Category: Events

Leading with kindness: How Addi Schneider found her strengths  

On and off the course, First Tee – West Michigan participant Addi Schneider is a true game changer, always leading others with kindness and empathy.  

“Leadership isn’t just about achieving a goal,” Addi said. “It’s about having the grit to stay by someone’s side until they believe in their own potential.” That belief guides everything she does, and this week she is carrying it all the way to the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Montana.  

A leader in the making 

Addi has been involved with First Tee – West Michigan for five years and now serves as a First Tee volunteer coach. Beyond the course, she volunteers with her school’s Special Olympics program and serves as a peer mentor, supporting students with special needs in the classroom. 

This spring, Addi took her leadership to the next level after participating in Leadership Series, a five-week program presented in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstores across the country that helps First Tee participants explore their strengths, values and possible career paths. There, she discovered her core strengths — discipline, focus and achievement. Now, she’s one of 40 participants attending Leadership Summit, where she’ll deepen her leadership skills through outdoor adventures and team-building activities. 

A diagnosis that shaped her leadership style 

Addi’s leadership style has been forged since first grade, when she was diagnosed with dyslexia. 

The diagnosis brought real challenges: the frustration of falling behind her peers and moments when she felt like a burden to classmates and teachers. But as Addi grew older, her perspective shifted. Rather than viewing dyslexia as a weakness, she came to view it as a superpower that gave her a unique ability to empathize with others.  

That empathy shows up every week during the classes Addi coaches as a volunteer coach, where she connects with participants, understands their struggles and works to instill confidence in each of them. 

During one class discussion on positive self-identity, Addi asked participants to share how they live out one of First Tee values in their own lives. One response stuck with her: A participant said it doesn’t matter what others think. It matters what you think of yourself. 

That moment reminded Addi of the impact she was making. “My greatest strength is the character I have that allows me to help students find their own voice,” she said. “And with that, the confidence to be themselves.” 

She brings that same purpose to her high school’s peer-to-peer program, where she supports students with special needs. Having experienced firsthand what it feels like to struggle and fall behind, Addi understands that not every student learns the same way and leads with a commitment to provide each of them equal opportunities to succeed. 

Looking ahead  

Her experience with the program has encouraged her to pursue a degree in special education and minor in American Sign Language, working toward a world that values access, empathy and equality. She’s already living that mission today: “My daily goals are to lead with kindness and make a difference in others’ lives,” she said. 

Addi’s journey has shaped her into a leader who meets people with patience, empathy, and unshakeable belief in their potential, and that journey is just getting started. In Montana, she will carry the same values that have guided her all along: discipline, focus and a heart for helping others find their voice. 

First Tee, PGA TOUR Superstore bring 40 teens to Montana for 6th annual Leadership Summit


Actor Michael Peña and golf broadcaster Amanda Balionis headline this year’s guest speaker lineup.

EMIGRANT, Montana (Aug. 3, 2026) – Youth development organization First Tee and longtime partner PGA TOUR Superstore are hosting the 2026 First Tee Leadership Summit at West Creek Ranch, welcoming 40 participants for two weeks of leadership development set against the backdrop of Paradise Valley in Montana.

Now in its sixth year, the Leadership Summit pairs outdoor adventure with intentional reflection to foster personal growth. Participants take on horseback riding, whitewater rafting, a challenge course and archery, while leadership development experts and PGA TOUR Superstore staff guide sessions designed to help teens uncover their values, sharpen their communication and grow through new experiences.

Actor and First Tee Ambassador Michael Peña will serve as guest speaker the first week, and golf broadcaster Amanda Balionis will join the teens during the second week.

Bordered by the Yellowstone River, West Creek Ranch is owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee Board Member Arthur M. Blank.

“First Tee Leadership Summit provides these teens with an incredible opportunity to grow, learn and build meaningful connections,” said Ralph Stokes, vice president of social impact, partnerships and community relations at PGA TOUR Superstore. “It reflects what makes First Tee so impactful: helping young people build character, develop life skills and discover their potential. At PGA TOUR Superstore, we are committed to investing in programs like this that empower the participants to grow into better players and people.”

“Golf is just the starting point for what we do at First Tee,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Leadership Summit pushes teens to explore who they are, who they want to become and how they can lead with purpose. It is one of our most transformative opportunities, and we are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for making it possible.”

