COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Thursday morning, two major golf events began. In Rio, the first Olympic golf tournament since 1904. And then here in Columbus, the U.S. Senior Open teed off at Scioto Country Club. Golf is a sport that is not always the most popular with the younger generation. But the First Tee of Central Ohio is trying to change that, as well as change lives

Since 1998, the First Tee has had one mission: get kids to play the game of golf while helping them maneuver through the game of life.

“Golf is a great medium for them to learn life skills like responsibility, sportsmanship, respect, integrity,” said Rick Towle, the executive director of the First Tee of Central Ohio. “These types of things carry you through life. To bring them to our facility and/or in the schools we are in and work with these kids. Get them excited about a game that can last a lifetime as well.”

This week at their home base at Blacklick Woods Golf Course, the kids had a little extra reason to be excited, as former Blue Jackets player Jody Shelley, former Crew star Frankie Hejduk and others joined them to play 9 holes of golf, and have some fun as well.

“These kids have lots of interesting stories about how they got into the game of golf,” said Sheller. “Golf is for everyone. To be able to associate with these kids and show us that they can beat us at golf because we’re not very good. It’s a very fun thing to be involved with.”

And we’re talking just 9 holes here, not 18. A big push by the United States Golf Association with hopes to grow the game. The Play 9 initiative is all about getting golfers, young and old, to enjoy the sport without sacrificing too much of their time.

“It really is a matter of us telling people to find time and enjoy the game,’ said Beth Major, director of community outreach for the USGA. “We realize today’s busy lifestyles don’t always allow people to play a full 18 holes so making sure they find time to play 9 holes is really what this initiative is all about.”