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July 06, 2005

YMCA Par 3 - Home of The First Tee of Lakeland

As many of you are aware, there has been a tremendous transformation happen right before our eyes on George Jenkins Boulevard. You may have seen, or played at, the Par 3 golf course that was formerly located there. Though it sat vacant for a short period, it is now the YMCA Par 3 - Home of The First Tee of Lakeland, which celebrated their grand opening back in March 2005. This is a Lakeland community partnership that is bringing the game of golf to the youth of Lakeland with all backgrounds to teach honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. Many businesses and individuals in Lakeland made the project possible.

The facility consists of a newly renovated, nine-hole, par-3 golf course, a driving range and a clubhouse. The First Tee program offers "progressive levels of instruction," which include golf lessons and life skills for youth ages 6 to 18. Players participate in classes that last 6 weeks. Also available, are open practice sessions with instructors, classes that teach the fundamentals of golf at various levels, and nine-hole developmental tournaments (to learn rules and etiquette of tournament play in a relaxed environment). The greens fees, range fees, and golf club rentals are all offered at very reasonable rates. They also offer teen fun nights and individual youth lessons. Annual memberships are available that allow youth to participate in The First Tee golf instruction and Life Skills Clinics.

If you get the chance, stop by the YMCA Par 3 or take a child there to enjoy a round of golf. I think the Mission Statement of the First tee Program says it all: "To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf."

Posted by Brian Altman at July 6, 2005 09:56 AM

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