Sep 13, 2006 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

FARMINGTON – RoSean Colbert’s favorite golfer is Tiger Woods. However, the 10-year-old Uniontown boy might have a new favorite golfer following a practice session at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa home of the 84 Lumber Classic Tuesday.

Michelle Wie took some time out Tuesday afternoon to meet with Colbert and dozens of other area children as part of the First Tee Program, a golf and school cooperative that helps educate children about the game as well as provide equipment for area school districts.

“I learned a lot,” Colbert said, noting he discovered how to tee off correctly.

And Colbert was particularly satisfied with an autograph he received from Wie, displaying it proudly.

Colbert was one of about 130 area children who spent some quality time with one of the rising stars of professional golf who is in town to compete against the men in the fourth and final edition of the PGA tournament, held each year at Mystic Rock in Farmington.

Wie is participating in this year’s tournament, her sixth effort in a PGA event, but the 16-year-old phenomena still found time to sign autographs for every child that attended the clinic, something event coordinators said was unmatched by professionals in year’s past.

“Michelle Wie gave the kids a lesson and then signed autographs for every single kid here,” Uniontown High School Principal Thomas Colebank said. “We started this program three years ago and have joined with 84 Lumber to provide this clinic and it has grown each year.”

Colebank said 72 students from Lafayette School in the Uniontown district joined 61 students from three elementary schools in the Albert Gallatin Area School District in the practice session held at the John Daly Learning Center at Nemacolin.

According to Colebank, the kids get to spend the day learning from several golf experts with the First Tee Program as well as a professional golfer and then enjoy a dinner provided by Nemacolin.

The First Tee Program is sponsored by 84 Lumber on a national level and is an initiated to educate children about golf, the etiquette of the game and the enjoyment gained from trying the sport.

“The program offers training for physical education teachers to teach students and provides golf equipment to the schools,” tournament representative Anne Spencer said.

Zelma Kassimer, the tournament volunteer and charity coordinator, said the program was implemented locally three years ago and will continue despite the discontinuation of the PGA Tour event in Farmington.

“It is really important to expose children to golf at an early age because it helps to teach etiquette and character building,” Kassimer said.

Bruce Stephen, founder of the First Tee in Pittsburgh, said that through the generosity of 84 Lumber owners Joseph Hardy and Maggie Hardy Magerko, the program is able to offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Fayette County youth to practice with a pro.

“It is a shame the tournament is going to go away,” Stephen said. “They have done a really great job.”