In the October, 2010 issue Forefront Austin asked: How can we help students graduate ready for life?  The First Tee of Greater Austin explained the value of goal setting in their feature article Take Dead Aim.  Preston Schaub, one of the graduates of The First Tee program, shares his perspective on goal setting.    

I learned to set goals early on through The First Tee in golf and everyday life.  College was one of those goals and although there was a tremendous amount of negative peer pressure throughout middle school and high school that could have derailed me, I was able to find purpose in my life and a confidence in my abilities on and off the golf course.  It wasn't always easy, but I would also strive to build positive relationships and make better decisions that would result in a more positive consequence. With persistence and hard work in the class room, I was prepared for college and able to attain that goal, while a lot of my childhood friends didn't.  This same determination was applied to graduating from college in four years, in spite of the fact that I had to work my way through college while maintaining a full class schedule.

I started my first job the day I turned 16 years old, I was enthusiastic to say the least, as well as committed and dedicated, even to a 5:30am start time at Onion Creek Golf Course.  I was determined to always do more than what was asked of me and as a result it opened doors for other amazing job opportunities and internships during my high school and college years.  In the fall of 2009, at the start of my senior year in college I had a simple idea for an iPhone application.  Through my involvement over the years with two non-profit organizations, The First Tee and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), I had the confidence, skills and experience necessary to take this simple idea, develop it over a nine month period and start a new business venture.  

In 2004, at The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, I had the opportunity to meet Gary Player.  He took the time to personally give me advice about how important your physical conditioning was in the game of golf and for life.  That inspired me to lose 38 pounds and return to Pebble Beach the next year to thank him as well as show him the results of my hard work and dedication.  This was a true life changer for me and to this day I still maintain that same weight, exercise daily and eat healthy. 

For me perseverance in life is being able to make a decision and always moving forward, learning from your mistakes but not reliving the past.  Just as you do in golf!