The most recent issue of Virginia Golfer magazine features a few familiar faces in its pages – our Vice President of Impact Kelly Brown and Senior Director of Programming Brittany Woo!
The issue, which focuses on the impact of mentorship on their pupils, puts a spotlight on both Kelly and Brittany, both of whom were previously VSGA-VIP Scholarship Recipients, their mentors, and how they impart their lessons on today’s youth.
Have you ever thought about your achievements in life? What were the dreams and ambitions that you wanted to work towards? How did you get there? At First Tee, these are the type of questions we propose to kids and teens to help them understand the process of attaining goals; but to reach their goal, they must first understand how goals are formulated.
A goal is something that you want to do, be or have, but it’s not something that you can do, be or have right at this moment. It’s something you must work to get in the future, and you can apply that to any challenge in life. For example, if your child wants to achieve Honor Roll and receive all As and Bs in school this year, what would that require them to do? They would need to do well on tests and assignments. How would they accomplish that? Encourage them to take good notes, turn in their work on time, and study for their tests.
For kids, having guidelines or tools can effectively help them identify their goals and make them feel comfortable about reaching them. At First Tee, we utilize four guidelines to do this. Talk to your child about the dreams they currently have and try these out for yourself.
Four Guidelines for Setting a Reachable Goal:
Goal setting is a strategy kids and teens will apply for the rest of their life. When we set our goals, we want to be very clear about them so that we have the best chance to achieve them. The key to remember is that goals come in all shapes and sizes. Just because it doesn’t work for someone else doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve it. Your kids will learn from both their achievements and setbacks, but as they begin to set personal goals, they will learn and grow in ways that you did not think possible.
Want to get involved with what we are building at First Tee? Click here to find out more.
It is my pleasure to present First Tee – Greater Richmond’s 2021 Annual Report. The numbers inside speak for themselves, but make no mistake, the numbers are only part of the story.
True to our vision, First Tee -Greater Richmond helped to strengthen the character of our community in 2021. Our programs provided valuable life skills training to greater Richmond-area youth and our public facilities provided safe, high-quality venues for our participants and patrons – all through the great game of golf.
Looking back on 2021, it was a tremendous year for our organization. After the challenges of 2020, we were able to resume in-person camps, clinics and programs, resulting in over 1,100 participants in First Tee – Greater Richmond programs – our highest number of participants in the last 5 years.
After a 17-month restoration and reimagination, we opened Belmont to great fanfare in May. Since opening on Memorial Day weekend, Belmont has seen over 24,000 rounds played across the facility in just seven months. Additionally, the new practice facilities have allowed more people to access Belmont, with the wedge range, chipping and putting greens, and range seeing daily use.
All three of our facilities serve as an entry point to the game and offer some of the best public golf facilities in the area, while also enhancing our community partnerships. Along those lines, we added to and expanded our community partnerships, working with the Henrico Police Athletic League, Henrico Education Foundation, Henrico Recreation and Parks, Kappa League of Petersburg, Target Ministries Group and Richmond City Parks and Recreation.
2021 has been a team effort and I am grateful to my colleagues for living our mission daily. I am inspired by the progress we have made and I’m encouraged about our future. Thank you for investing in the youth of our community and for being such an important part of our efforts.
Brent Schneider
CEO
First Tee – Greater Richmond
Did you know more than 80 percent of First Tee chapters offer programming specifically for girls?
“Growing up playing golf, I never imagined being in the golf industry,” said Rebecca Caimano, assistant executive director at First Tee — Greater Philadelphia, who joined the chapter in 2011 to help grow its girls programming. “It was tough being the only female who played golf.”
Now, Rebecca is among thousands of leaders/coaches who are involved in First Tee.
First Tee views golf as a metaphor for life. It’s not the score that counts, but what you learn along the way. The game is a perfect practice ground for learning skills that extend far beyond the course. Let’s face it, digging deep when things get tough is a natural part of our sport – and life – experiences.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary (& Women’s Golf Day), First Tee is proud of the role we’re playing in helping more young girls embrace the sport and what they can learn through it. Thanks to many female coaches and leaders throughout our network – like Rebecca – we are a safe place where girls can come, be themselves and learn from coaches and role models on the course and in the business world.
