LONGWOOD (FBW)—Volunteer coaches in churches across the nation are using biblical principles to teach children to shoot straight in golf and life. Growing Kids Through Golf, headquartered in Longwood, offers not only golf lessons but also Christian mentoring relationships.

In weekly one-hour sessions, volunteer coaches instruct children in basic golf skills and etiquette, life skills and Bible study. The sessions are scheduled whenever golf facilities are available, mostly during the evening hours.

"We never want to take away from a church's Wednesday night or Sunday schedules," said Tom Forte, GKTG director of community development.

Forte, a member of First Baptist Church, Sweetwater in Longwood, serves as a children's Sunday School co-teacher, middle school choir director and deacon.

His 12-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son are learning to love golf along with other children of their suburban church.

First, Sweetwater volunteer Clyde Rodgers began the second six-week course beginning April 11. Sessions 1-4 are on a practice tee, and the final two sessions on a local golf course. The participants are grouped by age, 7-10 and 11-17.

Growing Kids Through Golf began as one six-week course, but last year expanded to six individual six-week courses. The non-profit organization offers a four-hour training session for volunteer leader/coaches and curriculum for 36 sessions which churches may choose from.

"We are fortunate in Florida to be able to play golf all year, but other states are limited by the weather," Forte said.

Several Florida Baptist churches have hosted Growing Kids Through Golf sessions, including First Baptist, Jensen Beach; First Baptist, Eustis; Rock Springs Baptist, Apopka; and First Baptist, Stuart. According to Forte, each church used the sports clinics as an outreach tool, reaching both children and parents.

"This program was built as a mission tool," said Forte. "We are not trying to create the next Tiger Woods."

For more information on Growing Kids Through Golf, contact Forte at 407-869-0832. Also available are a 1-hour DVD and a television pilot featuring Champions Tour professional Jim Thorpe.