Feature Stories Archives - Page 7 of 8

Jakari Harris embodies values and lessons from First Tee to help support fellow student athletes

This time of year, many college students are preparing to head to their school and prepare for the upcoming school year. But this year looks different, especially for many student-athletes like Jakari Harris. Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, some universities have made the difficult decision to cut programs from the athletic department. This can be devastating for students who are also losing their scholarships, which means they are now paying for their education. First Tee – Metro Atlanta alum, Jakari Harris, is doing something about it. A graduate of Hampton University and a former member of the golf team, Jakari was disheartened to learn that the golf team’s funding had been cut upon her graduation. She and a few other teammates have since started a funding effort to help those who are affected.

“Because of First Tee, I was able to play collegiate golf and would like that opportunity to be available to athletes at Hampton again.”

Jakari’s act of service is directly rooted in the values she learned while a participant at First Tee – Metro Atlanta. We asked her a few questions about her experience, and this is what she had to say. After being exposed to the game of golf at a young age, my dad started looking for golf programs around our neighborhood. The first chapter I joined was First Tee – Atlanta, but I switched to First Tee – East Lake once I transferred to Charles R. Drew Charter School. The home course was right across from the school, so I could just walk over after classes and practice almost every day.

First Tee emphasizes the fact that participants not only learn golf skills, but also life skills. A lot of the values I hold near and dear to my heart are the very values that were taught in First Tee classes. My personal favorites were integrity and perseverance. Aside from life skills I learned, I also gained a family with First Tee. All of the coaches at my home chapter were extremely supportive to me on and off the course. They went above and beyond, and I consider many of them as my mentors. First Tee camps always presented me with both new experiences and challenges. I soaked in all the instruction I could from every drill and practice session. Whenever I faced a challenge, I referred back to what I was taught earlier and tried to apply it. When I wasn’t successful, I could always ask one of the coaches for help. This is the same way I take on the new experiences and challenges in life. I take the experience for what it is and try to learn as much as I can. Then, I look at the challenges from every angle possible. Because of First Tee, I have no problem asking for help and learning from my mistakes. One of my First Tee mentors is Coach Brittny Lott, and I actually still keep in contact with her regularly. She actually does my hair from time to time. Her love for the Lord pushes me to develop a better relationship with God. She was very patient and encouraging when I first met her. Because of my competitiveness, I would sometimes be too hard on myself when I didn’t perform well during competition. She would give me encouraging words and talk me down. I called her after one of my tournaments in college when I shot a terrible score. I just kept saying “I don’t know why I keep doing this. I know I can do better than this.” She brought up a very good point that will always be in the back of my mind. Things happen in golf that you can’t control. Even professionals have their off days. Instead of reacting to what I scored on the last hole, I can choose to not give up and do my very best from then on. If you can walk away knowing you did your best, that’s all you can ask for.

“My biggest takeaway from First Tee is that family doesn’t have to be blood.”

First Tee coaches have had one of the biggest impacts on my life. They care about each and every participant. Even when I would go to a First Tee camp where I didn’t know anyone, the coaches made me feel so welcome and at home. The relationships I have formed through this organization are priceless. Looking forward, I eventually want to become a professor at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). After graduating in STEM from an HBCU, I know that there are very good students there who just need better resources. I was able to end up where I am because of resources I came across and relationships I developed. I am now in the Biomedical Engineering PhD program at Georgia Tech and Emory University. First Tee taught me how to network and keep in contact with the people you meet. Sometimes it’s more about WHO you know than WHAT you know. The core values I learned will help me through grad school and beyond. If you wish to help support Jakari and her fellow Hampton Golf Alumni in their efforts to off-set the lost scholarships and bring the golf program back, visit their GoFundMe page.

How First Tee’s Valuable Lessons Helped Dr. Amber Hardeman realize her dreams

Dr. Amber Hardeman started with First Tee of Dallas in 2005. (Courtesy of Hardeman) — Dr. Amber Hardeman started with First Tee of Dallas in 2005.

