Blog Archives - Page 12 of 13 - First Tee

Kobe Narcisse Feature on WGNO

The First Tee of Greater New Orleans participant Kobe Narcisse was featured in a report by Rachael O’Brien of WGNO on today’s morning newscast, highlighting his selection as Grand Prize Winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together essay contest. Keep an eye out for fellow star participant Logan Batiste, as he rattles of the Nine Core Values with ease. Click on the video to watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hr5K_f56_g

Pebble in Your Bucket

A Bucket Full of Pebble

By: Brian Faucheux, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans Board Secretary On a wild, wet week last January a group of 12 avid golf friends embarked on a 3-day pilgrimage to the Holy Grail of golfing meccas, the Pebble Beach Golf Resort on the Monterrey Peninsula in California. Despite weather forecast of 80-100% rain for the duration of the trip excitement ran high with our New Orleans/Baton Rouge contingent as we touched down in San Jose, CA. Converging at the phenomenal Inn at Spanish Bay in the Pebble Beach Resort that evening from places all around the country – Philadelphia, PA; Neptune Beach, FL, Columbus, OH, to name just a few – our group talked up our upcoming rounds while a Scottish bagpiper played at dawn just outside the plaza overlooking the Pacific in the misty rain…how fitting! First up was 18 holes the next day at Spyglass Hill, with its beautiful challenging holes overlooking the ocean and deer walking alongside us. After an unexpected, rainless front nine, the back got downright nasty – with wind gusts clocking 45 mph, horizontal blowing rain, and massive pines bending violently. When a tree snapped on Hole 15, blowing an electrical transformer (BOOM!) and sending some of our group running, we knew this was no ordinary round of golf. My foursome barely finished the 18th while winds howled, trees danced and our rain-soaked forecaddies made a frantic dash for the Clubhouse. The afternoon round made for some interesting stories at our group dinner that night at The Tap Room in The Lodge, where a bronze trophy from the PURE Insurance PGA Champions Tournament benefiting The First Tee was on display. We arrived early the next morning at the Pebble Beach Golf Links pro shop for some required shopping and photos. Inquiring inside, I was happy to learn that Norman Blanco, one of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ true success stories (and Pebble Beach Assistant Pro), was working as starter on “the first tee”…how appropriate! I was able to catch up with Norman before we teed off. Norman shared his love and appreciation for The First Tee of Greater New Orleans (and says “Hi” to everyone!), how he enjoys his dream job at Pebble and how proud his mother is back home in NOLA. Photos were taken with our First Tee New Orleans group – Christian Generes and Brad Reese (100 Friends Members), Ron Britsch (whose son is in TFTGNO at City Park) and me (Board Secretary). And, in case you’re wondering, Norman DOES get to play the Pebble course quite often – his low round…a 73! Norman and his amazing success represent the epitome of the values and mission that The First Tee organization is all about. It was an honor to meet him. With rain expected mid-morning, we teed off early hoping to be able to play the course’s signature, scenic front nine ocean holes before donning our rain gear. It was not to be! As we turned towards the ocean the skies opened up, and like Bill Murray in the storm scene from Caddyshack, we braved the elements while experiencing the most spectacular golf holes in the USA…albeit under the most challenging conditions! It just made the experience all the more memorable. The bad weather finally let up on the back but the angry ocean surf raged… producing 15-20 foot waves according to our seasoned caddie. We ended our round on the most famous finishing hole in golf – a stunning, 543 yard Par 5 that sweeps along the rugged rocky coast of the Pacific. Depositing a few balls in the rocks (for good luck) we made our way down the long fairway to the lush green. Walking off the 18th green after playing Pebble with good friends has to qualify as one of any golfer’s “bucket list” items. The shared friendship, sense of adventure and love of golf PLUS the association of The First Tee with Pebble Beach made this special trip one to remember. And if you haven’t already…definitely add Pebble to your bucket

