Category: News Releases

Golf Digest, a Trustee of First Tee, will contribute a total of $100,000 to the four chapters the winners represent through a renewed partnership kicking off this year

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and New York, N.Y. – (Nov. 1, 2023) – First Tee and Golf Digest are proud to announce the winners of the 2023 First Tee Awards Presented by Golf Digest. Since 1997, First Tee has grown into a preeminent youth development organization seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. In 2022, First Tee impacted more than 3.4 million kids and teens, thanks largely to the dedication of more than 10,000 adults – volunteers, coaches, teachers, staff and board members – across its network. The First Tee Awards in Partnership with Golf Digest recognize the committed adults and chapters going above and beyond to support kids in their communities.

The winners of the 2023 First Tee Awards are:

First Tee – Greater Trenton (Barbara Douglas & Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award)
This award recognizes the chapter that demonstrates outstanding commitment to promoting diversity at its chapter and in its community. More than 35% of First Tee – Greater Trenton’s participants are on scholarship, and 47% of participants are girls – one of the highest rates of female participation in the First Tee network. Nearly 70% of the chapter’s staff and board members, and 100% of the chapter’s executive committee, are ethnically diverse. 

Ariel Brown, First Tee – Savannah (Teacher of the Year Award)
This award highlights an outstanding teacher who has gone above and beyond in delivering the First Tee School Program. Brown is a First Tee alumna and was the first volunteer coach at First Tee – Savannah when the chapter relaunched in summer 2021. Brown is an elementary teacher at a small Christian school in downtown Savannah founded and operated by her parents. The Title 1 school serves 100% minority students, and Brown offers First Tee programming there on Fridays.

Bill & Kim Allen, First Tee – Delaware (Tim Finchem Leadership Award)
This award recognizes an individual’s service, leadership and commitment to the mission of First Tee. The Allens operated a transitional school, where First Tee – Delaware offered weekly programming for more than 17 years. They have raised more than $200,000 in financial support for the chapter and have made important introductions on behalf of the chapter, bringing its current board chair, business leaders and standout participants into the fold. 

Bob Sobecki, First Tee – Lake Erie (George H.W. Bush Volunteer of the Year Award)
This award recognizes a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional service and commitment to First Tee. “He was here when we were a small chapter operating classes at public courses in rural Ohio. He was there when we were coaching classes behind schools with SNAG equipment to ensure we served our urban community. He was there when we opened our facility and began offering classes to more and more children in the greater Toledo area,” said First Tee – Lake Erie program director Alison Feehan.

The First Tee Awards are distributed annually, but this marks the first year Golf Digest has supported the initiative. Thanks to its generosity, each of the winning chapters will receive $25,000 to support their efforts.

“Our coaches, chapter staff, board members, teachers and volunteers are essential to the work of our organization,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to Golf Digest for helping us recognize their contributions in a meaningful way. Congratulations to our 2023 award winners and thank you for your dedication to First Tee and our mission.”

Golf Digest, a longtime supporter of First Tee, renewed its commitment to the organization in 2023.

“Golf Digest could not be more excited to support the First Tee in recognizing the people and chapters that are at the forefront of growing the game and building our next generation of Game Changers,” said Golf Digest’s General Manager, Chris Reynolds. “Congratulations to the 2023 award winners and thank you for your tireless commitment to the First Tee.”

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About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)  
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its 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. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25^th anniversary and reaching millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.  

 About Golf Digest
Golf Digest is the worldwide authority on how to play, what to play, and where to play. Golf Digest’s aim is to enhance the enjoyment of all facets of the game – making its readers better players, smarter consumers and more discerning travelers, while offering informative and provocative stories that fuel the unending conversation that is golf. Visit www.golfdigest.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:   

Megan Hart, First Tee   
[email protected]   
(904) 940-4348 

Tony Morreale, WBD Sports – Golf Digest
[email protected]
(404) 575-7401

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2023) – The USGA is awarding its latest round of IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) grants to 27 First Tee chapters across America, building upon a longstanding commitment to create a more accessible game and impact communities through golf.

From supporting chapters in major urban markets, mountainous regions and predominantly Hispanic communities to targeting low-income families across the country, the USGA and First Tee aim to level the playing field by providing club-in-hand experiences to every junior who wants to play golf and benefit from the character-building lessons the sport provides.

