Photo by Lance Cpl. Jahn R. Kuiper Campbell, a 9-year-old student of the First Tee program, shows good follow-through at the Medal of Honor Golf Course on March 10.

‘‘We teach the kids life lessons while teaching them the basics of golf and having fun,” said Mike Bassette, a First Tee instructor.

The classes are one-and-a-half hours, three days a week for three weeks.

‘‘Today they’ll try to find their own swing and I’ll help them with their hand and feet placement,” Bassette said. ‘‘I don’t want to get overly involved because the program is about empowering the kids so they figure it out on their own, with our guidance. It allows them to take on responsibility. Also, we teach other life lessons, especially respect of self and others around you.”

After picking out the clubs that were provided for them, the children practiced their swing on the range. As an added incentive Bassette stood out on the range about 20 yards. Using plastic clubs to hit golf balls that more closely resembled tennis balls, the students tried to hit Bassette. Many of the kids swung so hard they had no control. After they realized their mistakes, a few of the students slowed down, aimed and were able to hit Bassette.

After the range, the instructors introduced zoo golf to the children.

‘‘Who can play golf?” Bassette asked. They all raised their hands. ‘‘Yes, but who else can play golf? Can someone with no arms? Believe it or not, but there are people that golf with their feet. Anyone can play golf.”

The instructors put the children into three stations. At each stage the children had to putt the ball with a handicap. They acted like an elephant with his trunk and had to putt with one arm. They next acted like a flamingo and putted while standing on one leg. Finally, they were a bat and putted while closing their eyes and their partner told them where to putt.

‘‘The program teaches guidance, and the importance of listening and working with others,” said April Benson, an instructor. ‘‘It teaches them to work with other ages and genders, so they can work in a diverse social group. It helps them listen to adults and their peers.”

The transformation of the children became evident to the instructors.

‘‘You see them change as the course goes on,” Benson said. ‘‘They start out rambunctious, but by the end they are much more well mannered.”

Many of the parents were pleased with the lessons their kids were learning.

‘‘This is a great way to introduce them to golf,”said Capt. Marada Phillips, father of one of the students. ‘‘It’s a great mentorship from a professional golfer. Also, they learn to socialize, work in a group and be a little more well mannered.”

At the end of the class, Bassette asked the students about respect.

‘‘How can you respect your parents?” Bassette asked.

‘‘By not talking back to them,” one child answered.

‘‘How can you respect yourself?” Bassette asked.

‘‘By not hurting yourself,” another child answered.

‘‘That’s right, but what other ways can you respect yourself,” Bassette asked as he closed the class for the day. ‘‘How about by not doing bad things like drugs and alcohol and making sure you eat healthy.”

The children all nodded their head in approval.

Classes are available this summer. For more information about how to sign up for the First Tee program, visit www.thefirsttee.org.

— Correspondent: jahn.kuiper@usmc.mil