GOLF
The First Tee of Oakland Is Official

Outreach activities during Black History Month, February 23, at Lake Chabot Golf Course. Solari Jenkins, Life-Skills volunteer coaching students from Elmhurst middle school on putting and why patience is a skills used in golf and in life.

There is new hope in our community even during these tough economic times. Oakland is now an official chapter of a youth development program at three municipal golf facilities: Metropolitan, Lake Chabot and Montclair.

The First Tee of Oakland is a new chapter of the First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation. Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its Nine Core Values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment to more than 2.8 million youth in 48 states and four international locations: Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. Its mission is to provide learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values taught through the game of golf.

Sponsorship of the First Tee chapter of Oakland began through More Choices Inc. a community-based nonprofit agency. "We partnered with the city of Oakland's Parks and Recreation Department and CourseCo Golf Management Corporation to increase equity and access to golf," said Barbara Essig-Jenkins, executive director. "Our community leaders have helped guide us through the process to establish this chapter. Our aim is to help more kids become excellent citizens and perhaps someday become world-class golfers." Essig-Jenkins, a retired Oakland school administrator, received the Excellence in Education Award in 1996 from President Clinton for her achievements as the founding director of Holy Names University's Upward Bound program. Recently retiring as the partnership liaison with CSU East Bay's GEAR UP program, she has combined her passion as an educator with her passion for golf and now focuses on leading First Tee of Oakland.

Initially, First Tee of Oakland has invited 220 students from Edna Brewer, Elmhurst Community Prep, Alliance Academy, Cole and James Madison middle schools to participate. Additionally, 80 young people will participate from Oakland Parks and Recreation, Urban Services YMCA East Lake and East Oakland Youth Development Center.

"Oakland has an urgent need for after-school enrichment programs that motivate children to become more engaged in learning, to acquire a sense of self-worth that assists in character building and helps in learning critical life skills. There are hundreds of kids who can't play basketball, tennis, baseball or soccer, but golf is a lifelong sport that anyone can play. I'm an example; I played tennis for 20 years, and after knee surgery I could no longer play competitive tennis so my son introduced me to golf.

"Oakland has a unique tapestry of diverse cultures. We can increase access for minority junior golfers as a start, but adding more minorities and women throughout the sport, from the golf courses to the boardrooms to the networks, is equally important."

First Tee of Oakland has also partnered with Oakland's Turf Green Initiative, an education program to teach kids about course maintenance at Metropolitan Golf Links, the home course for First Tee of Oakland. Through First Tee of Oakland, access to future career options for Oakland youth will be increased.

The chapter anticipates serving 300 youth of all social strata during the first year of operation and will also serve young people with special needs. Carefully screened volunteers are being recruited to help as academic and golf coaches. "By supporting First Tee of Oakland, we can keep kids on course for success in school and in life," said Essig-Jenkins. "Our goal is to provide a safe environment for kids to learn and practice lifelong values and enjoy the sport of golf."

As a not-for-profit organization, First Tee of Oakland relies on donations and is seeking both individual and corporate donations to provide scholarships, equipment, uniforms, classroom furniture, transportation and instructional materials. Donations may be sent to Alta Alliance Bank in Oakland. For more information, contact the office at Lake Chabot Golf Course (510) 352-2002 or visit www.thefirstteeoakland.org.