Category: Blog

First Tee Scholar Kelly Low is launching her career at AWS

Established in 2020, the First Tee College Scholarship Program is celebrating its first graduating class. Among its ranks is First Tee – Fort Worth alumna Kelly Low, who recently graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Now, Kelly is embarking on her career with one of the world’s most influential companies, which also happens to be a major supporter of First Tee.

She’s going to be a solutions architect for AWS based in Austin. “What excites me the most is the opportunity to innovate for each unique customer scenario,” she said. Kelly also said it feels profoundly gratifying to work for a company that’s so actively engaged with First Tee.

From mentoring alumni to encouraging staff to volunteer with local chapters, AWS supports First Tee in a variety of ways. 

AWS posted an internship opportunity on the First Tee Alumni Platform, and First Tee scholarship manager Robbie Lowman passed it along to Kelly. She applied, received an internship offer, and the rest is history.

Francessca Vasquez, VP, AWS Professional Services and Generative AI Innovation Center said, “Witnessing the positive impact of First Tee on lives like Kelly’s is a privilege that makes our work as First Tee Trustees truly meaningful and inspiring. Like Amazon’s Leadership Principle of ‘Learn and Be Curious,’ this story exemplifies the power of continuous learning and growth, inspiring us to keep exploring new ways to empower and uplift the next generation of builders.”

Kelly has already experienced AWS re:Invent, the world’s largest annual cloud computing conference, where she was invited to play in the AWS ProAm in 2023.

“I am excited for Kelly and her role with AWS,” Lowman said. “After getting to know her over the last few years, she is a passionate learner who has a deep appreciation for emerging technology. Kelly will thrive at AWS because of the supportive environment, and we are grateful for their continued support.”

As a participant and Scholar, Kelly has been involved with First Tee for nearly a decade, and she said she still uses its lessons today. “First Tee’s approach to perseverance goes beyond mere persistence. It encompasses managing emotions, setting realistic goals and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of challenges,” she said.

As part of the First Tee College Scholarship Program, each Scholar receives financial support, professional development opportunities and a dedicated mentor. Kelly’s favorite part of the program was getting to know her peers and her mentor from AWS, Heidi Buck.

AWS signed on as a First Tee Trustee in 2021 and has focused its efforts on teen retention. The company also invites its employees to volunteer at First Tee chapters around the globe.

“First Tee’s goal is to provide kids with experiences that build character, and AWS has been a great supporter of that mission,” said Jennifer Weiler, First Tee’s senior vice president of network relations. “We’re grateful for the relationship and excited to follow Kelly’s journey with AWS.”

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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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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Belmont to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of PGA Championship

RICHMOND, Va. (May 21, 2024) – Seventy-five years to the day that Sam Snead collected the 1949 PGA Championship title at then-Hermitage Country Club, Belmont will celebrate the diamond anniversary of that win, hosting a throwback event in the afternoon of May 31.

The 1949 PGA Championship remains the only men’s major championship played in the state of Virginia, with Snead defeating Johnny Palmer, 3&2, in the 36-hole match play final. The victory gave Snead, a Virginia native, the first two legs of the Grand Slam following his Masters win in April.

The 75th anniversary celebration will kick off on Thursday, May 30, with greens fees set at $19.49. The following day will see Belmont’s 75th Anniversary celebration giving players the opportunity to hit similar clubs as Snead and his fellow competitors did on the recently restored and renovated Belmont layout. The event will be played as a 4-man scramble, with each group having a set of 1940’s era clubs and balls. Awards will be given to the best-dressed golfers alongside the winning team.

From 4:30-7 p.m., youth will be able to play Little Bell – Belmont’s 6-hole par-3 course – free of charge, utilizing the 1940’s era clubs and balls. All youth playing Little Bell will receive a complimentary “Belmont 1949” ball, as well. Parents and guardians are encouraged to join their children on Little Bell but will not receive the retro clubs or balls while on the par 3 course.

