Category: News Releases

First Tee enters 50 new Title I schools with support from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Youth development organization First Tee is excited to announce that it has expanded its School Program to 50 additional Title I schools thanks to $100,000 in matching grants from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program. First Tee golf equipment has already been shipped to 30 of the schools. The Title 1 schools selected serve a high percentage of kids from low-income families and 40% of students receive a free or reduced-price lunch.

First Tee’s School Program gives physical educators all the tools to begin implementing its curriculum, including training, equipment and lesson plans that integrate life skills with the game of golf. The curriculum is also designed to help children improve their motor skills through golf instruction. First Tee has been offering its programming in physical education classes in the United States and Canada since 2004, reaching more than 3 million kids last year.

“We created the School Program almost 20 years ago to make First Tee programming accessible to more kids,” said Jen Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee. “We are grateful to The DICK’S Foundation for helping us reach more students. Recent research shows that nearly 80 percent of parents believe golf can teach life skills and character. Now more kids have access to those lessons.”

Grants have been awarded to schools in California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

DICK’S and The DICK’S Foundation are longtime partners of First Tee, providing more than $1.9 million to support First Tee’s character-building programs since 2008.

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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. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually 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.  

About The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK’S Sporting Goods as a private corporate foundation to support DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities. Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, The DICK’S Foundation champions youth sports and provides grants and support to under-resourced teams and athletes through its Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about The DICK’S Foundation can be found on sportsmatter.org.

Contacts:

Megan Hart, First Tee
[email protected]

80 First Tee Teens Selected for PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach

Golf Channel announced the full field of teens with help from PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal, Rod Pampling and defending PURE Insurance Championship winner Steve Flesch.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 10, 2023) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today the 80 First Tee participants selected to play in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event will bring teens from First Tee chapters to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 19-24. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised internationally on Golf Channel.

This unique event pairs each First Tee participant with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. Ranging in ages from 14 to 18, the First Tee players compete for the pro-junior team title. The teens represent 44 First Tee chapters from across the country and for the third year in a row, a participant from First Tee — Morocco will be in the field. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. On average, participants have been involved with First Tee for more than seven years, have a 3.95 GPA and have recorded a 1.5 handicap.

“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with this incredible event,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “Being selected to play in this tournament speaks volumes about the character of each of these 80 participants and I’m so excited to see this unforgettable experience play out for them.”

The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today,” featuring surprises that the network recorded at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. Additionally, several players helped surprise select participants leading up to the full field announcement, including PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen, and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal, Rod Pampling and the tournament’s defending champion, Steve Flesch.

Each year two juniors receive exemptions into the PURE Insurance Championship based on their play at the First Tee National Championship, which took place at Stanford Golf Course in July. This year, Alaythia Hinds of First Tee – Greater Sacramento, who

finished second among the girls, and Sean Kwok of First Tee – Tri Valley, who finished in a fourth-place tie, earned those spots.

“Earning the opportunity to play at the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Congratulations to the 80 teens who will represent First Tee at this year’s event. This marks the 20th anniversary of the tournament, and we are grateful to our partners at PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for their ongoing commitment to First Tee. Our alumni who have played at the PURE Insurance Championship have told us it is a life-changing opportunity, and we are so excited for the 80 First Tee teens who will get to experience it in September.”

This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature legends including Ernie Els, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Jim Furyk, as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winner Kirk Triplett and Steve Flesch, who will defend his title. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.

Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship 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.

The junior field for 2023 PURE Insurance Championship can be viewed here.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com.

Megan Meng, First Tee — Greater Trenton, and Cooper Groshart, First Tee — Central Coast, win 2023 First Tee National Championship

PALO ALTO, CA. (July 6, 2023) – Megan Meng of Pennington, New Jersey, and Cooper Groshart of San Luis Obispo, California, won the girls’ and boys’ divisions of the third annual First Tee National Championship at Stanford Golf Course. The event, July 2 to 6, brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the next level.

Meng is a 16-year-old rising senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School who’s been involved with First Tee for more than 10 years. She finished the 54-hole tournament 5-under-par to win by five strokes. In the final round, Meng shot a tournament low 66 – including a front nine 30 – to secure her victory.