By Sara Wright, Guest blogger, PGA TOUR Dr. Amber Hardeman is an inspiration. Not only does she have an incredible work ethic and multiple degrees, including a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama, a MBA from Tulane’s Freeman School of Business and a Doctor of Medicine from Tulane School of Medicine, all of which she earned before the age of 30, but Amber has made it her life’s mission to serve the underprivileged with her career in medicine. And in the midst of everything that this country is currently experiencing – the civil unrest, the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis – this personal aspiration, to work tirelessly on the front lines to decrease the disease’s burden on the minority population, is proving ever more important. “It’s tough and humbling to work so hard while feeling I have not mastered anything,” Hardeman said in a recent interview with Forbes. “I entered medicine to help minimize disparities and inequality in healthcare. COVID-19 has proven to affect an incredibly disproportionate number of African Americans due to a multitude of factors, including racism, socioeconomic disadvantage, barriers to access and higher rates of co-morbid health conditions. Regardless, no matter how difficult things have been, I am very grateful for the journey.” Her journey can be, in large part, traced back to her time with First Tee. Little did she know, when she started with First Tee of Dallas in 2005, the program would significantly transform her life. She gained dozens of opportunities and progressed into a great golfer, but more importantly, she says, it was through First Tee, she also learned to be an excellent person. Each new opportunity affirmed fundamentals she learned from the program, ranging from communication skills to goal setting to how to keep calm in stressful situations.

“It was after being named ‘Most Outstanding Female Golfer’ and ‘Most Outstanding Female Leader’ in my chapter, that I was truly reassured that I wanted to use my skills to positively impact other people,” Dr. Hardeman said. “The confidence I gained in First Tee has helped me make changes in my local community as well as worldwide. I developed a passion for service and helping others. Not only did I do community service trips in Europe, but also completed medical missions in South America. As a current physician, I still strive to use the tools I learned in First Tee to meaningfully contribute to my patients and community. “When I think of First Tee, I think of character development and life connections,” she continued. “First Tee has meant more to me than I ever thought possible. As I progressed through different skill levels from Par to Ace, my immediate and future goals simultaneously took form. One of the first things we learned was how to set and achieve reachable goals. I’ve been doing that ever since 2005 and plan to continue doing so throughout my career. A career that has led Dr. Hardeman to her position as a resident physician in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics at Tulane School of Medicine and entering what she describes as a ‘battle zone’ in New Orleans. As a bilingual African American woman, she breaks through the language and cultural barriers to help treat the patients and not ‘just’ the disease. She does her best to ameliorate pain, suffering and disease for her patients and aspires to decrease disease burden on the minority population.

“A worldwide pandemic isn’t something anyone can fully prepare for,” she said. “Yet, one of my biggest take-aways from the program was to learn to accept the uncontrollable. I can’t count how many times situations occur in golf that are unpredictable or incredibly difficult. Progressing through medical school and becoming a doctor is quite similar. I learned patience, respect, problem solving, and how to maintain focus. Above all, I learned to never stop learning. First Tee taught me that there is always room for improvement. I always strive for excellence. “Because of my experiences,” she added, “I know that no matter what you are doing in life you can always be better, you can always continue to work and grow to become the best version of yourself possible.” Now, if that isn’t a message worth spreading, I don’t know what is.

Featured on the PGA TOUR: View Amber’s Story on PGATOUR.com

Sara Diaz is Changing the Way the PGA TOUR Relates to its Multicultural Fan Base

By Sara Wright, Guest blogger, PGA TOUR When the First Tee of Greater San Antonio first put clubs in the hands of the Diaz family about 15 years ago, there was no way to predict just how much the game would impact the family’s life. Sara, the eldest of three children, her brother Adolfo, the middle sibling, and the youngest, Elsa, all learned to play golf with their dad through the program, but in the case of the Diaz siblings, their time with First Tee provided so much more. While Sara was born in the U.S., she and her family moved to her mother’s native Mexico to grow up learning Spanish. About a decade later, the family returned to the U.S., with Sara, Adolfo and Elsa then needing to re-learn English. That’s where the First Tee program came in, allowing the siblings to not just learn the sport of golf, but perhaps more importantly to practice their English in a fun and supportive environment. Of course, Sara learned a lot more than that during her time in the First Tee program. She also learned important character development, goal setting, fundraising techniques, public speaking, essay writing and confidence to travel on her own. When Sara qualified in 2008 for the prestigious Wal-Mart First Tee Open in Pebble Beach, the program’s top national opportunity, she was extremely lucky to have been paired with the legendary Tom Watson. If that wasn’t exciting enough, she was featured on the Golf Channel during the tournament and was awarded the Oroweat Healthy Minds Scholarship during a surprise press conference. She recalls that week as ‘truly unbelievable.’

