Category: Events

First Tee Leadership Academy returns to Atlanta, headlined by basketball legend Maya Moore 

Teens from across the U.S. will learn about leadership from executives within the Arthur M. Blank family of businesses. 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 17, 2024) – The First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore returns from June 17-22. The weeklong Atlanta event will bring together 48 teens from across the country who will learn about operating successful teams from executives within the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. 

The event is headlined by basketball legend Maya Moore, a 4-time WNBA, 2-time NCAA and 2-time Olympic champion, who off the court, has been a dedicated advocate of criminal justice reform. Participants will also hear from leaders like Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey, Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles, PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman and CEO Dick Sullivan and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Chief of Staff Kelley Gulley. 

It will feature workshops on communication, developing a winning culture and more. Attendees will get a taste of the college experience, with the Georgia Institute of Technology serving as its hub. The group will also visit sites across Atlanta, including the PGA TOUR Superstore Support Center, the Coda building, Atlanta United’s training facility, the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. 

“Our participants learn valuable skills at the First Tee Leadership Academy and have made friendships they will carry with them well beyond their time in Atlanta,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore for supporting these truly life-changing events.” 

PGA TOUR Superstore has been a partner of First Tee for more than a decade, providing financial support and in-kind donations. It provides chapter grants to promote teen retention and supports national events like the Leadership Academy, Leadership Summit and Leadership Series. 

The First Tee Leadership Academy is one of ten national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to inspire and empower teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.  

To be eligible to apply for the Academy, teens were required to participate in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country this past spring.  

Wounded Warrior Project and FTOC at Coyote Hills Golf Course

On Sunday, June 2nd, First Tee had the opportunity to put on a golf clinic for wounded warriors at Coyote Hills Golf Course was a resounding success. With 61 enthusiastic participants, the day was filled with activities including chipping, putting, and driving range sessions, showing team working skills and growing through challenges! We ended  the day with an amazing banquet, coupled with exciting raffle giveaways, marking a perfect end to a fulfilling event.

The partnership between First Tee and the wounded warriors community proved to be invaluable, and we cannot wait for more events in the future, to better the community and create connections through the love of golf.

Where are they now: First Tee National Championship winners 

First Tee returns to Clemson University this year for its 4th annual National Championship. This year’s field includes 24 boys and 24 girls from First Tee chapters across the country to experience what golf looks like at the next level.

In addition to showcasing their skills and perseverance on the course, players will also attend a golf careers panel and a keynote address from First Tee alumnus Gavin Parker. 

This year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamecast, and you can follow scoring on Golf Genius. 

Before we head to Clemson, we caught up with our past winners to see what they’re up to. 

Ashton Harper  
First Tee — Roanoke Valley 

Ashton won the inaugural First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and is now a member of the golf team at Virginia Tech, where he is majoring in business. Ashton said his experience with First Tee taught him valuable lessons in perseverance. “Golf is not a game of perfect, and there will always be ups and downs when playing this game, but they are magnified in tournaments due to the high stakes. I was able to use perseverance to fight these ups and downs,” he said. 

Ashton aims to become an All-ACC player by the end of his tenure at Virginia Tech before going on to play professionally. 

Symran Shah 
First Tee — Greater Dallas 

Like Ashton, Symran won the First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and now plays golf at Virginia Tech. She studies business and plans to have a career in healthcare administration. 

Hannah Lydic 
First Tee — Delaware 

Hannah won the 2022 First Tee National Championship held at Notre Dame and is now a member of the golf team at the University of Richmond, majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Her experience in the First Tee National Championship taught her patience and perseverance in both herself and her game, she said. 

As a Spider, she’s won awards for golf and academics. “What’s cool about the game of golf is that if you play calm and treat your playing partners with kindness, you will ultimately have a better experience on the course which will allow you to play at a higher level,” she said. Because of her experience with First Tee coaches, she fell in love with golf and now has the goal to become a collegiate golf coach. 

