Partners

CapTech joined First Tee as trustee in 2021. Their investment in First Tee will support curriculum enhancements, technology innovations, ongoing research and expanding diversity and inclusion initiatives for the growing network of 150 chapters. CapTech will also lend leadership and expertise to First Tee for its national participant opportunities. In September, CapTech led a workshop on “Developing Your Personal Leadership Brand” at the First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy. CapTech also supported the First Tee Innovator’s Forum in October and helped twenty-eight First Tee participants create service projects during their creativity, innovation and goal development session.

“We are proud to support a world-class organization like First Tee that shares our passion for developing and empowering young people,” said CapTech Chairman Sandy Williamson. “We believe technology can help create a more diverse and inclusive future in which youth can confidently compete on a level playing field. CapTech is committed to leveraging our capabilities as innovators, engineers and strategists to accomplish this very important purpose.”

In addition to its commitment as a Trustee, CapTech is supporting First Tee — Greater Richmond in its creation of a state-of-the-art golf technology lab at the Belmont course, newly redesigned by Davis Love III’s company, Love Golf Design. With an emphasis on inclusivity, the lab will support training and development for youth of all skill levels through the innovative use of data, design and technology. A central goal of the lab is to use data available from golf training tools, mobile devices and third-party sources to connect and integrate functionality.

Charles Schwab has been a proud partner and supporter of First Tee since 1999.

Through the First Tee College Scholarship Program, Schwab’s commitment helps provide need and merit-based scholarships up to $5,000 to selected alumni. The program also includes professional development workshops, assistance with internship placement and adult mentors who help encourage and guide the scholars throughout their collegiate journey.

Thanks to Schwab grants, nine Texas chapters have invested in infrastructure and partnerships, mentorship and programs, allowing them to serve more young people and make a deeper impact with kids and families in their communities.

Charles Schwab support allows our Texas chapters to continue serving their communities, creating a space of belonging for every kid and teen – no matter what walk of life.

Chevron shares a deep connection to First Tee’s mission, having been a proud supporter of First Tee since 2011 and becoming a Trustee with a $1 million commitment and providing ongoing support through several initiatives. The Chevron and First Tee partnership has created a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of millions of young people across the country.

Chevron believes that the best partnerships are built around shared values. Chevron’s foundation is built on the same core values of First Tee. Together we won’t just build better golfers; we will build character.

Over the past 10 years, Chevron has supported several First Tee chapters with on-site activations and fundraising programs. At PURE Insurance Championship, the Chevron Challenge has provided $200,000 in college scholarships to First Tee graduates. The funds are awarded to 20 alumni, making it possible for participants to take the first steps in making their dreams come true. The impact of the program is best described by one of the 2020 Chevron scholars: “Thank you for supporting me this past year in attaining higher education. As the first in my low-income family to attend college, I am entirely grateful.”

In addition to the financial support, Chevron’s STEM ZONE has been a fixture at many golf events. The STEM Zone is a traveling clubhouse that uses sports and golf to showcase the science of the game in a fun and engaging environment – to inspire and empower the next generation of data scientists, engineers and broadcast technicians. Over the past 10 years, thousands of First Tee students have had hands-on experience at golf events such as the PURE Insurance Championship.

“Thanks to the past and present relationships Chevron has forged with partners—stakeholders and shareholders—we continue to enable human progress around the world. We could not be prouder of our workforce, and we embrace the opportunity to create a future of sustainable progress and prosperity,” said Steve W. Green, President, Chevron North America and First Tee Trustee Designee. “While there will be challenges, we know that the power of human energy will lead us to a brighter future.”

In the words of First Tee alumnus and Chevron employee Sara Scarlett: “I have firsthand seen the alignment between the First Tee’s core values and The Chevron Way. Growing up as a participant, I gained foundational skills, such as confidence, perseverance and goal setting, that now allow me to be a successful employee. I am proud to work for a company that gives back to the community, especially to an organization that has impacted me so much.”

More than ever, Chevron’s meaningful and impactful commitment will be a game changer for First Tee. It will continue to enable kids and teens to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.

The Coca-Cola Company North America has been a proud partner and supporter of First Tee since 2005.

Dedicated to impacting communities, The Coca-Cola Company supports First Tee through a number of different initiatives.

Thanks to Coca Cola’s support we are able to host an annual participant event, America’s Future. Every year, Coca Cola awards five participants the chance to experience working at its headquarters in the heart of downtown Atlanta. During the event, participants visit the Coca – Cola headquarters, attend a VIP experience at the TOUR Championship and partake in an interview process. The interview process determines the winner of a $5,000 scholarship, offering the remaining four runners-up a $1,000 scholarship.

Beyond the event, Coca – Cola supports the First Tee end of year giving campaign. Through their matching gift initiative, we are able to reach new audiences and increase the awareness of the First Tee mission. Above and beyond supporting the First Tee headquarters, Coca – Cola continues to make a tremendous impact through the local First Tee of Metro Atlanta Chapter. Learn more about Coca – Cola’s local support here.

In addition to their sponsorship of the John Deere classic with the PGA TOUR, John Deere has been a supporter of First Tee’s mission since 2012. John Deere’s support extends to several different initiatives, including The John Deere Drive Your Future Academy and Power for Good competition.