In 2010, Sara was selected to be a junior reporter at the WGC-CA Championship in Doral, FL, where she worked for the first time inside of the PGA TOUR’s media center. Later in the fall, she was chosen to go to Walt Disney World in Orlando for a Future Leaders Forum. That same year, she was given another incredible opportunity to participate in a commercial with the great Jack Nicklaus for the Royal Bank of Scotland in Jupiter, FL., where she snuck in a putting lesson from the greatest golfer of all time.

After she graduated from the First Tee program as the first participant in the San Antonio chapter to complete the Ace-level certification, her opportunities with golf continued. Initially recruited to play golf at Texas A&M-Commerce, Sara progressed to the University of Richmond Division I program where she was offered a full scholarship for her Master’s degree and the opportunity compete alongside her younger sister in 2014. Needless to say, the Diaz sisters had a blast playing together – albeit for just a year – on the same team.

In 2017, she was asked to return as an alumnus to her favorite place, Pebble Beach, and share her experiences as a speaker for The First Tee Pure Insurance Legends and Leaders Dinner alongside Condoleezza Rice and Leon Panetta. Even though Sara knew this sport would always play a huge part in her life, what she didn’t realize at the time, was that all of these experiences were preparing her for this current role at the PGA TOUR, where she now manages their multicultural marketing strategy. Hired in March 2019, she excels in positioning the TOUR brand in unexpected places and has helped produce and distribute content through a variety of different channels allowing golf to be portrayed in a new light to a larger demographic. Sara helped in the success of the TOUR’s recently-launched Spanish Instagram page, @pgatouresp, where she hosted the eSeries Video Game Challenge in Spanish to show the behind-the-scenes of what goes on during the recording and reveal the personalities of our players in a casual setting. Sara also had a huge part in adding to the new PGA TOUR and First Tee’s co-sponsored site, Links to Learning. With her help, this site, which was established shortly after schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to provide golf-centric educational material into homes, added a section for youth to learn Spanish and additionally, she worked with a team to translate the whole site to Spanish – https://www.pgatour.com/academia.html. Most recently, Sara also had the honor of interviewing the Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, Jay Monahan and Harold Varner III on the return to golf and the current social injustice in our country. Check it out here: https://www.pgatour.com/video/2020/06/05/a-thoughtful-conversation-with-commissioner-monahan-and-varner-i.html “Because of golf, I have met wonderful people from all walks of life and have opened my eyes to different lifestyles and perspectives,” she said. “I feel extremely lucky and appreciative of all the experiences the sport has provided me. I have been honored to help create awareness, address misconceptions and curate the onsite tournament experience so people from all ages, races and backgrounds can feel welcome and enjoy the sport that has been such a big part of my life. My goal is to have multicultural initiatives interwoven into everything we do at the PGA TOUR,” Sara added. “I’m very excited for the future of this organization and how we can continue to connect with ALL of our fans!”

How Positivity Can Help Us Persevere in Times of Uncertainty

By Sara Wright, Guest blogger, PGA TOUR

Positivity and perseverance have always been revered characteristics. This seems true now more than ever before. For most, regular day-to-day routines were flipped completely upside down during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it was a rapid change to the norm.

As the global health crisis took shape, most children saw their schools closed and their sports and after-school activities canceled. This inevitably included First Tee’s in-person programs, which were suspended for the unforeseeable future.

Many parents created a virtual learning environment for their children at home. While the lucky ones worked remotely, many faced layoffs as businesses closed their doors and unemployment rates skyrocketed. Our work-life balance shifted and even regular interactions with family and friends changed drastically almost overnight.

