Since 1997, First Tee has impacted the lives of kids and teens through experiences that build character and instill life-enhancing values. This impact would not be possible without the participants, coaches, staff, volunteers, and families who have joined and inspired us these past 25 years.
As we recognize our 25th anniversary, we lift up these voices and celebrate those who have been impacted by the program, whether as a participant or as an advocate. We invite you to read the stories of those who have made this organization what it is today, and join the many faces of First Tee by sharing your own story below.
Tell Us Your Story
Austin Smotherman
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Years with First Tee
10
What are you doing in your life today?
I’m playing professional golf for a living. It’s a dream come true!
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
The maturity and the life skills that I learned through the program, helped me become a better person which coincided with me becoming a better golfer. There are so many examples that I could go on and on.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
The pairings parties at Pebble Beach. Getting to play in that tournament twice. Getting to meet other First Tee participants from all over the country and hear their stories and pick their brain about what golf and First Tee brought to them. Those are still some of the same people I’m still friends with today and now I’m traveling around playing, some of them are still playing or coaching. First Tee kind of launched their lives as well.
Emily Valentine
Chapter
First Tee – Florida Gold Coast
Years with First Tee
9 as a participant/alumni & 3 as a staff member
What are you doing in your life today?
Today I am the Director of Program Development at First Tee – Florida Gold Coast, serving kids and teens in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee had a profound impact on my life. At a young age, my parents decided to separate. While helping my mother with my two younger siblings I quickly matured. Entering my freshman year at Jupiter High School, I was encouraged to try out for the Jupiter High School girls’ golf team. I had never played golf before, but soon fell in love with the game and qualified for the team. I began to volunteer at First Tee where I met my mentor and coach, Craig Watson. Coach Craig would remind me that my parents were doing their best and complimented me on how strong I was for sticking through all my struggles at home. He always lifted my spirits and helped her through struggling times. I developed a love for educating and mentoring children, including those with special needs. I went on to attend Palm Beach Atlantic University where I played NCAA Division II golf for the Sailfish, while majoring in Business Marketing. I graduated from PBA in May of 2019, completely debt free, thanks to the support of the First Tee.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My favorite First Tee experience was when I was surprised on the Golf Channel by Charlie Rymer who informed me that I was selected to play in The 2014 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. I played with PGA TOUR Champions Professional, Blaine McCallister who was so encouraging and offered great life and golf advice. I played at two of the worlds greatest golf courses: Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills and also reunited with many First Tee participants and coaches who I met over the years. These were some of my greatest memories in life to this day!
Monica Verde (Dias)
Chapter
First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Years with First Tee
10+ years
What are you doing in your life today?
I am a licensed social worker. I have been working in communities for the last 10 years helping families, children, adolescents and adults with issues ranging from homelessness, addiction, immigration and much more.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee allowed me to feel empowered and believe in myself. Believe that I am able and deserving of reaching my goals. I was blessed with so many wonderful people who helped guide me, cheer me on and gave me the confidence and experience I needed!
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My favorite memory is traveling. I had the honor to travel to Disney world in Florida, make a commercial for First Tee in Miami, play golf in Kansas and North Carolina. I saw so many beautiful places, golf courses and met wonderful people. I had many firsts with First Tee and I am forever grateful!
Cody Taylor
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Dallas
Years with First Tee
10 years
What are you doing in your life today?
Manager for HVAC, Owner of a lawn company, Builder of Custom long range rifles and continuing PGA qualifiers. Recently Married to Kristi Wagner!
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
Not only did it impact my golf career but it also impacted my life in general. It opened my eyes to see beyond the golf course. It showed me values to being a better person on and off the course. It allowed me to play from the heart and not my head. With all the values taught, it allowed me to play golf at high levels. I will forever be grateful that I was apart of the First Tee.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Playing at the First Tee Pro-Am at Pebble Beach with D.A Weibring. Waking up and seeing the sunrise across the ocean and knowing that legends like Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicolas have waken up to the same view playing a game we all love. During that Pro-Am I was chosen to represent Greater Dallas in the Coca Cola challenge where I was partnered up with Hale Irvin. Standing on the first tee box being the last to hit, crowd of spectators lined all around the tee and down the rough, and no one hit the fairway. I grabbed my 2 iron and let one rip right down the fairway. A memory that will never fade as the crowd was going crazy and my dad and papaw giving me a high five saying “It only gets better from here!” .
