The First Tee Miami-Dade Amateur Golf Association

2003 Programs & Activities

Miami Big Brothers & Big Sisters (DAGA Grant)
Lunch and beverage was provided each day for the athletes and sponsors.
DATE: Saturday January 18th, 2003
The City of Miami International Links Melreese Golf Course, Dade Amateur Golf Association, and The First Tee of Miami hosted the local chapter of Big Brothers & Big Sisters, which includes 20 boys and girls and their 20 Big Brothers and Big Sisters. They were instructed in various golf and life skills followed by a luncheon provided by The City of Miami International Links Melreese Golf Course, Dade Amateur Golf Association The First Tee of Miami.

Miami-Dade Schools Sports Program For Disabled (DAGA Grant)
Lunch and beverage was provided each day for the athletes and coaches.
DATES: Wednesday’s January 22 and 29, 2003 9:30am-12:00 noon
February 5, 19, and 26
March 5, 19 & 26
The Miami-Dade Schools Sports Program For Disabled event was an 8-week program involving 100 to 110 students. Individuals were instructed in 6 events, which include woods, irons, pitching, chipping, & putting. Many of the students are either wheelchair bound or hearing impaired, which requires special training. Specials putters are designed for the wheelchair bound students to enable them to compete. An exhibition by Dennis Walters, a golf professional paralyzed from the waste down, gave the kids a great time and was inspiring for them. On the last day there was a competition held in different divisions, awarding medals to all.
At the conclusion of the program participants graduated and received a free set of golf clubs and will be invited back to continue their life skills in golf education. A total of 62 sets of clubs were given away.

Individual Skills Competition
Event Layout and Descriptions

Event 1- Short Putt
Description
A target hole is selected and two circles are placed around the hole. The first circle shall have a radius of .5m and the second shall have a radius of 1.5m from the hole.
The athlete will have five attempts from a clearly marked spot 2m from the hole. The short putt should be set up on a green with as flat a surface as possible.
Scoring
The athlete will have five attempts to putt the ball at the hole from a line 2m from the hole, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest. The athlete will score one point for making a stroke at and striking the ball. ( A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and the athlete receives a score of zero.)
A second point is scored if the ball stops on or within the 1.5m circle. A third point is scored if the ball stops on or within the .5m circle. If the ball goes in the hole, a total of four points will be awarded for that attempt. The short putt score shall be the sum total from the five attempts.

Event 2- Long Putt
Description
A target hole is selected and two circles are placed around the hole. The first circle shall have a radius of .5m and the second shall have a radius of 1.5m from the hole. The athlete will have five attempts from a marked spot, 8m from the hole. The long putt should be set up on a green with as flat a surface as possible. Note: Putting uphill is recommended.
Scoring
The athlete will have five attempts to putt the ball at the hole from a spot 8m from the hole, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest. The athlete will score one point for making a stroke at, and striking the ball. (A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and receives a score of zero.) A second point is scored if the ball stops on or within the 1.5m circle. A third point is scored if the ball stops on or within the .5m circle. If the ball goes in the hole, a total of four points will be awarded for that attempt. The long putt shall be the sum total from the five attempts.

Event 3-Chip Shot
Description
A chipping area is set up which includes a 3m by 3m square hitting area 14m from the hole. The chipping area should be between 3m and 4m from the edge of the green. A 3m-radius circle and a 6m-radius circle will be placed around the hole.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest.
Athletes will score one point for making a stroke at and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one shot and the athlete receives a zero score for that shot.
A second point is scored if the ball comes to rest on or within the 6m circle around the hole. A third point is scored if the ball comes to rest on or within the 3m circle around the hole. A fourth point is scored if the chip shot comes to rest in the hole. A total score from the five attempts will be the athlete’s score for the chip shot.

Event 4- Pitch Shot
Description
A target area shall be defined as a circle with a 12m diameter. The distance from the hitting area to a 1m high, 5m wide barrier shall be 5m. The distance from the 1m high barrier to the target shall be 5m. The athlete shall make five attempts. The athlete is instructed to pitch the ball over the barrier at the designated target area.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball lands. Athletes will score one point for making a stroke at and striking the ball. A swing and miss counts as an attempt and the athlete receives a zero score for that shot. A second point is scored if the ball goes over the barrier and between the uptight poles. A third point is scored if the ball lands within the 12m circle and rolls out, or, if the ball lands outside the 12m circle and comes to rest inside the circle. A fourth point is scored if the ball lands inside the 12m circle and comes to rest inside the circle. The pitch shot score shall be the sum total from the five attempts.

