Former Riverside Golf Course head professional Ron Bibeau was hired by the Maine Golf Foundation as the new executive director of The First Tee of Maine.
With less than two months on the job, Bibeau is off to a quick start in his goal to expand First Tee of Maine programs statewide. He has already secured two new First Tee programs at Fox Ridge GC in Auburn and Penobscot Valley CC in Orono.
Riverside and Val Halla GC in Cumberland already have programs.
Bibeau replaces Dave Cross, who served as executive director of the Maine Golf Foundation for a year before pursuing another career opportunity.
The First Tee is a national program that uses golf to teach boys and girls ages 7 to 17 nine core values through educational programs. The nine core values are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.
The First Tee was started in 1997 to introduce new generations to the game.
Bibeau, 50, said the job fits his personality.
“It’s not like I have to reinvent the wheel,” said Bibeau. “The First Tee is a tried and true program.”
Bibeau said he applied for the position late last fall because he wanted to make a difference in young lives. He said he felt he did some of that at Riverside with junior golf programs, but this will afford him a greater opportunity. Bibeau spent eight years at Riverside, the last six as head pro.
“I look at this position as a way to give back to the game I love,” Bibeau said. “It’s been a whirlwind since I was hired. I spent a week in Tampa, Fla., training with First Tee executives and I attended the National PGA Show. I’ve met some interesting people. A lot of good things have already happened for The First Tee of Maine.”
First Tee programs have also been introduced through a National Schools Program in elementary schools using physical education teachers. Bibeau said The First Tee of Maine currently has programs in 15 schools in Cumberland and York counties.
“We’ve targeted 24 new schools and we’ve secured 10. They’re in the Lewiston-Auburn area, Orono and Vassalboro,” he said.
Kate Boyle, president of the Maine Golf Foundation’s board of directors, feels Bibeau is a good fit for the program.
“It’s great to have a golf professional in the position,” said Boyle. “Ron has tremendous energy that will enable him to accomplish his goals for The First Tee, having been the head professional at Riverside, he has inside knowledge of the First Tee program there.”
Phil Gignac is the program manager of First Tee at Riverside. It was the state’s First Tee program in 2006.
“I’m thrilled that Ron was hired as executive director of The First Tee of Maine,” said Gignac.
“He’s enthusiastic and a good communicator. He has some great contacts like with the New England PGA and the Maine Chapter. He already has things going in the right direction,” he said
Every First Tee program, called affiliates, are run by program managers like Gignac, who undergo extensive training and have to pass tests to become certified. Volunteers, who also undergo training, are hired to assist the program managers in teaching the core values and the fundamentals of golf.
Typically, a First Tee day will start in the classroom learning the core values, followed by time on the golf course, putting, chipping, driving and playing nine holes.
“One of the first things we teach the kids is how to meet and greet,” said Gignac.
Golf clubs are provided for those who don’t have them, said Gignac. The cost to attend The First Tee varies according to the skill level. Scholarships through the national organization are available. For more information go to: www.thefirstteemaine.org.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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