In 2023, chapters selected will receive up to $15,000 to provide transportation, hire diverse coaches, train volunteers and build programs in diverse communities, among other activities. USGA grant funding, which totals $200,000, will enhance grassroots efforts that help break down barriers of entry.

“It’s important that we don’t let up on our efforts to drive greater diversity and inclusion at the junior level,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “By meeting youths within their schools and communities, and collaborating closely with our industry partners, we are opening up more pathways at a critical entry point into the game.”

IDEA grants will support many chapter initiatives, including:

• First Tee – Central Carolina, located near Winston-Salem, N.C., will extend its programming from eight months to year-round by hosting Golf and Grades, an after-school tutoring and golf initiative, at indoor and outdoor facilities. The chapter also supports six paid summer internship positions for HBCU golfers that offer valuable instructional opportunities, access to practice facilities and hands-on experience at the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.
• The first chapter in its region, First Tee – Greater Tallahassee (Fla.) engages students in Title 1 schools and predominantly low-income communities by supplying equipment and training physical education teachers to lead in-class activities, while also offering after-school programs and summer camps. The chapter hosts a golf camp and two DE&I Community Field Days in collaboration with Florida A&M University, an HBCU, with transportation and meals provided for participants.
• Through a series of instructional sessions, First Tee – Central Coast offers children from People’s Self Help Housing in Guadalupe, Calif., their first exposure to the game. Over 20 participants from low-income households are invited to two-hour, off-course classes prior to taking lessons on-course at Santa Maria Country Club and Blacklake Golf Course, where they have access to the practice facilities and are able to play a hole of golf.
• In partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, First Tee – Phoenix engages local Latinx youth through a series of outreach initiatives in addition to hiring a translator and hosting listening sessions and focus groups. The chapter also provides clinics tailored toward Latinx families and events around Día Del Niño.
• More than 70 percent of youths in the First Tee – Metropolitan New York’s service area come from traditionally underserved communities. The chapter plans to use its funding to help provide full scholarships for youths from the NYC Housing Authority, Mosholu Montefiore and other community centers.
• First Tee – Virginia Blue Ridge is working to make golf more welcoming and inclusive by providing opportunities for kids to try the game without an intimidation factor. Following the successful launch of putting league competitions at a local putt-putt fun center, the chapter plans to use grant funds to improve the league and establish additional community partnerships that help to reach underserved populations.
• First Tee – Monterey County (Calif.) has identified a growing number of children considered homeless in its area and hopes to inspire and engage these youths with new programs. The chapter plans to allow 25 participants to travel to King City Golf Course, which it assumed management of in 2022, where they will participate in four, two-hour clinics with a PGA instructor. Following the program, the students will take a field trip to Pebble Beach Golf Academy and participate in a clinic hosted by academy director Laird Small.

The USGA IDEA Grant program was established in 2021, building off the strength of more than 20 years of partnership between First Tee and the USGA. Since its inception, 72 grants have been distributed to 46 chapters across 30 states, helping connect more diverse young people to the game and to First Tee’s character-empowering programs.

The full list of 2023 USGA IDEA Grant recipients is as follows:

First Tee — Central Arkansas	First Tee — Louisville (Ky.)
First Tee — Central Carolina (N.C.)	First Tee — Massachusetts
First Tee — Central Coast (Calif.)	First Tee — Metropolitan New York
First Tee — Central Mississippi	First Tee — Monterey County (Calif.)
First Tee — Denver (Colo.)	First Tee — Orange County (Calif.)
First Tee — Greater Charleston (S.C.)	First Tee — Phoenix (Ariz.)
First Tee — Greater Pasadena (Calif.)	First Tee — Sandhills (N.C.)
First Tee — Greater Philadelphia (Pa.)	First Tee — South Central Wisconsin
First Tee — Greater Richmond (Va.)	First Tee — South Dakota
First Tee — Greater Wichita (Kan.)	First Tee — Southern Colorado
First Tee — Indiana	First Tee — Tallahassee (Fla.)
First Tee — Inland Empire (Calif.)	First Tee — Virginia Blue Ridge
First Tee — Lake Erie (Ohio)	First Tee — West Michigan
First Tee — Los Angeles (Calif.)

IDEA Grant applications were open to all First Tee chapters in the United States, with preference given to those affiliated with one of the USGA’s 58 Allied Golf Associations (AGAs). Located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, AGAs provide USGA resources and services at the community level – helping to increase engagement and participation and improving the golfer experience.

