Category: News Releases

Founding Board Member & National Trustee Inducted Into Robins School of Business Alumni Hall of Fame

Founding Board Member & National Trustee Inducted Into Robins School of Business Alumni Hall of Fame

Bobby Ukrop, Chairman and CEO of Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, recognized on February 21, 2019.

(RICHMOND, Virginia) – Last week, Founding Board Member of The First Tee of Greater Richmond and National Trustee of The First Tee received recognition through the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business. The Robins School of Business Alumni Hall of Fame award and induction are given annually to recognize an alumnus or alumna of the University of Richmond who graduated 10 or more years previously and has made significant accomplishments in business and service 1. In addition to his 40-year career at Ukrop’s Super Markets, Bobby Ukrop is an accomplished community leader. Not only did he serve as a catalyst in starting The First Tee locally 20 years ago, he is currently an Emeritus Board Member of The First Tee of Greater Richmond offering annual support and guidance to chapter.
“Bobby Ukrop is a great example to us all; he’s a man who truly lives The First Tee’s Nine Core Values. He is a strategic visionary for good and has a unique ability to bring people together. Over the years, through his passion and nonstop energy Bobby has positively touched the lives of thousands of people in the Richmond community.”

– Brent Schneider, CEO, The First Tee of Greater Richmond

Thank you, Bobby, for your commitment to The First Tee of Greater Richmond and the surrounding community of RVA.

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Robins School of Business
       

Downtown Facility Hosts Dominion Energy Charity Classic Charitable Impact Announcement

Downtown Facility Hosts Press Conference To Announce Charitable Impact Of 2018 Dominion Energy Charity Classic

Richmond-area charities receive more than $1.2 million as a result of last year’s event.

(RICHMOND, Virginia) – On February 12th, tournament officials announced that the 2018 Dominion Energy Charity Classic generated more than $1.2 million for charities in the Richmond region. The PGA TOUR hosted this event at The First Tee of Greater Richmond’s Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range. 
Over 40 members of the community gathered at The First Tee on Tuesday morning.
  The PGA TOUR Champions tournament, currently in its fourth year, is dedicated to giving back charitably in the local community, with a special focus on military support. As a result of the 2018 event, the tournament will distribute funds to the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation to benefit the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Virginia Values Veteran’s program, the Richmond Fisher House, as well as 144 additional non-profit organizations in Central Virginia, including The First Tee of Greater Richmond. “As its name suggests, the Charity Classic is all about goodwill and good works,” said Dominion Energy Chairman, President and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II. “That is why our company sponsors the event: We believe in helping others. The outpouring of generosity from the 2018 Classic is extremely gratifying, and it will make a lasting difference in the lives of veterans, their families, children in need, artists and countless others.” The Charity Classic offers area non-profit organizations the opportunity to participate in the Birdies for Charity program presented by TowneBank. This program provides participating 501(c)3 organizations the ability to generate donations that the PGA TOUR bonuses by 10%. Patty Merrill, Vice Chair of The First Tee of Greater Richmond Board of Directors, spoke on behalf of Birdies for Charity. Patty is also the volunteer chair of Birdies for Charity and is leading a task force around the 2019 Dominion Energy Charity Classic Community Invitational benefitting The First Tee of Greater Richmond.
As the Dominion Energy Charity Classic continues to grow, so does our pursuit to maximize the charitable impact to the Richmond area. Our team feels a great sense of pride that the tournament serves as a conduit for charitable giving in our community and it’s encouraging to see the growth of the Birdies for Charity program each year.”

Steve Schoenfeld, Executive Director, Dominion Energy Charity Classic

The 2019 event will return to The Country Club of Virginia, James River Course, October 17-20.

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Richmond Times Dispatch PGA TOUR
Host your next event at our facility! Contact Mark Lynch, Senior Director of Golf of The First Tee of Greater Richmond: [email protected]      

Training + Certification Coming to RVA with New Program Launch

Operation 36 to Host 2019 Certification in Richmond, VA

The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range

(RICHMOND, Virginia) – Operation 36, a player development program for new and beginner golfers, announces their 2019 Certification, which will take place at The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range on March 4th. Participants will spend the day working directly with the Co-Founders, Matt Reagan and Ryan Dailey, learning how to build out their programs for the year. Matt Reagan said, “We are excited to announce that we have upgraded the Level 1 and Level 2 Certification into into one day of training that we are coining simply the ‘2019 Operation 36 Certification.’” “This day of training will not only combine the best of Level 1 and Level 2 training, but also showcase exactly how the we would build, plan, and execute the programs with the latest features, programs and technology that are available to coaches. Our plan is to upgrade the training each year as we innovate, learn, and help coaches become more efficient at creating golfers and growing the game. We want coaches to walk out of the training knowing exactly how to implement cutting-edge strategies to build coaching programs that actually grow their business and the game.” Coaches are welcome to spend a day with the Operation 36 team and others in the Network as they cover the latest information and how to increase efficiency and to create golfers and grow the game. The curriculum will include:
  • How to plan and execute the Op 36 Golf Programming Model
  • How to actually measure you are creating golfers
  • How to create value for all – The Business & Science of Group Coaching
  • How to leverage Gamification & Engage Golfers with technology
This certification training is available to all coaches. Click here to sign up Operation 36 Network was founded by PGA golf pros Ryan Dailey and Matt Reagan to provide the #1 golf improvement experience for beginner and intermediate golfers. Operation 36 is used in over 380 golf facilities world-wide, with over 20,000 players actively using the curriculum and platform. The First Tee of Greater Richmond is launching the Player Development Academy powered by Op36 this spring.

