First Tee - Greater Richmond, Author at First Tee - Greater Richmond

Henry Powell Recaps His Innovators Forum Experience

The First Tee Innovators Forum is an annual event that allows for youth in the First Tee programs across the globe to come together to make change in their communities. This year, First Tee – Greater Richmond chapter was privileged as Henry Powell was selected to attend the event in Dallas, Texas, in conjunction with the First Tee Network Summit Nov. 16-19.

Henry began his First Tee journey at eight years old and has been part of our programs since. He began at the Player level, progressing to 14+ (formerly Eagle) and is currently a member of our Junior Advisory Board.

Henry was one of 28 participants selected to attend the Innovators Forum from across First Tee chapters across the globe and was selected based on academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation.

Youth gathered to work on their service projects to bring back to their local communities. Each day was comprised of workshopping, guest speakers, and meetings with mentors and First Tee alumni. The goal was for alumni and mentors to give participants advice that would allow them to implement their service projects back in their local community.

Henry’s service project involved bringing STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) education to his local community, Petersburg, Va.

“STEM has been a monumental factor in my life, because I go to a technology school now, and I get all these great opportunities around technology,” Henry remarked. “But some kids in Petersburg don’t even get introduced to anything related to STEM. I want to bring STEM to them for free through my high school robotics team.”

Henry plans to continuing working on his project over the next few months and hopes to build a team at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and community to assist him in implementing his plan, which he hopes to roll out in spring 2023.

At the Innovators Forum, participants enjoyed a private session with former President George W. Bush, in which Henry was able to pose a question for the 44^th president.

“I asked him in his life, what has he done to manage stress? He told us that he has found something to him that he enjoys, and takes time out of his day to do it. He said he has done a lot of painting and he said this really helped him relax. He recommended that we find something like that in our lives and set aside time to do that to keep us healthy.”

Following the Innovators Forum, Henry was selected as a recipient of the First Tee Innovators Forum Scholarship participant. This is an award that is given to a select group of that recognizes youth who have thrived in their community and creating their service project. When asked what this award meant to him, Henry said:

“It means so much. While I was there, the experience I had with them (First Tee Alumni and Mentors) was life changing alone. The professionals helped me so much and gave me such good lessons that I’ll never forget. And for them to be so gracious and give this award to me makes me even more thankful because it shows me that they recognize the hard work that I was putting in. And I’m just so thankful for everything that they’ve done for me.”

The Innovators Forum marked the culmination of Henry’s experience with First Tee – Greater Richmond, and he recognizes how the chapter has impacted his life.

“First Tee got me into golf, obviously,” Henry said. “That’s something I do a lot, but more importantly, it has changed my character. At First Tee, one of the most important things they teach you are life lessons. In every class, you go over a core value. The core values have really changed who I am for the better.”

River City Collegiate Classic Nominated as RVA Sports Awards “Moment of the Year”

RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 20, 2022) – The inaugural River City Collegiate Classic presented by Truist is among the three nominees for the RVA Sports Awards’ “Rebkee Moment of the Year,” it was announced on Friday. The “Moment of the Year” award is given to the participants in a moment in the past year that energized Richmond sports fans, displayed remarkable athletic skill, or demonstrated incredible sportsmanship.

The RVA Sports Awards recognize those athletes and leaders who have made a major impact on their community through sports. The second annual RVA Sports Awards show will air live from Altria Theater on Saturday, Feb. 4. The community can vote on the RVA Sports Awards – through Sunday, Jan. 15.

“We were thrilled to enter into the partnership with First Tee – Greater Richmond to create the River City Collegiate Classic as we continue our efforts to bring more diversity and accessibility to the game of golf,” said Steve Schoenfeld, Executive Director of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. “The fact that the launch of the RCCC is a finalist for the RVA Sports Awards is unexpected, but certainly exciting!”

