First Tee
It might seem odd to be talking about golf as we head into two-glove season, but there’s really no bad time to talk about First Tee Marquette County. First Tee is a golf and life skills program wrapping up its inaugural year here in our area.
Golf and life skills? Actually, the two go together as well as anything the sports world can offer. Area Director Kenn Hruska explains… “Most sports can contribute to growth in character; at First Tee we address it intentionally.”
I’ve always thought golf is the sport most like life. You stand on the first tee with great intentions, but no matter where your shot ends up, good or bad, you play it as it lies. Hruska agrees. “We see golf as a metaphor for life – a game with unexpected challenges and ups and downs that help build strengths beyond the technical skills to play the game.”
Fortunately, First Tee offers a lot more than just play it as it lies.
A Valuable Skill Set
“We know that character is something you cultivate and can measure. We exist to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges,” Hruska says.
Like Start the Cycle and 906 Adventure Team, two local biking clubs, First Tee finds something kids might find fun and then, when they’re not looking, “create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience they can carry into to everything they do.” I think Hruska and his team are on to something.
Though the “country club” aura of golf may discourage some from looking into First Tee, that would be a mistake. First Tee is for all. It’s for any kid interested in learning the game, while at the same time being exposed to life skills extending far beyond any fairway.
First Tee works with the schools as well as area golf courses. Next summer, with a full year under their sansabelts, the program will be running full speed. Local club pros and the Marquette County Junior Golf Association will continue to work with the program.
Who is it For?
Since it’s golf, it must be pricey, right? Nope. “First Tee provides much of the programming for free, relying on grants, donations and volunteers,” Hruska says. “For instance, all of the in-school and youth center programming has no cost to the family.”
The programming Hruska is referring to includes sessions of golf instruction and life skills at the Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center. According to Program Director Julia Beard, “It was a wonderful experience for both the youth and staff, and we’ve invited Kenn and the First Tee team to continue programming during the school year. We plan to welcome them back for expanded programming this winter and next summer.”
Nice to see the program reaching out to kids who otherwise might not be exposed to golf. Beard says, “The youth absolutely love working with the First Tee team! They’ve asked several times when Coach Kenn and his team will return to teach them more about the sport and life skills.”
The Right Path
For those who think today’s young people are too often headed down the wrong path, programs like First Tee might be just what’s needed to turn the trend. Our schools, focused on the three R’s, can only do so much. And parents, though often well-intentioned, already have plenty on their plates and usually welcome a little help.
While it’s true that crime can be reduced by having more cops on the street, maybe more youth programs teaching life skills would be a better way to address the problem. Lessons learned in golf, where you call your own fouls and extend a hand whether you win or lose, provide a great example. Hruska explains… “As we introduce the game, we also introduce a life skills curriculum that supports the development of values found within the game of golf, including honesty, integrity, perseverance and respect.”
Your kids may already be familiar with the program, but for more information, visit their Facebook page at First Tee Marquette County.
Fore… and more!
Speaking of Sports
The Northern Michigan University football team had quite a memorable year. While the program celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their last and only National Championship, the recent product on the field has been mired in a stretch of no such success.
But… and there’s always a but, maybe there’s hope on the horizon. After losing 28 straight games, the ‘Cats ended this season winning 3 of the last 5.
But… and here’s another but, they also ended their season with an interim coach, following the resignation of Shane Richardson, their head coach of three years. Richardson had been previously suspended after an alleged run-in with a player and decided, or was encouraged, to give up the gig. Who didn’t see that coming?
While there’s nothing not to understand about a 28 game losing streak, the football ‘Cats did come up with some interesting statistics. For example, last year they went an entire game without a completed pass. A whole game! Not to be outdone, they did it again the very next game. Two consecutive contests without a pass completion. I don’t care how bad you are… that’s hard to do.
A Sign of Life
Then, just when you thought the Wildcat offense was bereft of anything likely to put butts in the seats, in walks… or runs, redshirt freshman Noah Dobert. Over the 11 game season Dobert rushed for 1656 yards. That, along with his 15 rushing touchdowns, both stand as NMU records.
Though he was pretty steady throughout the season, Dobert wrapped up his first full year in style. In the penultimate game against Davenport he ran wild for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns. Then, just to prove that was no fluke, he ran even wilder against Wayne State. His 32 carries resulted in 406 yards and another 4 touchdowns. That’s more than 12 yards a carry, meaning, if you want a first down… give it to Noah.
His effort didn’t go unnoticed. After setting the NMU single-game rushing record, Dobert was named Division II Football National Offensive Player of the Week. His 406 yards represented the highest total in Division II this season.
So… is there light at the end of the players tunnel? A new coach and more Noah Dobert might be just what’s needed. You know… to follow up a pretty bad stretch with an optimistic… but.