The third annual First Tee/SPECTRUM Clinic was recently held at Riverside Golf Course in Fresno. A partnership was formed two years ago between The First Tee of Fresno and the SPECTRUM (Students and Principal Embrace Cultures, Together Reaching for Understanding and Meaning) Leadership Group from Valley Oak Elementary School. Mike Firpo, executive director of The First Tee of Fresno, played an integral part in bringing The First Tee of Fresno and Valley Oak together.

Photo Courtesy of CUSD Today

The mission of The First Tee of Fresno is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf by working with local elementary schools and focus on the life skills. During the clinic, volunteer instructors worked with the Valley Oak students to learn the importance of nine core values through the game of golf. The nine core values, which incorporate the six character pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!, included honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The partnership between The First Tee of Fresno and Valley Oak led the school site to become the first CUSD elementary school to enroll in The First Tee National School Program, which trains physical educators to introduce children to the game of golf and The First Tee Nine Core Values during regular physical education classes. Valley Oak teachers are trained to implement the program with their student body during their PE time. The National School Program is currently implemented in 41 states and in over 200 school districts, reaching over 1.3 million students.