First Tee of Central Ohio teaching students golf and life lessons

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Honesty. Integrity. Sportsmanship. Respect. Confidence. Responsibility. Perseverance. Courtesy. Judgment. Nine core values all of us should have in life and each one of those are taught by The First Tee of Central Ohio every day to students across the city.

“We promote the game of golf for students who that would not normally be exposed to golf,” said Centennial physical education teacher Anesti Kalagidis. “”They are learning the proper discipline and etiquette how to carry yourself, sportsmanship, sportspersonship, integrity, respect, and responsibility. All of these things that you need to have in life.”

This 2-week program is just one of the dozens of programs The First Tee of Central Ohio will put on this year in the Columbus City Schools. Cory Tucker is leading this class at Centennial High School.

“I definitely hit them with the fun but at the same time, hit them with the hard truth, like today’s lesson is perseverance. Life is hard,” said Tucker.

And perseverance is a perfect lesson to learn from the game of golf.

“Over the week, we’ve been playing golf and we just been teaching him how to hit it and focus on the ball and see where it goes,” said sophomore Daejon Practher.

That’s easier said than done of course, but that’s the lesson learned.

“That means don’t give up. That’s what i would say,” said freshman ayoub Hatok. “That’s not only for sports but for everything. for learning, for working, for socializing with other people, for everything.”

“Golf is great,” said Tucker. “We love the game of golf and play it to when they’re old and that’s perfectly fine but at the same time, I’m trying to show these kids that they have options.”

If you want to support The First Tee of Central Ohio, they have an event this Friday called “T’s for Tees”, a wine tasting event. It goes from 6:30-10pm at the Grange Insurance Center at Scioto Audobon Metro Park. Visit tsfortees.com to buy tickets.