Also, thanks to organizations like USGA (a Founding Partner), LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and John Deere, sponsor of the Drive Your Future Academy, a national leadership development opportunity for female First Tee teens, we continue to intentionally offer opportunities for girls’ personal growth and development in many ways.
While many First Tee alumnae have gone on to work in golf, others have excelled in different areas, including medicine, journalism and public affairs. And we think that’s great for them, and for the world around us.
Studies have shown that women leaders are engaging and collaborative, yet it hasn’t always been easy for women to break into many top leadership roles. Golf can help.
Ninety percent of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf, according to the PGA of America, and more than half of all businesspeople believe golf is a valuable networking tool. Women executives believe that a background in sport was helpful to career advancement because it prepared them to work better in teams, and behaviors and techniques can be applied to the corporate setting (Women’s Sports Foundation).
First Tee teaches valuable life skills that can help girls as they become leaders. Through our personal growth and junior golf programs, we encourage girls to build self-confidence that they’ll carry with them into their future.
“I originally stuck with it [golf] because I wanted to beat my brother,” Rebecca continued. “And now, here I am, using a sport that changed my life to change others.”
Now, that’s girl power.
Approximately 25% of First Tee’s coaches are women, and we’d love to increase that number! If you are interested or know of a passionate female leader in your life, please point her here to get involved: https://firsttee.org/get-involved/coach-volunteer/
On Sunday, December 11, we will be participating in the Girls on the Run 5k Race. The event will take place at Bryan Park from 8am to 12pm. The first 10 participants to email Briana Oyler ([email protected]) will get a free registration code! Steps to register:
For more information, email Briana Oyler ([email protected])
Sixteen-year-old First Tee – Lake County (Hammond, Ind.) participant, Steven Outlaw, was notified during the 2001 First Tee Network Summit, the annual gathering of those within the First Tee network, that he was going to have to make his speech earlier than originally scheduled. The events to follow happened in a way that only fate decides.
Steven describes it as “being in the right place at the right time.” Using one of the first skills instilled into First Tee participants, as well as taught within his own household, on how to properly introduce yourself to others, Steven walked right up to one of the other speakers of the evening, former president of Georgetown College, Dr. William Crouch, and shook his hand. Steven’s demeanor stood out to Dr. Crouch and gave him quite the idea.
Following Steven’s speech, Dr. Crouch scrapped his own prepared comments and surprised Steven with a full scholarship to Georgetown College and news that he planned to provide a full scholarship to First Tee participants every year following. This full-ride scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of furthering Steven’s education.
Bob Krause, former vice president of institutional advancement at Kansas State University, followed suit with Dr. Crouch’s pledge. The First Tee Scholars Program was born and set to begin by 2003 with the inaugural class of Scholars, many of whom Steven is still in touch with today.
L to R: Christopher Hawkins, First Tee – Metro Atlanta alumnus and First Tee Scholar Class of 2003; Adam Ruegg, Troon Golf; Steven Outlaw, First Tee – Lake County alumnus and inaugural First Tee Scholar; Rod Jackson, First Tee – Metro Atlanta alumnus; Brandon White, current Program Director First Tee – Lake County.
As the inaugural First Tee Scholar, Steven graduated from Georgetown College with a degree in political science. After college, he enrolled in the PGA, PGM Accelerated Program. After completing two levels of the program, he secured an internship with Troon Golf, a leading golf management company. He has since worked with Troon Golf for nearly 15 years, starting in Arizona and traveling overseas to work in the Middle East, and in Malaysia managing The Els Club Teluk Datai (rated #83 in the world by Golf Digest in 2016).
More recently, Steven serves as the PGA Director of Golf at Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, managed by Troon Golf. Steven has been a PGA Class A Professional for more than 10 years and currently serves on the Southwest Section PGA Board of Directors and is very active with Troon’s D&I Council. Going forward, Steven aspires to ascend the ranks in the PGA of America, with a passion specifically around diversity, equity and inclusion and positive change within the game of golf.
Though Steven had numerous amazing opportunities during his time as a First Tee participant, he now prides himself in exploring what he can do for First Tee as an adult. He works closely with First Tee – Lake County, often supplying the chapter with donations.
