An international organization that uses golf to teach important life lessons to youngsters will soon debut here near Traverse City.

The First Tee is a youth development organization that introduces golf and its inherent values to youngsters. In addition to learning the basics of a good swing, kids ages 8 through 18 are taught rules, proper golf etiquette, character education and life skills by a corps of volunteers.

Mistwood Golf Course near Lake Ann will debut The First Tee program this spring.

“We’re excited to have Mistwood involved in The First Tee,” says the course’s golf director Jeff Eccleston, who was familiar with the program after witnessing it firsthand at Boyne Highlands. “We’re scheduled to have our first event, a workshop, at the end of June. And there will be other events in July and August. It’s a very positive, family friendly program and we’re happy to have it.”

Across the nation, some 9 million young golfers and 17,000 volunteers have participated in First Tee since it debuted in 1997.

“We help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf,” says John Myers, PGA pro and program director for The First Tee of Northern Michigan. “We’re very excited to be there at Mistwood. And we’re trying to get the program into a few more locations in the Traverse City area.”

The First Tee has more than 200 chapters, running more than 700 programs across the country. There are several downstate locations, but Boyne Highlands -- and now Mistwood -- are the only northern Michigan sites.

Myers estimates some 300 young golfers enrolled in the Boyne program, but he doesn’t anticipate that size program at Mistwood. “I’d be very pleased with 30 to 40 youngsters enrolling,” he tells The Ticker.

Vital to the program are its volunteers, who are required to undergo a robust screening process.

"When I was a young golfer, I was taught why things like honesty, sportsmanship and courtesy matter on a golf course,” explains volunteer John Tune, a Mistwood employee. “The First Tee program gives me the opportunity to share those values with the coming generation of golfers in a format that is fun, engaging and rewarding."

To learn more, to volunteer or to enroll someone in the program, click here.