Brian Lewis/The Gazette Dean Greer, the PGA head golf pro at Laytonsville Golf Course, watches Bryan Boyd hit a ball during a golf lesson last month.

Thanks to The First Tee of Montgomery County, youth like Bryan can learn the fundamentals of golf from PGA professionals and the fundamentals of life from a qualified life skills instructor at no cost.

"It's much more than just a golf program ­ it's a youth development program," said Charlie Steinbraker, head of the board of directors for The First Tee of Montgomery County. "But it uses all the aspects of golf to teach that."

Created in 1997 by the World Golf Foundation, The First Tee is designed for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play golf due to the expense of the sport.

Montgomery County started its chapter because the Department of Recreation sought to allow children to play sports regardless of income, but there was no way for them to play golf, Steinbraker said.

"The cost associated with playing golf is significant, and there was no door open for you do that," he said. "First Tee is a means to provide that access."

The First Tee of Montgomery County has been operating for two years and officially received chapter status earlier this year. Students participating in the organization can take lessons at either Laytonsville Golf Course or White Oak Golf Course, with PGA professionals Dean Greer and Jonathan Dorfman.

What makes The First Tee different from other junior golf programs is its life skills program, which teaches students golf-related life values such as honesty, respect and how to properly introduce oneself.

Although children seem to like hitting the ball the best, Wanda Boyd, mother of Lee and Bryan Boyd, likes the attitude changes she has seen in her sons.

"I've seen a big change in them," said Boyd, a Gaithersburg resident, explaining that her sons originally had no desire to play golf. "They get out there, [and] they like to play the sport. They interact better with a lot of different kids their age. They get a positive attitude about it."

The life skills program is necessary to The First Tee because "life skills offer the children tools to be successful in a variety of situations, not only on the golf course but in life," said Leslie Slaby, the life skills instructor.

The six life skills modules are entwined into the sessions in order to provide a seamless interface for learning about both golf and life, according to Greer.

For example, to teach youth about being positive, having patience and to ask questions, the instructors will take a few students aside and ask how their games are going. Depending on how the children respond, the teachers instruct the children on the necessity of being positive, being patient and asking questions to improve their golfing.

"The great thing about it is, we bridge [golf skills] to real life," said Slaby, who teaches life skills at both courses. "Not only do they learn golf, they learn the fundamentals around it, and bring it into home life."

Every Monday and Wednesday, up to 39 students ranging in age from 9 to 15 gather around the driving range at Laytonsville Golf Course to practice hitting balls. Upwards of 10 volunteer instructors also help Greer and Slaby teach the children golf and life skills at each gathering.

At the June 11 closing ceremony for the spring session, five students graduated from the beginning par level to the intermediate birdie level. Each graduate was awarded a set of junior golf clubs. The five students were assigned mentors when they began the summer session Monday. Mentors are outside volunteers who make a long-term commitment to provide one-on-one help and encouragement by taking their student golfing twice a month.

The children who did not graduate from par to birdie will be promoted to par level two when they return for the summer session, and they will once again have the opportunity to proceed to birdie level and receive their own sets of junior golf clubs.

As their skill levels increase, birdie level students will be able to move forward to eagle level, the advanced level. Students with higher levels spend more time on the green, as opposed to the practice facilities.

For a student to move to a higher level, Greer and Slaby must evaluate the student and agree that he or she has sufficient golf and life skills. The student must also pass a written test.

Jaron Waters, 12, of Sandy Spring, likes being in The First Tee because it helps improve his hand coordination with football, and "it makes me feel like I could get somewhere in golf later in life," he said.

"I like it a lot. It gives me a chance to improve my game," said Ryan Shoemaker, 15, of Olney.

And 10-year-old Neicy Grays of Olney likes golfing, Greer and the snack bar, but "I hate when the ball doesn't get far," she said.

While some participants said the life skills part of The First Tee was boring, others found it helpful.

"I like how we talk about stuff, because we learn more," said Shaunte Grays, 13, of Olney.

Mubo Odebode, 12, of Olney, likes how the program teaches how people should act in certain situations, such as how "if someone litters, you should pick it up," she said.

Steinbraker attributes some of the program's success to its partners in the community. Various county agencies and the Silver Spring branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington have been exceedingly helpful in The First Tee's cause, Steinbraker said.

Greer, too, can attest to the positive change The First Tee has enacted in students.

"As a golf pro and a teacher, we always want to have the Tiger Woods," Greer said. "But after being involved, The First Tee program is much more than just teaching kids golf. My goal now is to make sure my kids make it in life."

For information about The First Tee of Montgomery County, call the Laytonsville Golf Course at 301-948-5288 or the White Oak Golf Course at 301-593-6910.