We absolutely love creating opportunities for our graduating seniors to share their experiences with younger golfers.  Last month, when we invited Nate Vertes to speak  along with his Mom so our Thursday evening class could hear both perspectives.   Mrs. Vertes spoke about perseverance and how Nate was able to apply the core values even moreso after attending the leadership academy last summer. Nate encouraged the golfers to stick with First Tee because the benefits go beyond learning golf.  

What Nate didn't know was that Zack Anderton from the local First Tee office would also be on site to video the entire experience.  Once the talk was complete, Coach Glen presented Nate with a special gift from First Tee.  After opening the box, Nate discovered that he won a National Scholarship from First Tee in the amount of $20,000!!

While it was difficult for the younger golfers to really understand what had happened, they understood that $20,000 is a lot of money.  For some of the pre-teens it was an eye-opening experience.  Junior Coach Annika was very excited for her friend.  She will be a senior next year so she has her eye on the prize. 

The Western Golf Association (WGA) and amateur golfer Charles "Chick" Evans Jr. established the Evans Scholarship in 1930. The scholarship has helped thousands of caddies attend college since then.  Beaver Golf student, Jayda Dookie graduated from Suncoast Community High School in 2023 and she was awarded the scholarship after completing her "loops" at Seminole Golf Club.  
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Read the stories that follow to learn more about the experience.  The best time to get started is during the golfer's freshman year of high school but it is not impossible to complete the loops if you start in your sophomore year. 
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Jayda took full advantage of the opportunities available to her in golf!  
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Here are some posts that I found online that illustrate what Beaver Golf coaches teach in private and group lessons. ​Visuals are always helpful. 
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If you keep your arm straighter you will be able to get to impact zone easier.

Great putting tips from Rory McIlroy.

Focus on balance and avoid going to your toes.

20 year old Rose Zhang talks about finishing up her education at Stanford, The Match and playing professionally.   The stress is real. 

Not everyone is a college phenom.  

Rory's responses may not be popular but his commitment to being honest is commendable. 

Any athlete that wants to get better, works with a coach.  If you are not willing to get feedback, you are not willing grow. 

Scottie Scheffler considers social media noise.

Perseverance of another kind. 

A great support system is essential to maintaining humility and remembering what's really important!

Whether you are trying to break 80 or 100, Nelly's two tips are spot on!!!
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Golf is a different kind of math.  Click here to learn the proper terminology and their numerical equivalents.

Professional golfers experience their fair share of adversity as well. 

These situations are why it is so important to get on the course to play.  Creativity does not come easy. 

When you start playing, you will need to ​know the rules.  Even the professionals make mistakes and when they do it changes everything.