Category: Blog

PURE Insurance Surprises First Tee Participant with Scholarship at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship

PURE Insurance Grows Its Support of First Tee with a Commitment for $1M to the First Tee College Scholarship Program

PEBBLE BEACH, CALI., Sept. 22, 2022 – First Tee®, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, announced Isabelle Junio as a First Tee Scholar for the Class of 2023, thanks to the support of PURE Insurance.

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, most recently with their support of First Tee College Scholarship Program through a commitment of $1M over five years.

Leaders from PURE Insurance extended a surprise invitation to the scholarship program to 17-year-old Isabelle Junio, a high school senior from First Tee – Phoenix, yesterday at the PURE Insurance Championship.  Junio is a senior at Millennium High School with a GPA of 4.58. She volunteers for the Agua Fria Fine Arts Festival and aspires to become an engineer.

 “Our admiration for and support of this incredible organization continues to grow,” said Katherine Richardson, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at PURE Insurance and Head of PURE Foundation. “It’s particularly gratifying to know that we can impact the remarkable young men and women of First Tee, like Isabelle, in such a powerful way.” 

The surprise happened during a private fundraising event hosted by PURE and benefiting the First Tee College Scholarship program.

Earlier this year, First Tee announced the Class of 2022 First Tee Scholars. With 25 Scholars, it’s the largest to date and includes Jacob Zakaria who was surprised by PURE at the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship.

Junio, Zakaria and all the scholars in the program are paired with dedicated, trained adult mentors who will help encourage them throughout their college experience, including virtual and in-person meetups. In addition, the scholars have access to professional development workshops, financial assistance, and help securing internships and job placement. PURE Insurance employees will serve as mentors and the company will contribute to professional development and educational sessions, sharing industry knowledge and expertise with the scholars, as well as offer internship opportunities.  

“Pursuing a college degree is both competitive and challenging for today’s graduating high school students,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We’re grateful for PURE Insurance’s commitment to our mission through the PURE Insurance Championship, and now through the First Tee College Scholarship Program. This meaningful partnership will allow us to support more First Tee alumni through their college experience with the support of PURE Insurance and its dedicated employees.”  

With the support of PURE Insurance and other generous donors, First Tee will expand the Scholarship Program to more than 200 Scholars by 2030. To learn more about First Tee, please visit https://firsttee.org/.  

Overcoming Obstacles: First Tee Teen Going to Pebble Beach

Isabella Lohr was in for a big surprise earlier this year.

She met PGA TOUR player and First Tee alum Austin Smotherman during the AT&T Byron Nelson in May, where he told the 17-year-old from First Tee –  Dallas that she was selected to play in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship.

Isabella is one of 78 First Tee participants who will tee off at Pebble Beach during the tournament, which will take place Sept. 23-25, 2022 and airs on Golf Channel.

“It’s the greatest honor anyone could receive, playing at Pebble Beach,” she said.

The welcome news came after a tough time for Isabella. She lost her childhood friend Dylan Dorrell on August 13, 2020, at the age of 17. He collapsed at a cross country practice and died at the hospital from an undetected heart condition. She says it’s the hardest experience she’s had to overcome.

“Grief was an obstacle I was not ready to face in life. It was a tremendous loss for me personally as every fond memory I had as a child included him.”

Shortly after Dylan’s passing, his parents created a foundation, #runforDylan in his memory.

“We were all still grieving but watching his parents turn their grief into a positive helped me gain a different perspective on life’s purpose.”

Isabella decided she too would honor his memory. In addition to nine years with First Tee, Isabella has been involved with Girl Scouts for more than a decade and decided to focus her Gold Award Project on raising funds for the #runforDylan Foundation.

Her project focused on organizing an annual 5K fun run to build awareness and gain funds for the foundation. More than 800 people participated in the inaugural event on the morning of November 6, 2021, raising close to $25,000. The proceeds will help fund AEDs at local parks in the community.

***

First Tee is celebrating its 25th anniversary of teaching life skills through the game of golf. Follow the PURE Insurance Championship at PGATOUR.com.

The Power of the PURE Insurance Championship: First Tee Alumni Success Stories

For the last 19 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has welcomed teens from First Tee chapters nationwide to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Throughout the week the teens apply the life and leadership skills learned from First Tee programs during an event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world.

For many of the teens who are selected for the tournament, the experience opens their eyes to the possibilities in golf and beyond as they are contemplating post-secondary education and careers, and in some cases, managing fears and emotions. This week, we take a look at several alumni who played in this tournament and how they’ve applied the lessons they learned from First Tee and this experience to reaching for their dreams.

Michelle Xie, First Tee — Silicon Valley

Played in 2013 with Kirk Triplett

Michelle recalls her participation in the PURE Insurance Championship as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She played and won the tournament in 2013 alongside Kirk Triplett. The two established an immediate connection, which led to coachable moments on how to manage the mental and physical demands of the game – both on and off the course.

Nothing compared to the exhilaration, nerves and pressure Michelle felt walking down the fairway with Triplett as their pro-junior team was in contention. Those moments of mentorship provided Michelle great perspective to deal with the rigorous schedule of being a student-athlete at Harvard University.

