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Chelsea Hadsall assists a participant in WIU's First Tee program.
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Chelsea Hadsall with WIU First Tee participants.
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Local First Tee Golfer Selected for National Leaders Forum

November 10, 2009

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MACOMB, IL -- Chelsea Hadsall of Western Illinois University's First Tee program has been selected to participate in the Toro Future Leaders Forum at the Walt Disney World Resort. The Future Leaders Forum provides young people a unique learning experience that concentrates on strengthening leadership skills, preparing for college and exploring the many career possibilities in and outside the game of golf.

Hadsall, a senior at Macomb Senior High School and a member of the MHS golf team, was one of the 50 students worldwide to be selected for the program. For Hadsall to be considered for the program, she first had to submit a 200-word essay detailing her career aspirations and post-high school plans, a listing of involvement in school and community activites and a letter of recommendation describing her leadership skills.

"Chelsea is a great student, golfer and band member at Macomb High School. She embodies all of the nine core values of The First Tee Program and has been a great mentor to the younger students," said Lia Lukkarinen, the Leathernecks women's golf coach, assistant director of golf and director of Western's First Tee program.

The First Tee program of Western Illinois University was founded in 1999 for the purpose of providing quality facilities, instruction from golf professionals and the development of essential life skills. The First Tee's nine core values are: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

Through the First Tee eight-week summer program participants learn and practice the fundamentals of golf and have free access to the driving range, the 9-hole pitch and putt course and the putting green at Western's Harry Mussatto Golf Course.

"First Tee has helped me develop leadership skills. It has also given me the chance to work with kids and it has been a fun way to learn golf," Hadsall said. Hadsall has been involved with the First Tee program at Western since it started 10 years ago.

The third annual Future Leaders Forum will be held Nov. 12-15. During the event, participants will develop practical training to become better leaders in the classroom, community and their future careers. The participants will learn from industry leaders about career opportunities in the golf industry, such as tournament operations, golf course management and hospitality.

"At first I was shocked to be selected, but then I was really excited as I'll get to work with professionals and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a tournament is run," Hadsall added.

In addition to Hadsall's selection, WIU's First Tee program has received a $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart.

For more information on WIU's First Tee program, contact Lukkarinen at LB-Lukkarinen@wiu.edu or (309) 298-3676.




Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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