(WHEELING, W.Va.) – Oglebay announces that it will serve as home to the newly established Wheeling chapter of The First Tee of West Virginia, expanding the youth development organization’s mission to create “Good Golfers. Better People.” in the Mountain State.
The First Tee is an internationally-acclaimed organization dedicated to providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
“The First Tee’s impact extends far beyond the golf course,” says Director and Coach of the Wheeling chapter Shane Rice. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact this organization has on young people and the surrounding community. We are excited to provide these same opportunities to Wheeling.”
Rice previously served as the Director of Golf of The First Tee of Pittsburgh for seven years. Rice is a Level I Coach certified by The First Tee, as well as the Head Golf Professional at Oglebay.
This summer from July 24 to September 2, The First Tee at Oglebay will offer two program levels to area youth. For children ages 5-7, the Little General Juniors will teach children the fundamentals of golf and The First Tee’s Code of Conduct. The Little General Juniors meet on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
For children ages 8 and up, the PLAYer levels (PLAYer 1, PLAYer 2 & PLAYer 3) establish the foundation for youth to become lifelong PLAYers of the sport. Offered on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m.
The PLAYer levels also introduce The First Tee’s Nine Core Values into each lesson: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. These ideals represent many of the inherently positive traits associated with golf.
Billy Casper Golf, which oversees golf operations at Oglebay, supports The First Tee and numerous other junior golf initiatives as part of its commitment to growing the game.
In 2016, The First Tee served more than 5.3 million young people at more than 1,200 golf facilities.
For additional information about Oglebay: www.oglebay.com, 800.624.6988.
About The First Tee of West Virginia
The First Tee of West Virginia is a state-wide youth development organization under the West Virginia Golf Association, introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people. On golf courses, in elementary schools and on military installations, The First Tee has helped shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by teaching values like integrity, respect and perseverance. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Through our programs, young people discover how skills essential to success on a golf course can also help them flourish in life.
About Oglebay
Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Wheeling, W.Va., Oglebay offers exceptional overnight accommodations, world-class amenities and 1,700 acres of year-round recreational opportunities. Oglebay is best known for golf as the resort presents four courses, including two championship layouts at the Speidel Golf Club. Accommodations include the inviting, 258-room Wilson Lodge, quaint cottages and spacious estate houses. With over 20,000 square feet of meeting space spread over 15 rooms, Oglebay offers all the amenities to meet today’s business demands, and provides an ideal setting for training programs and corporate retreats.
About Billy Casper Golf
Billy Casper Golf is one of the largest privately-owned golf course management companies in the U.S., with nearly 150 properties in 29 states. Headquartered in Reston, Va. – with regional offices across America – BCG has more than 25 years of results-driven expertise. The company specializes in full-service course management as well as assistance in specific segments of the golf business, including course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.
BCG continues to evolve the golf experience through customized solutions and innovative programs like the annual World’s Largest Golf Outing – a national golf fundraiser conceived by BCG Chairman and CEO Peter Hill. The company recently launched its newest management solution, Billy Casper Signature, as a boutique division focused on country club, resort and private club management. www.billycaspergolf.com
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