Matthew Sutherland and Kevin Sutherland Claim the Pro-Junior Title during the PGA TOUR Champions Event; Ken Tanigawa clinches Pro Title
Pebble Beach, Calif – Sept. 30, 2018 – Matthew Sutherland from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento and his uncle, PGA TOUR Champions professional Kevin Sutherland, clinched the Pro-Junior title today at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee finishing 16-under. The Sutherlands won the tournament in a three-way scorecard playoff with Caroline Wales from The First Tee of Coachella Valley (Calif.) and pro partner Stephen Ames, and Yena Jang from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento and pro partner Duffy Waldorf.
Making his PURE Insurance Championship debut, Ken Tanigawa earned his first win on the PGA TOUR Champions with an eagle on the 18th hole to finish 10-under. Tanigawa was a medalist at PGA TOUR Champions Q-School in December 2017 and earned fully-exempt status for this season. This was his 18th start on PGA TOUR Champions this season. This win moved him to No. 20 in the Charles Schwab Cup.
The PURE Insurance Championship is a unique event that pairs junior golfers with PGA TOUR Champions professionals. Eighty-one juniors and pros were in the field for the tournament played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course this weekend. Matthew Sutherland, from Carmichael, Calif., was one of 23 junior golfers who made the cut to play the third and final round today at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
“Before the week I was thinking of all the players who have played competitive golf at Pebble Beach, and it’s a short list,” said The First Tee participant Matthew Sutherland. “To put yourself in a category of people who have won at Pebble Beach is on another level and I’m just happy to be a part of that.”
“Congratulations to all 81 of our junior golfers and especially Matthew Sutherland for their outstanding performance at this week’s tournament,” said Keith Dawkins, Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee. “These teens demonstrate how The First Tee’s Nine Core Values positively impact kids’ lives and can be used every day on and off the course. A special thanks to PURE Insurance and Monterey Peninsula Foundation for helping make their dreams come true.”
“We are proud of all the juniors who competed this week; it was an absolute honor to get to know each and every one of these incredible young men and women who will undoubtedly go on to do great things,” said Katherine Frattarola, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “A special congratulations to Matthew Sutherland on the accomplishment of winning the PURE Insurance Championship.”
Matthew Sutherland, a 17-year-old senior at Rio Americano High School, has been involved with The First Tee for 11 years. He volunteers weekly at The First Tee of Greater Sacramento as an assistant coach. Matthew holds a +1.0 handicap and recently committed to play golf at Fresno State in California. The nephew of PGA TOUR Champions player Kevin Sutherland, Matthew grew up around golf but says it’s The First Tee where he learned how to act on and off the golf course, and learned how to be a leader.
The First Tee of Greater Sacramento is one of 150 chapters across The First Tee network and reaches more than 50,000 youth annually. They offer programs at area golf facilities, at schools through The First Tee National School Program, and at youth centers through The First Tee DRIVE.
To learn more, visit www.PUREInsuranceChampionship.com, firsttee.org, and www.firstteesacramento.org.
About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth sports organization whose mission is to grow the game of golf by transforming the experience that kids (and families) have with the sport. The First Tee is engaging the next generation of fans through unique golf experiences, signature events and strategic partnerships. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the sport of golf and The First Tee’s Nine Core Values to more than 15 million kids, positively impacting their lives along the way. The First Tee offers programs in all 50 states, reaching more than 5 million kids annually through: The National School Program in more than 10,000 elementary schools, 150 chapters at more than 1,200 golf courses and The First Tee DRIVE at 1,300 youth centers. The First Tee is expanding globally and currently offers programs at six international locations.
The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Golf Channel is The First Tee’s proud media partner and former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.
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Contacts:
Jodi Davis
(201) 927-6171
[email protected]
Sara Henika
(904) 881-7398
[email protected]
At The First Tee, we strive to provide kids with opportunities that will not only improve their skills in golf but also put them on a path to succeed in life. Like many alumni of The First Tee, these type of opportunities have impacted 22-year-old Elsa Diaz in a big way. An alumna from The First Tee of Greater San Antonio, Elsa joined the program at the age of nine and quickly found a golf family who prepared her for the experience she is about to begin.
Currently playing college golf at the University of Richmond, Elsa recently received an exemption to play in the Kingsmill Championship, a LPGA Tour event. We asked her to tell us about her time at The First Tee and how she is preparing for this unforgettable opportunity.
