My dad just really let me go through that process on my own and let me stay with the First Tee and develop those skills . I ’ m so glad I ’ m still with the program today .”
— Josephine Nguyen
the chapter . Their excitement over the developments at Rock Creek is palpable . National Links Trust recently released a video detailing the vision for the project .
“ I know other First Tee chapters in Virginia , like Richmond , have their own course and their own facility that I visited when I was younger ,” Nguyen said .
Participants in the 2023 First Tee Beltway Classic .
“ Now to see them bringing it here to Rock Creek , it ’ s definitely a huge plan . I think it will elevate the experience for our participants . Having these facilities for future generations will have a huge impact .”
Twenty-five years are in the rearview mirror , but the rehabilitation of Rock Creek will ensure that First Tee – GWDC ’ s impressive growth continues into the next quarter century and beyond .
“ It ’ s very difficult to grow up today . I wouldn ’ t want to be a kid today ,” said Tony Kavanagh , a longtime First Tee – GWDC board member who is in his second year as board chairman . “ I think that was reinforced by COVID . What we ’ re able to do through our curriculum is to create a space where kids can be kids . You ’ re not overwhelmed with devices . You ’ ve got a golf ball , you ’ ve got a club , you ’ ve got a coach , you ’ ve got friends that are laughing with you and at you . That ’ s really what ’ s important .
“ It ’ s organized , but it ’ s not overly organized . The kids grow up together in the program , and I think that ’ s important . There ’ s a real opportunity for us to still have an impact on kids .”
FIRST TEE-GWDC BY THE NUMBERS
More than
2 million young people reached
70 % of participants are ethnically diverse
36 % of participants are female
2,000 young people impacted via on-course program annually
200,000 young people at 261 schools reached via school programming annually
Looking Ahead
FIRST TEE - GREATER WASHINGTON D . C
More than 50 coaches
More than 1,000 volunteers
5 FTGWDC participants are current First Tee National College Scholars
3 FTGWDC participants have earned Western Golf Association / Evans Scholarships , a full college housing and tuition grant awarded to golf caddies
Scan the QR code to learn more about Rock Creek and its mission . vsga . org J ULY / A UGUST 2024 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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