Hunter Swanson 
First Tee — Green Valley Ranch 

Hunter won the First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame in 2022 and is now a business student and member of the golf team at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Hunter lost to Ashton in a playoff at the 2021 First Tee National Championship, which inspired him to have the perseverance to come back and win at Notre Dame and taught him how to be more comfortable in high stress situations, he said.  

As a college golfer, Hunter said the most important lesson he learned from First Tee is confidence. “I find I play more relaxed and have a better game when I practice enough to believe in my abilities,” he said. Since winning the First Tee National Championship, Hunter has made the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, been a Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Week and the Nevada State Amateur runner up. 

Megan Meng  
First Tee — Greater Trenton 

Megan won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and is preparing to begin her college golf career at Northwestern, where she’ll study economics. Her experience playing in the First Tee National Championship challenged her to be hardworking and patient. She said she continues to use other First Tee lessons. “I find that it is important to always apply respect, sportsmanship and courtesy to those you are playing with,” said Megan, who also won the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. 

Recently, Megan was a member of Team USA at the 2023 Junior Solheim Cup and a 2023 Rolex Scholastic Junior All-American. She’s currently in the Top 10 of the AJGA Rankings and plans to pursue professional golf. 

Cooper Groshart 
First Tee — Central Coast 

Cooper won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and now attends California State East Bay, as a business administration major and a member of the golf team. Confidence is a First Tee lesson that Cooper keeps with him today while playing competitive golf. His experience in the First Tee National Championship was inspiring, as he saw so many people from different places share the same drive to compete and succeed in golf, he said.  

Cooper played in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur in Charleston. As a freshman, he competed in 12 tournaments with his college team and has been on the dean’s list both semesters. He said his goal is to continue to improve as a player and a person. 

Learn more about the First Tee National Championship.

First Tee College Scholarship Program celebrates first graduating class 

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (May 14, 2024) – Four years ago, President George W. Bush had a big surprise for seven exemplary First Tee participants. First Tee’s honorary chair told the teens they were selected as inaugural members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Now the organization is thrilled to celebrate their graduation. 

“Congratulations to the first graduating class of First Tee College Scholarship Program,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are very proud of your hard work and commitment, and we look forward to watching you move into the next stages of your journey. First Tee is proud to have played a role in your development.” 

“First Tee is family,” said Ricky Lam, a First Tee Scholar who is graduating from Harvard University and pursuing a career in insurance. “Ultimately First Tee is a place where you have such a strong support system to be able to pursue your passions, ask for help, expand your horizons and network so you can be the person you strive to be.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is a need- and merit-based scholarship program through which Scholars receive financial support and access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. Each Scholar is paired with an adult mentor to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful in college and beyond. 

“The First Tee College Scholarship Program really helped me find connections, especially with my mentor,” said Malisone Chanthanpanya, now a graduate student and member of the golf team at Texas Wesleyan University. Mali is one of three Scholars who graduated early to bring the total number of graduated First Tee Scholars to 10. “She was a great resource who I could talk to about not just college and my career but about life. I got to meet a lot of people through the scholarship program.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program was launched in 2020, and it recognizes First Tee participants who have shown dedication to academics, community service and their First Tee chapters. It has since grown to include 70 Scholars, with the 2024 class slated to be announced next month.  

Meet the graduates: 

Luke Boldt 
First Tee – Coastal Carolina / East Carolina University 
He has accepted a position as a medical missionary for two years and plans to apply to medical school. 

Malisone Chanthanpanya 
First Tee – Fort Worth / Texas Wesleyan University 
She’s in graduate school and prepping for LPGA Q-school in the fall.  

Jessica Jiao 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Georgetown University  
She has accepted a position with BNP Paribas Bank in its equity capital markets department in New York. 

Ricky Lam 
First Tee–Tri-Valley / Harvard University 
He has accepted a position with Sompo as a commercial underwriter.  

Kelly Low 
First Tee – Fort Worth / University of Texas at Dallas 
She has accepted an offer with Amazon Web Services as an associate solutions architect in Austin. 

Nicole Monsalve 
First Tee – Miami / Duke University 
She has accepted a position with the NFL in its two-year rotation program in New York. 