In 2022, Meng won another marquee First Tee event, the PURE Insurance Championship pro-junior title, a PGA TOUR Champions event held at Pebble Beach, shooting a 64 on Sunday. Meng – who currently stands at 27th in the AJGA Girls Rankings – is committed to play golf at Northwestern University. Off the course, she’s an avid reader with a 4.0 GPA.

Meng said the life skills she’s learned through First tee helped her this week. “Practice makes better, and practice definitely gets you where you want to go, so it’s all about how much time you’re willing to put in practicing on the course, but also make sure to have fun with it. Golf is a game for fun and spending time with your friends,” she said.

Groshart, 18, finished in the Top 10 at the 2021 and 2022 First Tee National Championships before winning in this, his third and final attempt. He finished the tournament 4-over-par after shooting a final round 71.

Groshart recently graduated from San Luis Obispo High School with a 3.92 GPA and will play golf this fall at California State University, East Bay. Like Meng, Groshart played at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship, where he hit a hole-in-one on the iconic seventh hole during a practice round.

In 2022, Groshart completed nearly 100 community service hours, and as a junior First Tee coach, Groshart said he learned a lot about perseverance – a quality that certainly came in handy on Stanford’s challenging course.

“This week I’ve just made a ton of friends and seen old friends I don’t get to see that often,” Groshart said. Sportsmanship is one of the First Tee life skill he called on this week, he said. “This tournament feels like everyone is friends. Everyone is out here for a good time. We want to play some good golf too, but it’s a bunch of friends hanging out on the golf course.”

Both winners were awarded with the Tattersall Cup in honor of event Chairman Fred Tattersall.

Two players from the First Tee National Championship field were also awarded a one-time exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee, held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 16-24, 2023. With this year’s National Championship winners having already played in the tournament, the exemptions passed on to Alaythia Hinds of First Tee – Greater Sacramento, who finished second among the girls, and Sean Kwok of First Tee – Tri Valley, who finished in a tie for fourth among the boys.

For the first time, the four lowest scoring eligible players (two boys and two girls) from the National Championship field will also earn admission into the PGA TOUR’s new Pathways to Progression program, which aims to support talented golfers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the sport. The PGA TOUR will announce the full roster for its Pathways program, including the four players who earned their spots at the First Tee National Championship, in the coming days.

“Congratulations to everyone who competed in the third annual First Tee National Championship this week, “said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Especially to Megan and Cooper. They represented First Tee with confidence and poise, and we look forward to seeing all that they continue to accomplish on and off the golf course. Thank you to Fred Tattersall for his ongoing support of this tournament and Stanford University for a memorable week.”

First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college golf courses around the nation providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. Stanford University hosted the third annual Championship, following the previous two years at University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course and Clemson University’s The Walker Course, respectively.

The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience including 15 competitors who are currently committed to play collegiate golf. Players came from 29 First Tee chapters across the country. A full list of results is available here.

The National Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org.

Media Contact:

Megan Hart, First Tee
[email protected]
941-400-8793

Atlanta Falcons’ Beadles, Lindstrom; Atlanta United’s Lagerwey headline First Tee’s inaugural Leadership Academy

Teens from across the U.S. will spend a week in PGA TOUR Superstore’s headquarters of Atlanta learning from Arthur M. Blank Family of businesses, civic and sports leader

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 19, 2023) – Youth development organization First Tee will host its inaugural Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore from June 19-23. The weeklong Atlanta event will bring together 48 teens from across the country who will learn about building and running a successful team.

First Tee uses golf as a vehicle through which to teach life skills and values. The nonprofit is collaborating with PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to host its inaugural Leadership Academy, which will feature workshops on cultivating authentic relationships, developing a winning culture and more. The Academy is taking place at various venues across the Atlanta area, including Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch, Atlanta United Training Ground, Mercedes-Benz Stadium Georgia Institute of Technology, the Bobby Jones Golf Club and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Event highlights include:

  • Georgia Tech head women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner will share advice on achieving individual growth in a team setting during the opening keynote.
  • Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles will speak to participants before they explore the team’s Flowery Branch training facility.
  • Participants will hear from Atlanta United President/CEO Garth Lagerwey before attending a game to witness the team in action.
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium executive Don Rovak will discuss the importance of supporting your team.
  • PGA TOUR Superstore President Jill Spiegel will address the teens at historic Bobby Jones Golf Club.
  • Participants will visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights where Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom, the team’s 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year, will deliver the closing address.

