Category: The Coach’s Corner

Simply Amazing

The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy Coaching Experience

by: Kyle J. Albright

Not long ago, I was selected as one of twenty-four The First Tee coaches to attend the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy in Boise, Idaho. I immediately did a little research on the event. I scoured the internet for pictures and articles. I asked participants who’ve attended what it was like. Stories of meeting new people and traveling to new places were plentiful. I was so excited because soon, I would find out for myself. The Life Skills and Leadership Academy is a weeklong experience attended by 96 The First Tee participants and 24 The First Tee coaches from around the world. The importance of the event was immediately felt at the welcome dinner when the coaches and participants met for the first time. We sat together for dinner while listening to speakers. To see the participant’s smiles and hear them introduce themselves and share their stories was the beginning of an amazing experience. At the Academy, participants were separated into 24 groups, each identified by a color (the red team was the best color group, in my personal opinion). There were 6 coaches assigned to each color group. The participants had busy schedules with off-course activities as well as practice and play. Throughout the week, every coach meets every participant through practice sessions or on-course activity. You get a chance to get to know more about each person, see how they interact with others, and witness how they exhibit the values of The First Tee. Throughout the week, coaches provided guidance through golf rounds and establish lessons plans for purposeful practice. The participants and coaches worked side-by-side to complete lesson plans and activities. Every day was a learning experience, and the goal of it all was to have as much fun as possible! I consider myself lucky for having attended the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. The city of Boise, Idaho and the campus of Boise State University were beautiful and provided great accommodations as host locations for the Academy. I met so many great kids with whom I will keep in touch. True to The First Tee moto, I met so many new friends that are good golfers, but even better people. I urge The First Tee of Greater New Orleans eligible participants to apply for the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. The memories you  make, the friendships you explore, and the coaching you receive makes for an unforgettable experience.

About The First Tee National Participant Opportunities

The First Tee doesn’t just get kids on the course, it offers exciting opportunities for growth. With the help of The First Tee national corporate partners, more advanced participants can apply to attend these golf and leadership events. These events often become life-changing experiences. Youth meet new people, play golf, achieve greatness, and show our Nine Core Values in action. Learn more about the individual opportunities here: National Participant Opportunities [FAG id=3187]

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

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.    

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.  

Intention

By: Coach Chad Radecker Intention: A determination to act in a certain way (Webster’s Dictionary). Intention is one of the most important words we use when practicing a sport, especially golf. When we go to the driving range, putting green, or sand trap, we must have a plan or intention. It’s common to see people at the driving range use every club in their bag to hit hundreds and hundreds of golf balls. Golfers are often told that to become better players, they must hit hundreds of balls on the range and practice their putting repeatedly. The secret to becoming a better golfer is not necessarily to practice more, but to practice smarter and more effectively. For example, if you want to build swing speed and strength, it is better to go to the gym than the golf course. Hitting hundreds of balls can cause repetitive use injuries and solidify bad habits built from changing proper form due to muscle fatigue (see www.bmihealthcare.co.uk). How do we practice smarter? First, we must plan. We must decide what we need or want out of practice and then form an intention. If your intention is to learn how to hit a cut, then use a 7 iron and set up and practice a cut. If your intention is to learn how to hit a knock down shot, then you would practice the best tools to meet this end. Be very specific about what you want out of practice. Many people go to the driving range or chipping green and practice by aiming at the tee flag. A better use of time is to mark a spot on the green to practice aim. Intention is best used when we practice one skill at a time. If you are having a problem reading greens, then this is what you work on and is your intention. Understand how to read greens and work on that skill. We should all remember that golf, or any other sport, is meant to be enjoyed and not suffered. Practice and intention help us focus, stay safe, and get the optimal benefits. Work smarter, be better, and get stronger. Coach Chad Radecker

