Golf Forum Suits Cunningham To A Tee

This article was reproduced from The Cheshire Herald, January 16, 2010 edition

by Greg Lederer

Golf can feel like a blessing and a curse at times. Even the greatest players are unable to master the game and, instead, they continually strive to meet new challenges.

“I think it’s a game you can play all your life,” said Cheshire resident Lindsay Cunningham, a senior at Westover School in Middlebury. “I love it.”

Cunningham has watched many tournaments since being introduced to golf in fifth grade. However, she had no idea how much work goes on behind the scenes until last fall. An all-expenses-paid trip to Orlando, Fla. opened her eyes to many aspects of the game that don’t even require taking a swing.

Cunningham was among 50 student golfers nationwide selected to attend the First Tee Leader’s Forum, held Nov. 12–15 at the Disney Institute. The program, sponsored by Toro Golf and the Golf Channel, consists of seminars ranging from leadership to marketing and puts students to work at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. The golf tournament is held annually in Lake Buena Vista. “I was very excited because I’ve worked with First Tee for so long. It felt so good to go to Florida and learn everything about golf,” recalled Cunningham. “There were only 12 girls that got accepted. There was one other boy from Connecticut, so we had the chance to represent the state.”

Her golf career started out in First Tee. Founded by The World Golf Foundation in 1997, the organization strives to expose the positive aspects of golf to young people. They have overseen the construction of golf facilities and garnered volunteers to teach the game. “I started taking lessons and then, by eighth grade, I began teaching kids how to play golf,” explained Cunningham, who belongs to the Waterbury Chapter. “I want to continue playing golf, but I’m also interested in the behind-the-scenes stuff.”

“Lindsay has been in our program for years. It’s more than just being a good golfer. We are looking for kids who demonstrate what the sport is all about,” said First Tee of Connecticut Program Director Ian Baxter. The Waterbury Chapter is very involved in the public school system. According to Baxter, volunteers teach the game in 29 schools. Cunningham has also progressed onto the First Tee golf team. “There is a program where advanced players make our team,” explained Baxter. “They play nine holes once a week during the summer.”

Cunningham learned of the Leader’s Forum when Baxter spoke about scholarship opportunities last year. Applicants have to meet a required number of hours for First Tee, along with completing an essay about golf. “I wrote about the differences between women’s and men’s golf. I’d like to see women’s golf become as popular as men,” Cunningham stated. “I found out (about the selection) in August. They sent me the plane ticket and itinerary.”

Upon arriving in Orlando, the students were brought to the Epcot Center for a meet and greet with sponsors from Toro and Disney. Seminars started the next day, covering such topics as club and course management, tournament marketing, and player endorsement. “They talked about how they get the tournaments out to people,” described Cunningham, of marketing. “I love clothes and golf, so it would be good to combine that.”

Leadership conferences focused on learning to work with others. Cunningham bonded with her roommate from Minnesota. “Disney has a whole leadership program, so we got to build on those skills,” said Cunningham. “I took a lot of insight and it helped prepare me for college. I’m going to be somewhere where I’m not comfortable to start, but can become a leader.”

The highlight of the trip was being able to apply what they learned at a PGA Tournament. Cunningham has previously volunteered at tournaments, but nothing on the same scale as the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. “We learned about what the tournament means to the hospital,” explained Cunningham. “It was eye-opening. I had no idea how much tournaments raise for good causes. I could see fundraising as a career.”

Students were put to work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Disney’s Magnolia Course. Cunningham spent most of her time in the press room, but she was blown away by the scope of the tournament. “You are doing something different all day. Seeing the Golf Channel production was incredible. You don’t get the behind the scenes stuff from watching TV,” recalled Cunningham, who saw professional golfers like Justin Leonard (runner-up) and Stephen Ames (winner). “We were involved in production. Some players had just finished by the time we left, but I didn’t get to meet with them.”

She enjoys sharing her passion for golf. Cunningham spent three years at Cheshire High School, where she was a varsity player and captained the Lady Rams in 2008. She made new friends upon transferring to Westover last year and will captain the golf program this spring.“I’m excited. We went to New England (Championships) last year,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham plans to continue her volunteerism with First Tee after graduation.“I hope there is a chapter near where I go to college,” Cunningham added.