Over 25 years, First Tee has empowered thousands of teens through national events, inspiring them to develop personally and professionally
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2025) – First Tee will offer an impactful slate of participant opportunities in 2025, all designed to empower teens to become game changers in their communities. With the help of its corporate partners, First Tee creates opportunities for personal growth by encouraging teens to embrace challenges and engage in meaningful experiences within a safe and supportive environment.
Nearly 90% of parents believe character is a lost value that should be more emphasized in today’s society, according to research from First Tee and Harris Poll. Meanwhile, 91% of parents believe sports coaching should help their child succeed on and off the field. First Tee is committed to keeping teens engaged with the program, allowing them to build life skills and connect with mentors during what can be a challenging period of adolescence. The organization does this through its Ace capstone program, junior coach opportunities and national participant events.
First Tee’s 2025 participant events schedule features:
Leadership Series, Feb. 3-March 13: Facilitated by local PGA TOUR Superstore management, this five-week series helps participants uncover their leadership values and strengths.
Leadership Academy, June 16-21: Held in Atlanta, participants who graduate from the Leadership Series can apply and learn about running successful teams from leaders within the Arthur M. Blank family of businesses.
National Championship, June 22-26: Taking place this year at the University of Notre Dame, Warren Course. This event brings together First Tee’s most skilled male and female high school golfers to showcase how the program has helped them build the strength of character needed to compete at the next level.
Game Changers Academy, July 8-12: In its 25th year, First Tee’s longest running event will take place in Minneapolis in 2025. Designed to inspire teens to embrace their differences and improve their communities, this event is supported by AWS, Mayo Clinic and Topgolf Callaway Brands.
Leadership Summit, Aug. 4-8 (Session 1), Aug. 11-15 (Session 2): Teens who complete the Leadership Series are also eligible to apply to this experience, which takes place at West Creek Ranch in Montana. From horseback riding to whitewater rafting, participants are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and become stronger leaders with guidance from PGA TOUR Superstore executives.
PURE Insurance Championship, Sept. 16-21: First Tee teens are paired with PGA TOUR Champions players and business leaders at Pebble Beach Golf Links. This event airs on Golf Channel and features mentorship, networking and unforgettable golf experiences.
Innovators Forum, Oct. 2-5: Taking place in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, teens will work with experienced business leaders to better understand the importance of volunteerism and develop meaningful community service projects they then implement at home.
Drive Your Future Academy, Nov. 6-10: This female empowerment event supported by John Deere connects young women with female mentors who’ve succeeded in the business world and beyond. It also explores the benefits of staying involved with golf after high school and will take place in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home of the PGA TOUR.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teens who are involved with Positive Youth Development Programs like First Tee report a stronger sense of identity and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Nearly a quarter of First Tee participants are teenagers, and more than 300 teens take part in First Tee’s national participant events each year. In 2024, event attendees averaged more than eight years of participation with First Tee, and 98% said they found the event they attended to be impactful or very impactful.
“We are excited to offer eight inspiring participant events this year, ranging from competitive golf tournaments to immersive leadership academies,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin “Every year, we hear from the participants who attend, as well as their parents and coaches, that these experiences are pivotal as they’re considering what their future and post-graduation path could look like. We are grateful to partners like AWS, John Deere, Mayo Clinic, PGA TOUR Superstore, PURE Insurance and Topgolf Callaway Brands, as well as the generous individuals who make these events possible.”
First Tee teens or parents should contact their chapter about applying to participant opportunities. Applications are now open for the First Tee National Championship, Game Changers Academy and PURE Insurance Championship. The First Tee College Scholarship Program is also accepting applications from qualified high school seniors.
First Tee is a nonprofit youth development organization that empowers young people through the game of golf, helping them develop inner strength, confidence and life skills they’ll use on and off the course.