Bronx, N.Y.-- As Jack Nicklaus watched a group of aspiring young golfers from Mott Hall 2 school in Manhattan and M.S 180 in the Bronx hit balls at Mosholu GC, a look of content came across his face. For every good shot, and there were plenty, there was a swing and a miss, followed by fundamental words of wisdom from golf’s greatest champion. He stressed the importance of grip, posture and balance that helped each player get the ball off the ground, but perhaps the greatest lesson came as he addressed the group on the significance of the game of golf on their lives.

 

“The idea of the game of golf is to have fun,” Nicklaus said. “Some of you will be champions and some may not, but thanks to organizations like The First Tee, and those dedicated to helping you learn the game, golf will become a game for life. It is a game that will help you to learn life’s lessons.”

 

Nicklaus along with the Royal Bank of Scotland announced a partnership with The First Tee as a National Trustee. Together they will continue to create groundbreaking new programs that provide opportunities for hundreds of young people around the country. 

 

Joe Louis Barrow, Executive Director of The First Tee stressed Nicklaus’ ability to relate to the children as a tremendous asset to the growth of the program, and is excited about the partnership.

 

“Whenever you have the greatest golfer of all time involved, wanting to come and relate to young people it says a lot about what The First Tee is all about,” Barrow said. “The programs that the RBS are implementing will have an impact on both a national level and our local chapter level. They align well with The First Tee values and fit well with The First Life Skills Education programs already in place.”

 

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has opened over 152 golf-learning facilities and has introduced the game of golf to over 300,000 young boys and girls since 2000. If you would like to make contributions to The First Tee you can do so by calling the MGA at 914 347-4653 or through the website www.mgagolf.org