This week, we’re celebrating coaches and their impact on our participants and their communities. The incredible coaches and the meaningful relationships they foster have always been the heartbeat of First Tee.
The Unsung Hero
Our team of trusted, trained and caring coaches and staff develop meaningful relationships with participants that prepare them for what’s next – on the course, at school and in daily life. First Tee coaches and mentors set our program apart and change the landscape of their communities every day.
How to Get Involved:
Leading up to and during First Tee Week, help our chapter celebrate by sharing your story about a favorite coach. We will be collecting submissions until Friday, May 16th to share on our social channels, newsletters, and at our golf course facilities. Share your story here!
Join us on Tuesday, May 20th, at Gelati Celesti for First Tee Spirit Night. All Richmond area stores will be featuring “First Tee Chip Shot” ice cream, a custom flavor created by our Junior Advisory Board that includes a chocolate base, white chocolate drops, and chocolate chips. This event offers a sweet way to strengthen the character of our community, with 20% of sales benefiting First Tee – Greater Richmond! Visit your local store between 3pm – 9m and make sure you mention you are there to support First Tee.
In celebration of First Tee Week, First Tee – Greater Richmond is hosting a coffee and breakfast Networking Event on Wednesday, May 21st at 8:00am. Join fellow professionals, community leaders, and golf enthusiasts to learn more about how our chapter is impacting the local community and empowering young people through the game of golf. Register here!
During First Tee Week, donate your used golf equipment to include golf clubs, golf balls, and golf bags at any of our three golf course locations (The Tattersall Youth Development Center in Chesterfield, Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range in Richmond, and Belmont Golf Course in Henrico). Learn more here!
Dear Coach, you taught me…
Click on the photos below and read the first-hand stories of how coaches have impacted our participants, alumni, staff and supporters.
Dear_Coach__0008_L Fitzgerald
Dear Coach Don,
Thank you for pushing us all to be our best selves. The lessons you’ve taught me have lasted a lifetime.
Larry Fitzgerald Former National Football League Professional
Dear_Coach__0007_W Clark
Dear Coach McGraw,
You taught me that there is more to life than golf. Don’t let golf define you. You are more than your accomplishments.
Wyndham Clark PGA TOUR Professional
Dear_Coach__0001_Brittany Gill
Dear Coach Craig,
You taught me to embrace my true self and to be a confident leader. You have been a constant in my life, and I cannot thank you enough for your mentorship and friendship. You always provided opportunities for me to grow as a person and leader. You trusted me to coach the generations of tomorrow and peers at a very young age. You advocated for me to have a seat at the table, cheered me on during my life highs and knew how to support me during my lows. If I can be half as good of a mentor as you are to me, and pay it forward to someone else, I’m doing something right in life.
Thank you for being my lifelong mentor and friend.
Sincerely, Brittany (Woo) Gill First Tee – Greater Richmond alumna
Dear Coach Sterling_Justin Hartsfield (H)
Dear Coach Sterling,
You taught me lessons beyond golf. You taught me how to work hard and have fun doing it. You also taught me how to set goals and reach for the stars. You showed me how to build friendships and lifelong relationships. I couldn’t be me without what you’ve taught me.
Thank you!
Justin Hartsfield First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear Coach Grace_Brooks and Star Montagne (H)
Dear Coach Grace,
You taught us how to have fun, try my best, and be kind. I like learning golf with you! Thank you for helping me learn.
Brooks and Star Montagne First Tee – Greater Richmond participants
Dear_Coach__0000_Samuel Freeman
Dear Coach Kelly,
You taught me how to not only keep my cool on the course, but how to apply these values off of the golf course. You created an inclusive and welcoming environment for me prior to my freshman year and provided me with opportunities to gain lifelong friends. I have loved getting to know you these past two years and look forward to the rest of high school golf with you as my coach.
Thank you so much, Samuel Freeman First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear Coach Ana_John Gorsuch (H)
Dear Coach Ana,
You taught me to try my hardest every day, to not let one shot bring me down, and to play the course and not my opponent. These lessons have helped me through the ups and downs of my golf experience. I will never forget how much you have helped me.
John Gorsuch First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear Coach Keith_Henry Powell (H)
Dear Coach Keith,
You taught me so much more than just golf.
You taught me how to respect others, and how to earn their respect in return. I still carry with me the memories of your firm yet kind reminders to behave when I acted out of line (more times than I care to admit).
You taught me honesty, courage, and perseverance, making sure that I imbued those traits into my daily life. Whether it be through weekly check-ins after class, or casual conversation on the course, the advice you gave me for life outside of golf forged my character into what it is now.
You taught me the importance of self-accountability, never allowing me to take the easy way out. Your belief that I was always capable of pushing forward, even when I felt burnt out, has inspired me to be the best version of myself, regardless of the difficulty.
You taught me that everything isn’t just about being the best, whether that be golf or any other activity. You met an overly competitive, hyper-energetic boy, and transformed him into someone who finds value in the process, not just the outcome.
Coach Keith, although I will never be able to give you the thanks you truly deserve face-to-face, I hope that spiritually, you feel my immense gratitude. You turned me into the man I am proud to present to others. Your lessons taught me values that I do my best to embody to this day.
Thank you Coach Keith.
Henry Powell First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear Coach Kelly_Niki Chan (H)
Dear Coach Kelly,
You taught me how to not only keep my cool on the course, but how to apply these values off of the golf course. You created an inclusive and welcoming environment for me prior to my freshman year and provided me with opportunities to gain lifelong friends.
Niki Chan First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear Coach Sterling_Ethan Roerink (H)
Dear Coach Sterling,
Thank you so much for all that you have done to support me over the past several years! You have done so much to help me grow through First Tee classes, the Junior Advisory Board, and my Innovators Forum project. You have helped me gain confidence, overcome obstacles, and learn, both in golf and in other areas of my life.
Ethan Roerink First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear Coach
Dear Coach
Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development
A finding with The Harris Poll shows parents turn to coaches to help build their kids’ character, self-confidence, determination and leadership.
Ninety-one percent of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire their child to excel both on and off the field.