Kobe Narcisse Wins Wells Fargo Succeeding Together

It is with extreme pride that we share participant Kobe Narcisse of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans has been selected the Grand Prize Winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together essay competition. Kobe will travel to Charlotte, NC for the Wells Fargo Championship in May, where he will participate in exclusive behind-the-ropes activities, including playing in the Pro-Am with the PGA TOUR tournament player of his choice. This year, the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together contest encouraged teenage participants of The First Tee to showcase how The First Tee Nine Core Values have helped them on their personal journey to become better students, better citizens, better golfers, and better prepared for life. A panel of judges selected ten finalists and then ultimately four winners, each of whom won a trip to the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship. As the grand-prize winner of the Succeeding Together, Kobe receives a 4-day/3-night trip for two to Charlotte, North Carolina to play in the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am with a PGA TOUR pro of his choice as a guest of Wells Fargo. He will attend the pro-am draw party and have the opportunity to meet PGA TOUR pros, golf TV personalities, as well as attend the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together Golf Clinic. Congratulations to Kobe, and many thanks to Wells Fargo and The First Tee Home Office for awarding Kobe with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Many thanks to Wells Fargo and The First Tee Home Office for recognizing Kobe with this prestigious award!

The Faces of The First Tee April 2019 Matthew Bui

April 2019 Face of THe first tee Matthew Bui

in his own words

My name is Matthew Bui and I am a sophomore at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy. I love learning about the world and different cultures. I would have to say geography and history are my favorite subjects. I am involved in the Key Club at my school because I believe that it is important to be active in my community and give back as much as I can. I am also a member of St. John Bosco’s youth group and participate in various volunteer activities and spiritual retreats. I believe my faith and my family will help me achieve my goals of becoming a successful entrepreneur. My father is the person who has been most influential in my playing golf. He is the one who introduced me to golf at the age of 7, and I couldn’t be any happier that he did. I have grown and learned so much over the last couple of years because of the game. What I love most about golf is the competitive nature and getting to meet so many diverse people at tournaments. The First Tee is a big part of my life because it has taught me more than just how to play golf. It has also taught me about patience and discipline. When I am not playing golf, I enjoy playing baseball and soccer. Being outdoors is my comfort zone. On the weekend I enjoy hanging out with my friends and spending some quality time with my family. I would not have made it this far in my golf career without the support of my family and friends. “Matt is a driven young man He is a talented golfer and a workhorse. He devotes many hours to perfecting his game and does it all with a smile on his face. Matthew’s love for the game is clear, and he will continue to enjoy it wherever it may take him,” former Director of Education Perry Faulkner.

About The Faces of the first tee

The Faces of The First Tee is a new platform to recognize and award current participants who embody the criteria set forth in the Mission of The First Tee. The Faces of the First Tee demonstrate impeccable character, embody one or more of the Nine Core Values, and faithfully practice one or more of the Nine Healthy Habits. This award is not based on athletic ability, but rather a displayed grasp of The First Tee curriculum. This recognition will be awarded to one participant monthly for a period of 12 months (following the school year calendar, beginning in September). Advantages of being selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee include:

A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition

Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!

The Faces of The First Tee March 2019 Piper Hall

Where To Begin…

Step Aside Elon, Here’s Piper Hall

We are not sure if Piper Hall is aware that there are only 24 hours in a day. In fact, we’re not totally convinced that she hasn’t invented a couple of extra hours that she keeps hidden from the rest of us whilst waiting for the patent. Piper’s list of activities and achievements is, in a word, prodigious. Currently an eighth grader in the gifted program at Boyet Junior High School, Piper is a member of:

