By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

The First Tee is looking to expand in Georgetown County's 18 schools in 2012.

The goal of the St. Augustine, Fla.,-based organization is to introduce children to golf and use the sport to "build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices."

The nine core values of First Tee are: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

A Myrtle Beach chapter of First Tee, which has struggled since it was founded in 2005, has been reorganized and renamed The First Tee of The Grand Strand.

The local chapter is trying to reach the 10,000 kids ages 6-18 in Georgetown County and the 40,000 kids in that age group in Horry County, according to Veronica Gore-Kennedy, the chapter's new executive director.

"It will not happen overnight," Gore-Kennedy said in a press release announcing the new initiative. "2012 will be a building year, as we introduce programs in the elementary schools, recruit volunteer coaches, plan and establish two facilities."

Gore-Kennedy was involved with the Brunswick County, N.C., chapter before taking over the Grand Strand.

She said she has been studying the area and meeting with local officials, and has found people to be "very enthusiastic" about the program.

The local chapter plans to find a permanent home in Georgetown County next year and hopes to be working with 25,000 kids in both counties by 2017.

Georgetown County Administrator Sel Hemingway and School Superintendent Randy Dozier traveled to Brunswick County to check out the program's facilities there.

"I was very impressed with the program," Hemingway said. "It's a worthwhile project and beneficial to the youth that are involved in the program."

Hemingway said County Council and the School Board will hold a joint meeting, possibly in February, to discuss the program, and the resources that would be needed to support it.

"The strategy is to make sure we get it into the school system," Gore-Kennedy said.

Plans are for after-school, summer and Saturday programs.

For more information on the national organization, go to www.thefirsttee.org.

For information on the Grand Strand chapter, contact Gore-Kennedy at vlgore@yahoo.com.