Kamden's FIRST time at The First Tee

We had a fun filled day with Kamden at Tanglewood Park for his FIRST day in The First Tee program! Kamden started golfing with his Dad three years ago and has loved it since his first time out on the driving range. When we were living in Florida, it definitely had its advantages because Keith would take him at least twice a month year round since he was 4 years old. Just like any boy, some days he would be so serious and focused and others he would be running a muck. If he was really well behaved, Keith would let him run through the sprinklers afterward, which he loved more than anything. We approached it like it was more important for him to have fun with it first so that he would grow to like it, then later on start teaching him the rules and skills to play. When he was 5, we started letting him do a week long golf camp over the summer at the Davie Golf and Country Club near where we lived at the time. He was the youngest one there, but he really enjoyed it and made a lot of friends while he was there. He did it last summer when he was 6 too. Plus, his school has a fall and spring after school program for an hour a week called Golf Squad and he is doing that this year too with other kids from his school. So far golf is the one sport he is most excited about and we are too! 

The weather was a perfect spring day... 77 degrees, sunny with enough breeze to stay cool and dry. I was so surprised to see so many kids of all ages participating. Just in Kamden's Player level group, there were almost 20! More than anything, we are glad that The First Tee is all about leaving a positive impression on young people and impacting their lives through golf. They are focused on building character, instilling life enhancing values and promoting healthy choices. The very first thing the coach did at the check-in table when we arrived was shake Kamden's hand. He talked to Kamden about firm handshakes and looking people in the eye while shaking hands. This is exactly what Keith has been trying to teach Kamden on the course, besides how to golf. Today's lesson was about showing respect. As they warmed up, played games and did a few drills the message was all centered around how to respect yourself, others and your surroundings. Then at the end during wrap up they were having conversations with the kids about how to be respectful in other areas of life, not just in golf.  These are the kinds of things that are most important. Its nice to know Kamden will be part of something bigger than itself and will hopefully teach him some valuable life lessons while having fun along the way.

The sessions last for an hour and half and while we were there, we ironically ran into our friends Cammie and Brody and they hung out with me and Maelynn while Kamden was in the class. We hit a bucket of balls together and had fun. I'm not any good at golf, but I was hitting it better than I've ever attempted to before... its just too bad Keith wasn't there to witness it! He would've been so proud. After it was done, Kamden seemed like he had a great time out there today. Since the weather was so nice, we ended up grilling burgers and hot dogs down by the pool since we got rained out when we were going to yesterday. We couldn't have asked for a better ending to the day and can't wait for many more like it!