- - - - the National Junior Honor Society
        
        the 4-H Club
        
        the Academic Olympics Team
        
        the MathCounts Team
        
        and is a Cadette Girl Scout

Piper is also a student in the St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Talented Arts Program with a concentration in both Visual Arts and Theater. Affirming her chops, triple threat Piper was cast in the lead role of Slidell Little Theatre’s production of Annie in the fall of 2018. Piper is a highly decorated competitor in the STEM-driven For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) LEGO League. In a male-dominated field, she was part of an all-female team who took first place at the state level in December 2018. The team also received the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award for inventing a consumable to reduce the effects of radiation on astronauts while in space. She will travel to Houston in April to compete against 70,000 people from around the world – plus 1,300 robots – at the 2019 FIRST Championship. As a Cadette Girl Scout, Piper earned the Silver Award (with fellow First Tee participant Ariana Blagrove) in April of 2018. The award is the highest a Girl Scout can earn, and is given for completing a multi-step, generative community service project. Piper’s troop collected and distributed donations for several homeless shelters in New Orleans and learned about shelter operations and their dependence on the community. To complete the project, Piper’s troop helped plan and build a vegetable garden at a homeless shelter in Lacombe. I don’t know about you, but I made a delicious smoothie for breakfast this morning and felt accomplished. And with all of her spare time, Piper plays golf! She is a Birdie Level player beginning her fourth year as a member of The First Tee. “Golf challenges Piper,” says Piper’s mother Jennifer Roth. “She is extremely methodical in just about everything she does and she plays golf no differently.” Her family credits golf with her new-found perseverance and confidence. “Learning golf through the First Tee of Greater New Orleans has really helped Piper’s confidence both on and off of the golf course. If The First Tee had not started programming on the Northshore, Piper would not have started playing golf. We are thankful that The First Tee is a part of her life and for all of the opportunities that they’ve offered her.” Piper spends much of her free time sketching, creating digital characters on her laptop, and playing Roblox with her friends. Her long-term goal is to earn a scholarship to apply her drawing and math skills toward a degree in architecture or interior design. Last, but not least, Piper LOVES cats and dotes on her 2 furry felines, ChiChi and Marty. A fellow feline fanatic, I believe it is this defining characteristic that qualifies her genius. Meow, Piper.

About The Faces of the first tee

A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition

Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!

The Faces of The First Tee February 2019 Angelo Fassbender

February 2019 Face of The First Tee Angelo Fassbender

We’re sold – Hook, Line, and Sinker

“Mom do you ever dream about fishing?” While Angelo Fassbender’s mother may not have been able to answer her son’s sincere question in the positive, her son emphatically can. Angelo Fassbender is a 12 year old fish enthusiast – and not just the sport, but the food. An Asian cuisine gourmand, the 6th grade amateur angler is a sushi aficionado who also dreams of visiting Japan. Like every other person who would rather be fishing, Angelo regularly watches the daily weather and fishing report. Freezing offshore temps will not deter his ardor. He enjoys watching fishing videos for tips and tricks (somewhere above, Frank Davis smiles). “He would give up anything to go fishing. He goes to bed and wakes up talking about his next fishing adventure,” says mom Raquel. In August, he caught his first Crevalle jack fish off the sea wall in Lake Pontchartrain. Most of the time, Angelo fishes inland with his father. If he can’t go out in the boat, any pier will do. When is’t not fish, it’s football, school, and golf! Angelo played quarterback for his 5th and 6th grade school team, and recently wrapped up his first year of flag football, where he developed a unique play. “Angelo is very active and loves to compete both athletically and academically. Maintaining a high GPA is very important to Angelo, so we don’t have to push him,” says Raquel. It makes sense that Angelo’s competitive determination caries over to his golf game. Director of Education Perry Faulkner states, “Angelo Fassbender is all business on the golf course. Working with Coach Oscar Pickett at a young age allowed Angelo to develop into a fierce competitor.” But don’t confuse Angelo’s competitive nature with his character. Raquel attributes Angelo’s compassion towards others and self-discipline to his Christian upbringing, reinforced by the Nine Core Values taught by The First Tee. A Birdie Level player, Angelo has been with The First Tee of Greater New Orleans for 5 years. “Having been taught these values so young has helped Angelo become aware and observant of his character,” says mom. “He is a leader, and we consistently talk about how to handle challenges.” Angelo is willing to share this insider tip – those that sit at the sushi bar get the best service…

