There are some who derisively, and maybe with just a touch of covetousness, sometimes proclaim, “If you can play, then you play. If you can’t, then you teach.”
A simplistic statement that often does no justice to the individual in question. Great teachers and administrators often possess extraordinary skills that are unique to the lessons and circumstances at hand.
Paul Pugmire, the Executive Director of the First Tee of Utah and Host of Utah Golf Radio, is one such man, endowed with superlative gifts above and beyond just playing the game of golf. Which he has done admirably at the highest levels of High School and College.
That he took those accomplishments, learned on the playing fields of competitive golf, and applied them to nurturing and building the characters of young men and women in the First Tee program of Utah says wonders about the character and talents of this remarkable teacher and administrator.
Designed to teach life skills to youngsters, 5-18, The First Tee program utilizes the game of golf combined with an integrated and defined curriculum carefully designed to help each child navigate the individual challenges they all face on and off the golf course at school, at home, and at play.
The First Tee is replete with success stories of kids from every walk of life and circumstance excelling with the lessons gained and learned from this national program.
A program sponsored and endorsed by every leading golf organization including the PGA of America, PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA, and more recently The Master’s Tournament Foundation, all seeking to make Golf affordable and accessible to every child across America.
As Host of Utah Golf Radio, Paul communicates those lessons of the First Tee to listeners throughout the state of Utah each and every week on ESPN 700.
A remarkable and gifted teacher, Paul sat down with the Golf Guy and talked about his love of the game, his passion for teaching, and his fervor for spreading the unique gospel that only playing and participating in the game of golf can convey.
Please Listen Here.
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