In 2020, First Tee – Greater Richmond, in partnership with Love Golf Design, embarked on an ambitious reimagination of World Golf Hall of Fame architect A.W. Tillinghast’s 1917 design. The project converted the 18-hole course into a championship 12 holes, restoring Tillinghast’s vision and bringing back 10 of 12 original green complexes; created a six-hole par-3 course featuring Tillinghast template holes; an 18-hole putting course that measures the largest in the state, checking in at over 34,000-square feet; and a full practice facility that allows Belmont to host First Tee camps, programs and clinics, while also allowing the public to utilize both driving and short game ranges.

To learn more about the event and to sign up, click 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 Program, First Tee School Program, and Community Partnerships – First Tee – Greater Richmond reaches approximately 70,000 youth annually.

In the tough moments, Mahek Acharya wants athletes to know they’re not alone 

Mahek Acharya’s golf journey began when her uncle gifted her a set of pink clubs. “I tried other sports, but golf just stuck with me,” she said. She went on to join First Tee – Greater Chicago and play on her high school team. 

But as all players know, golf doesn’t always cooperate. “One season, things were going really great,” Mahek explained. “I was having fun and playing well, but then all the sudden, I just couldn’t hit the ball. I don’t know what happened, but it was really demotivating. I even told my parents I wanted to quit, but I knew I couldn’t give up the sport I love.” 

It was this experience that inspired Mahek to start her podcast, Insights of the Mental Game. “I knew I needed to find a solution and talking things out has always helped me,” she said. “It’s been a journey, but the podcast has helped me love golf again, and people have told me it’s helped them too, which I think is my biggest accomplishment.” 

Mahek has interviewed First Tee participants from around the country, many of whom she met at national participant events, including the First Tee Leadership Summit supported by PGA TOUR Superstore. That’s where she connected with LPGA player Shasta Averyhardt, who went on to appear on her show too. “Mental strength is so important in golf so to hear from a professional was really cool,” Mahek said.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which was created to help address stigma surrounding the topic, but experiencing mental blocks can still be isolating for athletes, Mahek said. “I remember when Simone Biles had the ‘twisties’ and she wasn’t able to compete during the Tokyo Olympics,” she said. “Even in my own community, a lot of people didn’t take it seriously.” 

While her podcast mostly focuses on golf, Mahek has also covered ice skating, basketball and tennis. She’s learned that each sport brings unique mental challenges. “I think it helps when athletes realize they’re not alone,” she said. “For a while I thought I was the only one struggling, but it makes it easier to know other people have these experiences too.” 

Mahek is preparing to graduate from high school and plans to continue her podcast at Indiana University, where she will study business. Though her competitive golf career is ending, she said she’ll continue playing for fun and stay involved with First Tee. 

“I’m just so happy I could make change with this podcast,” she said. “Making a difference in even one person’s life is such a great feeling.” 

Where are they now: First Tee National Championship winners 

First Tee returns to Clemson University this year for its 4th annual National Championship. This year’s field includes 24 boys and 24 girls from First Tee chapters across the country to experience what golf looks like at the next level.

In addition to showcasing their skills and perseverance on the course, players will also attend a golf careers panel and a keynote address from First Tee alumnus Gavin Parker. 

This year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamecast, and you can follow scoring on Golf Genius. 

Before we head to Clemson, we caught up with our past winners to see what they’re up to. 

Ashton Harper  
First Tee — Roanoke Valley 

Ashton won the inaugural First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and is now a member of the golf team at Virginia Tech, where he is majoring in business. Ashton said his experience with First Tee taught him valuable lessons in perseverance. “Golf is not a game of perfect, and there will always be ups and downs when playing this game, but they are magnified in tournaments due to the high stakes. I was able to use perseverance to fight these ups and downs,” he said. 

Ashton aims to become an All-ACC player by the end of his tenure at Virginia Tech before going on to play professionally. 

Symran Shah 
First Tee — Greater Dallas 

Like Ashton, Symran won the First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and now plays golf at Virginia Tech. She studies business and plans to have a career in healthcare administration. 

Hannah Lydic 
First Tee — Delaware 

Hannah won the 2022 First Tee National Championship held at Notre Dame and is now a member of the golf team at the University of Richmond, majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Her experience in the First Tee National Championship taught her patience and perseverance in both herself and her game, she said. 