Effective Course Management

Effective course management

By: Coach Kyle Albright How do we play our best? How do we improve as a player? We’ve all been told to practice more, or read more books to gain more knowledge, but does this help? If so, how? Is there a way to perform consistently on the golf course? These are all questions for which most of us have sought the answers. I believe with great preparation and strategy, we all can be successful. Let’s discuss a few ways we can advance our game. Keep track of your stats! One way to improve your game is to know exactly what needs to be improved. Keeping a record of your statistics allows you to see which part of your game needs the most help. Recording your fairway hits, greens in regulation, and putts documents integral stats. Track your stats every round for the a few weeks. Find your weaknesses and practice them to make them strengths! Do “Homework”! An important part of course management is increasing your knowledge of the golf course you are playing. Always grab extra scorecards to study, and research the golf course online. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the golf course and the challenges it presents. You never know what information may help you play better. Are the greens Bermuda grass or Bent grass? How does the ball react on each surface? Is it a long course with a lot of hazards? Is it a shorter course that’s more wide open? Doing a little research before playing a golf course can go a long way. Remember, the more knowledge we have the better we play! Control what You can Control! Unfortunately, a great day of golf can be spoiled by bad weather, bad play, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Understanding what you can control is important. As golfers, we only control how and where we hit the ball. We cannot control the physical environment, the wind, or the rain. If you are playing in adverse conditions, the best ways to manage the situation is to prepare mentally and physically. If the conditions are not ideal, your expectations of a perfect swing or a low score should be realistic. Stay mentally active within your round. Stay focused on the task at hand. Physically, dress for and prepare for the elements. Having that extra towel or extra pair of rain gloves always comes in handy. We can control our thoughts and our golf swings. Positive thinking leads to positive results! Rely on the process more than the outcome! Club & Shot Selection Last, but certainly not least, one of the most important ways to manage yourself on the golf course is to select the right shot and the right club for the right situation. These are the most challenging decisions for a golfer. Should I hit driver? Should I chip or putt it? Should I play safe or go for it? Practice good course management by using the necessary club for your desired shot. If the fairway is tight, choose the club with which you hit straightest (no matter how far the ball will travel). Practice using different clubs off of the tee on Par 4 and Par 5 holes. Play to the safest parts of the fairways and play to the flattest spots on the green. Swing aggressively to conservative targets! The goal is to play from the fairway to the green. Use the clubs that can get you safely to your destination.

Greg McLaughlin Named World Golf Foundation CEO & President of The First Tee

Newly consolidated role to bring together direction and leadership of World Golf Foundation, The First Tee, World Golf Hall of Fame; Miller Brady named PGA TOUR Champions President as McLaughlin’s successor

