With beginnings in the United States and in New Zealand since 2006, the First Tee New Zealand mandate is: “To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and education programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.” – Exciting and worthwhile objectives.

And now with Ireland incorporating The First Tee into their youth programs, it is likely other countries will join in, as well.

Chairman and founding member, Craig Heatley explains why he brought The First Tee to New Zealand:

“I have witnessed The First Tee growing from its inception in the United States to 600,000 students enrolled in 223 facilities and have seen first hand the benefits the programme can bring to young people’s lives. I am sure that with the help of the wider community we can duplicate the success of the programme here in New Zealand.

“Confidence, honesty and respect are just some of The First Tee core values, and are such important elements in people’s lives.  If a programme like The First Tee can encourage these values in young people, New Zealand will be the better for it.”

Launched in 2006 by then Prime Minister, Helen Clark, donations to support the objectives continue to tumble in for this worthy cause.

The Nine Core Values are:

Integrity

Sportsmanship

Confidence

Perseverance

Courtesy

Respect

Judgement

Honesty

Responsibility

Stages of development include:

Target
Target is an introductory level of participation for children new to golf and is a fun way to learn about the game before proceeding to the certification programme. Suitable for children of all ages.

Par
The Par level focuses on fundamental communication and self-management skills. It introduces the game of golf; covers golf fundamentals such as set-up and balance; and teaches participants to establish their own Personal Par. This level is delivered in two parts. Students must complete Par 1 before proceeding to Par 2.  It is very okay to repeat the classes for extra practice.

Birdie
The Birdie level deals primarily with goal setting. This level continues to review golf fundamentals with a strong emphasis on short game. Participants learn a variety of golf shots and find out how to set and accomplish goals on the golf course.

Eagle

The Eagle level will give participants advanced instruction and practice in mastering Par and Birdie level skills, as well as additional topics such as conflict management, mentoring and career planning.

No child is denied access to The First Tee programme because of inability to pay. In cases of financial hardship, sponsors and supporters offer funding for this purpose.

DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

The First Tee of New Zealand is a non-profit organization that relies on a loyal community of supporters. These supporters are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youngsters in New Zealand. You may be interested in donating and/or  joining The Friends of The First Tee of New Zealand.

A special thanks goes to those 50 individual and organizations who first stepped forward to ensure the project’s success: the Founding Patrons of The First Tee of New Zealand.

Thanks also to The First Tee Board Member, Pip King of The Best of Golf New Zealand, for sharing this information.

The purse will be upped to $175,000 at the second annual Women’s New Zealand  Open. Decision to play again at Clearwater Resort is uncertain at this time.

Read all about it at www.press.co.nz – www.nzherald.co.nz and www.thecanadianpress.com – click on sports and dig a bit –  pictures, too.

circa 1908

Long sought after, at last New Zealand Golf succeeds in staging the inaugural New Zealand Women’s Open Championship to be held on January 30th to February 1st at the beautiful Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch. The purse of $150,000 is made possible by the Women’s Golf New Zealand Fund which was established in 2005 during the amalgamation of Women’s Golf with the New Zealand Golf Association. This Open is the first professional golf tournament for women in the country since 1975 and is drawing top golfers Laura Davies and Katherine Hull to name but two.

A graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, Australian Katherine Hull was the first world-class player to sign up for the Open. Greg Ford of the Sunday Star Times, the country’s national newspaper, reports that “Hull ‘fell in love’ with the South Island while on a road trip with her sister this year and needed no convincing when promoter Bob Tuohy asked if she’d return with her clubs. ‘It’s my favourite place on Earth,’ she said. ‘I’m serious. I hiked the Milford Track, visited Christchurch, Queenstown and Greymouth. New Zealand is beautiful. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait to come back.’”

Katherine Hull - 2008 Canadian Women's Open Winner

Katherine wowed them at the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in August when she increased her lead to two strokes over threatening Yani Tseng then maintained her lead for a one-stroke victory over Se Ri Pak who challenged from behind to finish second with back-to-back birdies.  In her fifth year on the world’s richest tour for women this win was a breakthrough proving her determination to top the leaderboard. Katherine’s final score: 68-70-68-72=278, -10.

More world-class women golfers are lining up to participate in this inaugural event. “There’s no doubt,” says New Zealand Golf CEO Bill MacGowan, “the profile of women’s golf in New Zealand will benefit as a result and…will attract players from the Australian, European and US Tours, many of whom will be visiting New Zealand for the first time.” 

As well, the New Zealand Women’s Open championship will now be part of the Australian Ladies’ Professional Golf Tour, a four-tournament schedule which includes the New South Wales Open, the Australian Women’s Open and the Ladies Masters reports Christchurch City Libraries. And thanks to CC Libraries for the grand photograph of Kiwi, Miss Cowlishaw competing in the fashionable style of the day at Christchurch Golf Club’s Easter Tournament held at the Shirley Links in April 1908.

About Clearwater Golf Course and Resort

Extract from “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand“

A member of the prestigous The Best of Golf New Zealand, Clearwater Resort is only a fifteen-minute drive from Christchurch city and about seven minutes from the airport. This par 72, 6526-metre 18-hole course is playable 12 months of the year. Tee times are much in demand so it’s wise to book ahead. The course meanders around several spring-fed lakes and streams that teem with wild Brown and Rainbow trout. Designed by John Darby in consultation with Sir Bob Charles-World Golf Hall of Fame 2008 inductee, the cunning design manages to give players uninterrupted views of the Southern Alps. Fly fishing, tennis, cycling and strolling the Resort’s trails are all terrific alternatives to challenging this impressive golf course. 

Remember these dates and be part of this inaugural event: 30 January to 1 February 2009. Get tickets from www.ticketdirect. co.nz.  

To order my “Birdies” book go to www.wildwestcoastpublishing.com and click on “Order Here.” PayPal available.

Pip King with Peter Walton, CEO of IAGTO

 “The tour operators have made a great choice.  New Zealand has some fantastic courses and in the past 7 years we have been working hard to achieve even higher standards to provide an outstanding golf experience for every visitor to New Zealand. Some will come and play all the top courses, others will have only one round or two during their vacation, but we are confident they all go back home richer for the experience, satisfied not only with the golf courses but having enjoyed more of what the country has to offer – fabulous scenery, Maori culture, sport, soft adventure activities and of course friendly people.” In 2001 New Zealand was voted IAGTO’s ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year’ by the Association’s golf travel writers.