First Tee – Central Carolina staff pictured at First Tee Network Summit in Phoenix, AZ pictured with Golf Digest and First Tee HQ representatives after receiving Barbara A. Douglas & Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award.
At the First Tee Network Summit this past November in Phoenix, Arizona, First Tee — Central Carolina was honored to receive the Barbara A. Douglas & Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award to recognize chapters that demonstrate commitment to expanding access and inclusivity in their community.
Our chapter was one of only three chapters selected from over 150 chapters around the world for this prestigious honor.
The award was given to honor and recognize our local programs and initiatives below.
· Club Golf: Club Golf is a “first of its kind” program designed to introduce elementary and middle school students to competitive golf in a fun and efficient manner. Club Golf provides transportation from 12 elementary and middle schools to Gillespie Golf Course by bus where they receive golf and life skills instruction from trained First Tee staff and numerous on-course play opportunities. Club Golf intends to build a pipeline of students with elevated golf and life skills that will attend the Triad’s historically diverse high schools and compete on their golf teams.
· HBCU Summer Golf Internship: Each summer, we invite students from across the country to take part in an internship designed specifically for black and brown college golfers. The internship is tailored specifically to meet the needs of student-athletes looking to get real-world job experience, all while taking their golf games to the next level. Off the course, interns learn about running a community non-profit, develop sound coaching skills, get access to professional development opportunities, and make a huge impact on local youth. On the course, interns get access to top practice facilities, unique playing experiences, and professional coaching sessions all while being surrounded and pushed by a group of peers pursuing similar goals.
· Greensboro Six Mural: In an effort to commemorate the lasting legacy of the Greensboro Six, Wyndham Rewards – proud title sponsor of the Wyndham Championship and long-time philanthropic partner of First Tee – Central Carolina recently commissioned a mural designed to lift up the story of The Greensboro Six, while celebrating the vital role Gillespie plays in the community today through the work of First Tee – Central Carolina. Created by award-winning, Brooklyn-based artist Vincent Ballentine, the piece is meant to serve as inspiration to a new generation of golfers—reminding them as they walk in the footsteps of those before them—that anything is possible.