Category: News Releases

PURE Insurance surprises First Tee participant with college scholarship award during 2023 PURE Insurance Championship

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2023) – PURE Insurance continued its ongoing support of the First Tee College Scholarship Program Thursday during the PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee by surprising First Tee – Tri-Valley’s Aditi Balakrishna with an invitation to the program based on her academic record and commitment to helping others.

Balakrishna, who is participating in this week’s PGA TOUR Champions event at Pebble Beach, is a 17-year-old senior at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California, where she is vice president of the Society of Women Engineers and president of the Neurodiversity Club. Balakrishna founded HappyArt, an organization that creates cards for Bay Area seniors, and she volunteers with First Tee – Tri-Valley and Special Olympics.

Launched in 2020, the First Tee College Scholarship Program currently serves 70 First Tee Scholars selected into the program based on their academic performance, involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism. 

PURE Insurance has served as title sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee since 2017. Since coming on board as title sponsor, PURE has continued to deepen its relationship with First Tee, including a commitment of $1M over five years to support the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with, and support of, this incredible organization,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “It’s particularly gratifying to know that we can impact the remarkable young men and women of First Tee, like Aditi, in such a powerful way.”

First Tee is a youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and values. The First Tee College Scholarship Program extends its impact to alumni by providing support throughout their post-graduate career with Scholars receiving mentorship, professional and personal development workshops and financial support. Select PURE Insurance associates will serve as mentors and the company will contribute to educational sessions, helping share industry knowledge and expertise with scholars who are interested in business and finance.

“Congratulations to Aditi for all her accomplishments in the classroom, on the golf course and in her community,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Thank you to PURE Insurance for its ongoing support of First Tee. By supporting the PURE Insurance Championship and the First Tee College Scholarship Program, PURE Insurance is supporting our efforts to empower youth and prepare them for the future. ” 

First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners, like PURE Insurance, that stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission. 

For more information on PURE Insurance, visit pureinsurance.com. To learn more about First Tee, visit firsttee.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.     

About PURE Insurance

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth families, providing customizable coverage for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal liability, watercraft, flood, fraud and cyber fraud. PURE’s low cost of capital, careful member selection and proactive risk management contribute to fair pricing and a Financial Strength Rating of “A (Excellent)” from A.M. Best Company, Inc. PURE has sustained at least 15% annual growth in each year since its inception and now serves more than 100,000 members across the United States.

Pureinsurance.com | 888.813.7873

###

Savannah elementary teacher Ariel Brown recognized as First Tee’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

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.” 

 ###

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. 
 

###       

MEDIA CONTACTS:    

Meri Erickson, First Tee – Savannah 
[email protected]

Dana Whitfield, First Tee – Savannah
[email protected]

First Tee enters 50 new Title I schools with support from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program

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.

###

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]

Actors Michael Peña, Kathryn Newton; gymnast Aly Raisman headline First Tee Leadership Summit in Partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore

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 

Seventy-Two Teens to Attend First Tee Game Changers Academy in Philadelphia

 APGA golfer and First Tee alumnus Marcus Byrd and diverse leaders from the sports industry to kick off the weeklong event facilitating critical conversations around issues of race and equality

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. (July 18, 2023) − First Tee, a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, will host the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia, July 18-22, 2023. Seventy-two teens from 51 First Tee chapters across the country have been selected for the five-day learning and empowerment academy where they will participate in conversations and activities designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position them to be advocates for social justice.

The week will kick off with a ‘Critical Conversation’ hosted by RISE on Tuesday, July 18, featuring 8-year NFL veteran, Philadelphia native and member of the Baltimore Ravens Daryl Worley, First Tee – Greater Washington D.C. alumnus and professional golfer, Marcus Byrd, and Lodge Grass High School Head Basketball Coach Josh Stewart. Scarlen Martinez, the Sr. Director of Empowerment at RISE will moderate the panel about how sports lead to access and can help address societal inequalities. 

RISE, a national nonprofit and leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations, will also facilitate engaging and interactive workshops throughout the week. The workshops will explore a multitude of topics that encourage personal growth and understanding of diversity concepts that foster positive change in the community.  The workshops will be paired with reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches, team-building activities such as the Villanova Challenge Course, and golf outings at Walnut Lane Golf Club where they will continue to build relationships with other participants from around the country and learn from each other’s unique perspectives.

