First Tee - Coachella Valley

First Tee – Coachella Valley Magazine • Summer 2023 • 3 Giving back First Tee – Coachella Valley celebrates Junior Volunteer Squad at U.S. Open > Coach Mika, a 9th grade student at Rancho Mirage High School, became a volunteer be- cause she wanted to learn how to work with different age groups, and give back to a program that has been beneficial to her. The joy of the role for her is seeing children's improvement in golf, getting to interact, play golf, and watch them grow personally over time. The experience made Mika realize her ability to work well with other people, particularly parents and children. > Coach Madigan, a home- schooled junior, found his passion for golf and his desire to make a positive impact on young individ- uals in his community a driving force to volunteer. His pleasure comes from watching the growth and progress of young partici- pants both in their golf skills and in their personal character. This led Madigan to find joy in watching someone improve a skill over time, making him feel proud of them for overcoming their challenges. > Coach Chelsea is an 8th grade student at Palm Desert Charter Middle School who became a vol- unteer coach to become a role model for kids, ensuring they get the fun opportunity they deserve. She savors having fun with the kids while teaching them golf, always trying to engage them in games. Through the experience, Chelsea discovered her capabil- ities as a good coach, further af- firmed by compliments from parents who also confirm that the kids have a lot of fun with her. W hile most of their peers were likely sleeping in on Monday, June 12, nine participants from First Tee – Coachella Valley were gearing up for an exciting day at the U.S. Open hosted at Los Angeles Country Club. Armed with sharpies and swag for their favorite players to sign, the participants, who make up our Junior Volunteer Squad, boarded a van eager for their adventure. Their unwavering willingness to give back to the chapter is consistently met with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" Junior Volunteers and Junior Coaches are integral to a well-rounded chapter. These students not only learn the value of giving back but also find their voice within our organization. We at First Tee – Coachella Valley have found that encouraging participants to volunteer re- inforces the life skills taught in the program. Among these dedicated participants are three coaches who share their experiences: GAME CHANGERS

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