The inaugural River City Collegiate Classic was a partnership between First Tee – Greater Richmond, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic and The Country Club of Virginia, with seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) competing at both CCV’s James River Course and the renovated and reimagined Belmont Golf Course.

Virginia Union took the inaugural team championship, led by individual medalist Alkin Barkley. VUU head coach Lee Coble described the three days as a “breakthrough event for collegiate golf.”

“Thanks to the staffs at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, the Country Club of Virginia, Virginia Union and First Tee – Greater Richmond for their efforts to make this event possible,” said Kelly Brown, First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Vice President of Impact. “For our First Tee participants to get to play alongside these first-class student-athletes during the Am-Am furthers our vision to strengthen the character of our community.”

In addition to the two days of competition, the event also included the Harris Williams Am-Am at Belmont, where two amateurs from the Richmond business community were paired with one of the collegiate student-athletes and a junior golfer from First Tee – Greater Richmond.

Additional information on the RVA Sports Awards is available here.

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First Tee – Greater Richmond’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

With holiday shopping underway, our staff wanted to pass along their favorite golf-related gifts this season.

All of these items can be purchased at our facilities or via provided links.

All three of our facilities also have gift certificates, gloves, tees and balls, which make for the perfect stocking stuffer!

Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart

The Bag Boy Niton push cart is the easiest-opening cart in golf, making it the perfect accessory if you’re planning on walking the course. The push cart features a lightweight frame which opens and closes in one easy step for simplified storage and transport.

To place an order for your Bag Boy Nitron push cart, click here!

Subscription to The Golfers Journal

Through unparalleled storytelling, The Golfer’s Journal has built a community of the world’s most-passionate golfers. Member benefits include quarterly delivery of TGJ, access to their digital members-only clubhouse, exclusive events at some of the worlds best golf courses, podcasts, short films, newsletters, discounts on merchandise and apparel and more.

Join or gift a subscription using this link and The Golfer’s Journal will donate 20% of all sales to First Tee – Greater Richmond!

TaylorMade, Titleist, Callaway or Mizuno Clubs

Our facilities carry the latest clubs from TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist and Mizuno – from Stealth to Rogue to TSR and JPX 923’s, we have what you’re looking for.

Our professional staff is available to custom-fit you to the latest from all four manufacturers before or after the holidays!

Lessons & Fittings with Our Professional Staff

The professional staff – Ian, Sterling, and Tim – are ready and available to help you elevate your game with a club fitting or lesson.

Lessons are available in single, three or five-session blocks. Group and junior lessons are also available. Our staff can fit for Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway and Mizuno to help you improve your game, too!

To learn more about lessons, or to contact Ian, Sterling, or Tim, click here.

Range Loyalty Card

All three of our facilities offer one of the best deals in the Richmond area via their range loyalty card. Cards can be purchased in two increments for the ranges at Belmont, Elson Redmond or The Tattersall:

$100 for $115 in range credit
$250 for $300 in range credit

Belmont Peter Millar Apparel

The starter shack at Belmont has our latest apparel offerings from Peter Millar. Whether you’re looking for a hoodie, quarter-zip, belt or polo, we have a variety of styles and sizes to fit you or a loved one.

And while you’re at the starter shack, be sure to check out our latest Belmont-branded hat selection from Titleist and Imperial!

Titleist Hand Warmer

As temperatures drop outside, the Titleist hand warmer is the perfect cool- weather accessory for the course, the range, or a practice session. Fitting around your waist, the hand warmer comes with a fleece liner and pocket for your hands (or additional hand warmers).

Each Titleist hand warmer is available at the Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range and costs $34.99.

Titleist Hats & Beanies

There’s no better time of year to represent your favorite college team, and our new Titleist hats are perfect for the course or the tailgate. We have hats repping Virginia, James Madison and Virginia Tech available at the Elson Redmond pro shop for the Wahoo, Duke, or Hokie in your life.

And as temperatures fall, all three of our facilities have Titleist and Imperial winter hats in stock for those colder days on the course and range.