“We are proud to offer opportunities for our teens to hear, share and learn from diverse perspectives,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO.  “In past years, we have seen our participants return to their communities inspired and motivated to be advocates for change, and we know it will be the same this year.”

This Academy is an evolution of First Tee’s longest-standing participant event. The Academy honors First Tee’s former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., who led the organization from 2000 until his retirement in 2017. It’s one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.  

The 72 teens attending the Academy can be viewed here.

Featured Participants: 
 

Ana Hunter, First Tee – Tennessee

  • 18-year-old rising college freshman boasting a 4.0 GPA  
  • Involved with First Tee for nine years and is currently a lead coach at the Memphis location.
  • Senior Representative for Hutchison High School’s Honor Council, member of Society of Women Engineers Next Club, and Hive mind eSports League.
  • Founded the nonprofit “Don’t Ovary Act” to provide her community with proper disposal methods of feminine products and educate about periods and period poverty.
  • Award winning Scholastic Poet.
  • Aspires to be a video game coder.

“From player to coach level at First Tee, I have had no choice but to step out of my safe havens and learn how to adapt. With my career aspirations being in video game development, a male-dominated field, introducing myself and exiting places of familiarity will become all but normality in my life. However, knowing how well-prepared I am because of First Tee gives me the confidence to thrive in my future endeavors.”

Tanvi Samayam, First Tee – Greater Trenton

  • 17-year-old rising senior boasting a 3.9 GPA.
  • Involved with First Tee for six years and volunteers as a coach.
  • Co-captain of her high school varsity golf team, a member of Medical Minds Club, South Asian Society, and Project Green.
  • Tanvi is a certified EMT.
  • Started a non-profit called Mpower Kids that works to empower and support kids around the world today for a better tomorrow.
  • Aspires to be an allergy specialist to help others that battle life-threatening food allergies.

“In order to be an allergy specialist, my goals include excelling in high school, attending a prominent college, and graduating from a well-known medical school. With a medical degree, I will be able to help others like me who have life-threatening food allergies.”  

Jake Zulueta, First Tee – Greater Charlotte

  • 16-year-old rising junior boasting a 4.0 GPA.
  • Involved with First Tee for seven years and is an active youth coach.
  • Member of the Weddington High School varsity golf team, DECA, and the Marine Corp Jr. ROTC program.
  • Recently awarded the MCJROTC Leader by Example award and participated in the United States Naval Academy STEM on DECK in August of 2022.
  • Jake is multi-lingual and speaks Greek, English, French, and is currently learning Arabic.
  • Aspires to follow in his grandparent’s footsteps and join the Navy to carry on their legacy.  

“By embracing diversity and proactively seeking to include all individuals, a leader can establish a more strong and healthier team or community, where everybody can flourish. Ensuring inclusivity should be a primary goal of every leader.”   

Matthew Stolte, First Tee – Minnesota

  • 17-year-old rising college freshman boasting a 4.69 GPA.
  • Involved with First Tee for 13 years and a junior coach for the last two where he helps with the Urban Ventures camps, the Parks and Recreation camps, and the special needs program.
  • He is his golf team captain and a black belt in Taekwondo.
  • He has previously participated in the 2021 First Tee Leadership Summit and 2022 First Tee Champions Challenge.
  • Aspires to attend the University of Minnesota honors program and earn a degree in Management Information Systems to become a software engineer.

“Since then [Leadership Summit] I’ve strengthened relationships and used my skills to influence younger golfers as a golf coach. I learned to be intentional, creating the life I want to live because it’s my responsibility. I’m grateful that I learned this lesson early and I’m excited to build on it to influence and connect with others throughout my journey.”   

80 First Tee Teens Selected for PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach

Golf Channel announced the full field of teens with help from PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal, Rod Pampling and defending PURE Insurance Championship winner Steve Flesch.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 10, 2023) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today the 80 First Tee participants selected to play in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event will bring teens from First Tee chapters to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 19-24. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised internationally on Golf Channel.

This unique event pairs each First Tee participant with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. Ranging in ages from 14 to 18, the First Tee players compete for the pro-junior team title. The teens represent 44 First Tee chapters from across the country and for the third year in a row, a participant from First Tee — Morocco will be in the field. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. On average, participants have been involved with First Tee for more than seven years, have a 3.95 GPA and have recorded a 1.5 handicap.