Initially envisioned by PGA TOUR Superstore executive Ralph Stokes, who leads the brand’s diversity, partnerships and community efforts, the event’s curriculum was developed by First Tee and an independent youth development expert. Stokes recently became the first Black president of the Georgia State Golf Association and was among the first Black players on the University of Alabama football team, where he played under legendary coach Bear Bryant.

“From playing team sports, I learned that no matter how great an individual player is, you will not achieve success on your own. The team is no stronger than the weakest link,” Stokes said. “Golf is largely an individual sport, but we felt it was important to collaborate with First Tee on this event because these kids are part of families, communities, clubs and eventually workplaces where they need to function within a team.”

For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have championed First Tee’s mission through charitable and in-kind donations across the country. In September 2020, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more kids across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series, held locally at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country, and the Leadership Summit, which takes place in Emigrant, Montana. The new Leadership Academy in Atlanta is the latest installment in this exciting portfolio of events. 

“Thank you to PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for their ongoing support of First Tee,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “This new Leadership Academy will provide young people with an amazing and impactful experience.”  

The Leadership Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to inspire and equip teens on a deeper level 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. 

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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. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually 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.   

About PGA TOUR Superstore 
PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports + Entertainment and is headquartered in metro-Atlanta. As the PGA TOUR’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner in North America, PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise as card-carrying PGA TOUR pros. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear for golf and tennis. For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com. 

Contacts:  
Megan Hart, First Tee 
[email protected]

Megan Mahoney, PGA TOUR Superstore 
[email protected] 

24 high school seniors selected for First Tee’s Scholar program, receiving mentorship, professional development and financial support 

Averaging nearly 10 years of First Tee participation, this year’s scholar class includes 3 first-generation students and 6 collegiate golfers 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (June 5, 2023) – The First Tee College Scholarship Program welcomes 24 new members to its 2023 class, bringing the total number of First Tee Scholars to 70. Each one of these scholars has demonstrated character and work ethic both on the golf course and in the classroom, which will help them succeed at schools across the country, including Howard University, the University of Southern California, Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania and Brown University. 

The class of 2023 – comprised of 14 young women and 10 young men – was selected from a competitive national pool of First Tee teens. This diverse group of Scholars represents 21 First Tee chapters across 18 states. The Scholars’ future aspirations range from becoming doctors and lawyers to studying economics, biometric engineering, computer science, professional golf management and journalism. Six plan to play collegiate golf.  

The First Tee College Scholarship Program aims to support alumni after high school graduation by pairing each Scholar with a trained adult mentor to provide guidance throughout their college careers and beyond. Each Scholar will also participate in professional development workshops and receive up to $5,000 per year towards tuition and expenses. 

First Tee re-launched its Scholar program in 2020 to further serve some of its most engaged participants after high school graduation. Texas Wesleyan University’s Malisone Chanthapanya recently became the first First Tee Scholar to graduate from college this May. She earned her degree in finance. 

“Welcome to our new class of Scholars and congratulations on being selected,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The decision to embark on higher education is an important one and I am proud that First Tee can continue to support alumni through the process. Thank you to our partners who support the program and our mentors who provide year-round guidance.”  

Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, volunteerism and other criteria.  

First Tee College Scholarship Class of 2023:  

  • Average years with First Tee: 9.6 
  • 3 first-generation college students 
  • 71% ethnically diverse 

2023 Collegiate Golfers:  

  • Jeremiah Brown, First Tee – Greater Philadelphia: Catholic University 
  • Mariane Johnson, First Tee – Gulf Coast: Palm Beach Atlantic University 
  • Kyzar Joshi, First Tee – Massachusetts: Hamilton College 
  • Falyn Lackey, First Tee – Southeastern New Mexico: Western New Mexico State University 
  • Colin Vineberg, First Tee – Greater Baltimore: Dickinson College 
  • Marlo Zamora, First Tee – Greater San Antonio: Trinity University 

The 2023 Scholar class includes: 

Daryn Dickens, First Tee – Greater Washington, DC  
Howard University; Major: History  
Daryn will be following in the footsteps of her mother, father and brother by attending Howard University where she will study history in preparation for law school. 

BJ Little, First Tee – Metro Atlanta  
Georgetown University; Major: Political Science  
BJ was the president of the Student Government Association, a member of the Black Student Union and started the golf team at his high school. 