As a Spider, she’s won awards for golf and academics. “What’s cool about the game of golf is that if you play calm and treat your playing partners with kindness, you will ultimately have a better experience on the course which will allow you to play at a higher level,” she said. Because of her experience with First Tee coaches, she fell in love with golf and now has the goal to become a collegiate golf coach. 

Hunter Swanson 
First Tee — Green Valley Ranch 

Hunter won the First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame in 2022 and is now a business student and member of the golf team at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Hunter lost to Ashton in a playoff at the 2021 First Tee National Championship, which inspired him to have the perseverance to come back and win at Notre Dame and taught him how to be more comfortable in high stress situations, he said.  

As a college golfer, Hunter said the most important lesson he learned from First Tee is confidence. “I find I play more relaxed and have a better game when I practice enough to believe in my abilities,” he said. Since winning the First Tee National Championship, Hunter has made the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, been a Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Week and the Nevada State Amateur runner up. 

Megan Meng  
First Tee — Greater Trenton 

Megan won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and is preparing to begin her college golf career at Northwestern, where she’ll study economics. Her experience playing in the First Tee National Championship challenged her to be hardworking and patient. She said she continues to use other First Tee lessons. “I find that it is important to always apply respect, sportsmanship and courtesy to those you are playing with,” said Megan, who also won the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. 

Recently, Megan was a member of Team USA at the 2023 Junior Solheim Cup and a 2023 Rolex Scholastic Junior All-American. She’s currently in the Top 10 of the AJGA Rankings and plans to pursue professional golf. 

Cooper Groshart 
First Tee — Central Coast 

Cooper won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and now attends California State East Bay, as a business administration major and a member of the golf team. Confidence is a First Tee lesson that Cooper keeps with him today while playing competitive golf. His experience in the First Tee National Championship was inspiring, as he saw so many people from different places share the same drive to compete and succeed in golf, he said.  

Cooper played in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur in Charleston. As a freshman, he competed in 12 tournaments with his college team and has been on the dean’s list both semesters. He said his goal is to continue to improve as a player and a person. 

Learn more about the First Tee National Championship.

First Tee College Scholarship Program celebrates first graduating class 

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (May 14, 2024) – Four years ago, President George W. Bush had a big surprise for seven exemplary First Tee participants. First Tee’s honorary chair told the teens they were selected as inaugural members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Now the organization is thrilled to celebrate their graduation. 

“Congratulations to the first graduating class of First Tee College Scholarship Program,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are very proud of your hard work and commitment, and we look forward to watching you move into the next stages of your journey. First Tee is proud to have played a role in your development.” 

“First Tee is family,” said Ricky Lam, a First Tee Scholar who is graduating from Harvard University and pursuing a career in insurance. “Ultimately First Tee is a place where you have such a strong support system to be able to pursue your passions, ask for help, expand your horizons and network so you can be the person you strive to be.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is a need- and merit-based scholarship program through which Scholars receive financial support and access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. Each Scholar is paired with an adult mentor to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful in college and beyond. 

“The First Tee College Scholarship Program really helped me find connections, especially with my mentor,” said Malisone Chanthanpanya, now a graduate student and member of the golf team at Texas Wesleyan University. Mali is one of three Scholars who graduated early to bring the total number of graduated First Tee Scholars to 10. “She was a great resource who I could talk to about not just college and my career but about life. I got to meet a lot of people through the scholarship program.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program was launched in 2020, and it recognizes First Tee participants who have shown dedication to academics, community service and their First Tee chapters. It has since grown to include 70 Scholars, with the 2024 class slated to be announced next month.  

Meet the graduates: 

Luke Boldt 
First Tee – Coastal Carolina / East Carolina University 
He has accepted a position as a medical missionary for two years and plans to apply to medical school. 

Malisone Chanthanpanya 
First Tee – Fort Worth / Texas Wesleyan University 
She’s in graduate school and prepping for LPGA Q-school in the fall.  

Jessica Jiao 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Georgetown University  
She has accepted a position with BNP Paribas Bank in its equity capital markets department in New York. 