Rachel Kestin
Chapter
First Tee – Aiken
Years with First Tee
6
What are you doing in your life today?
I will be graduating from Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy with my doctorate of pharmacy in May of 2022. Upon graduation, I will be moving to Concord, NC where I will complete a yearlong community-based pharmacy residency. This residency will allow me to build a toolkit that I can utilize to advance patient care within the pharmacy field.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
Without First Tee, I don’t think I would be where I am today. As a shy teenager, I was introduced to this organization that not only helped me gain confidence on the golf course, but helped me flourish into a confident young adult. These people became a second family, a crutch I didn’t know I needed at the time. I was able to make connections with other people who shared my interests, within my chapter and across the country. I still think about the core values and life skills I learned so many years ago in my life today.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My last national participant opportunity I attended was the Par 3 Championship at Kanawha Club in Virginia and it was one of my favorites. I was able to reunite with a few friends I met at other opportunities, make new friendships, and had an amazing few days on a beautiful golf course. I still am in contact with some participants I met that week and they are a huge part of my life today.
Julie (Steinbauer) Leventhal
Chapter
First Tee – Miami
Years with First Tee
10 as a participant 4 as staff
What are you doing in your life today?
I’m the Director of Programming at First Tee – Central Florida. I’m also married to my wonderful husband Jordan.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee had a tremendous impact on my life. I was a painfully shy and quite the perfectionist. First Tee helped me come out of my shell, gain confidence, learn how to ask for help! This helped me a lot when I was reaching out to college coaches, and eventually as a college golfer at Rollins College where I was on our national Championship winning team in 2016!
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My favorite experience was the Player Advanced Academy in Virginia. I really got to have a sense of being a college golfer and I met incredible participants from around the country. While that was my memory that stands out, I do remember every Saturday having a fun, safe place to go where I felt valued and important and got to see my favorite coaches.
Latoshia Davis
Chapter
First Tee – Pine Mountain
Years with First Tee
10+ years as participant and mentor
What are you doing in your life today?
I’m an accountant at Forcht Group of Kentucky. Currently I’m serving on the Board of Directors for First Tee – Pine Mountain.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee taught me how to be a positive individual on and off the golf course. I attended University of the Cumberlands and competed on the collegiate golf team; I was a first-generation college graduate in my family. Afterwards, I obtained a Masters of Business Administration. I attribute my success to First Tee and the Nine Core Values. As a child I was shy and insecure; now I am a successful businesswoman with a positive outlook on life. I am excited to give back to First Tee – Pine Mountain through serving on the Board of Directors.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Attending the Outstanding Participant & Network Meeting in Nashville, TN in 2013 as a finalist. Before this event, I was not confident in my speech abilities, but after presenting a speech to a full dining room at OpryLand Hotel, a speech is easy now. During the event, I was able to network with other First Tee students from the nation and I even met a college teammate. Being able to create relationships with other First Tee students and coaches was an unforgettable experience. Plus, we met President George W. Bush, Annika Sorenstam, Vince Gill and many others.
Adam Addams
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Chicago
Years with First Tee
10+ as participant and volunteer
What are you doing in your life today?
Senior Engineer Design Tech at ComEd in Illinois. I still love golf, but I’m more of a recreational player and I’m awaiting the arrival of our first child (a future First Tee participant).
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee built my character and my softer personal skills, which I feel none of my peers were taught at that young age. I felt I had a head start and could communicate with my parents and my teachers to leave a lasting impression.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
So, so many, but hard to not pick the first time I played in the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. To play with Bill Murray and meet Tom Watson were thrills, but looking back, I will never forget just being with First Tee friends from Kansas State or various camps, how we were just soaking in the moment, being at Pebble, cracking jokes and freestyle rapping.
Liz Bauernfeind
Chapter
First Tee – Three Rivers Park District
Years with First Tee
I am a marketing manager at Troon.
What are you doing in your life today?