Maria Ramos, First Tee – Greater Philadelphia  
University of Pennsylvania; Major: Engineering  
Maria is a first-generation college student that plans to study engineering; she has already been honored for her work with AI for creating a program that analyzes social media sentiments to predict stock market trends. 

Visit firsttee.org/college-scholarship to learn more about the program. Learn more about the 2023 Scholar class and download their headshots here. 

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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. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 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.   

Media Contact:  
Megan Hart, First Tee  
[email protected] 

Four Teens Earn Selection into the First Tee College Scholarship Program

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL.  (September 12, 2022) – First Tee participants from Minnesota, Massachusetts, San Francisco and Orange County, Calif. have each been awarded scholarships and selection in to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. The teens were selected following their participation in the First Tee Leadership Series and Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore based on their intentional and innovative commitment to personal growth and development as leaders throughout the course of the program.

First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore congratulate:

  • Gabriella Mercado from First Tee – Orange County:  Gabriella is a 16-year-old high school junior from Placentia, Calif. She’s been involved with First Tee for seven years. She holds a 4.0 GPA and has aspirations of playing college golf and then becoming a sports lawyer.  Gabriella enjoys community service and in her first two years of high school accumulated more than 225 hours.
  • Jaylyn Remolona from First Tee – San Francisco: Jaylynis a 15-year-old high school junior from San Francisco.  Jaylyn attends Mercy High School in Burlingame has been involved with First Tee for seven years. She holds a 3.65 and outside of school her two hobbies are golf and singing.  
  • Kyzar Joshi from First Tee — Massachusetts: Kyzar is 17-year-old high school senior at Ashland High School in Ashland, Mass.He has been involved with First Tee for more than 10 years. He holds a 4.12 GPA and his career aspirations include playing college golf and majoring in finance or economics in college.  Kyzar serves as his class treasurer, and helped lead the Ashland High School golf team to the state section tournament. Kyzar is in the process of completing the ACE level of the First Tee Curriculum.
  • Saloni Somia from First Tee – Minnesota:  Saloni, from Plymouth, Minn.,is a17-year-old high school senior at Minnetonka High School. She has been involved with First Tee for four years. She holds a 4.0 GPA and serves as the President of her school’s National Honor Society, Captain of the Minnetonka Girls Golf Team, Founder and President of Everyone Eats (an organization that provides homeless youth allergy friendly foods) and co-founded a teen-led YouTube channel that gives good allergy advice to teens.

As First Tee Scholars, the teens will receive support throughout their post-graduate careers. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. In addition, each scholar is paired with a dedicated, trained adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the college experience, including virtual and in person meetups. The program also provides professional development workshops held in person throughout the year.

“We are very proud of these four deserving teens from across the country,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “They each showed dedication and impressive character traits throughout the Leadership Series and Summit.  They are leaders in their schools, at home and at their First Tee chapters. Through the First Tee College Scholarship Program, we will continue to support them in their personal and professional development and empower them to hone their leadership skills as they pursue their careers. We’re thankful for partners like PGA TOUR Superstore who support these game changing initiatives.”

The four teens were selected from the more than 250 participants who attended the Leadership Series and Summit.  Boasting an average GPA of 3.9 the teens meet the College Scholarship Program eligibility requirements which are based on academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism.

First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners who stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission. For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman Arthur M. Blank have championed First Tee’s mission through charitable and in-kind donations across the country. In September 2020, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more youth across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series and Summit.

“We are committed to being a positive influence in our communities and truly believe in the positive impact sports has in developing and supporting youth,” said Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We are proud to partner with the First Tee to empower young people with values-based leadership skills that will help them succeed throughout the course of their life. Congratulations Gabriella, Jaylyn, Kyzar and Saloni.”

Photos and broll of the Scholars is available here.

PGA TOUR Professional Austin Smotherman Joins First Tee as an Official Ambassador

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL., (July 12, 2022) – PGA TOUR professional and First Tee alumnus Austin Smotherman has been named an official ambassador of First Tee. A Loomis, Calif. native, Smotherman participated in the Greater Sacramento chapter from age seven until 18 and developed his golf game and character during his time in the program. As an ambassador, Smotherman will showcase his involvement with the youth development organization and the impact it has on his life to help inspire the next generation.

Smotherman is debuting the First Tee logo on his bag this week during the Barracuda Championship in support of the program and its mission to empower kids and teens to build their strength of character through golf. As an ambassador, he will also give his time to meet with participants, donors, and chapter leadership to inspire more support of its mission and participation of the program.