Elsa Diaz, alumna from The First Tee of Greater San Antonio, chaperoning at the 2017 Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy
Tell us about your time in The First Tee
I started at The First Tee of Greater San Antonio when I was nine years old and it became a second home for me and my two older siblings, Sara and Adolfo, until we graduated from the program. When I think about my time at The First Tee, I remember it as a place of opportunity, friendships, a playground and where we could dream big.
The First Tee gave my family and me opportunities that we could’ve never imagined experiencing anywhere else. Both my sister and I played alongside PGA TOUR Champions players at PURE Insurance Open at Pebble Beach on separate occasions. I never thought I would, but I got a chance to meet my golfing idols: Annika Sörenstam and Lorena Ochoa.
With all these opportunities my siblings and I had the chance to explore so many different parts of life and learned more about ourselves and who we wanted to be in the future. The First Tee was a place where I loved to be because it was a place where I could be myself but also grow as a person while having fun. We learned life lessons through the game of golf and formed new friendships through every session, even during the two-hand touch football games we would play after classes. The First Tee was a place that let me be a kid full of joy a laughter and I will forever be grateful that this program is part of my life.
How did The First Tee prepare you for your time in college and in playing college golf?
The national opportunities The First Tee offers, like going to leadership academies and player forums, are the experiences that better prepared me for college and college golf. Having the chance to travel somewhere new without your parents and meet participants from across the country made me a more open-minded individual and I always felt a sense of growth after I came home. When I came to college, I found it easy to make new friends and the challenge of being so far away from home did not seem as hard because of those core principles I had been taught through my parents and the program.
The national opportunities also taught me that when we have a dream, a goal, or an opportunity presented to us we should chase after it. I remember the day my program director told me about The First Tee Speed Golf Championship and told me that I should attempt it. I trained for the event as much as I could and was flown to Richmond, Virginia to compete in the championship. Little did I know I would end up winning the event, have a college coach watch me win it and later offer me a full four-year golf scholarship to the University of Richmond! I accepted it and have spent the last four years earning my business marketing degree, and have been having the time of my life.
Going into the Kingsmill Championship, what do you hope to gain and experience from this opportunity?
During the Kingsmill Championship, I hope to gain experience and knowledge on how it feels to play next to the best women golfers in the world. I can’t wait to know what that adrenaline and excitement will feel like and to finally be competing in the dream that I so long ago envisioned when I was 15 years old. Playing in this event will let me know where my strengths and weaknesses are so that I can compete, join them on tour, and play against the best in the world. I am very excited because it’s going to be a test of my character and mental game. I know its going to be hard to keep the excitement and nerves down, but hopefully, as soon I hit that first shot I’ll remember all those lessons from The First Tee I learned so long ago.
What are your future career and golf goals?
My future career and golf goals is to play full time on the LPGA Tour. Now that I have completed my education at the University of Richmond, I have my mind set on becoming a full time golfer, grow the game, especially women golf, and serve as a representative of brands and organizations.
If you could give one piece of advice to participants at The First Tee hoping to pursue a college golf, what would it be?
One piece of advice that I would give a The First Tee participant who is pursuing college golf would be to dream big and in the pursuit of doing it try everything the program has to offer. I think The First Tee does a great job of focusing on making us well-rounded individuals, not just golfers. They teach us that giving back is actually a benefit to ourselves, to excel in academics, choosing healthy habits, improving our social skills and most importantly how to dream and set goals. Even if it’s not golf-related, there is so much the program can give you that you can later apply to your own golf game. It seems to me that even though I am a golfer and I am playing golf, it was all the life lessons I learned while not playing golf that got me where I am headed to today.
JOIN THE FAMILY
Are you an alumnus of The First Tee? Join our Alumni Network to stay up to date on career opportunities, The First Tee events and chances to share your story, like Elsa.
Join the Alumni Network
GET INVOLVED
With more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee offers programs to youth from all backgrounds—no golf experience needed! If you know a young person who has an interest in golf, visit our location map to find a local chapter!
FIND A LOCATION
It’s an opportunity many only ever dream about: playing Augusta National Golf Club. Five of The First Tee participants have realized that dream, earning invitations to compete in the fifth annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, held at the famed golf course. This year’s competition will take place on Sunday, April 1, prior to the start of the Masters Tournament.
