Category: Events

Vivian D’Orazi is an alumna of First Tee — Metropolitan New York and a First Tee Scholar. Now a senior and member of the golf team at York College of Pennsylvania, Vivian reflected on one of the most impactful experiences she had at First Tee:

At just 5 years old, I had no idea how much of an impact First Tee would have on my life. What started as weekly classes quickly turned into something so much more, a community that gave me a coach who feels like family, lifelong friends, and opportunities I never could’ve imagined. Today, I’m playing collegiate golf and pursuing a degree in marketing, all thanks to the foundation First Tee helped me build.

One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had through First Tee was participating in a five-week Leadership Series with PGA Tour Superstore. During this program, which takes place at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, I took a deep dive into who I am, identifying my personal strengths, values, and the direction I wanted to take in life.

As part of the series, we were challenged to explore careers that aligned with our individual strengths and values. I discovered that my top strengths include achiever, arranger, relator, restorative, and belief. My values, integrity, family, teamwork, and helping others, also became clear.

At first, I wasn’t sure how those qualities could translate into a career. But after doing some research and reflection, I realized that marketing might be a good fit. From there, I began exploring the many paths within marketing, and that’s when I found something that truly sparked my interest, event marketing. The idea of creating meaningful experiences for others, moments they’ll remember and enjoy, resonated with me deeply.

I’ve made so many core memories at sporting events as a kid, laughing and cheering with my family and friends. Now, I want to help create those same experiences for other people. That’s where my strengths and values really come to life, through collaboration, creativity, and a desire to bring joy to others.

Leadership Series opened a door I didn’t even know existed. It’s what led me to major in marketing in college, and now, in my senior year, I feel more confident than ever in the path I’m on.

At the end of the five-week series, I was honored to be selected for the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Montana, an experience that took everything to the next level. I rode a horse for the first time, went white water rafting, and took in some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. But more than that, I stepped outside of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I took on new challenges, embraced different ways of thinking, and began to view leadership through a broader, more empowering lens.

Being surrounded by other motivated, passionate First Tee participants in such a beautiful place helped me grow not just as a leader, but as a person. It gave me the confidence to use my voice, trust in my abilities, and believe in the power of staying true to my values.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for how far I’ve come, and even more thankful for the experiences and people who helped me get here. From taking my first swing with First Tee to now preparing to graduate college with a clear vision for the future, I wouldn’t trade a minute of the journey.

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Addison Murphy’s grandpa first handed her a golf club when she was just 3. In addition to introducing her to the sport she loves, her family instilled other values that guide her way.

“If you want something, you have to work for it,” she said. “Things don’t just happen on their own. You have to show up and keep trying, even when it gets frustrating or doesn’t go the way you hoped.”

That philosophy has carried her through significant life transitions, including a move from Georgia to Pennsylvania in 2022. Starting fresh in a new city and school wasn’t easy, but Addison kept showing up and growing her community.

Though golf had always been part of Addison’s life, she didn’t begin playing seriously until age 13, when her mother discovered First Tee while searching for golf classes. Since joining First Tee – Greater Philadelphia, Addison has become one of the chapter’s most engaged participants, attending over 45 classes across seven locations in just the past year.

Her dedication has paid off both on and off the course – from Top 3 finishes at chapter tournaments to unique experiences, like serving as a standard bearer at the 2025 Truist Championship, Addison has made the most of her time with First Tee – Greater Philadelphia. Now she’s preparing to embark on a new adventure: attending the 2025 First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere.

At the five-day female-empowerment event held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Addison and her cohort will hear from accomplished female business leaders on topics like networking, building confidence and the importance of giving back.

Unleashing her potential

A high school sophomore, Addison has already demonstrated a passion for entrepreneurship. She completed First Tee – Greater Philadelphia’s Caddie Academy earlier this year, and she spoke at the chapter’s annual fundraising event, addressing a crowd of more than 150 donors.

Her service work spans multiple areas. Through her church youth group, she’s participated in local service projects and even traveled to the Dominican Republic to help build a house for a family in need. Her passion for animals led her to contribute over 200 hours to Rucker Dog Training in Georgia, helping foster and prepare therapy dogs for schools, community programs and law enforcement — work that earned her the AKC Canine & Me Community Achievement Award in 2022 and a certificate of appreciation from the Gainesville Police Department.

After moving to Pennsylvania, Addison didn’t let distance stop her community engagement. She launched “Addie Trains Puppers,” her own dog walking and training business.

‘Challenges can turn into growth’

As Addison prepares for the Drive Your Future Academy, she’s exploring multiple potential career paths, from business and architecture to music production. Whatever direction she ultimately chooses, her approach will likely remain the same: show up, work hard and keep pushing forward.

