The First Tee of Boyne Highlands

Mission Statement

To impact the lives of young people in the upper portion of Michigan by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf. The First Tee Nine Core Values--Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy and Judgment.

Brief History

Formed in 2005 as Tip of the Mitt Junior Golf Association (a 501(c)(3) organization), The First Tee of Boyne Highlands is an official chapter of The First Tee, a pre-eminent youth development organization. The First Tee was established by the World Golf Foundation in 1997 and has since introduced golf and its inherent values to over 2.2 million participants, opened more than 260 golf-learning facilities, established over 800 affiliate relationships with golf courses that offer access and reduced rates to participants, introduced the National School Program to more than 2,000 elementary schools and increased diversity in golf. The First Tee of Boyne Highlands has offered three years of golf and life skills programs for ages five to 17, reaching over 700 youth. Our title sponsor, BOYNE, provides a par-3, nine-hole golf course as a learning facility, at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs. We also work with local youth organizations and schools to broaden our impact.

Goals

The First Tee of Boyne Highlands seeks to build positive character traits in young people. Through The First Tee Life Skills Experience, participants learn to apply life skills and transfer the positive values of golf to everyday life. We intend to fundamentally change the community for the better through The First Tee Life Skills Experience. Our goal is to become a completely self-sufficient endowed organization. We will establish a balance of $750,000 in the next 10 years through The First Tee of Boyne Highlands fund at The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Foundation. We will establish additional affiliate and programming facilities including year-round training facilities. We will increase the number of youth impacted by working closely with the school community and other youth service organizations.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to assist the youth and staff of The First Tee of Boyne Highlands! From serving as an assistant coach, or a life skills coach, to playing with a foursome of youth to offering administrative assistance, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our youth. To learn more, please contact us at 231-838-7174 or e-mail info@thefirstteeboynehighlands.org

Fundraising Events

The First Tee of Boyne Highlands is supported by an annual golf outing at a local golf club. Historically held in early summer, groups of golfers can participate, enjoy dinner and take part in a silent auction. Please check our website for dates, details and additional events.

Biggest Need in 2009

In order to expand our impact, The First Tee of Boyne Highlands will be seeking to introduce The National School Program. The focus of The First Tee National School Program is to establish a lifelong interest in golf by engaging young people in a structured golf curriculum that promotes personal character development within a physical education setting during elementary school. We are asking for support to ensure funding for equipment, training and curriculum that we will be able to put into local cooperating schools.