Michelle graduated from Harvard in 2019 with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. She played on the women’s golf team, receiving numerous accolades including being named the 2018 Ivy League Individual Champion and was voted as team captain her senior year.

In 2019, Michelle moved back to the Silicon Valley and is working as a software engineer. Although she is not spending as much time at the golf course as she once did, Michelle still uses the many time management and problem-solving skills she learned from competitive golf and First Tee. Now that Michelle is back home, she has become a volunteer coach at the First Tee — Silicon Valley to mentor the next generation of participants.

Rayshon Payton, First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City

Played in 2005 with Gil Morgan

An alumus from First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City, Rayshon remembers watching the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on TV in 2000. From that point on, he dreamed of playing on the course one day himself. This dream became a reality in 2005 when he was selected for the PURE Insurance Championship, paired with PGA TOUR Champions player Gil Morgan. They found themselves in the final pairing on Sunday at Pebble Beach where Rayshon ended up holing out from the 12th bunker on national television.

Rayshon has continued to pursue his dreams off the course. He interned at The White House, working in the office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs where he had the opportunity to work with Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. Today, he is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, College of Law, and has since held positions with the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and Representatives Kendra Horn (D-Oklahoma) and Mike McIntyre (D-North Carolina).

Rayshon currently works as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the US Department of Justice.

Sara Scarlett, First Tee — Greater Sacramento

Played in 2011 with Jerry Pate

Being selected for the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants. That was definitely the case for alumna Sara Scarlett.

She joined First Tee around the same time that she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. Sara’s confidence was low, and she was struggling to balance her medical needs with the desire to have an active and social childhood. First Tee became her sanctuary – a place where she learned the life skills and core values that would ultimately shape her into a confident teenager who always looked on the “bright side.”

In 2011, she played in the PURE Insurance Championship with Jerry Pate. Some of Sara’s favorite memories include chipping in on the 10th hole at Pebble Beach and the motivational talks with her partner. Sara went on to play on the women’s golf team at University of Texas, graduating in 2017.

Sara has grown the last few years in her career and is currently working as a Digital Director . Sara says she is lucky to have been taught the value of diversity at a young age from First Tee.

Taryn Yee, First Tee — Greater Sacramento

Played in 2009 with Jim Thorpe

For alumna Taryn Yee, playing in the PURE Insurance Championship was the first major goal she set for herself and accomplished on her own merit. Yee claims that she felt like a star when she first arrived at the 2009 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Taryn played with Jim Thorpe, and she says the biggest takeaway was how confident she was at the end of the tournament. The PURE Insurance Championship and the lessons she learned there have provided her self-confidence that she carried with her through college and now into her successful career.

Taryn was a student-athlete at University of California, Irvine. As a freshman, she was selected to attend the PwC Executive Forum at THE PLAYERS Championship as an alumni opportunity with First Tee. At the event, she met PwC executives, spoke with clients and was introduced to the business industry and public accounting. This experience led to a new goal for Taryn, which was to graduate with an accounting degree and become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She accomplished that goal, which ultimately led her to career opportunities at PwC, The Gap, and her current position at Facebook headquarters.

Through setting goals and perseverance, Taryn has been able to stay positive and work through challenges to achieve her goals.

“I have the confidence that I can accomplish anything. There is no such thing as an intangible goal!”

Justin Potwora, First Tee — Greater Portland

Played in 2017 with Bernhard Langer

It wasn’t too long ago that alumnus Justin Potwora was holding up the PURE Insurance Championship trophy with his partner, Bernhard Langer. Meeting First Tee participants from across the country and hearing about their experiences and perspectives left a lasting impact on Justin.

Justin graduated this spring from Southern Methodist University where he majored in finance. During his time in college, he was the Philanthropy Chair for his fraternity which raised more than $50,000 for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Just is currently working as an Investment Banking Analyst for UBS in their Americas Energy Transition Group. He credits First Tee with teaching him how to act professionally, selflessly and never compromise his character and values in whatever he sets out to accomplish.

John Louie, First Tee — Monterey County

Played in 2009 with Donnie Hammond
Played in 2010 with Bobby Clampett

John joined First Tee — Monterey County not long after its inception in September 2004. John attended Salinas High School, but had visions of achieving more. One day he told his father that by using “Goal Setting,” a life skill he had learned at First Tee, he had set a goal to attend Stevenson High School. John applied himself and with his parents’ support, John became a Stevenson “Pirate.”

John competed on the golf team for Stevenson and represented First tee — Monterey County in the 2009 and 2010 tournaments at Pebble Beach.

John was accepted to Middlebury College in Vermont, playing on the men’s golf team for three years. He was tempted to stay on the East Coast and work in finance in New York City like many of his fellow Panthers. However, his heart was in Salinas and the agricultural town where he grew up. He was offered a position with Tanimura & Antle, one of the top agricultural companies in Salinas.