“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with this incredible event,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “Being selected to play in this tournament speaks volumes about the character of each of these 80 participants and I’m so excited to see this unforgettable experience play out for them.”

The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today,” featuring surprises that the network recorded at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. Additionally, several players helped surprise select participants leading up to the full field announcement, including PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen, and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal, Rod Pampling and the tournament’s defending champion, Steve Flesch.

Each year two juniors receive exemptions into the PURE Insurance Championship based on their play at the First Tee National Championship, which took place at Stanford Golf Course in July. This year, Alaythia Hinds of First Tee – Greater Sacramento, who

finished second among the girls, and Sean Kwok of First Tee – Tri Valley, who finished in a fourth-place tie, earned those spots.

“Earning the opportunity to play at the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Congratulations to the 80 teens who will represent First Tee at this year’s event. This marks the 20th anniversary of the tournament, and we are grateful to our partners at PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for their ongoing commitment to First Tee. Our alumni who have played at the PURE Insurance Championship have told us it is a life-changing opportunity, and we are so excited for the 80 First Tee teens who will get to experience it in September.”

This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature legends including Ernie Els, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Jim Furyk, as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winner Kirk Triplett and Steve Flesch, who will defend his title. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.

Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

The junior field for 2023 PURE Insurance Championship can be viewed here.

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

Megan Meng, First Tee — Greater Trenton, and Cooper Groshart, First Tee — Central Coast, win 2023 First Tee National Championship

PALO ALTO, CA. (July 6, 2023) – Megan Meng of Pennington, New Jersey, and Cooper Groshart of San Luis Obispo, California, won the girls’ and boys’ divisions of the third annual First Tee National Championship at Stanford Golf Course. The event, July 2 to 6, brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the next level.

Meng is a 16-year-old rising senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School who’s been involved with First Tee for more than 10 years. She finished the 54-hole tournament 5-under-par to win by five strokes. In the final round, Meng shot a tournament low 66 – including a front nine 30 – to secure her victory.

In 2022, Meng won another marquee First Tee event, the PURE Insurance Championship pro-junior title, a PGA TOUR Champions event held at Pebble Beach, shooting a 64 on Sunday. Meng – who currently stands at 27th in the AJGA Girls Rankings – is committed to play golf at Northwestern University. Off the course, she’s an avid reader with a 4.0 GPA.

Meng said the life skills she’s learned through First tee helped her this week. “Practice makes better, and practice definitely gets you where you want to go, so it’s all about how much time you’re willing to put in practicing on the course, but also make sure to have fun with it. Golf is a game for fun and spending time with your friends,” she said.

Groshart, 18, finished in the Top 10 at the 2021 and 2022 First Tee National Championships before winning in this, his third and final attempt. He finished the tournament 4-over-par after shooting a final round 71.

Groshart recently graduated from San Luis Obispo High School with a 3.92 GPA and will play golf this fall at California State University, East Bay. Like Meng, Groshart played at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship, where he hit a hole-in-one on the iconic seventh hole during a practice round.

In 2022, Groshart completed nearly 100 community service hours, and as a junior First Tee coach, Groshart said he learned a lot about perseverance – a quality that certainly came in handy on Stanford’s challenging course.

“This week I’ve just made a ton of friends and seen old friends I don’t get to see that often,” Groshart said. Sportsmanship is one of the First Tee life skill he called on this week, he said. “This tournament feels like everyone is friends. Everyone is out here for a good time. We want to play some good golf too, but it’s a bunch of friends hanging out on the golf course.”

Both winners were awarded with the Tattersall Cup in honor of event Chairman Fred Tattersall.

Two players from the First Tee National Championship field were also awarded a one-time exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee, held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 16-24, 2023. With this year’s National Championship winners having already played in the tournament, the exemptions passed on to Alaythia Hinds of First Tee – Greater Sacramento, who finished second among the girls, and Sean Kwok of First Tee – Tri Valley, who finished in a tie for fourth among the boys.

For the first time, the four lowest scoring eligible players (two boys and two girls) from the National Championship field will also earn admission into the PGA TOUR’s new Pathways to Progression program, which aims to support talented golfers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the sport. The PGA TOUR will announce the full roster for its Pathways program, including the four players who earned their spots at the First Tee National Championship, in the coming days.

