By: Ana Herndon, First Tee — Metro Atlanta
At First Tee, we encourage kids and teens to learn from one another and their mentors, empowering them to make a difference in their communities. By fostering these environments, golf becomes more than a game, it becomes a springboard for building up leaders. Ana Herndon, participant from First Tee – Metro Atlanta, took some time to share with us how First Tee helped her build these skills and why being a leader is important.
1. What is a leader?
Someone who works to ensure the success of others. One of my favorite quotes by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” This quote sets the standards for my goals as a leader. I aspire to be a great leader, one who is humble and works well with others.
2. Why is leadership important?
It is a critical skill. A good leader builds people up and helps them unlock their fullest potential. You are like a candle lighting other candles so that they can shine where they go out into the world.
3. How old do you need to be to be a leader?
You are never too young or old to be a leader. It is more important that you care about what you are leading in rather than your age.
4. What three words come to mind when you think of a great leader?
Humble, diplomatic, and kind-hearted.
5. Who is a leader in your life?
My first golf coach taught me not just the fundamentals of golf, the grip, the stance, the posture but also what it means to have a go-to team. Being a leader means being determined, honest, humble, and kind. I use those core values he taught me not just in sports but in my academics and the relationships I have with others. Golf has been more than a game but a way of life. The First Tee program has built my foundation: not just as a good golfer, but a better person.
6. Who do leaders learn from?
Their peers. You cannot humanly expect to know everything. There will always be someone who understands it better than you. As a leader, it is important to find people’s strengths and embrace them.
7. Who can you go to for leadership advice?
Having a mentor is crucial in becoming a leader. When you have mentors that mirror yourself, you feel as though you could achieve what they have. To me, you cannot be what you have never seen.
8. How do leaders overcome challenges?
You have to be willing to ask for help. When I founded a new club, it was a challenge balancing being an effective leader and seeking help. I did not fathom how difficult it would be to start a club from the ground up. If I wanted this to be successful, I would have to ask for help, and it does not discredit my ability to lead.
9. What can you do that makes you a leader?
Invest in things that you are passionate about and pursue them! You will naturally find those that have a similar passion and will follow your lead. I know it might seem intimidating at first, but a leader is not someone with an absence of fear but leads despite it.
Coach Angel has been an educator for 15 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Hampton University, where she attended on a full NCAA Division I scholarship helping lead her team in March Madness.
After graduation, Coach Angel traveled extensively and was invited to speak on diversity and educational practices. She began her teaching career in Turkey, teaching English as a Second Language before going back home, to Akron, Ohio where she is currently an educator at the Lebron James IPromise school.
Coach Angel was introduced to First Tee 8 years ago when her son, John Ramon, joined the program. She joined in not long after and has been coaching at First Tee — Greater Akron for 7 years.
“I feel it is important to stay involved in the First Tee to offer the kids in my urban community the opportunity to play a sport that they may have not felt was in their realm of abilities. When we begin working with these athletes we open a whole new world for them while developing their character through the Core Values to instill a solid foundation for success. I also feel it is essential to have representation in the world of golf and being able to interact and develop friendships and perspectives with people in the golf community that may have otherwise never built a relationship with someone in the Black community such as myself.”
Coach Angel is just one of the many inspirational coaches across our network and we invite you to learn more about her journey and thoughts on leadership in the video below.
If there are any silver linings to this pandemic, it’s been the coaches and mentors who have stepped up going above and beyond for our participants. The events of 2020 have reinforced the need for programs like First Tee that lift up, support and empower kids to stand strong and grow during challenging situations. The coaches and staff of First Tee programs across the nation have leaned on their creativity, flexibility and adaptive spirits to keep participants engaged and encouraged during a challenging year.
Often, we take for granted how truly invaluable these mentors are in the community with their consistent effort and support for the participants they lead. But we see our coaches putting in the long hours. It’s extra time on the putting green or staying late for one last lesson on the driving range. That time isn’t just about helping a kid improve their golf game. Our coaches are digging deeper, building trust and having meaningful conversations. Many times, those sessions together turn to discussions of dreams beyond the golf course – what the future could hold, current struggles or opportunities for personal growth.
Julia Hardy, a participant from First Tee — New Hampshire, knows firsthand the benefits of having a dedicated and caring First Tee coach. Coach Beth Flint has been a mentor to her for the last seven years and it’s changed her life.
Julia had always been an avid golf fan, and early on she would take lessons at her local driving range, but Julia craved more time on an actual golf course. When she joined First Tee — New Hampshire in third grade, she didn’t realize she was signing up for so much more.