While some states begin to slowly reopen, the future is still unclear. Around the world, people and businesses are doing their part: helping others, spreading good news and simply reassuring each other with signs or messages of positivity that we WILL get through this. We will persevere.

Examples of golfers using perseverance and positivity are also plentiful, but the name that sticks out to us is one that we’ve heard frequently over the past year.

She is not a professional golfer (at least not yet), but Amy Bockerstette, along with her iconic self-assurance and her “I got this” mentality, is a player who knows first-hand what it takes to persevere against all odds.

If you are one of the few who have not heard of ‘Amazing Amy’ yet, don’t worry. We got you. Watch this video released by the PGA TOUR about Amy and her viral moment with Gary Woodland in 2019 on the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.

So, what can we learn from Amy? Well, her story is one that truly shows just how powerful positive attitude and self-talk can be.

“Amy’s energy, her love, her attitude was so contagious,” four-time PGA TOUR winner Woodland said. “I need more of that, and I think the world needs more of that. Her positive self-talk is stuff I’m still using to this day.”

Woodland credited Amy’s positivity and perseverance as a driving force to his U.S. Open victory that came a few months after he met her. So if it works for Gary and Amy, it can work for all of us.

Positive self-talk is an essential tool in perseverance.

Positive self-talk helps boost your confidence. This seems like a no-brainer, but studies have shown that positive self-talk is among the most efficient and effective means of increasing a person’s self-confidence. Many psychologists believe confidence is one of the primary prerequisites to personal and professional success.

In addition, it helps eliminates stress. According to the American Heart Association, positive self-talk can aid in controlling stress. As a result, it makes you feel calmer and less anxious, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and other physical ailments brought on by stress.

How can you practice positive self-talk?

Create a positive outcome in your head: Imagine a goal and how you will accomplish it. Once you keep this intent in mind, it becomes easier for you to accomplish and set out steps to achieve it.
Build on your accomplishments: This can be done in two parts. First, remember your previous accomplishments. These memories will make you feel good about yourself. Then, praise yourself when you achieve your new goals.
Repeated affirmations: Focus on regularly saying optimistic statements about yourself, your present endeavors or what goals you intend to accomplish. By repeating these affirmations, a person has a higher chance of recalling positive thoughts instead of negative ones.

One of the goals of First Tee is to better equip our children for whatever comes their way. With that in mind, we have provided a vision board activity to complete with your child at home.

A vision board is a physical representation of a goal or set of goals that you’re aiming to achieve. It is a collage of items that are meant to kick start their imagination and help visualize those goals with words of positivity and affirmation. Check out the project linked here on our new Links to Learning website.

With positive self-talk, we CAN persevere even through the most uncertain and trying of times. Remember, you’ve got this. (Now, just repeat that to yourself as often as it takes!)

Alumni Spotlight: A Foundation of Values

Our character education programs aim to put youth on a path for success. First Tee Alumni continue to demonstrate this long-lasting impact by sharing their success stories. Owais Durrani is one such alum from First Tee of Greater Houston. Owais uncovered his self-confidence through First Tee and is now making a difference in his community.

Owais’ Story:

When Owais Durrani slips on his white doctor’s coat, he stands ready to help treat whatever illness or injury walks through the emergency room doors at UT Health in San Antonio. Currently finishing up his residency, Owais has quickly learned his profession is one that demands a lot – self-confidence, determination and resilience – characteristics he’s been building on since his time at First Tee.

“Life gets difficult and complex at times, but even the most challenging of circumstances boils down to a few basic principles – many of them included in First Tee’s values.”

During his time at First Tee of Greater Houston, Owais developed an interest in social issues and says First Tee gave him the confidence to pursue opportunities that he once didn’t see possible for himself as a first-generation American. Owais received his dual-Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Political Science from the University of Texas. He took his passion up a notch by attending medical school. In his gap year, Owais interned at the White House under the Obama administration. He remained dedicated to learning about how to address health disparities, one of his life’s greatest passions. Confident in his foundation, Owais is excited about his future giving back to underserved communities.