It provided so many positive opportunities at a young age to see different aspects of the world of golf. The coaching, teaching and volunteering experiences poured a foundation that has been crucial to my success.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
It provided so many positive opportunities at a young age to see different aspects of the world of golf. The coaching, teaching and volunteering experiences poured a foundation that has been crucial to my success.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Impossible to pick which of these two memories is my favorite. First, in 2011 I played in the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, paired with Fuzzy Zoeller and I stood at the first tee shaking, almost in tears, fearful I would hit a terrible shot. Instead, I took a deep breath, set my eyes on the target, swung, and watched with delight as my ball split the fairway. Later that school year, as a senior I received word that I was named a First Tee Scholar.
Estey Chen
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Seattle
Years with First Tee
11
What are you doing in your life today?
I spent the last six months working remotely as a researcher at D.C. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, while completing my final year of undergraduate study at the University of Washington and researching for my senior history thesis. I published three articles of my foreign policy research and analysis, one of which Human Rights Watch’s president Kenneth Roth tweeted out and another that migration studies academic group Forced Migration Current Awareness indexed.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
Through leadership opportunities like coaching, being president of our chapter’s Junior Advisory Board, and attending national opportunities, I gained confidence and met friends. My First Tee community has helped me appreciate that the world isn’t so overwhelmingly big.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
All the little, mundane moments of laughter while attending weekly classes are fond memories. But the most surreal experience was being selected as a semi-finalist for a national scholarship. First Tee sent me to Atlanta for several days to interview, sightsee and attend the TOUR Championship.
Brittnay Cross
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Years with First Tee
10+ as participant and volunteer
What are you doing in your life today?
I am the Program Director at First Tee – Greater Charlotte and being recognized as a Pfeiffer University 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee was my life. As an incoming high school freshman new to Sacramento, my parents got me into First Tee to meet friends. It didn’t take long before I realized how much I not only loved golf, but how important the role of a mentor was. I learned the importance of living a life around the core values. My first job (youth coach) and first trip away from home (to Kansas State) were thanks to First Tee. The chapter became my second home, the coaches my family, and if not for First Tee, I’m not sure I would have ever found golf, or gone to college, or grown into the person I am today.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
The Life Skills and Leadership Academy at Kansas State. It was my first time being away from home for that long and the experience was life-changing.
Jasmin Cunningham
Chapter
First Tee – Metro Atlanta
Years with First Tee
8
What are you doing in your life today?
I am an account representative at Titleist Headquarters in Massachusetts.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
It sparked my love of golf. It is where I met lifelong friends. It enabled me to earn a scholarship to attend college.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My first job working at First Tee. As an 18-year-old, I taught a summer golf camp, and I can still picture the smiles we made that summer.
Sara Diaz
Chapter
First Tee – Greater San Antonio
Years with First Tee
7 years as a participant and 4 years serving on the Leader Advisory Board for First Tee — Greater Richmond
What are you doing in your life today?
As marketing manager for the PGA TOUR, I help diversify the audience by reaching new fans.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
An immense impact. From earning an academic scholarship for my undergraduate degree, to transferring from Division II to Division I to continuing my college golf career, to earning a Master’s degree, to working for a steamship line, to my job at the PGA TOUR – it can all be traced to that first day I grabbed golf clubs at First Tee — Greater San Antonio.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Two unforgettable opportunities. In 2008, I qualified for the First Tee participant opportunity at Pebble Beach where I was paired with Tom Watson and later presented the Oroweat Healthy Minds Scholarship. Then, in 2010 I was part of a Royal Bank of Scotland commercial filmed at Jack Nicklaus’ Bear’s Club. Yes, Mr. Nicklaus was featured and yes, after filming I snuck in a putting lesson with him.
Owais Durrani
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Houston
Years with First Tee
6
What are you doing in your life today?
Emergency Medicine Physician in San Antonio.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
It ignited a confidence I didn’t know was inside. I was a shy kid who loved golf, but it took the First Tee experience to teach me about life and the need for confidence. A public speaking challenge, of all things, is a lasting memory. Anxious to win a new Nike driver, I entered a contest that required writing and reading an essay out loud. Though nervous, I conquered my fears and received many positive comments. That day showed me that opportunities could come my way.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
The entire setting of our monthly chapter tournaments on Saturday where my brother and I built lifelong friendships. A nine-hole tournament was followed by lunch with our families, then we’d just hang out into the afternoon, talking and watching sports on TV. I cherish those memories.