St. Austustine, Florida, and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (November 28, 2018) – The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors announced today that Greg McLaughlin will assume the combined roles and responsibilities of World Golf Foundation Chief Executive Officer & President of The First Tee. McLaughlin most recently served as President of PGA TOUR Champions, since January 2015; prior to his role at the TOUR, he was CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation for 14 years. McLaughlin will strategically direct the World Golf Foundation, The First Tee and World Golf Hall of Fame, expanding the reach, impact and global prominence of each and ensuring financial performance and sustainability. McLaughlin will serve as a leader among the world’s top golf organizations, and a key ambassador and spokesperson for the game of golf. “We are thrilled to welcome Greg to this incredibly important new role,” said Jay Monahan, World Golf Foundation Chairman and PGA TOUR Commissioner. “I’m not sure we could have asked for a more qualified, passionate leader, considering his deep level of experience and executive leadership success within the golf world and beyond. Given the scope of this newly consolidated role – to further the World Golf Foundation’s mission and build upon the vision of The First Tee – his proven ability to build relationships at the highest level of the sports, business and not-for-profit communities is unique and will be invaluable. This restructure represents an exciting evolution for the World Golf Foundation, and Greg is the perfect person to take the mantle.” World Golf Foundation Board Member and LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan added, “Greg will be a perfect fit in this new role. He is an authentic, proven leader who delivers on so many important attributes – he’s experienced, passionate and a visionary. Specifically, I think Greg will instantly connect with The First Tee chapters, donors and participants. With Greg at the helm, and given his ability to build lasting partnerships, this will be an exciting time for The First Tee and the World Golf Foundation.” “As a member of the greater golf community for more than 30 years, I have always been proud of what the collective efforts of our sport have done and continue to do to inspire communities and change lives, especially for young people who can learn and grow through the values of golf,” said McLaughlin. “This is an exciting time in the evolution of the World Golf Foundation and, specifically, The First Tee, and I am humbled by and excited for the opportunity to lead our industry’s efforts to increase participation and global awareness of golf as a sport that is welcoming to all.” McLaughlin joined the PGA TOUR in 2014, initially as Senior Vice President of the TOUR’s Championship Management division; he was promoted to PGA TOUR Champions President in 2015 and Executive Vice President of the PGA TOUR in 2018. McLaughlin has been instrumental in the success of PGA TOUR Champions, overseeing a record-setting 20-year marketing partnership with Charles Schwab & Co., the implementation of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs and the addition of several new title sponsors and markets. Prior to joining the Tiger Woods Foundation in 2000, McLaughlin was the Vice President of Tournaments at the (now-named) Genesis Open, Honda Classic and BMW Championship. McLaughlin graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Economics. He also received his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Ten-year World Golf Foundation CEO Steve Mona will assist McLaughlin with the transition, as Executive Director of WE ARE GOLF and Senior Advisor, before retiring later next year. In addition, 25-year golf industry veteran, Jack Peter, who has made significant contributions including overseeing the design, build out and operation of PGA TOUR Entertainment and most recently, helping to bring the World Golf Hall of Fame to global prominence in his role as President, will retire from his position at the end of the year. “I’d like to thank Jack for his incredible leadership through the years, specifically his success in raising the profile of the of the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum,” added Monahan. Brodie Waters, World Golf Hall of Fame Vice President of Business Affairs, will lead the Hall of Fame structure, funding and operations with McLaughlin’s oversight, and will also oversee PR/communications activities for the World Golf Foundation. Miller Brady, a 19-year veteran of the PGA TOUR, will succeed McLaughlin to lead PGA TOUR Champions. Brady steps into the role after most recently working under McLaughlin as Senior Vice President & Chief of Operations, where his responsibilities have included direct oversight of tournament business affairs, operations, competitions and player relations as well as scheduling. In previous roles at the TOUR, Brady gained valuable experience within the Corporate Marketing department and as Special Assistant to the Commissioner (Tim Finchem) during the development of the FedExCup. Brady began working in the sports industry in 1996 with Advantage International (now Octagon), overseeing BMW’s grassroots golf program and eventually Bank of America’s PGA TOUR Sponsorship of the West Coast Swing. He is from Atlanta and is a graduate of Georgia Southern University. About the World Golf Foundation The mission of the World Golf Foundation is to unite the golf industry in support of initiatives that enhance the growth of and provide access to the game of golf worldwide, while preserving golf’s traditional values and passing them on to others. In support of that mission, World Golf Foundation focuses on a variety of initiatives to grow and celebrate the game of golf around the world. Through The First Tee, the World Golf Foundation focuses on positively impacting the lives of young people. Under the banner of the World Golf Hall of Fame, it recognizes and celebrates golf’s greatest players and contributors and serves as an inspiration to golfers and fans worldwide. The World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative pursues programs to ensure golf’s continued growth and vitality. All World Golf Foundation initiatives work together to support the growth of the game among youth, women and minorities, while also fostering diversity within the golf industry. The World Golf Foundation also supports the golf industry in a variety of other roles, including acting as a centralized vehicle for communicating the industry’s initiatives to the media, providing a forum for golf’s organizations to collaborate on initiatives of mutual importance and commissioning and disseminating to golf’s stakeholders research on key aspects of the game.