He has since worked his way up the company and now leads one of the firm’s recent acquisitions, PlantTape. John serves on the Board Committee for Taylor Farms Center For Learning. In 2018, he was nominated as a member of the Board of Directors of First Tee — Monterey County, where he continues to give back by mentoring teens in the program.

Learn more about how we provide access to the game and new opportunities through our character-building programs.

Four Teens Earn Selection into the First Tee College Scholarship Program

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL.  (September 12, 2022) – First Tee participants from Minnesota, Massachusetts, San Francisco and Orange County, Calif. have each been awarded scholarships and selection in to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. The teens were selected following their participation in the First Tee Leadership Series and Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore based on their intentional and innovative commitment to personal growth and development as leaders throughout the course of the program.

First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore congratulate:

  • Gabriella Mercado from First Tee – Orange County:  Gabriella is a 16-year-old high school junior from Placentia, Calif. She’s been involved with First Tee for seven years. She holds a 4.0 GPA and has aspirations of playing college golf and then becoming a sports lawyer.  Gabriella enjoys community service and in her first two years of high school accumulated more than 225 hours.
  • Jaylyn Remolona from First Tee – San Francisco: Jaylynis a 15-year-old high school junior from San Francisco.  Jaylyn attends Mercy High School in Burlingame has been involved with First Tee for seven years. She holds a 3.65 and outside of school her two hobbies are golf and singing.  
  • Kyzar Joshi from First Tee — Massachusetts: Kyzar is 17-year-old high school senior at Ashland High School in Ashland, Mass.He has been involved with First Tee for more than 10 years. He holds a 4.12 GPA and his career aspirations include playing college golf and majoring in finance or economics in college.  Kyzar serves as his class treasurer, and helped lead the Ashland High School golf team to the state section tournament. Kyzar is in the process of completing the ACE level of the First Tee Curriculum.
  • Saloni Somia from First Tee – Minnesota:  Saloni, from Plymouth, Minn.,is a17-year-old high school senior at Minnetonka High School. She has been involved with First Tee for four years. She holds a 4.0 GPA and serves as the President of her school’s National Honor Society, Captain of the Minnetonka Girls Golf Team, Founder and President of Everyone Eats (an organization that provides homeless youth allergy friendly foods) and co-founded a teen-led YouTube channel that gives good allergy advice to teens.

As First Tee Scholars, the teens will receive support throughout their post-graduate careers. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. In addition, each scholar is paired with a dedicated, trained adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the college experience, including virtual and in person meetups. The program also provides professional development workshops held in person throughout the year.

“We are very proud of these four deserving teens from across the country,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “They each showed dedication and impressive character traits throughout the Leadership Series and Summit.  They are leaders in their schools, at home and at their First Tee chapters. Through the First Tee College Scholarship Program, we will continue to support them in their personal and professional development and empower them to hone their leadership skills as they pursue their careers. We’re thankful for partners like PGA TOUR Superstore who support these game changing initiatives.”

The four teens were selected from the more than 250 participants who attended the Leadership Series and Summit.  Boasting an average GPA of 3.9 the teens meet the College Scholarship Program eligibility requirements which are based on academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism.

First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners who stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission. For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman Arthur M. Blank 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 youth across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series and Summit.

“We are committed to being a positive influence in our communities and truly believe in the positive impact sports has in developing and supporting youth,” said Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We are proud to partner with the First Tee to empower young people with values-based leadership skills that will help them succeed throughout the course of their life. Congratulations Gabriella, Jaylyn, Kyzar and Saloni.”

Photos and broll of the Scholars is available here.

The Key to Setting Reachable Goals

Have you ever thought about your achievements in life? What were the dreams and ambitions that you wanted to work towards? How did you get there? At First Tee, these are the type of questions we propose to kids and teens to help them understand the process of attaining goals; but to reach their goal, they must first understand how goals are formulated.  

A goal is something that you want to do, be or have, but it’s not something that you can do, be or have right at this moment. It’s something you must work to get in the future, and you can apply that to any challenge in life. For example, if your child wants to achieve Honor Roll and receive all As and Bs in school this year, what would that require them to do? They would need to do well on tests and assignments. How would they accomplish that? Encourage them to take good notes, turn in their work on time, and study for their tests. 

For kids, having guidelines or tools can effectively help them identify their goals and make them feel comfortable about reaching them. At First Tee, we utilize four guidelines to do this. Talk to your child about the dreams they currently have and try these out for yourself. 

Four Guidelines for Setting a Reachable Goal: 

  • The goal is Positive: 
    • I want to achieve a passing score of 80% or higher vs. I don’t want to fail this test 
  • The goal is Important to You: 
    • The goal needs to be important to you, not to someone else. You should be able to explain why you want to achieve it and why it will make a difference for you. 
  • The goal is Specific: 
    • You want to know exactly what you’re working toward. 
  • The goal is Under your Control: 
    • Your efforts will allow you to achieve this goal vs. Something that is out of your control like becoming famous or winning the lottery. 

Goal setting is a strategy kids and teens will apply for the rest of their life. When we set our goals, we want to be very clear about them so that we have the best chance to achieve them. The key to remember is that goals come in all shapes and sizes. Just because it doesn’t work for someone else doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve it. Your kids will learn from both their achievements and setbacks, but as they begin to set personal goals, they will learn and grow in ways that you did not think possible. 