Before applying for the Leadership Summit, each participant must complete the First Tee Leadership Series, a five-week program held at PGA TOUR Superstores across the U.S. This year’s group was selected from a competitive applicant pool and represents 31 First Tee chapters from across the country.

In addition to supporting the Leadership Series and Leadership Summit, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation support First Tee chapters through grants and in-kind donations.

Leadership Summit is one of several signature participant opportunities First Tee offers in support of its mission to build game changers through golf. For more information, visit firsttee.org.

From Topgolf to a national stage: How golf helped Sydney find her voice 

When Sydney Purdon stepped up to hit balls at a new Topgolf facility near her home in Aledo, Texas, she had no idea she was about to find her sport. She was 8 years old, and her parents had signed her up for summer camp, mostly to see if golf would stick. By the end of her very first day, she had hit more than 300 balls and was hooked. 

“I had tried dance, cheer, basketball and soccer when I was younger, but golf turned out to be my favorite sport to play,” Sydney said. That same fall, her parents discovered First Tee – Fort Worth, and she has been an active participant every season since. 

Eight years later, Sydney is a junior coach at her chapter, and she’s pursuing Ace, First Tee’s capstone program for teens. She was also selected to attend the 2026 First Tee Game Changers Academy, a national opportunity presented in partnership with AWS, the 3M Open and Topgolf, fittingly the same brand that first put a club in her hands. 

“Stories like Sydney’s exemplify why we’re so proud to be a gateway to golf for countless young people,” said Tiffany Brush, senior director of marketing and charitable initiatives at Topgolf. “Whether it’s through our summer academy programs, partnership with First Tee or simply providing a fun, no pressure environment to try something new for family day out, we’re committed to introducing the world to the sport we love. Sydney’s remarkable journey from discovering her passion at Topgolf as an 8-year-old to becoming a Game Changers Academy member and leader in her community is exactly the kind of impact we hope to create every single day.” 

Leading by example, on and off the course 

Game Changers Academy focuses on inclusive leadership, something Sydney has already demonstrated at her chapter. As a volunteer coach on Saturday mornings, she works directly with younger players, many of them girls just starting their First Tee journey. Since pursuing Ace, Coach Chuck said Sydney “has shown up regularly and faithfully, investing in younger participants and modeling leadership through action.” She’s also volunteered at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge and with LPGA Girls Golf. 

Sydney’s commitment to inclusion is not abstract. She lives with primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare genetic condition that affects her lungs and requires frequent medical care, including a hospital stay last year. Rather than let it sideline her, Sydney channeled her experiences into advocacy, raising concerns with her school counselors about attendance policies that unintentionally penalized students managing chronic health needs. Leaning on First Tee’s CARE framework – communicate, actively listen, review options, end with a win-win solution – she worked toward a solution that let her stay eligible for academic rewards while managing her care. 

That same resilience carried her back to golf. Starting with putting and short game before working up to full swings again, Sydney returned to competition and continues to improve, currently competing for Aledo High School’s varsity team while maintaining a 4.43 GPA. 

Looking ahead 

Sydney hopes to graduate near the top of her class, lower her handicap and pursue a career in graphic design, all while continuing to grow First Tee’s reach in her community. As she heads to Minneapolis this July for Game Changers Academy, she carries with her the same curiosity that brought her to that first Topgolf bay nearly a decade ago, now matched with a clear sense of purpose: using her own experience to make sure no one feels left out. 

First Tee Game Changers Academy returns to Minneapolis bringing all-star lineup of experiences, including keynote from Olympic medalist Kellie Wells Brinkley 

Focused on inclusive leadership, the event brings together 72 teens from across the country, encouraging them to elevate their voices and lead change in their communities. 

MINNEAPOLIS (July 17, 2026) – The 2026 First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow Jr. returns to Minneapolis, bringing together 72 teens from across the U.S. for a workshop designed to challenge them to elevate their voices, embrace their differences and become advocates for positive change in their communities. 

First Tee’s longest-running participant event takes place July 18–22, 2026, with participants staying on campus at the University of Minnesota while taking part in a week of dynamic workshops, reflective activities and immersive golf experiences, including a round at the storied Interlachen Country Club, host of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open. 

Headlining the week’s welcome event at the Target Center will be keynote speaker Kellie Wells Brinkley, an Olympic bronze medalist. The conversation will focus on the impact of coaching and lessons in leadership, covering her experience from athlete to sports business executive.  