The Faces of The First Tee January 2019 Vivian Volion

January 2019 Face of The First Tee Vivian Volion

Tenacious 6th Grader Sets Big Goals At first meeting, Vivian Volion is quiet, sweet, and squeezably cute. At second meeting, Vivian is quiet, sweet, and squeezably cute. What The First Tee coaches know about Vivian that some may not is that lying beneath that precious exterior is a scrappy spirit with lofty aspirations. A 12 year old, Birdie Level 6th grader at Visitation of Our Lady, Vivian has been playing golf with The First Tee for 2 1/2 years, where she enjoys helping younger novices with their foray into the program. Vivian lists Phil Michelson and Jordan Spieth as favorites, both of whom have given her coveted golf balls. A relative beginner, Vivian has impressively qualified for The 2019 U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst, the largest and most prestigious event in the world for players 12 and under, attracting over 1,450 participants from across the U.S. and more than 51 countries abroad. One of her short-term goals is to improve her game to one day qualify for that pie in the sky, the PGA’s Drive, Chip, and Putt competition preceding the Master’s in Augusta. Another short-term goal is to earn straight A’s in school. All of this is in preparation for her long-term goals to earn a scholarship to play collegiate golf, and then enjoy life as a Pro. “Vivian has that fire you see in most competitive golfers at the highest level. The last few years have seen her progress from learning golf’s fundamentals to playing with a determination to break par each and every round. It is very clear Vivian has what is takes to get her game to the top,” says former First Tee Director of Education Perry Faulkner. In addition to golf, Vivian practices Karate, where she has earned a purple belt (intermediate level before brown and black belt). True to form, Vivian is determined to become a black belt. She is a self-proclaimed lover of country music, art, and dance. When not kicking butt on the golf course and in the dojo, Vivian can be found spending time with her family or attending the youth program at her church. She loves animals and will be getting a new puppy in a few weeks, a well deserved reward. Shoot for the stars, Vivian!

ABOUT THE FACES OF THE FIRST TEE

A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition

Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!

Paying it Forward: One First Tee Coach’s Wish to Pass on the Love of the Game

By: Coach Wes Gilmore I’ve always been competitive. Like many kids, I’d always dreamt of being best at everything. The game of golf quickly made its way to the top of my list. As a four-year-old, I would spend hours whacking the ball around the putting green, and sometimes, the hole got in the way. As I got older, the frequency with which the ball found the hole grew, and as a result, my interest in golf. I started playing competitive golf at the age of six and marveled at the level of independence and unpredictability of the game. Golf helped me to understand accountability and showed me that there are no shortcuts to success On the golf course, I was in charge. I was to blame when things went wrong. My expectations grew, as did an intense work ethic. I entered The First Tee of Atlanta three years later at the age of nine. My desire to improve sold me on the summer camp. I would not understand the other positive effects the program would have on me until much later. Before entering The First Tee, I usually practiced by myself. I had very few peers that shared the same passion for the game as I did. Initially, the only gratification I found was from winning competitions. As I advanced through the program, my skills improved. I met like-minded, lifelong companions that loved the game just as much as I did. The program allowed me access to practice facilities that otherwise I would not have had. While I am thankful for these things, I am most thankful to The First Tee for instilling a deep appreciation for the game of golf; a deeper gratitude for the game that shaped me into the man I am today. The Nine Core Values taught by The First Tee have stayed with me my whole life. The First Tee not only helped me to improve my skill set on the course, it armed me with the skills to face my flaws. Like any other sport, you can better your golf game through technique, strategy, equipment, and mental training. Further, golf requires the patience, grit, and critical thinking used when facing challenges in every-day life. I’ve always felt that I am battling human nature on the golf course – my own personal flaws. We never truly conquer our flaws, but throughout our lifetime, we can always try to improve ourselves. As a The First Tee coach, my goal is to introduce the game of golf to as many youths possible and to instill the same passion to ensure the game’s future. It is my hope that I can pass along a little of the joy that the game has given me. Golf can open doors that change lives. It can bind people that otherwise would have nothing in common. Golf is a game you can play for a lifetime and gain a lifetime of lessons learned.

