On September 21, First Tee – Monterey County participant Nikki I., Mentor Jeremy S., Alumnus Greg Classen, and PGA TOUR Champions Professional Tom Gillis. played in the Legends & Leaders Pro-Am presented by the PURE Insurance Championship. The team explored First Tee’s Five Key Commitments and shared invaluable memories together from the course to the Legends & Leaders Viewing Party!
Our rockstars, Naomi R., and her awesome brother, Jacob R., won their division at the 2022 Special Olympics 9 Hole Unified Division in San Jose, California! Special Olympics Northern California hosts fundraising and special events throughout the region year-round. This event is close to Naomi and Jacob as they share a passion for golf and raising awareness for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
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:
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.
Today, we celebrate a partnership with Chevron that has led to $1,000,000 in donations for our Game Changers. The coalition initially began through the AT&T Pro-Am and has since become a long-time partnership dedicated to Building Game Changers. Andrea Bailey, Public Affairs Representative in Monterey County, shares, “At Chevron, we put people at the center of everything we do. Our greatest resource is our people’s inspiration, creativity, and ingenuity.”
Since the inception of First Tee – Monterey County, Chevron has stood in alliance with our vision of providing youth of all backgrounds an opportunity for a brighter future. Chevron has begun programs like the Aces for Access Program, Whole In One, and Chevron STEM Zone and supported First Tee – Monterey County’s Summer Camp to progress toward our community’s shared vision.
The Aces for Access program is part of Chevron’s global education commitment to increase access to quality STEM education and technical training. “Equal and equitable access is essential to improving diversity and inclusion efforts and achieving the benefits of an intentionally inclusive environment,” shares Bailey. Chevron has donated over $663,000.00 to First Tee – Monterey County through this program!
At the 2020 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Whole in One featured the Chevron STEM Zone in partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and First Tee – Monterey County. The program was designed to bring a holistic learning and golf experience, including nutrition, wellness, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), to local youth in Monterey County. Students from Salinas and surrounding areas also received golf training from professional coaches and lessons on nutrition, physical fitness, and sportsmanship from local experts!
In February 2022, Chevron USA, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Cameron Champ Foundation, and First Tee – Monterey County hosted a local golf clinic pledging $100,000 toward diversity, equity, and inclusion through the game of golf. The clinic will be hosted by PGA Tour star Cameron Champ and rapper and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrity golfer ScHoolboy Q. During the event, Chevron, Cameron Champ Foundation, and Monterey Peninsula Foundation made a combined $100,000 donation to First Tee – Monterey County to be the founding partners for the chapters’ search for a permanent programming site on the Peninsula. “It is exciting to bring an intentional plan to expand our programming to positively change the lives of young people in Seaside, Marina, and other cities on the Peninsula,” Nick Nelson, CEO of First Tee – Monterey County, said.
For the second Summer, Chevron is the presenting sponsor of First Tee – Monterey County’s Summer Camp. This eight-week program is filled with so many fun and exciting opportunities. First Tee – Monterey County uses the summertime to introduce our character education and life skills programs to our local youth, helping kids and teens prepare for success at school, at home, and in their community. Like First Tee – Monterey County’s year-round course, the summer curriculum is divided into five levels, each with a different focus that helps kids develop their sense of self-a curriculum that Chevron strongly supports.
Building Game Changers is essential for creating a world where energy is affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner. Chevron and First Tee – Monterey County aims to inspire the next generation of innovators who can tackle complex challenges in life: building resilience and perseverance. Building Game Changers.
have received the tools to set goals, resolve conflicts, and manage their feelings at First Tee – Monterey County’s Summer Camp.
have received the tools to set goals, resolve conflicts, and manage their feelings at First Tee – Monterey County’s Summer Camp.
in scholarships for 18 incoming freshmen of the Pay It Forward Scholarship & Mentoring Program joining CSUMB in the Fall.
CASA of Monterey County presents its 2nd Annual Fore the Kids Golf Tournament. You will not want to miss this exclusive opportunity! Designed by renowned course architect Jay Morrish, golfers will experience the stunning, private course of actor/director Clint Eastwood. Tehama Golf Course sits atop the hills of Carmel and overlooks Monterey Bay.