“Game Changers Academy aims to equip participants with the confidence, character and skills needed to lead in their communities,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are deeply grateful to AWS, 3M Open and Topgolf for their steadfast commitment to this program and to the next generation of leaders.” 

The itinerary includes hands-on leadership workshops, as well as trips to Topgolf and the 3M Open, where the teens will participate in a clinic led by First Tee Ambassador Austin Smotherman, an alumnus of First Tee – Greater Sacramento and PGA TOUR player. 

AWS, 3M Open and Topgolf are proud partners of the event. In addition to financial support, representatives from the organization will lead activities and facilitate sessions throughout the week. 

First Tee is a youth development organization that uses golf as a vehicle to build character and life skills. The Game Changers Academy is open to teens participating in First Tee chapters nationwide, with participants selected through a competitive application process. It’s one of a full slate of First Tee national participant events focusing on topics like competitive golf, community service and leadership. 

First Tee announces 80 teens selected to compete at PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship

The PURE Insurance Championship, held at iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, pairs First Tee teens with PGA TOUR Champions legends for a week of competition and mentorship

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2026) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions today announced the 80 teens selected to compete in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, set for September 15-20, 2026, at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on the Monterey Peninsula.

Hosted by PURE Insurance and Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the tournament is broadcast internationally on Golf Channel and pairs First Tee participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals and business leaders for a week of personal growth. Participants age 15-18 will compete for the boys’ and girls’ pro-junior titles.

Representing 52 chapters, participants were selected based on both their golf ability and their growth through First Tee’s youth development program. Members of the 2026 field have been involved with First Tee for an average of 7.5 years.

“Having experienced firsthand the lasting impact of youth sports, I am proud to support such a worthy cause and help create opportunities for these remarkable young people to build relationships and confidence that will stay with them long after tournament week,” said Katie Krum, Chief Marketing Officer at PURE Insurance.

The junior field was unveiled live on Golf Channel, where reigning girls’ champion Margaret Kerr of First Tee – Greater Houston and her pro partner, Steven Alker, joined the broadcast to discuss their experience competing in the 2025 championship. Kerr will begin her collegiate golf career next fall at West Texas A&M University.

Two members of the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship field earned exemptions into the tournament by finishing Top 5 at the First Tee National Championship, which was held at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club in June. Nakul Shrivastava of First Tee – Tri-Valley won the boys’ division, while Sadie Goodman of First Tee – Central Florida finished 4th, making her the top finisher in the girls’ division who has not previously played the PURE Insurance Championship.

“These 80 teens have put in years of work at their chapters to earn this incredible opportunity, and we are proud to have them represent First Tee,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for their continued investment in these young people and in this extraordinary event.”

Tournament play begins Friday, Sept. 18, on both Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Following Saturday’s rounds, the top 24 juniors will advance to Sunday’s final round at Pebble Beach, where one male and one female First Tee participant will be crowned champions.

The junior field for 2026 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.

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

First Tee – Triangle’s Arianna Beverly reflects on the opportunities she’s earned through golf

When Arianna Beverly was six or seven years old, her dad signed her up for First Tee. She liked the little games well enough, but she wasn’t exactly serious about it. Then the world stopped, and golf became everything.

“COVID hit, and all we could do was play golf,” Arianna said. What started as a casual activity gradually became a lifelong passion.

Now a rising senior and member of the First Tee – Triangle community, Arianna just competed at the 2026 First Tee National Championship at Finley Golf Club in Chapel Hill — the same course where she recently attended a skills session as part of the PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression program. This week, she also stepped into a different kind of spotlight, moderating a conversation with player and golf personality Will Lowery at the championship’s welcome dinner.

A pathway opens

Arianna was invited to join Pathway to Progression at last year’s First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame, where she played a practice round with Kenyatta Ramsey, vice president of player development at the PGA TOUR.

She won a qualifying tournament at Bally’s Golf Links in New York, “a very nice golf course, a different kind of experience,” she said. From there, the program brought her back to familiar ground: Finley Golf Club for sessions with coaches who helped with her swing, offered drills and talked through course management and the more technical aspects of the game. Through the program, she played her first AJGA tournament, a senior showcase in Las Vegas, and competed in a second AJGA event as well.

PURE Insurance Championship and Stewart Cink

If you ask Arianna about her favorite golf memory, there’s no hesitation.

“Playing at Pebble Beach. It was just the best experience of my life,” she said. “When I’m old and gray, I’ll still be reminding myself that I went to Pebble Beach and played with Stewart Cink.”