Event 5- Iron Shot
Description
The athlete may choose to hit the ball off a tee, a mat, or the ground. The athlete is instructed to hit the ball from the teeing area, a 3m by 3m square, toward a designated flag in the hitting area trying to keep the ball within the boundary markers and achieving a distance of more than 90m.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest.
Athletes will score one point for making a stroke and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and the athletes receive a zero score for that shot. Two points are scored if the ball comes to rest between a 30m and 60m line and within the 35m boundary lines. Three points are scored if the ball comes to rest between the 60m line and a 90m line within the 35m boundary lines. Four points are scored for a ball that comes to rest beyond the 90m line within the 35m boundary lines. The athletes score shall be the sum total of the five attempts.

Event 6- Wood Shot
Description
The athlete may hit the ball off a tee, a mat or the ground. The athlete is instructed to hit the ball from the teeing area, a3m by 3m square, toward a designated flag in the hitting area trying to keep the ball within the boundary markers and achieving a distance of more than 120m.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest. Athletes will score one point for making a stroke and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and the athlete receives a zero score for that shot. Two points are scored for a ball that comes to rest between a 60m and 90m line and within the 50m wide boundary lines. Three points are scored for a ball that comes to rest between the 90m line and a 120m line within the 50m boundary lines. Four points are scored for a ball that comes to rest beyond the 120m line and between the 50m boundary lines. The athletes score for the wood shot shall be the sum total of the five attempts.

The Golf Channel-Drive, Chip, & Putt Competition
BBQ lunch and beverage was provided to the athletes and coaches.
DATE: Sunday February 9, 2003 1:00pm-4: 30pm
The Golf Channel and their local affiliates promoted this event involving 200 competitors, whom competed in three activities including: driving, chipping, and putting. The competitors were divided into 3 age groups: 7-8, 9-10, & 11-12 with the winners of each age group advancing to the regional championship. The first place winners in each age group from the regional championships will advance to the national championships held in November.
There will be nation wide television coverage on The Golf Channel nightly news show Golf Central.

Multicultural Golf Association of America
USA Network
PGA Tour, Doral Ford Championship Youth Golf Program
Including:
Aspira of Florida, 100 Black Men Inc., YMCA of Greater Miami, Overtown Youth Group, and the City of Lauderhill Group
Lunch and beverage was provided each day for the athletes and coaches.

DATES: 5 days per week, for 5 weeks
Monday-Friday Week 1 February 24–28 4:00pm until 5:30 p.m.

Week 1: MGAA Empowerment Introduction
DEMONSTRATE USE OF CLUBS:
9-iron, 7-iron, 5-iron, 3 -iron, 3-wood, driver
and demonstrate curve shots-7-iron fade, 7-iron draw
PRE-SWING PRINCIPLES:
Grip, Stance, Posture, Ball Position, Concentration
Description of golf clubs, Same swing for all clubs,
Position of club on the ground, Tee explanation, Swing
motion
INSTRUCTORS;
Demonstrate grip, Fit students with club, Stance
Etiquette of Golf, “Do’s and Don’ts, Safety
STUDENTS:
Students on mats or station, Grip, Stance, Kids hit balls to
get the feel of the swing
RECAP:
Talk about what they experienced in their first clinic by
Inter-acting with students

Week 2 March 3–7
Week Two: Golf Terminology
Begin with etiquette of golf – Do’s and Don’ts
Review introduction of 1st lesson
TODAY’S INSTRUCTION:
Address Position/Stance
Grip: Hands opposing each other/Right hand faces target
Grip Pressure/club in fingers
Set up body stance: toes, knees, hips, and shoulder all run
Parallel to lines on the ground (use club on ground)
Ball Position: 3 to 4 ball lengths from left hill
Exercise – stand up straight position
Feet shoulder-width Weight even (balls of feet)
Flex knees Fold arms against chest/rotate
Club on chest (Rotate upper body back and forth)
Club behind arms (Rotate upper body back and
Forth)
Students at stations hitting balls, instructor assisting
SUMMARY: Tell students to think about the fundamentals
For next weeks lesson

