Wichita public schools take a swing at golf with First Tee program

Calls of “I’m swinging!” echoed across the gymnasium of Northeast Magnet High School on Wednesday as physical education teachers from the Wichita school district smacked golf balls across the shiny floors.

“Broadcasting” their intention to swing was the second element of instructor Lana Peterson’s “ABCs” of entrusting elementary school kids with golf clubs. Peterson was training the teachers on a golf curriculum that the First Tee of Greater Wichita is bringing to 27 elementary schools in USD 259 this school year.

First Tee is a national youth development organization that introduces golf and accompanying values to kids through school, summer and after-school programs. The Wichita chapter incorporated in May.

In its first four months, it ran a just-concluded nine-week summer outdoor program and is sponsoring the organization’s national school program in Wichita.

Wednesday’s training was one part of the school program, which also includes a curriculum focused on character, health education and golf skills as well as a full set of golf equipment. The First Tee of Greater Wichita purchased 14 equipment sets – which include age-appropriate balls, clubs and tees – for the 27 schools to share.

During the four-hour training, Peterson walked the teachers through lesson plans, having them practice the exercises and activities they teach to students this fall. As they practiced tossing and putting balls at various targets, she talked to them about respect, calling out respectful behaviors she observed among the teachers like offering encouragement, giving high-fives and helping each other.

Nancy Compton, executive director of the Wichita chapter, estimated the school program will reach 10,800 students in Wichita this school year. She highlighted the program’s nine core values – which include respect, honesty and confidence – and its nine healthy habits as key building blocks to steer children away from childhood obesity and combat high school dropout rates.

Peterson, a retired P.E. teacher from Nebraska, has conducted First Tee training for 15 years. She said her favorite thing about the program is that it focuses on elementary school physical education.

“Most people think golf must be for high schoolers,” she said. “Elementary school is when character begins, when healthy habits begin – if you wait until high school, it’s an uphill battle.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Wichita public schools take a swing at golf with First Tee program."