Our Staff
WENDY CULLEN
Chief Executive Officer
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JASON REDDICK
Program Director
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ASHLEY RUBALCAVA
HR Manager/Volunteer Manager
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ANDREA PREGONI
Program Manager
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SAMI PENOR
Marketing & Program Specialist
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MATT RUIZ
Outreach Coordinator
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GLENN OSAKO
Outreach Coordinator (PT)
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Our Coaches
COACH RICHARD
Lead Instructor
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I graduated from The University of California, State University, Long Beach with a Communications Degree and then got my teaching credential for Physical Education. I’ve been golfing for 12 years and have been teaching for two. I’m newer to First Tee, but absolutely love this program! My favorite core lesson is developing confidence because self-belief is so important in anything you do. My goal is to get students to have fun and love the game as much as I do!
COACH SOPHIA
Lead Instructor
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I have been with the First Tee program for the last 3 years. I was a volunteer before recently coming on as a Lead Instructor. I have been playing golf for 8 years and have been in local SCPGA Junior tournaments for 6 years. I play for the Whittier College Women’s Golf team, but will soon be transferring to Arizona Christian University in the Fall. I really enjoy teaching the kids the core values because not only do they apply to golf, but they apply to life. My favorite core value is respect because it is so much easier to get things done when there is mutual respect between people.
COACH NINA
Lead Instructor
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I have a lot of experience as a golf coach, including 7 years at a Junior Golf Academy at Rancho San Joaquin and Newport Beach Golf Course. I am new to First Tee, but I love my role of educating young people with golf and life skills. My favorite core values are respect and responsibility because I think it is so important to have strong self-management skills on and off of the golf course.
COACH MATT
Lead Instructor
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I have a fiery passion for the game of golf. I started playing Golf during my freshman year of high school and haven’t stopped since. Along with being a First Tee Coach, I am also a head coach for the Golf Team at my alumni high school. I love teaching the game of golf to our youth and being able to also teach life lessons through the game. I really like First Tee’s Key Commitment of Growing Through Challenges, as that is always something I am looking to do as a person and teacher. One goal of mine is to help as many young people as I can by making them smile and enjoy playing the game of golf- I know First Tee is a perfect opportunity to do that.
COACH REX
Lead Instructor
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I grew up in Orange County and earned a degree from USC. I enjoy the game of golf and the life lessons it offers. As a father of four children, I have coached many youth sports over the years and have seen the benefits of exercise and competition. After a successful career in the investment industry, I am proud and excited to work with The First Tee of OC and give back to the community. The First Tee program offers youth an opportunity to learn the game of golf and the life skills it teaches. My favorite First Tee core values are confidence, perseverance, and respect. I believe that developing these characteristics can help prepare kids to be successful in life.
COACH COURTNEY
Lead Instructor
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I started golfing with my grandpa when I was 10 years old. Soon after that, I took my first First Tee class and loved it. After taking classes for a few years, I was asked to be a volunteer junior coach, which I continued to do for the past couple of years. I played 4 years of golf in high school, winning back-to-back league championships. In addition to golf, I also played 4 years of basketball in high school. In the fall, I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life as a student at Cal State San Marcos University. My favorite key commitments are growing through challenges and building a positive self-identity. Golf is a sport that I am very passionate about, and I look forward to bringing that passion to the next generation of golfers.
COACH CADEN
Lead Instructor
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My passion for golf started at a very young age, and I have been playing golf ever since I was 3 years old. My passion and drive for the game eventually led me to become the captain of my high school golf team over the last 2 years, during which we won back-to-back league championships. In the fall, I am looking forward to continuing my education at the University of California, Irvine. My favorite key commitment is growing through challenges because in both life and golf you never know what kind of issues you are going to face, but you must learn to persevere in order to be successful. I am very passionate about and look forward to educating the next generation about golf, and passing the game down to them.
COACH FRANK
Lead Instructor
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I am a Life Member of the PGA of America with 25+ years of teaching all levels of players. I started playing at 9, competed in High School, College, as well as California State Amateur qualifier 3 years in a row. All 5 of the Key Commitments of First Tee are important, but Growing through Challenge seems to describe ‘life’ as life happens.