Kylie Fong
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Years with First Tee
14
What are you doing in your life today?
I am a pediatric registered nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, working with kids with GI, endocrine and respiratory disorders. Recently, caring for COVID-19 patients has become part of my workday. In addition, I am precepting and teaching the next generation of nurses in their clinicals. On days off, I’m playing a little golf, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
Huge. At first, I just wanted to learn how to play golf, but it morphed into so much more – learning valuable lessons, creating friendships, embracing values and life skills, earning a golf scholarship that enabled me to attend college. To this day, I continue to use everything that I’ve learned through First Tee in my everyday life.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Playing in the 2014 Nature Valley Open (now the PURE Insurance Championship) at Pebble Beach. Playing Pebble had been on my bucket list and it was a great experience to reach the final round, especially with family and friends able to attend. I was also able to meet some amazing people from across the country.
Amber Hardeman
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Dallas
Years with First Tee
10+ years as participant, mentor and volunteer
What are you doing in your life today?
I’m currently based in New Orleans at Tulane University Medical Center as a resident physician in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
By fully committing myself to First Tee — Greater Dallas, I gained dozens of opportunities I could have never fathomed, from the Leadership Academy at Kansas State to two trips to the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, to a forum at Disney World. Though I progressed to become a great golfer, more importantly I learned to be an excellent person. The confidence I gained in First Tee has helped me make changes in my local community as well as worldwide on community service trips in Europe and medical missions in South America.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My first trip to play at Pebble Beach. My team included George Lopez and Lee Trevino. To stay in a home on the golf course that provided incredible views, to be around legends like Arnold Palmer, and to be able to continue a mentorship with Mr. Trevino (we both lived in Dallas) produced one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had.
Shahbaz Hashmi
Chapter
First Tee – Greater San Antonio
Years with First Tee
7
What are you doing in your life today?
Senior at Indiana University; I also work part-time as a financial analyst and a student mentor.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
It served as a vehicle to develop my character and identity. First Tee taught me how to be a leader and a teammate, and how to live my life through a lens of integrity.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Playing alongside Tiger Woods in a pro-am in 2018. I earned the opportunity through my continued involvement as coach and mentor with First Tee. Tiger and I won the pro-am.
Kaitlyn Hayes
Chapter
First Tee – Lake County
Years with First Tee
9
What are you doing in your life today?
I am a Senior Program Director for First Tee – Tennessee in Memphis, and Regional Director (West Tennessee) for the Tennessee Golf Foundation. Recently, I was selected to be an Alumni Advisor for the Participant Advisory Council as well.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
To embrace perseverance and never stop trying. I am excited to meet new people and to travel to new places, putting to use the tools provided to me through First Tee’s programs.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Attending the 2017 Alumni Summit in Orlando. It was awesome to meet other First Tee alums and some officials from headquarters. My favorite memory as a participant was a pro-am with Futures Tour and LPGA Tour members in 2010.
Sheldon (DJ) Johnson
Chapter
First Tee – East Baton Rouge Parish
Years with First Tee
12
What are you doing in your life today?
I am about to begin my second semester at Tulane Law School and currently pursuing a summer associate job or a clerkship with a federal district judge.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
For a soft-spoken kid who lacked self-confidence, First Tee surrounded me with positive role models and countless friends. I was allowed to be myself and gradually built confidence.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Playing in the 2015 First Tee Open (now the PURE Insurance Championship) with Ben Crenshaw was unforgettable, but my favorite experience was my first regional event at the International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, S.C. I learned so much about golf that week and it was one of the first times in my life where I felt surrounded by people who understood me.
Paul Lewandowski
Chapter
First Tee – Cleveland
Years with First Tee
5, also currently First Tee – Greater Houston volunteer
What are you doing in your life today?