The First Tee is represented by all females at the 2018 Drive, Chip, & Putt finals:
Participant
Chapter
Division
Raylee Bosley
The First Tee of Greater Houston
Girls 7-9
Danica Lundgren
The First Tee of Greater Austin
Girls 10-11
Allyn Stephens
The First Tee of Greater Houston
Girls 12-13
Elise Deschaine
The First Tee of Greater Portland
Girls 14-15
Megha Ganne
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Girls 14-15
Elise Deschaine qualifies for the Drive, Chip, & Putt finals – Watch her story on Golf Channel
A joint initiative by the Masters Tournament, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the PGA of America, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free, nationwide youth golf development initiative open to girls and boys ages 7-15 – competing in separate divisions in four age categories. The competition focuses on the three fundamental skills employed in golf and taps the creative and competitive spirit of young golfers.
Competing in the National Championship is no easy task. The road to Augusta began with local qualifying in May, June, and July, held at more than 260 sites throughout the United States. The top three scorers per venue, in each of the four age categories in separate boys and girls divisions, advanced to 50 subregional qualifiers in July and August. Two juniors in each age and gender division then competed at the regional level in September and October.
The top finisher from each regional site’s age/gender divisions – a total of 80 finalists – earned a place in the National Finals, which will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.
Junior Golf Programs Through The First Tee
Founded by golf’s governing bodies—the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA—The First Tee has been changing the sport of golf for more than 20 years. By making the game fun, inclusive and affordable, The First Tee has introduced golf to more than 15 million kids since 1997, changing their lives along the way. More than 1,000 PGA & LPGA teaching professionals and 25,000 volunteers work together to empower and teach kids The First Tee’s Nine Core Values: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy and Judgment.
Find a location near you
Teens who participate in The First Tee’s national junior golf events experience more than rounds of golf. They meet junior golfers from across the network, many becoming friends for life. At these events, teens enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being with peers who are united by their experiences at The First Tee. They are introduced to inspirational speakers, college golf coaches, community and industry leaders, and more.
But instead of us telling you why teens love our events, let’s see what they have to say!
why i love the first tee national events
“Best. Week. Of. My. Life. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I had so much fun and it was hard work and tiring but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” —participant, 2017 Outstanding Participant Leadership Summit
“I loved the opportunity to meet so many great friends and coaches that I know will continue to impact my decisions moving into college golf.” —participant, College Golf Prep Academy“I loved this event! It was a good way to connect with both participants and adults. I felt more informed about college and in networking professionally. It’s something that (I feel) isn’t often taught in school, so the presentation will be very useful now and in the future!” —participant, John Deere Drive Your Future Academy“The academy was a once in a life time experience. I got to make new friends, play lots of golf, learn important skills and games I can bring back to my chapter and most importantly learn leadership qualities.” —participant, Life Skills & Leadership Academy“Thank you for putting it together it was so much fun meeting new people and making new friends! This was the best participant opportunity I have been to yet!!” —participant, The First Tee National Par-3 Championship
Attending Our Junior Golf Events: How Teens Can Take the Next STep
The First Tee is hosting 10 exciting junior golf and leadership events this year for teen participants. Most of the events have a selection process that includes an application reviewed by a committee. If you know a teen participant who would be interested in our national junior golf events, please contact your chapter for more information!
The First Tee Junior Golf Events
Each year, millions of youth participate in First Tee programming. How have we hooked them on the sport of golf? Golf is fun!
5 Ways we make golf fun
1. Friends & social Experiences
Kids participate as a class where they meet others from all walks of life. They’re even taught how to properly introduce themselves to each other to help break down barriers and start having fun together! Many participants find lifelong friends [like alumni Kyle DiGiacobbe and Beau Zastrow] through The First Tee.
2. We’re outside
It’s rare you’ll find us in the classroom. We are in the business of doing, not telling. Participants are taught the game of golf through experience based learning, out on the golf course or driving range. Life skills and values are taught through games and activities. Speaking of games….
3. Creative Games
Ever heard of zoo golf or golf tic-tac-toe? You probably have if you’re involved with First Tee! Our coaches come up with fun and exciting games to introduce golf concepts to kids. In fact, you’ll often see foam noodles and hula hoops during a lesson.
4. Fun Golf Coaches
Our coaches are fun! They care about kids and through required training through our Coach Program, they understand how to keep kids attention. Our golf coaches are experts in making young people feel comfortable and assure they have a positive, non-intimidating experience.
