Valuable life lessonslike the importance of community service

Valuable life lessonslike the importance of community service

Thomas, 20, was among the first students to join The First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City when it formed about eight years ago. On Saturday, he helped celebrate an expansion of the program he said has shaped his life. “It really improved my life and made me better,” he said. More than 100 people gathered at

600 Martin Luther King Ave.

to the history of golf celebrate the opening of the First Tee Learning Center. First Tee teaches golf instruction and life skills to children and teenagers, ages 7 to 17. Until recently, the program didn’t have a permanent home. “We needed a place where children could come practice and play at their own will,” said Executive Director Debi Martin. The new, $1.6 million center has a 12,000-square-foot putting green, a 40-bay driving range and a short game area. It is a place local youth can call home, she said. In the past, First Tee Confident Biershenk With His Golf Play has operated at nine affiliate sites in the metro area. The program will continue at those locations.At first Roland didn’t care much for the rules of the game. He swung his club with wild abandon. But as soon as Meyers helped him hit the ball, Roland was hooked. He didn’t want to leave when it was time to move on to the putting area.