“Congratulations to everyone who competed in the third annual First Tee National Championship this week, “said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Especially to Megan and Cooper. They represented First Tee with confidence and poise, and we look forward to seeing all that they continue to accomplish on and off the golf course. Thank you to Fred Tattersall for his ongoing support of this tournament and Stanford University for a memorable week.”

First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college golf courses around the nation providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. Stanford University hosted the third annual Championship, following the previous two years at University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course and Clemson University’s The Walker Course, respectively.

The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience including 15 competitors who are currently committed to play collegiate golf. Players came from 29 First Tee chapters across the country. A full list of results is available here.

The National 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.

Media Contact:

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

First Tee to host 3rd annual National Championship, bringing 48 top golfers from across the nation to compete at Stanford Golf Course

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 33rd 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:
    • 5th 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:
    • 2nd place at the 2022 AJGA Junior at Beaver Creek Golf Course
  • Alaythia Hinds, First Tee – Greater Sacramento:
    • 2nd place at the 2022 AJGA Junior at Peach Tree Golf and Country Club
  • Trenton Mierl, First Tee — Greater Austin:
    • 4th 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.

### 

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

Atlanta Falcons’ Beadles, Lindstrom; Atlanta United’s Lagerwey headline First Tee’s inaugural Leadership Academy

Teens from across the U.S. will spend a week in PGA TOUR Superstore’s headquarters of Atlanta learning from Arthur M. Blank Family of businesses, civic and sports leader

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 19, 2023) – Youth development organization First Tee will host its inaugural Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore from June 19-23. The weeklong Atlanta event will bring together 48 teens from across the country who will learn about building and running a successful team.

First Tee uses golf as a vehicle through which to teach life skills and values. The nonprofit is collaborating with PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to host its inaugural Leadership Academy, which will feature workshops on cultivating authentic relationships, developing a winning culture and more. The Academy is taking place at various venues across the Atlanta area, including Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch, Atlanta United Training Ground, Mercedes-Benz Stadium Georgia Institute of Technology, the Bobby Jones Golf Club and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Event highlights include:

  • Georgia Tech head women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner will share advice on achieving individual growth in a team setting during the opening keynote.
  • Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles will speak to participants before they explore the team’s Flowery Branch training facility.
  • Participants will hear from Atlanta United President/CEO Garth Lagerwey before attending a game to witness the team in action.
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium executive Don Rovak will discuss the importance of supporting your team.
  • PGA TOUR Superstore President Jill Spiegel will address the teens at historic Bobby Jones Golf Club.
  • Participants will visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights where Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom, the team’s 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year, will deliver the closing address.

Initially envisioned by PGA TOUR Superstore executive Ralph Stokes, who leads the brand’s diversity, partnerships and community efforts, the event’s curriculum was developed by First Tee and an independent youth development expert. Stokes recently became the first Black president of the Georgia State Golf Association and was among the first Black players on the University of Alabama football team, where he played under legendary coach Bear Bryant.

“From playing team sports, I learned that no matter how great an individual player is, you will not achieve success on your own. The team is no stronger than the weakest link,” Stokes said. “Golf is largely an individual sport, but we felt it was important to collaborate with First Tee on this event because these kids are part of families, communities, clubs and eventually workplaces where they need to function within a team.”

For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have championed First Tee’s mission through charitable and in-kind donations across the country. In September 2020, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more kids across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series, held locally at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country, and the Leadership Summit, which takes place in Emigrant, Montana. The new Leadership Academy in Atlanta is the latest installment in this exciting portfolio of events. 

“Thank you to PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for their ongoing support of First Tee,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “This new Leadership Academy will provide young people with an amazing and impactful experience.”  

The Leadership Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to inspire and equip teens on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. 

To be eligible to apply for the Academy, teens were required to participate in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country this past spring. 

                                                             ***

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 PGA TOUR Superstore 
PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports + Entertainment and is headquartered in metro-Atlanta. As the PGA TOUR’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner in North America, PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise as card-carrying PGA TOUR pros. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear for golf and tennis. For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com. 

