Teeing Up With Kids at Walnut Lane Golf Club

Like his peers at Walnut Lane Golf Club, Dave Zimmaro has taught a lot of golf lessons. Working with adults is pretty straightforward, he said, as most simply want to improve their game.

However, teaching kids—including those in the First Tee youth program at the Roxborough golf course—isn't as easy.

"With their attention spans, it can be tough, but you have to engage them. You can't just talk, they have to get out there and learn for themselves—it's more fun," he said.

Along with other instructors and volunteers at Walnut Lane, Zimmaro has helped demonstrate life skills through golf lessons in First Tee—a national program founded by the World Golf Foundation and funded in part by the PGA, LPGA, and USGA. 

The year-round program—which starts its next session Sept. 19—has reached nearly 750 boy and girl golfers ages 6 to 18 since it arrived at Walnut Lane two years ago. Zimmaro said he's witnessed the First Tee impact.

"Sometimes a kids will be going along, then all of a sudden it clicks, and he's engaged. When they start asking questions, you know they're into it," he said.

PGA pro and First Tee Philadelphia Program Director David Smith, Jr. oversees the Walnut Lane chapter. The program imparts nine key values for players to both live and golf by: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, responsibility, courtesy, confidence, perseverance and judgment.

Similar to Boys Scouts, First Tee golfers advance through graduated levels depending on achievements met—both on and off the links. During the 8-week course (which costs $25 total), golfers are evaluated for improving golf skills, demonstrating an aptitude for the game's rules, and competing as a respectful, honest player. Whether a person moves forward is based on ability, not age. 

"We want to create a safe, fun learning environment. These kids get comfortable with their talents, and they want to get better," Smith said. 

Walnut Lane is managed by Impact Services, a nonprofit focused on job placement for Philadelphians. Like its counterpart at FDR Golf Course in South Philly, Walnut Lane is a public course with First Tee Philadelphia at the forefront of its mission.

Smith currently is focused on getting First Tee immersed in the 2.5-mile radius surrounding Walnut Lane. Already, the club works with Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School in Manayunk and is looking for more involvement with local community centers.

For young golfers, each lesson begins with discussion of a life skill, Zimmaro said, and how it is applicable to the real world. Then, that skill is assessed on the golf course. For example, Zimmaro said having players keep their own score tests honesty.

"It's easy to cheat if they want to, but it shows them they're only as good as their word," he said. "The [life] skills fall seamlessly into golf."

With Smith and Drexel University intern Jaclyn Bray, Zimmaro helps divide the participants into about 10-person classes. Nine volunteers also pitch in with the program.

Bray has seen many kids go through the program and really noticed individual improvements. "Now, a lot of them are staying after for extra practice," she said.

Ideally, Smith said, kids in the upper levels can be student-teachers for those just starting out.

Parents may sign up their kids by visiting First Tee's website or calling Walnut Lane at 215-482-1370.

Volunteers are also welcome, but must complete a background check. Interested people should contact Jeff Middleton at 215-462-2808 or jmiddleton@impactservices.org.