She competed at the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where she was paired with the PGA TOUR veteran. The experience left a lasting impression. “He still gives me little bits of advice,” she said. “I learned so much from him about course management. I was just pampered by everyone at that tournament.”

More than a golfer

Off the course, Arianna is vice president of her school’s Black Student Association, a National Honor Society member and a jewelry entrepreneur. She started making earrings during COVID as a creative outlet, inspired by a find on Pinterest and encouraged by her crafty family. As her skills improved, her dad convinced her to turn her hobby into a small business. Her Christmas gingerbread men and cupcake designs have been particularly popular.

Before she heads off to Japan on an upcoming school trip, Arianna is also looking ahead to the next chapter: college golf, ideally at an HBCU, and a degree in marketing.

The impact of First Tee

Through new environments and everything that comes with growing up, one thing has remained constant.

“First Tee has been the steadiest thing in my life,” Arianna said. “That’s something you need when you’re changing schools and meeting new people. I always know I have my friends at First Tee.”

She also credits the organization with something she didn’t expect when she first teed it up as a kid: social confidence.

As she prepares to graduate in 2027, Arianna sees golf not just as a sport but as the throughline of her life — past, present and future. “Through First Tee, I’ve fostered my love for the game. Everything I’ve done in the golf world has been because I found that love through First Tee. It’s going to get me into college, into the next chapter of my life, and I’m going to keep it throughout my adulthood because of what happened when I was six.”

First Tee – Phoenix’s Ashley Shaw and First Tee – Tri-Valley’s Nakul Shrivastava claim 2026 First Tee National Championship 

 
Shrivastava and First Tee – Central Florida’s Sadie Goodman earned exemptions into the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship 
 

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (June 25, 2026) – First Tee has crowned two new national champions: Ashley Shaw of Litchfield Park, Arizona, and Nakul Shrivastava of San Ramon, California, won the girls’ and boys’ divisions respectively. The First Tee National Championship took place at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club, June 21-25, 2026. 

The event brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped them build the confidence, perseverance and skills needed to play at the next level. 

Shaw shot 68-67-65 to finish 10-under for the tournament. A rising high school senior, she’s committed to play collegiate golf at the University of Georgia. Currently 67th in the AJGA rankings, she made her LPGA Tour debut at the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup after earning an exemption into the tournament. Shaw has been involved with First Tee – Phoenix for more than eight years and serves as a volunteer coach and ambassador. 

“I’m so excited to be able to get the win,” Shaw said. “For me, staying patient and just knowing I could hit the shots and waiting for the putts to drop was the key, and I just let it happen and I was able to get quite a few birdies this week.” 

Shrivastava shot 66-64-67 to finish 13-under for the tournament. He recorded nine birdies in the second round, including six on the back nine. Shrivastava began playing golf with First Tee – Tri-Valley when he was 6. Now a rising high school junior, he has multiple Top 10 AJGA finishes. 

“I’m feeling pretty good, very excited that I got to win this, and it was a really good opportunity,” said Shrivastava. “No matter how nervous I got or doubted myself this week, I just remembered confidence is key, and I just persevered through that, and I played pretty well.” 

Both winners were awarded the Tattersall Cup in honor of First Tee Trustee Fred Tattersall, who generously supports the event. Photos from the tournament are available here. 

Based on their play, Shrivastava and Sadie Goodman of First Tee – Central Florida earned exemptions into the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that will take place at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in September. The event pairs golf legends with First Tee juniors for a week of mentorship and competition. Goodman was 4th in the girls’ division, making her the top finisher who has not previously played the PURE Insurance Championship. 

“Congratulations to Ashley and Nakul on their outstanding victories at the First Tee National Championship,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “These young people demonstrated exceptional golf skills, sportsmanship and resilience. Thanks to the University of North Carolina for hosting this year’s event and Fred Tattersall for making this event possible.” 

The First Tee National Championship is held annually at college golf courses across the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from around the country. The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. A full list of results is available here. 

The championship is part of First Tee’s full slate of national participant opportunities, which is designed to help teens grow while keeping them engaged with the program. In addition to competitive golf opportunities, First Tee headquarters offers leadership programs, a girls empowerment event and a community service workshop. 

 First Tee’s top golf talent will be on display at its National Championship, hosted at University of North Carolina 

 
In addition to the Tattersall Cup, the male and female winners could earn exemptions into the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach 

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (June 22, 2026) – National youth development organization First Tee will host its 2026 National Championship June 21-25, 2026, at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club.  

