Junior Golf's 'Magic Bus'

A long drive takes on new meaning with The First Tee Mobile Learning Center in Hampton Roads, Va.

April 16, 2009

By Emily Kolbe, USGA Fellow

The Magic School Bus taught us that buses have more uses than driving from Point A to Point B. The First Tee of Hampton Roads, based in Virginia Beach, Va., embraced that concept with its own magical vehicle: The First Tee Mobile Learning Center.

The Mobile Learning Center is more than a bus; it is a virtual golf course on wheels. Since revving up last year, the Learning Center has reached more than 12,000 kids in the Hampton Roads region. The bus is fully equipped with an indoor putting surface, benches for a classroom-like setting, audiovisual equipment and a storage closet full of teaching materials. The closet is stocked with an array of golf clubs, SNAG golf equipment, driving range mats, hitting nets and instructional materials.

The First Tee Mobile Learning Center has visited more than 40 schools and other organizations in the Hampton Roads, Va., area.

"The Mobile Learning Center removed transportation issues as an obstacle to teaching our core values and life skills and introducing children to the game of golf," said Mike Vinsand, executive director and former board chairman of The First Tee of Hampton Roads. "It enables us to reach children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to experience The First Tee."

Hampton Roads' Mobile Learning Center visited more than 40 schools, youth service-agencies, churches and parks departments in its first season -- and garnered positive attention around the community and throughout The First Tee Network along the way. Vinsand, the driving force behind the program, envisions adding a portable simulator and video swing analyzer to the current offerings, and more stops throughout coastal Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

"We are very pleased that The First Tee of Hampton Roads is taking the initiative to find unique ways to share our values and mission with more young people throughout coastal Virginia and northeastern North Carolina," said Joe Louis Barrow Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. "We believe the Mobile Learning Center will increase the visibility of The First Tee in this community and inspire other Chapters to reach and impact more young people in this creative manner."

The USGA is a founder and supporter of The First Tee and has awarded more than $24 million to The First Tee Chapters and Home Office over the past decade. The First Tee of Hampton Roads is a five-time recipient of support from the USGA's "For the Good of the Game" Grants Initiative. The organization reaches thousands of kids annually and operates three programming sites in Virginia Beach and surrounding communities. For more information about this organization and the Learning Center, please visit The First Tee of Hampton Roads. For more about the USGA's philanthropic efforts, click here , or visit www.usga.org.