“I’m honored to take on this role as First Tee Ambassador,” said Smotherman. “Looking back at my time as a participant, I really value the balance of developing my character while I was also developing my golf swing. Those experiences and the skills I acquired helped shape who I am as a person and now as a professional athlete. They still guide me today as I navigate the ups and downs of this game that I love.”

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, congratulations to Austin Smotherman on today’s announcement regarding his new role as official ambassador of First Tee,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Competing on the PGA TOUR requires hard work and perseverance and his story and the character strengths he developed during his time in First Tee will help inspire many kids and teens as they explore the many opportunities golf can provide. Austin paying it forward is another example of what makes the PGA TOUR – and our members  – so special.”

During his time in First Tee, Smotherman progressed through the program, transitioning from a participant to a junior coach and mentor to the younger kids. In 2009 and 2010 he played in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee and in 2011 he earned First Tee – Greater Sacramento’s Core Value Award.

In 2016, he graduated from Southern Methodist University where he played on the men’s golf team. After competing for two seasons on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica (2017 –2018) he transitioned to the Korn Ferry Tour (2019-2021) until he earned his PGA TOUR card in August 2021. Smotherman is the third First Tee alum, following Scott Langley (retired) and Cameron Champ, to achieve this milestone.

“We are proud to welcome Austin as our First Tee ambassador,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This is a special moment as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and the lasting impact we are having on youth and alumni across the country as they pursue their careers and passions, both on and off the golf course.  His commitment to giving back and dedication to living out his values is an inspiration and will impact many lives.”

Launching in 1997, First Tee is celebrating 25 years of enabling kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at golf courses, schools and youth centers in all 50 states and at six international locations.

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 youth 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.  

Contacts:
Sara Henika
[email protected]
(904)881-7398

FTMA Participant Jaylon Wilson among 25 Exemplary High School Seniors Selected into First Tee College Scholarship Program in honor of 25th Anniversary

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (June 8, 2022) – Twenty-five high school graduates have been selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. This is the largest class to date and a significant milestone as the youth development organization celebrates 25 years of helping young people build their strength of character through golf. The Scholars Class of 2022 includes aspiring physicians, computer scientists and lawyers, all of whom will be attending standout colleges and universities, including Harvard University, New York University and Columbia University.

Selected from a national pool of First Tee teens, the diverse group of Scholars – 15 young women and 10 young men – are from both urban and rural communities across the United States. Nine of the Scholars will play on their college’s golf team; several are heading into STEM, business, and medical fields; and many already have impressive plans for careers that will support underrepresented and underserved populations.

“I offer congratulations and a warm welcome to our Class of 2022 First Tee Scholars,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “With the support of our donors, we’re able to provide this ongoing support as they matriculate through college and prepare for future careers. These outstanding young leaders have bright futures ahead, and we believe the skills and values developed through First Tee will empower them throughout their collegiate journey and beyond.”

First Tee College Scholarship Program extends its impact to alumni by providing support throughout their post-graduate careers. Each of the Scholars is paired with a dedicated, trained adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout their college experience, including virtual and in-person meetups. The program also provides professional development workshops held in-person throughout the year, and up to $5,000 per year toward tuition.

The program, which re-launched in 2020, is an evolution from the First Tee Scholars Program established in 2003. The program began after participant Steven Outlaw gave a moving speech in 2001 at the age of 16 and was provided an impromptu scholarship from a generous donor. Two years later, Outlaw graduated high school and was part of the inaugural First Tee Scholars Class.  Since 2003, First Tee headquarters and its chapter network have awarded more than $15 million in college scholarships to alumni.

Applications for the Class of 2022 were received from participants across the First Tee network. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, volunteerism, and other criteria.

First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners who stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission, including 3M, A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Astros Golf Foundation, Brendan and Shay Cavanagh, Charles Schwab, Chevron Corporation, David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation, Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, Edward and Lisa Vaughan, Jon Clay, Nelson and Michele Carbonell Family Foundation, Paul and Ruth Flowers, Peter A. Bonanni Scholarship Fund, PURE Insurance, Timothy W. Finchem Scholarship Fund, TruGreen, USSGA Memorial Fund, and Zotec Foundation.

