Talking Rock Ranch is hosting nearly 100 teenagers from around the country on Aug. 8 as part of The First Tee, an organization that has helped shape the lives of 5 million young people from all walks of life by teaching them values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf.

The First Tee annual Life Skills and Leadership Academy recognizes and rewards exceptional young adults for their accomplishments, while teaching them valuable mentoring skills they can take back to their communities.

After a week at the University of Arizona in Tucson, the group will have a chance to play golf at Talking Rock Golf Club, where they also will learn about perseverance, respect and integrity. The opportunity for these young people to play a championship course like Talking Rock is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

A multi-year independent research study revealed that 73% of participants who took part in The First Tee Life experience felt the program gave them the confidence to excel in the classroom. The same study showed that 100 percent of past years' participants felt they brought skills learned at The First Tee back to school with them.