While I love golf, I have played my fair share of team sports so I always encourage my coaches to incorporate team challenges instead of individual challenges to make it interesting. Team challenges foster collaboration. It is fun to watch a group of strong personalities determine the playing order because each one thinks they should be first but eventually reason prevails. Occasionally, a group of passive players is formed and no one wants to take the lead. In these cases, I have to offer some helpful advice to move things along. I especially enjoy watching the golfers collaborate when they are grouped with golfers they have not spent a lot time with in class.
When the golfers collaborate they have to work together to complete the skills challenge. If they are observant during practice rounds they have the opportunity to determine how to best use the talents on their team to succeed. One golfer may be a great long putter while another excels at the short putt. One golfer could be clutch at chipping while another has a great drive. One golfer, may be awesome at encouragement and another in leadership.
Each golfer has their own talents just like the people in our lives. It is important to create a team of go-to people around you to help you become your best self. You need people who can offer good advice and you need people who can help you improve in your skills so you can accomplish your goals. When the right people are working in the correct roles, collaboration is easier.
Giving back is extremely important and I encourage all of my juniors to find ways to give back to their community or to find ways to serve others. This week, I learned that one of my junior tournament players is passionate about helping kids in Tanzania. Check out his note below and start saving your cans.
Hello, my name is Nathan Vertes.
I am a junior at Seminole Ridge High School in the Biotech Program. I'm in need of ALUMINUM CANS (beer, soda, water, cat food tins). Four years ago, I started helping my friend Rhonda Barona collect cans out of recycling and trash bins to help Project Zawadi, a charity which helps build and maintain 4 schools in remote areas of Tanzania. We crush the cans and take them to the recycling center for money. It takes a lot of cans since we get about $.50 per pound. Before Project Zawadi, "schools" in Tanzania had 150 boys writing in the dirt with sticks, with one teacher. The girls had to walk for water all day, and weren't able to attend school. Project Zawadi made it possible for all kids to get an education. Also, recently they laid pipeline to provide the schools and all four villages with running water. Many of the kids walk 5 miles to school and get one meal a day, which comes from the school. The children don't have electricity in their homes and have never had toilets. We provide the older students with lanterns so they can study at night. We have a long way to go and you can help by giving me your CANS!! After your Super Bowl watch parties please save your CANS for me. Also, if any student needs community service hours, please help me collect cans! Last year we collected over 4,000 lbs. of cans to donate $2,100. This year I know we can do better!! I am happy to pick them up at your house or you can bring them to me in Binks Forest Preserve, in Wellington. If you have any questions, please call my Mom, Amy at (248) 921-7882. Please check out our website www.projectzawadi.wix.com/expandinghorizons if you would like more information or would like to donate. There are many ways to help- every child deserves to have their basic needs met and have access to an education. Thank you! Nathan Vertes "TOGETHER WE CAN."
A total of 95 young people from 10 countries competed in the International Junior Golf Tournament in Lima, Peru last week and Micaela Ruidias was one of those players. Prior to leaving for Lima, Micaela dedicated about 30 hours over her winter break to what she called immersion training with me. We had some cold days in there but she trained by herself and with other junior golfers. When she was not with me, she played golf to identify issues in her mental game and course management.
Micaela tied for 13th place after three days of play shooting under 80 each time. This was a goal she was working towards so it was definitely something to celebrate on a personal level. Additionally, she recognized that she could have done even better had she tightened up some approach shots and her putting. While she enjoyed playing in her home country, now she is looking forward to playing some tournaments on the SFPGA Medalist Tour and balancing the academic demands of her schedule at American Heritage High School. Mike started out as one of my private golf students and today I am honored to call him friend. He is a good player but like most he allows the bad shot to take over too much mental space which leads to more poor shots. What impresses me about Mike is his desire to keep practicing and playing even as he deals with debilitating pain which is probably why we get a long so well. When he asked about being a volunteer, I was not surprised. People see that I have a lot of kids and they always ask but Mike was the first to follow through by completing all of the necessary background checks and training that First Tee requires. He really enjoys watching the kids and is their biggest cheerleader. When I was informed that he was awarded Volunteer of the Year for 2022 and that they wanted him to attend a special event, I laughed. There was no way that Mike was going to a special event, if he was getting an award it would need to be in front of his players. It took two tries to present it since his back was not cooperating but we did it. He was completely unaware of what was happening at the time. Congratulations Mike!!! Q: How does it feel to receive this award?
A: It is an honor to receive an award for GIVING. Q: How did you get started playing golf? A: Curiosity, my friend started to play and I went along with him. Q: What prompted you to start volunteering? A: I had been taking lessons with Glen for several weeks and he mentioned that he also taught kids as part of the First Tee program, so I asked if he needed any help. Q: What do you enjoy the most about volunteering? A: Giving back is the greatest lesson, no matter how or when I have found it to be the greatest reward that I have experienced in my life. Q: When you are not playing golf what do you like to do? A: Watch and play sports, spend time with family. Q: Who is your favorite golfer and why? A: Bernard Langer, his dedication to be the best. Q: Most people who are experiencing the kind of pain that you are, would just stop volunteering until they are well. Why is it important for you to keep your commitment no matter what? A: I was taught by my father a long time ago, if you make a commitment you keep it no matter what. As the classes went on I observed that this was much more than teaching golf, Glen had a group of people who cared about teaching respect, family, and integrity etc. (Glen, Danni, Mayda, Mateo, Zack, Stan, Reva) It has truly been a privilege to be involved with Glen and his crew, it is not often you get to spend time with such good people.
If your junior is interested in golf, the first step is lessons but the real enjoyment for the game happens when they get on course to play and apply what they are learning.
First tee and Youth on Course have forged a great partnership where your junior can play at select golf courses for $5. Each course has their own restrictions so additional fees could apply. Click here to join Youth on Course and take advantage of this great opportunity. Application with the right understanding makes a difference. |
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