Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy

Overview

Online application now availible! - in Adobe Acrobat

The Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy became a reality when it began serving youth in the spring of 2000. It is run under the supervision of the Executive Director and Kansas State Alumnus Mr. Veryl Switzer. In its early weeks Mr. Switzer and his youth mentors from Kansas State University along with volunteers from the Manhattan and Junction City communities began taking youngsters out to the driving range and teaching them the basics of golf at a few local public courses, Rolling Meadows Golf Course of Junction City and Wildcat Creek Golf Course of Manhattan. In the following months, the program began to flourish with the number of applicants increasing steadily and more personalized facilities. On May 1, 2001, Colbert Hills Golf Course opened its greens to the public. Within this phenomenal 18-hole course lies a 9-hole par-3 teaching course that bears the name First Tee. This perfect teaching area became the primary tool used by the Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy to serve over 350 youth in its inaugural year.

The Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy serves as an umbrella over several youth organizations which participate in its spring, summer, and fall sessions; it is composed of the Local First Tee Academy, Upward Bound First Tee Academy, Upward Bound Math Science First Tee Academy, Gear-Up I First Tee Academy, Gear-Up II First Tee Academy, National First Tee Academy and introducing the YMCA Scholars First Tee Academy in the summer of 2001. Now, the Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy continues to grow with an anticipated number of 700 participants to be served over the summer of 2001. It also continues to work with partners from Rolling Meadows and Wildcat Creek Golf Courses.

This elaborate program took many years of planning and employed the personal passions of many people from the Kansas State University family. Earl Woods, Tiger Woods' father and the academy's namesake, attended Kansas State University in the 1950's. As a gesture of good will and loyalty to his Alma Mater, he allowed the academy to be named after him. Robert Krause, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and Jim Colbert, Senior PGA Tour member, were two of the most important movers and shakers involved in this project. Jim Colbert, namesake and architect of Colbert Hills Golf Course and Kansas State University alumnus, saw the importance that the game of golf could play in a young kid's life and turned to Bob Krause to help make it become a reality. This dynamic, hard-hitting powerhouse put hours of time, commitment, and vision into this project and it became an overwhelming success for the youth it served as well as the Kansas State, Manhattan, Junction City and surrounding communities. In addition to the Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy, K-State and Colbert Hills host the National First Tee Academy for youth participants from First Tee chapters around the country.

In the summer of 2000, Jim Colbert and company were able to witness the outcome of their unending work and unwavering dedication at the National First Tee Academy in July. Colbert, along with Earl Woods made the journey to Manhattan and Colbert Hills during the camp to give an encouraging speech and informative clinic on golf skills all while graciously entertaining the participants with autographs and pictures.

With the Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy encompassing so many organizations and activities, it takes manyl key people both in front and behind the scenes to keep it running smoothly. Among them are Mr. Veryl Switzer, Executive Director, Reginland McGowan, Associate Director, Brandi Edwards, Graduate Assistant, Shirley Whitney, Administrative Assistant, continued support from the Leadership Studies and Programs staff, and of course Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Robert Krause and his Administrative Assistant, Dorothy Smith. (To read more about the staff, click on the biography page.) In addition to the working staff, the Advisory Board committe deserves an acolade. Their efforts and tireless work continue to benefit the Earl Woods National Youth Golf Academy. The Advisory Board is responsible for year-round events such as fundraising campaigns, Local First Tee activities, and National First Tee activities. The following individuals are members of our Advisory Board: Dr. Jane Rowlett, Mr. Robert Krause, Monte Griffin, Reginland McGowan, Mr. Veryl Switzer, Dr. Susan Scott, Aubrey A. Patterson, Kevin Fateley, Kristi Knight, Tim Norris, Vera Martin, Candi Pitts, Brandi Edwards, and Barb Allen.