Par 3 Challenges • Three $10,000 Hole-in-One Challenges – In the winner’s honor, hole-in-one awards $10,000 – $5,000 take home and $5,000 donation to CASA of Monterey County. • Win a Getaway in a 3 bedroom, 3 Bath Carmel Cottage – Closest-to-the-Pin Challenge #1 – Closest to the pin at the end of the tournament will win 3 days/2 nights in a vacation rental located in the Gold-en Rectangle of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The perfect place for an exquisite getaway – valued at $2,500. • Win a Stylish Ladies Tudor Watch – Closest-to-the-Pin Challenge #2 – Closest to the pin at the end of the tournament will win the Tudor Glamour Date, steel and yellow gold, self-winding watch, which features a champagne dial with ten diamonds on a stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp and safe-ty catch-valued at $4,250.
Shotgun scramble. The top three foursome teams with the best-combined scores will win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. All golfers will receive access to the course’s short-game practice areas, a gift bag for participating, breakfast, and snacks. The day will conclude with a celebratory lunch and awards ceremony.
Register by July 31st and receive a free mulligan.
Having fun with intention creates a safe, engaged, and exciting environment where kids will get the most out of training. Beginning a practice with a set intention or a goal emphasizes clear communication. A set intention for practice also encourages kids and coaches to celebrate small victories; otherwise, practices become dull and cause burnout.
Changing activities builds excitement for kids and allows for more opportunities. When a coach is creating a new activity, they should ask themselves: How can I make the goal of this activity challenging with different processes? Changes can include minor tweaks to the activity’s lesson plans based on the personalities and skills of the kids.
“Modifications can be as simple as adding more color with setup and golf balls! The kids love point systems based on similar shapes or colors around them, like If a kid has a red putter, they challenge themselves to target the red noodle for 2 points.”
Coach Jose, Level III
A bit less structure, adaptability, and modifications bring fun to the kids, and they will feel more heard and included. More excitement from the kids leads to more engagement and opportunities for creativity and inclusivity.
“My favorite game is Noodle Blasters because we get to use the colored clubs and tennis balls to hit all the different noodles for different points,” – said Sophia J., First Tee – Monterey County Participant.
Do you want to have fun with intention? A great way to do so is during a game of 21 on the putting green.
21 is a game that can be set up all day for programming for kids of all ages! 21 embraces adaptability with easy modifications to the setup, equipment, rules, and point system. The game is set up with a team (or two for an exciting competition!) and two ropes-or more! During the setup, there is a line of cones for kids to line up behind, with rope lined up in front of the cones. The spaces between the ropes should gradually become thinner. Each space between the ropes is worth a different amount of points-the narrower the area, the more points. The first team to accumulate 21 points wins, but they cannot go over 21 points!
The game requires strategy, teamwork, and distance control. If a team goes over 21 points, a coach can subtract 12 points- or bring the team back to zero points! For an added challenge, you can have the team (or teams!) switch sides to experience different environments. You can keep up the challenge by playing on other greens, requiring players to adapt and create new strategies!
Teenagers from all different walks of life came together for a week of exploration and adventure.
Four First Tee – Monterey County participants, Timmy A., Fabian P., Max Damian P., and Ernesto S., spent a week experiencing the outdoors at Little Jennie Ranch, an active cattle ranch located in Bondurant, Wyoming. Little Jennie Ranch is family-owned and partners with The Wyldlife Fund to impact young people’s lives. The Wyldlife Fund’s mission is to unite people to advance wildlife habitat, research, and education.
The four teenagers earned an all-expenses paid, once-in-a-lifetime week-long trip through a scholarship program provided by The WYldlife Fund. “It was so enjoyable seeing all these kids experience the outdoors as they have never experienced before,” said Chris McBarnes, President WYldlife Fund.
“By far, the best part was experiencing this with people from across the country and friends from First Tee. We even met kids from other First Tee’s,” shared Max Damien P., First Tee – Monterey County participant.
