The Board of Directors and Staff of The First Tee of Greater Charleston are pleased to welcome our newest member, Russell Playford.
Russ was Chief Risk Officer of Bank of the West from 2009 until his retirement in 2017. Prior to his role at Bank of the West, Russ held executive positions at banks in North America and has 20 years of banking experience in risk management, risk review, risk reporting, mid-market Special Assets, and various other leadership and management roles. He previously volunteered at The First Tee of San Francisco before recently moving to Charleston. Russ is a mentor to students at the Citadel Military Academy’s business school. He also currently serves as a member of the Finance Committee for The First Tee of Greater Charleston, and he and his wife, Louise, are volunteers with on-course programs and outreach events with our chapter. He is very enthusiastic about helping better the lives of young people in this area and is looking forward to becoming more involved with The First Tee of Greater Charleston.
Russ Playford, far left, playing in the 2017 Golf & Gala at The Ocean Course
To view a full list of The First Tee of Greater Charleston’s Board of Directors, please click here.
The First Tee of Greater Charleston has 800 participants who take part in on-course activities each year. We are so proud of all of our participants’ successes on and off the golf course, using our Nine Core Values in their everyday lives. Our coaches are constantly sharing great stories about our participants, and we are excited to start a “Participant Spotlight” on our blog where we will honor different participants who are striving to be better people and golfers at The First Tee.
Jude Sword developed his love of golf after his father took him to the driving range at the age of five. The 9-year-old 4th grader at the Montessori Community School was the first to arrive and the last to leave each week on The First Tee’s PGA Junior League team and Summer Interleague team. Whether it’s hitting balls on the range, putting on the practice green, or practicing for the Drive, Chip and Putt Challenge, Jude is focused on improving as a golfer.
Jude playing the 17th hole at Patriots Point
With a low score of 40 on nine holes, Jude is starting his fourth year with The First Tee of Greater Charleson and has advanced to the Par level. He has participated at three locations, including Shadowmoss, Patriots Point and Wescott Plantation. “I’ve enjoyed playing on some of the best courses in Charleston,” he said, “while having fun.”
Jude loves the challenge of getting the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible and spends a lot of time practicing his chipping in the backyard. In fact, his baby brother learned how to set up a ball with a tee and hit the ball from watching Jude.
Jude plays soccer and basketball, but golf holds a special place in his heart. While on a vacation last year, Jude wanted to get his picture taken at the headquarters of The First Tee in Florida. He has also started a golf ball collection and every time he plays a new golf course he gets a ball with the course logo on it.
Jude has decided to be a golf professional when he gets older. His favorite Core Value is Honesty and notes how important it is to put the correct score on the scorecard. “If you make a double bogey on a hole but write down a par,” he said, “that is being dishonest.” His coaches have taken notice of his positive attitude and work ethic.
Jude (far left) at his very first Target class in 2015
Meghan Taylor, The First Tee’s Program Director, said, ” As a 6-year old, Jude was a participant in the chapter’s first ever Target level class held back in the spring of 2015. Coaching that class, it was quickly evident to me how much he loved the game of golf from the start. Now, two and a half years later, Jude is a Par level student who embodies the core values of respect and confidence. He constantly encourages his fellow participants and spends as much time as he can on the golf course. Congratulations on your selection as participant of the month, Jude!”
“Jude is one of our up and coming stars on our program and on our Junior Interclub League team,” said PGA Junior League Coach Bucky. “He has amazing support from his family as he makes them routinely show up early and stay late after matches/classes so he can get additional practice in. He is very polite, well mannered and listens to his coaches. Jude works well in a team setting and shows sportsmanship and courtesy to his playing partners during individual matches. Jude won “Best Use of Protective Eye wear” on this year’s Junior League team as you will rarely find him not sporting a cool pair of sunglasses. I am really proud of Jude and look forward to watching him use our program to grow into a great golfer and person.”
Halloween is only one month away! While trick-or-treating can make for one of the best and most fun nights of the year, it is always important to be alert, especially when you’re out at night. The Nine Core Values and The Nine Healthy Habits that The First Tee of Greater Charleston instills in participants are not just made for golf instruction. Everything we teach kids can and should be used outside of golf: at home, at school, and even out in your neighborhood on Halloween night for those of you who will be trick-or-treating. Here are some ways to use our Core Values and Healthy Habits to make your night the best it can be:
Healthy Habit – Safety:
While Halloween is all about “scares,” safety doesn’t have to be one of them. Easy ways to stay safe on Halloween are: applying reflective tape to Halloween costumes and goody bags, carrying a flashlight while trick-or-treating, and only going to the houses of families you know.
Core Value – Respect:
At The First Tee we talk about three types of respect: for yourself, for others, and for your surroundings. You can respect yourself by not eating too much candy so you won’t get sick, or, if possible, walk while you trick-or-treat to get some exercise! Respect others on Halloween by always saying “thank you” and not participating in “tricks” that might hurt someone’s feelings. Finally, respect your surroundings by not littering or destroying property.
Healthy Habit – Friends:
Friends can make Halloween extra fun! Consider dressing up with a friend in coordinating costumes (salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard, or peanut butter and jelly) and go trick-or-treating together. You can even include the whole family with a full group of costumes: the cast of your favorite television show or movie or even a group of super heroes! By sticking with your friends, you will always have a buddy with whom to stay safe.