Custom Titleist Golf Balls

Always buying golf balls at the holidays but looking to add a personal touch? Custom-imprinted personalized Titleist golf ball are the perfect gift!

Our staff can order custom-imprinted balls for you, putting a name, message or logo on a dozen Titleist golf balls. To place your order, click here.

2022 Longest Day of Golf Recap

Longest Day of Golf 2022 Recap

*First Tee- Greater Richmond Summer Camp 2022*

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 23, 2022) – The Longest Day of Golf serves as First Tee – Greater Richmond’s second-largest, single-day fundraiser each year. At the beginning of each yearly cycle, the organization’s Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) sets an annual fundraising goal. This year, they set a goal of raising $75,000; however, LAB crushed blew past that and raised $78, 584.

The money fundraised during the Longest Day of Golf goes towards First Tee – Greater Richmond’s vision—using golf as a platform to strengthen the character of our community. With that, the money that was raised will go towards youth programs in the greater Richmond area to provide opportunities to youth across three key areas: First Tee Programs, the First Tee School Program, and community partnerships.

This year, the event was hosted at Belmont. LAB members began their day at 7:30 am playing on Little Bell, warming up on six A.W. Tillinghast par-3 template holes. Next, they moved onto Belmont’s 12-hole course to play a 4-man best ball. After that, corporate sponsors scramble teams checked in to warm up and eat lunch provided by Café 804. Then, teams took to Belmont to play a 4-man scramble. To wrap up the day, participants got to partake in a cocktail hour, putt on The Ringer, continue playing on Little Bell and wait to see if they won in our Birdies for Charity raffle drawing.

Ben Gurley, LAB Chairman, said “the Longest Day of Golf is an amazing opportunity to engage the community through active, on-course participation – getting to really feel and see the facilities (and get to play the beautiful Belmont course!), meet the staff, talk with current and former First Tee students – in efforts to increase awareness of the First Tee’s presence and mission in Richmond.”.

The LAB serves as First Tee – Greater Richmond’s fundraising committee for the Longest Day of Golf. It is comprised of 20 volunteers and young professionals that are committed to the betterment of the greater Richmond community. Each member plays a vital role in raising individual sponsorships, corporate sponsorships, or raising awareness for the event and its cause. To learn more about LAB please contact First Tee – Greater Richmond Vice President for Communications & Engagement Bill Potter.

In 2021, First Tee Greater Richmond was able to serve over 97,000 youth in the Greater Richmond area through youth programming. We are proud to be able to support the youth in the greater Richmond community, and hope to continue to expand our outreach and raise even more funds!

“Moving forward we want to expand our outreach to LDOG participants because our goal is that they would connect with the First Tee beyond the event itself. Whether it be playing & practicing at the three Richmond facilities, volunteering for First Tee programs, donating their resources, or sending their kids to camp – we hope LDOG participants become lifelong supporters of the First Tee.”—Ben Gurley, LAB Chair.

Corporate Sponsors

PHOTO GALLERY FROM LONGEST DAY OF GOLF 2022:

Virginia Union Claims Inaugural River City Collegiate Classic Title

RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 25, 2022) – Virginia Union claimed the inaugural River City Collegiate Classic presented by Truist, holding off Livingstone College by 10 strokes at historic Belmont Golf Course on Tuesday. The Panthers were led by medalist Alkin Barkley, who finished four shots clear of the field at 3-over par total.

After playing the same yardages and layout as the PGA TOUR Champions did during the Dominion Energy Charity Classic at the Country Club of Virginia in Monday’s first round, competitors tackled the restored Belmont layout on Tuesday. In 2021, Belmont was reopened after a restoration and reimagination brought back 10 of the original 12 greens complexes to A.W. Tillinghast’s 1917 design. Student-athletes competed on holes 1-12 of the championship course, with holes 1-6 replayed to build a 6,865-yard, par-72 course.

