Junior Golf and Core Values

"They” say that change is good. Golf has significantly changed from the original game conceptualized
so long ago in Scotland. But not all change is necessarily good. My golf game hasn't really changed much in 30 years. The equipment's all new, but the equipment's operator is getting older. No, it's the integrity of the game in some of our young golfers that has taken a turn for the worse. These are golfers who don't understand, or haven't been educated, about the tradition and “honor” that golfer's share world wide. These youngsters are feeling so much pressure from their parents to win that they will cheat by “shaving” points off their score to gain an advantage. Where's the integrity?
Golf is supposed to be a game of honor. According to the First Tee of Sacramento, the nine core values golf teaches us are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. As a high school golf coach who believes in these values, you can imagine my horror as I watched a junior golfer knowingly cheat - showing a total lack of respect for the game and themselves, with the blessing of their own coach (who knew what was happening), I could only shake my head and ask myself “What is this world coming to?”
After facing that challenging situation I considered switching to tennis. But something inside of me said that it couldn't be the new direction of golf. In searching to console myself, I followed some young members of the First Tee program of Sacramento which demonstrated to me that at least their junior golfers were being taught not only the fundamentals of golf and tournament play, but promoting the character development of these values in association with golf. To convince myself that this program was working, I found two junior golfers from the First Tee program and spent a little time getting to know both of them. What I discovered not only renewed my faith that the game of golf still connects us with positive values, but it amazed me that the potential is so great.
Sacramento-area golfer, 14-year old Ashley Noda, took up golf when she was two by using a baseball and bat as her equipment. Her father, Doug Noda, after watching her do this time and again, had some clubs customized to fit her. Ashley grew to love golf so much that she would insist on hitting golf balls until her hands would blister and she could no longer swing a club. Ashley's mother, Alicia, thought her interest in the sport was a good way keep her busy and allow Ashley to spend time with her father. Something every parent desires.
But Ashley's parents noticed something more. Ashley was calm, disciplined, and patient with golf. She was certainly dedicated - practicing at the driving range whenever her parents would take her. Ashley became a part of the First Tee program of Greater Sacramento. Through the clinics and events the First Tee sponsored, she was taught about the nine “core values” of the program. As I watched Ashley play in a First Tee tournament recently at Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course, it was apparent to me that she understood these core values and used them as a part of both her golf game and her daily life.
Ashley had previously told me that she loved all shots and situations. She approaches the game one shot at a time, doesn't concentrate on the past or the future, and just dedicates herself to the task at hand. As I watched her play each shot, it was obvious to me that she loves the game. She makes wise club selection choices (she switched her club 3 times on one shot before ultimately deciding to play the higher percentage shot). Faced with adversity, she held her composure and stood emotionless if she didn't meet her goal - she “got over it” on the next hole where she rebounded. On the course, Ashley was respectful to the other players and honest in her score keeping. When I discussed these observations
with her father, he commented that Ashley is a good student and displays these same traits at home
She is working on her short game 80% of the time - something that most golfers (at any age) neglect to do. In addition to her strict golf regimen, Ashley has a fitness program she follows that stresses core training. Her long-term goal is to someday be a member of the LPGA. Good luck to you, Ashley. I look forward to seeing you “inside the ropes”!
Another young junior golfer I had the privilege of meeting recently was Nick Schafer, of Rocklin. Nick impressed me from the start - when he walked up to me in the middle of a tournament and introduced himself and shook my hand. Talk about a junior golfer with his act together!
After the tournament, I sat down and talked with Nick about what he thinks it takes to be a great golfer. It isn't often you talk to a golfer, and I mean any golfer, that knows as much about the game as Nick. Some of the things he has already incorporated into to his daily schedule include:
Nutrition: Nick understands the value of staying hydrated and eating on the course to sustain the energy level to perform at a high level.
Mental Toughness: He has utilized a mental and swing coach. He practices everyday, if possible, unless he is playing in a tournament. Nick talked about preshot, shot, and post shot routines. Again impressive because you don't have too many golfers telling you that they have a post shot routine.
Visualization: Nick visualizes the shot afterwards and thinks about staying in a relaxed state of mind and anchors that shot with positive thoughts. What does Nick like? He likes to hear the ball go in the hole. When asked if he has a routine when waiting on a shot? He responded that he bounces the ball in his glove as he waits. But, when it is time to hit his ball, he re-focuses. He tries not to let outside influences such as school, social life, or homework, enter his mind while playing golf.
Nick's parents, Jackie and Tom Schafer, started him in “Little Linkers”, an introductory division of the First Tee program, at the age of 3. They are proud to state that Nick is a complete product of the First Tee of Greater Sacramento. He understands and follows the core values and is an ambassador of the program. Nick has also had numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of the program. He says that the opportunities have been amazing because of what he has learned and through that association.
When I asked him if he liked being a “good kid”, his answer was immediately, “Yes, because it allows me the opportunities that I have been given and the exceptional experiences through golf that I have had.”
Subsequent to my meeting Nick, emailed me the following letter:

