An organization that's introduced more than 2.2 youth to the game of golf in the past 10 years and views the development of important life skills on and off of the courts is coming to the county. The First Tee of the Triangle will begin its first eight-week life skills education and golf instruction program at the Country Club of Johnston County in September.

"The Country Club of Johnston County is proud to be host to the First Tee program," said Jay Taylor, head golf professional and general manager at the CC of JC. "Mentoring is a key ingredient in molding and shaping the youth of today in hopes that they become well rounded citizens. The Smithfield and Johnston County communities will surely benefit from programs like these. We hope we have created something special here that will last for many years."

The First Tee program promotes nine core values to its participants: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

Since its inception with the help of Tiger Woods in 1997, The First Tee has drawn the support of hundreds of PGA professionals, PGA Tour members and others, including former president George H.W. Bush, who is the organization's honorary chairman.

"We're using golf as a hook," said Tom Tyndall, the director of programs for The First Tee of the Triangle. "But all children will benefit from the character education and achievement-driven approach to the program."

First Tee of The Triangle serves Raleigh-Durham and the surrounding area. It served 800 children in 2007 and expects to serve more than 1,200 by the end of 2008.

During the eight-week program, students will receive six weeks of instruction on the game, a week of life skills instruction and a week of play. Ages 6-18 are eligible to participate.

Taylor and fellow CC of JC golf professional Tony Keeton will lead the group of trained mentors and instructors who will be working with the CC of JC program.

The fall session at the Country Club of Johnston County will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Mondays, beginning Sept. 15. First Tee classes generally have just 12-14 kids per class.

The first round of the First Tee Life Skills Experience will be available to CC of JC members and a guest.

"This is a way we can give something back to the community," Taylor said. "That's what this program is set up to do: produce better citizens through the game of golf. We have the facilities to hold the program and it fits in with our non-profit status. We want to lead the way for The First Tee in the county."

Sessions will then follow in the spring and summer of next year. Ensuing offerings will be open to the general public.

For more info on The First Tee program at the Country Club of Johnston Co., visit www.ccjohnstoncounty.com or contact Jay Taylor at 934-8138 or jaytaylor@ccjohnstoncounty.com.