News Releases Archives

First Tee Week: National campaign launches May 19 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, celebrating coaches who are game changers in their communities

Parents call coaches the “unsung heroes of youth development.” First Tee will celebrate these mentors during its inaugural network-wide awareness campaign.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (March 11, 2025) – Leading nonprofit youth development organization First Tee is launching a weeklong national awareness campaign to celebrate the impact of its coaches. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build character like inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

Kicking off at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 19-25, First Tee Week aims to engage communities across the country, encouraging them to celebrate the coaches who make a difference locally. Entitled “Dear Coach,” the campaign will feature a variety of in-person and online activities, including:

First Tee will launch a new creative campaign, including an updated PSA that speaks to the power of youth sports coaches to instill confidence, values and life skills in the kids they serve.

On Wednesday, May 21, First Tee will host a group of alumni at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge, where they’ll hear from a panel on “The coach effect: The importance of coaches and the stories that shape us.” The panel will feature New Orleans Saints defensive end and First Tee – Phoenix alumnus Cameron Jordan alongside other First Tee alumni.

First Tee chapters across the country will host a variety of activations, including a fundraising tournament at Winged Foot (Metropolitan New York), meet the coach night (San Francisco), golf marathons (Greater Baltimore, West Michigan) and more. Find a First Tee chapter in your area.

First Tee’s corporate partners will celebrate First Tee Week in a variety of ways. “Dear Coach” content will appear at Topgolf and PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, with organizations like Golf Digest, the USGA and Morgan Stanley planning to highlight coach stories on their own channels.

First Tee has launched a digital experience at FirstTee.org/DearCoach and social content featuring stories from participants, alumni and notable supporters like former NFL player Larry Fitzgerald and PGA TOUR professional Wyndham Clark on the incredible relationships between coaches and participants. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to engage.

“Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and parents are looking for character-building programs because they know strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “For nearly 30 years, our dedicated and trained coaches have set First Tee apart because we have developed a training system built on research-proven methods of positive youth development. We are excited to celebrate their contributions and raise awareness for their work during First Tee Week.”

According to research from Harris Poll, 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire their child to excel both on and off the field, and they believe coaches can impact their child’s ability to work well with others and be resilient in the face of challenges.

First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engage more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. First Tee serves more than 3.1 million kids annually.

Learn more about getting involved with First Tee.

SPORTABLE, FIRST TEE – GREATER RICHMOND ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Adaptive Golf Pilot Program Will Be Offered This Fall

RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday, August 22, 2024) – Sportable, Central Virginia’s premier adaptive sports club, is proud to announce a new partnership with First Tee – Greater Richmond to make golf accessible and inclusive for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. Supported by the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) and Stand Up and Play Foundation, a new pilot program will provide eight weeks of adaptive golf instruction at the Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range at the First Tee – Greater Richmond’s downtown golf facility. Individuals with disabilities who are ambulatory or use a wheelchair are encouraged to register now at Sportable.org.

“There has been quite a demand for adaptive golf among our Sportable members and we are thrilled to team up with First Tee – Greater Richmond to offer a new adaptive golf program,” commented Hunter Leemon, Sportable Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to partner with like-minded organizations like First Tee, VSGA, and Stand Up and Play Foundation who join our commitment to creating more inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities in our community.”

Led by First Tee’s instructors, the program will focus on introducing individuals with disabilities to golf with lessons taking place on the driving range. Over eight weeks, participants will progress to playing a round of golf at the end of the program. The program is open to beginners and experienced golfers and equipment will be provided if needed.

“We are honored to work with Sportable, the VSGA, and Stand Up and Play Foundation to create this accessible and inclusive golf program,” said Brent Schneider, First Tee – Greater Richmond Chief Executive Officer. “Our vision at First Tee – Greater Richmond is to strengthen the character of our community, and this collaborative partnership is a perfect illustration of that commitment.”

“The mission of the VSGA is to promote and serve golf in Virginia, and supporting the work that Sportable and the First Tee – Greater Richmond are doing aligns directly with our mission,” added Matt Smiley, VSGA Executive Director. “These clinics will make the game available to both new and existing adaptive golfers and help make the game more accessible and inclusive for this important community of athletes. We hope this is only the first step and look forward to growing our support of adaptive golfers in the future.”

