competitors. Players also should be still and quiet while others are preparing and performing a shot.
Judgment - the ability to make a decision or form an opinion; a decision reached after consideration. Using good judgment is very important in golf. It comes into play when deciding on strategy, club selection, when to play it safe and when to take a chance, as well as making good choices on and off the golf course.
In addition to teaching these Nine Core Values to children, The First Tee also runs such programs as the Future Leaders Forum and the National School Program. And through a recent congressional appropriation, The First Tee will also provide life skills education and character development to children of men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
Among the founding partners of the First Tee are the PGA TOUR, the LPGA, PGA of America, the USGA, and the Masters Tournament, and former President George H.W. Bush has served as the organization's honorary chairman since its founding in 1997.
For more information, please see www.thefirsttee.org
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