Want to get involved with what we are building at First Tee? Click here to find out more. 

First Tee & Southern Company Present ‘Game Changers Pavilion’ at TOUR Championship

Kids and families invited to an interactive experience inspired by First Tee’s mission at Southern Company’s SO COOL Zone, Aug. 24-28

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL. & ATLANTA, GA.  (August 16, 2022) – First Tee Game Changers Pavilion, an interactive experience inspired by First Tee’s mission to empower young people to become game changers in their communities, will return to the 2022 TOUR Championship, Aug. 24-28, in Southern Company’s SO COOL Zone.

The 1,200 square-foot, air-conditioned space will bring to life what it means to be a game changer and help connect youth attending the tournament to the excitement and personal impact associated with golf and First Tee programs offered throughout the country.  

Highlights of the immersive experience include an “Aim for Greatness” digital video board and our “Make an Impact” paint wall that will provide fans an opportunity to swing a golf club and empower them to embrace challenges and work together to make something beautiful through golf.

Visitors will also be invited to pose as a standard bearer in the “Good Group” photo op and encouraged to post on social media tagging the game changers in their lives who encourage them to be the best version of themselves. Kids are invited to top their visit off with a complimentary SO COOL snow cone.

The First Tee Game Changers Pavilion is being made possible by Southern Company, First Tee’s Education Patron since 2012. Southern Company’s support has helped to expand the First Tee School Program to an additional 1,400 schools in communities across the country reaching more than 700,000 students annually.  

“We are thankful to work with longtime partner Southern Company again this year to host the Game Changers Pavilion at the TOUR Championship,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This year is special as we celebrate our 25th anniversary of empowering young people. We look forward to using this national platform to inspire and engage even more kids and teens with our game-changing programs.”

As part of the week’s activities, First Tee – Metro Atlanta will bring hundreds of kids from their chapter and after-school community program to experience the TOUR Championship and the Pavilion.

Once again, the TOUR Championship will offer its Youth Ticket Program, which allows for two youth ages 15 and under per ticketed adult to be admitted free of charge to watch the PGA TOUR’s best players compete for the FedExCup.

On the morning of Thursday, Aug. 25, the HOPE Tee Shot will honor two First Tee — Metro Atlanta participants – Haven Ward and Ethan Quitman – in a special ceremony on the first tee just minutes before the first pairing tees off in the TOUR Championship. The tee shot is a symbol and reminder of the hope that continues to build in the East Lake community and throughout Atlanta.

To learn more about 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. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of youths 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 Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a net-zero future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine,

DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, Forbes and the Women’s Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Media Contact:
Sara Henika
[email protected]
(904) 881-7398

CDW Gets Behind First Tee as a Trustee, Supporting Its Character-Building Programs  

CDW Supports Chapters, Coaches and Technology Advancements

PONTE VEDRA, FL. and LINCOLNSHIRE, ILL., August 4, 2022 – First Tee®, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, has welcomed CDW as its newest Trustee.  As a global leader in technology products and services for business, government, and education, CDW’s investment will support essential technology enhancements to meet the evolving needs of the coaches, kids and families that First Tee serves. 

“CDW is proud to stand behind First Tee as a Trustee,” said Anand Rao, chief marketing and digital officer for CDW. “Part of our support will help the organization to modernize its technology. This aligns very well with CDW’s aspiration to achieve equity by closing the digital divide that persists in traditionally underserved communities. In our connected world, CDW believes every person should be able to experience the unlimited possibilities that technology unlocks.” 

First Tee has embarked on a multi-year re-investment to modernize and enhance the organization, including curriculum, brand and technology evolutions. As a Trustee, CDW will support virtual coach trainings to ensure nationally trained coaches are empowered to deliver First Tee’s enhanced character-building curriculum at chapters across the country.  In addition to the trainings, CDW will make a significant impact on a local level through chapter grants in select markets.  These grants will be utilized to support technology advancements and upgrades, including devices, connectivity and security. 

“CDW is helping us break the barrier of connectivity between chapter leaders, coaches, and families,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “The impact of their support will be long lasting as we continue to evolve and reinvest in our character building programs to ensure we reach kids and families in new and innovative ways.” 

The Trustee designation comes following a week of inspirational and empowering golf activities hosted by CDW for First Tee – Greater Detroit participants during the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The week kicked off on Monday with an unveiling of a new Trackman golf simulator at Durfee Innovation Society, a program location for the chapter, followed by a junior clinic on Tuesday featuring PGA TOUR player Gary Woodland among other notable golf personalities.   

“Creating positive, long-term community impact is only possible when we work together,” said Todd Krieger, Interim Chief Executive Officer, First Tee-Greater Detroit “We’re thankful for partners like CDW who are helping us create fun and safe spaces for our kids to build their confidence and further explore their interest in golf and the opportunities it can provide.” 