“Challenges can turn into growth if you don’t give up,” she said, reflecting on bunker struggles, big moves and the ongoing journey of becoming who she wants to be.

The Drive Your Future Academy will bring together exceptional young women from across the First Tee network for leadership development, career exploration and empowerment. For Addison Murphy, it’s another opportunity to grow, give back and represent what First Tee stands for: building game changers, both on the course and in life.

Derek Lee of First Tee – Oakland understands the power of service. “For the past two years, I have volunteered as a junior coach and have helped elementary and middle school age kids discover the game of golf,” he said. “I want to be a positive role model and mentor for them, just as others were for me when I was their age.”

Now a high school junior, Derek joined the chapter as a participant when he was 7 years old, but it closed a couple years later. He took a break from golf until the COVID-19 pandemic made it one of the few activities available to kids. Then when First Tee – Oakland relaunched in 2023, Derek eagerly rejoined as a junior coach.

“Knowing I am helping to spark their interest in something that I myself love and am passionate about is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “It reminds me how impactful volunteering can be, and it motivates me to keep giving back to my community.”

Derek’s passion for helping others is a big part of the reason he’ll be the first participant from the re-opened First Tee – Oakland chapter to attend a national participant event. He’s heading across the country to Jacksonville, Florida, to take part in Innovators Forum this week.

At Innovators Forum, each participant develops a plan for a community service project they execute when they return home. Derek aspires to create expanded program offerings for First Tee – Oakland to ensure that younger kids remain engaged with the chapter and see their golf and life skills grow.

During Innovators Forum, Derek and his cohort will hear case studies from leaders at organizations like CapTech and Constellation, and they’ll attend Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS to see legendary golfers like Ernie Els and Vijay Singh.

When he’s back in Oakland, Derek aspires to take his own golf game to new heights. Already a plus-handicap player, he has big goals: “I strive to play in the most challenging tournaments I can, so I can show myself and coaches that I have the skills and can go toe-to-toe with some of the best junior golfers in the world,” he said. Ultimately, he aims to play collegiate golf at a top academic school.

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Stephen Im’s golf story is about giving back to the community that helped shape him.

Stephen grew up in the inner city of San Diego, just minutes from Pro Kids, home of First Tee – San Diego. It was the 1990s, and “Tiger Mania” had a whole generation dreaming big. For Stephen, First Tee – San Diego quickly became his second home. “I describe my time at First Tee as the best years of my youth, when life was simple,” he said.

His journey through First Tee wasn’t just about swing mechanics or lowering scores — it was about building character and finding belonging. “The reason I credit much of my own development to First Tee has to do with my involvement during my teenage years,” he said. Being multiracial, Stephen struggled at times with identity and community, he said. “Learning who I was and what made me unique led me to develop better judgement.”

One defining moment of his youth came when Stephen was selected to attend the very first Game Changers Academy at Kansas State University. From navigating dorm life to playing one of the toughest golf courses in the country, Colbert Hills, the week was packed with new experiences.

Returning to Game Changers for a special anniversary

This year, Stephen returns to Game Changers Academy — not as a participant, but as a coach and mentor. The event, which focuses on inclusive leadership and community building, is taking place in Minneapolis and celebrating its 25^th anniversary this summer.

Stephen is excited to be involved so he can help teens expand their horizons, just as he did decades ago. “There’s something about visiting another community that opens your eyes to the world we share with others,” he said. He hopes participants walk away with broadened perspectives — and the courage to inspire others through their experiences.

More than anything, Stephen is excited to spark those lightbulb moments. “Guiding teens to find their place in the world and giving them a safe space to express themselves. That’s what this work is about,” he said.

Coaching with Purpose

Since getting involved as a kid, golf has been an important part of Stephen’s life. While earning his degree from Cal Poly Pomona, he joined First Tee – Greater Pasadena as a coach and found his calling.

Over the years, Stephen wore many hats: coach, mentor and leader, becoming a Level 4 coach in 2020. Through his eight years in Pasadena, he watched young participants grow from beginners to high school graduates, and they, in turn, witnessed his own evolution.

Stephen returned to San Diego in 2023, and now he’s back in the same neighborhood where it all began, allowing him to bring experience and relatability “For the kids I get to work with now, I can literally say, ‘I’ve been in your shoes,’” he said.

He credits his own growth to the coaches who once saw his potential: “I can still describe a specific conversation with a coach from 30 years ago,” he said. “That’s the power of intentional mentorship.” He now strives to be a mentor for others by helping kids find their own strengths.

The Game Changers Academy is part of First Tee’s full slate of national participant opportunities designed to keep teens engaged with the program. First Tee offers leadership programs, a girls empowerment event, competitive golf opportunities and a community service workshop.