Ricky Lam 
First Tee–Tri-Valley / Harvard University 
He has accepted a position with Sompo as a commercial underwriter.  

Kelly Low 
First Tee – Fort Worth / University of Texas at Dallas 
She has accepted an offer with Amazon Web Services as an associate solutions architect in Austin. 

Nicole Monsalve 
First Tee – Miami / Duke University 
She has accepted a position with the NFL in its two-year rotation program in New York. 

Sara Rintoul  
First Tee – Central Florida / University of Florida 
She has accepted an offer at Proctor & Gamble as a brand manager in Boston. 

Remi Shendell 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Emory University 
She is graduating with a double-major in biology and political science. 

Borina Sutiko  
First Tee – Silicon Valley / Santa Clara University 
She hopes to attend Cal Berkely this fall to earn her master’s in information systems.  

Denise Wei 
First Tee – San Francisco / University of California, Irvine 
She has accepted an offer with PwC in its audit division. 

How to prepare for your family’s first First Tee class 

For kids and adults alike, trying new things is a great way to build self-confidence. But it can also be intimidating. While First Tee chapters aim to create welcoming environments, knowing more about what to expect may help your family feel more comfortable before its first class. 

“First Tee welcomes all ages and skill level of golfers to classes,” said Lexie Milford, senior director of programs technology at First Tee. “Families should feel comfortable arriving to any First Tee location knowing their participant will be met by trained and caring adult coaches that are ready to lead them through a variety of fun activities.” 

In addition to learning golf, First Tee’s curriculum is built around teaching kids to: 

  • Pursue goals. 
  • Grow through challenges. 
  • Collaborate with others. 
  • Build a positive self-identity. 
  • Use good judgment. 

First Tee coaches aim to create fun and colorful, hands-on experiences for kids, Milford said. Here is what parents and kids should know. 

First Tee emphasizes safety and inclusivity 

As a youth development organization, First Tee believes experiences are our greatest teacher and that they should be both fun and meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail and better equipped for whatever comes their way. 

Just like trying a new sport can be scary for kids, deciding to entrust your child to a coach or organization can also be a significant decision for parents. As part of First Tee’s commitment to safety, all employees, coaches and volunteers must complete a background check before working with kids. Plus, all employees, coaches, volunteers and board members are required to complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training program. 

Additionally, while golf can have a reputation as an expensive and exclusive sport, First Tee aims to make it accessible to all families. Contact your local chapter if your child is interested in golf, but finances are a concern. First Tee also provides equipment and requires no special uniforms or shoes. For their first class, your child should wear something comfortable that makes them feel confident and allows them to move.  

Talking to your child about trying new things 

First Tee chapters cater to all kids, whether they are serious golfers, beginners and just play for fun. Even though you’ll find participants of all varying levels at First Tee, many kids are nervous during their first class. But it might be helpful to remind them that every golfer was a beginner once. 

Listening to their concerns and celebrating small successes can go a long way. “In my house, we love a good challenge and make a big deal for my kids when they make it through a new activity or experience, regardless of the outcome,” Milford said. 

With a curriculum that integrates life skills and character education, First Tee is about more than golf – which isn’t an easy sport, even for great players. Helping your child set small goals throughout their golf journey can be a good strategy to help them build confidence and teach them to enjoy a lifelong sport. 

Find a Program Location Near You

First Tee – Upstate South Carolina alumna Anna Morgan prepares to tee it up at Augusta 

Playing Augusta National is a dream for many golfers.  

“There are so many things that make the experience special,” Anna Morgan said. “The history that surrounds it and the Masters stories, it’s just exciting to be out there playing the same golf course.” 

Anna is an alumna of First Tee – Upstate South Carolina and a collegiate golfer at Furman University. She’s preparing to play in her third Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which begins Wednesday, April 3.  

“Up until 2019, they only had The Masters, and so to now have the ANWA and be able to say I’ve played tournament golf at Augusta, it’s just so cool to be part of that history,” she said. 