The John Deere Drive Your Future Academy is an all-girls event focusing on the impact of volunteerism, understanding the significance of values and skills learned through playing the game of golf, and recognizing the importance of building a strong network.

The ‘Power for Good’ competition recognizes participants who have a passion for improving their local communities through hard work and determination. Winners are selected for demonstrating their commitment to service and leadership and how their work is connected to the values learned through First Tee. Contest winners will have an opportunity to play in the John Deere Classic Pro-Am and serve as a power for good at a local volunteer event. Additionally, each winner will receive a financial contribution toward their higher education.

Mastercard has been a proud partner and supporter of First Tee since 2002, as well as the preferred payment system of the PGA TOUR.

Thanks to Mastercard’s support we were able to exceed our goal of reaching 10 million young people. Their support has helped chapters across the country expand programs, grow our presence in schools and develop partnerships with after-school program locations. Thanks to this growth, First Tee continues to reach young people from all backgrounds, including those who are underserved and/or underrepresented

In addition to national support, Mastercard has contributed to a number of local chapters across the country including Metropolitan New York, Greater Saint Louis and Connecticut.

PGA TOUR Superstore has been a proud partner of First Tee’s mission since 2008. Their support extends to several different initiatives, including a leadership summit in Montana, the First Tee Scholarship program, teen retention initiatives and the First Tee School Program. In addition to supporting our national efforts, the PGA TOUR Superstore supports over 31 local communities in which they serve, including a PGA TOUR Superstore leadership Series.

This year, more than 1,300 First Tee teenagers will have the opportunity to participate in an annual five-week leadership development program at PGA TOUR Superstores. Additionally, 40 teens from across First Tee will be selected annually for a week-long summit at West Creek Ranch in Montana, an inspiring retreat space owned by PGA TOUR Superstore owner, Arthur M. Blank and with an intended purpose of growth, education and coming together to make a difference.

TaylorMade Golf and First Tee are celebrating 20 years of partnering in support of young people, their families and their communities. For the last two decades, TaylorMade has provided resources and access to equipment and accessories that have helped thousands of young golfers on their journey with the game.

In 2021, they will expand their support efforts to reach the children of active military personnel and veterans. This underscores TaylorMade’s commitment to our nation’s youth and the brave men and women in uniform.

“A majority of the military kids attending our program had one of their parents deployed. Coming to First Tee was highlight of their day. Many of the kids never touched a golf club before and once they came, they didn’t want to go home.” – Jill Brown, Executive Director, First Tee -Augusta

The Toro Company has been a proud supporter of First Tee since 1998, providing ongoing support of participant programming through several national and local initiatives, as well as equipment and irrigation for facility maintenance.

Over the last 23 years, Toro has supported chapter grants including, STEM Links Field trips, Live Green Environmental and Course Improvement events, and most recently COVID relief assistance.  Over a five-year period, Toro co-sponsored The Future Leaders Forum, a unique educational experience that brought 250 students from across the country to Walt Disney World for a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into hosting a professional golf event and exposure to careers in golf.  In addition to programmatic support, Toro graciously donates new golf course maintenance equipment annually to deserving chapters that are solely responsible for golf course operations and maintenance.  This donation helps ensure that First Tee participants experience golf on a well-maintained course.

Ninety percent of our alumni consider themselves lifelong golfers and 96% of teens credit First Tee for improving their golf skills. Thanks to Toro’s 23-year partnership , we are able to continue creating experiences through the game of golf that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience in millions of youth across the country.

First Tee alumni will have the opportunity to incorporate their learnings and leadership development into a career in the sciences. By joining together with the First Tee College Scholarship Program, TruGreen will help support selected alumni with scholarships up to $5,000 per year for four years. Scholars will receive assistance with internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. The program also pairs First Tee scholars with dedicated adult mentors who help encourage and guide them throughout the college experience.

TruGreen associates will serve as mentors and contribute to professional development and educational sessions, helping to share industry knowledge and science-based expertise with the scholars.

“At TruGreen, we’re committed to our mission to Live Life Outside through the local expertise we offer our customers along with our contributions to local communities,” said John Cowles, President & CEO of TruGreen. “Our partnership with First Tee allows us to support deserving students across the country as they pursue their dreams of higher education while sharing our love of the outdoors with the next generation of leaders.”

Wells Fargo has been a proud supporter of First Tee since 2012 as well as the sponsor of the PGA TOUR Wells Fargo Championship.

Each year, through the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together Contest, 30,000+ teenage First Tee participants are eligible to participate in an essay contest focused on celebrating the impact the organization has on students across the country. Participants share how First Tee has had a positive effect on their lives. The contest winner is invited to attend the Wells Fargo Championship and play with a PGA TOUR player of their choice in the pro-am event.

For more information on this event, visit: https://firsttee.org/programs/youth-opportunities/succeedingtogether/

Wells Fargo also piloted a new program with 12 First Tee chapters across the country, giving their participants the opportunity to participate in the Hands on Banking  program, which offers free, non-commercial financial educational tools and resources. The interactive, engaging, and easy to navigate program, which is available in English and Spanish, provides valuable lifelong skills to prepare First Tee teens for their future.