First Tee College Scholarship Class of 2022:
Average GPA: 4.1 on a 4.0 scale
Average SAT score: 1,470 out of 1,600
Average ACT score: 31 out of 36

Breonna Boyd, First Tee — Tennessee
University of Michigan; Major: Business Administration
Breonna plans to start a nonprofit that will provide natural hair care products to African American girls who need them.

Nicholas Canales, First Tee — Greater Houston
University of Nebraska; Major: Business Management
Nicholas is a first-generation college student and will play on the men’s golf team.

Antonio DelCastillo, First Tee — Orange County
University of Alabama; Major: Pre-Med
Pursuing a career as either a neuro-orthopedic surgeon or anesthesiologist.

Srishti Dhurandhar, First Tee — Metropolitan New York
New York University; Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Srishti will play on the women’s golf team under the leadership of her former First Tee coach and NYU head coach, Katie Rudolph.

Vivian D’Orazi, First Tee — Metropolitan New York                          
York College of Pennsylvania; Major: Marketing; Minor: Hospitality Management
Vivian will play on the women’s golf team and aspires to work in the golf industry post-graduation.

Dylan Ebs, First Tee — Greater Austin
George Washington University; Major: Journalism
Dylan plans to pursue his goal of becoming a political reporter in Washington, D.C.

Esther Etherington, First Tee — Indiana
Franklin College; Major: Elementary Education
Esther will play on the women’s golf team and plans to later receive a Master’s degree in Special Education.

Maleyna Gregorio, First Tee — Coachella Valley
University of California Riverside; Major: Business
Maleyna will play on the women’s golf team and aspires to work in the golf industry.  

Raiyan Johnson, First Tee — Savannah
Georgia Institute of Technology; Major: Astrophysics
Raiyan will pursue her goal to become an astrophysicist and ultimately an astronaut.

Lea Han, First Tee — Greater Sacramento
Harvard University; Major: History
Lea plans to become either an immigration or civil rights lawyer and pursue her passion for social justice.

Zara Karim, First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C.
George Mason University; Major: Computer Science
Graduating with 4.5 GPA, Zara aspires to become a computer scientist or software engineer.

Nelia Leong, First Tee — Upstate South Carolina
University of Florida; Major: Public Health
Nelia will be pursuing the pre-dentistry track with plans to use her degree to have her own pediatric dentistry practice.

Myles Manor, First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Major: Chemistry
Myles has a desire to bring interest and awareness to STEM careers in his community.

Abigale Morris, First Tee — Phoenix
Biola University; Major: Cinematography
Abigale will play on the women’s golf team. She aspires to own a film company that provides film and media for nonprofits.

Hannah Newell, First Tee — Greater Houston
LeTourneau University; Major: Chemical Engineering
Hannah will play on the women’s golf team while working toward her goal of building a career in chemical engineering.

Sabrina Poole, First Tee — Greater Seattle
St. Martin’s University; Major: Psychology
Sabrina will play on the women’s golf team. Her future aspirations include helping high school and college student-athletes with mental and psychological struggles or crises as a clinical psychologist.

Nancy Rivera, First Tee — Silicon Valley
Middlebury College Vermont; Major: Pre-Med
Nancy wants to be the voice for Latinx families who have had limited representation in the medical field. She plans on becoming an OB-GYN.

Ahmad Raoul, First Tee — Greater Chicago
Winston-Salem State University; Major: Computer Science
While playing on the men’s golf team and majoring in computer science, Ahmad plans to leverage his STEM knowledge to further his passion for golf and improve his golf performance.

Daniel Sears, First Tee — Massachusetts                                             
Franciscan University of Steubenville; Major: Philosophy and Finance
Daniel plans on a career in either real estate or law. 

Connor Shooks, First Tee — Benton Harbor
Loyola University Chicago; Major: Sports Management
Connor aspires to either be an athletic trainer or physical therapist.

Kenneth Treece, First Tee — Pine Mountain
University of Alabama; Major: Aerospace Engineering and Political Science
Obtaining a 35 out of 36 on the ACT, Kenneth has plans to become a public defense attorney.

Alexa Vela, First Tee — Greater Houston
Rice University; Major: Psychology and Pre-Law
Alexa aspires to become a lawyer to grant the underrepresented the opportunity to recognize their constitutional rights and the powers granted to them by their government.

