Mobile, Ala.  -  The First Tee, in partnership with Alabama Power, is proud to announce that elementary school students in 28 Mobile County Public Schools will begin delivering The First Tee National School Program as part of physical education instruction.

Professional development training for physical educators from the 28 schools will take place Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fredrick Evans Gymnasium at Bishop State Community College. The teachers will learn how to deliver The First Tee National School Program within their P.E. program, and how to integrate the character education and health lessons along with basic golf instruction. The complete list of schools is included below.

The First Tee National School Program helps students develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf. Students engage in safe, fun lesson-activities that lead to motor-skill development while gaining an introduction to a lifelong recreation and health-enhancing activity.

The elementary schools will implement The First Tee National School Program in association with Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, through an extension of the Southern Company’s longstanding relationship with the PGA TOUR. Southern Company is The First Tee’s Education Patron.

“We are pleased to offer The First Tee program to several schools in Mobile County,” said Alabama Power Mobile Division Vice President Mike Saxon. “This program is not only important in helping young people become physically active, but also in developing character associated with responsibility, respect and judgment – core values that help them be successful well into the future.”   

Nationwide, more than 6,000 schools in 800 school districts participate in The First Tee National School Program.  In 2013, Southern Company committed to launching The First Tee Program at 1,000 schools in the Southeast over five years. To date, Alabama Power and Southern Company have partnered to bring The First Tee National School Program to 68 schools in Alabama.

Currently five Mobile County Public Schools deliver The First Tee National School Program. The schools were able to secure the program through funding by The GLOVe Foundation.

The character education lessons taught through The First Tee National School Program – honesty, judgment, respect and responsibility – are consistent with the principles that guide the employees of Alabama Power and its parent, Southern Company. Alabama Power’s and Southern Company’s customer-focused business model is guided by SouthernStyle – the company’s value proposition that includes Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance and Total Commitment.

Alabama Power has long supported education initiatives leading to a better trained, highly motivated workforce, helping to ensure a sound economic future for Alabama.

For more information about The First Tee National School Program, visit www.thefirsttee.org/nsp.

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations.

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to nine million young people in all 50 United States and select international locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.

Mobile County Public Schools Participating in Sept. 10 training