Category: Feature Stories

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.

2022 3M Open Highlights

The following video highlights First Tee – Minnesota’s two days at the 2022 3M Open. With help from Annika Sörenstam, Tom Hoge, Sirius XM’s Chantel McCabe, Adam Thielen, Larry Fitzgerald, and Houston White, over 500 kids had a blast! Thank you, 3M, and all our supporters for making this possible.

A Game for All

First Tee Chapters provide inclusive golf and character building programs for all kids and teens 

By Megan Hart, First Tee HQ 

About a quarter of Americans have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but as many organizations have redoubled their focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in recent years, this group can often go overlooked in discussions on the topic. 

For 25 years, First Tee has shown up every day, determined to ensure that every kid and teen feel welcome and included. First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is just one example of our Chapters who promote inclusive programs.  

The Chapter partners with organizations like Els for Autism, Special Olympics of Hamilton County and SCRATCHgolf to serve players of all abilities and skill levels, proving golf is for everyone. 

Thanks in part to the United States Golf Association’s IDEA Grant, the chapter has been able to expand its opportunities for all kids. The IDEA Grant was created to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility efforts at the local golf level. This grant program awarded $200,000 from USGA to First Tee Chapters across the country in 2021. 

“USGA’s support is a game changer for the youth in the communities that we serve,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “With these grants, our chapters are opening the door to even more youth, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities, to explore the possibilities in golf and beyond as they build their character and life lessons through the game.” 

The USGA’s efforts to make golf more inclusive go far beyond its work with First Tee. The association will host the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst this July, which will feature the globe’s top golfers with disabilities, including those with limb impairments, intellectual and neurological impairments and seated golfers. Among the field is First Tee — Tampa Bay alum Joey Hill and First Tee — Triangle alum Zachary Duncan! 

‘You just have to love the kids and find out what they need’ 

First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is focused on reaching children from all backgrounds and abilities, and with the help of the USGA and other organizations, they have found creative ways to become more accessible. 

The Chapter will bring back programming for kids with autism this fall after it was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff first trained with Els for Autism in 2018.  

Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky also partners with Special Olympics of Hamilton County to introduce participants to golf. The program attracted about 20 kids per year before the pandemic, and it’ll return this summer for a weekly series.  

Three kids have transitioned from the Chapter’s Special Olympics program to its golf course program, and Executive Director Alicia Yund recalls seeing a Special Olympics participant return for a community field day hosted by the chapter. 

“It was cool to see him thriving and see how all the other kids were in awe of him and his ability to hit the ball,” she said. “It’s great when all kids are included.” 

Wendy Mockabee manages the School Program at First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, which integrates First Tee’s life skills program into elementary and middle schools in the community. One of the participating schools exclusively serves special needs students, and it’s been inspiring to see how teachers have adapted First Tee programming to meet the needs of the kids. For example, teachers attached a leaf blower to a golf club so children with mobility challenges could instead push a button to move the ball. 

In addition, the chapter hosts programming for kids with life-threatening and chronic health challenges, including SCRATCHgolf. In partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute and the Congenital Heart Alliance of Cincinnati, the chapter recently held a multiday camp for kids with heart defects, who are then provided scholarships for future programming. 

“We’ve been very focused on making sure all kids have a safe space, an environment where we’re prepared to make any modifications necessary to make them feel welcome and part of First Tee community,” Yund said. “Weaving accessibility and inclusion into programming — outside of finding more volunteers — it’s not a daunting or taxing effort. You just need to love the kids and find out what they need.” 

A number of First Tee chapters within the network offer youth development and programming for participants with disabilities. Contact your local chapter to learn more. 

Find a Chapter

JP Ray – First Tee Alumnus

What happens when you provide free programs? The results are game-changing. 

With support from Southern Hills Country Club, host of this week’s PGA Championship, First Tee – Tulsa provides free character-building programs to everyone who walks through their door. JP Ray is one of many participants impacted by the program.

First Tee – Minnesota Returns to the Summer Games

Program Director Franco Zerna at last year’s Games.

Last summer, First Tee – Minnesota was one of over 50 nonprofits that participated in the City of Lakes Community Summer Games.  The purpose of the Games is to bring healing and joy to children in North Minneapolis by introducing them to a wide variety of sports—including golf.
 
With help from GolfZilla—an inflatable golf-loving version of the original dinosaur—we converted North Commons Park into a golf learning center complete with a driving range, a practice putting green, and great instruction from PGA teaching pros and First Tee coaches.
 
First Tee – Minnesota is back this summer with an expanded program thanks to U.S. Bank’s generous support. For the five Saturday mornings of the Summer Games—July 9 through August 6—we are offering free golf clinics at North Commons Park and at Columbia Golf Course.  The clinics are free, but we ask each participant to provide an hour of community service on Saturday mornings under the inspirational leadership of Coach Mike Tate and his Northside Bulldogs. 
 