“These opportunities would not have been possible without First Tee and the core values instilled in me such as perseverance and confidence. Much of what I learned during my time with First Tee I use now to strengthen and empower my team. I am forever grateful and honored to be part of such a great organization. I look forward to the future of First Tee and the path they will pave for the next generation.”
Eleven years after Steven’s speech, the First Tee Scholars Program continues to thrive. It has since received a face-lift following Greg McLaughlin being named First Tee CEO in 2019.
Relaunching officially in 2020, President George W. Bush, honorary First Tee chair, congratulated the first class of the revamped program. First Tee College Scholarship Program now extends its impact to alumni beyond financial support, providing personal and professional development throughout their post-graduate careers.
Each of the Scholars is paired with a dedicated, trained adult mentor who helps 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, and up to $5,000 per year toward tuition.
“First Tee aims to inspire and empower every young person in the program to set goals and begin pursuing them,” said McLaughlin. “The First Tee College Scholarship Program is intended to motivate young people to stay in the program and support alumni as they matriculate through the college.”
In recognition of First Tee’s 25th anniversary, the Class of 2022 includes 25 First Tee Scholars. This time, Steven Outlaw has turned the tables, joining as a mentor to one of the Scholars.
“I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by great professionals as I progressed through my time with the First Tee. These individuals helped me grow not only in golf, but personally and professionally. I consider myself lucky to be able to return the favor to the next generation!”
We believe in helping youth succeed – on the golf course and in life. Learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.
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.
Experiences are our greatest teachers. They shape how we treat others, how we see the world around us, and how we view ourselves. How we view ourselves is also known as our self identity and is defined as the qualities and potential you possess. It can influence the choices you make, the attitude you have day-to-day, and ultimately, it becomes your inner voice. For youth especially, a positive self identity can have a massive impact on who they become as adults. There are many ways parents can help their kids develop a positive self identity, and at First Tee we pride ourselves in nurturing a positive self identity for youth. Here are three ways you can help your kids develop a positive self identity inspired by our core values.
Kids watch and learn from the adults in their lives every day. Studying their actions and responses, they develop their identity based on their guardians and the other mentors in their life. If you live according to the values you want your kids to have, then they are more likely to absorb that into their own independent lives. That being said, having a mentor is a great way to ensure this happens. At First Tee,youth learn from their coaches by:
When there is no room for failure there is no room for growth. Fostering an environment that is not only safe for kids to fail but encourages them to try again, helps kids develop a strong sense of self. Acceptance also transcends just failure; it also means that every person, regardless of their background, is welcome. We work together to actively create a space of belonging for every kid— no matter what walk of life. Through example we encourage youth to accept their team members for who they are, treat each other with kindness, and create that culture of acceptance everywhere, so that when they reflect on themselves and their own identity they treat themselves with the same level of respect and positivity that they give others.
For kids, experiences shape their inner voice that gives them confidence and character. Not all experiences in life are easy, and when we empower youth to persevere and stay true to themselves, we bring out the best that’s inside of them. First Tee exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. As time goes on, that empowerment creates a strong sense of self, and encourages a positive self identity even in difficult situations.
Though a positive self identity may seem like something only some people are born with, it is really something that can be cultivated through leading by example, an open culture of acceptance, and consistent empowerment through all experiences. What do you want your child’s inner voice to sound like when they grow up? Nurturing their self identity can make all the difference in that. We guide kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action. If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today!
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:
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.
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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.
RICHMOND, Va. (April 27, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced that Mike Nowicki has joined the organization as its Senior Director of Agronomy, while Ennis Warlick has been hired as Social Media and Marketing Coordinator. Additionally, Keith Middleton is joining the organization as its fractional Chief Financial Officer.
In his role, Nowicki will oversee and lead all operations of golf course maintenance at all three First Tee – Greater Richmond facilities – Belmont, The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, and The Tattersall Youth Development Center. Nowicki arrives at First Tee – Greater Richmond after two years as the Golf Course Superintendent at Lakeside Park Club across the street from Belmont.
Across his 12 years in golf agronomy, Nowicki has worked at some of the finest golf facilities in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, including a 2.5-year stint as the Senior Assistant Superintendent at Kinloch Golf Club, providing world-class course conditioning for the top-100 rated course, before moving to Lakeside Park Club.