Launching in 1997, First Tee is celebrating 25 years of enabling kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at golf courses, schools and youth centers in all 50 states and at six international locations.    

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

About CDW 

CDW Corporation (Nasdaq: CDW) is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW was founded in 1984 and employs approximately 14,600 coworkers. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2022, CDW generated Net sales of approximately $23 billion. For more information about CDW, please visit www.CDW.com. 

###      

MEDIA CONTACTS:    

Sara Henika, First Tee     
[email protected]  
904-881-7398

Sara Granack, CDW 
[email protected] 
847-419-7411 

First Tee Leadership Summit in Partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore Kicks off at West Creek Ranch in Montana

Two-week Summit empowers 40 teens to hone leadership skills and identify values while providing dynamic team activities such as whitewater rafting

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, (August 3, 2022) – The second-annual First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore has kicked off at PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman and First Tee Board Member Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana.

First Tee, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, and PGA TOUR Superstore is once again holding the summit for 40 teenagers from across the country. Twenty of the selected youths have been participating in the first week from August 1-5, and 20 others will attend from August 8-12.

To start week one, the teens heard from Michael Vick via zoom on “The Power of Decision Making” as well as Lodge Grass Basketball Coach Josh Stewart on using sport as a vehicle for change.

The First Tee Leadership Summit is designed to strengthen leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities with the intended purpose of personal growth, education and coming together to make a difference. Daily leadership themes include Building Authentic Relationships, Growing through Challenge, and Building Positive Self Identity.

Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch, the Summit gives teens the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities including golf, fly fishing, yoga, meditation, horseback riding, archery, whitewater rafting and hiking. The teens are encouraged to apply their learnings through these activities for hands-on professional and personal development. 

“As we begin the second-annual summit this week, we can already see the transformative experience taking place for these remarkable teens,” said Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We are thankful to be a part of such a meaningful and impactful event for these motivated teenagers.”

“We honored to host this meaningful week for these participants who will learn skills to take with them for the rest of their lives,” added Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “PGA TOUR Superstore is supporting our mission and we thank Arthur Blank for his commitment to our country’s youth.”

Professional golfer Shasta Averyhardt will be featured the second week.  Shasta is scheduled to speak about pursing your passion and understanding that while your journey may not be a straight path, to embrace the learnings along the way.  

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 their four-year collegiate experience.

To be eligible for the Summit, teens participated in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country this spring. Teens also completed applications and were selected based on character-driving criteria. The diverse group of selected participants – 24 young women and 16 young men – on average have spent seven years in the First Tee program and their average GPA is 3.85.

For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and Arthur Blank 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 youth across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series, Summit and scholarships.

The Leadership Summit 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.

Photos are available for download here.

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS – AUGUST 1-5

Name                                               First Tee Chapter

Braden Bernaldo                    First Tee — Coachella Valley (CA)

Anna Brown                            First Tee — Coastal Carolinas (NC)

Aidan Cervetti                         First Tee — Tampa Bay

Katelyn Chan                         First Tee — Silicon Valley (CA)

Myles Cobb                            First Tee — Greater Chicago

Matthew Cook                         First Tee — Metro Atlanta

Jacie Goodman                     First Tee — Florida Gold Coast

Maleyna Gregorio                  First Tee — Coachella Valley (CA)

Wesley Helmer                       First Tee — Greater San Antonio

Ava Hurtado                           First Tee — Greater Austin

Zara Karim                              First Tee — Greater Washington, DC

Carson Kawabata                 First Tee — Utah

Isabella Lohr                           First Tee — Greater Dallas

Jake Myre                               First Tee — Tucson

Victoria Ocampo Acosta       First Tee — Orange County (CA)

Alanis Santiago Maldonado  First Tee — North Florida

Ethan Selvers                         First Tee — Metropolitan New York

Anay Sigala                            First Tee — Fort Worth

Saloni Somia                          First Tee — Minnesota

Isabella Zamarron                 First Tee — Greater Houston

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS – AUGUST 8-12

Name                                               First Tee Chapter

Mahek Acharya                     First Tee — Greater Chicago

Dominic Clayton                    First Tee — North Florida

Eliana Damsgard                   First Tee — Minnesota

Saidah DaSilva                       First Tee — Massachusetts

Haady Elneser                        First Tee — Florida Gold Coast

Isabella Herrera                     First Tee — Silicon Valley (CA)

Kyzar Joshi                             First Tee — Massachusetts

Sarah Kohler                           First Tee — Metropolitan New York

James Labukas                     First Tee — Tucson

Joshua Lee                             First Tee — Greater Austin

Elise McGirt                             First Tee — Raritan Valley (NJ)

Gabriella G. Mercado            First Tee — Orange County (CA)

Katherine Miskimen               First Tee — Phoenix

Abi Newell                               First Tee — Greater Houston

Josephine Nguyen                 First Tee — Greater Washington, DC

Carson Platt                           First Tee — Coastal Carolinas (NC)

Jaylyn Remolona                   First Tee — San Francisco

Isabella Rubio                        First Tee — Florida Gold Coast

Jacob Ryan                            First Tee — Central Florida

Isaac Stewart                         First Tee — Central Ohio

***

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)  

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.  

