Reviewed by:
First Tee Birmingham Chapter returns ahead of Regions Tradition
After a 13 year absence, First Tee is relaunching its Birmingham Chapter in partnership with Regions Bank and the Regions Tradition.
One of 150 Chapters
A youth development organization that teaches life skills to help kids and teens build strength of character through the values of golf, Birmingham’s new group joins 150 First Tee chapters and international locations.
Twenty kids participated in an event at TopGolf on Monday that featured golf lessons from PGA TOUR players and the relaunch announcement.
Golf Values
Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman was among the many speakers at the event.
A First Tee alum, Smitherman told the children gathered at the event, she was enrolled in the program at 7 years old after Tiger Woods and his father helped establish the program 22 years ago at the Highland Park Golf Course.
She later earned a college scholarship to play golf and even competed in championship tournaments in the Magic City.
According to Smitherman, First Tee and the game of golf taught her values.
“I learned patience. I learned confidence. I learned sportsmanship. I learned honesty, which is so big and important.”
Accessible for ALL Kids
First Tee began in 1997 as a partnership among the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR, and the USGA to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids. Since its inception, First Tee has impacted more than 15 million young people through its character-building programs on golf courses, in schools and at youth-serving locations.
First Tee programs will be offered at the following Birmingham locations:
- Roebuck Golf Course
- Highland Park Golf Course
- TopGolf
- PGA Tour Superstore
“We are so excited to be relaunching the Birmingham chapter of First Tee,” said Carlos Carter, president of the First Tee of Birmingham. “We are confident this program will make a significant impact in the city of Birmingham.”
Regions Tradition Week
The First Tee announcement also begins a week of events leading into the Regions Tradition, the PGA TOUR Champions Major held at Greystone Golf & Country Club May 10-14.
“We always look forward to Tradition week here at Regions. This one is going to be even more fun because we have something extra to celebrate too,” said Leroy Abrahams, Head of Community Affairs for Regions.
Are you a First Tee Alum? Tell us your favorite stories about the program on social media @bhamnow