Alumni Sightings: PGA Merchandise Show

We like to think of our First Tee alumni network as a big family. Last month, we had the opportunity to have a mini reunion where we reconnected with several alumni during the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida hearing more about where their journeys have landed them. With 81% of teens saying First Tee contributed to their personal transformation, these young adults represent the many alumni across the country and globe who are using the life skills they learned in the program to live out their dreams.

Paloma Santiago, First Tee of Greater Trenton

Paloma grew up in the New Jersey area, participating with the First Tee of Greater Trenton. She has continued to serve within the golf industry. After graduating from Methodist University and becoming a certified PGA Golf Professional, Paloma began serving as a Head Golf Professional in the New Jersey PGA section. Since 2017, Paloma has been the President of a non-profit golf organization she started called Live Golf. This non-profit is dedicated to supporting the community by exposing the game of golf, its values and opportunities primarily to youth and military in the community.

Jasmin Cunningham, First Tee of Metro Atlanta

Jasmin hasn’t strayed far from her roots at First Tee of Metro Atlanta. A Professional Golf Management graduate from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Jasmin is now a Training & Curriculum Coordinator at First Tee headquarters. During her visit at the PGA Merchandise Show, Jasmin spent her time networking with PGA WORKS fellows. She also attended the We Are Golf Diversity Roundtable Discussion, taking a deeper dive into the world of golf for minorities. They held discussions about how the industry can improve, providing unique perspectives on the topic.

Gavin Hogan, First Tee of Fort Worth

During Gavin’s time at First Tee of Fort Worth, he was an extremely active member. Hogan earned his ACE certification, the highest level a participant can achieve with First Tee. He also competed in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee in 2018 alongside PGA TOUR Champions professional Todd Hamilton. Gavin is currently a freshman at New Mexico State University, studying in the PGA Golf Management program with hopes of learning more about the various paths that golf can provide. Are you a First Tee alum? Join our First Tee Alumni Network and stay connected with participants and professionals from around the country.

Beating the Odds: John Scott Senz

Across the country, participants from First Tee chapters are learning valuable life lessons to help them overcome obstacles. John Scott Senz is one of those success stories. The 19-year-old teen from First Tee of Contra Costa was born with cerebral palsy, but refused to let the disorder become a limiting factor in the pursuit of his dreams. Embracing the values and life skills of First Tee, like self-confidence and perseverance, John Scott is now an active competitor on the Concord High School golf team, and has experienced tremendous success at the Special Olympics, being crowned a two-time champion. In his spare time, he inspires the next generation of golfers to reach their goals and dreams by teaching golf fundamentals and life lessons at the First Tee’s junior camps. John Scott not only serves as a tremendous example of what it means to persevere, but his service to his community functions as a benchmark that others can hope to attain. John Scott is everything First Tee says you can be. See John Scott’s story in action. If you are interested in making a donation to support participants like John Scott, click here.

Megha Ganne to Compete in the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open

As a participant of First Tee of Metropolitan New York since she was seven years old, Megha Ganne has an adept knowledge of the game of golf. Now, eight years later her work proves to be paying off… At just 15 years old, Megha Ganne stole the show last month at the U.S. Women’s Open Sectional Qualifying at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey. The high school freshman out of Holmdel, New Jersey shot an even-par 70-72-142 beating out a field of 40, including eight professional golfers, and claiming her spot in the U.S. Women’s Open. One month later Megha is heading down to Charleston, SC to compete against the world’s best female golfers, but she doesn’t seem too worried.“I’m going to be playing six rounds of walking golf in 90 degree weather and I’m not scared at all because of the First Tee and what they prepped me through for the last five years at summer camp…I think if anyone is prepared in the field for the physical conditions it’s going to be me” says Megha. Watch out Charleston, here she comes! Though this will be her first major, the high school freshman is no novice to championships. The reigning New Jersey State Golf Association Junior Girls champion has also participated in the US Women’s Amateur (2017), US Girl’s Junior Championship in (2017 and 2018), and US Women’s Four-Ball Championship (2018). Last month, Megha finished second in the 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National. She made history by becoming the first junior to earn a spot in the DCP for the fourth time in the event’s six year history. Megha hopes to continue representing First Tee to inspire others to pick up the game. Tune-in to the U.S. Women’s Open this weekend to keep up with Megha’s story.

