US Airways - August 2012 - (Page 54)

| get ★ involved | Driving Force The First Tee of the Triad instills values such as honesty, integrity, and respect via its youth golf program. By Ivy Lamb For kids in The First Tee program, golf is more than a game. Perfecting their swing also means learning important life lessons. With the guidance of trained volunteers and coaches, young golfers ages 7 to 18 are taught perseverance, good sportsmanship, respect for others, and more. This international youth development organization — which reached 2.6 million young people last year — is made up of local chapters that work in their communities and elementary schools. One of the fastest-growing chapters, The First Tee of the Triad, started with two locations in 2008; today it has grown to eight locations in a 12-county area of North Carolina. And that’s good news, since enrollment keeps growing. Last year, 378 mini golfers participated in the Triad chapter’s programs. This year, more than 500 kids enrolled in the first spring session alone. Not only does The First Tee make golf accessible to young people, it seamlessly blends the sport with a special life-skills curriculum that helps kids apply the program’s core values — on and off the greens. Last year, the organization introduced a new curriculum framework called “Nine Healthy Habits.” Developed in partnership with the Annika Foundation, these healthy habits help kids stay active while also addressing social and emotional wellness. And it’s working. Research on Front nine: the chapter programs by multiple The FirsT Tee’s Core Values universities has confirmed what ■ Honesty parents and educators have al■ Integrity ready observed: A large majority ■ Sportsmanship of participants transfer the skills ■ Respect they learn in the program to ■ Confidence other areas such as academics ■ Responsibility ■ Perseverance and family life. ■ Courtesy “Kids in The First Tee learn ■ Judgment good judgment, courtesy, and ★ social skills,” says Mike Barber, president and CEO of the The First Tee of the Triad. “You can always tell a First Tee kid because they shake your hand and look you in the eye when you meet them.” It’s no surprise that the Triad chapter has garnered support across the community, from PGA pro John Faidley to sponsors BB&T and the Wyndham Championship. Thanks to the generosity of the Bryan Foundation, there’s a new practice area, specifically for use by The First Tee of the Triad, at Gillespie Park Golf Course in Greensboro. The foundation also funds programming in 41 different schools across the Triad. According to The First Tee’s CEO, Joe Louis Barrow Jr., the Triad chapter has truly embraced the organization’s challenge of reaching as many young people as possible — on a national level, he’s set a goal of “iF your ball lands in a bad spoT, you’Ve goT To geT iT baCk ouT,” says bryan FoundaTion presidenT Jim melVin. “ThaT’s whaT liFe is.” phoTos (CloCkwise From leFT) CourTesy oF The FirsT Tee oF The Triad, krisTen balCiTa (2), FirsT Tee oF The Triad, krisTen balCiTa 54 august 2012 usairwaysmag.com http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - August 2012

US Airways - August 2012
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Making Waves
Wine & Dine: The American Spirit
Adventure: Reynolds Plantation
Great Escapes: Puerto Vallarta
Tel Aviv: The City That Never Sleeps
Heavy Duty: US Airways Maintenance
Toques Off! Top Chefs on Summer Entertaining
Welcome to Tampa Bay
Driving Force: The First Tee of the Triad
New Vision: Lexington, Kentucky
Best of Education: Salisbury University
Puzzles
Charlotte in 2012: Making a New Economy Possible
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace™
Giving Miles for Good: Fisher House
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - August 2012