MINNEAPOLIS—November 14, 2021 – As the popularity of golf continues to surge, First Tee — Minnesota, with the support of First Tee Headquarters, has taken important steps to give greater access to the character development programs offered to youth around the state. The organization announced today it will merge with First Tee – Three Rivers Park District, bringing total enrollment in First Tee – Minnesota to more than 5,000 participants at 25 locations across the state.
“Our collaboration with First Tee – Three Rivers Park District has always been positive and the combined organization will help us better manage the growing demand for our programs,” says First Tee – Minnesota CEO Jim Triggs, who joined as the organization’s first CEO earlier this year. “We look forward to opening the door to many more youth, empowering them to pursue their goals both on and off the golf course.”
Three Rivers Park District golf courses and learning centers include Baker National Golf Course in Medina, Eagle Lake Youth Golf Center and Parkers Lake Driving Range in Plymouth, Hyland Greens Golf Course in Bloomington, Cleary Lake Golf Course in Prior Lake, and Glen Lake Golf & Practice Center in Minnetonka. Adding these program sites to existing programs in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Woodbury, Rochester and St. Croix Valley brings the total locations of First Tee – Minnesota to 25.
“We are excited to continue our work growing the game and working with the kids in our communities. Our 20 year run with the First Tee has been a very important to us and we are glad it is going to continue,” said Jeff May of Three Rivers Park District.
“Our work with Three Rivers is just the start,” adds Triggs. “We want to build game changers throughout the state of Minnesota, giving kids the opportunity to participate in our programs and access the many leadership and college scholarship programs offered by the First Tee Headquarters and other foundations that support our chapter.”
“When there are opportunities to combine forces for good – like in this case – there is little doubt that young people and the community benefit,” said Jennifer Weiler, Senior Vice President of Network Relations at First Tee Headquarters. “We are focused on the future and how we can continue to thoughtfully create opportunities to enrich our impact and reach more youth, especially from underserved and underrepresented communities, throughout Minnesota.”
First Tee enables kids and teens to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges, by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills for kids who might not otherwise have exposure to golf and the life lessons learned through the game. First Tee provides active learning experiences that develop inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry into everything they set out to accomplish. For more, visit firstteeminnesota.org.
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By Sara Wright, PGA TOUR
Henry Mentzel was just seven years old when he was first introduced to First Tee. His parents had been searching for some basic golf lessons for their son and stumbled across First Tee — Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Little did they know, this program would end up providing so much more. First Tee would be one of the most influential programs in young Henry’s life and would prove a catalyst for his personal growth throughout the years.
“I have been active in multiple sports throughout my childhood,” Henry explained. “I played soccer, basketball, baseball, just trying to figure out which I enjoyed the most. First Tee introduced golf in a way that allowed me to learn how to play the game, but also taught me life skills that I was able to apply across many areas of my young life. In the end, golf is the sport I enjoy the most.”
Henry is currently at the Eagle level, but it was during his time in the PAR level that he learned a valuable lesson on perseverance and how to succeed in golf by continuing through bad breaks and his own mistakes. This lesson also helped him in other aspects of his life.
“I applied the perseverance lesson in school, specifically, in Latin,” he said. “I struggled to understand the different parts of Latin grammar and the new vocabulary. My school required Latin, so I had to figure out how to persevere through three years of an unspoken language that did not make sense to me. I made a lot of vocabulary lists, agreed to get a tutor, and started staying after school for help nights. After applying myself, despite some not so great grades on assignments, I started making progress and now, in my third year, I have an A in the class.”
Not only do these lessons shape Henry’s life, but they have had a big part in shaping others’ lives, as well. Coached from early on by Tom and Melissa Briner, they not only helped him discover his love for the game of golf, but also gave Henry the opportunity to coach other young golfers at First Tee.
“Being able to introduce my friend Will Abel to the game of golf was very meaningful to me,” Henry reflected. “First Tee has given Will the opportunity to begin to learn the game of golf and me the opportunity to teach and play with him. I enjoy that we now both have another common interest that we enjoy doing together.”
This friendship between Will and Henry was one of the reasons he was recently awarded with the 2020 Heart of First Tee Award. This award given by First Tee — Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky recognizes individuals who embody the “Heart” of the First Tee through giving of time, talent or treasure; by demonstrating and living one of First Tee values; or by going above and beyond to promote or further their missions.
“We are all living in extraordinary and trying times that have tested all of us in ways we couldn’t even imagine nine months ago,” Rosie Abel wrote in her nomination of Henry. “Despite these challenges, Henry – acting upon the values of the First Tee – found a way to make a difference in our son’s life. My son, Will, who has Down Syndrome, is not unlike most sixteen-year-olds — very outgoing, social, and full of energy. But the pandemic has proven to be particularly frustrating for him especially when Ohio shut down in March. His sense of isolation grew as the effects of the pandemic spread.”
“When First Tee classes resumed in the summer, Henry continued to be that go-to person for Will,” Rosie continued. “He supports Will at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati’s Buddy Walk and even invited Will to play a round of golf with him, knowing that Will was not as experienced as himself. Will is not the only recipient of Henry’s friendship. Many coaches and staff have witnessed his kindness and refreshing take on life, feeling joy in other’s successes. We suspect there are many other people who have been touched by Henry and consider him to be on their “go-to team.”
Henry currently caddies, is a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and Books For Kids (a club where students write and illustrate a book imagined patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital) he also regularly volunteers with his family at a soup kitchen. During the summer, Henry volunteers in First Tee classes where he is a positive role model for the younger kids in the program.
“The core values the First Tee teaches are very important for kids and teens today,” Henry continued. “I really believe these core values build kids to be better, stronger, and smarter on and off the golf course each day. First Tee also teaches kids social and mental skills on how to interact and bring out the best in themselves and their teammates. First Tee teaches how to set specific goals and, more importantly, what it takes to achieve them. These essential skills help prepare kids for their future and provide tools for success.”
As Henry prepares for his future, one of his immediate goals is to place in the top 10 in one of the golf tournaments he plans to compete in this summer. He is also striving to achieve the A honor role during his freshman year at Walnut Hills High School. His long terms goals are to play college golf and get into medical school.
“First Tee has taught me that to achieve these goals I will need to be confident, honest, and persevere through challenges,” Henry added. “Through this program and the coaches who mentor me, I always feel that I can do whatever I set my mind to do. It has helped me understand that a bad day on the course (or in school or in life, in general) is just that – one bad day. Tomorrow is a fresh start.”