Publication Date
2025
College
Interdisciplinary Studies & Global Education
Department
Honors Program
SPARK Category
Research
Faculty Advisor
Robbie Matz
SPARK Session
Honors Scholars’ Collaborative II
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
This study investigates the declining retention rates of students in First Tee of Tennessee, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching golf while fostering character development in children ages 4-18. First Tee, established by the World Golf Foundation in 1997, has provided golf and life skills education to over 300,000 young people nationwide. In Tennessee, the program is managed by the Tennessee Golf Foundation (TGF) and operates across five regions: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and the Tri-Cities. Despite its positive impact, program administrators have noted a significant retention challenge—student participation decreases by 50% each season.
To understand the causes behind this decline, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of current and former First Tee students, along with participant surveys measuring indicators of personal growth and enjoyment. The research aimed to identify key factors influencing retention and provide insights for program improvement. Initial results indicate overwhelmingly positive feedback by parents with children currently in the First Tee program. The parents interviewed were adamant about the high quality of the coaches and the positive development of the students in the program. By analyzing trends across First Tee’s Tennessee regions, this study provides data-driven recommendations to enhance retention and ensure continued engagement in golf and character education for youth statewide.
Recommended Citation
Zehr, Madison, "Youth Golf Program Retention" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 537.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/537