Good things happen to good people was the message I sent to Mr. Greg Kraft congratulating him on his great win at the Puerto Rico Open last weekend. I met Mr. Kraft at the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2006 and
had the good fortune to be paired with him during the Monday Pro-Am. It was the first time I had experienced a PGA event and I was thrilled to be playing, thanks to a generous contribution made by the E. L. Cord Foundation who sponsored 40 junior members of The First Tee.
Mr. Kraft was great to be with from the beginning and took extra time with each of us (4 junior golfers) showing us tips for the different shots we were faced with. Although it was probably my imagination, he seemed to be especially generous of his time with me and very supportive. He even understood my desire to get as much distance as I could being only 4'10” tall and 80 lbs. and admired my “power draw”. I think he sensed my passion for the game…but that's not the great part of the story.
It started on the 16th hole when my approach shot flew just right of the green and landed in the greenside bunker with a next to impossible lie. As I was taking my practice shot, Mr. Kraft said, “Nick, if you can get up and down on this hole, I'll get you a new Scotty Cameron putter with your initials on it.” Although I have found myself in these pressure situations before, my bunker shot landed 6 feet above the hole and I lipped out the putt with the ball stopping just inches from the hole. After tapping in the putt, Mr. Kraft walked up to shake my hand and said, “Maybe next time.”
It was an experience I will never forget…but that's not how the story ends. Last year, I had the good fortune to play in the Reno-Tahoe Open Monday Pro-Am again. I looked for Mr. Kraft's name on the list of PGA players who were scheduled to participate but it wasn't there. Before the round started, I hit a few balls on the range and headed over to the putting green to practice. It was then that someone's shadow came over my putt and a hand reaches out for me to shake. “Nick Schafer how is your power draw?” I couldn't believe it, not only did Mr. Kraft remember me; he remembered my first and last name (and my power draw). We didn't have too much time to talk as he was paired with 4 amateurs, but it still meant a lot to me that he made the effort to seek me out and it gave me another chance to thank him again for the experience of playing with him. It was great!
Two months later, I received a package in the mail. Without even a mention of the challenge I lost over a year ago, Mr. Kraft sent me the most beautiful putter you have ever seen with my initials on it. I am still blown away. I mean, who would do that?!? I have been a member of The First Tee for 10 years and have learned many important life skills and core values. Mr. Kraft embodies so many of the things I have learned and will always be an inspiration to me. I am so happy for Mr. Kraft and his win at the Puerto Rico Open. After playing in 379 tour events, he finally won his first official PGA tournament. Now that's perseverance. Good things do happen to good people.”

Nick Schafer
The First Tee of Greater Sacramento
Age 15, Rocklin, CA

Both Nick and Ashley have restored my faith in the game of golf. These youngsters, and others like them, who appreciate all the lessons and values that can be learned will keep the integrity of the game alive. They are the next generation's stewards of the game. Thank you to the First Tee of Greater Sacramento and all the other fine golf programs that teach the integrity. Nick and Ashley, you both are not only fine golfers but good people. Congratulations.