NEWSOM HELPS LAUNCH FIRST TEE SAN FRANCISCO, THE CITY´S FIRST-EVER GOLF LEARNING FACILITY
California Desk
October 08, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Newsom along with PGA Tour commissioner Timothy W. Finchem, PGA Tour professionals Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo, and Citibank launched the First Tee Learning Facility at Visitacion Valley Middle School.
"I remember when we broke ground on this new learning center and saw the community enthusiastically rally so students could participate in The First Tee program," said Mayor Newsom. "It is humbling to see what a terrific learning center we have now for these deserving youth."
The new learning center includes an indoor classroom facility, netted driving range, putting green and grass chipping area. The design and funding for the learning center was provided by First Tee of San Francisco and the construction was managed by the San Francisco Unified School District.
"We are so proud of this new facility and to be here today to share it with all of you," said Frank "Sandy" Tatum, president of First Tee San Francisco. "So many people helped make this dream a reality including the San Francisco Unified School District and Visitacion Valley Middle School Principal James Dierke. There was clearly the need for a new, accessible facility to give young people in the area the opportunity to learn First Tee´s life skills programming and this game that we so love."
First Tee San Francisco is a unique youth development program that uses the sport of golf to teach students life skills. Values inherent to the game of golf: integrity, honesty, self-control and self-reliance are also explored both on course and in a classroom setting.
In 2005, First Tee San Francisco implemented a golf and life skills outreach program in partnership with The San Francisco Unified School District. Held at nine elementary and middle schools located in the Visitacion Valley and Bayview neighborhoods, First Tee golf and life skills curriculum is part of these students´ physical education classes. As the children continue to improve their golf skills, the decision was made to build a golf and life skills learning center in the community. The facility was built on the existing lower yard playground at Visitacion Valley Middle School.
First Tee of San Francisco (www.thefirstteesanfrancisco.org) is based at Harding Golf Course and was established in 2003 as part of the renovation of Harding Park Golf Course. It has introduced over 3,500 bay area youth to the game of golf and has an active membership of 1,142 students participating in year round educational and golf opportunities.
"I remember when we broke ground on this new learning center and saw the community enthusiastically rally so students could participate in The First Tee program," said Mayor Newsom. "It is humbling to see what a terrific learning center we have now for these deserving youth."
The new learning center includes an indoor classroom facility, netted driving range, putting green and grass chipping area. The design and funding for the learning center was provided by First Tee of San Francisco and the construction was managed by the San Francisco Unified School District.
"We are so proud of this new facility and to be here today to share it with all of you," said Frank "Sandy" Tatum, president of First Tee San Francisco. "So many people helped make this dream a reality including the San Francisco Unified School District and Visitacion Valley Middle School Principal James Dierke. There was clearly the need for a new, accessible facility to give young people in the area the opportunity to learn First Tee´s life skills programming and this game that we so love."
First Tee San Francisco is a unique youth development program that uses the sport of golf to teach students life skills. Values inherent to the game of golf: integrity, honesty, self-control and self-reliance are also explored both on course and in a classroom setting.
In 2005, First Tee San Francisco implemented a golf and life skills outreach program in partnership with The San Francisco Unified School District. Held at nine elementary and middle schools located in the Visitacion Valley and Bayview neighborhoods, First Tee golf and life skills curriculum is part of these students´ physical education classes. As the children continue to improve their golf skills, the decision was made to build a golf and life skills learning center in the community. The facility was built on the existing lower yard playground at Visitacion Valley Middle School.
First Tee of San Francisco (www.thefirstteesanfrancisco.org) is based at Harding Golf Course and was established in 2003 as part of the renovation of Harding Park Golf Course. It has introduced over 3,500 bay area youth to the game of golf and has an active membership of 1,142 students participating in year round educational and golf opportunities.