Training + Certification Event Information

Date: Monday, March 4th, 8am to 5pm Location: 400 School Street, Richmond, VA 23222 Cost: $249 per person – this includes breakfast and lunch
For all questions regarding Operation36, youth programs, or this training, please contact Berkely Jackson, Program Coordinator of The First Tee of Greater Richmond: [email protected]      

Top 50 Stand Alone Facility

The First Tee of Greater Richmond facility named among top 50 driving ranges 

The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range

(RICHMOND, Virginia) – The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range has been named among the nation’s top 50 driving ranges in the Stand-Alone category by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA). This marks the first time the facility has been recognized by the GRAA. This prestigious recognition in the golf industry comes only one year after reopening The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range after a $1.2 million renovation featuring turf improvements to the six-hole par 3 course, greens with Champion Bermuda grass, upgraded bunkers, upgraded practice tees, a clubhouse with youth-centric spaces, and two TrackMan 4 simulators to analyze swings or participation in Trackman Leagues. The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range at The First Tee of Greater Richmond was featured in the December 2018 issue of Golf Range Magazine alongside other recognized golf courses in the Richmond area including Independence Golf Club (Public Range category) and Kinloch (Private Range category).
The Golf Range Association of America takes this time to recognize the practice facilities and teaching professionals whose accomplishments stood out over the year.

– Golf Range Magazine, December 2018

To join the Winter Trackman League, book a tee time, or inquire about corporate outings and lessons, please contact Mark Lynch, Director of Golf at The First Tee of Greater Richmond: mark@thefirstteerva.org or call (804) 728-3857. For all questions regarding facility renovations or operations, please contact Kelly McAnally, Senior VP of Operations of The First Tee of Greater Richmond: [email protected]
 

Renovations Coming to Chesterfield Location in 2019

The First Tee of Greater Richmond Announces Chesterfield Location Renovation and Renaming in Honor of Founder Mr. Fred T. Tattersall

The Tattersall Youth Development Center at The First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course

(CHESTERFIELD, Virginia) – The First Tee is more than a game. It is a place of youth development for all kids teaching life skills and healthy habits through the game of golf. In 1998, Mr. Fred Tattersall set his vision on creating more facilities for youth to practice, play, and learn the game all over the country – and Chesterfield, Virginia is home to the flagship project.
Fred Tattersall with fall program participants at the dedication ceremony on November 1st.
Designed specifically for youth, a full 18-hole par 66 golf course behind Harry G. Daniel Park of Chesterfield, Virginia serves as a public golf course while hosting year-round programs and summer camps for youth enrolled in The First Tee. On November 1st, The First Tee of Greater Richmond dedicated the facility under its new name in honor of The First Tee Founder: The Tattersall Youth Development Center at The First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course. In addition to the new name, The Tattersall Youth Development Center at The First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course will undergo a series of future renovations to convert the golf shop into a youth-centric space. This new building will contain a TrackMan Swing Lab, a community meeting space, and an updated program room for The First Tee participants to gather for programs. Last Fall, The First Tee reopened their Richmond golf facility, The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, after extensive renovations to their clubhouse, 6-hole course, and driving range.

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Richmond Bizsense For all questions regarding facility renovations or operations, please contact Kelly McAnally, Senior VP of Operations of The First Tee of Greater Richmond: [email protected]
 

COMING APRIL 2019: CCV hosts The First Tee & DECC Partnership Event

Dominion Energy Charity Classic and The First Tee of Greater Richmond partner to bring charity event to The Country Club of Virginia in 2019

The inaugural event will feature sponsored foursomes for junior participants of The First Tee of Greater Richmond.

(RICHMOND, Virginia) – Tournament officials are pleased to announce a new charitable event benefitting The First Tee of Greater Richmond to be held next spring. The inaugural event will take place on Monday, April 22, 2019 at The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course and will feature sponsor foursomes and junior participants of The First Tee program. “We are thrilled to build upon an existing relationship with the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in an annual event to raise awareness for our organization,” said Brent Schneider, CEO of The First Tee of Greater Richmond. “Not only will this serve as our primary fundraising event, but it will also allow us a platform to provide our supporters with an exceptional opportunity to play such a special PGA TOUR-ready course while we fulfill our vision: to strengthen the character of our community.” The First Tee is national youth development organization teaching life skills and character education through the game of golf and the Greater Richmond chapter alone serves over 80,000 youth annually. The organization is growing the game both on and off the course at two programming facilities, in 127 area elementary schools, and in collaboration with numerous youth-serving partners. “The First Tee is a great partner to us at the PGA TOUR, so we are thrilled to work with the Richmond chapter to bring this important event to life in 2019,” said Dominion Energy Charity Classic Executive Director Steve Schoenfeld. “Elevating local charities in the Richmond community continues to be a driving force for us at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic and we know this event will help to continue fostering lasting and impactful charitable contributions in our community.”
The Country Club of Virginia is excited to serve as the host site for the inaugural event. The development of junior golf is something we are passionate about for both our members and the community. The First Tee of Greater Richmond is an outstanding organization and we are honored to be a partner in this endeavor. – Club President, Pierce Walmsley. 
In addition to this event, The First Tee of Greater Richmond is one 140 nonprofits enrolled in Birdies for Charity presented by TowneBank, a program designed to give local charities an opportunity to generate contributions through flat donations or based on the number of “birdies” made by PGA TOUR Champions players during the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

GET INVOLVED

Sponsor prospects seeking naming rights or event participation should contact Madison Medlin, Senior Director of Marketing and Events of The First Tee of Greater Richmond: [email protected]