Week 3 March 10–14
Week Three: Golf Course Maintenance
BACKSWING
Begin stance, posture, grip, alignment, head-up, bottom-
back, balance
Review exercise A+B+C
Arm and hand swing with rocking footwork
Club on chest (Feel weight on back foot)
Club behind arms (Feel weight on back foot)
Club on chest hand grip both ends (New)
Introduce swish drill: Left side conscious sense of timing/
Feel. Demonstrate one-piece take-away.
First eighteen inches of take-away
Clock
Full back swing
Exercise performed by students
Repeat swish drill
First eighteen inches of take-away
Full back swing
CONCEPT OF SWING
Left arm and shoulder, hip continuous swing motion together with rotary motion of body for overall back swing movement to produce necessary coil back swing position. Continuous motion will simply pull the left shoulder around on equal plane
Hit balls/Alternate dry swing for each ball swing

Week 4 March 17–21
Week Four: Job Opportunities in the Golf Industry
FORWARD SWING MOTION/FOLLOW THROUGH
SWING THE CLUB, STRIKE THE BALL
Review stance, posture, grip, alignment, balance
Review exercises A+B+C
Review One-piece take-away
Rotary motion gravity swing
Top of back swing motion
Weight shift to left side
Plant left heel, left hip will turn out an away
clearing path for the release
Extend through ball to finish
Swing club to position behind head on follow
Through (Same as backswing)
Finish facing target up on right toe

Week 5 March 24 – 28
Week Five: Graduation

MGAA Golf Challenge
Mini set of clubs
Certificates

This was a multicultural event lasting 5 weeks. This program involved 60 different participants each day of the week. This program included: learning to play golf, golf terminology, golf course operation, life skills, and opportunities in the golf industry. On Tuesday March 4th all 300 participants were invited to the Doral Golf Resort and Spa during the Doral Ford Championship week featuring an exhibition by PGA Touring Pro’s and refreshments. At the conclusion of the 5-week course all 300 participants received a free set of golf clubs and will be invited back to continue their life skills in golf education.
A total of 300 sets of clubs were given away.

Miami Mega-City Special Olympics (DAGA GRANT)
Lunch will be provided each day for the athletes and coaches.
DATES:
Wednesdays 9:30am-12:00 noon
April 16
April 23
April 30
May 7
May 14
May 21
Special Olympians will be trained in golf skills in preparation for the state qualifying. There will be 120 athletes involved in 6 different events in which the athletes will be trained for 4 weeks. Each group will spend approximately thirty minutes of practice on each event the first 3 weeks. The fourth week will be scored to divide athletes into heats. The final 2 days will be a competition with the winners of each division advancing to the state championships.
There is also a coaches training session held the first 2 weeks, which will certify the coaches in Special Olympics training.

Individual Skills Competition
Event Layout and Descriptions

Event 1- Short Putt
Description
A target hole is selected and two circles are placed around the hole. The first circle shall have a radius of .5m and the second shall have a radius of 1.5m from the hole.
The athlete will have five attempts from a clearly marked spot 2m from the hole. The short putt should be set up on a green with as flat a surface as possible.
Scoring
The athlete will have five attempts to putt the ball at the hole from a line 2m from the hole, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest. The athlete will score one point for making a stroke at and striking the ball. ( A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and the athlete receives a score of zero.)
A second point is scored if the ball stops on or within the 1.5m circle. A third point is scored if the ball stops on or within the .5m circle. If the ball goes in the hole, a total of four points will be awarded for that attempt. The short putt score shall be the sum total from the five attempts.

Event 2- Long Putt
Description
A target hole is selected and two circles are placed around the hole. The first circle shall have a radius of .5m and the second shall have a radius of 1.5m from the hole. The athlete will have five attempts from a marked spot, 8m from the hole. The long putt should be set up on a green with as flat a surface as possible. Note: Putting uphill is recommended.
Scoring
The athlete will have five attempts to putt the ball at the hole from a spot 8m from the hole, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest. The athlete will score one point for making a stroke at, and striking the ball. (A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and receives a score of zero.) A second point is scored if the ball stops on or within the 1.5m circle. A third point is scored if the ball stops on or within the .5m circle. If the ball goes in the hole, a total of four points will be awarded for that attempt. The long putt shall be the sum total from the five attempts.

Event 3-Chip Shot
Description
A chipping area is set up which includes a 3m by 3m square hitting area 14m from the hole. The chipping area should be between 3m and 4m from the edge of the green. A 3m-radius circle and a 6m-radius circle will be placed around the hole.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest.
Athletes will score one point for making a stroke at and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one shot and the athlete receives a zero score for that shot.
A second point is scored if the ball comes to rest on or within the 6m circle around the hole. A third point is scored if the ball comes to rest on or within the 3m circle around the hole. A fourth point is scored if the chip shot comes to rest in the hole. A total score from the five attempts will be the athlete’s score for the chip shot.