It’s almost a hometown tournament for Anna, who grew up a couple hours from Augusta in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  

Anna has had a storied career at Furman, where she was named 2023 SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. Last month she won the Purdue Puerto Rico Classic. “There have just been so many amazing moments,” she said. “I started playing golf because I thought it was fun, and I’ve been able to keep having fun with my coaches and teammates at Furman.” 

Anna honed that mentality at First Tee, where she still remembers playing golf baseball and other games. “I just have such great memories and made such great friends,” she said. “Especially during rough days on the golf course, I try to remember to always have fun. You need to enjoy it first and foremost.”  

She said First Tee helped her build confidence too. 

Anna’s dad got her into golf when she was young, but she played lots of different sports and actually focused on baseball until she was encouraged to switch to softball when she got older. 

Her advice to young golfers: “I definitely wasn’t the best golfer starting out. You don’t have to be the best player in your town or even the best on your team to have a future in golf,” she said. 

In addition to preparing for Augusta – where Anna says your short game is critical – she’s about to graduate with a double major in communications studies and political science. Anna is aiming to qualify for the Curtis Cup before establishing herself on a professional tour. 

Learn more about playing with First Tee. 

Encourage your child to warmup before exercise this spring 

For many families, the return of spring means outdoor sports are back in play.  

Whether your children play golf or participate in other physical activities, it’s important to keep them safe. Did you know a third of childhood injuries occur during sports?  

One of the best ways to make sure your child is prepared to play this spring is by encouraging them to warm up before exercise. 

“At First Tee we utilize warmups in a couple different ways,” said Ali Miller, senior manager of programs training at First Tee. “If it has been a little while since your child has been active in sports or they are new to sports in general, warmups are a great way to get their body used to being active. Warmups also allow our coaches to build a foundation of movement that helps facilitate better golf technique using exercises and movements that your child may be more used to such as throwing or kicking a ball.” 

All First Tee classes start with a warmup, and coaches aim to make them fun, so kids feel excited about the rest of the lesson, Miller said. Not only is warming up healthy before exercise, but it’s also a great way to instill in kids the importance of preparing for a task.  

Miller recommends warmups that combine a few different exercises to focus on different skills and muscles. For example, she’ll combine skiers for balance and agility with lunges for strength and flexibility. 

“Lastly, I always have kids do some kind of throwing, kicking or hitting motion, which covers object control. All these actions mimic golf skills and help me see what kids are capable of movement wise,” Miller said.  

“I also usually organize these exercises into some kind of circuit or obstacle course to keep things fun and keep kids moving for the whole warmup.” 

When it comes to other tips to prepare for spring sports, Miller said kids are generally resilient, but it never hurts to take your child to the doctor for a physical, especially if they’ve been more sedentary over winter.  

“Our coaches place safety as a number one priority but parents can help by making sure kids are wearing golf or athletic shoes and clothing that is easy to move around in,” she said. “As always if your child has any allergies or physical limitations let your local First Tee staff know so they can make sure everything is in order and they’re set up for success.” 

Learn about First Tee programs in your area. 

First Tee Scholar Alexa Vela is building community through golf

My name is Alexa Vela, a student at Rice University studying business and sport management. 

I am also a proud First Tee alumni and Scholar who has been fortunate enough to grow up playing the game of golf, and as a result have been taught a variety of fundamental lessons and values such as patience, confidence and integrity whether on or off the course. 

All of which have been instilled within me by First Tee and have been fundamental in shaping me into the leader that I am today; dedicated to establishing an environment where everyone feels welcomed. 

This devotion to creating inclusive spaces is the result of the community and friendships that I have been granted through First Tee. 

As a First Tee participant and now alumni and Scholar, I am certain that my accomplishments and ability to effectively serve my community and college campus is the result of the program’s ability to grant me a renewed sense of confidence as well as allow me to discover the power of my voice.

Through the years, I recognized the importance of using this voice as a means to embrace my authenticity and create a space that encouraged others to embrace theirs. 

Such a realization is what not only led me into my current academic areas of interests, sport management and business, with the intent to unite my love for growing the game of golf with my curiosity on how the game can take active strides in becoming more inclusive and accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, but is what recently empowered me to revamp the Club Golf Team here at Rice University. 

