Bronco Athletics Partners with First Tee Idaho to Champion Youth and Grow Sport
11/26/2024 8:30:00 AM | General, Men's Golf, Women's Golf, Bronco Athletic Association
New home facility for golf teams and character-building programming for local youth
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State Athletics has formed a community partnership with First Tee Idaho (FTI) athletic director Jeramiah Dickey announced Wednesday. The partnership follows FTI's acquisition of Pierce Park Greens, a 27-acre par-three golf course located in Northwest Boise, now named First Tee – Idaho's Pierce Park Greens. Boise State men's and women's golfers will have full access to Pierce Park Greens as a home to practice and develop.
A local nonprofit, FTI is dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to engage with the sport of golf and develop essential life skills.Â
"We appreciate First Tee Idaho for improving the Bronco student-athlete experience with this tremendous public-private partnership," said Dickey. "Building and engaging our community is part of our DNA. First Tee Idaho is helping plant a seed for What's Next for Boise State men's and women's golf by growing the game with young players in the Treasure Valley and investing in Pierce Park Greens to offer a place for Bronco student-athletes to develop and grow. We're also grateful for all of the courses in the Boise area that allow our student-athletes to better themselves as golfers. This partnership will also provide a platform for our student-athletes to work alongside young golfers and share valuable life skills through BroncoLife programming."
BroncoLife is the department's student-athlete development programming that empowers student-athletes to act and behave in accordance with their values, be positive influences in their community and discover their full potential as leaders in both their college careers and lives after Boise State.Â
"We are honored to offer Boise State University's Men's and Women's golf teams a space where they can continue to grow both as athletes and as individuals," said Nick Blasius, executive director. "Our young golfers will have the unique opportunity to learn directly from these student-athletes about the dedication and drive required to achieve their goals. To me, it's not just about what golf is, but what golf can inspire, and our facility will stand as a lasting testament to that impact in our community for years to come."
Pierce Park Greens, seven miles from Boise State campus, has a rich history dating back to the late 1990s when it was established by Dennis E. Labrum and Jay Satterfield. The course changed hands in 2009 when David Parker acquired it. Parker, who also co-owned the former Divotz Discount Golf Range, has now sold the business to First Tee Idaho. The land on which the course sits is owned by Zubizareta Properties.Â
First Tee Idaho plans to improve the course and facilities in order to better serve the community and its young athletes with a commitment to keep Pierce Park Greens open to the public.
"The community support, specifically the golf community, of our programs, is paramount to our success," said Broncos women's golf head coach Kailin Downs. "The partnership with First Tee Idaho and their newly acquired facility is an exciting step forward. Having a home facility for our student-athletes on a daily basis is vital as we continue to elevate our recruiting and performance standards."
"This is an extremely exciting time for Boise State Men's and Women's Golf teams, First Tee of Idaho and Nick Blasius, who worked extremely hard on this project" said Bronco men's golf head coach David Trainor. "I want to thank Nick and First Tee of Idaho for including us, our administration for getting behind this project, and our supporters from all over the Treasure Valley – none of what we do would be possible without you!"
About First Tee IdahoÂ
First Tee Idaho is a youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people throughout Idaho. Founded in 2005, First Tee Idaho is one of over 150 chapters of First Tee, an organization that is recognized as one of the premier youth character-education programs in the country.Â
First Tee Idaho delivers the Life Skills Experience curriculum to youth ages 7-18. This curriculum, which teaches life lessons and leadership skills through the game of golf, was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by coaches who have trained through The First Tee Coach Program. In addition to learning fundamentals of the golf swing and the game, character education and life skills programs help kids and teens prepare for success at school, at home and in the community.
