First Tee offers life skills programs to children of active military

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) -- The First Tee has begun offering its education and life skills program to children of military personnel at 50 installations, with 50 more military installations to start up in the spring.

The goal is to reach 87,000 military children within two years as part of an agreement with the Department of Defense.

The First Tee chapters located near military bases are providing curriculum, equipment and training for eligible kids from ages 5-18. The idea is create fun and safe learning environments that cause kids to get curious about golf and illustrate links between golf and its values used in everyday life.

"The program goes far beyond teaching fundamental golf skills," said Joe Louis Barrow Jr., CEO of The First Tee.

The first 50 bases were in the United States. The First Tee also plans to go overseas to bases located in countries such as Cuba, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain.

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