Sara Rintoul  
First Tee – Central Florida / University of Florida 
She has accepted an offer at Proctor & Gamble as a brand manager in Boston. 

Remi Shendell 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Emory University 
She is graduating with a double-major in biology and political science. 

Borina Sutiko  
First Tee – Silicon Valley / Santa Clara University 
She hopes to attend Cal Berkely this fall to earn her master’s in information systems.  

Denise Wei 
First Tee – San Francisco / University of California, Irvine 
She has accepted an offer with PwC in its audit division. 

Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League First Tee Golf Clinic

On Saturday, April 27, we held a First Tee golf clinic for Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (PAAL).  We had 24 kids from the PAAL program & Santa Ana community participate at Dad Miller Golf Course in Anaheim.  They learned about a key life skill, using perseverance: to commit & don’t quit.  They also learned some golf skills like clubface awareness by spending time at the driving range, putting green & chipping area.  For many of the kids, it provides an opportunity to be exposed to golf and they used perseverance to hit, chip & putt while having fun!

First Tee enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.  By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, First Tee creates learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids carry to everything they do.

The Police Athletic & Activity League is a comprehensive community program that helps setup kids for success & creates healthy, positive relationships between kids, families and police officers that serve in their city.  They believe building these relationships is what creates a better COMMUNITY for all those who call Santa Ana their home.

Golf Clinic for CIBD (Center for Inherited Blood Disorders)

On Sunday, February 2nd, CIBD participated in a First Tee golf clinic at PGA Superstore in Irvine.  They learned about life skills such as perseverance, commit & don’t quit.  In addition, they learned golf skills by spending time at the golf simulator & putting green.  For many of the kids, it was their first opportunity to be exposed to golf, but with the help of First Tee coaches & volunteers, they were able to learn how to hit & putt while having fun!

First Tee enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.  By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, First Tee creates learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids carry to everything they do.

Center for Inherited Blood Disorders (CIBD) is the only licensed freestanding clinic in California specializing in bleeding disorders. Their mission is to help people with Blood Disorders thrive.

A FTOC Game Changer

Rosie recently turned 11 years old and decided to donate her birthday money to First Tee – Orange County. Rosie has been a participant in the First Tee – Orange County program since January 2016, right before she turned 3 years old.  Her golf clubs were bigger than her!  Rosie has always had a passion for the First Tee program.  Now as a mentor to the players in the program, Rosie is enjoying being a junior coach.

With her contribution, Rosie is now a donor as she is helping our fundraising efforts for our scholarship program which helps those families that may need financial assistance for their child to attend First Tee classes.  Rosie’s parents, Patrick & Jen, are amazing, long term volunteers with our program.  They were so moved by their daughter’s desire to donate her birthday money to First Tee – Orange County, they matched Rosie’s contribution.  

A big “THANK YOU” to Rosie and her family as we continue “Building Game Changers” like Rosie at First Tee – Orange County!

Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League First Tee Golf Clinic

On Saturday, November 11th, 27 youth from Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (PAAL) participated in a First Tee golf clinic at Willowick Golf Course in Anaheim.  They learned about life skills such as being responsible and respecting the rules.  They also learned some golf skills by spending time at the driving range, putting green & chipping area.  For many of the kids, it was their first opportunity to be exposed to golf, but with the help of First Tee coaches & volunteers, they were able to learn how to hit, chip & putt while having fun!

About First Tee – Orange County

First Tee enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.  By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, First Tee creates learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids carry to everything they do.

About PAAL

The Police Athletic & Activity League is a comprehensive community program that helps setup kids for success & creates healthy, positive relationships between kids, families and police officers that serve in their city.  They believe building these relationships is what creates a better COMMUNITY for all those who call Santa Ana their home.

Looking to partner with First Tee – Orange County?

Please contact information@thefirstteeoc.org or call 714-833-8221 to learn more!

