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Natalia is 10 years old and has participated in First Tee – Monterey County programming for almost two years with her siblings Isabella, Andrew, and Javier. Natalia loves coming to afterschool programming and is the first to sign up for STEAM activities at the Center for Learning and golf lessons on the course.

Her favorite moments with First Tee are during camps. During Summer Camp, Natalia built a bond with the coaches that brought out her personality and allowed her to embrace the First Tee Key Commitments and curriculum. During Winter Camp, those relationships established the foundation that encouraged her to dedicate herself to her newfound passion: golf!

Since joining First Tee – Monterey County, Natalias has participated in various special, exclusive opportunities. She began by joining the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, which led her to become a guest speaker with her sister Isabella at the 2022 Donna Zoller Z Gal’s Ladies-Only Tournament and Luncheon, where she shared how First Tee programming and curriculum have shaped her and given her a new direction. She also managed the Closest-to-the-Pin at the 2nd Annual Day at The Hay! Additionally, Natalias has volunteered at both of our Macy’s Fashion Shows! So far, she is most proud of attending the golf clinic with Nicole Iniakov! “I couldn’t believe I was pushing my cart next to Nikki,” Natalia says, “And she signed my golf ball!”

Recently, Natalia was invited to become a mentee to a mentor in the Pay It Forward Scholarship & Mentoring Program. “My mentor helps me feel confident and proud of myself.” In this program, the scholars meet with their mentees at the Center for Learning to offer academic support, empowerment, golf practice, or personal support.

Want to join in on the fun? Register to become a member of First Tee – Monterey County by clicking the button below.

Interested in supporting participants like Natalia and her siblings through First Tee programming? Donate through the button below.

King City, CA (January 12) – In November, we began operating the King City Golf Course. It was far more successful than we anticipated, but that came to an unexpected halt on Monday, January 9, due to the severe rain and wind. The intense weather that Monterey County has received this past week caused the San Lorenzo Creek, which runs through the golf course, to burst its banks and flood the entire golf course. Locals say this is the most severe flooding they have ever seen in King City. 

“Our next step is cleanup, and we are not sure yet how long this will take, but we have begun to experience the true heart of the King City community,” says First Tee – Monterey County CEO Nick Nelson. “Many locals have already pitched in to help, from people bringing commercial hosepipes to help us pump standing water to one farmer dropping off his Gator.”

Ultimately, First Tee – Monterey County has closed the King City Golf Course and postponed any upcoming tournaments until further notice. Until the course is reopened, First Tee programming will be conducted at the schools.

“I think this one step back will help us spring three paces forward in this caring community,” adds General Manager Jeremy Sarina. “I am excited for the newfound opportunities that will come with this devastating news regarding programming and operations.”

Max Damian P. is 14 years old and has been a First Tee – Monterey County Participant for eight years. In addition to being Eagle certified, Max Damian has remained heavily involved with our programming. He has volunteered as a Junior Summer Camp Coach, represented First Tee – Monterey County at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, is active in Youth on Course, volunteered at First Tee – Green Valley Ranch’s Carmel Classic tournament, and even traveled to Wyoming to be a part of The Wyldlife Fund at Little Jennie Ranch. Max Damian also attended our Boots, Bottles, & BBQ and 2nd Annual Day at The Hay. At the 2021 Legends & Leaders Pro-Am event proceeding the Pure Insurance Championship, Max Damian and his team took home the win! Most recently, Max Damina was invited to play in the

“My biggest accomplishment was playing in the TGR JR Invitational Presented By TaylorMade. In the tournament, I used the 4 R’s (Replay, Relax, Ready, Redo), and this really helped me concentrate and play well in the tournament.”

Max Damian P., 14 yrs old, First Tee – Monterey County Participant Since 2014

Nicole I. has been a part of First Tee – Monterey County for nine years! She is currently a high school sophomore and has three second-place finishes in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments! She also played in the Legends & Leaders Pro-Am AND she took first place in the girls’ 16-18 division at the inaugural TGR JR Invitational presented by TaylorMade all this year!

Most recently, Nicole I. competed at the Rolex Tournament of Champions, TPC San Antonio, Texas where she received the 2022 Sportsmanship Award! She shot 78-71-70-75, +6 for the entire tournament, despite all of the rain. Her sincerity, confidence, and intelligence shined throughout the tournament, but especially at the All-American Awards Banquet, where she accepted the 2022 Sportsmanship Award and spoke in front of a crowd of players, coaches, donors, and journalists.

First Tee – Monterey County’s King City Golf Course is proud to host the inaugural Coat & Blanket Drive Golf Tournament, benefiting kids in need throughout King City. The tournament will be held at the King City Golf Course but is postponed due to the course’s closure. First Tee – Monterey County will donate the first $5,000 worth of coats and blankets, and we hope our supporters will match our contribution. 

The community is invited to contribute to the Coat & Blanket Drive and may drop off coats, blankets, or monetary donations to First Tee – Monterey County’s King City Golf Course at 613 S Vanderhurst Ave, King City, CA 93930 or Twin Creeks Golf Course at 1551 Beacon Hill Dr, Salinas, CA 93905. Monetary donations can also be made through the button below.

On behalf of First Tee – Monterey County and the community of King City, thank you for #BuildingGameChangers.