Growing golf in Houston has been especially important to me, considering that it is where I learned to love the game, but also where I was able to witness firsthand the impact that having access to the game of golf can have in the lives of many. Whether it be the ability to develop and foster community or be granted a space where you can enjoy yourself in nature, I recognized that very need here on Rice’s campus. 

After a year of researching the process and correct steps to take in order to make this dream a reality, the club team was established in January of this year! 

The team essentially provides all Rice students the opportunity to play golf, whether it be recreationally or competitively by participating in tournaments where students have an opportunity to represent Rice as a team, regardless of previous exposure or experience with the game. 

My vision for the team is to create community on the golf course by allowing all students to have the opportunity to participate in practices or tournaments without having to incur a huge financial undertaking. 

In addition to this, the club golf team’s presence on campus provides an outlet for females at Rice to play golf competitively considering the school does not currently have a women’s golf team. 

With our first golf tournament as a team in the books, I am excited to see the future of Club Golf here at Rice and the impact it will create here on campus. 

Find your local First Tee chapter.

Help your child make the most of Spring Break 

Just as time off has been shown to improve work performance in adults, Spring Break provides a great opportunity for kids to decompress amid a busy school year. It’s also an opportunity for parents to empower their kids to use good judgment, a focus of the First Tee curriculum. 

“Whether you have a vacation planned or are staying home this spring break, there are plenty of opportunities for your child to make thoughtful decisions,” said Lexie Milford, senior director of programs technology and support at First Tee and mother to two boys. “For example, if you’re traveling, empower your kiddo to help pack the snacks. What choices are healthy? What is best for a car ride? What needs to be kept cold?” 

Ask your child to walk you through their decision-making process and follow up later to see if they’ll do anything different next time. You might have your child weigh in on different topics as they get older because using good judgment gets easier with practice. 

When it comes to making the most of Spring Break, it can also be beneficial to help your child set a few short-term goals, which can have a positive impact on their self-confidence. “Start with things they can control and take ownership around, like chores, reading or screen time,” Milford said. 

Maybe your child wants to clock a specific number of community service hours during Spring Break or complete a certain number of lessons on the First Tee app, for example. 

Of course, spring breaks can look different depending on your child’s age, interests and your own work obligations.  

“As a working parent, it’s hard to balance kids being home while work continues on,” acknowledged Milford. “Relying on your kid to entertain themselves – and being comfortable with however they choose to do that so long as it’s safe – can be unnerving sometimes. But taking the week to let your kid be a kid, make some of their own choices, and just enjoy the freedom of play can be an amazing experience for them to unwind from stresses of school.” 

Many First Tee chapters offer spring break programming. Learn more opportunities to enroll.  

First Tee – Greater Richmond Announces “Courses That Build Character” Campaign

Campaign seeks to raise $8 million over next 3 years

RICHMOND, Va. (March 11, 2024) – First Tee – Greater Richmond is announcing its “Courses That Build Character” comprehensive campaign, which seeks to raise $8 million over the next three years. The campaign will focus on a renovation of the Tattersall Youth Development Center in Chesterfield, the development of operational capabilities needed to transform and grow the organization, and an expansion of First Tee Programs to new communities with enhanced financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

“While we are proud of all that we have accomplished over our last 25 years, we are just as energized to build upon that impact,” First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said. “This campaign will enable us to further use the game we love to positively impact as many people and communities as possible.”

Renovation work has already begun at the Tattersall Youth Development Center, with a tree-clearing project projected to end this month. Further work will commence in late summer of 2025, including renovations of greens complexes and bunkers, irrigation optimization and cart path repairs. Anticipated completion of the enhancements at The Tattersall are projected to be done in November 2025.

Campaign funds will also be directed to enable the organization to reach additional communities and schools through mission-aligned partnerships. Furthermore, First Tee – Greater Richmond will be enhancing its financial aid and scholarship opportunities for participants and their families via the campaign.

Further information about the “Courses That Build Character” campaign, including how the community can support the organization’s goals, can be found 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 reached nearly 70,000 youth in 2023. Learn more at www.FirstTeeRVA.org.

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