I’ve never actually played golf. The only time I ever really hit a ball or two was with my former husband. As we casually practiced on a driving range one fine day many years ago, we both suddenly looked up and in a split second saw our balls collide in midair about 25 yards out! I figured I better quit while I was ahead of the stats curve.

As with most things in life, it’s best not to judge a book by its cover. I admit it, ever since I was a kid growing up in Quechee, I had somewhat of a fear of, which manifested as disdain for, golf. I thought that it was only for wealthy, white, businessmen or old men with an occasional snobby, old woman added to the mix. Remember, that was from a young girl’s perspective in the 1970s.

Fast forward to today. Just look at the good that golf does in the world. QLLA Charities, alone, has donated over $2 million to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). Relationships are built and connections are reinforced on golf courses of every size and condition. Grandparents spend time with their grandchildren in an activity that gets both generations outside and engaged in something they can do together. Business relationships are solidified as the initial agenda fades to the background in the face of having fun. People from all socioeconomic backgrounds can join together on the course and practice life skills and values that serve to unite.

One organization that I discovered while editing an article in my publication in St. Petersburg, FL (northeastjournal.org), called The First Tee, brings all of the good stuff that golf has to offer into one national, non-profit organization.

According to their website:

“Through after-school and in-school programs, we help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf. And it’s making a difference. Our research-proven programs are having a positive impact on participants, their families and their communities.”

Since inception in 1997, more than 12.2 million young people have participated in The First Tee programs offered at local chapters, including the ForeU Golf Center in West Lebanon, NH; national school programs which introduce golf into the physical education programs at public schools, and; programming offered at youth-serving after-school programs like local Y’s and other similar organizations.

For many of you reading this post, golf may have personal significance to you, but perhaps is taken for granted. Now, imagine for a moment, being a young person living in a disadvantaged community with little hope for breaking out of that cycle of a life of economic struggle. Now imagine being that same young person on a driving range with a mentor teaching you and encouraging you and praising you as you learn a new physical skill. And, even more importantly, as you learn how to handle frustration, cultivate patience, practice good sportsmanship and believe in yourself. This is at the core of what The First Tee is all about. Not only do I love what it does for the youth served, but being a mentor – engaging in a sport you love, while passing on that love and positively impacting the life of a young person – must be the greatest gift of all!

Next time you are out on the course, whether for business or pleasure, think of golf as a vehicle for giving and enjoy yourself all the more!

As an 8-year-old back in 1972 when I first moved to Quechee, I didn’t pay attention to what the greater vision or broader impact was when my former step-father, John Davidson (and his colleagues) created Quechee Lakes. I just knew that I had a place to hang out with friends at the then teen center located in the red barn; ski all day all weekend with just my friends – no parents to slow me down; swim in the pool or Lake Pinneo (although I’m not sure the Lake was even created that early on) and any number of wholesome, just plain fun activities. Families came from all over New England and even a few lucky Bermudians found another piece of paradise to call home #2.

The locals, those of us members who lived in Quechee year ’round, had the greatest place on earth to grow up. Our day-to-day life included lasting benefits that we all took for granted at the time – as kids are wont to do. The natural world, which was the backdrop of our lives, formed our playground. We felt safe and loved at the four-classroom schoolhouse called the Quechee Grammar School (now the Waldorf School) with homemade lunches cooked daily from scratch from local women who came in daily to feed us. Our after-school activities were prompted by “Go play outside!” No order or rules or structure except those that we made up on the spot. While we didn’t know it at the time, even the Green had a primary purpose of bringing people together. I remember overhearing John Davidson describe his vision of the Quechee Green as a local gathering place where people could sit by the river and enjoy concerts in the gazebo and that there might be shops and eateries, in short, a common ground location for QLLA members and Quechee proper residents, alike. We kids just saw it as a giant playground!

On the weekends and vacation weeks, a whole new group of friends would come to town at which point their and our lives and perspectives broadened. While it was interesting to hear about the worlds we all lived in during our day-to-day lives, we had limited time and had better get to the fun stuff… which is what Quechee was all about! As kids we knew it, but even more surprisingly, we witnessed our parents becoming more relaxed and fun… bonus! Even back then you could tell who was “super rich” and who wasn’t, but it was clear that if arrogance or insecurities about that issue arose, they were quickly overshadowed and forgotten because, again, there was fun stuff to tend to and that was far more important in the scheme of life… and still is in Quechee.

What draws people to Quechee and what makes it so special for the 1500+/- families who make it their home away from home (and some choose to settle here for good), is that there is a freedom and acceptance to leave the rest of the crazy world behind and to just enjoy life as it is meant to be enjoyed – communing with family members across the generations and with friends old and new; engaging in health-promoting mind/body/spirit activities; offering up brain power, physical time and energy and other resources for the greater good (a la QLLA Charities, Board participation and other volunteer efforts); and just plain being happy to be here!

Who one is at work and what costume he or she happens to wear when going to the office every day is inconsequential in Quechee. There is a common ground and that is a love for this place where everyone can truly feel home.