At Lakeside Park Club, Nowicki drastically improved course conditions, restoring tee boxes, removing trees, and helping maintain Donald Ross’ original vision of the property. Prior to moving east, Nowicki entered the profession as an intern at The Warren Course at Notre Dame before moving on to Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Ind.
Across his career, Nowicki has overseen and assisted with agronomic operations at tournaments for the USGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, Korn Ferry Tour, NCAA, and Big Ten.
“Mike brings a wealth of experience from his tournament work and proven standards at high-end clubs,” First Tee – Greater Richmond Vice President of Operations Mark Lynch said. “Moreover, he believes in our mission and will make our facilities comparable to the best clubs in Virginia in order to provide the community and our participants an incredible experience each time they come to one of our properties.”
A 2021 graduate of Elon University, Warlick brings videography, storytelling, and social media management skills to First Tee – Greater Richmond. With First Tee, Warlick will help generate editorial content across multiple social media platforms and channels, helping to demonstrate and further the organization’s mission.
Warlick has produced films for NFL Draft prospects and was the Social Media Manager for UBALL, based out of Los Angeles, through December 2021. While at Elon, Warlick worked both behind and in front of the camera for Elon One on One Sports, while also working live sporting events with Phoenix All-Access. Additionally, Warlick produced documentaries as a member of student media.
“We are thrilled to add Ennis to our team,” Vice President of Communications and Engagement Bill Potter said. “Over the last five years, both at Elon and professionally, he has demonstrated his considerable talents, and his capabilities will allow us to further tell our organization’s stories across wide-ranging and dynamic mediums.”
Middleton is a co-managing partner and co-founder of Fahrenheit Advisors and will be assisting First Tee – Greater Richmond in its financial and strategic operations to further optimize the organization.
A member of Fahrenheit’s Leadership Team, Middleton also oversees the firm’s consulting and fractional services, as well as risk management and operations. A seasoned corporate finance executive, Middleton’s expertise has helped Fahrenheit expand across multiple service lines and geographies.
Prior to launching Fahrenheit, Middleton held various executive positions including CFO of a $6 billion foodservice distributor focused on acquisition integration and growth, and senior vice president-corporate controller for a Fortune 500 company where he built out finance teams, processes, and systems to support the company’s growth.
Middleton, Nowicki and Warlick all began their tenures with First Tee – Greater Richmond earlier in April.
RICHMOND, Va. (April 19, 2022) – Meg Lavinder from First Tee — Greater Richmond has been selected to attend the First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy June 6-10 in San Francisco, Calif. The academy will immerse participants in both San Francisco’s historic and modern culture, in addition to participating in workshops and playing golf with new mentors.
Lavinder, 16, is a junior at Mechanicsville High School in Hanover County has been a participant at First Tee – Greater Richmond for eight years. Last year, Lavinder qualified for the Virginia High School State Championship and earned national recognition with her first career hole-in-one while playing at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic Pro-Am.
The all-girls event will focus on learning the value and impact of volunteerism, understanding the significance of values and skills learned through playing the game of golf, and recognizing the importance of building a strong network.
“We are so proud of Meg on earning the opportunity to attend the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy,” said Brittany Woo, Senior Director of Programming at First Tee – Greater Richmond. “Meg is one of our most authentic First Tee participants and creates a collaborative and inclusive community through her passion for golf. In addition to all her extracurricular activities and being a stellar golfer, she gives back to the First Tee community through junior coaching and as the President of our Junior Advisory Board. Not only will this be a great way for her to learn and meet new mentors across the country but a way to become a greater leader within the network and at our local chapter in Richmond.”
Lavinder is one of 24 participants selected to attend the Academy and was selected based on activities, essay responses, chapter involvement and letters of recommendation.
For more information on First Tee – Greater Richmond, visit www.firstteerva.org.
