Last week, First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee to host an evening Golf 101 clinic, and it turned into one of those nights that reminds us exactly why we do this work.
Five Bigs and Littles matches joined us for the clinic, and for almost all of the Littles, it was their very first time setting foot on a golf course. From the opening swing tips to the first attempts at putting, there was a great mix of nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of laughter as everyone learned the basics of the game together.
The highlight of the night came near the end of the program, during a group game of putting tic tac toe. In the final matchup, the Bigs faced off against the Littles, and one of the Littles was hesitant to step up and take his turn in front of the group. Without missing a beat, the rest of the Littles rallied around him, cheering him on and encouraging him to give it a shot. He stepped up and hit a great putt, and the group erupted in celebration.
That moment captured something special about the evening. This was a group of kids who didn’t know each other before they arrived, yet within just a few hours, real friendship and camaraderie had formed.
Partnerships like this one with Big Brothers Big Sisters highlight the power of what we do at First Tee. Golf is the vehicle, but the real impact is in the confidence, connection, and character built along the way, impact that extends well beyond the time kids spend with us on the course.
We’re grateful to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee for partnering with us, and we can’t wait for the next opportunity to bring more Bigs and Littles out to the course.