Barkley paced Virginia Union, posting a 3-over par 75 in the final round. After an even-par 72 at CCV put him atop the leaderboard by four shots, Barkley was in control of the leaderboard throughout the day. The graduate student picked up key birdies on the 9^th and 12^th holes before his fourth birdie of the day came on the par-5 16^th, allowing him to cruise to a 4-shot win over teammate Hayden Garcia.

Garcia matched Barkley’s 75, as the duo tied with Livingstone College’s Christopher Baguma for low round of the day. Led by Barkley (72-75) and Garcia (76-75), VUU was eight shots better than Livingstone on the day, enabling the Panthers (316-310 – 626) to sit 10 shots clear of the Blue Bears (318-318 – 636) for the tournament.

Ahmad Reedus (82-81) tied for sixth for VUU, putting three Panthers into the top 10 of the field. Livingstone also placed three into the top 10, led by Baguma (80-75) and Xavier Proctor (78-77), who both tied for third. Joel Basalaine (81-84) was part of a four-way tie for ninth.

Virginia State’s Juan Ruiz Patino carded an 84 on Tuesday, taking fifth on the individual leaderboard (76-84), while teammate Michael Ebosh (83-82) was part of the quartet in ninth.

Playing with just four student-athletes, Winston-Salem State climbed the leaderboard in the second round behind ninth-place efforts from Alex Chenard (87-78) and Jacob Moore (80-85).

Johnson C. Smith was led by sixth-place results from both Isaiah Nickerson (74-89) and Isaiah Trollinger (81-82).

In addition to medalist honors, Barkley collected All-Tournament Team accolades alongside teammate Garcia. Joining the VUU duo on the team were Livingstone’s Baguma and Proctor alongside VSU’s Ruiz Patino.

The team title was the first of the fall season for Virginia Union.

All seven programs at the inaugural River City Collegiate Classic represented historically black colleges and universities from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The tournament came together as a partnership between First Tee – Greater Richmond, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, and the Country Club of Virginia.

2022 River City Collegiate Classic presented by Truist All-Tournament Team
Christopher Baguma, Livingstone College
Alkin Barkley, Virginia Union (medalist)
Hayden Garcia, Virginia Union
Xavier Proctor, Livingston College
Juan Ruiz Patino, Virginia State

Virginia Union Leads After First Round of River City Collegiate Classic

RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 24, 2022) – Virginia Union owns the first round lead at the inaugural River City Collegiate Classic presented by Truist, posting a team score of 316 on a challenging afternoon at the Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course.

Playing the same yardages and layout as the PGA TOUR Champions did during Sunday’s Dominion Energy Charity Classic, VUU’s Alkin Barkley got out to hot start, birdieing four of his first six holes before settling for an even-par round of 72 on the 7,025-yard layout.

Barkley reeled off three straight birdies on holes 2-4, including the 183-yard par 3 4^th hole. The graduate student made the turn in 2-under 34 before two bogeys on the backside brought him home at even par.

After the first round, Barkley stands two shots clear of Johnson C. Smith University’s Isaiah Nickerson, who birdied two of his last four holes to come in at 2-over 74. Nickerson collected his second birdie of the day on the short par-4 15^th hole before another birdie on the par-5 16th.

Barkley (72) and Hayden Garcia (76) helped Virginia Union build a two-shot edge on the team leaderboard, where the Panthers are immediately followed by Livingstone College. The Blue Bears were led by Xavier Proctor (78) and Colline Ajidra (79), both of whom were among the seven student-athletes in the field to break 80 on the James River Course.

Behind Nickerson (74) and teammate Dylan Mauricette (79), Johnson C. Smith sits third, posting a team score of 325, trailing Virginia Union by nine strokes.

Virginia State (333) was led by Juan Ruiz Patino, who posted a 4-over 76 to sit tied with VUU’s Garcia for third on the individual leaderboard.