Now in its sixth year, the First Tee National Championship brings together 48 of the organization’s top male and female players from across the country for a 54-hole stroke play event designed to provide participants with the opportunity to experience top collegiate golf courses while showcasing the skills and values they learned at their First Tee chapters. 

The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Twelve players in the field have already committed to college golf teams. Last year’s winners, Jordin Cowing of First Tee – Phoenix and Jacob Lewallen of First Tee – Greater Dallas, currently play at Austin Peay State University and Eastern Kentucky University respectively. 

“We are proud to bring the First Tee National Championship to the Finley Golf Club, and congratulations to the young people who have earned their place here,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO, First Tee. “We are grateful to the University of North Carolina for hosting our event and Fred Tattersall for his continued support of First Tee.” 

In addition to presenting the Tattersall Cup to the top male and female competitors, First Tee could also award two exemptions into the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs professionals and junior players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links each September.

The First Tee National Championship is held annually at college campuses across the nation, giving participants the opportunity to network with peers from around the country and experience college life firsthand. Last year’s event was held at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course.  

The championship is part of First Tee’s full slate of national participant opportunities, which are designed to keep teens engaged with the program through competitive golf, leadership development and community service. 

View the full list of selected participants here. Scoring will be available on Golf Genius. 

How to watch your child play golf without adding pressure 

Tournament season is here, and if your child is competing in junior golf this summer, you’re probably already thinking about how to show up for them. 

Your presence matters. Research consistently shows that parental support is one of the biggest factors in whether a young athlete has a positive sports experience. But there’s a version of support that helps kids thrive, and a version that can add weight to an already pressurized moment. The difference isn’t always obvious, especially when you love your kid and want them to succeed. 

Kids are remarkably perceptive. They notice the furrowed brow or slumped shoulders after a missed putt. They feel the silence in the car ride home. What they might not understand, however, is that you’re feeling disappointed for them – not disappointed in them. 

Your child wants to know that you care. But during competition, that awareness can work against them. When kids sense that a parent’s mood is tied to their performance, they start playing for the wrong audience. Instead of focusing on the shot in front of them, they’re managing your reaction, and that’s an enormous cognitive and emotional load for a young person to carry. 

What helpful presence actually looks like 

The good news is that being a supportive presence doesn’t require you to suppress your emotions. It just requires a small shift in focus. 

Before the round, keep it simple. Remind your child that you’re proud of them for competing, full stop. 

During the round, resist the urge to coach from the gallery. Even well-intentioned tips mid-round can disrupt a young golfer’s concentration and signal that you’re focused on outcomes rather than effort. Let them play and problem-solve. 

While athletes can learn from mistakes, avoid offering critiques right after a round when emotions are raw. Instead, try leading with curiosity. Prompt reflection with questions like: 

  • How did you feel? 
  • How were the conditions? 
  • What was the best moment of your round? 
  • What did you learn today from your round? 

Let the hard moments do their job 

Competitive golf is full of adversity … missed putts, bad bounces, tough weather. These moments feel painful in the short term, but they’re also exactly where some of the most important development happens. 

At First Tee, FAIL stands for First Attempt In Learning. The idea is that setbacks aren’t signs of failure but part of the process. When kids are allowed to sit with a hard moment, reflect on it and try again, they build something no coaching tip can give them: genuine resilience. 

Your role in those moments isn’t to fix the feeling or explain away the disappointment. It’s to stay calm, stay present and let your child know that your love isn’t contingent on the scorecard. 

What junior golfers often need most from their parents is the freedom to compete, take risks, make mistakes and figure things out in real time. 

Find a First Tee chapter near you to learn about competitive golf opportunities. 

Izzy Kornmeyer shares the transformative power of golf 

Izzy Kornmeyer didn’t know how to hold a golf club when she started at First Tee – Indiana in 8th grade. Now, as a high school senior and varsity golfer, she can’t stop thinking about the game that has completely changed her life. 

“Golf has changed me for the better, and I am forever grateful for it,” she said. 

Izzy’s golf journey started with Sunday mornings watching her dad and grandpa head out to play. When she decided to try high school golf, her mom signed her up for First Tee, hoping the program would give her daughter the foundation she needed. 

