The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board offers excellent opportunities for area youth to learn to play a game that lasts a lifetime – Golf!
Mission
To create junior golf programs that offer affordable and accessible programs at all of our golf courses with a strong emphasis on serving area youth of all races and economic backgrounds who may not have access or exposure to the game of golf. The values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment are incorporated into all junior golf programming.
Minneapolis First Tee Program
The World Golf Foundation has designated the MPRB as an official First Tee Chapter. This national program was created to serve area youth by developing programming that teaches the values inherent in the game of golf and incorporating those values into the instructional program.
Students that successfully complete the First Tee Program are entitled to dramatically discounted junior golf rates, free club rentals and discounted golf balls at our learning centers. Discounts on green fees are also offered at other area golf courses for students that receive their First Tee card, including golf facilities at Three Rivers Park District, St. Paul and Blaine Youth Sports Center.
Registrations for the Minneapolis First Tee programs are primarily handled through our Recreation Centers. Call the recreation center nearest you for class dates and times. Transportation to the golf courses is provided from the recreation center where you registered.
You do not need to be a resident of Minneapolis to register for these programs. If you live in a surrounding community, simply locate the recreation center or golf course closest to you and call to register!
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Minneapolis First Tee Awards
The Minneapolis First Tee Wally Hess Award
The Wally Hess Award is presented annually to a Minneapolis First Tee participant who has successfully completed Eagle Certification and has been an active participant in the Minneapolis First Tee program for over three years. The award recipient must show full competency in the nine core values of the Minneapolis First Tee Program and also have a desire to play high school golf. The award recipient will receive a set of irons from a manufacturer of choice as well as an All Course Junior Season Golf Pass that entitles the winner to unlimited golfing privileges for the year at all MPRB golf courses. The recipient will be asked to help mentor and volunteer for the program throughout their high school career. A committee comprised of First Tee board members and First Tee golf coaches will determine the winner of the Wally Hess Award.
The Minneapolis First Tee 9 Core Values Award
The Minneapolis First Tee 9 Core Values Awards is presented annually to nine Minneapolis First Tee participants that best represent one of the First Tee Nine Core Values. To be eligible for the award, the recipient will have successfully completed Birdie Certification and been an active participant in the Minneapolis First Tee Program for over two years. The award recipients will receive a One Course Junior Season Golf Pass that entitles the winner to unlimited golfing privileges for the year at the golf course of their choice. The award winners will be asked to help mentor and volunteer for the program throughout the summer. A committee comprised of First Tee Board Members and First Tee golf coaches will determine the winners of the Minneapolis First Tee 9 Core Values Award.
The nice core values are Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy, and Judgment.
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Junior Golf Camps
Another popular choice for parents and youth are Junior Golf Camps. These camps differ from the First Tee of Minneapolis in that they offer more extensive golf skill instruction and a lower teacher-to-student ratio. The core values of First Tee of Minneapolis are also introduced in all classroom instruction.
Students that enroll in Junior Golf Camps are offered a First Tee Certification Day where, upon successful completion, they may receive a First Tee Card that entitles them to dramatically discounted junior golf rates, free club rentals and discounted golf balls at our learning centers. Discounts on green fees are also offered at other area golf courses for students that receive their First Tee card, including the golf facilities at Three Rivers Park District, St. Paul and Blaine Youth Sports Center.
Junior Golf Camps are offered at Columbia Learning Center and Hiawatha Learning Center.
Registrations for all Junior Golf Camps are handled at the golf courses. Fill out the registration form and return it with full payment at any of our seven golf courses.
Junior Golf Camps fill fast – so register early!
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LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of the First Tee of Minneapolis
Established in 1989 by Sandy LaBauve, this program was formed to provide a solid foundation for girls who want to play golf for fun, with friends, family or compete at the high school, college, local, state or national level. LPGA*USGA Girls Golf has grown to nearly 200 sites across the United States with nearly 6,000 girls participating each year.
The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of the First Tee of Minneapolis provides an excellent opportunity for girls, ages 7-17, to learn to play golf, build lasting friendships and experience competition in a fun, supportive environment. Girls learn the values inherent to the game of golf that prepares them to meet the challenges of today’s world with confidence.
Clinics offer 10-hours of golf instruction, including proper stance, grip, putting, chipping, half and full swing with irons and full swing with woods. The core values of First Tee of Minneapolis are also introduced into the classroom instruction.
Students then take what they learned on the lesson tee and in the classroom to the golf course where they play a round of golf with the instructors. Upon successful completion of the program, participants are allowed to play Saturday or Sunday at Wirth Par 3 after 3 p.m. free of charge!
All instruction is provided by our PGA Professionals.
For further information on this exciting program or to receive additional information, please contact the golf staff at Columbia Learning Center or Hiawatha Learning Center.
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Junior Golf Leagues
The MPRB offers Junior Golf Leagues at six of our golf courses. These leagues are for area youth 17 years and younger and provide a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, exercise, enjoy the outdoors and learn a game that lasts a lifetime. Leagues are non-competitive and intended for the sole purpose of enjoyment. Juniors are offered a guaranteed weekly tee time at substantially discounted rates.
Junior Golf Leagues are offered at:
- Columbia Golf Club
- Fort Snelling Golf Club
- Gross National Golf Club
- Hiawatha Golf Club
- Meadowbrook Golf Club
- Wirth Golf Club
Important - Junior Golf Leagues do not offer golf instruction. Participants should have received some form of instruction prior to joining the league. Supervision is provided on the courses, but our leagues are designed for playing, not teaching.
Contact each golf course for any additional questions or information regarding its Junior Golf League.
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