COACH TED
Lead Instructor
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With a lifetime of experience in golf and a love for coaching youth sports, I find fulfillment in empowering kids to become the best version of themselves, on and off the course. I’m thrilled by the opportunity to give back and help young players grow into well-rounded individuals. By guiding them with the program’s key commitments, core values, and life skills, I hope to provide them with the essential tools to succeed in life.
COACH KEVIN Lead Instructor
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I bring multiple years of senior leadership experience in the healthcare industry, having worked for and collaborated with a variety of provider organizations to deliver comprehensive revenue cycle improvement solutions. Outside of my professional work, I am passionate about fitness and enjoy golf, an interest I’ve cultivated for over 15 years as a way to build camaraderie with colleagues. I also enjoy coaching others and sharing meaningful life experiences. Motivating and inspiring people are among my greatest strengths.
I am a family man at heart and live in Dana Point with my wife, Amy. Together, we have three sons—Taro, Elliot, and Elijah. I hold a Master of Business Administration degree, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Business, from the University of Southern California.
COACH CODY Lead Instructor
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I have been playing golf my entire life and grew up playing junior golf in Las Vegas, where I was also a participant in First Tee. Golf has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m passionate about sharing the game with the next generation.
I have over 10 years of coaching experience, including the past 8 years as a Teaching Professional at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club. I’ve had the opportunity to work with golfers of all ages and skill levels, helping them build strong fundamentals, confidence, and a genuine love for the game.
Having grown up through First Tee myself, I understand the impact the program can have on young golfers both on and off the course. I’m excited to give back to the game that has given me so much and help the next generation of players develop their skills, confidence, and character.
COACH SYDNEY Lead Instructor
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I started playing golf when I was 6 years old, competing in SCGA tournaments and then playing for my high school team, where I was team captain for two years. I am currently pursuing my degree in Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. Golf has always been a part of my life, and I wanted to give back to the community by volunteering with First Tee. After volunteering for a couple of years, I discovered my passion for teaching and mentoring young golfers.
As a Lead Coach, I enjoy helping kids develop their own golf skills while also building confidence and important life skills that extend beyond the course. My goal is to create a fun, positive, and encouraging environment where every child feels supported, motivated, and excited to return each week. I look forward to teaching and inspiring the next generation of golfers!
COACH RYAN Lead Instructor
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I’ve been hooked on golf ever since making a wiffle ball golf course that criss-crossed our neighborhood. I pursued a career in the game after college, working first as a tournament director and then a development officer with the AJGA. I enjoyed creating special moments for young athletes, and I continue to build experiences for brands and startups in my own consultancy. I first saw the First Tee take shape nationally during my time with the AJGA, and I am grateful to find my way back to the FTOC to give a little back to the game that has given me so much. Some fun facts about me are that I live in Orange County with my wife, Molly, and two teenage boys – one who is a budding golfer himself. I also love to practice hot yoga, and cooking for my family is one of my great joys
COACH ALEC Lead Instructor
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I have been involved with the game of golf since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a part of the First Tee of the Coachella Valley, where I learned to play and competed until I graduated high school in 2019. From a young age, the First Tee taught me important values like respect, honesty, and integrity. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to pass forward the lessons and experiences that the First Tee gave to me, onto the next generation of golfers! Besides working with the First Tee of OC, I am also a high school social science teacher!
COACH LUKA Lead Instructor
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Golf has gotten me to where I am today, and I intend to help others do the same. I have been playing golf since I was 5 and quickly joined the First Tee as a participant. I am trying to bring the joy I felt as an attendee to the next generation of young golfers through our key commitments.
COACH NIC Lead Instructor
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“I have been involved with the game of golf since I was 4, and grew up taking classes with the First Tee of Orange County since the age of 8. The First Tee has taught me many valiuable life skills as well as core values on and off the golf course. I am very excited to share and give back to the game of golf, as well as teach young participants!”