First Tee – Orange County has proudly partnered with Anaheim Elementary School District to bring golf and life skills coaching to all 23 of their schools. Through this collaboration, we gave the opportunity to 7,700 students in their after-school programs, delivering lessons that embody our key commitments. Recently, selected schools enjoyed a special field trip to our home base at Dad Miller Golf Course for a hands-on driving range experience with our coaches. We are deeply grateful for the support of Anaheim Elementary in making this initiative a success. We look forward to giving back to the community of Anaheim, and continuing this partnership!
During this week of Thanksgiving, on Tuesday, Nov 26th, First Tee Orange County prepared a meal for the families at Ronald McDonald House Orange County. We had a stellar team of 12 junior volunteers and 3 adult volunteers that worked as a team to prepare a delicious meal for the families to enjoy. In addition, families could enjoy a fun First Tee putting activity.
Ronald McDonald House Orange County provides a comforting “home away from home” for families of children receiving medical treatment in Orange County hospitals.
On Monday, Feb 12th, senior high school students from KidWorks participated in a golf field trip at First Tee in Anaheim. The teens spent the day learning about life skills such as First Tee’s key commitment, Growing through challenge, learning from failure and dealing with adversity. They also learned about the game of golf and the benefits it has in health & business networking. Most of the KidWorks teens did not have any exposure to golf, so with the help of First Tee coaches, they were able to learn the basics of golf and hit balls for the first time, learning from failure & growing through challenge.
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.
“Thank you so much for having us and teaching our seniors about golf and growing through challenge! We all had a wonderful time and I am a proud of all of our students for not being afraid to fail.” – Clarisa Vargas, KidWorks
KidWorks walks with students from Pre-K to B.A. to develop confident, self-reliant adults who are equipped for the workforce and motivated to give back. The KidWorks College & Career success initiative provides 1st generation college students with the unique resources and support needed to graduate from college.
Thanks to a generous grant from DevTo Support Foundation (DevTo Support Foundation), we conducted a 6-week First Tee golf class for 21 underserved kids that are part of the Santa Ana PAAL program & attend Roosevelt-Walker Academy (Title 1 school, part of Santa Ana Unified School District). We went to their site to teach our life skills & golf skills program. The kids also wrote essays to their parents & school teacher on the most impactful life skill & how they apply it to school/home. This culminated into a field trip to our First Tee/Dad Miller in December. As part of this grant, we surprised the kids with their own set of junior golf clubs with the help of Roger Dunn Golf Shops in Santa Ana. The kids were able to use their new golf clubs on our driving range, while learning the life skill of pursuing goals.
Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (“Santa Ana PAAL”) is a comprehensive community program that focuses on building a bond between kids and cops through education, fitness & activities.
On December 8th, 2024, Wounded Warriors partnered with First Tee of Orange County to host an amazing event at Topgolf, bringing together 55 participants for an afternoon of fun and connection.
The event highlighted First Tee’s key commitment of collaborating with others and community-building, as families enjoyed a fantastic buffet and showcased their skills in a lively golfing experience. Excitement followed after showing their golf skills as raffle prizes were awarded.
We are proud of the success of this event and look forward to continuing to help serve the Orange County area.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
On Saturday, Sept 16th, 52 girl scouts ages 6-10 participated in a First Tee golf clinic at Dad Miller Golf Course in Anaheim. The Girl Scouts spent the morning learning about life skills such as building positive self-identity with confidence. They also learned some golf skills by spending time at the driving range, putting green & chipping area. Many of the girl scouts did not have golf experience, but with the help of First Tee coaches & volunteers, they were able to learn how to putt, chip & hit, while building their confidence.
First Tee enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integration 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.
Girl Scouts of Orange County creates the best leadership development experiences for all girls in Orange County. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.