Background Statement
In 2001, Denver Junior Golf was charged with involving more at-risk, disadvantaged children and adolescents in its programs. Denver's municipal golf courses are located in older inner-city neighborhoods; however, the participants in the Denver Junior Golf program were primarily youth from more affluent areas of Denver. Golf was not only unpopular - it was strangely foreign to the kids who lived closest to the golf courses. At the same time, Denver Public Schools were facing a state governmental directive to be more accountable in teaching basic academic concepts - especially in math and reading. The schools closest to the Denver municipal golf course rated well below average in state mandated testing in these subjects. First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains was established in 2002 to fulfill the needs of the community, Denver Public Schools, and the Denver Junior Golf program.
Building great kids and ensuring their success in life is what motivates the staff of First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains. They have created high expectations for measurable outcomes, and since they began gathering comparative data from schools for in-school programming, First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains' participants have achieved and exceeded academic goals set for the school year. In addition, collaboration is an integral part of the success of First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains. The following organizations and their efforts assist in providing the exceptional, high-quality academic programs currently in place:
- City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation - Golf Division
- Denver Public Schools
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
- Denver Public Schools
- YMCA
Since 2002, the number of yearly participants has increased from 200 to more than 10,000 in 2019 and demand for our programming increases every year. The goal of First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains is to fund expansion of innovative and successful programs. In-school programming is free to participants and more than 20% of our summer participants receive free or reduced fees. The fees for summer programs don't begin to cover the actual cost; however, First Tee - Colorado Rocky Mountains remains committed to maintaining affordable access to facilities and instruction so participants can become well-rounded leaders in the community.