There are moments in a young person’s life that quietly shape everything that comes after. Moments where the world opens up just enough for them to catch a glimpse of what is possible — and they are never quite the same again. For the First Tee – Orange County participants who were selected as standard bearers at the 2026 HOAG Classic, this was one of those moments.
Walking the Fairways of Newport Beach Country Club
This year, a select group of First Tee – Orange County participants had the extraordinary honor of serving as standard bearers at the 2026 HOAG Classic at Newport Beach Country Club — one of Orange County’s most prestigious and storied golf venues. Dressed with pride and standing tall, our young golfers took their place on the fairway alongside celebrities competing in the Celebrity Pro-Am, carrying the standard as the gallery watched and the cameras rolled.
For many of our participants, this was their first time setting foot inside a professional tournament environment. For all of them, it was an experience unlike anything they had encountered before.
More Than a Round of Golf
Walking alongside celebrities in a pro-am setting is extraordinary for anyone. For a young person who may have started their First Tee journey with little more than curiosity and a borrowed club, it is transformational. Our participants did not just witness professional golf up close — they were part of it. They stood on the same fairways. They felt the energy of the crowd. They represented their community, their families, and their program on one of the biggest stages Orange County golf has to offer.
And they did it with exactly the kind of poise, character, and confidence that First Tee – Orange County works to build every single day.
What This Opportunity Means
Being selected as a standard bearer at an event of this caliber is not something every young golfer gets to experience. It is an honor — and our participants carried it beautifully. But beyond the prestige of the moment, what struck our coaches and staff most was watching our kids hold their heads high, engage with the celebrities and players around them, and carry themselves with a maturity and grace that made every person in our organization incredibly proud.
This is what First Tee is all about. Not just teaching the game — but using the game to open doors, build character, and show young people that they belong in every room, on every fairway, and at every table.
A Community That Shows Up
None of this would have been possible without the HOAG Classic organizers and Newport Beach Country Club for welcoming First Tee – Orange County into this incredible event and creating space for our participants to shine. Opportunities like this are made possible by a community that believes in investing in the next generation — and we are deeply grateful for every partner, volunteer, and supporter who makes moments like this a reality for our kids.
To our participants — we are so incredibly proud of you. You walked those fairways with everything we hoped you would. Keep swinging. Keep growing. The game has so much more in store for you.