5. We make the game less intimidating
We teach participants the 3 tips for having fun:
Be patient
Be positive
Ask for help
Get Started
Offered are more than 1,200 locations, the First Tee program was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by trained coaches. Our mission is to help prepare kids and teens from all backgrounds for success in all areas of life. Chapters offer full scholarship or reduced fee programming for those with financial need.
Alumnus Kyle DiGiacobbe from The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia
For many alumni of The First Tee, golf is more than a game. It’s an opporunity to meet new people and experience new things. Alumnus Kyle DiGiacobbe tells us firsthand how the sport has impacted his life, from his career to his friends.
In His Words:
“I was always involved in golf as a kid, playing at the club with my dad on afternoons, and caddying on weekends. When caddying for him, John MacDonald, now retired executive director of The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, asked me to come down and check out his new facility and The First Tee. I quickly became involved after my first visit, seeing the learning center as a great place to hit balls and practice in the winter, plus meet new kids who were my age and who played golf.Through The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, I not only met numerous golfers, lifelong friends who I still communicate with, but also had my eyes opened to the golf industry as more than just the PGA TOUR on TV. I was selected to attend two golf and leadership academies hosted by The First Tee, chosen to play in The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, and selected to attend the Future Leaders Forum.Kyle and Beau Zastrow at his wedding
making lifelong friends
I have friends who I met at these events who I still talk to today, almost 10 years later, and have seen them be successful in golf and life. Beau Zastrow, who I roomed with at one of the academies, asked me to be a groomsman in his wedding. We also get together once a year, from across the country, when he can get time off from being a police officer. Kelsey Berg, who I met and keep in touch with, is a Marketing Director with FootJoy and I see yearly at the PGA Show. AJ Newell and I played a practice round at Pebble Beach and still keep in touch with via social media. She just earned status on the LPGA Tour.
Working in the Golf Industry
After these experiences in high school, I knew I wanted a life and career in golf. I moved to Florida for college and tried to walk on to the golf team, but it did not work out. So instead, I got a job at the course next to my university Gand worked there for four years. During college, I was able to secure a USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship with the Pennsylvania Golf Association for the summers of 2012 and 2013, and loved the tournament administration side of the golf business. Following the internship, I was hired in July 2013 by the Florida State Golf Association(FSGA). Now in my fifth season with the FSGA, I am the Director of Men’s Golf, charged with conducting state championship, junior tournaments, USGA qualifiers and numerous other events.I never thought caddying at 12 and 13 years old would lead to a life where I spend every day surrounded by golf, get to be on a golf course 3 to 5 days a week, and have lifelong friends that I made through this great sport.”
GIVE BACK AND GET INVOLVED
Looking for ways to stay involved with The First Tee after you leave the program? Join The First Tee Alumni Network for a variety of opportunities to network and build your career.
Join the Alumni Network
At The First Tee, core values like perseverance and confidence are key in not only teaching golf but the life skills that come with it. These two values are no stranger to nineteen-year-old Norman Xiong. An alumnus of The First Tee of San Diego, Norman joined the program at the age of five when his family moved to the states from Guam to pursue Norman’s passion for the game. Norman’s hard work paid off as he recently played in the Farmers Insurance Open after being granted an exemption to play in the PGA TOUR event.
Participants of The First Tee of San Diego wish Norman luck before The Farmers Insurance Open
We asked Norman, who is currently playing college golf at the University of Oregon, to tell us about his time at The First Tee and what it was like to play in the PGA tournament.
1) Tell us about your time at The First Tee.
I started at the First Tee at the age of 6. The program became a second home for me as I grew through elementary school. It was a place I could go and learn about myself, others, do my homework, and learn many life skills early in life. It’s also a place I’ve met some of my best friends. For example, I met Donald Kay in Par class when I was 6 years old. Now 13 years later, Donald and I are roommates and play together at Oregon. I can say without a doubt that my life has been greatly improved because of The First Tee program.
2) Did Your experience at The First Tee influence your decision to play college golf?
Growing up at The First Tee, college was always something I knew I would do. There was talk with people around golf that I may just turn pro after high school. But I always knew college was something I wanted to experience.