Winston-Salem State (345) is fifth, followed by Elizabeth City State (409) and St. Augustine’s (416).

All seven programs represent historically black colleges and universities from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

The second and final round of River City Collegiate Classic presented by Truist will start at 8:30 a.m., playing holes 1-12 of the championship course. Holes 1-6 will be replayed to create a 6,865-yard 18-hole layout.

Brittany Woo Nominated for LPGA*USGA Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond Senior Director of Programming Brittany Woo has been named as a nominee for the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award, the organization recently announced. Woo is one of 81 nominees across the country to be nominated by their Girls Golf parents and peers for this prestigious award.

Named after the founder of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award honors an individual who has gone above and beyond to inspire the lives of juniors through their passion and dedication to empowering girls through golf. LaBauve was an LPGA Teaching Professional in Phoenix, Ariz., and the mother of two daughters when she founded Girls Golf in 1989.

“Brittany embodies the mission of First Tee and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf and is most deserving of this nomination,” First Tee – Greater Richmond Vice President of Impact Kelly Brown said. “She is a great role model and inspires girls of all ages in our community to achieve anything they set their minds to. Through her leadership, our girls are more confident on and off the golf course.”

Nominees plan, organize and implement Girls Golf clinics, tournaments, field trips, social activities, and more, sharing their passion by providing girls with quality and memorable experiences that not only affect their lives but also help to shape their futures daily.

Woo has been part of the First Tee – Greater Richmond family since 2003, when she first enrolled in First Tee Programs. Today, she oversees the organization’s programming team, coaches and volunteers. Additionally, Woo helps coordinate programming schedules at all three First Tee – Greater Richmond facilities and collaborates with its partners to ensure the success of the First Tee Schools Program.

A two-time graduate of the University of Richmond, Woo worked as the school’s Major Gifts and Philanthropy Coordinator for almost two years before returning to First Tee – Greater Richmond in 2020.

Prior to that, she held several jobs in the golf industry, including internships with the PGA TOUR and First Tee Headquarters. While at the PGA TOUR, Woo was a Tournament Services Intern, managing 1,200 volunteers and supporting the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond. For more information on LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, visit www.girlsgolf.org.

Henry Powell Selected to First Tee Innovators Forum

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 15, 2022) – Henry Powell from First Tee — Greater Richmond has been selected to attend the First Tee Innovators Forum November 16-19 in Dallas, Texas. The forum will empower First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focusing on raising awareness on issues surrounding education, health and sustainability.

Powell, 15, is sophomore at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and has been a participant at First Tee – Greater Richmond for five years. He serves on the organization’s Junior Advisory Board in addition to volunteering and coaching with First Tee – Greater Richmond and competing on the Dragons’ varsity golf team.

Interactive workshops and small breakout sessions during the forum will cover a variety of topics including the importance of community service, volunteerism, and environmental sustainability, and will be presented by experts in the respective fields. During the workshops, Powell will have the opportunity to learn from global industry leaders at the three-day summit. At the end of the forum, a total of $32,000 will be awarded to eight attending participants to further their educational pursuits.

“Congratulations to Henry on earning this national opportunity.” said Brittany Woo, Senior Director of Programming at First Tee – Greater Richmond. “Henry has been a shining star since coming to our organization five years ago and is now embracing being a mentor to our life-skills experience participants. We’re excited for him to have another opportunity to meet with other like-minded participants from across the country and continue his path of positively impacting lives in and around Richmond.”

Powell is one of 28 participants selected to attend the Innovators Forum from across First Tee chapters across the country and was selected based on academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation. This marks the second consecutive year a participant from First Tee – Greater Richmond was selected to the Innovators Forum, with D’yan Robinson having attended last year.

For more information on First Tee – Greater Richmond, visit www.firstteerva.org.

Kelly Brown, Brittany Woo Featured in Virginia Golfer

The most recent issue of Virginia Golfer magazine features a few familiar faces in its pages – our Vice President of Impact Kelly Brown and Senior Director of Programming Brittany Woo!

