First Tee Connecticut, a youth golf program, awarded $61,000 in scholarships to 34 students during the Travelers Championship weekend. The organization held its 18th annual First Tee Breakfast on Saturday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, bringing together student scholars, donors, community partners, and supporters of the program.

Investing in the Next Generation of Golfers

First Tee Connecticut works to expand access to golf while providing scholarships and character-building opportunities for young people across the state. Among those attending the breakfast was program alumnus P.J. Cavaliere, who said First Tee helped shape his connection to both golf and the Travelers Championship.

Ken Baldwin, who is preparing to step down as chairman of the organization’s board, said the program teaches lessons that extend far beyond the golf course. “When they finish a round of golf, right? They take their hats off, they take each other’s hands, caddies and players. That’s one of the things we taught kids like PJ when he was little. From day one,” Baldwin said. “You look somebody in the eye, you take your hat off, you take their hand, you introduce yourself. Those core values are so important to this institution.”

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.