Youth to hone golf, life skills at George Williams College of Aurora University Aug. 6-11

Williams Bay, Wis., August 7, 2006 — The golf course at George Williams College of Aurora University at 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay, Wis., will become a classroom for about 40 Illinois middle-school students learning golf and personal leadership skills.

From Sunday through Friday (Aug. 6-11), the university will host its third annual Character and Leadership Education Through Golf program. The six-day educational program links the game of golf with life and leadership lessons.

Activities are scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. on most days. Highlights include golf practice on the campus’ 18-hole course, instruction in The First Tee core values, and leadership, team building, and recreation activities based on The First Tee core values.

Other activities scheduled are a Yerkes Observatory tour, Geneva Lake boat tour, and hiking the lakeshore. A nine-hole tournament and farewell cookout for students and staff on Friday conclude the program.

Students represent The First Tee of Aurora from Aurora, North Aurora, Naperville, and Oswego and youth sponsored by Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., and the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois. Kids Golf Foundation scholarship recipients are from Frankfort and Chicago Heights.

Rita Yerkes, dean of AU’s School of Experiential Leadership, serves as program director. Instructors are The First Tee of Aurora staff members and Aurora University professors and graduate recreation majors.

The residential program is designed to bring nine core values of The First Tee - honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment - into real-world learning experiences for students.

The program at George Williams College originated in 2004 after a year of preparation by university and The First Tee of Aurora officials.

Yerkes said, “The George Williams College of Aurora University has a rich history or youth development and leadership programs.

“This collaboration with First Tee chapters is a natural extension of our academic and youth outreach programs.

“We believe our campus is the only place where students can walk from a dormitory to an 18-hole golf course, experience a world-class leadership class, and enjoy lakefront activities available on beautiful Geneva Lake,” Yerkes said.