By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Award-winning golfer Alicia Lawrence found a way to turn her favorite past-time into a rewarding profession.
Lawrence is now working with The First Tee®, a nationwide program that introduces young people to the game she loves while teaching them values that can help them shape their lives.
“I am who I am because of this sport, so this embodies everything about me,” said Lawrence, executive director of The First Tee’s local chapter that serves children ages 7 to 18 residing in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky and Hamilton and Clermont counties in Ohio.
Using golf to instill commendable personality traits is what attracted the 31-year-old Williamstown native to the job.
In addition to teaching skills necessary to play the game, The First Tee promotes nine core values – honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, perseverance, courtesy and judgment – and encourages parents to reinforce them at home.
There are five levels in the program. Boys and girls can begin as early as age 7 and advance at their own pace by demonstrating proficiency in their golf and character skills.
Sessions are offered in the spring, summer and fall at area golf courses. Registration information is available on The First Tee website or by calling Jeanne Siegel at 513-377-0603.
The non-profit organization also works with area schools and youth centers, providing them with teacher training, lesson plans and equipment for different age levels.
Knowing how much golf shaped her own life, Lawrence is excited to be part of a program that provides the same opportunities for others.
“I would not be where I am today, professionally or personally, if I did not have golf,” she said. “I learned how to be comfortable walking up to strangers and starting a conversation and finding out that everyone is different but we all have something to contribute. I’ve been able to fully appreciate that because of this sport and the people I’ve met through it.”
Lawrence was a three-time state tournament qualifier for Williamstown High School and won the Northern Kentucky Women’s Amateur championship as a teenager. She went on to play for the Northern Kentucky University women’s golf team and placed 10th in the NCAA Division II East Regional as a senior.
She was named 2008 College Sportswoman of the Year by the Greater Cincinnati Women’s Sports Association a few months before she graduated from NKU. The award is based on athletic and academic achievements, community involvement and leadership skills.
Lawrence’s professional career began as a fundraiser for collegiate athletics. She worked in the athletic development offices at NKU and Xavier over the last seven years before becoming executive director of The First Tee of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky last April.
Her strong background in fundraising could be one of the reasons she got the job. The First Tee relies on financial support from people and organizations who believe that children are the community’s greatest asset.
“If you’re excited about your mission, people are drawn to that,” Lawrence said. “This is a great program and I want to provide this opportunity to every child in our service area.”