2022 First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy Participants
Aditi Balakrishna, First Tee — Tri-Valley
Dominique Barksdale, First Tee — Greater Washington, DC
Sarah Brannigan, First Tee — Metropolitan New York
Jayda Dookie, First Tee — Florida Gold Coast
Jillian Fatkin, First Tee — Coastal Carolinas
Jackie Freibert, First Tee — Greater Charleston
Naomi Garcia, First Tee — Lake County
Elizabeth Gong, First Tee — San Francisco
Ave Heaton, First Tee — Triangle
Jerina Hill, First Tee — Central Carolina
Katarina Hoag, First Tee — North Florida
Thalia Hoyos, First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City
Ana Hunter, First Tee — Tennessee
Lilliee-Ann Jacobs, First Tee — Eastern Michigan
Avery Janutolo, First Tee — Pine Mountain
Zara Karim, First Tee — Greater Washington, DC
Meg Lavinder, First Tee — Greater Richmond
Sanaa Lemen, First Tee — Fort Worth
Charlize Munar, First Tee — Inland Empire
Maria Ramos, First Tee — Greater Philadelphia
Abigail Staples, First Tee — Greater Houston
Emily Vang, First Tee — Fresno
Jordan Williams, First Tee — Central Valley
Haley Wong, First Tee — Greater Sacramento
Every conversation can be an opportunity to learn something new, build trust with someone, and deepen connections. This happens when we build the skill of active listening and learn to treat listening as an active process – not a passive one.
Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. It’s about being present, listening to understand (not respond), and showing active interest and engagement in the dialogue.
Active listening is an important skill for all of us to cultivate. Not only is it an important leadership skill, it has been shown to promote mindful thinking, can reduce anxiety and depression, helps build relationships and can promote empathy.
At First Tee, we use a process called A-L-R to help build connection through active listening. This helps us to deepen conversations, keep them going, and get the most out of them. Here’s how A-L-R works:
Active listening requires work, but you’ll be surprised at how much reward there is when you approach conversations and communication with this skill. Active listening is just one of the skills we are supporting kids and teens to build at First Tee. Click here to find out more about our programs.
RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 25, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced several updates and additions to both its Board of Directors and operational staff as it continues its organizational evolution.
“As First Tee – Greater Richmond continues to grow and evolve, I am grateful that we have been able to attract talented mission-minded staff and volunteer leaders to guide the organization into the future,” CEO Brent Schneider said.
Joining the Board in 2022 are Andrea Archer, Cary Baronian and Bryan Jones. Archer serves as the Senior Director of Human Resources at Altria, while Baronian is a partner and Director of Research at Heritage Wealth Advisors. Jones is currently the Chief Administrative Officer at Hourigan.
Additionally, Patty Merrill was elected to become the Chair of First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Board. Merrill is the fourth person and first woman to serve in the role in the organization’s history. Since joining the Board in 2017, Merrill has served on the Governance Committee and been actively involved in the organization’s strategic planning, including the renovation and restoration of Belmont, which reopened in 2021.
“I am honored to build on the strong leadership of each of the prior Chairs,” Merrill said. “I look forward to working with our Board and staff to continue impacting the lives of young people through educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.”
Schneider also announced the creation of a new leadership team to reflect the growth and increasing needs of the organization:
All four will serve on Schneider’s leadership team, along with a newly-created Vice President of Advancement position. Additionally, First Tee – Greater Richmond will be adding positions within social media and administration in the coming months.
First Tee – Greater Richmond has also added to its operational staff, welcoming Olivia Bowling, PGA, as its Head Golf Professional at Belmont, and Josh Pawlus as its Director of Golf Operations at The Tattersall Youth Development Center.
Bowling joins First Tee – Greater Richmond from The Country Club of Virginia, where she has been a PGA Assistant Golf Professional since 2017. A Class A PGA Professional, Bowling received the P.J. Boatwright Internship at the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) after a four-year career on the Randolph-Macon women’s golf team, captaining the Yellow Jackets in 2015-16. Bowling was the first four-time All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) First Team selection in conference history, twice being named ODAC Player of the Year.
Pawlus comes to the organization after spending the last seven years at Ball State University, where he rose to the Assistant Athletic Director of Game Operations for the Cardinals. In his seven years in Muncie, Ind., Pawlus served as a member of the athletics leadership team while coordinating daily scheduling for all 19 varsity sports and serving as the liaison between the athletics department and facilities. In total, Pawlus brings 13 years of collegiate athletics operations experience to First Tee – Greater Richmond.