“Empowering individuals with adaptive needs to stand up and play golf is a game-changer for their physical and emotional well-being,” said Angelica Amador Jasper of Stand Up and Play Foundation. “We’re thrilled to support this initiative!”

For more information about Adaptive Golf, visit Sportable.org or contact Tyler Rowe, Sportable Senior Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 804-340-2991.

About Sportable

Since 2005, Sportable has created opportunities and transformed lives through sport for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. The non-profit organization provides sporting opportunities to more than 400 athletes of all ages by offering competitive and recreational adaptive sports programs year-round. By fostering a fun, inclusive, competitive, and accessible environment, Sportable transforms the lives of athletes and frees them to see beyond their disabilities, enhances their peer relationships and helps them to reach their personal finish line. To make an impact today, visit Sportable.com/donate.

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, First Tee Programs, School Program and Community Partnerships, First Tee – Greater Richmond reaches approximately 70,000 youth annually. Learn more at www.FirstTeeRVA.org.

About Virginia State Golf Association

The Virginia State Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves the needs of individual golfers and member clubs across Virginia. VSGA members enjoy many benefits, including handicapping, course rating and scoring services, and the opportunity to compete in championships and events for golfers of all ages and abilities. In addition, the VSGA supports programs like the Fleming Fund, Youth on Course and the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation that help build the next generation of golfers, and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame that honors those who paved the way in Virginia golf history. The VSGA is also a proud member of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance. Visit VSGA.org to learn more.

About Stand Up & Play Foundation

The Stand Up and Play Foundation is a 100% volunteer board of directors non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with adaptive needs to engage in golf, recreation, and community. Our mission is to provide access to specialized equipment, instruction, and opportunities for socialization and physical activity, promoting independence, confidence, and joy. Through our programs and partnerships, we aim to break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for individuals with mobility challenges and abilities.

Sportable has created opportunities and transformed the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sport since 2005. For more information about Sportable, please visit www.sportable.org.

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New Study from The Harris Poll and First Tee: Coaches are the unsung heroes of youth development

Parents rely on sports – and trained coaches – to help their children build character and learn life skills, including working with others.

CHICAGO, Ill. & PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2024) – While 93% of parents agree that kids can learn important life skills from playing sports, four out of five parents also believe there is a shortage of high-caliber coaches today.

That is from a new survey by global consulting and market research firm, The Harris Poll, and youth development organization, First Tee. The U.S.-based survey was conducted online in April 2024 with feedback from 2,049 adults.

The survey captured data on youth involvement in extracurricular activities and sports. The data was also analyzed by gender, age, race, education, and income, among other characteristics.

“Since our mission is centered on positive youth development, we think it is important to seek parents’ perspectives as the world around them continues to change and their kids face new challenges,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “It helps us better understand and serve youth, and in the case of this study, it reinforces the importance of our investment in training our coaches.”

First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engages more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. The training system is built on research-proven methods of positive youth development, providing coaches with the tools to make kids feel safe, included and empowered. As part of First Tee’s onboarding, each coach is background-checked and completes training from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

The key findings from the survey include:

89% of parents feel character is a lost value that should be more emphasized in today’s society – an increase of +4 percentage points from the 2023 survey. Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles. Parents understand that need, as nine out of 10 parents seek opportunities for their kids to build character.

Parents believe sports can help close the character gap. Parents put their kids in extracurricular activities – with sports being most popular – for socialization and to build confidence. According to 93% of parents, children learn important life skills from playing sports.

Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development. Parents turn to coaches to help teach their kids character, self-confidence, determination and leadership. 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire children to excel both on and off the field.

Safety is critically important to parents. They prefer coaches who have been background checked, with 94% of parents citing it as a priority in today’s world and 83% wishing their child had more access to well-trained coaches.

“While every generation confronts their own unique challenges, kids are facing new barriers to character development,” said Harris Poll CEO Will Johnson. “Our research findings make it clear: Parents, when registering your kids for the upcoming school year, don’t forget the critical development that comes outside the classroom.”

This is the second annual research collaboration between The Harris Poll and First Tee.

Download the full 2024 Report.

For the results of the 2023 parent survey, click here.

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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. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 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 The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:    
Annika Mayers, First Tee    
[email protected]
904-273-3513

40 First Tee Teens invited to First Tee Leadership Summit in Partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore

Actors Michael Peña and Kathryn Newton will headline the two weeklong retreats focused on sharpening leadership skills.

