March 27, 2024 | Program Update
Teams from 16 Charleston Area elementary schools traveled to Wescott Golf Club on March 20th to compete in our annual Champions Cup tournament. This event, which is made possible by Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation and generous community support, celebrates In-School Program participation, and it’s one of our favorites because many of the students have never seen or played on a golf course before.
Photos by Banner Photography
Participating students, who were selected by their PE teacher, demonstrated their knowledge of our Golf & Life Skills Curriculum by competing in 9 golf challenges and 9 core value challenges. Touring professional Kyle Westmoreland dropped by to demo our inflatable chipping hippo and cheer on the kids.
Students also had an opportunity to learn about golf course design from course architect Troy Miller, who redesigned Charleston Municipal.
The following schools, all of which belong to our In-School Golf & Life Skills Program network, participated in Champions Cup:
Mt. Zion Elementary School
Charleston Development Academy
Orange Grove Elementary Charter School
Whitesville Elementary School
Lambs Elementary School
Montessori Community School
Charleston Progressive Academy
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Goose Creek Elementary School
Stiles Point Elementary School
Chicora Elementary School
Julian Mitchell Elementary School
St. John’s Catholic School
Sanders Clyde Elementary School
James B. Edwards Elementary School
Oakland Elementary School
All teams had fun, played well, and exhibited First Tee’s Nine Core Values (respect, courtesy, responsibility, honesty, sportsmanship, confidence, judgment, perseverance, and integrity).
Congratulations to Orange Grove Charter School on finishing third, Montessori Community School on finishing second, and this year’s champions Ashley River Creative Arts! The Ashley River Creative Arts team will be recognized at a special awards ceremony at their school and each team member will be presented with a free set of golf clubs.
Many thanks to the donors, coaches, and volunteers who make Champions Cup possible!
About Our In-School Program & Champions Cup
First Tee’s In-School Program is open to any elementary school in Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County. Age-appropriate equipment, curriculum, training, and coach support is all subsidized by generous First Tee donors. First Tee programming is currently offered in 41 schools, and all schools who join the In-School Network qualify for Champions Cup participation, at no cost.
The Champions Cup tournament is an annual event, presented by First Tee – Greater Charleston in partnership with the Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation. It celebrates In-School Golf & Life Skills Program participation. In addition to creating a feel-good field trip experience that exposes children to a new environment, this event is designed to reinforce core values and interpersonal skills that apply to life beyond the golf course.
School administrators and PE teachers who would like to get involved can email [email protected] to learn more.
