Author: David Cohn

Wisconsin junior golfers selected to compete in second annual Irwin Cup

Adalyn Johnston and Cooper McLaughlin from The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin have been selected to compete in the second annual Irwin Cup golf tournament, an interstate golf tournament held at The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minnesota on Monday, August 6, 2018. The First Tee and The Jewel Golf Club named the event in honor of PGA TOUR Champions player Hale Irwin, a long-time supporter of The First Tee who also designed the course at The Jewel Golf Club. The First Tee selected eight kids from each state’s chapters of The First Tee in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.  Each team will compete in a Ryder Cup format for The Irwin Cup.  Johnston and McLaughlin are The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin participants at Rolling Meadows Golf Course in Fond du Lac. “We are extremely excited to have Adalyn and Cooper represent The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin as part of Team Wisconsin in the second annual Irwin Cup,” said David Cohn, executive director of The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin. “Adalyn and Cooper are active members of the program at Rolling Meadows and have embraced The First Tee Nine Core Values on and off the golf course. They are very deserving of this opportunity.”

Erin School and Erin Hills Team Up to Help Students Learn Golf Skills with Life Lessons

Elementary school students at Erin School in the Town of Erin will be introduced to the basic skills of golf along with character and health education in their physical education program. Erin School is teaming up with neighboring Erin Hills Golf Course to implement The First Tee National School Program. It will be taught by physical educators using safe, fun lesson plans provided in the program’s curriculum. The health activities were recently added for students to learn about physical, social and emotional wellness. Nationwide, more than 8,000 schools in 1,200 school districts have introduced to The First Tee National School Program. Erin School will be the first school offering the program in Washington County. “We are very thankful for the partnership we have between Erin Hills Golf Course and Erin School,” said Tim Mueller, physical education teacher at Erin School. “The golf curriculum and equipment that Erin Hills has provided for our physical education program through The First Tee will be an incredible benefit for all of our kindergarten through fifth grade students. Our students will be introduced to the lifetime sport of golf through well designed lessons that provide fun learning experiences. The First Tee lessons also incorporate health and character education that will enhance our existing curriculum. Using this golf curriculum will help us reinforce key concepts that we teach in other physical education units such as integrity, respect, perseverance, and making healthy choices. A big thank you to Erin Hills!” “Erin Hills has long supported amateur golf, and helping to introduce golf to our neighbors is an extension of this core belief in the positive effects of golf,” said Alex Allister, Erin Hills’ Senior Accountant who connected Erin School and the First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin. Launched in 2004, The First Tee National School Program helps students develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf. Students engage in safe, fun lesson activities that lead to motor skill development and while gaining an introduction to a lifelong recreation and health-enhancing activity. The curriculum was developed by The First Tee along with leading experts in physical education and positive youth development. It is aligned with and meets national standards developed by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE). Physical educators delivering the program are formally trained and certified by The First Tee and use safe, developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and equipment in their classes. The lesson plans include The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits, which were developed in partnership with the ANNIKA Foundation and Florida Hospital for Children. According to a survey among 860 physical educators using The First Tee National School Program curriculum, 66 percent reported using The First Tee Nine Core Values—character education seamlessly delivered as part of the program—in other sports and activities they teach beyond golf. A third-party case study conducted in one Midwestern school district in 2011 further validated the program where administrators and physical educators reported finding great value in the program. For more information about The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin and The First Tee National School Program, visit www.thefirstteesew.org. For more about Erin School, visit www.erinschool.org.