WEST CREEK RANCH, Mont. (August 5, 2024) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore are set to host 40 teens from across the country at West Creek Ranch, an intimate setting in Montana for leadership development, community building and connection. Owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee board member Arthur M. Blank, the picturesque ranch is the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these teens to explore leadership development, community building and problem solving. Students spend much of the time in outdoor interactions including whitewater rafting, horseback riding and archery, based on the belief that connections made in nature provide benefits that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

Each week will tee off with keynote speakers who will discuss their individual leadership, share life experiences and examine how they have grown through opportunities and challenges. The first week will feature actor Michael Peña, while actor and First Tee alumnus Kathryn Newton will be the featured speaker during the second week.

The First Tee Leadership Summit is designed to help teens grow their leadership skills through hands-on activities that require teamwork and personal strength. Daily leadership themes include pursuing goals, growing through challenges and building positive self-identity.

This is the fourth consecutive year that nonprofit youth development organization First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore will hold this event at West Creek Ranch. This year’s group comes from 25 cities across the country, with 20 teens attending each week. West Creek Ranch is a 6,600-acre working ranch in Emigrant, Montana, that is bordered by the Yellowstone River and Gallatin National Forest.

“We are excited to host these 40 impressive teens for an unforgettable week of personal growth and relationship building,” said Dick Sullivan, Executive Chairman & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “So many lessons from golf can be applied to life, and we truly believe in the positive impact sports can have on kids and teens, which is why we’re proud to support this event and partner with First Tee chapters across the country.”

“Thank you to Arthur Blank and PGA TOUR Superstore for their continued generosity in supporting this event,” added Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “The lessons these young leaders will take away from Montana will shape their futures in remarkable ways.”

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 college.

To be eligible for the Summit, teens completed a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, before completing applications that outlined their leadership experience and goals. For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and Arthur Blank have championed First Tee’s mission through donations and by supporting participant events, including the Leadership Summit and the Leadership Academy, which is held in Atlanta.

The Leadership Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee to expose teens to new challenges and inspire them as they prepare to embark on life after high school.

See the full field of participants.

First Tee – Greater Richmond Earns Redmond Cup in Playoff

RICHMOND, Va. (July 11, 2024) – First Tee – Greater Richmond captured the 11^th Redmond Cup presented by Troutman Pepper on Thursday, emerging in a playoff at Belmont in the annual regional competition hosted by First Tee – Greater Richmond.

Two days of competition saw First Tee – Greater Richmond and First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. tied atop the leaderboard with team scores of 165. After the 9-hole division participants from each chapter recorded pars on Little Bell No. 1 to open the playoff, attention turned to the 14-and-over participants, who were playing Belmont No. 1. First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Niki Chan curled in a 15-foot right-to-left birdie putt to clinch the victory for the hosts.

The clinching putt capped a remarkable week for Chan, who on Monday was named to represent First Tee — Greater Richmond at the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee Sept. 17-22 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

Both chapters earned individual plaudits, as well, with First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C.’s Jordan Wallace and Miles Maravilla collecting medalist honors in the 12-hole division with a best-ball 100 (49-51) on Belmont’s 12-hole, par 48 layout. Two shots back were the First Tee – Greater Richmond duo of Chan and Henry Powell, who posted a best-ball 102 (51-51) to claim second.

In the 9-hole division, Brandon Martin and Oliver Dorfman represented First Tee – Greater Richmond in taking first place with two round scramble score of 63 (32-31) on Belmont’s modified 9-hole layout, which featured the first three holes of the championship course and all six holes on the Little Bell par-3 course. Two strokes behind Martin and Dorfman were Tyler Lambert and Luke Hardy of First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C., who posted a score of 65 (31-34).

The 2014 Redmond Cup presented by Troutman Pepper welcomed six First Tee chapters to Belmont: First Tee – Greater Philadelphia, First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C., First Tee – Hampton Roads, First Tee – Triangle, and First Tee – Virginia Blue Ridge all joined hosts First Tee – Greater Richmond. Six participants were chosen to represent their respective chapter, with four participants ages 14 or older playing best ball on Belmont’s 12-hole restored A.W. Tillinghast layout. Participants aged 10-13 competed in the 9-hole division, which saw a scramble played on Belmont holes 1-3 and Little Bell 1-6.