Program leaders guided the kids through fishing, horseback riding, stargazing, and Game Warden’s even taught the kids about the different species local to Wyoming! “The stargazing took my breath away because the sky lit up with all the starlight!” said Fabian P., First Tee – Monterey County. Additionally, the group learned about wildlife habitats and research to help them understand the precise and efficient allocation of resources on the ground to advance wildlife projects.
This opportunity would not have been possible without the generosity of Geoff Couch, Board Chair First Tee – Monterey County, Chris McBarnes, and Little Jennie Ranch. “Every teen’s life was memorably impacted, and each has a whole new perspective on Nature ” said Chris. “Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You shared so much with us and have inspired me to be the best, most honorable version of myself,” Timothy A. said sincerely.
Watch the video below to learn more about their adventure!
Would you like to make an experience like this possible for your local Game Changers? Click the button below or email Mitch Massey at [email protected].
Brayden G. has been selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. as a participant, and Coach Cynthia A. has been selected to attend as an Alumni! First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is an evolution of our longest-standing participant event, the Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy, to address the challenges and experiences our teens face in their daily lives and better equip them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities. To learn more, please visit https://firsttee.org/game-changers-academy/.
Corrine O. has been selected to attend the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy as an Alumni! This all-girls event focuses on leadership development, remaining active in the game of golf, learning the value/impact of volunteerism, and recognizing the importance of teamwork. To learn more, please visit https://firsttee.org/john-deere-leadership-academy/.
Derrick O. has been selected to be a part of First Tee Participant Advisory Council as an Alumni Mentor! The Participant Advisory Council was created to provide opportunities for youth to express themselves, voice their ideas, and provide input for projects or programs that will impact the experience of all First Tee participants. To learn more, please visit https://firsttee.org/first-tee-participant-advisory-council-alumni-mentor/.
To further empower your local Game Changers, please click the button below.
Sixteen-year-old First Tee – Lake County (Hammond, Ind.) participant, Steven Outlaw, was notified during the 2001 First Tee Network Summit, the annual gathering of those within the First Tee network, that he was going to have to make his speech earlier than originally scheduled. The events to follow happened in a way that only fate decides.
Steven describes it as “being in the right place at the right time.” Using one of the first skills instilled into First Tee participants, as well as taught within his own household, on how to properly introduce yourself to others, Steven walked right up to one of the other speakers of the evening, former president of Georgetown College, Dr. William Crouch, and shook his hand. Steven’s demeanor stood out to Dr. Crouch and gave him quite the idea.
Following Steven’s speech, Dr. Crouch scrapped his own prepared comments and surprised Steven with a full scholarship to Georgetown College and news that he planned to provide a full scholarship to First Tee participants every year following. This full-ride scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of furthering Steven’s education.
Bob Krause, former vice president of institutional advancement at Kansas State University, followed suit with Dr. Crouch’s pledge. The First Tee Scholars Program was born and set to begin by 2003 with the inaugural class of Scholars, many of whom Steven is still in touch with today.
L to R: Christopher Hawkins, First Tee – Metro Atlanta alumnus and First Tee Scholar Class of 2003; Adam Ruegg, Troon Golf; Steven Outlaw, First Tee – Lake County alumnus and inaugural First Tee Scholar; Rod Jackson, First Tee – Metro Atlanta alumnus; Brandon White, current Program Director First Tee – Lake County.
As the inaugural First Tee Scholar, Steven graduated from Georgetown College with a degree in political science. After college, he enrolled in the PGA, PGM Accelerated Program. After completing two levels of the program, he secured an internship with Troon Golf, a leading golf management company. He has since worked with Troon Golf for nearly 15 years, starting in Arizona and traveling overseas to work in the Middle East, and in Malaysia managing The Els Club Teluk Datai (rated #83 in the world by Golf Digest in 2016).
More recently, Steven serves as the PGA Director of Golf at Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, managed by Troon Golf. Steven has been a PGA Class A Professional for more than 10 years and currently serves on the Southwest Section PGA Board of Directors and is very active with Troon’s D&I Council. Going forward, Steven aspires to ascend the ranks in the PGA of America, with a passion specifically around diversity, equity and inclusion and positive change within the game of golf.
Though Steven had numerous amazing opportunities during his time as a First Tee participant, he now prides himself in exploring what he can do for First Tee as an adult. He works closely with First Tee – Lake County, often supplying the chapter with donations.