My situation starting at Oregon was unique. I graduated high school early and began at Oregon mid-school year. It was a tough transition to begin something as new as college when all the other freshmen were already in the rhythm of things. During these challenges, I relied even more on the life skills I learned at The First Tee. Skills like meeting someone new, goal setting, and time management were all key in making the transition as smooth as possible.
I absolutely love being a Duck and going to school at Oregon. Going there was the perfect decision for me and I’m still not done learning.
Norman Xiong, student and college golfer, University of Oregon
3) What were your thoughts going into the Farmers Insurance Open and playing at such a professional level?
My family had a goal for me to play in one PGA TOUR event before I considered turning pro. Hearing that I got into the Farmers Insurance Open and my first PGA TOUR event would be in my hometown was something I still can’t believe happened. Especially with the ties with charitable giving from the Farmers and The First Tee of San Diego.
My biggest goals for the event were to have fun, gain experience, and see where I needed to improve my game to be eventually ready for the PGA TOUR. Just like I prepared for college well ahead of time, preparing for the PGA TOUR is something I want to equally be ready for. The Farmers in a sense was like visiting colleges in high school. To see how it looked and felt so I could become comfortable early.
4) Do you have any advice for participants at The First Tee who want to pursue college golf and/or play at the professional level?
The biggest bit of advice I would have for anyone who wants to pursue college golf is the importance of school. I was around a lot of talented golfers who thought their golf game would make it so their grades were not as important. Unfortunately, they learned the hard way that what you do in the classroom is equally weighted as what you do on the golf course. Those golfers, unfortunately, didn’t get to go to their dream schools.
For their golf game, I would always stress to enjoy the game, not the rewards. At the end of the day it’s a game, and you’ll never be your best if you don’t love it.
Join the Family
Are you an alumni of The First Tee? Join our Alumni Network to stay up to date on career opportunities, The First Tee events and chances to share your story, like Norman.
Get Involved
With more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee offers programs to youth from all backgrounds—no golf experience needed! If you know a young person who has an interest in golf, visit our location map to find a local chapter!
Find a Location
Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Yet many who consider mentoring a young person don’t know where to start or are concerned they won’t be a good fit. It’s good to put away your worries and focus on not only what the relationship will do for the young person, but what the benefits of being a mentor could do for your life.
6 Benefits of being a Mentor1:
Have fun
Achieve personal growth and learn more about yourself
Improve self-esteem and feel that you are making a difference
Gain a better understanding of other cultures and develop a greater appreciation for diversity
Feel more productive and have a better attitude at work
Enhance relationships with your own children and family
During National Mentoring Month and all year-long, The First Tee celebrates and recognizes our coaches. Research has shown that young people in The First Tee refer to their coaches as mentors.
84% of teens & 87% of alumni at The First Tee said their relationships with their coaches were meaningful and grew stronger over time.
The Power of Relationships:
Without caring mentors, positive youth development just doesn’t happen. At The First Tee, we take coaching seriously. We believe that a meaningful, quality relationship between coach and participant is vital to our program. See what our coaches have to say about the relationships they formed.
https://youtu.be/gsG1WAYy3dE
Make a difference today
Offered at more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee program was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by trained coaches who thrive off the relationships made with our participants. Check with your local chapter to see if becoming a coach is right for you and change the life of a young person….and yourself!
Find a Location1 mentoring.org
If you’ve been fortunate enough to have had a teacher, supervisor or coach who has been a mentor to you and made a positive difference in your life, you know he or she wore many hats. Mentors act as role models, cheerleaders, policy enforcers, advocates, and friends. Mentors assume these different roles during the course of a relationship, and share some basic qualities.
A good mentor has:
• A sincere desire to be involved with a young person
• Respect for young people
• Active listening skills
• Empathy
• Ability to see solutions and opportunities
• Flexibility
Above all, a good mentor is willing to take the time to get to know their mentee, to learn new things that are important to the young person, and even to be changed by their relationship.
During National Mentoring Month and all year-long, The First Tee celebrates and recognizes our coaches. Research shows that The First Tee participants think of their coaches as mentors. Take a look at what some of our junior golfers have to say about their coaches.
How my mentor made a Difference
Braxton Caldwell, The First Tee of Pine Mountain
“Coach Donnie Caldwell, PGA has given me great advice with my golf but more importantly, in my life. He has told me “make choices today that you’ll be proud of tomorrow.” I use to just make choices that seemed the easiest or most convenient. But now I take time to think about those big decisions and how my choices may also affect others. Without him and his advice, I don’t know where I would be with my life, and that’s scary. He has made me a better person and he has shown me how to make the most of my life.”