The team title was the fourth overall for First Tee – Greater Richmond and first since 2013. First Tee – Hampton Roads (177) took third, four strokes clear of First Tee – Greater Philadelphia. First Tee – Triangle (190) and First Tee – Virginia Blue Ridge (203) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Beyond the competition on the course, the Redmon Cup reflected First Tee – Greater Richmond’s commitment to character development both on and off the course. Participants were welcomed to Richmond on Tuesday, with teams practicing at Belmont before taking in the Richmond Flying Squirrels game that night. After Wednesday’s first round, participants and sponsors gathered for an opening dinner courtesy of Fulton Bank that saw VCU men’s basketball head coach Ryan Odom deliver inspiring remarks to the room.

Redmond Cup presented by Troutman Pepper Champions
Year	Winning Chapter
2024	First Tee – Greater Richmond
2023	First Tee – Greater Charlotte
2022	not held
2021	not held
2020	not held
2019	First Tee – Greater Charlotte
2018	First Tee – Hampton Roads
2017	First Tee – Greater Charlotte
2016	First Tee – Greater Charlotte
2015	First Tee – Greater Charlotte
2014	First Tee – Greater Charlotte
2013	First Tee – Greater Richmond
2012	First Tee – Greater Richmond
2011	First Tee – Greater Richmond

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About First Tee – Greater Richmond

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First Tee — Greater Richmond participant Niki Chan invited to play PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach

Niki Chan will play in the 21^st annual PURE Insurance Championship this September

Richmond, Va. (July 8, 2024) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today that Niki Chan will represent First Tee — Greater Richmond when she competes in the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. The event, in its 21st year, will bring teens from First Tee chapters to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 17-22. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised nationally on Golf Channel.

Chan is a rising senior at Manchester High School in Midlothian and has been a First Tee – Greater Richmond participant for 10 years. A member of First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Junior Advisory Board (JAB), Chan represented the chapter at the First Tee Game Changers Academy in 2023. This week, she will be part of the First Tee – Greater Richmond team competing at the Redmond Cup presented by Troutman Pepper July 10-11 at Belmont.

The trip to the PURE Insurance Championship marks the second straight year a First Tee – Greater Richmond participant has been chosen for the prestigious event, with Chan joining Meg Lavinder as recent chapter participants.

“Congratulations to Niki for this well-deserved honor and opportunity to represent First Tee – Greater Richmond on a national stage at the PURE Insurance Championship,” Kelly Brown, First Tee – Greater Richmond Vice President of Impact said. “She is a fantastic role model on and off the golf course and exemplifies the values we hope to instill in our participants and our community. When Niki began our program she was super quiet and soft spoken and to see her find her voice and come into her own is one of many examples of our evidence-based, life skills curriculum.”

This unique event pairs each First Tee participant with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. Ranging in ages from 15 to 18, the First Tee players compete for the male/female pro-junior team title. The teens represent 45 First Tee chapters from across the country and for the fourth year in a row, a participant from First Tee — Morocco will be in the field.

Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. The group averages a 3.89 GPA and has spent an average of seven years in First Tee.

“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with this incredible organization,” said Katie Krum, Chief Marketing Officer at PURE Insurance. “I know firsthand the impact and value that participating in youth sports can have on one’s development, so it is personally gratifying to know that our support impacts such a remarkable group of young men and women.”

The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today” earlier today.

“This is an exciting moment for these 80 participants, many of whom have been working for years with the goal of earning a spot in this tournament,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Thank you to our partners at PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for their support of this special week, which is full of lessons for our teens, both on and off the golf course.”

This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature legends including Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, and as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winner Kirk Triplett and Thongchai Jaidee, who will defend his title. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.

Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee junior champion on Sunday.

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

The junior field for 2024 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee, visit FirstTee.org.

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About First Tee – Greater Richmond

About Monterey Peninsula Foundation

Surpassing $200 million in total donations, Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org

www.attpbgolf.com

www.pureinsurancechampionship.org

About PURE Insurance

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company designed exclusively for successful, responsible families. We opened for business more than 15 years ago with the goal of offering something different in the insurance space: a company focused on doing what’s right for our membership (policyholders), one that promotes transparency and alignment of interests, and delivers greater value. Today, after growing at least 15% in each year since we began, we are the most awarded insurer in our category, offer coverage in all 50 states that includes high value homeowners, automobile, collections, watercraft, personal excess liability, fraud & cyber and flood to a membership of more than 100,000 individuals and families.

