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George Williams College Golf Course Becomes Outdoor Classroom
7/22/2009
AURORA, Ill. — The George Williams College of Aurora University campus and golf course at 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay, Wis., will become an outdoor classroom for golf and life lessons for about 50 Illinois students and teachers from Sunday, July 19 through Friday, July 24.
The sixth annual Character and Leadership Education Through Golf program at GWC links the game of golf with life skills and leadership lessons.
The residential program is designed to bring The First Tee of Aurora's nine core values — honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment — into real-world learning experiences for students.
Activities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Highlights include golf practice on the campus's 18-hole course and instruction in life skills, core values, leadership and team-building through the Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies (OWLS) program.
Other activities are a Geneva Lake boat tour and water festival. A nine-hole tournament and farewell cookout for students and staff Friday concludes the program.
Students represent The First Tee of Aurora, area communities and the Kids Golf Foundation of Sugar Grove, Ill.
Major funding for the program is provided by The Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation of Plainfield, Ill.
Eric Howden, director of OWLS, and Alany Burny, recreation administration graduate student, serve as program directors. Instructors are The First Tee of Aurora staff members and GWC faculty members, and graduate recreation administration students.
The program at GWC originated in 2004 after a year of preparation by university and The First Tee of Aurora officials.
"George Williams College of Aurora University has a rich history of youth development and leadership programs," said Howden. "This collaboration with First Tee is a natural extension of the academic and youth-outreach programs."
Burny added, "We offer a unique environment at GWC, where students can walk from a residence hall to an 18-hole golf course, experience a world-class leadership class and enjoy lakefront activities on beautiful Geneva Lake."
