Vaughn Henagen arrived at the 2026 John Deere Classic with one goal in mind: to learn as much as he could.
“Throughout the whole week, I want to be an empty sponge soaking up all the knowledge I can,” he said prior to the event.
That mindset showed up in every conversation he had that week — a willingness to learn that’s been shaped throughout his First Tee journey.
Vaughn joined First Tee – Northern Michigan at age 6. Now 19, he is pursuing degrees in finance and accounting at Augustana College, where he’s also playing collegiate golf. But when asked what First Tee means to him, he didn’t start with the game. “The biggest value I’ve learned is the importance of respect,” he said. “First Tee is not just about golf; it’s also about learning life skills, building character and being a respectful person.”
Those lessons have followed him well beyond the course, shaping how he leads and connects with others. Currently, Vaughn leads a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bible study, is a member of the Accelerate Student-Athlete Leadership Program and volunteers with First Tee – Quad Cities.
Looking ahead, he hopes to build a career in financial advising that combines his love of numbers with his passion for helping people.
A foundation for the future
The First Tee Scholars Program has helped turn Vaughn’s aspirations into opportunities. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now without First Tee’s guidance and the doors they have opened through the Scholars Program,” he said.
Much of that growth, he credits to his mentor John Swiderski, a senior finance leader at John Deere and a fellow Augustana alumnus, who has helped him build confidence, expand his network and gain firsthand exposure to the finance industry. In April, Vaughn traveled with John through Chicago, touring investment banking firms and networking with professionals, an experience that left him more confident as he heads into his future career
A sense of belonging to the Quad Cities
After his freshman year, Vaughn already feels a strong connection to the Quad Cities. What began as simply a place to attend college has become somewhere he can genuinely call home.
That connection extends to First Tee — Quad Cities, where he recently returned as a volunteer coach to lead an intro-to-college-golf seminar for middle- and high-school families. Standing in front of young golfers asking the same questions he once had reminded him how meaningful it is to give back.
His advice to younger participants is simple yet impactful: “Always ask your coaches questions and don’t take the significance out of what they’re saying. Now being 19, I’ve realized how much First Tee has helped me grow as an individual, and younger participants should take these lessons to heart, as they carry with you for so long.”
An event to remember
By the end of the John Deere Classic, Vaughn had accomplished exactly what he came for.
Reflecting on his time at John Deere, he said, “This week was unbelievable! I met so many amazing PGA Tour players, toured John Deere headquarters and networked with John Deere professionals. I could not be more thankful for everything I got to experience this week alongside my fellow scholars Hannah Stouder and Emma Stavely.”
Moments like these show what the First Tee Scholars Program truly offers, not just support for tuition, but mentorship, networking and real-world experiences that set Scholars up for what comes next. As Vaughn heads into his sophomore year with a growing network and a stronger sense of direction, it’s clear his First Tee journey is still writing new chapters, on and off the course.