Pureinsurance.com | 888.813.7873

About PGA TOUR Champions

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.

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Yang and Mierl claim 2024 First Tee National Championship

Clemson, South Carolina (June 27, 2024) – Norah Yang of Los Altos, California, and Trent Mierl of Austin, Texas, won the girls’ and boys’ divisions of the 4^th annual First Tee National Championship at the Walker Course at Clemson University. The event brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the confidence, perseverance and skills needed to play at the next level.

Yang finished the tournament 6-under-par and shot a final round 69 to clench the victory on the girls’ side. She is a rising high school senior with a 4.0 GPA. She’s been a volunteer coach at First Tee – Silicon Valley for three years and finished 3^rd at the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event that pairs First Tee juniors with professional players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach.

“It has been amazing playing at Clemson this week,” Yang said. “I have met so many amazing players from all the other chapters and had so many great experiences. Getting here and winning would not have been possible without First Tee and all the skills they have taught me.”

Mierl, who will play golf at the University of Missouri next year, shot a blistering 65 in the final round to finish 9-under for the tournament. He’s been a member of First Tee for nine years and is a volunteer coach at his chapter. He’s the only player to compete in all four First Tee National Championships, with the inaugural event taking place in 2021, and said it was special to win in his final attempt.

“I came up one shot short of the playoffs in the first National Championship,” he said. “I’ve met great people here and made so many great memories. This is my favorite junior golf event, and it feels like I came full circle in my final chance to win at the same golf course where I fell just short.”

Both winners were awarded with the Tattersall Cup in honor of event chairman Fred Tattersall.

Two players were also awarded exemptions to the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship. As First Tee juniors can only play in the PURE Insurance Championship once, this year’s exemptions went to Gianna Singh from First Tee – Greater Sacramento and Spencer Ives from First Tee – Naples/Collier. The tournament will be broadcast on Golf Channel, Sept. 20-22.

Based on their play at the First Tee National Championship, two players will also earn spots in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, which aims to support talented golfers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the sport. The PGA TOUR will announce the full roster for its Pathways program, including the two players who earned their spots at the First Tee National Championship, in the coming days.

“Congratulations to all of our participants in the field and especially to Trent and Norah for an outstanding performance in becoming the 2024 First Tee National Champions,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This event plays an important role in helping these young people prepare for the next level. We are extremely proud of this event and of the teens who work hard on their game all year preparing. Thank you to Clemson University for hosting for the second time, we look forward to coming back again.”

The First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college golf courses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country. Next year’s event will take place at Notre Dame University.
 
The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. A full list of results is available here.
 
The National Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

First Tee returns to Clemson for 4th annual National Championship

For the first time, this year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamekast with live scoring available on Golf Genius.

Clemson, South Carolina – (June 21, 2024) – The Walker Course at Clemson University will host the First Tee National Championship next week, June 25-27, 2024, bringing together 48 of the organization’s top golfers for a 54-hole event designed to showcase how the program has helped them build the skills, positive attitude and perseverance needed to play collegiate golf.

The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Fourteen players in the field have already committed to college golf teams. First Tee held its inaugural National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and all six of the past winners are members of college golf teams. That includes 2023 winner Megan Meng of First Tee – Greater Trenton, who’s in the Top 10 in the AJGA Rankings and will begin her collegiate career at Northwestern this fall.

In advance of this year’s competition, the event will feature a keynote address by First Tee – Greater Richmond alumnus Gavin Parker, PGA, who shares his love for the sport on his popular social media channels. Participants will also attend a careers in golf panel to learn more about working in the industry.

“First Tee continues to play an important role in the development of teens, both on and off the course,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Our National Championship is an opportunity for participants who want to take their game to the next level to showcase their skills. The week provides them with competition and an enriching opportunity to get them ready for playing in college and beyond.”

For the first time, viewers can stream the First Tee National Championship on Gamekast. Scoring will also be available on Golf Genius.

In addition to crowning a male and female tournament winner, one boy and one girl from the field will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, a player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.