About PGA TOUR Superstore

PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports and 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:
Dana Gordon
BZA PR on behalf of First Tee
[email protected]
856-397-2917

Sara Henika, First Tee
[email protected]g

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

A RISE ‘Critical Conversation’ featuring Golf Channel’s Damon Hack, 76ers Isaiah Joe and leaders from the sports industry to kick off the weeklong dialogue around issues of race and equality


PONTE VEDRA, FL. (July 18, 2022) − 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. Philadelphia, July 19-23, 2022. Seventy-two teens from First Tee chapters across the country have been selected for the five-day learning and empowerment academy to explore issues of identity, racism, equity and empathy. 

The week will kick off with a RISE ‘Critical Conversation’ on Tuesday, July 19 featuring Golf Channel’s Damon Hack, PGA TOUR’s Vice-President of Community & Inclusion Marsha Oliver, Villanova University’s Assistant Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Director of UNITAS Leashia Lewis and First Tee – Greater Philadelphia’s Assistant Executive Director Rebecca Caimano. Corey Posey, Sr. Director of Programs & Curriculum at RISE will moderate the conversation on the topic of identity and how we talk about race.

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 through 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 a scavenger hunt in the city of Philadelphia and golf outings at Walnut Lane Golf Club and Merion Golf Club where they will continue to build upon their connections with other participants from around the country and hear different perspectives from their peers.  

“Diversity, equity and inclusion have been part of the fabric of First Tee since the beginning, and we are proud to provide an event that allows teens from across the country to go deeper on the subject,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “First Tee is about empowering these young people to be game changers in their community. Congratulations to the 72 teens for being selected from a national pool of candidates to represent their First Tee chapter at this event.”  


This Academy is an evolution of First Tee’s longest standing participant event, the Life Skills Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. The event was enhanced in 2021 to address the challenges teens face in their daily lives and better equips them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities. 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. For more information on First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org. 

Featured Participants:   

Natalie McKenzie, First Tee – Greater Seattle  (Bellevue)

  • 17-year-old rising senior boasting a 3.943 GPA  
  • Natalie has been involved with First Tee for twelve years and is the president of First Tee – Greater Seattle’s Junior Advisory Board
  • Plays on varsity girls’ high school golf team  
  • She is the founder and president of the Biotechnology Club at her school where she arranges lectures with local research scientists to expose students to the field 
  • Aspires to be an actuary in the biotechnology field  

“Learning about many different perspectives cultivates a well-rounded understanding of the world around us. This ongoing experience allows individuals to collaborate with others in complementary and eye-opening ways.”

Victoria Farkas, First Tee – Fort Worth  

  • 16-year-old rising junior boasting a 3.8 GPA  
  • Victoria has been involved with First Tee for seven years, where she is the vice president of the Junior Advisory Committee at the chapter.
  • Participates in sports medicine with the football and girls’ soccer teams at her high school  
  • Aspires to play collegiate golf and earn an academic or sports scholarship  

“I’m the only colored golfer at my school and the only Hispanic girl golfer as well. I wish to help Hispanics embrace who they are because we can be that one person that makes a difference and contributes to a richer life experience that others may not get to show.”  

Ethan Selvers, First Tee – Metropolitan New York (Westfield, NJ)

  • 15-year-old rising sophomore boasting a 4.2 GPA  
  • Ethan has been involved with First Tee for seven years 
  • Member of the Small Business Club and the No Place for Hate Committee at his high school 
  • Aspires to have a career in finance  


“Everyone possesses a unique history, and almost everyone I know has long-standing traditions that are unique to their family, religion, or nationality. While our histories and traditions may be different from one another, we all share a common existence and need to learn from one another so that we can utilize our differences to foster innovation.”  


Thalia Hoyos, First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City (Yukon)

  • 15-year-old rising junior boasting a 3.6 GPA  
  • Thalia has been involved with First Tee for six years
  • She is a member of the DECA club at her school, where she organizes community service and fundraising
  • Plays on her high school’s varsity girls’ golf team  
  • Aspires to golf on the LPGA Tour  


“When I moved to Riley, Kansas, I was the only Hispanic girl in my freshman class. Because of my exposure to diverse individuals and keeping an open mind to their viewpoints, I was able to participate in things I would have never thought I would have previously done.”  

__________________________________________________________________

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

A Game for All

First Tee Chapters provide inclusive golf and character building programs for all kids and teens 

By Megan Hart, First Tee HQ 

About a quarter of Americans have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but as many organizations have redoubled their focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in recent years, this group can often go overlooked in discussions on the topic. 

For 25 years, First Tee has shown up every day, determined to ensure that every kid and teen feel welcome and included. First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is just one example of our Chapters who promote inclusive programs.  

The Chapter partners with organizations like Els for Autism, Special Olympics of Hamilton County and SCRATCHgolf to serve players of all abilities and skill levels, proving golf is for everyone. 