Coach Matt Bassler caddies for Charles Blount during the 2017 PURE Insurance ChampionshipCharles Blount, The First Tee of Greater Baltimore
“My relationship with Coach Matt is extremely significant to me. He believes in me when I’m having an awesome time and when I’m having a horrible day. He was there for me when my father passed away and showed me that we don’t have to be blood to be family.”
Alyssa Caraballo, The First Tee of Roanoke Valley
“Coach Mary Beth McGirr has been a major influence in my life, helping me with golf and with learning critical life skills that will aid me throughout my life. She took me under her wing and has been a shining example for me to follow. Additionally, as a woman, she has been an amazing mentor and example of a strong , confident female for me to look up to and admire. Coach Mary Beth has been one of my biggest fans and encourages me to do my best. She takes time to talk about my golf, life, family and personal struggles. She has been an excellent example of a strong leader and businesswoman who consistently gives back to the game and the community.”
mentoring matters
Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter.
More Than a Game
Offered at more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee program was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by trained coaches… or as our participants say, mentors! Check with your local chapter about how you can become a mentor to a junior golfer in your community! Or how you can register your child.
Locations
Relationships matter. Especially mentoring relationships. In fact, they’re life-changing.
Oprah has said, “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” And she’s right.
With a mentor, at-risk youth are1:
Research has shown young people in The First Tee refer to their coaches as mentors.
81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities
78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities
55% more likely to enroll in college
Yet 1 in 3 kids are growing up without a mentor in their lives.2
During National Mentoring Month and all year-long, The First Tee celebrates and recognizes our coaches.
Research has shown that young people in The First Tee refer to their coaches as mentors. Our youth participants believe coaches care about them, help them set goals and inspire them to use the skills they’ve learned far beyond golf. The First Tee coaches build supportive relationships based on 1) empathy, 2) high positive expectations and 3) advocacy.3
When these elements are in place in a young person’s life, they experience better outcomes in academic motivation, social and emotional skills and personal responsibility. And high-risk behaviors decrease.4
How does it happen?
New research confirms after participating in The First Tee’s multi-level and multi-year coach development program, coaches are transformed over time from quality coaches to community advocates.
90% believe they are better at coaching
89% believe they are better at building relationships with youth
86% believe they are a mentor
MORE THAN A GAME
Offered at more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee program was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by trained coaches. Our mission is to help prepare kids and teens from all backgrounds for success in all areas of life.
Find a location near you1,2 Mentoring.org3 “A Lasting Impact: The First Tee’s Role in Fostering Postive Youth Development,” 2015, Springfield College Center for Youth Development and Research
4 Roehlkepartain, E. C., Pekel, K., Syvertsen, A. K., Sethi, J., Sullivan, T. K., & Scales, P. C. (2017). Relationships First: Creating Connections that Help Young People Thrive. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.
Billy Brent makes remarks during his acceptance speech.
What does it take to be a volunteer? It takes heart. And William “Billy” Brent has that and so much more when it comes to volunteering at The First Tee of Northwest Florida.
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”— Elizabeth Andrew
Brent was recently recognized as The First Tee’s 2017 George H.W. Bush Shell Oil Volunteer of the Year during our bi-annual Network Meeting. A prestigious honor as The First Tee hails more than 24,000 volunteers. Executive Director Marty Stanovich shares why Brent is deserving of this recognition.
William “Billy” Brent has been a volunteer with The First Tee of Northwest Florida since the day we opened the doors at our first programming site, Osceola Golf Course—14 years ago this year. But he is much more than just a volunteer—he has been a Board Member, an Annual Donor, Mentoring Program Director and a friend to so many young people inside The First Tee and outside as well—and has privately funded multiple college scholarships for deserving at-need students from our area.
In his personal life, “Coach Billy” is a model for what we would hope our children would grow up to become. He began his adult life by joining the U.S. Army and serving with honor and distinction in Vietnam. Through his professional career he has been an area manager for Goodyear, a District Manager of the Pensacola News Journal and a truly talented and accomplished golfer in his own right, he played professional golf for five very successful years. Experienced as a caddy as well, he has long been involved in minority and junior golf circles as a teacher and mentor with the Par Four Golf Club.
