There’s not just crime in South Los Angeles. In a community where sirens scream repeatedly and gun shots become immune to many of our youth. There’s a junior golf program tucked away in Maggie Hathaway Golf Course. A 9 hole par 3 golf course located in one of the most gang and crime ridden communities in South Los Angeles. More than a hundred crimes are reported on a weekly basis in a community where sports may be the only way out for many youth.
For over 30 years The Western States Golf Association Southern Area Youth Program, Inc. has been teaching at risk youth the game of golf and how to become leaders in their community. Doing business as The First Tee of South Los Angeles for the past 10 years and teaching life lessons through the game of golf while building confidence in the lives of over 1500 youth annually is their main goal. The program has made a tremendous difference in many lives and is “the best place for my child to be” says a parent who doesn’t know what she would do if there wasn’t a First Tee. To some parents and participants the program is a way for them to learn the game of golf but they soon realize it’s teaching them to respect others and their community with hopes that the lessons they learn can open doors to a brighter future.
Many youth, ages 7-18, who first join the program don’t know what to expect and come from a traditional sport background such as baseball, football or basketball. So, naturally their hesitation about wearing a collared shirt and khaki pants is understandable and definitely not cool in a community where being tough is a way of survival. With only one staff member and over 50 volunteers the challenges presented each day are outweighed by a smile on a child’s face after they hit a golf ball for the very first time. The First Tee of South Los Angeles has changed many lives and the relationships the young people build throughout the years last forever. Families join and support one another as friendships are started and goals are made at this small golf course in a big city.
The game of golf is the hook that draws the attention of many of the kids, but the Life Skills such as; Interpersonal Communication, Goal-Setting, Self-Management and Resilience Skills are taught to help build their confidence. Coaches in the program want to make a difference.
Photo Above: Teresa Thornton, Executive Director of First Tee South Los Angeles, boards the bus filled with excited youngsters.
On Monday August 4, 2014, thirty young golfers, ages 7-17, from The First of South Los Angeles, along with chaperons/volunteers, and coaches boarded, one-by-one, pausing long enough for photos, to join a bus heading for Portland, Oregon filled with other junior golfers from 5 different states. They all intended to participate in the 34th Alan Bennett Junior Golf Championship Tournament.
Western States Golf Association Southern California Youth Program Inc., dba as the First Tee of Southern California, annually provides more than 1,500 young people of all backgrounds, an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values through the game of golf. This program transforms the golf curse into a classroom, teaching kids to be better people through a game they play and love.
The First Tee South Los Angeles will be returning from Portland Oregon to Maggie Hathaway’s Golf Course on Saturday, August 9th 2014, wiser in the world of golf, and full of wonderful stories to tell, or not tell. Information for this blog was provided by Teresa Thornton, Executive Director of the First Tee South Los Angeles with pictures shared by Carl Dorsey.
……Until next time
Barbara Taylor
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ABOUT BARBARA TAYLOR
In April 2011, after taking a six-year hiatus from golf lessons, Taylor decided to return to the world of Golf. When she first took lessons, she found that the transition from playing a “B” level of tennis to learning to play golf was boring, and slow as hell, and as perilous as going over Niagara Falls without a barrel. So, she made a decision (that she thought was wise at the time) to give it up! Taylor’s returned to the game came with a whole new prospective, purpose, respect, and attitude…. And, yes maturity.
Unlike when she was playing tennis, Taylor had no desire to get caught-up in the competitive frenzy. She is into golf for the shear love of the fun, travel and social interactions that she has found so delightful in the golf environment and game. However, she does want to be taken seriously.