Contacts:  
Megan Hart, First Tee 
[email protected]

Megan Mahoney, PGA TOUR Superstore 
[email protected] 

24 high school seniors selected for First Tee’s Scholar program, receiving mentorship, professional development and financial support 

Averaging nearly 10 years of First Tee participation, this year’s scholar class includes 3 first-generation students and 6 collegiate golfers 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (June 5, 2023) – The First Tee College Scholarship Program welcomes 24 new members to its 2023 class, bringing the total number of First Tee Scholars to 70. Each one of these scholars has demonstrated character and work ethic both on the golf course and in the classroom, which will help them succeed at schools across the country, including Howard University, the University of Southern California, Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania and Brown University. 

The class of 2023 – comprised of 14 young women and 10 young men – was selected from a competitive national pool of First Tee teens. This diverse group of Scholars represents 21 First Tee chapters across 18 states. The Scholars’ future aspirations range from becoming doctors and lawyers to studying economics, biometric engineering, computer science, professional golf management and journalism. Six plan to play collegiate golf.  

The First Tee College Scholarship Program aims to support alumni after high school graduation by pairing each Scholar with a trained adult mentor to provide guidance throughout their college careers and beyond. Each Scholar will also participate in professional development workshops and receive up to $5,000 per year towards tuition and expenses. 

First Tee re-launched its Scholar program in 2020 to further serve some of its most engaged participants after high school graduation. Texas Wesleyan University’s Malisone Chanthapanya recently became the first First Tee Scholar to graduate from college this May. She earned her degree in finance. 

“Welcome to our new class of Scholars and congratulations on being selected,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The decision to embark on higher education is an important one and I am proud that First Tee can continue to support alumni through the process. Thank you to our partners who support the program and our mentors who provide year-round guidance.”  

Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, volunteerism and other criteria.  

First Tee College Scholarship Class of 2023:  

  • Average years with First Tee: 9.6 
  • 3 first-generation college students 
  • 71% ethnically diverse 

2023 Collegiate Golfers:  

  • Jeremiah Brown, First Tee – Greater Philadelphia: Catholic University 
  • Mariane Johnson, First Tee – Gulf Coast: Palm Beach Atlantic University 
  • Kyzar Joshi, First Tee – Massachusetts: Hamilton College 
  • Falyn Lackey, First Tee – Southeastern New Mexico: Western New Mexico State University 
  • Colin Vineberg, First Tee – Greater Baltimore: Dickinson College 
  • Marlo Zamora, First Tee – Greater San Antonio: Trinity University 

The 2023 Scholar class includes: 

Daryn Dickens, First Tee – Greater Washington, DC  
Howard University; Major: History  
Daryn will be following in the footsteps of her mother, father and brother by attending Howard University where she will study history in preparation for law school. 

BJ Little, First Tee – Metro Atlanta  
Georgetown University; Major: Political Science  
BJ was the president of the Student Government Association, a member of the Black Student Union and started the golf team at his high school. 

Maria Ramos, First Tee – Greater Philadelphia  
University of Pennsylvania; Major: Engineering  
Maria is a first-generation college student that plans to study engineering; she has already been honored for her work with AI for creating a program that analyzes social media sentiments to predict stock market trends. 

Visit firsttee.org/college-scholarship to learn more about the program. Learn more about the 2023 Scholar class and download their headshots here. 

### 

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.   

Media Contact:  
Megan Hart, First Tee  
[email protected] 

New Study: 9 out of 10 parents are losing sleep, concerned about the state of their child’s development and well-being

85% of parents fear character is a “lost value” & many are looking to extracurriculars (including sports-based programs) to help bridge the gap

PONTE VEDRA, Florida, May 10, 2023 – Character is a “lost value,” according to 85% of parents surveyed by youth development organization First Tee and Harris Poll, a market research and analytics company that has been tracking the sentiment of American adults since 1963. According to the new research, parents believe kids need regular opportunities to build character, and they’ve found extracurricular activities like First Tee can help fill the gap.

Eighty-seven percent of parents say they’ve lost sleep over their kids’ well-being. Contributing factors include bullying (41%), the impact of social media (37%) and technology (35%), and peer pressure (36%). Six in 10 parents say their children have a high level of stress, with the majority saying they are concerned about their children’s emotional (60%), behavioral (59%), social (58%), academic (55%), and physical health (55%).

More than 75% of parents agree that playing golf helps children build character and learn important life skills, benefits that are especially critical today as kids face new challenges that are keeping parents up at night.

First Tee is currently undergoing a multi-year business evolution that’s designed to better meet the changing needs of today’s kids and families. The organization launched an updated curriculum last year that’s being implemented by trained coaches in all 50 states and select international locations.