If you have a child who would like to participate or if you would like to volunteer, please email us at [email protected]. We will provide more details on the schedule and service opportunities.

First Tee – Minnesota Shines in Florida

Thanks to the hospitality of First Tee – Naples/Collier, Matt Stolte and Gabriella Ishaq represented First Tee – Minnesota at the 15th Golf to Paradise-First Tee Champions Challenge. This event attracted golfers from many of the 150 chapters of the First Tee network and it is one of the many national events our golfers participate in throughout the year. Matt and Gabby also participated in U.S. Bank’s “Real Good Moments” event with Collin Morikawa and were thrilled to use the Team Morikawa bags they received from TaylorMade.

March Madness Bowling Update

Final Results of the 2022 March Madness Bowling Extravaganza

Many thanks to our participants and sponsors.  Here are the final results!

  • KingPin:  Lee “Jeff” Brekke – 185
  • Classic Division
    • Bowling Champs: Jake, Luke, Ryan, Cole & Adam
    • NCAA Champs: Lee, Tim, Aaron, Kevin & Matt
    • Masters Champs: Andy, Joey, Matt & Matt
  • Open Division
    • Bowling Champs: Jess, Ryan, Troy & Guest
    • NCAA Champs: Pat, Brian, Jolee, Jay & Kathy
    • Division Masters Champs: Jeff, Matt, Ray & Vivienne
Click Here for the Scoreboard

Many thanks to the 80+ participants who completely filled Park Tavern. Thanks also to our excellent sponsors for their support, including:

  • Park Tavern
  • 3M Open
  • Minnesota Wild
  • Thr3 Jack Restaurant
  • TPC Twin Cities
  • Minneapolis Park & Recreation Golf Courses
  • Foley Company
  • The Wilds

This scoring sheet will be updated after each round of the tournament. At the conclusion of the tournament, the winner of each division will be announced … and then it’s on to the Masters!

U.S. Bank and Collin Morikawa Surprise First Tee Students

Through its “Real Good Moments” initiative, U. S. Bank partnered with two-time major champion, Collin Morikawa, to recognize and reward organizations that are giving back to their communities. The most recent campaign put the spotlight on First Tee – Minnesota and six high school students who demonstrated reslilience and other life skills taught by First Tee. As you can see on the surprised faces of the students, Collin’s appearance was a huge surprise! First Tee – Minnesota appreciates the kind words of Collin Morikawa and U.S. Bank’s generous gift of $10,000 to the First Tee – Minnesota chapter. Your support is helping our chapter Build Game Changers in the state of Minnesota!

Thielen Foundation Makes Holiday Donation to First Tee – Minnesota

The Thielen Family

Minneapolis, MN – December 22, 2021 – Thanks to the generosity of the Thielen Foundation and its partners including Choice Bank, Hormel Foods, Caribou Coffee, Cargill, EY, State Farm, Pulte Homes, Elite Ink, Northwestern Mutual and others, First Tee – Minnesota today received a donation of $25,000.

According to Amy Sinclair, executive director of the Thielen Foundation, “In the end, our mission stems directly from Adam and Caitlin, and ultimately it is their generosity and consistent commitment to the Minnesota community that allows Thielen Foundation to make this donation — we are so thankful to be able to carry out their mission to so many people and children, especially during the holidays.”

Upon receiving the news of the gift, Jim Triggs, CEO of First Tee – Minnesota, said “This incredibly generous gift is a game changer because it makes the life skills we teach through the game of golf available to more kids—especially those in underserved communities. The Thielen Foundation’s commitment to Minnesota is such a wonderful inspiration—especially this time of year. We are very grateful.” 

According to Triggs, First Tee – Minnesota plans to use the donation to accelerate the work it is doing on the Northside of Minneapolis and in other underserved communities in Minnesota.

First Tee – Minnesota is one of 11 non-profit Minnesota organizations chosen to receive a donation, with gifts totaling $375,000.

First Tee – Minnesota Partner Celebrated on the Today Show

Heritage Youth Sports Foundation honored for its support of youth sports and volunteerism in North Minneapolis.

Earlier this year, First Tee – Minnesota began working with Coach Mike Shelton and the Heritage Youth Sports Foundation to support its Northside Golf Club. This fledgling group of young, enthusiastic golfers began with clinics at the football field at North Commons Park in North Minneapolis. From there, Coach Mike, Coach Mikey Grant, and First Tee – Minnesota program director Aaron Shafransky worked with the kids at Columbia Golf Course and Theodore Wirth Golf Course.

On December 2, 2021, the Today Show celebrated the Foundation’s work on its “Season of Giving Toy Drive.”

You will notice at the beginning of video that Kennedy—one of the participants in the summer clinics—says golf is her favorite sport. Music to our ears!

Click the image to see the Today Show story.

The local affiliate of NBC, KARE-11, provided this local take on Mike Shelton’s work in North Minneapolis.