“First Tee was my first time truly playing on a ‘real’ golf course, and I was a little nervous, but the entire environment of First Tee really helped me adapt. The fact that the instructors at the First Tee not only cared about helping me improve my golf skills, but also grow as a person, really helped me connect and feel comfortable in the program. I always felt valued and supported.”
Julia admits that she was incredibly timid when she first started. One of the first things Coach Beth did when they began to work together was challenge her to build confidence. At the Sagamore Golf Course where Julia would practice, the 8th hole requires a difficult shot over water. Beth, knowing that timidity was a theme in Julia’s game and in her life, encouraged her to continue to push through the doubt. Ultimately, it made her a better person.
“Beth would always urge me to have confidence and swing through the ball. With each successive visit to the eighth hole, and each ‘be confident’ spoken, I could feel my confidence grow. Finally, I got to the point where I could approach the eighth hole, push away the doubts, and just hit the ball.”
After that, more often than not, the ball would fly over the water. This confidence translated off the course as well. Julia started speaking up more in class and participating in family debates. This growth in confidence allowed her to attack new challenges head on, Julia credits this growth in confidence as the most helpful trait she’s taken away from the First Tee.
Coach Beth agrees. “As she got older, it was beautiful to see her inner strength and self-confidence become greater,” she said. “Advancing through the program, it was obvious that she was a positive influence on others in all aspects of life; not just with golf but at school with friends, in her community, and of course with her family of whom she talks so often about. It has always been a pleasure to golf with Julia – however seeing the wonderful person she has become is the real treasure!”
Julia is now an Eagle certified participant, on track to get her ACE certification. The best part is that this isn’t an isolated story. Across the country, coaches and participants are building lasting bonds, showcasing the growth and evolution of positive relationships that have a ripple effect on the communities they serve and the people they meet each day.
But earlier this year, many chapters were unsure of what the future would hold for coaches and participants. Classes were cancelled and fundraising was unknown. It’s been thanks to generous supporters, like the USGA, who have helped ensure chapters keep their doors open for safe and socially distant programs. First Tee — New Hampshire was one of 51 First Tee chapters to receive a grant from the USGA towards their ongoing commitment to making the game more accessible and welcoming for juniors.
“The USGA’s commitment to investing in First Tee over the years continues to have a lasting impact on the game as well as countless young people in communities across our country,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We are offering a meaningful and positive experience through golf that helps young people uncover who they are and grow personally. There is no better sport in which to do this, and we are thankful for the USGA’s confidence in our work.”
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Like our participants, what makes our chapters so special is that each one is unique in its own way. We celebrate their diverse perspectives because it makes our work even more powerful. Yet one thing that remains consistent at every chapter is their passion for supporting the next generation and the communities they live in.
One way our chapters are doing this is by creating a space that makes every individual feel like they belong. A culture of acceptance is deeply rooted in our values as an organization as we seek to understand walks of life that are different from our own.
Two of our chapters, First Tee — Greater Pasadena and First Tee — Korea, have brought this to life in a meaningful new way. In 2019, the two chapters became official sister chapters in an effort for participants to share cultural experiences and explore opportunities beyond their community.
Recently, participants and coaches from the two chapters were able to meet virtually to discuss a trending topic in communities across the globe: returning to school during a pandemic.
During the video call, participants shared how they’re feeling and handling the return to school.
Gloria from First Tee — Korea shared, “I think I should take responsibility for myself because if I don’t follow the rules, I could put my friends and family at risk.”
Through the meeting, the participants realized that they have quite a bit in common despite growing up thousands of miles apart. They’re all adjusting to the “new normal,” and are leaning on the character strengths they’ve developed through First Tee to help conquer these challenges.
Bob Baderian, Executive Director for First Tee — Greater Pasadena, summed up the experience:
“This very positive partnership between First Tee — Greater Pasadena and First Tee — Korea encourages participants to share their experiences and perspectives and provides opportunities to educate them about the culture and history of their respective countries and communities. These meetings have resulted in increased knowledge and appreciation of cultures and lifestyles between our two chapters.”
Founded in 2006, First Tee — Greater Pasadena has served more than 200,000 kids and teens. First Tee — Korea was founded in conjunction with the 2015 Presidents Cup and is one of six international chapters within the First Tee network.
The sister chapters have a goal to one day provide an in-person experience for their participants to meet.
This pandemic, among other challenges this year, has been more than we could have ever anticipated. It’s stories like these, of coming together to learn, appreciate, and build relationships, that inspire us as we work to empower youth to be game-changers and make this a better world.
