Former President George W. Bush made a visit to Midland, Texas to show his support for First Tee West Texas, a non-profit organization that aims to make golf accessible to all children. The visit was in conjunction with a fundraising event called Fairways Fore the Future.
According to a news article by CBS7, Bush spoke about the positive impact that the First Tee program can have on young people. He emphasized the importance of character development, stating, “It’s about the kids of the Permian Basin, no telling what kind of character will be developed out here and who will become the future leaders, probably the people in the First Tee program for sure.”
Professional golfer Ben Crenshaw was also in attendance at the event. He echoed Bush's sentiments about the lasting impact of golf on a person's life, saying, “It’s the kind of game that will stick with you the rest of your life. That’s the main thing about it, you can learn to play at any level, but the main thing is you learn to be a better person.” The fundraising event also marked the opening of First Tee’s new facility in Midland.
According to the First Tee website, the organization integrates the game of golf with a life skills curriculum to help children and teens build their personality and character. Their programs aim to instill inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that can be applied to all aspects of life. First Tee has seen the positive impact of their programs, stating, “Through our golf-based personal growth programs, we see kids build life and leadership skills that empower them in all areas of life, including school, friendships, and eventually careers.”
Overall, Bush's visit to Midland to support First Tee West Texas highlighted the importance of making golf accessible to all children and the positive impact it can have on their character and development.