Mentoring Matters: Golfing Turns Into Life Lessons At First Tee Miami
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DORAL (CBSMiami) -- Thirteen-year-old Nickolas Parker's golf swing is impressive. It has been six years in the making - three of them under the instruction of PGA Class A golf instructor John Moscoso.
The lessons happen at the First Tee of Miami, a division of the World Golf Foundation that provides affordable and accessible golf facilities to about 1,500 children and teenagers, primarily serving those who have not had exposure to the game.
"The mentoring program came about to help us retain teenagers," said Moscoso. "We started to notice a trend throughout the nation, that right around 13, we started to lose them. We weren't 'cool' anymore."
But it's evolved into much more - the lessons are not just technical.
"Golf has many inherent things that kids need to learn, such as integrity, honesty, perseverance, respect, sportsmanship," said Moscoso. "So we use golf as a tool to teach them all these things."
The kids have priority over adults, and no one is turned away. They receive tutoring and academic support, even help with college applications. There is a heavy focus on building a team of mentors in different fields around each participant, with the hope they will stay in touch and help guide them, even through high school, college, and beyond. Dozens of coaches and mentors, from City Hall to law enforcement, to technical schools, volunteer there.
"Many of them don't have the opportunities that some of our wealthiest kids do," said Moscoso. "The whole idea is for them to be able to create a network where, if they need help with something medical, with something educational, with something social, that they can reach out to those folks that have been so kind and volunteered. We call them 'Go-to Team Members."
Most importantly, the program uses the game of golf to teach life skills and core values, like integrity, honesty, responsibility, perseverance, respect, courtesy, confidence, judgment, and sportsmanship.
"All of these are inherent in golf," said Moscoso. "It just comes along with golf."
He says if the players end up with great golf skills, that is a plus.
"It actually helps with everybody," said Parker, about the program. "It helps you on the golf course. It helps you at home and it helps you at school. My favorite core value is respect, because if you don't give respect to someone, you won't get it back."
Parker has played a lot of sports, but golf is what clicked most.
"You can take away all of your stress, and you can relax," he said.
Parker lives with his mother and grandparents but has also become a part of Moscoso's family. He describes it as "the best experience, ever."
"It's like a family on the road," said Parker. "I love to hang out with all of the family, him and his three children. I connect with all of them, actually. We became a family on the road. It's like another dad and another family."
Moscosco, who is a single father of three, and lost his own father when he was Parker's age, has spent 25 years in youth development. He serves as the program director and a First Tee coach. He says he loves having Parker around.
"Every day that I spend time with Nickolas, I learn something new, something that helps me to be a better person, be a better parent to my own kids, so the whole idea of mentoring goes both ways," said Moscoso. "I think that's lost. I think people think, 'I have to mentor, I'm going to take care of somebody.' I think it's the opposite. I think when you develop a good mentor-mentee, it goes both ways, and both of you walk away with very positive inspiration, feelings about wanting to do some more. One of the things that I have tried to instill in Nickolas is giving back, and understanding that when you give back, you get a lot more in return, not immediately, but in the long run."
Parker used to be shy. He struggled in school, both academically and with his conduct,but with Moscoso's help, he has made huge strides. He is now a camp counselor, and Moscoso says Parker has emerged as a leader. He is on his way to graduating high school and plans to attend college. The 13-year-old someday wants to be a sports broadcaster.
And it all started on the green.
"I remember, I couldn't hit (the ball) anywhere," said Parker. "It would go a foot in front of me, and I slowly got better. The First Tee gave me a chance to play with them, and I stayed with them until now, and I met a lot of new people. My coach, John, he's the best person you could ever meet. He teaches you everything, and he's that person you can connect with. He gives me a lot."
"Nick is not the kind of kid that you can just ask to do something, and he's never going to make an excuse," said Moscoso. "He's never going to do any of that. He's just going to say, 'When? How long do I have to do it for? And what do I have to do?' That's just the kind of person that he is."
Moscoso also facilitates a special needs program. He and Parker are highly involved in the Special Olympics, which takes place at the First Tee of Miami facility during the summers.
"He'll be the first one to tell you that when you work with these kids, it's the most rewarding thing in the world," said Moscoso. "These kids never have a bad day. They always have a smile on their faces and they are always grateful to be out here."
Parker is grateful, too—not just for the chance to play a sport he loves, but for the opportunity to learn from his mentor, about golf, but more importantly, about life and relationships.
"It helps you with everything," said Parker. "You learn about all the things you need to know in life—respect, honesty, sportsmanship, perseverance, how to be nice to others."
The First Tee of Miami is always looking for volunteers. You can find out more by clicking here.