Research engineer for BASF in its Engineering Professional Development Program in Houston.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee gave me something to look forward to every Friday and Saturday in high school at a time when not every week was great. I was afforded a fun, uplifting experience around people who cared about me; they would help me bounce back from a bad week or share in the joy of a good week.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Playing our final River Rivals tournaments with First Tee — Pittsburgh after my senior year. I got to play the match with my brother as a teammate, and there’s no one with whom I enjoy playing golf more than with him. We played at Nemacolin Resort and it was a wonderful way to end my time at First Tee.
Harper Lurie
Chapter
First Tee – Howard County
Years with First Tee
10
What are you doing in your life today?
I have graduated college and I am now in an early career rotational program at Northrop Grumman working in Operations and Global Supply Chain in Baltimore, Maryland. I am also coaching classes at First Tee – Howard County this upcoming season!
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
I was taught to be open to new experiences and to step outside my comfort zone. Through First Tee I took my first flight alone and attended a national event where I met new people and was drawn out of my introverted shell. Other national events followed, so did new people, new experiences and new networking opportunities.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Attending the Outstanding Participant & Leadership Summit in Dallas. I still talk regularly to people I met there, and I formed lifelong friendships.
Jessica Kent
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Seattle
Years with First Tee
7
What are you doing in your life today?
I work in media at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is a dream come true because I have always admired the work of this organization. I will be graduating from Rice University with my MBA in May of 2022.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
I embraced one of the values instilled in us, responsibility. Through involvement in the Par and PLAYer classes, I saw coaches make positive impacts in both First Tee chapters and communities, which inspired me to pursue nonprofits and philanthropic efforts. My first job was with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and my passion was stoked even more.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
I prefer to see it as a series of memories: the day-to-day class activities at my local chapter to traveling nationally to meeting fellow golfers from other chapters who are now lifelong friends. It forms a chapter of my life that I will treasure forever.
Drake Mosley
Chapter
First Tee – Golden Triangle (Historical)
Years with First Tee
9
What are you doing in your life today?
I’m working with the PGA TOUR as a data analyst in the Golf Course Properties division. I also work with an employee resource group that strives to celebrate diversity among our work force. I’ve also recently joined the Board of Directors of First Tee — North Florida.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
With seven children in our family, we didn’t have the means to pay for memberships or entry fees into tournaments, so First Tee scholarships opened doors. Given the opportunity to play competitively, I became prepared for a collegiate golf career. Introduced at First Tee to values like perseverance, I gained the necessary confidence to work through the challenge of being Black in a sport dominated by white people.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
It was the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee (then the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach) and having my dad alongside. He had introduced me to golf years earlier, so to know he was afforded the chance to see me in such a setting meant the world to me.
Colm Parrish
Chapter
First Tee – Pittsburgh
Years with First Tee
8
What are you doing in your life today?
I just moved to Houston, TX for a new job in cell therapy development.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
It was critical in developing me as a leader in my community. Always, we were encouraged to leave a place better than how you found it and there was a heavy emphasis on volunteering.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
What stands out is my Ace submission just a few weeks before I started college. To me, it was the culmination of years of hard work and when Executive Director Eric told me I had received certification, I thought it was cool to be able to share that moment with coaches who had been so instrumental in making it a reality.
J.P. Ray
Chapter
First Tee – Tulsa
Years with First Tee
10
What are you doing in your life today?
I graduated law school from The University of Tulsa and I work in the civil litigation department at ABG Law.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
Beyond helping teach me golf, which allowed me to play at the collegiate level, this program taught priceless life skills that continue to open doors for me.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
The chance to play in a First Tee national event at Pebble Beach with PGA TOUR Champions stars such as Hale Irwin, Scott Simpson and Bob Tway. The evening where we listened to Navy Seals, CEOs and Captain Sully Sullenberger, the hero pilot, was special.
Kristen Red-Horse
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Years with First Tee
4
What are you doing in your life today?
I am a mother of two boys, a part-time first grade teacher (because of COVID-19) and a part-time producer for ABC News.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
I was afforded opportunities I needed to become a confident young woman who was not afraid to chase her dreams.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
There are so many First Tee memories and experiences that defined me. But realizing that I can help people and be a mentor was probably the most powerful. Receiving a scholarship to NYU was definitely the most meaningful. What a gift!
Hannah Rens
Chapter
First Tee – Siouxland
Years with First Tee
9
What are you doing in your life today?