Get Involved

With more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee offers programs to youth from all backgrounds—no golf experience needed! If you know a kid interested in golf, visit our location map to find a local chapter! Find a Chapter

Royal Moroccan Golf Federation Brings First Tee Program to Young People in Morocco through New Partnership

Announcement made during Trophee Hassan II and Lalla Meryem Cup Tournaments

Rabat, Morocco (April 27, 2019) – Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and First Tee announced today they are partnering to bring character-building programs to Morocco. First Tee of Morocco will become the fifth international First Tee and first on the continent of Africa. The announcement was made at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco today by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and First Tee President Greg McLaughlin. McLaughlin joined Golf Channel’s Morning Drive this past Saturday for the announcement. First Tee has been in existence for 22 years, primarily in the United States, and has grown to approximately 150 chapters and over 1,200 program locations including four international (Canada, Japan, Korea and Mexico) chapters. “Through this partnership, we hope to introduce more young Moroccans to the game of golf while developing their confidence, life skills and values,” said His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid. “My desire is to enhance the sport’s public perception, encourage greater openness to the larger public, and ultimately create opportunities for the emergence of an elite golfer able to hoist our flag high in international competitions.” “Morocco has become an important part of the global golf community and is an excellent place to introduce First Tee programs to children in Africa,” said McLaughlin. “I have been impressed by the commitment and passion for the game during my visit here, and trust this will be a longstanding partnership for the benefit for the Moroccan community.” First Tee programs will be offered at the Royal Dar Es Salam and other locations. Coaches will be provided with formal training from First Tee’s well-established and highly regarded program. About Royal Moroccan Golf Federation Founded on March 12th of 1960 the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation’s role is to ensure, as an authority, the smooth running of the golf practice in Morocco. Beyond the organization, administration, management and development of amateur and professional golf in Morocco, it has a representative role, for sports associations or affiliated clubs, both nationally and internationally. Since January 2018, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid. One of the main strategy direction is to broaden the base by encouraging the golf clubs all around the Kingdom to an aggressive policy of integration of young people of all social categories with as a priority, the respect of their schooling. About First Tee First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a nonprofit youth development organization whose 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 its beginning in 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations. Its headquarters are in St. Augustine, Florida, USA, with programs in all 50 United States and select international locations. Media Contacts: Jane Fader, First Tee, [email protected], 904-940-4330 (U.S.) Ghizlane Haloui, Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, +212 661 112 206

Wells Fargo and The First Tee announce winners of national Succeeding Together contest

Four winners will attend the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C.

