Macon nonprofit empowers local youth through golf. Group looks for coaches and volunteers

A local nonprofit is empowering area youth through the game of golf.

First Tee - Middle Georgia is the Macon Chapter of the youth development organization which enables kids to build strength of character through a lifetime of new challenges through lessons on the golf course.

Elliott Ruus, First Tee - Middle Georgia executive director, said by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, the organization creates active learning experiences that build values like inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry with them and apply to everything they do.

“We see golf as a metaphor for life. It’s not the score that counts, but the values you learn along the way,” he said. “Like in life, golf requires goal setting, working with others and digging deep when things get tough. Golf is the perfect practice ground for learning skills that go far beyond the fairways.”

Ruus said the members of the board created Macon Hope in late 2022 with the intention of obtaining chapter status with First Tee. He said with the support of the Peyton Anderson Foundation, along with The Community Foundation of Central Georgia and multiple others in the community, the dream of a Macon First Tee chapter became a reality this year.

Ruus added since then, the chapter has made significant strides to get the program underway.

“We are currently active in all three types of programs that we offer at First Tee. Our school program is in elementary schools and now middle schools,” he said. “Our community partnerships with Campus Clubs and Masonic Homes of Georgia - 100 Black Men of Macon have been active since the beginning of the year. We have since added Victory Church to our community partnership as well.”

The First Tee - Middle Georgia on-course program began in May with two introductory clinics. Summer classes and camps are currently underway at Bowden Golf Course.

Ruus said to develop intellectually and emotionally, young people need physical and emotional safety at home, at school and in the community. He said sports can be a valuable tool for improving children’s mental health by creating opportunities to learn life skills and build character.

“We believe that our program offers the children of Macon and Middle Georgia the skills to build confidence and strength to help them with whatever life throws at them,” he said.

What separates First Tee from other sports programs is that it is more focused on the life skills curriculum than the sport itself, according to Ruus. He said he believes the mission and purpose of First Tee is a great fit for the Macon community.

The First Tee - Middle Georgia on-course program consists of a six-week class for ages 7 to 18 held during the spring, summer and fall. The on-course fall program will begin in September, but registration opens in July.

On Aug. 9 the Jim Hickman Classic will be held at River Forest Golf Club. Ruus said all proceeds from the tournament benefit First Tee – Middle Georgia.

Ruus said Jim Hickman was a strong advocate for junior golf in Macon throughout his career and the organization is grateful to be partnered with the Jim Hickman Foundation.

First Tee - Middle Georgia is actively seeking coaches and volunteers for the program. Those interested can visit the Get Involved page of the First Tee - Middle Georgia website.

“What we stand for is helping today’s youth become better people. We want to give all kids, particularly our under-served, an opportunity to be exposed to the game of golf and the life skills that we teach within our curriculum,” Ruus said. “We greatly appreciate all the support and look forward to continuing to build game changers as we grow our program.”