Event 4- Pitch Shot
Description
A target area shall be defined as a circle with a 12m diameter. The distance from the hitting area to a 1m high, 5m wide barrier shall be 5m. The distance from the 1m high barrier to the target shall be 5m. The athlete shall make five attempts. The athlete is instructed to pitch the ball over the barrier at the designated target area.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball lands. Athletes will score one point for making a stroke at and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as an attempt and the athlete receives a zero score for that shot. A second point is scored if the ball goes over the barrier and between the uptight poles. A third point is scored if the ball lands within the 12m circle and rolls out, or, if the ball lands outside the 12m circle and comes to rest inside the circle. A fourth point is scored if the ball lands inside the 12m circle and comes to rest inside the circle. The pitch shot score shall be the sum total from the five attempts.

Event 5- Iron Shot
Description
The athlete may choose to hit the ball off a tee, a mat, or the ground. The athlete is instructed to hit the ball from the teeing area, a 3m by 3m square, toward a designated flag in the hitting area trying to keep the ball within the boundary markers and achieving a distance of more than 90m.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest.
Athletes will score one point for making a stroke and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and the athletes receive a zero score for that shot. Two points are scored if the ball comes to rest between a 30m and 60m line and within the 35m boundary lines. Three points are scored if the ball comes to rest between the 60m line and a 90m line within the 35m boundary lines. Four points are scored for a ball that comes to rest beyond the 90m line within the 35m boundary lines. The athletes score shall be the sum total of the five attempts.

Event 6- Wood Shot
Description
The athlete may hit the ball off a tee, a mat or the ground. The athlete is instructed to hit the ball from the teeing area, a3m by 3m square, toward a designated flag in the hitting area trying to keep the ball within the boundary markers and achieving a distance of more than 120m.
Scoring
The athlete will attempt five shots at the target, scoring points according to where the ball comes to rest. Athletes will score one point for making a stroke and striking the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one attempt and the athlete receives a zero score for that shot. Two points are scored for a ball that comes to rest between a 60m and 90m line and within the 50m wide boundary lines. Three points are scored for a ball that comes to rest between the 90m line and a 120m line within the 50m boundary lines. Four points are scored for a ball that comes to rest beyond the 120m line and between the 50m boundary lines. The athletes score for the wood shot shall be the sum total of the five attempts.

Miami-Dade Schools Athletic Foundation Middle Schools (USGA Grant)
Lunch and beverage will be provided each day for the athletes and coaches.
DATE: Thursday April 16, 2003
Accommodating 130 student athletes from the Miami-Dade Athletic Foundation Middle School Clinic. They received 5 hours of instructions by highly qualified professional golfers. A demonstration was given by Executive Director Charles DeLucca explaining the difference in each golf club and their specific uses. The students were divided into advanced and beginner groups with instruction given in: putting, chipping, pitching, and iron play. The following schools participated in this event: Ammons Middle School, Arvida M.S., Doolin M.S., Doral M.S., Madison M.S., Mays M.S., Palmetto M.S., Rockway M.S., and Southwood M.S. A total of 20 sets of clubs, 35 individual clubs along with 300 golf balls were given away.

The Joe Roach Foundation
Weekly golf clinics on Sundays 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Year Round for Ages 18 and Under). Students learn the fundamentals of the game as well as etiquette, life skills and also playing skills on the course. 20-30 participants each week. Hosted by Paula Tucker, Clarence Jones.

The First Tee of Miami/Dade Amateur Golf Association
Weekly golf instruction on Saturdays from 1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. (Ages 18 and Under) All aspects of the game are taught to include life skills. 10-20 participants per week. For further information, contact Charlie Pifer at (305) 633-4583. Given by Jay Cooper.

Dade Schools Athletic Foundation (USGA Grant)
Weekly clinics on Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. for 6 weeks with Madison Middle School students. 8-12 participants each week. Hosted by Paula Tucker. For further information, contact Charlie Pifer at (305) 633-4583.

Hialeah Senior and Miami Senior High Schools
The First Tee of Miami donated 4 sets of golf clubs to each high school. Sets included a bag, three woods and 9 irons.