28 First Tee teens to develop impactful community service projects during Innovators Forum featuring Billy Horschel

Up to $32,000 in scholarships will be awarded to participants whose projects generate the greatest impact

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – (Nov. 9, 2023) – Twenty-eight exemplary teens from across the U.S. will attend the First Tee Innovators Forum in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home of the PGA TOUR, from Nov. 9-12. Each student will spend four days conceptualizing an original community service project with guidance from First Tee and its partners. Participants will then implement the projects when they return home, with the opportunity to earn a share of up to $32,000 to support future educational pursuits.

During the event, participants will hear from seven-time PGA TOUR winner Billy Horschel, who has demonstrated his commitment to growing diversity in golf and supporting his neighbors in northeast Florida through his own philanthropic endeavors. The teens will participate in interactive workshops and small breakout sessions covering a variety of topics including education, healthcare advocacy and programming. 

They will also learn about sustainability on an eco-cruise through the estuaries of nearby St. Augustine with support from TruGreen and receive counsel on their projects from technology consulting firm CapTech, both First Tee Trustees.

Parts of the event will take place at PGA TOUR Global Home and TPC Sawgrass. The purpose of the event is to encourage participants to become innovators in their respective communities, culminating with each teen presenting the plans for their project.

“Our participants have produced creative and impactful community service projects since this event launched – addressing issues like food insecurity and environmental sustainability – and we look forward to seeing what this group of impressive teens will uncover throughout the event week,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Thank you to Doug MacKenzie for making this event possible, and for our partners CapTech and TruGreen for participating in the experience.”

The 28 teens attending the forum were selected based on academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation.   

First Tee is a youth development organization teaching life skills and helping kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The First Tee Innovators Forum is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward high school graduation.

For more information, visit FirstTee.org.   

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)  

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of kids and teens through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.  

Big Brothers Big Sisters

October 15, 2023

First Tee OC partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters on October 15th at Willowick Golf Course, emphasizing the core value of collaborating with other. The event had the bigs and littles of big brothers big sisters on the range, putting green, and chipping green focusing on target awareness! Participants of all ages learned the significance of working together, fostering teamwork, and communication.

Recap: High School/College Golf Panel Discussion

September 24, 2023

Thanks so much to the ~70 participants who attended the high school/college golf panel discussion. We learned so much & the heightened clarity about our kids’ future journey in golf was priceless. For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a summary of what was discussed:

Ethan Gomez – El Dorado High School Golf Team

  • His school has both JV & Varsity teams. Some schools only have Varsity
  • In general, +6 or better in 9 holes to qualify into Varsity Team and Bogey golf in 9 holes on JV
  • 6-8 players/team. ~6 play against other school in a match. Some spots are assigned based on practice results
  • During season can have 1-4 matches in a week, more during height of the season. Also 2-4 days of practice a week (typically practice on days with no matches). They generally play Monday through Thursday and have Friday and the weekend off; but coach still wants them to practice on their own.
  • Generally little time for social life during golf season; but season is short so overall balances out well

Craig Tagler – Western High School Golf Coach

  • Girls season in Fall; Boys in Spring
  • HS cannot contact player until after 8th grade graduation. However, a player can inquire about a HS golf program 
  • Schools typically have 7-8 matches per season, but some up to 22 per season
  • Quality of golf team varies greatly from year to year depending on experience of players coming in. Strong team if it has returning experienced players
  • Not a spectator sport; inability to sell tickets means there needs to be fundraisers etc. Players’ parents or coach have to transport to tournaments; at his school, the coach transports everyone.  
  • If your HS don’t have a team, you can still qualify for CIF in open qualification
  • At CIF playoffs, maybe only 25% of players break 100.

Chloe Carraway – Long Beach State Golf Team (Division 1)

  • No tryout for college. Players are usually recruited. Must meet athletic grade and course requirements in order to be in college golf
  • Coaches usually look at scores from outside events like SCPGA and AJGA
  • High School Golf teams skill level varies a lot so outside events are better gauge of a player’s ability
  • In season: 20 hrs/week practice. Off season 8 hrs/week. Practice consists of play, range, putt, weights (strength) and core training
  • Fall and Spring season
  • A lot of traveling in season so invariably will miss a lot of school. Typically 3 rounds of golf per tournament plus travel time.
  • It is player’s responsibility to make-up, but school does offer lots of resources to help. Must maintain GPA in order to stay on team
  • Some team even have strict dietary requirements in season or during tournament (Chloe’s team – no sweets!)
  • The intensity of practice regimen & tournament schedule makes it common that players suffer injuries. Chloe had surgery on her wrist & is still recovering; it’s a mixed bag of emotions being part of the team & yet not able to contribute, so she finds other roles to play ie. 

