News Releases Archives - Page 3 of 5

First Tee – Greater Richmond Celebrates 25 Years of Building Game Changers

Organization has been impacting the lives of youth in the community since 1998

RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 28, 2023) – For 25 years, First Tee – Greater Richmond has used golf to impact the lives of young people. This week, the youth development organization is kicking off its 25^th anniversary with the first of many features and a new anniversary storytelling hub on firstteerva.org.

Since incorporating in 1998 as one of First Tee’s first chapters, First Tee – Greater Richmond has steadily grown across the community, culminating by impacting nearly 75,000 youth in 2022. The organization also operates three public golf facilities in the Richmond area – Belmont, the Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, and The Tattersall Youth Development Center – offering affordable, accessible golf to the entire community.

“There is little doubt that our chapter has grown significantly and had an indelible impact on thousands of young people during the last 25 years,” said Brent Schneider, First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO. “We are grateful for the vision of our founders, including Fred Tattersall, and for his leadership.

“Congratulations and thank you to all who have played an essential part in growing First Tee – our participants, coaches, volunteers, donors, team members and partners – who have helped create this impact over the last 25 years. We’re extremely excited about the future of our organization and how we can continue to strengthen the character of our community moving forward.”

First Tee – Greater Richmond recently completed a comprehensive strategic plan designed to carry the organization through 2025. The focus of the plan will be on Youth Development, Impactful Golf Operations, Sustainability, and Deeping Community Partnerships.

The first of several features on the organization focuses on its origins as one of First Tee’s pilot chapters. First Tee – Greater Richmond was officially incorporated on Feb. 26, 1998, and quickly became one of the bellwether chapters in the national organization through the leadership of Fred Tattersall, Bobby Ukrop, Bill Goodwin, and other Richmond community leaders.

Throughout 2023, First Tee – Greater Richmond will be shining a light on several facets of the chapter, including alumni, participants, coaches, donors, and its impact both locally and nationally. The organization will also be hosting several events, including its 25^th anniversary celebration on May 4.

To learn more about First Tee – Greater Richmond, its impact and future vision, please visit:

###

Media Contact:
Bill Potter
317-625-5772

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.

###

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.

Four Teens Earn Selection into the First Tee College Scholarship Program

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

First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore congratulate:

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

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

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

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

First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners who stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission. For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman Arthur M. Blank have championed First Tee’s mission through charitable and in-kind donations across the country. In September 2020, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more youth across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of the Leadership Series and Summit.

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

Photos and broll of the Scholars is available here.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/.

###

First Tee – Greater Richmond Announces Hirings of Katie Guerin, Rachel Higgins

Guerin Joins as Vice President, Advancement; Higgins as Executive Assistant

RICHMOND, Va. (May 27, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced that Katie Guerin and Rachel Higgins have joined its staff as part of a continued organizational evolution.

“Katie and Rachel will both be instrumental in helping us forward our vision of strengthening the character of our community,” First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said. “We continue to add dynamic, mission-minded leaders to our team, and I am grateful that Katie and Rachel are joining us.”

Guerin brings over 12 years of fundraising experience to the organization and will be responsible for all aspects of charitable giving, including strategy, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Additionally, she will serve on Schneider’s Senior Leadership Team.

Before coming to First Tee – Greater Richmond, Guerin served as the Director of Development and Communications for the City Kids Wilderness Project, which saw her manage and execute City Kids’ annual development and communications plan, stewarding an existing portfolio of individual and foundation major donors and building an individual giving pipeline.

Higgins, a mathematics major from UNCW and former flight attendant for American Airlines, will oversee day-to-day operations for the administrative office and lead scheduling, donor database administration, and board communications. Additionally, she will participate in institutional planning initiatives and assist as needed with special project management.

Guerin and Higgins both started in their positions earlier in May.

First Tee – Greater Richmond Named Honorable Mention Recipient in Prestigious PR Daily Social Media & Digital Awards

Belmont Reopening Campaign Garners National Recognition

RICHMOND, Va. (May 11, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has been named an honorable mention recipient of PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards in the Media Relations Campaign category for its successful Belmont Reopening campaign.

PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards celebrates the teams, organizations and agencies who have redefined the field with their groundbreaking work. First Tee – Greater Richmond was chosen from a wide pool of entries to receive an honorable mention in the media relations campaign for the impact of its Belmont reopening campaign.

The campaign encompassed both traditional and non-traditional media, including article placement with Golf.com, Golfweek, and Golf Digest, podcasts and an event with The Golfers Journal and video features in The Fire Pit Collective. In total, over 40 pieces of earned media generated over 110,000,000 total impressions and over $1 million estimated media value.

“First Tee – Greater Richmond set themselves apart from an outstanding field of applicants. Their work was exceptional and displayed their innovative strategies for achieving success. Congratulations, First Tee – Greater Richmond, and we look forward to your continued success,” said Brendan Gannon, Senior Marketing Manager for Awards Programs at Ragan Communications.

American Humane was the category winner for its Hero Dog Awards campaign. Nominees in the Media Relations Campaign category were:

ECMC Group: ECMC Group Helps Teens Question The Quo in Education
Endo International, plc: Endo’s Qwo® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes): The First and Only FDA-Approved Injectable for Cellulite
First Tee – Greater Richmond: Belmont Reopening
Lobeline Communications: The Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
SlicedBrand: Wasteless – Using AI to eliminate food waste and help the climate
United States Postal Service: Package Machine Deployment

Belmont reopened on May 24, 2021, with the historic A.W. Tillinghast design reimagined and renovated by Love Golf Design. The course features 12 restored A.W. Tillinghast holes – including 10 original greens complexes, alongside Little Bell, a 6-hole par 3 course; and The Ringer, a reversible 18-hole putting course; a driving range and practice area.

In 2021, Belmont saw 650 youth programming registrations for First Tee – Greater Richmond’s evidence-based life skills programs and camps, serving over 500 area youth. Over 20,000 rounds of golf was played on the property in just seven months from its opening through the end of 2021.

###

About Ragan Communications

Ragan Communications and PR Daily run 15 awards programs each year, including the prestigious PR Daily Awards, Top Women in Communications Awards and Digital Marketing and Social Media Awards. Judged by globally regarded experts and featuring multiple categories, these programs honor the top work in communications, PR, marketing, media and HR.

Ragan Communications has been delivering trusted news, training and intelligence for more than 50 years to internal and external communicators and business executives via its conferences, webinars, training, awards, subscriptions and its membership divisions. Its daily news sites—PRDaily.com, Ragan.com and RaganWellness.com—are read by more than 600,000 internal and external communicators and HR professionals monthly.

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 70,050 youth in 2021.