The First Tee of Miami/Dade Amateur Golf Association Summer Program
Lunch and beverage will be provided each day for the athletes.
This is a series of tournaments open to ALL junior golfers (18 and under) not attending college or junior college, regardless of ability. Play is in 7 different flights, ranging from beginners (5 holes; 150 yard markers) to Championship level players (18 holes; championship tees). Winner and runner-up trophies will be awarded in each flight, each week. For further information contact Charlie Pifer at (305) 633-4583.

The following is a weekly update of the DAGA tournaments played as of:
Sunday, May 18, 2003 – International Links Miami – 30 players participated with 3 scholarship players.


First Tee Miami/Dade Amateur Golf Association/OIJGA
In conjunction with First Tee Miami and OIJGA qualifier 30 players finished in the first First Tee Miami /DAGA kick-off junior golf tournament. In addition to the 30 players, 41 Joe Roach Foundation Clinic (players, coaches, and spectators) were invited to the dinner sponsored by OIJGA.

A total of 13 DAGA players qualified for the Optimist International to be held at PGA National Resort in West Palm Beach, FL. The OIJGA qualifiers were as follows:
Ryan Lefevre, Galen Aldrich, Jarvin Harris, Ryan Dupont, Carlos Velez, James Field, Brent Blaum, Alex Vara, Seth Mchanon, Daniel Candon, Ricardo Escobar, Mike Buttacavoli and Jessica Wilcox.


Sunday, June 8, 2003 - International Links Miami – Family Day with parents and kids paired as partnesr. 65 players participated with 17 scholarship players.

Monday, June 16, 2003 –Miami Springs Country Club - 43 players participated with 6 scholarship players.

Monday, June 23, 2003-International Links Miami – 49 players participated with 6 scholarships and 6 from the golf camp.

Monday, June 30, 2003 – International Links Miami - 42 players participated with 13 scholarship players and 4 from the golf camp.

Monday, July 7, 2003 – Miccosukee C.C. 50 players participated with 14 scholarships

Monday, July 14, 2003 – Normandy Shores C.C. – 51 players participated with 18 scholarships

Monday, June 16, 2003 First Tee of Miami/DAGA/International Links Miami Summer Camp
Lunch and beverage will be provided each day for the athletes.
This is weekly golf camp designed to instruct students in all aspects of the game to include: playing on the golf course. Students will begin with golf related exercises, have professional instructions, and learn about the rules and etiquette of the game as well as life skills and core values of The First Tee. An optional round of golf will follow the camp.
Week #1
June 16, 2003 - June 20, 2003 a total of 20 paid players participated with 5 DAGA scholarship players.
Week #2
June 23, 2003 – June 27, 2003 a total of 26 paid players participated with 12 DAGA scholarship players.
Week #3
July 8, 2003 - July 11, 2003 a total of 18 paid players participated with DAGA scholarship players.
Week #4
July 15, 2003 - July 18, 2003 a total of 22 paid players participated with 13 DAGA scholarship players including 11 players from the Police Athletic League
Week #5.
July 29, 2003 - August 1, 2003 a total of 14 paid players participated with 3 DAGA scholarship players.

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Miami
June 19, 2003 - The First Tee of Miami donated 24 sets of golf clubs including 8 irons, two woods and a putter and a bag.

Florida State Golf Association Junior Team Championship
Two teams from the First Tee of Miami/DAGA competed in the second annual championship, hosted by the FSGA at Walt Disney World. This year the event was held at the Lake Buena Vista Resort. Both teams were won and the Boys 12-14 team defended the title won in 2002.

The First Tee of Miami/The First Tee of Lauderhill
The First Tee of Miami and International Links Miami hosted The First Tee of Lauderhill for a clinic on July 30, 2003, and August 6, 2003 given by Paula Tucker and David Reece. 45 students participated even though the endeavor was cut short by lightning and rain on July 30. 70 students participated on August 6.

The First Tee of Miami/Dade Amateur Golf Association
Doral Publix Junior Classic
Lunch and beverage will be provided each day for the athletes.
This is an international event with over 550 participants from approximately 40 different states and approximately 35 foreign countries. The ages range from four to eighteen years old. Participants are selected according to grade point average and handicap. The participants will compete at the Doral Golf and Resort and Spa and will be invited to a banquet following the second round of play. There will be a free clinic given on the driving range by the Jim McLean Golf School after the practice round. Past winners and participants have gone on to have successful college careers with several progressing to the PGA tour, LPGA tour, Nationwide tour, Golden Bear Tour and other mini-tours.