The First Tee and the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (Hank Haney IJGA) have formed a partnership in which each organization's programs and practices will be shared to further promote youth development through the game of golf.

"Over the last decade, The First Tee, using golf as the platform, has proven its ability to teach life skills and impart core values associated with the game to young people throughout the country from varied backgrounds and experiences," said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., CEO of The First Tee. "We look forward to adding the world-renowned expertise and reputation of Hank Haney IJGA to The First Tee Life Skills Experience. This will be an incredible learning opportunity for our participants."

"We are very excited to partner with The First Tee and implement their Life Skills Education Programs into our daily curriculum at Hank Haney IJGA. Each year, their organization has a positive effect on thousands of junior golfers around the world and we are excited to elevate their golf instruction needs," said Hank Haney, Director of Instruction for Hank Haney IJGA and instructor of the #1 player in the world. "I look forward to working with the participants of The First Tee during their visit to Hilton Head Island in June."

The following initial measures will occur as a result of the partnership:

• The First Tee will include Hank Haney IJGA-certified instructors in The First Tee coach training sessions for further exposure to the Life Skills Experience curriculum; and The First Tee will host clinics specifically for Hank Haney IJGA students.
• Select staff and participants of The First Tee will take part in a dedicated academy experience June 1-5 at Hank Haney IJGA on Hilton Head Island, S.C.
• From the academy experience in June moving forward, The First Tee participants will be eligible for scholarships and reduced rate opportunities at Hank Haney IJGA.
• Haney will join The First Tee PLAYer Advanced Academy in Monterey, Calif. July 27-August 3, offering instruction to The First Tee coaches as well as a participant clinic.

Hank Haney IJGA also will work with The First Tee Coaches through clinics in an effort to introduce aspects of Haney's teachings into The First Tee coach training and participant programs.

These initial activities will open dialogue between Hank Haney IJGA and The First Tee about coaching philosophy, golf training techniques, and the integration of performance enhancement and character education into golf instruction.

For more information about The First Tee, visit www.thefirsttee.org. For more information about the Hank Haney IJGA, visit www.ijga.com. or call (800) 791-8229.