In 2022, 3.4 million juniors played on a golf course – the highest level since 2006 – with studies indicating that this golfer segment continues to be more diverse than the overall golf population. Programs like First Tee and initiatives such as IDEA grants play an important role in that growth, underscoring the need to direct funding toward grassroots efforts.

A recent study conducted by First Tee and Harris Poll highlights the importance of exposing youths from underrepresented backgrounds to golf and similar extracurricular activities in their character development. Eighty percent of parents surveyed stated that participation in extracurricular activities is more about development than recreational activity, with 76 percent also identifying golf as helpful in building character and teaching life skills. 

“First Tee is proud to not only introduce kids to the great game of golf, but also to provide fun and safe spaces for young people to build self-confidence, overcome challenges and grow as leaders,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The USGA has been an important partner of First Tee since our inception, and we are grateful for their ongoing support to help us reach kids from underrepresented and underserved communities.”

Additional research from the Harris Poll indicates that black and lower-income families participate in extracurricular activities at lower rates, creating a greater need for initiatives like IDEA grants that help break down barriers to entry. First Tee aims to make programming accessible to families through scholarships and other special programs.

About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its 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 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.     

The international youth development organization recognized Brown for her ability to connect with students and spread her love for golf.

SAVANNAH, Ga. Aug. 24, 2023 – Ariel Brown, an elementary teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy, has been named 2023 Teacher of the Year by First Tee, an international youth development nonprofit that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The award is presented to one teacher each year who has gone above and beyond in delivering the First Tee School Program, which brings First Tee’s character-building curriculum to thousands of school gyms across the country.

Brown has been an elementary teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy since 2014.  The school, located in downtown Savannah, was founded and operated by her parents. The Title 1 school serves 100% minority students, and Brown offers First Tee programming there on Fridays. Brown is also a First Tee alumna and was the first coach at First Tee – Savannah when the chapter relaunched in summer 2021.

“As a coach, Ariel thrived from the beginning,” said First Tee – Savannah program director John Parker. “She began encouraging the students in her elementary school classes to enroll in our off-site program. I can without hesitation say that some of our best kids in programming today are there because of Ariel.” 

“It’s indeed an honor to see a former First Tee – Savannah participant become the National Teacher of the Year,” said First Tee – Savannah Board Member Teia Acker Moore. “This recognition shows Ariel’s deep passion for the sport and her desire to share her knowledge and skills with others. As a teacher, she has inspired and guided new generations of golfers, imparting not only technical expertise but also sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth. This journey and Ariel’s achievement as Teacher of the Year highlights the positive impact that First Tee has on shaping individuals’ lives and fostering a sense of community within the golfing world.”

Brown was surprised with the award in her classroom at Savannah Legacy Academy, where she was presented with balloons, flowers and a video with congratulatory messages from colleagues and loved ones. Her achievement was highlighted by Golf Digest.

Since launching in 1997, First Tee has grown into a preeminent youth development organization seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. Its network spans 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. In 2022, First Tee impacted more than 3.4 million kids and teens with more than 10,000 adults – from volunteers, coaches and board members – as well as teachers from schools across the country working tirelessly to help empower participants. 

Through the First Tee Awards in partnership with Golf Digest, First Tee recognizes the dedicated adults and chapters who go above and beyond to bring its mission to life every day.

“The First Tee School Program reached more than 3 million kids last year,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Obviously, it takes a lot of committed adults to make that happen. But our colleagues at First Tee – Savannah told us Brown stands out for her ability to connect with the kids she serves. Congratulations to Ariel on this well-deserved honor.” 

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About First Tee – Savannah 

First Tee — Savannah is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its 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. First Tee — Savannah reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at the 5 program locations, 20schools and 4 youth centers. Learn more at www.firstteesavannah.org. 
 

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MEDIA CONTACTS:    

Meri Erickson, First Tee – Savannah 
[email protected]

Dana Whitfield, First Tee – Savannah
[email protected]

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Youth development organization First Tee is excited to announce that it has expanded its School Program to 50 additional Title I schools thanks to $100,000 in matching grants from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program. First Tee golf equipment has already been shipped to 30 of the schools. The Title 1 schools selected serve a high percentage of kids from low-income families and 40% of students receive a free or reduced-price lunch.