Bob Bosanko – Saddleback College Golf Coach

  • Use Fieldlevel App to create your athletic profile; coaches search for candidates inside the database
  • Swing video not that important, more interested in tournament record
  • Golf results on tournaments – best to maintain hole by hole score
  • Outside non-HS tournaments are heavily used to evaluate a player ability
  • Good idea to maintain USGA Handicap
  • Grades are important – must meet requirement before even getting on a team
  • Most schools have online applications; no tryout
  • Personal character is important; sportsmanship & attitude
  • Coaches look for progress in golf game from HS onward/grow year after year
  • Within a D1 school, individual scores can vary between 40-50 strokes
  • Reality check – in his 40+ years of coaching 300K+ students, only 1 turned pro (Cameron T.)

Final words of wisdom

  • Mental part of the game just as if not more important; be able to recover from a bad shot/round without being rattled. Able to maintain score even when game/swing is not working
  • Believe in yourself no matter what etc.; the mental game is the part that’s not taught much in school
  • Spend least amount of time with your driver; most amount of time with your putter
  • Most of the scoring happens within 120 yards
  • There are 25,000 out there who have better game than the pros on Sunday afternoon. The difference is, the players who make it on Sunday afternoon can make those 6-ft putts to save par when under pressure

First Tee empowers 24 teenage girls through weeklong Academy made possible by John Deere

The national “Drive Your Future” event, held in San Francisco October 5-9, reinforces the organization’s commitment to empowering girls  

San Francisco – (October 2, 2023) – Twenty-four girls, ages 14-18, from First Tee chapters across the country are attending First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere in San Francisco, October 5-9. The all-female professional development academy focuses on empowering the girls to leverage opportunities available through their participation in golf and First Tee and recognize the importance of building a strong network.  

Throughout the weeklong academy, the girls will participate in interactive workshops, lead a volunteer experience, and hear from keynote speakers designed to inspire and help them as they plan for the future. Speakers, each who represent careers in STEM, include Susan Crickenberger, People & Operations at John Deere, Michelle Meyer, Managing Director of Supply Chain, Distribution & Logistics at CapTech, and First Tee alumnae Angelica Harris and Taryn Yee.

The event will be hosted at historic Lake Merced Golf Club where participants will build upon their connections and hear different perspectives from peers from around the country. Additionally, the group will have the opportunity to bond over inspiring and impactful experiences around the San Francisco area.

The event reinforces First Tee’s commitment to empowering girls through its programs, which are offered through 150 chapters in 1400 golf course locations. More than 80% of chapters offer dedicated programming for girls, intentionally inviting and engaging them in a variety of opportunities. Girls who stay in First Tee programs have the opportunity to apply for all national events, including Drive Your Future.  

“At John Deere, we run so life can leap forward,” said John Watson, project development manager, John Deere. “That includes partnering with organizations like First Tee to provide life-changing opportunities for today’s youth. It is an honor to continue the successful tradition of the Drive Your Future Academy and we are thrilled to support First Tee in developing the leaders of tomorrow.”  

The teens were selected for the Drive Your Future Academy through a national application process based on essays, letters of recommendation, and involvement in First Tee and other activities.  

“First Tee’s Drive Your Future Academy focuses on female empowerment and focuses on the leadership development of our young women,” said Jennifer Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee. “We are so grateful for John Deere’s support of this event and together, we are committed to building game changers.”

John Deere is a Trustee of First Tee and has supported the organization since 2012. 

First Tee is a youth development organization celebrating over 25 years of teaching life skills and helping kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy made possible by John Deere is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.   

MEDIA CONTACT:   

Megan Hart, First Tee   
meganhart@firsttee.org 
(904) 940-4348