“These opportunities would not have been possible without First Tee and the core values instilled in me such as perseverance and confidence. Much of what I learned during my time with First Tee I use now to strengthen and empower my team. I am forever grateful and honored to be part of such a great organization. I look forward to the future of First Tee and the path they will pave for the next generation.”
Eleven years after Steven’s speech, the First Tee Scholars Program continues to thrive. It has since received a face-lift following Greg McLaughlin being named First Tee CEO in 2019.
Relaunching officially in 2020, President George W. Bush, honorary First Tee chair, congratulated the first class of the revamped program. First Tee College Scholarship Program now extends its impact to alumni beyond financial support, providing personal and professional development throughout their post-graduate careers.
Each of the Scholars is paired with a dedicated, trained adult mentor who helps 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, and up to $5,000 per year toward tuition.
“First Tee aims to inspire and empower every young person in the program to set goals and begin pursuing them,” said McLaughlin. “The First Tee College Scholarship Program is intended to motivate young people to stay in the program and support alumni as they matriculate through the college.”
In recognition of First Tee’s 25th anniversary, the Class of 2022 includes 25 First Tee Scholars. This time, Steven Outlaw has turned the tables, joining as a mentor to one of the Scholars.
“I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by great professionals as I progressed through my time with the First Tee. These individuals helped me grow not only in golf, but personally and professionally. I consider myself lucky to be able to return the favor to the next generation!”
We believe in helping youth succeed – on the golf course and in life. Learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.
Did you know more than 80 percent of First Tee chapters offer programming specifically for girls?
“Growing up playing golf, I never imagined being in the golf industry,” said Rebecca Caimano, assistant executive director at First Tee — Greater Philadelphia, who joined the chapter in 2011 to help grow its girls programming. “It was tough being the only female who played golf.”
Now, Rebecca is among thousands of leaders/coaches who are involved in First Tee.
First Tee views golf as a metaphor for life. It’s not the score that counts, but what you learn along the way. The game is a perfect practice ground for learning skills that extend far beyond the course. Let’s face it, digging deep when things get tough is a natural part of our sport – and life – experiences.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary (& Women’s Golf Day), First Tee is proud of the role we’re playing in helping more young girls embrace the sport and what they can learn through it. Thanks to many female coaches and leaders throughout our network – like Rebecca – we are a safe place where girls can come, be themselves and learn from coaches and role models on the course and in the business world.
Also, thanks to organizations like USGA (a Founding Partner), LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and John Deere, sponsor of the Drive Your Future Academy, a national leadership development opportunity for female First Tee teens, we continue to intentionally offer opportunities for girls’ personal growth and development in many ways.
While many First Tee alumnae have gone on to work in golf, others have excelled in different areas, including medicine, journalism and public affairs. And we think that’s great for them, and for the world around us.
Studies have shown that women leaders are engaging and collaborative, yet it hasn’t always been easy for women to break into many top leadership roles. Golf can help.
Ninety percent of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf, according to the PGA of America, and more than half of all businesspeople believe golf is a valuable networking tool. Women executives believe that a background in sport was helpful to career advancement because it prepared them to work better in teams, and behaviors and techniques can be applied to the corporate setting (Women’s Sports Foundation).
First Tee teaches valuable life skills that can help girls as they become leaders. Through our personal growth and junior golf programs, we encourage girls to build self-confidence that they’ll carry with them into their future.
“I originally stuck with it [golf] because I wanted to beat my brother,” Rebecca continued. “And now, here I am, using a sport that changed my life to change others.”
Now, that’s girl power.
Approximately 25% of First Tee’s coaches are women, and we’d love to increase that number! If you are interested or know of a passionate female leader in your life, please point her here to get involved: https://firsttee.org/get-involved/coach-volunteer/
The First Tee College Scholarship Program provides valuable, life-changing opportunities for the youth of First Tee; helping them prepare for success is at the core of our mission. We believe in encouraging youth to pursue their dreams and further their education. This year, the scholarship committee selected six scholarship recipients.
Meet the 2022 scholarship recipients!
