First Tee trains PE teachers in golf basics for students 1/9/2010 10:34 PM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
More than a dozen elementary school physical education teachers got some training to bring golf back to their students, thanks to the First Tee organization.
The new First Tee of Aiken is registering students for its after-school golf program at Houndslake Country Club, which begins Jan. 19. The First Tee National School Program also provides this in-school component.
The organization is providing golf clubs and equipment suitable for elementary school students, which will be purchased through First Tee of Aiken fundraising efforts, as well as corporate and individual donations.
Aiken Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt visited the training event at Jefferson Elementary School on Saturday. She had sent out letters asking physical education teachers to participate.
"I want to thank the teachers for giving up their time to do this," Everitt said. "This fits right into what they're dong with physical and character education."
The international First Tee program emphasizes a character program into its golf lessons. That appealed to East Aiken Elementary School teacher Kathy Linton, who has promoted character assembly programs monthly for the past decade.
"Of course I signed up as it corresponds with everything I've been doing," she said. "I had been doing golf for my fifth-graders with some clubs I had bought at a dollar store. They aren't suitable for the little kids, so this will extend my program."
The participating schools include Aiken Elementary, North Aiken, Redcliffe, East Aiken, J.D. Lever, Mossy Creek, Belvedere, Hammond Hill, North Augusta, Gloverville, Warrenville, Byrd, Jefferson, Busbee and Ridge Spring-Monetta.
"The National School Program is structured to present a quality, school golf curriculum that develops competency, understanding and progression through movement and physical skill," Benna Cawthorn, the program director, said in a press release.
Aiken City Council member Dick Dewar, a First Tee board member, called the program superb.
"This teaches children for what can be a lifetime of enjoyment," he said. "They learn discipline that will apply in all facets of life."
Elizabeth Smith, the First Tee of Aiken director, said registration for the after-school program will continue at Houndslake next week. No child aged 8 to 18 who wants to participate will be turned away.
For more information, Smith can be reached at eesmith1212@bellsouth.net.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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