How First Tee – Orange County is partnering with Special Olympics, school Adaptive PE programs, and Workability to open the game of golf to every student and family in our community.
Golf has long been called a game of a lifetime — a sport you can play at any age, at any pace, with friends and family alongside you. At First Tee – Orange County, we believe that promise belongs to everyone. Over the past year, a growing network of partnerships has made that belief a living reality for hundreds of students, athletes, and families across the region.
From adaptive clinics on the practice tee to work-readiness training for young adults with disabilities, these collaborations are expanding what First Tee can be — and who it’s for.
Our Partners in Inclusion
These initiatives are built on relationships with organizations that share our conviction that every young person deserves access to sport, community, and the life skills that come with them. Together, these collaborations create three distinct pathways for students and young adults to engage with First Tee — as participants, as learners, and as contributors.
Workability — Employment Transition for Students with Disabilities
Our Workability partnership creates real career pathways for students with disabilities through on-site volunteer opportunities and employment placements at First Tee facilities — building professional skills alongside life skills
Orange County Unified School District Adaptive PE Programs
We bring First Tee curricula, specially designed adaptive equipment, and trained instructors directly into Adaptive PE classrooms — serving students in both special education and unified settings.
Special Olympics Southern California — Orange County
Through our Adaptive Golf partnership, Special Olympics athletes experience the sport in a welcoming, fully accessible setting. Clinics are designed around ability, not limitation — emphasizing joy, confidence, and the thrill of a well-struck shot.
Voices from the Classroom
Nothing captures the impact of these partnerships better than the educators who see it up close, every day. Their observations reflect what First Tee has always believed: that the game teaches far more than how to swing a club.
“As an Adapted PE teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact the First Tee program has had on my students in both my special education and unified classes. What makes First Tee especially meaningful is the way it combines physical activity with life skills like patience, respect, perseverance, and teamwork. The program creates an inclusive environment where all students can participate, build confidence, and experience success regardless of ability level.” -Marcia, Adapted PE Teacher, Orange County Unified School District
Looking Ahead
These partnerships are still growing. We are actively expanding the number of school sites participating in our Adaptive PE curriculum, deepening our clinic calendar with Special Olympics Orange County, and welcoming more Workability students into meaningful roles throughout our organization.
If you are an educator, a parent of a student with a disability, a Special Olympics athlete or coach, or someone who simply wants to see golf become a more welcoming place in Orange County, we would love to hear from you. The door is open, and the tee is set.