First Tee’s School Program gives physical educators all the tools to begin implementing its curriculum, including training, equipment and lesson plans that integrate life skills with the game of golf. The curriculum is also designed to help children improve their motor skills through golf instruction. First Tee has been offering its programming in physical education classes in the United States and Canada since 2004, reaching more than 3 million kids last year.

“We created the School Program almost 20 years ago to make First Tee programming accessible to more kids,” said Jen Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee. “We are grateful to The DICK’S Foundation for helping us reach more students. Recent research shows that nearly 80 percent of parents believe golf can teach life skills and character. Now more kids have access to those lessons.”

Grants have been awarded to schools in California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

DICK’S and The DICK’S Foundation are longtime partners of First Tee, providing more than $1.9 million to support First Tee’s character-building programs since 2008.

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About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its 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 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.  

About The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK’S Sporting Goods as a private corporate foundation to support DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities. Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, The DICK’S Foundation champions youth sports and provides grants and support to under-resourced teams and athletes through its Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about The DICK’S Foundation can be found on sportsmatter.org.

Contacts:

Megan Hart, First Tee
[email protected]

40 First Tee teens from across the country will experience the wonders of Montana, sharpen their leadership skills during two week-long retreats. 

WEST CREEK RANCH, Mont., (July 31, 2023) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore are set to host 40 teens from across the country at West Creek Ranch, an intimate setting in Montana for leadership development, community building, inspiration and connection owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee board member Arthur M. Blank. The teens will learn about leadership and explore their own strengths and values during two week-long Summits, which will feature guest speakers, leadership training and outdoor activities. 

Each week will tee off with keynote speakers who will discuss their individual leadership, open up about their life experiences and how they have grown through opportunities and challenges. The first week will feature actors Michael Peña and Kathryn Newton, the latter a First Tee – Miami alumna, who will also play golf with the participants. Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman will be the featured speaker during the second week. Photos and videos of Peña, Newton and Raisman will be available here. 

Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch, the First Tee Leadership Summit is designed to help teens grow their leadership skills through dynamic activities that require teamwork and personal strength, including golf, small group reflections, whitewater rafting, hiking and more. Daily leadership themes include building authentic relationships, growing through challenge and building positive self-identity.  

This is the third consecutive year that nonprofit youth development organization First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore will hold the Summit at West Creek for 40 participants from 25 cities across the country, with 20 teens attending each week. West Creek Ranch is a 6,600-acre working ranch in Emigrant, Montana, that is bordered by the Yellowstone River and Gallatin National Forest.  

“The First Tee students are going to have a memorable week learning about innovation and creative problem solving, share unique experiences that will inspire ideas and most importantly build relationships with their peers from across the country,” said Dick Sullivan, Executive Chairman & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We truly believe in the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth and are proud to partner with First Tee across the country throughout the year.”  

“Thank you to Arthur Blank and PGA TOUR Superstore for continuing to support this impactful event,” added Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We are confident these 40 participants will take away lifelong lessons and make incredible memories.” 

At the conclusion of the Summit, four students will be selected for the First Tee College Scholarship Program and will receive financial support as well as access to mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout college. 

To be eligible for the Summit, teens completed a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country and completed applications that outlined their leadership experience and goals. The diverse group of selected participants – 24 young women and 16 young men – on average have spent seven years in the First Tee program. 

For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and Arthur Blank have championed First Tee’s mission through donations and by supporting participant events, including the Leadership Summit and the Leadership Academy, which was held for the first time in Atlanta earlier this year.  

The Leadership Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee to expose teens to new challenges and inspire them as they prepare to embark on life after high school.  

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS:  July 31- Aug. 4 

Name                                              First Tee Chapter 

Jeremiah Aguiniga                        First Tee – Greater Chicago 

Allison   Brown                               First Tee – Greater Philadelphia 

Jaden    Chin                                  First Tee – San Francisco 

Matthew Cook                               First Tee – Metro Atlanta 

Gabrielle Cunningham    First Tee – Green Valley Ranch (CO) 

Mary Kerr                                       First Tee – Greater Houston 

Zoe Kim                                          First Tee – Orange County (CA) 

Sophia  Lohr                                  First Tee – Greater Dallas 

Georgia Meysman-Sharpe           First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains  