Thanks in part to the United States Golf Association’s IDEA Grant, the chapter has been able to expand its opportunities for all kids. The IDEA Grant was created to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility efforts at the local golf level. This grant program awarded $200,000 from USGA to First Tee Chapters across the country in 2021. 

“USGA’s support is a game changer for the youth in the communities that we serve,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “With these grants, our chapters are opening the door to even more youth, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities, to explore the possibilities in golf and beyond as they build their character and life lessons through the game.” 

The USGA’s efforts to make golf more inclusive go far beyond its work with First Tee. The association will host the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst this July, which will feature the globe’s top golfers with disabilities, including those with limb impairments, intellectual and neurological impairments and seated golfers. Among the field is First Tee — Tampa Bay alum Joey Hill and First Tee — Triangle alum Zachary Duncan! 

‘You just have to love the kids and find out what they need’ 

First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is focused on reaching children from all backgrounds and abilities, and with the help of the USGA and other organizations, they have found creative ways to become more accessible. 

The Chapter will bring back programming for kids with autism this fall after it was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff first trained with Els for Autism in 2018.  

Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky also partners with Special Olympics of Hamilton County to introduce participants to golf. The program attracted about 20 kids per year before the pandemic, and it’ll return this summer for a weekly series.  

Three kids have transitioned from the Chapter’s Special Olympics program to its golf course program, and Executive Director Alicia Yund recalls seeing a Special Olympics participant return for a community field day hosted by the chapter. 

“It was cool to see him thriving and see how all the other kids were in awe of him and his ability to hit the ball,” she said. “It’s great when all kids are included.” 

Wendy Mockabee manages the School Program at First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, which integrates First Tee’s life skills program into elementary and middle schools in the community. One of the participating schools exclusively serves special needs students, and it’s been inspiring to see how teachers have adapted First Tee programming to meet the needs of the kids. For example, teachers attached a leaf blower to a golf club so children with mobility challenges could instead push a button to move the ball. 

In addition, the chapter hosts programming for kids with life-threatening and chronic health challenges, including SCRATCHgolf. In partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute and the Congenital Heart Alliance of Cincinnati, the chapter recently held a multiday camp for kids with heart defects, who are then provided scholarships for future programming. 

“We’ve been very focused on making sure all kids have a safe space, an environment where we’re prepared to make any modifications necessary to make them feel welcome and part of First Tee community,” Yund said. “Weaving accessibility and inclusion into programming — outside of finding more volunteers — it’s not a daunting or taxing effort. You just need to love the kids and find out what they need.” 

A number of First Tee chapters within the network offer youth development and programming for participants with disabilities. Contact your local chapter to learn more. 

Find a Chapter

40 Teenagers Selected to Attend Second-Annual First Tee Leadership Summit in Partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore

Hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana, the summit will give the teens opportunities to enjoy dynamic outdoor activities while learning leadership concepts and key values

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL. and ATLANTA, (July 13, 2022) − First Tee, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, is partnering with PGA TOUR Superstore to hold their second-annual Leadership Summit from August 1-12. Forty teenagers from across the country have been selected to attend this year’s Summit, hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman and First Tee Board Member Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana.

Twenty of the selected youths will participate in the first week from August 1-5, and 20 others will attend from August 8-12.

The diverse group of participants – 24 young women and 16 young men – on average have spent seven years in the First Tee program and their average GPA is 3.85. From an aspiring Urban Planner who wants to ensure underserved communities have access to public facilities to a researcher who wants to cure food allergies, many of the participants already have impressive plans for careers that will improve their communities.

The First Tee Leadership Summit is designed to strengthen leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities with the intended purpose of personal growth, education and coming together to make a difference. The curriculum explores concepts such as positive risk-taking, relationship building and identifying character strengths.

Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch, the Summit will give teens the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities such as golf, fly fishing, yoga, meditation, horseback riding, archery, whitewater rafting and hiking, and will be encouraged to apply their learnings through these activities. 

For the second consecutive year, former NFL standout and motivational speaker Michael Vick will be a featured guest speaker during the first week of the Summit. Professional golfer Shasta Averyhardt will be featured the second week.

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 their four-year collegiate experience.

“In our first year, we saw a group of incredible teenagers participate in a transformative experience which changed their outlook on life and leadership,” said Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We are committed to supporting First Tee and to be a part of something impactful and meaningful in the students’ lives.”

“Congratulations to the 40 teens selected for this one-of-a-kind leadership event,” added Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “As we saw last year, the summit provides an opportunity for these talented teens to immerse themselves in personal growth that will help them strengthen their leadership skills while forging deep relationships with peers from across the country. We are once again grateful to Arthur Blank and PGA TOUR Superstore for supporting our mission as we work to empower the next generation through intentional and innovative opportunities like the First Tee Leadership Summit.”

To be eligible for the Summit, teens participated in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country this spring. Teens also completed applications and were selected based on character-driving criteria. 

For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and Arthur Blank 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 youth across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series, Summit and scholarships.

The Leadership Summit 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.