Team Wisconsin Takes Inaugural Irwin Cup

By Jason Kauflin On August 16, the first ever Irwin Cup was staged at The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minnesota. The event brought together junior golfers from The First Tee chapters in Wisconsin and Minnesota, pitting them against each other in a Ryder Cup-style format. Each team consisted of eight junior golfers: two boys and two girls from both 12-14 and 15-18 age divisions. Team Wisconsin was represented by juniors from the Southeast, South Central, and Northeast chapters. Team Minnesota was represented by the Twin Cities and Three Rivers Park District chapters. Juniors were paired together to face off against a duo from the opposing state and played three separate 6-hole matches each worth one point. When all the scores were added up, Team Wisconsin came out ahead 7-1/2 to 4-1/2 to win the inaugural Irwin Cup. The genesis of the Irwin Cup can be traced back to the 2016 Ryder Cup held at Hazeltine Golf Club in Minnesota. Glenn Hasse had been a Trustee of The First Tee since 2010 and was looking to give back. Along with his wife, Kay, Glenn bought The Jewel in 2008 during some dire financial straits for the course. Finding an event to combine his wonderful property with supporting today’s young golfers was a natural fit. “I was looking for something to utilize the course and something for the young kids in The First Tee,” Mr. Hasse explains, “after all, competition like this is what it’s all about.” During the 2016 Ryder Cup, Glenn approached some of his contacts at The First Tee about hosting an event at his “little place just down the street.” Once momentum for the event began to build, naming the competition became paramount. As the original course designer and a junior golf supporter in his own right, the legendary Hale Irwin was asked to lend his name to the event. Hale was more than happy to assist, and the Irwin Cup was born. The event was truly a family affair. Parents from both states followed each group, and a post round awards lunch was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Hasse. Glenn thanked all the families in attendance and presented each member of the winning team with a medal, while Kay was busy manning the lemonade stand at the end of the buffet line. Also on hand for the event was Jen Weiler, Sr. Vice President Chief Development Officer for The First Tee.  “We really want to promote regional events like this because it does give kids that competition that they might lack just at the chapter level,” Jen said. She also enjoyed seeing the kids from different areas creating quick bonds as they competed together. “They probably have exchanged cell phone numbers and Instagram handles to keep in touch with each other. I love seeing that, I think it’s just great!” Plans for the 2018 Irwin Cup are already underway. One goal in mind would be to move the Irwin Cup as close to the 3M Championship as possible. That way they may be able to involve Hale Irwin and other PGA Tour Champion players who are supporters of The First Tee. Glenn Hasse also hopes to expand the event to four states, with teams from Iowa and the Dakotas joining the fray. He would love to see regional The First Tee events established where a team would have to qualify to make it to the Irwin Cup. “We could have some regional competitions, and whoever is the best in that area gets to come,” says Glenn.  As Kay Hasse added, “Sounds good to me!”

Sam Kachelek earns national The First Tee Scholar designation

Sam Kachelek, a participant with The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin and a senior at Menomonee Falls High School, has been selected to The First Tee Scholars Program. This national distinction is awarded to The First Tee participants who are seniors in high school and excel in academics, leadership, character development, and chapter and community involvement.  Sam is one of 82 scholars designated to the Class of 2016-2017. For Sam, The First Tee has been more than just golf. “Through The First Tee I have grown as a person, learning the Nine Core Values and and implementing those in my life. Golf isn’t always the focus; it’s making yourself a better person and using that in school and in your community.” Asked what he would tell a someone interested in getting involved in The First Tee, Sam had a few suggestions. “I would tell them definitely get involved. It has more of an effect on your life than you could ever imagine. Learning the Nine Core Values and building on them through volunteer work, your job, in school and within the community has a ripple effect. It’s more than a golf program; it’s a life skills program.” As a Scholar, Sam is eligible for select named scholarships offered through The First Tee. Scholars are also eligible for events and speaking opportunities through The First Tee Alumni Network. “We are proud to have Sam represent The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin as a recipient of The First Tee Scholars designation,” said David Cohn, executive director of The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin. “Sam is someone who models what it means to be a participant with The First Tee. Sam is making a difference in his school and in his community, and we know he will continue to make an impact in college.” Sam plans to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison this fall. Click here to learn more about national events and leadership opportunities available through The First Tee.