Nurturing participant growth and development

By: Perry Faulkner, Director of Education For the last three years, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans has crafted an engaging, fun, and educational program to grow the game of golf. We use this approach to introduce young people to the sport, resulting in a seamless transition into acquiring golf skills. Our obligation is to serve the youth that we have initiated and nurtured in a way that will help them grow as both golfers and people. Over time, we have seen the need to develop new opportunities for our older participants as they push the envelope of success and achievement. In answer, we are excited to offer The First Tee Flagstick Tournament Series and Enrichment Seminar Series. We encourage parents and participants to take advantage of our new programming. We’ve committed our staff and resources to accommodate the growth of our participants as competitive golfers, while still maintaining the highest standards of The First Tee Life Skills Experience. The First Tee does not exist solely as introductory program, but as an organization that will help our participants continue to develop through adolescence, high school, and in preparation for the transition to college. The Tournament Series and Enrichment Seminar Series is a must, especially if your child is planning to or is already playing on the competitive junior golf circuit. Likewise, the Seminars serve to educate parents and address questions and concerns regarding the growing world of junior golf. These events are thoughtfully curated with our parents and participants in mind, and we hope that you will find them beneficial. Thank you for the continued support of our program. I am excited at what the future holds as we work together to make the youth of New Orleans Good Golfers and Better People.

GOLF ON THE EMERALD ISLE

At the beginning of the summer, my family got the chance to embark on the trip of a lifetime to the beautiful country of Ireland. Not only was this the first time I’d been to Europe, but this was also my first chance to play golf outside of the United States. I would like to share my thoughts on what makes Ireland such a great place to visit, and especially, to play golf. Being from Louisiana, the first thing I noticed in Ireland was the weather. Summers in Ireland are mild with highs rarely topping 70 degrees. This was a welcome change from the hot and humid New Orleans weather. Second, I noticed the people. Irish people are very welcoming, happy, and humorous (see Rocky below). The people in every town we visited made our trip that much better. Lastly, the incredible green landscape for which the country received its nickname, “The Emerald Isle,” and mesmerizing views from coast to coast, can only be done justice by seeing in person. The only thing missing was a little golf… . In a small town outside of Galway, we scoured the internet for the best courses, available tee times, and local recommendations. All fingers pointed to Lahinch Golf Club. The course, founded in 1892, is in a town of less than 1,000 residents, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Lahinch is golf at its purest – no trees, no carts, no nonsense. It was the perfect setting – just us and the golf course. And Rocky. Our forecaddie. Rocky was a local guy in his mid-40s who started caddying at Lahinch when he was 15 years old. Rocky guided us through the rolling dunes for the next 5 hours, keeping the mood light by cracking jokes all afternoon. As the day went on, we realized the round was more about the memories we were making and less about scores. The one exception was my eagle 2 on the drivable Par 4 13^th. That was special. Not long after that play, the sun began to set. We walk off the 18^th green 9:30pm, concluding what was one of the most memorable rounds in one of the most unique places. My wish for all the kids I coach is that one day, they can take a trip across the pond and make memories like mine. You will not be disappointed with what Ireland has to offer. To read more about Lahinch, click the button! http://www.lahinchgolf.com/ PS: Also, check out the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open… Coach Brad

Coach Perry Reflects on a Valuable Lesson learned from the passing of Jarrod Lyle

  I wanted to start this series off by discussing the history of golf, but something happened the other day that prompted me to share a more important message. The golf world was stunned by the devastating news that Australian Professional Tour player Jarrod Lyle passed away at the age of 36 after his third battle with cancer. The news had a profound impact on me, as it made me recall my dad’s (a cancer survivor) battle with cancer. My dad introduced me to the game of golf and it is a love that we share together to this day. A few months ago, I was privileged to play with him during his first round of golf since treatment. We were in Lake Chautauqua, NY and he shot 84 – not too shabby for a someone who had just undergone a year of surgeries and radiation!  When I heard about Jarrod’s passing, it made me realize how lucky I was to share that round of golf with my dad. It will be a round that I remember forever, and I hope to make many more memories on the links together. The reason I share this story is to remind both our First Tee parents and participants that golf is far more than a score you put on your card, or the place you finish in a tournament. As said by Jarrod: “I feel like I’m the luckiest golfer goin’ around, because so many people took an interest in me and took an interest in my fight. You know, to have so many friends around the world, whether they’re spectators, whether they’re golfers, whether they’re marshals …whatever, to have that kind of support … to go to every tournament, is a great feeling.” Jarrod passed away reflecting not on his many victories, but on the relationships he forged through the game. So, participants, think of Jarrod the next time you are lamenting a double bogey or a three-putt. The moments in golf that you will carry through your life have little to do with your performance on the golf course. Parents, I ask you to reflect on how the game of golf has impacted your relationship with your child. I hope that many years from now you will look back fondly on these moments. They are times you got to spend together. Author: Coach Perry Photo: Getty Images