The First Tee of the Triad Introduces Inaugural Girls-Only Programming and Girls’ Program Director; Limited Fall Scholarships and Spaces Remain

GREENSBORO, N.C. – – Since its inception in 2007, The First Tee of the Triad has welcomed boys and girls into all of its programming, but now for the first time in its history, the Triad chapter introduces girls-only programming and its director of those programs, the organization announced today. The First Tee of the Triad teaches young people, ages 7 to 18, positive and effective life skills utilizing the great game of golf.

The new girls-only program is set for Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct. 11 and Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. until Noon at both Tanglewood Park in Clemmons and Gillespie Golf Club in Greensboro. This new program is open to girls of any skill level who are between the ages of seven and 17. Clubs and balls will be provided. Registration is available at www.thefirstteeetriad.org.

Ellen LaPierre, who has worked as a golf instructor for nearly two decades, is The First Tee of the Triad’s director of Eastern programming and girls’ events. She joined the LPGA in 1996 and later worked as an assistant golf professional in Phoenix, Ariz. She moved to North Carolina in November of 1997 and coached women’s golf at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she remained for six seasons. Prior to joining The First Tee of the Triad, LaPierre worked as a senior LPGA Class A instructor at Precision Golf School in Greensboro and as a rehabilitation technician for acute services at Cone Health. She is an alumna of DePauw University.

“We are delighted to introduce our girls-only program and Ellen LaPierre,” The First Tee of the Triad CEO Mike Barber said. “Girls have been a part of our programming since we started our chapter, but sometimes, young girls are just more comfortable in an all-girls setting. These new programs will fill an important need in our region, and Ellen is the perfect person to run them. She will also serve as the director of our Eastern programming. Adding an instructor of Ellen’s caliber to our staff is quite a feather in our cap, and I am confident she will be an incredible asset for The First Tee of the Triad and the children we serve.”

“I am thrilled to be involved with The First Tee of the Triad,” LaPierre said. “Golf and helping others are passions of mine, and The First Tee of the Triad allows me to work with both. I have been teaching this sport for many years, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with children throughout the Piedmont Triad.”

The First Tee of the Triad’s eight-week fall programs began this week, but limited scholarships and spaces are still available on Tuesdays at Burlington’s Indian Valley and Greensboro’s Bryan Park, on Thursdays at Greensboro’s Gillespie Park and on Mondays and Thursdays in Danville, Va. After-school programming is set for 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. Registration and information on scholarships are available at www.thefirstteeetriad.org. Simply click on “registration” to get started; scholarships can be requested during the online registration process. To register for the Danville, Va., programs, please visit www.thefirstteedanville.org.

About The First Tee of the Triad

The First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, has as its mission, “To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character-development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.” The goal of The First Tee is to provide the golf-learning facilities and the experience that will enable kids from every walk of life to partake of a game that teaches values for life and which can be played for a lifetime. The First Tee of the Triad is one of 204 chapters operating at some 692 facilities in all 50 states and five foreign countries with more than 3 million participants. More than 3,300 schools also participate in the program. Founded by the World Golf Foundation in 1997, The First Tee is a way to bring golf to children that otherwise would not be exposed to the game or its positive values. The program is overseen and has the active support of committee members representing Augusta National Golf Club, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the United States Golf Association. Former President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chairman.