Salinas, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2022) – Twenty-eight First Tee – Monterey County participants throughout the county had the opportunity to explore their interest in golf and beyond during the Growing the Game of Golf Clinic, our first-ever clinic dedicated to growing a passion for golf in kids, which occurred Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at First Tee – Monterey County’s Twin Creeks Golf Course.

What’s your favorite core value?

First Tee – Monterey County Participant Jocelyn S. Asks Pridey

The clinic featured a Q&A with Golf Professional Matthew Pridey and First Tee – Monterey County Board Member Benjamin Zoller. Participants from local schools and participants involved in the Center for Learning’s Afterschool Program attended the clinic. Pridey and Zoller worked with the participants to teach First Tee Core Values, grips, and target awareness through chipping and driving range activities. Participants also received First Tee – Monterey County hats autographed by their favorite coaches, the First Tee – Monterey County Executive Director Jessica Abe, Benjamin Zoller, and Matthew Pridey.

“Along with a good work ethic, you need perseverance. Golf has challenged me to adhere to core values like the ones First Tee teaches you. These values translate into your everyday life, not just on the golf course, and that’s my favorite part of the game,” said Matthew Pridey to the clinic’s participants. “You will go through many challenges throughout your life; the more you preserve, the more confidence you have when you face the next challenges. Nothing is better than preserving through a challenge that once intimidated you.”

First Tee – Monterey County is one youth development organization of over 150 national chapters dedicated to teaching life skills and helping kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. First Tee Headquarters provides to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

This clinic is one of several ways we are Building Game Changers throughout our community.

Benjamin Zoller, First Tee – Monterey County Board Member

For more information on First Tee – Monterey County’s mission, visit firstteemontereycounty.org/ftmc. To learn more about upcoming events, visit firstteemontereycounty.org/calendar.

Join us in Building Game Changers at our annual Winter Camp! Game Changers from ages 7 to 17 will use science, technology, engineering, art, math, and Golf and Life Skills to explore, grow, collaborate, build positive self-identity, use good judgment, and have FUN! Game Changers will learn new concepts daily through hands-on science, technology experiments, art projects, and golf.

The teen’s class will take part in Teen Track with a special emphasis on Life, Exploration, and Preparation through college and career preparation. Teens will also participate in activities like 3D printing, t-shirt printing, embroidery, virtual reality, and robotics!

Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Drop-off is from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Pick-up is from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Winter Camp is split up into two weeks. Week 1 is from December 19 to December 23, Monday through Friday. Week 2 is from December 27 to December 30, Tuesday through Friday. Camp varies in price according to week and age. Members qualify for a 75% discount, and financial aid is available! We offer snacks and ask that kids are provided with lunch, a reusable water bottle, and a jacket!

Call (831) 444-7200 or email [email protected] for any questions. Click the button below to register!

Unfortunately, the city I live in is known for its gang violence. I wanted a better future, free from violence. This is why I joined First Tee. As a participant, I learn from persevering through problems to make the right choices based on my judgments. I am ready to write the future.

Pedro Ortiz at 15 years old, First Tee – Monterey County Alumnus

Pedro Ortiz was first exposed to First Tee – Monterey County when he was a first grader in 2006. Pedro started as green as possible with the game of golf, coming from a city constantly rehashed in Steinbeck’s writings of farms and field labor.  The thing that drew him to First Tee initially was an innocent curiosity and a constant search for success.  He went from coming to class on the school bus only twice a week to visiting us almost every day after school.  Once he achieved First Tee Birdie level, the third achievable level in our program, Pedro embodied what it was like to become a junior coach. He began mentoring the participants around him as their role model.  Because of his admirable effort, Pedro obtained his very first job at First Tee – Monterey County as an Assistant Coach. 

Pedro has the confidence to stand up in front of a crowd and pour his soul out regarding his life and how much First Tee has impacted his goals and ambitions. In 2013, he was chosen to inspire donors at First Tee – Monterey County’s Boots, Bottles & BBQ, an annual fundraising event that has brought in almost $5 million dollars for our non-profit.  Pedro also attended the inaugural First Tee Northern California Leadership Academy in Pebble Beach, where he won The Sandy Tatum Leadership Award. Moreover, he was offered a job at Poppy Hills Golf Course, a prestigious golf course in Pebble Beach, California, based on his participation and motivating acts during the weekend.  

In 2014, Pedro had the honor of attending the First Tee National Trustee Meeting in Pebble Beach, where he had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the Honorary Chair of The First Tee, Former President George W. Bush. He had the privilege to speak in front of George W. Bush, hundreds of golf executives, and billionaire trustees. After the event, the Vice-President of the Tiger Woods Foundation, Jin Thatcher, and Commissioner of the PGA Tour, Jody Brothers, offered Pedro their most sincere help in achieving his goals and instantly inspired Pedro to pursue a career in the business side of the golf industry.  This eventually led to Pedro working for the Pebble Beach Company for three years while he was attending college. 

In 2015, Pedro graduated from Salinas High School with a 3.5 GPA. He received a $20,000 scholarship to attend California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) through The Pay It Forward Scholarship & Mentoring Program.  In 2018, Pedro graduated summa cum laude from CSUMB in three and a half years with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is now the Communications Manager for the San Jose Earthquakes, a professional and major league soccer team. He has been with them for over three years. 

Since 2006, Pedro has been eager to be the difference he knew he, his family, and his community needed, and he has done just that. Pedro is the epitome of what it means to be a Game Changer who embodies the First Tee Core Values and Life Skills.