2025 First Tee National Teen Opportunities

Is your child between the ages of 13-18 years old and has been active in First Tee – Orange County classes within the past couple of years? Then he/she may be eligible to apply for a variety of incredible experiences offered by First Tee!! 

More information on each opportunity is listed below, but please know we are also hosting an optional meeting for any parents and/or participants interested in learning more about any of these opportunities from 5:30-6:30pm on Wednesday, February 12th. 

  • Attend in-person at our FTOC Office (24461 Ridge Route Dr. Laguna Hills, 92653)

                                     OR

  • Attend via Zoom using the link HERE!

Whether you plan to join the Meeting or not, please let us know 
by 12PM Friday, February 14th 
which opportunity or opportunities your child would be interested in being considered.  

**Important to know! The cost for the participants’ travel & accommodations are either covered by First Tee or reimbursed following the event!!


First Tee National Championship- South Bend, IN (June 22-26, 2025)
First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s top players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play under pressure at the collegiate and/or next level. First Tee National Championship is played at acclaimed college campuses, including Clemson University, Notre Dame and Stanford University, and is the only national event that is purely tournament golf.

First Tee Game Changers Academy- Minneapolis, MN (July 7-12, 2025)
First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is a five-day learning and empowerment academy. Participants selected to attend will participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. First Tee invites its partner, RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice, to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches.

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee- Pebble Beach, CA (Sept. 16-21, 2025)
The PURE Insurance Championship provides First Tee participants a national stage on which to showcase the skills and values they’ve learned at their chapter. Throughout the week, teens can network with peers, PGA TOUR Champions players and leaders from the business world who are competing in the amateur field, gaining exposure to the opportunities golf can provide both on and off the course. During the tournament, which is hosted at iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, each teen is paired with a golf legend who provides mentorship as they compete for the pro-junior title. 

First Tee Innovators Forum- Ponte Vedra, FL (Oct. 2-5, 2025)
First Tee Innovators Forum equips and empowers First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focused on education, health, human rights, or environmental sustainability. Selected participants have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders through interactive workshops and small group breakout sessions. By bringing together passionate participants from across the chapter network, First Tee Innovators Forum provides a distinctive enrichment experience, engaging teens who share a similar desire for learning and generating changes in their communities. 

First Tee Drive for Your Future Academy- Ponte Vedra, FL (Oct. 6-10, 2025)
First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to influence positive impact at their chapters, schools and communities. The five-day academy experience focuses on the importance of building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, navigating post-graduation and career planning, and appreciating the value/impact of volunteerism. 

FTOC Partners with AESD

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! 

FTOC Participants Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, “Meal of Love” Service

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.

FTOC + KidWorks

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.

FTOC Conducts 6-week class for Santa Ana PAAL

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. 

Wound Warrior Project Collaboration

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.

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.

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.

FTOC Participant, Sunnie, Helps to Educate Peers in CPR

In 2023, Sunnie, a First Tee – Orange County participant, was selected as one of 32 participants in the Nation to attend the First Tee Innovators Forum. The First Tee National Opportunity, held in Jacksonville, FL in November, equips and empowers First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focused on education, health, human rights, or environmental sustainability. By bringing together passionate participants from across the chapter network, First Tee Innovators Forum provides a distinctive enrichment experience, engaging teens who share a similar desire for learning and generating changes in their communities.

On March 10th, Sunnie organized a CPR training for her and several other peers at Teens on Greens Leadership Series. When asked what her motivation was to organize this event she replied:

“Last year, a life-changing incident occurred when a family friend’s dad had a heart attack while hiking with his church group. Despite efforts to help, he arrived at the hospital too late. Realizing that immediate CPR could have made a significant difference shocked me. It made me truly understand the importance of having these skills. That’s why I’ve taken on CPR training as my project. I believe everyone should know CPR, especially since it could save a loved one’s life. Aligning with The First Tee life skills lesson, I aim to empower people to act in emergencies. Let’s ensure everyone has the knowledge to save their loved ones. 

Shoutout to the Renji Relief Inc. (Garfield Health Center) for making it possible! With your support, 20 junior members of First Tee OC are now CPR/AED-certified. Huge thanks for backing my cause! I really appreciate your support!” 

We are extremely proud of Sunnie for organizing this life changing event for her an her peers, and for being selected to participate in the First Tee Innovators Forum!

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.

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!

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.