FEATURE STORY
goal setting and volunteering.”
when I left school without my degree she stayed
coaching younger golfers. “To see the spark in
in contact with me in Alabama and encouraged
their eyes when they hit the ball in the hole is
75,000 youth, ages 5 to 18. In 2013 it served
me to get back in school. I returned to the U of
just beautiful,” says Marissa. Will she keep golfing
340 youngsters in spring, summer and fall
M in 2005. Dr. Lyons cried when I came back to
now that she’s in college? “There are blind
programming and another 15,000 through its
get my degree and she cried again in 2007 as I
people who play golf,” she laughs, “so I’m pretty
National School Program and other community
walked across the FedExForum stage.
sure I will.”
Since 1999, First Tee has served more than
outreach initiatives. Since 2012, participants
“Dr. Acey helped build me into the socially
have attended a number of national events,
responsible man I am today, always stretching
clinic, makes young people become “more
highlighted by Malik Luckett playing in the Nature
me to do more and be more, never giving up
coachable,” says Hawkins.
Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, Calif., and
on me. He held me accountable not only for
Andy Chung and Grant Hill attending the Life
my actions, but for the actions of everyone in
the ball to fall in the hole, but more distance
Skills and Leadership Academy.
my inner circle. Dr. Acey taught me that I am my
control – make it stop between two ropes that
brother’s keeper.”
have been laid out on the grass. Most of the first
While helping young people, The First Tee also benefits the community. “We are building
When Hawkins took over at The First Tee,
Teaching younger kids, as with the putting
The goal of today’s lesson is not to get
strikes overshoot the mark by a wide margin; by
the next generation of leaders for the city of
he set three goals: rebuild the programming
the third or fourth attempt most of the future
Memphis,” Hawkins explains. “We have one
into something kids would enjoy; take youth
Tiger Woods land the ball between the ropes. All
of the most diverse programs in Memphis.
to national First Tee events; and improve his
the while, the mentors pepper them with words
We bring youth together from all segments of
own golf game. “I’m happy to report we have
of encouragement.
Memphis society and walks of life and build
accomplished all three of them,” he says, “but
great youth leaders by teaching our nine healthy
my golf skills are needing more work.”
habits. We have a 100-percent high school graduation rate over the last three years.” Forty percent of First Tee youth get help with
One student learning to set his own goals
donated by individuals and corporations – are
people, and I like that we get to play other First
provided for those who need them. “We teach
Tee teams,” says Boris, who wears a crisp blue-
some of our upper-level kids to build clubs,”
and-white striped First Tee golf shirt. Myles Rivers, a senior at Ridgeway High
Three participants have been selected as
School, has been part of First Tee for 10 years.
First Tee Scholars at Cornell University, Lipscomb
“It’s helped me persevere and learn life skills,”
University and the University of Tennessee
he says. “If I didn’t have First Tee I’d probably be
Knoxville. In fact, Golf Digest has ranked
playing basketball and getting into trouble. They
Memphis as the top municipality for its positive
tie in life skills while you get experience. Life
impact on junior golfers.
gets frustrating at times, but you can’t hang onto
“The lifelong friends from Memphis State football
something negative.” Marissa Buford, 18, a freshman at Christian
have been an amazing part of my life. Living in
Brothers University, has been coming to First
South Hall, the old athletics dorm, helped me
Tee since she was 11. “It’s taught me respect
to grow into a man and build relationships with
for the world around us, for things and for our
athletes other than football players. We had
surroundings,” says the computer engineering
some major victories in football during my years
major, who earned $25,000 in scholarships.
– Alabama, USC and Florida to name a few.”
“Plus it keeps me calm and collected.” A bad
He credits Dr. Bonita Lyons and Dr. David
shot “is enough to break a golfer’s heart,”
Acey as important influences. “Dr. Lyons always
Marissa says, “but as long as you keep a clear
encouraged me to reach for the stars. Even
mind, you’ll make every shot better.” She enjoys
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competitive.” They are, they do, and they will be.
Colonial Middle School and a three-year veteran of First Tee. “I like that we get to meet new
Hawkins himself has been inspired by sports.
Most of them know: “Be safe. Have fun. Be
is Boris Combest, an 11-year-old who attends
paying their fees. Golf shoes, bags and clubs –
Hawkins adds.
“What are our three rules?” they’re asked.
Myles Rivers helps Nyia Hawkins line up a putt during a First Tee golf lesson in July.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