New Orleans – April 8, 2019 – Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and The First Tee today announced the 2019 winners of the Succeeding Together^SM essay contest. Wells Fargo created the national contest specifically for the 30,000+ teenage participants of The First Tee^®, a youth development organization dedicated to helping kids build character through the game of golf. The contest asked eligible participants of The First Tee to reflect on their personal journeys for success including their application of The First Tee’s Nine Core Values. Kobe Narcisse, 14, from the First Tee of Greater New Orleans, was named the grand prize winner and will play in the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am with a PGA TOUR golfer on May 1, 2019. Narcisse has been involved in The First Tee for seven years. A freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School in Gretna, Narcisse plays on the school’s football team and has plans to pursue playing collegiate golf. “We’re excited to have one of the winners of Wells Fargo’s Succeeding Together contest from here in New Orleans,” said Nick Carey, marketing manager at Wells Fargo. “It was heart-warming to hear all of the wonderful stories that the contest participants shared through their essays. Wells Fargo believes when our communities thrive, we are all successful. We should all take great pride in the achievements of these young people and the leadership they have shown — in the classroom, on the golf course, and in our communities.” Narcisse was one of four winners selected by a panel of judges from Wells Fargo, The First Tee, and the Wells Fargo Championship tournament office from the written submissions. Nadia Kimbrough, 15, from The First Tee of Indiana; Bailey O’Donnell, 17, from The First Tee of Fort Worth; and Pierce Robinson, 18, from The First Tee of the Foothills (North Carolina) were named the first prize winners and will receive a four-day/three-night trip for two to Charlotte, N.C., to attend the Wells Fargo Championship and experience the excitement of a PGA TOUR event from inside the ropes. In 2015, Wells Fargo deepened its relationship with The First Tee by becoming a national Trustee and further supporting the organization, its participants and volunteers – recognizing that little by little, we can join together to make a huge difference in the lives of so many kids. More information about Wells Fargo’s Succeeding Together community program and the contest is located at: http://www.succeedingtogether.org. About Wells Fargo Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,800 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com). Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. With approximately 259,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2018 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In 2018, Wells Fargo donated more than $444 million to nearly 11,000 nonprofits in support of affordable housing, small business growth, financial education, and sustainability, among other community needs. For 10 consecutive years, Wells Fargo has held the honor of No. 1 in workplace giving by United Way Worldwide. Wells Fargo team members also make a difference by donating more than 2 million hours of volunteer time in the last year. News, insights and more information on the company’s corporate responsibility are available at Wells Fargo Stories. About The First Tee The First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has grown its network to deliver programs in all 50 United States. Each year, The First Tee brings character education through the game of golf to more than 5 million young people. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Southern Company is its Education Patron. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501c3. Media Name, XXX-XXX-XXX [email protected] @TwitterHandle

Alumna Elsa Diaz Set to Play in LPGA Event

At The First Tee, we strive to provide kids with opportunities that will not only improve their skills in golf but also put them on a path to succeed in life. Like many alumni of The First Tee, these type of opportunities have impacted 22-year-old Elsa Diaz in a big way. An alumna from The First Tee of Greater San Antonio, Elsa joined the program at the age of nine and quickly found a golf family who prepared her for the experience she is about to begin. Currently playing college golf at the University of Richmond, Elsa recently received an exemption to play in the Kingsmill Championship, a LPGA Tour event. We asked her to tell us about her time at The First Tee and how she is preparing for this unforgettable opportunity.

Elsa Diaz, alumna from The First Tee of Greater San Antonio, chaperoning at the 2017 Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy

Tell us about your time in The First Tee

I started at The First Tee of Greater San Antonio when I was nine years old and it became a second home for me and my two older siblings, Sara and Adolfo, until we graduated from the program. When I think about my time at The First Tee, I remember it as a place of opportunity, friendships, a playground and where we could dream big. The First Tee gave my family and me opportunities that we could’ve never imagined experiencing anywhere else. Both my sister and I played alongside PGA TOUR Champions players at PURE Insurance Open at Pebble Beach on separate occasions. I never thought I would, but I got a chance to meet my golfing idols: Annika Sörenstam and Lorena Ochoa. With all these opportunities my siblings and I had the chance to explore so many different parts of life and learned more about ourselves and who we wanted to be in the future. The First Tee was a place where I loved to be because it was a place where I could be myself but also grow as a person while having fun. We learned life lessons through the game of golf and formed new friendships through every session, even during the two-hand touch football games we would play after classes. The First Tee was a place that let me be a kid full of joy a laughter and I will forever be grateful that this program is part of my life.

How did The First Tee prepare you for your time in college and in playing college golf?

The national opportunities The First Tee offers, like going to leadership academies and player forums, are the experiences that better prepared me for college and college golf. Having the chance to travel somewhere new without your parents and meet participants from across the country made me a more open-minded individual and I always felt a sense of growth after I came home. When I came to college, I found it easy to make new friends and the challenge of being so far away from home did not seem as hard because of those core principles I had been taught through my parents and the program. The national opportunities also taught me that when we have a dream, a goal, or an opportunity presented to us we should chase after it. I remember the day my program director told me about The First Tee Speed Golf Championship and told me that I should attempt it. I trained for the event as much as I could and was flown to Richmond, Virginia to compete in the championship. Little did I know I would end up winning the event, have a college coach watch me win it and later offer me a full four-year golf scholarship to the University of Richmond! I accepted it and have spent the last four years earning my business marketing degree, and have been having the time of my life.

