Participant spotlight – Core Value: HOnesty
These two participants have displayed honesty throughout their time with The First Tee of Greater Tyler, honorably calling penalties on themselves or being truthful when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their skills. The First Tee of Greater Tyler congrats these players for exemplifying the core value of honesty!
Katelyn Henslee
Katelyn Henslee is in 4th grade at Rusk Elementary School. Katelyn is very active with dance and competes throughout the state. Katelyn joined The First Tee of Greater Tyler in 2015 and is currently at the Par level of the program. Katelyn was a recipient of the Honesty award in 2016 due to her everyday demonstration of being honest with her coaches, teachers, and peers on and off the course.
Charles Lu
Charles Lu is in 8th grade at Hubbard Middle School where he is highly involved with band. Charles has been a member of The First Tee of Greater Tyler since 2013 and is currently at the Birdie level of the program. Charles was a recipient of the Honesty award in 2016 for his demonstration of being honest with his peers, family, coaches, and playing competitors while on the golf course.
Volunteer Spotlight | Mark Raiborn
Mark Raiborn – Owner, Birmingham Forest Golf Club in Rusk, Texas
Mark and his
wife Angela joined The First Tee of Greater Tyler in the spring of 2015, where they first hosted a PLAYer class at their own golf course in Rusk. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the kids and seeing their happiness when they accomplish their goals”. Mark is a Level I trained coach and leads a PLAYer class once a week in the spring and fall. “All of the core values have great a great impact, but I think the most impactful is RESPECT. So many people today don’t respect others and it leads to a society that doesn’t care about each other. By teaching our students, at a young age, the values of respect, I feel it will lead to people getting along better. It will stay with these kids the rest of their lives whether it’s in finding a job or raising a family”.
Thank you Mark for your service to The First Tee of Greater Tyler!
Pro Tip Corner
Matt Cohen – Head PGA Golf Professional, The Cascades Golf Club
Every good golfer k
nows that power comes from the body, not the arms. To learn to power the club with your body instead of your arms and hands, put the club behind the ball at address, with your body in a dead-stop position. Without taking a backswing, try to drag the ball into the air. If you’re a player who uses his or her hands to control the club, you’ll probably struggle at first. However, you’ll quickly find that once you start moving the club
with your body, you’ll begin to get the ball in the air more consistently. This helps you turn fully through the ball on the downswing.
