By SCOTT NOVAK

scott.novak@leaderpub.com

NILES — Signal Point at Blackthorn hosted the First Tee Nancy Tennant Golf & Leadership Academy on Tuesday.

The inaugural leadership academy was hosted by The First Tee of Benton Harbor in 2015, which was the first golf and leadership academy in the Great Lakes Region of The First Tee Network.

“The academy provides golf and leadership training while tying in The First Tee’s life skills, core values and healthy habits,” said Ebon Sanders, executive director of The First Tee of Benton Harbor. “In 2018, participants had the opportunity to play three fantastic golf courses: Harbor Shores, Point O’Woods Golf & Country Club and the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course in Chicago.”

Golf was not the only aspect of the academy.

“In addition to championship-level courses, academy participants had an opportunity to volunteer at the local YMCA, create canvas paintings, tour Soldier Field, attend a Chicago Cubs game and participate in a healthy-habits cook-off at St. Joseph High School,” Sanders said.

This year, the academy played Harbor Shores on Monday and Signal Point at Blackthorn on Tuesday. The final stop will be Notre Dame’s Burke Course. The participants will also take a tour of the university campus and take in a South Bend Cubs baseball game.

“Like last year, there are many other activities they are doing around the area as well,” Sanders said.

The youth who were selected to take part in the Nancy Tennant Golf & Leadership Academy came from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.