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS – AUGUST 1-5

Name                                                         First Tee Chapter

Braden Bernaldo                        First Tee — Coachella Valley (CA)

Anna Brown                                 First Tee — Coastal Carolinas (NC)

Aidan Cervetti                             First Tee — Tampa Bay

Katelyn Chan                              First Tee — Silicon Valley (CA)

Myles Cobb                                  First Tee — Greater Chicago

Matthew Cook                             First Tee — Metro Atlanta

Jacie Goodman                         First Tee — Florida Gold Coast

Maleyna Gregorio                      First Tee — Coachella Valley (CA)

Wesley Helmer                            First Tee — Greater San Antonio

Ava Hurtado                                First Tee — Greater Austin

Zara Karim                                   First Tee — Greater Washington, DC

Carson Kawabata                     First Tee — Utah

Isabella Lohr                                First Tee — Greater Dallas

Jake Myre                                     First Tee — Tucson

Victoria Ocampo Acosta         First Tee — Orange County (CA)

Alanis Santiago Maldonado  First Tee — North Florida

Ethan Selvers                               First Tee — Metropolitan New York

Anay Sigala                                  First Tee — Fort Worth

Saloni Somia                               First Tee — Minnesota

Isabella Zamarron                     First Tee — Greater Houston

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS – AUGUST 8-12

Name                                                         First Tee Chapter

Mahek Acharya                          First Tee — Greater Chicago

Dominic Clayton                         First Tee — North Florida

Eliana Damsgard                       First Tee — Minnesota

Saidah DaSilva                            First Tee — Massachusetts

Haady Elneser                              First Tee — Florida Gold Coast

Isabella Herrera                          First Tee — Silicon Valley (CA)

Kyzar Joshi                                   First Tee — Massachusetts

Sarah Kohler                                First Tee — Metropolitan New York

James Labukas                          First Tee — Tucson

Joshua Lee                                   First Tee — Greater Austin

Elise McGirt                                   First Tee — Raritan Valley (NJ)

Gabriella G. Mercado                First Tee — Orange County (CA)

Katherine Miskimen                   First Tee — Phoenix

Abi Newell                                     First Tee — Greater Houston

Josephine Nguyen                     First Tee — Greater Washington, DC

Carson Platt                                 First Tee — Coastal Carolinas (NC)

Jaylyn Remolona                       First Tee — San Francisco

Isabella Rubio                              First Tee — Florida Gold Coast

Jacob Ryan                                  First Tee — Central Florida

Isaac Stewart                               First Tee — Central Ohio

***

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)  

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.  

About PGA TOUR Superstore

PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports and 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:

Dana Gordon
BZA PR on behalf of First Tee
[email protected]
856-397-2917

Sara Henika, First Tee
[email protected]

PGA TOUR Professional Austin Smotherman Joins First Tee as an Official Ambassador

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL., (July 12, 2022) – PGA TOUR professional and First Tee alumnus Austin Smotherman has been named an official ambassador of First Tee. A Loomis, Calif. native, Smotherman participated in the Greater Sacramento chapter from age seven until 18 and developed his golf game and character during his time in the program. As an ambassador, Smotherman will showcase his involvement with the youth development organization and the impact it has on his life to help inspire the next generation.

Smotherman is debuting the First Tee logo on his bag this week during the Barracuda Championship in support of the program and its mission to empower kids and teens to build their strength of character through golf. As an ambassador, he will also give his time to meet with participants, donors, and chapter leadership to inspire more support of its mission and participation of the program.

“I’m honored to take on this role as First Tee Ambassador,” said Smotherman. “Looking back at my time as a participant, I really value the balance of developing my character while I was also developing my golf swing. Those experiences and the skills I acquired helped shape who I am as a person and now as a professional athlete. They still guide me today as I navigate the ups and downs of this game that I love.”

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, congratulations to Austin Smotherman on today’s announcement regarding his new role as official ambassador of First Tee,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Competing on the PGA TOUR requires hard work and perseverance and his story and the character strengths he developed during his time in First Tee will help inspire many kids and teens as they explore the many opportunities golf can provide. Austin paying it forward is another example of what makes the PGA TOUR – and our members  – so special.”

During his time in First Tee, Smotherman progressed through the program, transitioning from a participant to a junior coach and mentor to the younger kids. In 2009 and 2010 he played in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee and in 2011 he earned First Tee – Greater Sacramento’s Core Value Award.

In 2016, he graduated from Southern Methodist University where he played on the men’s golf team. After competing for two seasons on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica (2017 –2018) he transitioned to the Korn Ferry Tour (2019-2021) until he earned his PGA TOUR card in August 2021. Smotherman is the third First Tee alum, following Scott Langley (retired) and Cameron Champ, to achieve this milestone.

“We are proud to welcome Austin as our First Tee ambassador,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This is a special moment as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and the lasting impact we are having on youth and alumni across the country as they pursue their careers and passions, both on and off the golf course.  His commitment to giving back and dedication to living out his values is an inspiration and will impact many lives.”

Launching in 1997, First Tee is celebrating 25 years of enabling kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at golf courses, schools and youth centers in all 50 states and at six international locations.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)  

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.  

Contacts:
Sara Henika
[email protected]
(904)881-7398