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First Tee Gulf Coast strives to impact the lives of young people by promoting character development and life-enhancing values through the First Tee's "Life Skills Learning Experience" and the game of golf. Through the Life Skills Experience, students are taught the importance of maintaining a positive attitude as well as the importance of showing respect for others. Participants learn valuable lessons about how to make decisions by thinking about the possible consequences and how to define and set goals from the golf course to everyday life. These lessons for life are taught through a variety of golf-related activities designed with the primary goal of having fun. There is no skill level that is required to begin the program. The program offers certification levels as the participants grow in golf skills and in the program. At each level of the program – PLAYer, Par, Birdie and Eagle – participants are introduced to different aspects of golf and life skills and go through a Certification Process that tests and evaluates each participant’s understanding of and ability to apply what was taught. The Golf & Life Skills Program curriculum, which teaches life lessons and leadership skills through the sport of golf, was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by coaches trained through The First Tee Coach Program.