The First Tee of the Lowcountry presented its annual Community Leadership Awards April 9 at Sea Pines Country Club. These awards support The First Tee mission “to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices.”
More than 200 people were in attendance to honor the 10 leaders in our community. I am honored to be selected as one of the recipients. It was one of my greatest feelings of accomplishment in my long career of teaching golf.
Brady Boyd, First Tee executive director, explained the process for choosing these leaders. “We had a six-person committee that looked at over 25 people’s resumes,” he said. “We then narrowed it down to the nine leaders and a special Leadership award. These people have done wonderful things for the community and they provide the examples young people need as they grow toward a thriving adulthood.”
Each of the recipients embodies The First Tee Nine Core Values.
Representing Core value Perseverance: Thomas C. Barnwell Jr., whose work and professional career has included community organizing, community development in healthcare and affordable housing and cooperatives.
Judgment: Ken Campbell, who was a Founding Trustee of the First Tee of The Lowcountry and was instrumental in its fundraising campaign.
Sportsmanship: Cody Carter, a Class A member of the PGA running programs for juniors and adaptive clinics for amputees, stroke victims and paraplegics at the Parris Island Golf course.
Courtesy: Betsy Doughtie, retired executive director of the Deep Well Project, which helps people in emergency situations by giving them an immediate hand up, so they can continue to help themselves.
Confidence: Krista Dunton, a PGA and LPGA member, and director of instruction at Berkeley Hall Golf Club. She is co-director of the LPGA Girls Golf program.
Respect: Dr. Jean Harris, an LPGA Master Professional with more than 40 years of teaching experience with juniors, ladies and seniors. She is co-director of the LPGA Girls Golf program.
Honesty: Jim Magruder, who has served on the board of directors for both Long Cove Club and the First Tee of the Lowcountry. He currently teaches First Tee classes.
Integrity: Dr. Jack McConnell, founder of Volunteers in Medicine. His Hilton Head model has been replicated in 96 free clinics across the country, bringing healthcare to those who previously didn’t have access to healthcare.
Responsibility: Steve Wilmot, who has been associated with the RBC Heritage golf tournament for three decades, and tournament director for 22 years.
A special Leadership Award was given to Dr. Narendra Sharma, founder of the Neighborhood Outreach Connection, who has more than 40 years of experience in applied economic development work worldwide.
Finally, three young members of the First Tee were recognized for their leadership: Luke Block, Christopher Gaeta and Jeep Patrick.
Congratulations to all.
Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; www.golfdoctorjean.com