That first tournament was humbling. After top-slicing her opening drive, Izzy shot 110. But instead of giving up, she leaned into the challenge. Several summer tournaments and countless practice sessions later, she returned to that same course and shot 83, proving what dedication and perseverance could accomplish. 

Now Izzy is preparing to play collegiate golf at St. Thomas University in Miami, where she’ll be a first-generation college student. 

Finding her voice 

The transformation wasn’t just about golf scores. Izzy arrived at First Tee as a quiet, uncertain beginner who felt out of her element. Over four years, she evolved into a confident mentor and leader who now helps launch new First Tee – Indiana initiatives through the Leaders In Training Program. 

Her leadership extends far beyond the golf course. Izzy serves on First Tee – Indiana’s Participant Advisory Council and was chosen as a Youth Deacon at Second Presbyterian Church.  

Izzy’s approach to leadership is guided by her faith and the values she’s developed through First Tee. She lives by Matthew 20:26: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” 

“I now understand that true leadership isn’t about being in control,” Izzy said. “It’s about being present, expressing kindness and prioritizing other people before yourself.” 

Whether she’s volunteering in the church nursery, creating encouraging TikTok content or being the first to help others at First Tee – Indiana, Izzy leads with kindness and compassion. 

Making an impact 

When she’s not competing, Izzy is often watching professional golf, practicing and or giving back to others. In 2024, she attended the First Tee Innovators Forum in Phoenix. During the event, participants plan service projects they execute in their communities. Izzy ultimately collected 700 full-sized hygiene products and $500 for the Julian Center, Indiana’s largest organization supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crises. 

Her journey from a nervous beginner who couldn’t grip a club to a confident leader who helps others find their own path proves what First Tee has always known: With the right support, young people can achieve remarkable growth. 

For Izzy, that growth has been about more than improving her golf game. It’s been about discovering her voice and leading with kindness – one shot, one challenge and one act of service at a time. 

Vivian D’Orazi: From identifying my strengths to finding my calling

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.

Support First Tee and its life-changing programs by becoming an Ambassador today!

Actress, First Tee alumna Kathryn Newton to headline First Tee 2025 Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere 

The annual female empowerment event will be making its Ponte Vedra Beach debut 

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (Nov. 6, 2025) – First Tee and John Deere will welcome 36 girls from across the country to the 2025 Drive Your Future Academy, a five-day leadership program created to help girls develop critical skills that will serve them in college and beyond.  

Known for her many movie and television roles, First Tee Ambassador Kathryn Newton will take part in a fireside chat. As an alumna of First Tee – Miami, she brings both a personal connection to the organization and a passion for empowering the next generation. Newton and other adult mentors will also join the girls for a golf outing at The Yards. 

November 7, 2025: Attendees play golf at The Yards and take part in a workshop with a John Deere executive during the First Tee Drive Your Future Academy in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

From Nov. 6-10, female leaders from organizations like John Deere, CapTech, Accenture and Cisco will lead sessions including:  

  • Advocating for yourself and others  
  • Overcoming adverse situations  
  • Cultivating meaningful relationships  
  • Roadmap to successful mentorship  
  • Embracing self-awareness  

The 36 teen participants will also lead a volunteer opportunity at the Salvation Army and explore historic downtown St. Augustine. 

The event reinforces First Tee’s commitment to empowering girls through its programs, which are offered through 150 chapters across the country. Most First Tee Chapters provide dedicated programming for girls, intentionally inviting and engaging them in a variety of opportunities. The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is one of a full slate of teen participant events that are open to girls in the First Tee Network.    

“With our commitment to providing innovative solutions to our customers, John Deere is always looking ahead, and our support of the Drive Your Future Academy is no exception,” said Bridget Dusing, sponsorship and events marketing manager at John Deere. “We are proud to support First Tee and the opportunities they provide to help prepare the next generation of leaders.”  

The teens were selected for the Drive Your Future Academy through a national application process based on essays, letters of recommendation and involvement in First Tee and other activities.    

“The Drive Your Future Academy represents everything we believe about the power of investing in young women — when girls develop confidence, leadership skills and meaningful connections early, they don’t just succeed in golf, they transform entire industries and communities,”  said Jennifer Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee. “We’re proud to partner with John Deere to create this transformative experience that equips these 36 young leaders with the tools and network they need to break barriers and drive change in whatever field they choose.”    

Since 2012, John Deere has supported First Tee, a youth development organization celebrating nearly three decades of teaching life skills and helping kids and teens build their strength of character through golf.