First Tee – Greater Austin’s Danica Lundgren earned a spot in the Pathways program at last year’s National Championship, held at Stanford University. She’s back in the tournament field this year before joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s golf team this fall.

Two exemptions to this year’s PURE Insurance Championship will also be up for grabs. The PGA TOUR Champions event pairs pro and junior players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach each September.

The First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. Next year’s event will take place at the University of Notre Dame.

The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org. 

View the full list of selected participants here.

First Tee Leadership Academy returns to Atlanta, headlined by basketball legend Maya Moore

Teens from across the U.S. will learn about leadership from executives within the Arthur M. Blank family of businesses.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 17, 2024) – The First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore returns from June 17-22. The weeklong Atlanta event will bring together 48 teens from across the country who will learn about operating successful teams from executives within the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

The event is headlined by basketball legend Maya Moore, a 4-time WNBA, 2-time NCAA and 2-time Olympic champion, who off the court, has been a dedicated advocate of criminal justice reform. Participants will also hear from leaders like Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey, Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles, PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman and CEO Dick Sullivan and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Chief of Staff Kelley Gulley.

It will feature workshops on communication, developing a winning culture and more. Attendees will get a taste of the college experience, with the Georgia Institute of Technology serving as its hub. The group will also visit sites across Atlanta, including the PGA TOUR Superstore Support Center, the Coda building, Atlanta United’s training facility, the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

“Our participants learn valuable skills at the First Tee Leadership Academy and have made friendships they will carry with them well beyond their time in Atlanta,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore for supporting these truly life-changing events.”

PGA TOUR Superstore has been a partner of First Tee for more than a decade, providing financial support and in-kind donations. It provides chapter grants to promote teen retention and supports national events like the Leadership Academy, Leadership Summit and Leadership Series.

The First Tee Leadership Academy is one of ten national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to inspire and empower teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. 

To be eligible to apply for the Academy, teens were required to participate in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country this past spring. 

Troutman Pepper to Serve as Presenting Sponsor at First Tee — Greater Richmond’s Redmond Cup

Redmond Cup Presented by Troutman Pepper will bring together First Tee participants for three days of golf and life skill applications

Richmond, Va. (June 5, 2024) – Troutman Pepper, a national law firm with more than 1,100 attorneys located in 20+ U.S. cities, including nearly 150 in Richmond, will serve as the presenting sponsor for the Redmond Cup July 9-11 at Belmont golf course. The Redmond Cup brings together First Tee chapters from across the East Coast for three days of applying the life and golf skills learned in First Tee curriculum.

“Troutman Pepper is a proud supporter of First Tee – Greater Richmond and the work it does impacting the lives of young people,” Mike McCann, Partner, Troutman Pepper, and Chair of the Board of Directors, First Tee – Greater Richmond, said.

“Our firm believes strongly in giving back to the communities in which we live and work, and our attorneys and professional staff volunteer hundreds of hours each year with community-based organizations. Supporting First Tee – Greater Richmond, generally, and the Redmond Cup, specifically, is a great way for us at Troutman Pepper to help young people in our community learn important life lessons that will benefit them, and their communities, for years to come.”

The 2024 Redmond Cup presented by Troutman Pepper will be the 10^th edition of the event, which annually brings together 8-10 First Tee chapters. After a practice round on July 9, participants will compete on Belmont’s restored 12-hole A.W. Tillinghast layout July 10-11. Following the event’s first round, participants will hear from VCU men’s basketball head coach Ryan Odom during that evening’s dinner.

“We are grateful for Troutman Pepper’s support of the Redmond Cup,” First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said. “The support of our community enables us to impact the lives of 70,000 young people annually, and we look forward to welcoming participants from across the East Coast to Belmont in July.”

Inquiries regarding corporate sponsor opportunities for the Redmond Cup presented by Troutman Pepper and additional First Tee – Greater Richmond events can be made here.

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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, First Tee Programs, School Program and Community Partnerships, First Tee – Greater Richmond reaches approximately 70,000 youth annually. Learn more at www.FirstTeeRVA.org.

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24 exceptional First Tee alumni selected for First Tee College Scholarship Program

Members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program receive financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (June 4, 2024) – First Tee is thrilled to welcome 24 new members to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Entering its fifth year, the program recently celebrated its first graduating class, and now boasts 94 current or former members. Like those who have come before them, each of the new First Tee Scholars has shown dedication to school, extracurriculars, volunteerism and especially First Tee, averaging 9.5 years of involvement with the youth development organization.

