Getting Juniors on the Golf Course

By Caramie Schnell

If you’re looking to sign your kids up for golf lessons but are worried about the cost, check out the valley’s First Tee program, sponsored by the Youth Foundation. First Tee is a nationwide program that started in the valley last year and is available to kids ages 6 - 18. Red Sky Ranch, Cotton Ranch, Eagle Ranch, Eagle-Vail and the Vail Golf Club offer the programs, which cost $60 for six sessions of golf.

Alice Plain, the director of golf at Vail Golf Club, brought the First Tee program to Vail Golf Club this year. “(First Tee) provides kids a lot of opportunity to develop life skills through golf.We incorporate teachings of the importance of honesty, integrity, good sportsmanship, and the way we set it up, it’s fun for the kids so they don’t realize exactly what they’re learning.”

For information about First Tee and a summer schedule, check out www.theyouthfoundation.org or call (970) 763-7000.