Going into the Kingsmill Championship, what do you hope to gain and experience from this opportunity?

During the Kingsmill Championship, I hope to gain experience and knowledge on how it feels to play next to the best women golfers in the world. I can’t wait to know what that adrenaline and excitement will feel like and to finally be competing in the dream that I so long ago envisioned when I was 15 years old. Playing in this event will let me know where my strengths and weaknesses are so that I can compete, join them on tour, and play against the best in the world. I am very excited because it’s going to be a test of my character and mental game. I know its going to be hard to keep the excitement and nerves down, but hopefully, as soon I hit that first shot I’ll remember all those lessons from The First Tee I learned so long ago.

What are your future career and golf goals?

My future career and golf goals is to play full time on the LPGA Tour. Now that I have completed my education at the University of Richmond, I have my mind set on becoming a full time golfer, grow the game, especially women golf, and serve as a representative of brands and organizations.

If you could give one piece of advice to participants at The First Tee hoping to pursue a college golf, what would it be?

One piece of advice that I would give a The First Tee participant who is pursuing college golf would be to dream big and in the pursuit of doing it try everything the program has to offer. I think The First Tee does a great job of focusing on making us well-rounded individuals, not just golfers. They teach us that giving back is actually a benefit to ourselves, to excel in academics, choosing healthy habits, improving our social skills and most importantly how to dream and set goals. Even if it’s not golf-related, there is so much the program can give you that you can later apply to your own golf game. It seems to me that even though I am a golfer and I am playing golf, it was all the life lessons I learned while not playing golf that got me where I am headed to today.

JOIN THE FAMILY

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GET INVOLVED

With more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee offers programs to youth from all backgrounds—no golf experience needed! If you know a young person who has an interest in golf, visit our location map to find a local chapter! FIND A LOCATION

5 Junior Golfers from The First Tee Competing in Drive, Chip and Putt Finals

It’s an opportunity many only ever dream about: playing Augusta National Golf Club. Five of The First Tee participants have realized that dream, earning invitations to compete in the fifth annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, held at the famed golf course. This year’s competition will take place on Sunday, April 1, prior to the start of the Masters Tournament.

The First Tee is represented by all females at the 2018 Drive, Chip, & Putt finals:

Participant	Chapter	Division
Raylee Bosley	The First Tee of Greater Houston	Girls 7-9
Danica Lundgren	The First Tee of Greater Austin	Girls 10-11
Allyn Stephens	The First Tee of Greater Houston	Girls 12-13
Elise Deschaine	The First Tee of Greater Portland	Girls 14-15
Megha Ganne	The First Tee of Metropolitan New York	Girls 14-15

Elise Deschaine qualifies for the Drive, Chip, & Putt finals – Watch her story on Golf Channel

A joint initiative by the Masters Tournament, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the PGA of America, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free, nationwide youth golf development initiative open to girls and boys ages 7-15 – competing in separate divisions in four age categories. The competition focuses on the three fundamental skills employed in golf and taps the creative and competitive spirit of young golfers. Competing in the National Championship is no easy task. The road to Augusta began with local qualifying in May, June, and July, held at more than 260 sites throughout the United States. The top three scorers per venue, in each of the four age categories in separate boys and girls divisions, advanced to 50 subregional qualifiers in July and August. Two juniors in each age and gender division then competed at the regional level in September and October. The top finisher from each regional site’s age/gender divisions – a total of 80 finalists – earned a place in the National Finals, which will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.

Junior Golf Programs Through The First Tee

Founded by golf’s governing bodies—the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA—The First Tee has been changing the sport of golf for more than 20 years. By making the game fun, inclusive and affordable, The First Tee has introduced golf to more than 15 million kids since 1997, changing their lives along the way. More than 1,000 PGA & LPGA teaching professionals and 25,000 volunteers work together to empower and teach kids The First Tee’s Nine Core Values: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy and Judgment. Find a location near you

Category: Feature Stories