I am a Systems Engineer working on Boeing’s Commercial Crew capsule going to the International Space Station, CST-100 Starliner!
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
It provided me with a structured path to improving my golf game, peer and trusted mentors, and interpersonal and professional skills that have been essential in achieving my goals.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
As an Ace student, I was selected to attend the Leaders and Entrepreneurs Forum at Disney World. Getting to meet other students from across the U.S. while listening and working with successful business owners and entrepreneurs was unlike any other experience I had in high school. The business principles and goals I learned have stayed with me.
Raven Sanders
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Houston
Years with First Tee
8
What are you doing in your life today?
Having worked at Universal Creative since moving to Orlando in 2013, I have been involved in engineering, project management and producing. Right now, with the pandemic having hurt the industry, I’m working in visual sales, consulting on themed entertainment projects, and coaching at First Tee.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
On a trip to Orlando for a First Tee Future Leaders’ Forum in 2007, a behind-the-scenes trip to Disney introduced me to Imagineers and I was hooked on themed entertainment. I switched my intended major and after graduate school went to work with Universal, designing new attractions.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Both the trip to Orlando in 2007 and a Life Skills & Leadership Academy the year before introduced me to other students from all over the country and other parts of the world.
Sara Scarlett
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Years with First Tee
8
What are you doing in your life today?
I am an advertising advisor at Chevron Corporation.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
I joined First Tee around the same time that I was diagnosed with scoliosis. Wearing a back brace that extended from my collar bone past my hips – a thick plastic shell that was hard to hide – my confidence was low at a time when I was struggling to have an active and social childhood. First Tee became my sanctuary, a place where I could have a few hours out of my brace to be active and learn life skills, where I learned to look at “the bright side” and persevere.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
As a volunteer in 2019 I was involved in an all-girls event that focuses on leadership development, remaining active in golf, learning the value of being a volunteer, and recognizing the importance of teamwork. Having been in the same shoes as these girls, I was honored to be there as an alumna and a businesswoman and given a chance to bond with these girls.
Luke Shrestha
Chapter
First Tee – Fresno
Years with First Tee
6
What are you doing in your life today?
I am a music producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. I’ve worked on the music for TV shows like The Grammys and The Emmys and theme songs for “The Pack” on Amazon, “The Event” on HBO, the 2018 NBA Finals, and “All American” on Netflix. Most recently, my partner Simon Jay and I are producing up-and-coming artists like Ai Bendr.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
For the industry I’m in, confidence is essential. I owe mine to First Tee, which is where it was instilled in me, along with social skills I needed as a young man.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
I attended an Advanced Player Academy in Virginia and that was such a blast. I met First Tee members who I’m still friendly with.
Brittany Woo
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Richmond
Years with First Tee
18 total as participant, coach and full-time staff
What are you doing in your life today?
Currently I’m the Senior Program Director at First Tee — Greater Richmond and we are wrapping up our very first week of summer camps.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee – Greater Richmond has impacted my life in many ways. The friendships, relationships, and mentorships that I have gained from this organization has impacted me the most. When I was a participant, I looked forward to spending time at the golf course with my “First Tee friends” and my coaches all day long. We would spend countless hours on the course playing golf or just hanging out in the program room.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
My favorite First Tee memory is having First Tee Lock-ins. Eagle/Ace participants were invited to spend night over at a local golf course that had cabins and accommodations. We would spend the day playing golf, golf games, and going over life skills from the season. It was a great bonding experience between the participants and coaches. Golf brought us together, but my favorite memories are when we did things outside of golf with all of my “First Tee friends.”
Taryn Yee
Chapter
First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Years with First Tee
9 as a participant, 12+ as a volunteer
What are you doing in your life today?
I am an Operations Program Manager at Meta.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
I attribute all my successes to First Tee – academically, athletically, professionally and personally. Being associated with First Tee has been one of the most influential experiences of my life. Not only did it help develop my golf game, which in turn opened the door to college, where I competed, but First Tee proved powerful in its mission and supportive in its mentorship.
Favorite memory of your First Tee experience.
Being selected to play in the First Tee tournament at Pebble Beach with the PGA TOUR Champions. The application and interview process was intense, but it produced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that brought us star treatment.