The Lowcountry Integrity Award!
Among other firsts … Colleton River receives the 2024 First Tee - The Lowcountry Integrity Award!
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On April 16, the First Tee – The Lowcountry celebrated its 10th Anniversary with over 200 friends, community leaders, and supporters at its annual Community Leadership Awards Banquet at the Sea Pines Country Club. Every year, the First Tee recognizes local individuals and organizations who emulate the 9 core values taught in all their programs and classes through the game of golf.
First Tee honors Colleton River Club with our first-ever award!
At the banquet, Colleton River was awarded the Integrity Award, for its commitment to the First Tee over the past 10 years. For instance, Colleton River partnered with the First Tee to set up a perpetual scholarship that allows kids who otherwise couldn’t afford to pay to participate in First Tee programs. Colleton River also hosted the annual First Tee Championship Golf Tournament and Fundraiser in 2018 and 2021 and will do so again on September 25, 2024. Additionally, the Colleton River Charitable Fund awarded a grant to fund the installation of a drainage system at the driving range at First Tee’s Hilton Head facility. So now students can always participate in programs and classes at its golf facility!
More firsts celebrated by our First Tee Chapter
- The Chapter launched it’s inaugural First Tee Post Secondary Education Scholarship, named in honor of Henry and Anne Bankhead, the parents of a First Tee National Trustee, Mr. John Bankhead. This award was made possible through significant donations from Mr. Bankhead, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Campbell, and the Tiscornia Foundation.
- The Lowcountry Chapter secured two trustee donors in Mr. John Bankhead and Mr. Rick Van Benschoten, both Palmetto Bluff residents.
How Colleton River Members are making a difference
You’ve heard the phrase it “takes a village” to come together and make a difference.
The First Tee is not exempt from this concept! Colleton members, Cathy Baldwin, Marty Brown, Michele D’Alessandro, Katherine Harvey, Jackie Lambe, Bill Spadafora, and Paul Zaffaroni, have volunteered their time to be team coaches and assist with First Tee classes, programs, and camps, held at our Hilton Head Facility or at local Golf Courses. All that is required is a love of children. The sessions are spearheaded by a Lead Coach who conducts each session incorporating one of the 9 core values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.
Also, Colleton River members have served as members of the Board of Directors including Paul Zaffaroni, Grace Chu, Jackie Lambe, and Lynn King. Our goal is to continue the First Tee mission of teaching essential life skills and values and building character and ‘game changers’ through the game of golf to all children in the Lowcountry. Our First Tee programs annually reach over 14,000 youths – done by partnering with 24 elementary schools, 8 local golf courses, and 23 non-profit organizations throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties. We are looking to partner with an existing golf facility in Bluffton so we can create a First Tee campus off Island to meet the growing needs.
There are many ways for more Colleton Members to get involved
Become a volunteer coach…between classes, camps, etc. held on the Island and in various Bluffton areas there are many opportunities that can fit your schedule. Donate an experience to our annual Auction (online and live) to be held on September 25 at Colleton’s Nicklaus Clubhouse. Donate monies for the Scholarship Program through our website. Donate gently used golf clubs, bags and clothing. Opportunities are available for various sponsorship levels in our Building Futures Fund. Help Build Game Changers! Visit FirstTeeLowcountry.org or contact Colleton River Members and current First Tee Board Members, Grace Chu, Jackie Lambe or Lynn King.