“The findings from Harris Poll support First Tee’s efforts to impact kids beyond the golf course, using sports as a launchpad to introduce key character-building concepts like resilience, leadership and teamwork,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Parents clearly value these types of opportunities for their kids, and we are committed to making First Tee programming available to families of all means and backgrounds.”

Extracurriculars can help kids build character and confidence

Sixty percent of parents enroll their kids in extracurricular activities to help them build confidence, according to the survey data. Eight of 10 parents say development is more important than recreation when it comes to extracurricular activities. Popular reasons parents put their kids in extracurriculars include socialization (66%), physical outlet (62%), build confidence (60%) and pursue interests (53%).

Sports are the most popular extracurricular activity for kids, with most parents of young athletes reporting that sports have had a positive impact on their kids’ social (94%), physical (93%), behavioral (93%) and emotional (92%) health. Hobbies like coding, music and art trail sports in popularity, followed by scouting.

An ethnicity and socioeconomic “opportunity gap” apparent for parents

While 87% of all parents are losing sleep over concerns for their child’s well-being, the number is higher for Black parents (93%). Black families are least likely (63%) to enroll their kids in activities outside of school, compared to Asian and Pacific Islander families, who are most likely (79%). Families that earn less than $50,000 per year are 27% less likely to enroll their kids in extracurriculars compared to families that earn more than $100,000 annually, highlighting the importance of making youth activities affordable and accessible.

To collect this data, Harris Poll surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. adults in March of 2023, including 542 parents of kids under 18. This is the first of three First Tee/Harris Poll surveys to be conducted through 2025. To learn more about First Tee and to download the report in its entirety, please visit firsttee.org/charactergap.  

About The Harris Poll
 The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

###       

MEDIA CONTACTS:    

Megan Hart, First Tee    

[email protected]

(904) 940-4348

Inaugural weeklong First Tee Leadership Academy to be held in Atlanta is newest commitment of PGA TOUR Superstore’s partnership

Held in PGA TOUR Superstore’s homebase of Atlanta, 48 teens will develop new leadership skills by learning about the powerful impact sports has on community, business and civic pride

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, Ga. (March 21, 2023) – First Tee, a youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and positive values, is expanding its roster of impactful national participant opportunities to include a new Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. Forty-eight First Tee teens will be selected to travel to Atlanta to attend the inaugural event June 19-23, providing them a unique opportunity to explore team dynamics that will enhance their professional development as they collaborate with peers and adult mentors.

Atlanta has burst on to the world stage as the civil rights capital, the technology hub of the south, a destination for marquee sporting events, elite colleges and universities, and so much more. Programming will feature sessions on building diverse and impactful teams, developing authentic relationships and empowering others, with an impressive schedule of guest speakers across the Arthur M. Blank Family of Businesses including executives from the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Participants will also experience the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta University Center and the Bobby Jones Golf Club.

“PGA TOUR Superstore is committed to being a positive influence in our communities and truly believe in the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth both on and off the field,” said Jill Spiegel, President, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We have built a strong partnership with the First Tee and will continue to work together to empower young people with leadership skills built on values such as resilience, integrity and self-confidence that will help them succeed throughout the course of their life.”

“In communities across the country, First Tee is helping kids and teens develop inner strength and discover what they are capable of,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are proud to provide national opportunities like the new Leadership Academy to help them build on that foundation and take their life and leadership skills to the next level as they think about their future and plans after high school. We continue to be grateful to Arthur Blank and PGA TOUR Superstore for their ongoing support. It is changing lives.”

For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have championed First Tee’s mission through charitable and in-kind donations across the country. In September 2020, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more kids across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series, held locally at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country, and the Leadership Summit, which takes place in Emigrant, Montana. The new Leadership Academy in Atlanta is the latest installment in this exciting portfolio of events.

The Leadership Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to inspire and equip teens on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

To be eligible to apply for the Academy, teens were required to participate in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country this past spring.

For more information on First Tee, visit www.firsttee.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, 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 PGA TOUR Superstore

PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports + Entertainment and is headquartered in metro-Atlanta. As the PGA TOUR’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner in North America, PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise as card-carrying PGA TOUR pros. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear for golf and tennis. For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com.

Contacts:

Megan Hart, First Tee
[email protected]

Megan Mahoney, PGA TOUR Superstore
[email protected]