MIDLAND, Texas — The sport of golf made its Olympic debut in Paris back in 1900 and it now returns in 2024.
This is only the third time since 1904 golf has been included in competition, but golf is more than just a sport in West Texas.
As golf again enters the Olympic spotlight, stars Scottie Scheffler, reigning gold medalist Xander Schauffele and reigning gold medalist Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang are some of the strong representatives for Team USA.
Back in West Texas, the game of golf represents more than just competition.
“Big in the community and our membership," said Lee Rhind, head golf professional at Midland Country Club. "Seeing all the good things that they do in regards of charity things, different events that they post and put on, it’s a huge thing for this area.”
Rhind has been involved in golf since he was 11 years old.
“Golf’s the only sport really where you would call a penalty on yourself so there’s a lot of honesty and integrity involved in the game of golf, so it’s huge when it comes to learning and sticking to your morals and background and things," Rhind said.
Those values are a focus of First Tee West Texas.
“Discipline, honesty, basically how do be a greater citizen in the world, so any and everything," said Angelo Jackson, program director at First Tee West Texas. "It’s basically just like boy scouts and girl scouts, but its just the game of golf using it.”
The non-profit covers 10 West Texas counties with programs for ages 7-18.
The organization is continuing to see growth.
“We are here to bring golf to kids who historically have not had access to golf courses, and we’re here to teach them how to be better people while they’re learning," said Liz McCormick, executive director of First Tee West Texas.
First Tee offers support through finances and equipment.
Creating a wider pathway to the game is part of their mission, along with another voice.
“A lot of these kids out here don’t have moms, dads, uncles active in their life, so we bring that love and that missing piece of that puzzle with this organization to kind of give them and build them up and let them know like ‘hey, you can be great, you can do anything in the world,'" Jackson said. "So, I know it’s about golf, but we teach more than golf.”
As the best in the world tee off in Paris, the sport of golf remains so much more.
“Golf and life kind of go hand-in-hand," Rhind said.
First Tee West Texas has a pro-am fundraiser on Monday, Aug. 5 at the Midland Country Club.
McCormick said they have the infrastructure to serve more youth, but are in need of more volunteers to help.
To learn more about the non-profit and how to get involved, click here.
Olympic golf men’s competition runs from Aug. 1 to Aug. 4, while women's competition runs from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10.