LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association announced its partnership with First Tee, a youth-development organization, to manage First Tee Hawai‘i.
“I feel this is a great opportunity for the two organizations to combine efforts and identify gaps that exist in the industry in Hawai‘i,” said HSJGA Executive Director Matt Rollins. “If we focus our efforts on geographical and underserved area in Hawai‘i that don’t have junior golf programming, this could be such a benefit to those communities. Additionally, if we focus on the school system and the community program that partner with youth associations, then we will be providing opportunities that don’t currently exist, and grow the game locally.”
The new partnership strengthens the opportunities to impact the growth of golf in Hawai‘i for the HSJGA, which has been primarily known for its competitive programming, team events, national and international travel opportunities and pathway to college for Hawai‘i junior golfers.
Under the partnership, Hawai‘i will play the important role of introducing youth to the game of golf, and using it as a powerful vehicle to empower young people to build strength and life skills they can carry to everything they do.
“I have always felt golf is a great game, especially for children,” said HSJGA President Mary Bea Porter-King. “It’s a game for a lifetime. It teaches so many life lessons helping children better prepare for the future. One of the primary goals of the HSJGA is to grow the game, so I am confident with the addition of First Tee Hawai‘i programming under the leadership of the HSJGA, we will continue to grow the game and develop confident and healthy children to become future leaders in our communities.”
First Tee Hawai‘i has been in operation since 2017, and has made a strong impact, primarily on O‘ahu, delivering experiences that build character using the game of golf. HSJGA Secretary Mark Rolfing, First Tee and the HSJGA started discussions in 2019 on how the two organizations could partner in an effort to expand First Tee Hawai‘i and reach more kids.
The leadership of both the HSJGA and First Tee Hawai‘i worked closely over the past year in an effort to transition to a model that will bolster the impact of the two organizations and reach more youngsters from across the state.
“The focus and commitment to growing the game locally is more important than ever before,” Rolfing said. “In dealing with the current pandemic and the challenges related to Hawai‘i travel, we must focus on the game here in our own backyard for golf to remain sustainable, long term.”
Moving forward, the golf industry will see a new board of directors, staff structure and operational committees that will lead the HSJGA and provide programs that enable children to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of challenges.