While volunteering for us in the early days, he still worked 40 hours per week as an IT Specialist/Computer Programmer for the U.S. Government at Naval Air Station Pensacola—but he always made time after work and on the weekends for The First Tee of Northwest Florida. He has never taken a dime for his teaching; in fact, he has spent a great deal of his own money in support of our programs and our juniors and continues to do so even to the present day.
Following our chapter’s founding in 2004, he immediately stepped forward and volunteered his support and over the course of the last five years he has never missed a class. Recently, after playing in a weekend golf tournament out of state, he drove through the night and early morning back to Pensacola to attend a voluntary day-long coach training session—and then spent two hours that afternoon teaching and mentoring our participants. Such is his passion for The First Tee and for our junior golfers.
Coach Billy is a crowd favorite, always teaching with conviction and enthusiasm, with a great smile and animated personality. He truly has a unique gift: To always be able to communicate on the level of his students, no matter their age, ability or walk of life. A parent who has had two children in the program recently sent me a text message that simply said: “Coach Billy is The Man.” I couldn’t agree more, hence his nomination as our Volunteer of the Year.
Do you have a heart for volunteering? Join us at The First Tee.
For generations, parents have been enrolling their children in sports programs with the hope that they will develop discipline, teamwork and stay active and healthy. The benefits of participating in youth sports are long-lasting.
Research shows:
High school athletes are more likely than non-athletes to attend college and get degrees.
Physical activity, and sports in particular, can positively affect aspects of personal development among young people, such as self-esteem, goal-setting, and leadership.
Female high school athletes are less likely to be sexually active, to use drugs and to suffer from depression, when compared to non-athlete peers.
Regular physical activity benefits health in many ways, including helping build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints; helping control weight and reduce fat; and preventing or delaying the development of high blood pressure.
While many parents may have experienced one or all the above concerns, there are youth sports programs available that address and minimize these matters. At The First Tee, we offer youth golf programs to youth ages 7 to 18, no matter their background or experience.
Safety is a Priority
From day one, youth learn about safety precautions, like where to stand when someone is swinging their golf club. And while physical activity is never completely risk-free, there are fewer opportunities for physical contact leading to injury while playing golf. Golf is a game for everyone—size, age or gender don’t have a significant impact on your ability to compete with others.
Quality Coaches
At The First Tee, coaching is important to us. Coaches are formally trained and can progress through levels of training. New research confirms that after participating in The First Tee’s multi-level and multi-year coach development program, coaches are transformed over time from quality coaches to community advocates.
Golf Is Affordable
At The First Tee, the average cost for a six to eight week session is $72, though it varies from chapter to chapter. Chapters also offer financial aid so that no child is turned away due to an inability to pay. Need more proof golf is affordable? Keep reading here.
Time Commitment
While schedules vary from chapter to chapter, most programs offer weekly classes that last six to eight weeks. In many cases, it’s up to your family how involved you’d like to be as chapters typically offer additional opportunities to expand their golf or life skills. But they are optional!
It’s More Than A Game
We believe that golf is more than a game. The emphasis at The First Tee is bigger than who wins. It’s an opportunity to have fun, meet new people and develop character through The First Tee Nine Core Values.
Ready to Get Started?
With more than 1,200 locations, The First Tee offers programs to youth from all backgrounds—no golf experience needed! If you know a young person who would enjoy The First Tee, visit our location map to find a local chapter!
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Going into the Kingsmill Championship, what do you hope to gain and experience from this opportunity?
It’s an opportunity many only ever dream about: playing Augusta National Golf Club. Five of The First Tee participants have realized that dream, earning invitations to compete in the fifth annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, held at the famed golf course. This year’s competition will take place on Sunday, April 1, prior to the start of the Masters Tournament.
Teens who participate in The First Tee’s national junior golf events experience more than rounds of golf. They meet junior golfers from across the network, many becoming friends for life. At these events, teens enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being with peers who are united by their experiences at The First Tee. They are introduced to inspirational speakers, college golf coaches, community and industry leaders, and more.
But instead of us telling you why teens love our events, let’s see what they have to say!
A good mentor has:
MORE THAN A GAME
For generations, parents have been enrolling their children in sports programs with the hope that they will develop discipline, teamwork and stay active and healthy. The benefits of participating in youth sports are long-lasting.
Not All Youth Sports are Created Equal
Time Commitment