The 14 young women and 10 young men who comprise the 2024 Scholar class were selected from a pool of 150 applicants. They boast an average GPA of 4.0 and SAT score of 1350. Ten members of the new class are participants in the Ace Program, First Tee’s capstone experience. Four plan to play collegiate golf, including First Tee – West Virginia’s Argyle Downes, who will play Division I golf at Rutgers.

Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.

“Spring is an exciting time of the year when we welcome a new group of First Tee Scholars,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The scholarship program has grown significantly since it launched in 2020 thanks to our generous donors and sponsors. We look forward to supporting our Scholars on their path to success.”

Ten First Tee Scholars graduated from college this spring. Several plan to attend graduate or medical school, while others are starting careers with companies like AWS, BNP Paribas Bank, PwC, Proctor & Gamble and the NFL.

Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee

for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, community service and other criteria.

Congratulations to the 2024 First Tee Scholars:

Name	Chapter	University
Mahek Acharya	Greater Chicago	Indiana University
Maia Alinskas	Delaware	University of Delaware
Aditi Balakrishna	Tri-Valley	University of Illinois
Sarah Brannigan	Metropolitan New York	Georgetown University
Nicholas Crawford*	Roanoke Valley	Emory and Henry College
Erika Dierke	Minnesota	University of Mississippi
Argyle Downes*	West Virginia	Rutgers University
Tyler Joplin	Greater Dallas	Boston College
William Liu	Greater Seattle	Stanford University
Emmy Martinez	Greater Dallas	Bentley University
Henry Mentzel	Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky	University of Kentucky
Gabriella Mercado	Orange County	University of San Diego
Faith Ndichu	Raritan Valley	Lehigh University
Joseph Neddo	North Florida	University of Central Florida
David Nguyen	Central Iowa	Grinnel College
Kylie Nguyen*	Greater Seattle	Chapman University
Selam Olson	Connecticut	Trinity College (CT)
Shae Patel	Metropolitan Oklahoma City	University of Oklahoma
Jaylyn Remolona	San Francisco	Seattle University
Isabella Rubio	Florida Gold Coast	University of Florida
Kailey Shapiro	Northern Nevada	Tulane University
Leah Torres*	Greater Houston	University of St. Thomas, Houston
Dimitri Vasilacopulos	Utah	Southern Utah University
Nathan Vertes	Florida Gold Coast	University of Florida

*Denotes collegiate golfer

Two First Tee – Greater Richmond Teens Selected for Game Changers Academy

Rita Eovino and Justin Hartsfield both chosen for the five-day learning and empowerment academy

Richmond, Va. (May 22, 2024) – Rita Eovino and Justin Hartsfield from First Tee — Greater Richmond have been selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Minneapolis, July 9-13. Eovino and Hartsfield are two of 72 teens from the First Tee network who has been selected for the five-day learning and empowerment academy that is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position teens to be Game Changers in their current and future communities.

Eovino is a rising junior at Monacan High School and has been a First Tee – Greater Richmond participant for 10 years. She is currently the secretary of the Junior Advisory Board (JAB) and serves as a junior coach for First Tee Programs. Last summer, Eovino attended the Nike Junior Golf Camp at the University of Virginia.

Similarly, Hartsfield is a junior coach and is the treasurer of the JAB. A rising sophomore at L.C. Bird High School, Hartsfield has been a First Tee – Greater Richmond participant for the last four years. Hartsfield was part of First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Redmond Cup team in the summer of 2023.

“We are elated to have both Rita and Justin represent First Tee – Greater Richmond at the First Tee Game Changers Academy,” Kelly Brown, First Tee – Greater Richmond Vice President for Impact, said. “It has been wonderful to watch their growth both on and off the course over the last several years, and both have made a huge impact on our organization as participants and Junior Advisory Board members.

“I know they will have a similar impact at the Game Changers Academy, and we are excited to have them return and share the lessons learned in Minneapolis.”

During the Game Changers Academy, participants will take part in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. First Tee invites its partner, RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice, to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches.

The Academy is an evolution of First Tee’s longest-standing participant event, honoring 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.

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