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Clark for WV

From the Community: The Downes Family

When my two-year-old son picked up his father’s clubs and toddled after him on every hole at our local public course, we had no idea that the soon-to-be-golf-course-owner would see my child and other youngsters as the true future stewards of a small beloved course tucked in the hills of WV. Wayne Clark, who we proudly recommend for First Tee Coach of the Year, declared in “deed” that the children in this Mid-Atlantic panhandle sandwiched by Maryland, Virginia and the nation’s capitol deserved a robust and vibrant First Tee program like every other large area in our country. What we may have lacked in overall population, we would make up for ten-fold in substance with Wayne Clark’s leadership and assembly of a deeply capable and caring team of coaches, volunteers and willing parents and families who teach the vital character-building lessons learned through golf not just for the game, but for life. The impact First Tee has had on our son Argyle Downes’ life is well documented with the pinnacle being named a 2024 First Tee Scholar as he pursues Division 1 golf at Rutgers University this fall. What is likely less known is that Wayne’s joy and love for the game is poured into every child in our First Tee program. It is evidenced daily —not just during First Tee sessions—but every day of the week with a course teeming with “whole families” many lead by First Tee children engaged in friendly competition with other families. Where we live, it is not uncommon that the children are the golf enthusiasts in their households and that speaks volumes on the transformative power of First Tee, period. Wayne’s reputation for instilling life principles in children through golf is legendary and has made our community one of the most-sought after places to live for families with children in our region. The First Tee Program at Locust Hill has extended far beyond our 18 holes and has penetrated our entire town and state. We even have junior amateur wins and a pair of high school state championships to prove it! The pride Wayne has when he looks at Argyle is undeniable but it is not unique. That same pride is mirrored when he looks at any child lucky enough to stumble or be recruited into his ranks. Like all parents, we want others to see the promise and the possibilities of our child, with Wayne it is a given. His love for First Tee and the children it reaches is simply infectious. Come by and join us for any First Tee session and you will be reminded that of a few wonderful things but mainly— the world is a beautiful place and that “service” is indeed the rent we pay for living. We proudly nominate Coach Wayne Clark of Locust Hill’s First Tee West Virginia as First Tee Coach of the Year. Feel free to contact us any time for any further information.

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