Jaylon Wilson, First Tee — Metro Atlanta
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Major: Finance
With plans to become a financial advisor, Jaylon aspires to serve the African American community through providing financial literacy, specifically to athletes and musicians.

Iris Xue, First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C.
Columbia University; Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Iris hopes to one day build artificial intelligence models that tackle healthcare challenges, such as disease modeling and disease prevention.

Jacob Zakaria, First Tee — Central Coast
University of California Berkeley; Major: Biology
Inspired by his father’s family being raised in a war-struck refugee camp in Lebanon without access to healthcare, Jacob plans on becoming a medical doctor.

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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 youth 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.

Contacts:
Sara Henika
First Tee
[email protected]

First Tee Game Changers Academy to Explore Issues of Race and Equality with Teen Participants

First Tee has partnered with RISE to facilitate the national event held July 20-24 in Philadelphia

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (January 18, 2021) − First Tee, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, will host the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, July 20-24, 2021. First Tee teens attending this five-day learning and empowerment academy will participate in critical conversations around issues of identity, racism, equity and empathy. The event will feature engaging and interactive workshops facilitated by RISE, a national nonprofit and leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations. The workshops will be paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches and keynote speakers from the sports industry including Philadelphia native and PGA TOUR Chief Legal Officer, Len Brown. First Tee – Greater Philadelphia will host the teens for golf outings at John F. Byrne Golf Course where they will continue to build upon their connections with other participants from around the country and hear different perspectives from their peers. The Academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in Philadelphia. “The events of 2020 have reinforced the need for dialogue and to provide a platform for our teens to explore critical topics like diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., has always been an advocate for social justice and I’m proud to carry forward his passion through an event that will empower our participants to be game changers in their community.” This Academy is an evolution of our longest standing participant event, the Life Skills Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. The enhanced event addresses the challenges our teens face in their daily lives and better equips them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities. The Academy honors First Tee’s former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., who led the organization from 2000 until his retirement in 2017. “First Tee has and always will be a program that encourages personal growth and life skill development that young people can take with them wherever they go,” said Barrow. “I’m grateful to be associated with an event that will serve as an important platform for critical conversations on the subject of racial equity. I believe it will have a significant impact on the young people who attend, and ultimately their families and communities.” First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. Ninety-six First Tee teens will be selected for this event via an application process that opens Feb. 9. First Tee is a youth development organization that 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 a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at golf courses, schools and youth centers in all 50 states and six international locations. For more information on First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org.

First Tee is Showing Up Stronger after 23 Years

For more than a year, we have been working on a revitalization of the First Tee brand to ensure we stay connected with today’s young people

For more than two decades, we’ve been helping kids and teens learn life skills and build core values using the game of golf as the vehicle. Now, it’s time for us to write our own growth story. In May 2019, we began a process of reflecting on who we are, what we’re capable of and how we can show up stronger for this generation of kids. This brand evolution is grounded in research and insights from key stakeholders and is an updated reflection of who First Tee is and our promise to help empower kids to build their strength of character. Since 1997, when First Tee was first launched in Central Park, Manhattan, NY, the intention was clear: leveraging one of the most engaging sports to enrich the lives of young people. It’s been a lot of hard work, but we are proud to now be serving many communities through our network of chapters, schools and community partnerships. It’s all about empowering kids. And we still think golf is the perfect platform in which to do it. “There is little doubt the world has changed significantly over the last 23 years,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “Today’s kids and teens are facing pressures that are different from previous generations, and it’s important that we look in the mirror to ensure we are approaching our work with as much relevance and awareness of today’s families as possible. I am proud of the team who has worked so hard to really understand our participants, alumni, parents, coaches, volunteers, chapters, donors and many more who pour their hearts into our mission each day in their communities. “This year has been challenging on many levels. We debated holding tight on this project, but in the end, our chapters were hungry for the ability to reinforce the incredible work they do through this brand refresh, so we decided to move forward now.” The brand evolution was led by Sub Rosa, a brand strategy and design practice, and included PGA TOUR creative, marketing and communications teams. The evolution includes refreshed brand purpose and story, as well as a new logo, which is a metaphor for the growth guidance at the heart of First Tee. The changes also include removing “The” from the organization’s name and updated colors and patterns. We will continue to build experiences that build character to empower kids through a lifetime of new challenges and continuous personal growth. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at golf courses, schools and youth centers in all 50 states and at six international locations.