The issue, which focuses on the impact of mentorship on their pupils, puts a spotlight on both Kelly and Brittany, both of whom were previously VSGA-VIP Scholarship Recipients, their mentors, and how they impart their lessons on today’s youth.

To read the full article, click here.

Dominion Energy Charity Classic and First Tee – Greater Richmond to Partner on River City Collegiate Classic

RICHMOND, Virginia – Officials from the Dominion Energy Charity Classic and First Tee – Greater Richmond announced today that the inaugural River City Collegiate Classic will take place this October 23-25 at Belmont Golf Course and The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course. Truist will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the event.

Seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will compete in the 36-hole event. These include Elizabeth City State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. The first round will be played at the James River Course on October 24, the day following the conclusion of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

The final round will be contested on October 25 over the 18 holes that make up the recently reimagined and renovated Belmont.

“Dominion Energy long has believed in the mission of HBCUs and supported and partnered with them with scholarships, capital improvements, and more,” said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy’s Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to expand our partnership with these excellent colleges and universities to the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.”

“It is of paramount importance to the PGA TOUR, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, and First Tee to continue to grow the game of golf while also bringing increased diversity to the sport,” said Dominion Energy Charity Classic Executive Director Steve Schoenfeld. “It was an easy conversation with First Tee, Virginia Union University and The Country Club of Virginia to bring this concept to life.”

The event will also include an Am-Am on Sunday, October 23 at Belmont, where two amateurs will be paired with one of the collegiate competitors as well as a junior golfer from First Tee – Greater Richmond.

“Our vision at First Tee – Greater Richmond is to strengthen the character of our community, and this event is a wonderful reflection of that commitment,” said First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider. “We are grateful to work with like-minded partners at Virginia Union, the PGA TOUR, and the Dominion Energy Charity Classic to make an impact in the lives of young people and to deepen the relationships across all of the organizations involved.”

“Truist’s partnership and engagement with HBCUs across the markets we serve is one of the many ways we inspire and build better lives and communities,” said Thomas Ransom, Virginia Regional President for Truist. “Serving as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural River City Collegiate Classic allows us to continue our support of HBCU students in their endeavors – both on and off the golf course.”

In addition to Truist as the event’s overall presenting sponsor, Harris Williams will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Am-Am. Lowe, Brockenbrough & Company is the presenting sponsor of a reception on Monday evening for participants.

“There is a long and rich tradition of the game of golf for students, alumni, and supporters of HBCUs; especially the HBCUs that will be participating in this historic inaugural event,” said E. Lee Coble, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athletes Academic Support and Head Golf Coach at Virginia Union University, and President of the CIAA Golf Coaches Association. “This event is a breakthrough ‘first’ for CIAA collegiate golf. We are proud to be partners with those, along with us, who had the vision and commitment to bring the River City Collegiate Classic to life.”

“We are proud to support the River City Collegiate Classic, the schools and student athletes competing,” said Phil Keister, General Manager at The Country Club of Virginia. “We are excited for the collegiate competitors to play the James River Couse and experience the same CCV hospitality as the PGA TOUR Champions professionals do during the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.”

ABOUT THE DOMINION ENERGY CHARITY CLASSIC
The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is the first of three PGA TOUR Champions season-ending playoff events to determine the annual Charles Schwab Cup Champion. The 2022 tournament is scheduled for October 20-23 at The Country Club of Virginia, James River Course. A field of 72 professionals will compete for a share of the $2.2 million purse and a spot in the 54-player field the following week. All three rounds of the event will be broadcast on Golf Channel. For corporate sponsorship, volunteer opportunities or ticket information, please visit the official tournament website at www.deccgolf.com or see our pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@DECCGolf) and LinkedIn.