The Faces of The First Tee December 2018 Wyatt and Wynston Rownd

December 2018 Faces of The First Tee Wyatt and Wynston Rownd

The Rownd brothers drive forward in the face of adversity

December’s Faces of The First Tee are brothers, each living with unique challenges at the hands of a merciless disease – one brother, the diagnosed, and the other, a supportive care taker and friend. In March of 2018, 9 yr old avid athlete Wynston Rownd attended his introductory First Tee Player class at Grand Ridge in Luling, LA, where the Rownd family resides. In tow was Wynston’s then 12 year old brother, Wyatt. Class began as usual, except Coach Perry Faulkner noticed that Wyatt didn’t join his younger brother on the golf course. He stayed off to the side of the green and remained seated to watch. Coach Perry approached Wyatt and asked him if he wanted to join the class, an invitation Wyatt readily and enthusiastically accepted. As Wyatt stood up and walked to join the others on the putting green, Coach Perry noticed that his gait was slow and a bit labored. What Coach Perry didn’t know at the time was that as a 13 month old, Wyatt was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative, fatal muscular disease that has no cure. Unfortunately, playing sports does not come easily for Wyatt. His muscles are slowly getting weaker with age, which makes the repeated swinging of a golf club, walking the course, and even standing for long periods of time, exhausting. But he WANTS to be able to do this. He fights hard to not let the disease stop him. Like all boys, he wants to be able to play like his friends and his brother. Social butterfly and math lover Wynston, whom mom Jessica considers Wyatt’s biggest cheerleader, has played and will attempt any sport there is to play. And with every athletic adventure Wynston begins, he takes Wyatt along for the ride. “Wynston supports Wyatt in everything he does while still enjoying things that he loves. He loves to include his brother in everything,” say mom Jessica Rownd. “While some say he is not affected by his brother’s disease, he truly is.” Wyatt goes to multiple appointments, which as he says, gets in the way of having fun. “When The First Tee came to Grand Ridge, we were blessed to have a small group of kids participate who included Wyatt. No one asked why he couldn’t come every time, they just treated him like all the others. Being a part of a group makes Wyatt feel ‘normal,’ which life is not always for us,” says Jessica. Wyatt makes the best out of the time he gets to play with his brother and his friends. Recently, Wyatt received a service dog named Wrigley. Wrigley is a constant companion he can lean on when he takes a break, while others continue playing. “We know that God blessed us with these two complementary personalities. Wynston will do anything to make sure Wyatt is included and having fun. Though they fight like all siblings do, they are best friends and couldn’t imagine life without each other.” To learn more about Wyatt and to follow his progress, visit his web page at https://www.caringbridge.org/. There is currently no cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. To learn more about the disease and how you can help,visit www.endduchenne.org or www.jettfoundation.org

About The Faces of The First Tee

A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition

Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!

The Faces of The First Tee November 2018 Ariana Blagrove

November 2018 Face of The First Tee

Ariana Blagrove

Civic Minded Student Dances Her Way Into The Hearts of The First Tee

A newcomer to The First Tee of Greater New Orleans, Ariana Blagrove is making an incredible first impression on First Tee coaches. Having joined us for the first time in June 2018, Ariana, a 13 year old 8th grade at Ursuline Academy, has been playing competitive golf since 2015. Her father Aaron says she continues to learn the rules of the game and important life skills by being a member of The First Tee. In addition to playing golf, Ariana is a Girl Scout. With her Girls Scout troop, Ariana built a community vegetable and herb garden for the New Orleans Mission homeless shelter in Lacombe, Louisiana. She received the Girl Scout Silver Award for her efforts in May 2018, which is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can receive. The award recognizes those who demonstrate leadership, organization, determination, and a dedication to improving the community. When not taking progressive strides to improve her community, she taps into her creative side by playing piano and dancing. Ariana has been dancing and playing the piano since she was 5 years old. She is a seasoned performer, having been in many ballet & modern jazz recitals, piano recitals, and music festivals. Ariana received and accepted an invitation from NOBA (New Orleans Ballet Association) to join the pre-professional program for the 2018-2019 academic year. Her long term goals are to play collegiate golf and study computer engineering.

About The Faces of the first tee

A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition

Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!