First Tee – Tallahassee Partners with AcadeMe School to Provide Golf Activities

The greatest gift of the holiday season is providing new experiences for children that create opportunities for growth.

That’s the driving mission of First Tee – Tallahassee (First Tee). Their partnership with AcadeMe School, an alternative K-8 school serving children with special needs, is providing hands-on golf instruction for more than a dozen students.

“Students are challenged physically and mentally during their First Tee classes,” said Meredith Carroll, school founder.  “The combination of mind, body and whole person skills attained are essential to living a successful and independent life. Students are learning to adapt and overcome. ”Carroll said the students feel “safe, loved, seen and valued.”

“Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case for children with unique abilities participating in sports, which makes this partnership extremely impactful for all involved,” she said. “There’s nothing more heartwarming than watching students cheer one another along without being cognizant of physical and mental differences. First Tee has been a great equalizer and confidence booster.”

Nationally, the First Tee School Program serves students in more than 10,000 elementary schools. In the Big Bend, the Tallahassee chapter has positively impacted the lives or more than 4,000 students.

“The challenges and rewards of golf provide immeasurable growth opportunities for all children,” said John Stinchfield, program director of First Tee. “Thanks to special leaders like Meredith, our instructors and our volunteers, we are proud to see more students learning and growing.”

First Tee Golf and Life Skills Specialist Ian Kelley instructs the classes at AcadeMe.  Kelley is a Chiles High and Tallahassee Community College graduate who represented Team Florida in the Special Olympics in 2022 and brought home the gold medal in golf.

“Students with special needs are oftentimes spectators in life and not expected to reach high levels of achievement in their endeavors,” Carroll said. “AcadeMe and FTT know these children are capable of reaching high levels of success and the bar is purposely set high. Coach Ian is the perfect example of someone with unique abilities who’s accomplished goals many said were impossible. He’s an inspiration to the students on and off the course, and role model to everyone he encounters.”

This is the second program launched by First Tee tailored to golfers with special needs and abilities.  Classes are also held at Independence Landing a residential community for adults with intellectual and/or cognitive disabilities.  

Since 2022 First Tee – Tallahassee:

• Established our Life Skill/Golf Skill programming at three area golf courses: Southwood Golf Club and Jake Gaither Golf Course and Hilaman Golf Course. So far First Tee has offered more than 20 programing classes and golf activities since June of 2023.
• Partnered with Florida A&M University (FAMU) to run a golf summer camp on FAMU’s campus.
• Partnered with the City of Tallahassee to make the First Tee – Tallahassee a youth provider of services at their municipal courses.

• Trained more than 55 Leon County Elementary and Middle School PE teachers to bring the First Tee School Program to their campuses.
• Activated 13 area schools which are currently and actively using the First Tee School Program.  
• Established a mentoring after-school program at Sabal Palm Elementary by actively partnering with the Children’s Services Council of Leon County
• Established an LPGA *USGA Girls Golf program in our community with continuous events throughout the year.
• Established an LPGA *USGA Girls Golf Girls Golf First Tee – Tallahassee initiative called Girls Golf Locker to collect and donate golf attire to our participants.
• Established Special Needs Golf Programming classes at Independence Landing, an adult assisted living facility as well as at AcadeMe! an alternative school for children, grades K-8.

About First Tee – Tallahassee

First Tee — Tallahassee is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf.  You can learn more about our program by clicking here. Please follow us on Facebook by clicking here. 

First Tee School Program

In more than 10,000 elementary schools across the United States, many students are teeing off for the first time thanks to the First Tee School Program, bringing our curriculum to elementary school gyms during physical education class. Through safe, fun activities, elementary students are learning the basic skills of the lifelong sport of golf. By teaching elementary students about core values and healthy habits, we’re putting them on the course to a healthy and active lifestyle.