TruGreen donates $10K to First Tee chapter

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On Wednesday, March 8, representatives of First Tee — North Florida and TruGreen joined parents and kids in the new TruGreen fan bleachers overlooking the 16th hole at TPC Sawgrass for a major check presentation.

TruGreen donated $10,000 to First Tee, which will help in the construction of a new learning center at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club. Groundbreaking is expected to take place this spring.

First Tee — North Florida Executive Director Jeff Willoughby described the expected impact of the new facility.

“Normally, a class size would be around 12 kids,” he said. “With the learning center, we’ll be able to go up to almost 30 kids per class. So, we’re looking at roughly about 500 more kids annually just in that one place.”

The check presentation followed a “behind-the-scenes” tour, presented by TruGreen for kids who participate in local First Tee activities. The kids had a chance to learn about all the work done around THE PLAYERS Championship and the many careers that are involved.

This reflects the deeper goals of the organization. Though First Tee is known as an introduction to the sport of golf, especially for kids who otherwise would not encounter it, the organization seeks to build character and instill life skills and core values.

“We’re really trying to make them better people,” Willoughby said.

First Tee has 150 chapters across the nation that offer programs at more than 1,400 locations. It has impacted 2.2 million youth and has more than 4,200 coaches and 10,000 teachers and youth leaders.

TruGreen, the official lawn care treatment provider of the PGA TOUR and a trustee of First Tee, is the largest lawncare provider in the United States. It serves more than 2.3 million residential and commercial customers with lawn, tree and shrub care.

The First Tee check was presented by TruGreen Vice President of Marketing Johanna Metz.