Mission
THE FIRST TEE OF THE PINEY WOODS WAS STARTED IN 2005. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY IS TO INSTRUCT AREA YOUTH IN THE PRINCIPLES, ETHICS, AND SKILLS OF GOLF AND TO DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS. THE GOAL IS TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP, THROUGH GOLF AND CHARACTER EDUCATION, A SET OF NINE CORE VALUES: HONESTY, INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPECT, COURTESY, JUDGEMENT, CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBLILITY, AND PERSEVERANCE. THE COST OF THE PROGRAMS IS KEPT LOW FOR THE YOUNGSTERS AND FUNDING IS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE PROGRAMS WORK. NO YOUNGSTER IS TURNED AWAY DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS AND THEIR FEES ARE PAID BY SCHOLARSHIP IF THEY QUALIFY. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES CORPORATE AND PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND GRANTS FROM THE NATIONAL FIRST TEE (WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION, INC.), PGA OF AMERICA, AND THE LPGA FOUNDATION.THE GOLF PROFESSIONALS ATTEND A LIFE SKILL TRAINING SESSION IN ORDER TO TEACH THE PROGRAM.