Spartans to host First Tee of the Triad clinic during UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate

GREENSBORO, N.C. – During the annual UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate, members of the UNCG men's golf team will host First Tee of the Triad participants for a youth golf clinic at Forest Oaks Country Club.

The Spartans are in their second season of working with First Tee of the Triad. UNCG's men's golf student-athletes periodically assist at local clinics sponsored by the First Tee program throughout the year. In fact, Spartan sophomore Robert Hoadley is a graduate of the First Tee program that was held near his hometown of Southern Pines, N.C.

The youth clinic will be held on Friday afternoon, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. during the tournament's practice round. Children participating in the clinic will be invited back to a special viewing area on Saturday when some of the best teams in college golf begin play at the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate.

"We are so very excited to be part of UNCG's event," said Anne Marie Goslak, executive director of The First Tee of the Triad. "Our children will be given the opportunity to see top level collegiate golf right here in the Triad.

"From the beginning, UNCG has been supportive of The First Tee of the Triad. Both the men's and women's golf teams have donated their time to coach the children.  They have also provided interns to our program.  Now they are living out the core values like Honesty, Sportsmanship, and Perseverance by playing in one of the biggest competitive events in college golf.

"Our children are excited to watch and will no doubt be inspired." 

The First Tee of the Triad focuses on life skills and core values by using the game of golf as a tool.  Last year, 270 children ages 8-18 participated in the program. Children will learn how the life skills and values they apply in golf can also be used in other areas of their lives! We utilize the talents of our LPGA trained staff and other PGA and LPGA professionals to deliver the best of golf and life in one seamless package.

"We are very pleased to be able to tie in our work with the First Tee program alongside the Bridgestone event," said UNCG men's golf coach Terrance Stewart. "Our student-athletes have enjoyed working with the First Tee program at Gillespie Golf Course. But with us being able to host a clinic at Forest Oaks – our home golf course and a venue that will be at its best for the Bridgestone event – we believe it will be a wonderful experience for the children."

The UNCG Bridgestone Collegiate began in the spring of 2005 and has since grown to be one of the top collegiate events in the country. For many teams, it is the final stop for the fall portion of their schedule. This year's field includes Auburn, Charlotte, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Minnesota, North Carolina, Northwestern, Pepperdine, Toledo, VCU, Virginia Tech and tournament host UNCG.

The tournament's quality is shown in the latest national rankings. Through Monday's action, Pepperdine's trio of Andrew Putnam, Josh Anderson and Andrew Widmar were ranked as the No. 8, No. 21 and No. 59 players, respectively in all of Division I according to Golfstat. Auburn's Blayne Barber was ranked No. 13 and Mississippi State's Chad Ramey was at No. 43.

In Tuesday's team rankings from Golfstat, five of the teams are ranked in the top 50, including Pepperdine at No. 12 and Auburn at No. 23.

For more information on the First Tee of the Triad, either through sponsorship or to register a child for upcoming seasons, log on at www.thefirstteeofthetriad.org.

- UNCG -