ABOUT FIRST TEE – GREATER RICHMOND
First Tee – Greater Richmond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life- enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Through three major programming areas, the First Tee Life Skills Experience, the First Tee School Program, and collaborative community partnerships, First Tee – Greater Richmond reached more than 97,000 youth in 2021.

2021 Year In Review

It is my pleasure to present First Tee – Greater Richmond’s 2021 Annual Report. The numbers inside speak for themselves, but make no mistake, the numbers are only part of the story.

True to our vision, First Tee -Greater Richmond helped to strengthen the character of our community in 2021. Our programs provided valuable life skills training to greater Richmond-area youth and our public facilities provided safe, high-quality venues for our participants and patrons – all through the great game of golf.

Looking back on 2021, it was a tremendous year for our organization. After the challenges of 2020, we were able to resume in-person camps, clinics and programs, resulting in over 1,100 participants in First Tee – Greater Richmond programs – our highest number of participants in the last 5 years.

After a 17-month restoration and reimagination, we opened Belmont to great fanfare in May. Since opening on Memorial Day weekend, Belmont has seen over 24,000 rounds played across the facility in just seven months. Additionally, the new practice facilities have allowed more people to access Belmont, with the wedge range, chipping and putting greens, and range seeing daily use.

All three of our facilities serve as an entry point to the game and offer some of the best public golf facilities in the area, while also enhancing our community partnerships. Along those lines, we added to and expanded our community partnerships, working with the Henrico Police Athletic League, Henrico Education Foundation, Henrico Recreation and Parks, Kappa League of Petersburg, Target Ministries Group and Richmond City Parks and Recreation.

2021 has been a team effort and I am grateful to my colleagues for living our mission daily. I am inspired by the progress we have made and I’m encouraged about our future. Thank you for investing in the youth of our community and for being such an important part of our efforts.

Brent Schneider
CEO
First Tee – Greater Richmond

First Tee – Greater Richmond Selected to Receive Funds Through Industry’s ‘Make Golf Your Thing’ Grant Program

RICHMOND, Va. (June 15, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has been selected to receive funding through a dedicated grant program operated by the golf industry’s DEI campaign, Make Golf Your Thing. As one of 81 designated organizations across the U.S., First Tee – Greater Richmond was chosen for its efforts to increase golf participation among underrepresented populations of the sport.

The mission of First Tee – Greater Richmond is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. The program introduces kids to the game and its inherent values through programs in elementary schools, on golf courses and at youth centers around the greater Richmond area.

Initially introduced in 2021, the grant program – through its latest round of funding – has now issued 155 grants to 111 unique organizations overall, totaling more than $1 million to-date.

“We are grateful for this funding to continue to make our programs and facilities inclusive and accessible for people of all backgrounds and skill levels,” said Kelly Brown, Vice President of Impact at First Tee – Greater Richmond. “This grant affords us the opportunity to make a deeper impact on young people in our community alongside our like-minded partners.”

The grant program was established to support organizations or programs dedicated to increasing golf participation among underrepresented populations in the sport (i.e., Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous communities, as well as women, LGBTQI+ individuals, veterans, and individuals with disabilities). The program is being financially supported by industry partners committed to helping make the game more welcoming and inclusive for all.

In 2021, First Tee – Greater Richmond impacted the lives of more than 97,000 youth across its life-skills education programs, camps, and community and school program participants.

Formally launched in May 2021, Make Golf Your Thing is the industry’s movement to make golf accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. Led by six cross-industry work groups, the initiative is specifically focused on: education & skill development, talent acquisition, procurement, human resources, youth & adult player development, and marketing/communications.

The grant program is being administered by the American Golf Industry Coalition, a partnership among golf’s leading organizations to promote and advocate for the collective interests of the sport. Funding for the program is led by a contingent of industry supporters committed to making the sport more welcoming and inclusive for all.

For more information on First Tee – Greater Richmond, visit FirstTeeRVA.org.

For more information on Make Golf Your Thing, visit https://makegolfyourthing.org/.

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