Core Value – Judgment:
Judgment on Halloween goes along with safety. Judgment is the ability to make a decision after thinking about all of the options. Using good judgment on Halloween means choosing safe streets to trick-or-treat on, wearing appropriately sized and comfortable clothes and shoes to prevent trips and falls, and even, after you trick-or-treat, making sure you do not eat too much candy!
Healthy Habit – Community:
Leave a good impression with your community by always remembering to be safe, respectful, use good judgment while having fun with your friends!
We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!
Through our new website’s blog, on the first of each month, we will be sharing a recap of all events that took place during the previous month at The First Tee of Greater Charleston! For information on future events and registrations, please make sure you are signed up for our e-newsletter.
Registration Opens for Spring Core Programming
Sign ups began on January 24th for the Spring Core Golf & Life Skills program across our seven locations. This spring, we will have 35 classes open to young people ages five through eighteen across the Lowcountry. So far, 200 kids have signed up, and some classes still have availability. To register for an open class or join a wait list, please visit our registration website.
Second Annual Winter Scavenger Hunt
Last Saturday, January 28th, we hosted our second annual family scavenger hunt at Wescott Plantation. Ten families joined for a fun, interactive race that combined golf skills, golf etiquette, and nature. Each group was tasked with collecting, photographing, answering, and golfing their way through a golf hole at Wescott. Congratulations to the Wilber family who came in first and the Carman family who placed second.
Ace Participants Thrive
In 2016, our first class of Ace-level participants completed their final project before sending in their hard work into The First Tee Home Office in Florida to be assessed. Three participants, Maya Timmons, Kyle Myers, and Grayson Henley, were awarded Ace Certified status for 2016, along with only 30 other participants from across the country. Additionally, two Eagle-level participants, Kharynton Beggs and Rye Tifft, successfully completed their Eagle certification last month to become our next class of Ace participants. They will work on projects based around their golf aspirations, resume-building, college applications, and volunteerism throughout 2017. To learn more about the Ace curriculum and see the full list of 2016 Ace-certified participants, please click here.
New additions to Patriots Point
New additions are coming to our classes at Patriots Point! Our largest location with 18 classes held each season, Patriots Point was TFTGC’s first program site in 2008. Since then, we have been so grateful to receive significant support from the ownership and management staff, with the creation of our own 3-hole golf course at the back of the range. Having our own space means that we can host programming almost any time of day, even when the golf course is very busy. This winter, we purchased a new storage container to hold all of our equipment, and Coach Wayne Nance and intern Sal Maggiacomo have been very busy outfitting it with organizational shelving and cleaning all of our equipment before the season begins. We are also very excited to announce the creation of a new putting green at the front of the Patriots Point driving range. Before and during class times, beginning this summer, the green will solely be for our participants so that we have even more space for programming. Thank you to The Carolinas GCSA, Simmons Irrigation Supply, New Life Turf, Murray Sand Company, and Patriots Point superintendent Alan Fitzpatrick, for all of your support and work on the 7,000 square foot project!
YAC 2017 Kickoff
Our Young Ambassadors Council started 2017 on a high-note with an oyster roast, hosted at Ghost Monkey Brewery in Mount Pleasant and sponsored by Strovis and Immedion. YAC members and guests were invited to a fun night filled with sipping, shucking, and great conversation. Thank you to all who attended and welcome to the 7 new members added that night, bringing the YAC membership up to 50 members! If you would like to learn more about YAC, please click here.
Along with our updated website, the staff of The First Tee of Greater Charleston now have .org email addresses to better reflect our status as a non-profit organization. Please update your address books:
Bucky Dudley, Executive Director: [email protected]
Meghan Taylor, Program Director: [email protected]
Charlie Wiser, Development & Operations Associate: [email protected]
Wayne Nance, NSP Coordinator & Lead Coach: [email protected]
At The First Tee we talk about three types of respect: for yourself, for others, and for your surroundings. You can respect yourself by not eating too much candy so you won’t get sick, or, if possible, walk while you trick-or-treat to get some exercise! Respect others on Halloween by always saying “thank you” and not participating in “tricks” that might hurt someone’s feelings. Finally, respect your surroundings by not littering or destroying property.
Healthy Habit – Friends:
Friends can make Halloween extra fun! Consider dressing up with a friend in coordinating costumes (salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard, or peanut butter and jelly) and go trick-or-treating together. You can even include the whole family with a full group of costumes: the cast of your favorite television show or movie or even a group of super heroes! By sticking with your friends, you will always have a buddy with whom to stay safe.
Core Value – Judgment:
Judgment on Halloween goes along with safety. Judgment is the ability to make a decision after thinking about all of the options. Using good judgment on Halloween means choosing safe streets to trick-or-treat on, wearing appropriately sized and comfortable clothes and shoes to prevent trips and falls, and even, after you trick-or-treat, making sure you do not eat too much candy!
Healthy Habit – Community:
Leave a good impression with your community by always remembering to be safe, respectful, use good judgment while having fun with your friends!
We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween! 
Ace Participants Thrive