Elise Njogu                                     First Tee – Silicon Valley 

Li An Panfil                                     First Tee – Silicon Valley 

Aryana Persaud                             First Tee – Central Florida 

Harrison Powell                             First Tee – North Florida 

Joaquin Rodriguez                        First Tee – Green Valley Ranch (CO) 

David Sandino                               First Tee – Florida Gold Coast 

Rhea Shetty                                   First Tee – Tri-Valley (CA)

Randee Tormondsen                    First Tee – Utah 

Nathan Vertes                               First Tee – Florida Gold Coast 

Bailey Webb                                  First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains 

Jake Zulueta                                  First Tee – Greater Charlotte                     
  

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS: Aug. 7-11 

 
Name                                              First Tee Chapter 

Rizwaan Bana                               First Tee – Orange County (CA) 

Aanya   Batra                                 First Tee – Tri-Valley (CA) 

Kennedy Bell                                  First Tee – Greater Austin 

Seth Damsgard                             First Tee – Minnesota 

Peyton  DeBruin                             First Tee – Greater Houston 

Jillian Fatkin                                   First Tee – Coastal Carolinas 

Hailey Hays                                    First Tee – Coachella Valley 

Megan Horacefield                        First Tee – Greater Houston 

William Inman                                First Tee – Savannah 

Charli Jones                                   First Tee – Greater Philadelphia 

Rida Karim                                     First Tee – Greater Washington, DC 

Emmy Martinez                             First Tee – Greater Dallas 

Ethan Miller                                    First Tee – Greater Washington, DC 

Joseph Neddo                               First Tee – North Florida 

Lorelei   O’Donnell                          First Tee – Fort Worth 

Brandon Quach                             First Tee – Raritan Valley (NJ) 

Xander  Sehgal                             First Tee – Greater Washington, DC 

Melony  Su                                      First Tee – San Francisco 

Christopher Taylor                        First Tee – Massachusetts 

Claire Young                                  First Tee – San Francisco 

Jake Olson, who was the first blind athlete to play in a college football game and a competitor in the USGA’s 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open, will deliver a keynote address.

Palo Alto, California – (July 3, 2023) – Stanford Golf Course will host the First Tee National Championship this week, July 2-6, 2023, bringing together 48 of the organization’s top golfers for a 54-hole event designed to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.

The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Fifteen players in the field have already committed to college golf teams. In advance of the competition, the event will also feature a keynote address by Jake Olson, an accomplished adaptive golfer and was the first blind athlete to play in a college football game. He was a long snapper for the University of Southern California.

“We are thrilled to welcome 48 of our most talented golfers to Stanford this week,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Thank you to longtime supporter Fred Tattersall for supporting this event and Stanford University for giving these young people the platform to compete for our national championship. ”

This year’s tournament brings an exciting new opportunity. Two boys and two girls from the field will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s new Pathways to Progression program, a new player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.

Additionally, the winners of each division will be awarded the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 16-24, 2023.

First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. The previous First Tee National Championships took place at Clemson University and the University of Notre Dame.

The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org. 

Top-ranked junior golfers in the field:

• Megan Meng, First Tee — Greater Trenton:
  • Won the 2022 AJGA – Coca-Cola Junior Championship at The Highlands
  • Ranked 33^rd by the AJGA
  • Female junior winner of the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship
  • Letter of intent: Northwestern University
• Adrienne Ahn, First Tee — Greater Dallas:
  • Won the 2023 LGT Texas Girls Invitational at Victoria Country Club
• Jasmine Do, First Tee — Greater Houston:
  • 5^th place at the 2022 AJGA – TaylorMade TP5 Junior Allstar at Longleaf Golf & Family Club
  • Letter of intent: Abilene Christian University
• Camille Thai, First Tee – Silicon Valley:
  •  Won the 2021 IMG Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines
• Norah Yang, First Tee – Silicon Valley:
  • 2^nd place at the 2022 AJGA Junior at Beaver Creek Golf Course
• Alaythia Hinds, First Tee – Greater Sacramento:
  • 2^nd place at the 2022 AJGA Junior at Peach Tree Golf and Country Club
• Trenton Mierl, First Tee — Greater Austin:
  • 4^th place at the 2022 First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course
  • Verbal commitment: University of New Mexico

View the full list of selected participants here.

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MEDIA CONTACT:  
Megan Hart, First Tee  
[email protected]
941-400-8793