Military Vets Treated To Golf Clinic By Local Organization

Nineteen military veterans and their families were recently treated to a golf clinic and given new equipment during an event hosted by a Pasadena-based youth golf organization.

The clinic — the fifth such event hosted by First Tee – Greater Pasadena since 2017 — took place Saturday at Brookside Golf Course, organizers said.

Veterans from the Wounded Warriors Project, as well as six U.S. Marine Corps poolees awaiting enlistment, took part in the clinic, which was the first held since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to a day of golf, each participant went home with a new set of clubs, a pair of golf shoes, golf shirts and other items, which were donated by local country clubs, according to First Tee – Greater Pasadena Executive Director Bob Baderian.

“We divided it into three groups and each of the groups rotated in areas of how to hit golf balls during what we call a short game, which is chipping, and then going to the driving range and learning how to drive,” Baderian said. “So it was a combination in utilizing these various skill levels that we incorporated into the program”

The participants signed up after the event was advertised in a Wounded Warriors Project newsletter.

“It was sort of on a first come first served basis, but we obviously didn’t turn anybody away,” Baderian said.

The event was the result of a team effort, he added.

“The Rose Bowl Operating Co., which is our chapter’s founding sponsor, is very instrumental in the success of our program,” Baderian said. “Without the support and commitment from the Rose Bowl Operating Co. and its staff and board, we are not able to do the things that we do at Brookside Golf Course.”

Baderian also thanked donating country clubs, including the Glendora Country Club, the San Gabriel Country Club, the Annandale Country Club and the Oakmont Country Club.

Another veterans’ clinic is being planned for the fall, he said.

“First Tee – Greater Pasadena is a nonprofit 501C3 organization that provides life enhancing skills and teaches a game of golf to boys and girls ages primarily 5 to 17. However, we work with a number of adults and adult organizations using the same First Tee curriculum,” he said.

“This year is our 15-year anniversary,” Baderian said. “We have been able through all of our programs to serve approximately 200,000 boys and girls throughout our service area.”

More information on First Tee – Greater Pasadena is available on the organization’s website firstteegreaterpasadena.org.