(Mentor Spotlight: Meet Coach Sean Published 12/5/25) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to welcome Coach Sean to our team as our newest Program Coordinator. Sean will be coaching at Baylands Golf Links during the week and at Rancho del Pueblo on Saturdays.
Sean graduated from California State University of Fresno where he majored in Communication and played on the football team. When he graduated, he became an NCAA Football Recruiting Lead and Weight Strength Coach, where he led fitness and weight training for over 150 athletes and where his joy for coaching developed. “I enjoy coaching because it allows me to see others succeed, foster deep connections, and help others grow and unlock their potential.”
He applied the same coaching principles in his other roles as a Senior Recruiter and a Project Manager. His love for golf came ten years after his football career ended, and he pursued this love by becoming a Callaway Custom Fitter for Callaway Golf.
Now he is excited to be part of “a unique opportunity to learn from participants, gain new perspectives on the human experience, and make a profound difference in people’s lives. This is a mission-driven career that offers the satisfaction of helping others and gaining new skills in the process.” Sean believes the most valuable lesson he can teach kids & teens in the program is “to love and respect yourself. Life is not coming at you; it comes from you.”
Other than sports, Sean spends his free time fishing, painting, listening to music and enjoying an outdoor lifestyle.
If you are interested in becoming more involved with FTSV, please visit our website.
(3rd Annual Participants vs Parents Tournament Published 11/26/25) The 3rd annual Participants vs Parents Tournament delivered everything we hoped for and more—a fun, spirited competition packed with energy, laughter, and just enough friendly rivalry to keep everyone on their toes. Despite stormy forecasts earlier in the week, the golf gods were clearly on our side, holding back the rain for a beautiful, competition-ready day at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course.
The morning kicked off with warmups on the driving range and putting green, where both kids and parents shared smiles and encouragement before stepping into competitive mode. With the Participants holding a 2–0 record over the Parents from the last two tournaments, there was anticipation, determination, and a whole lot of playful pressure.
A New Format for 2025
This year featured a new twist: Stableford scoring, with different point systems for Participants and Parents:
PARTICIPANTS
PARENTS
Eagle = 4
Eagle = 3
Birdie = 3
Birdie = 2
Par = 2
Par = 1
Bogey = 1
Bogey = 0
Double Bogey = 0
Double Bogey = -1
The format added strategy, suspense, and a fresh dynamic to every hole. The fun kicked in right from the start: closest to the pin on hole #2 & longest drive on hole #4. The excitement didn’t stop there—special challenge holes made sure everyone stayed on their game: hole #6: parents spun a wheel to determine a random club for their tee shot. Hole #8: kids could swap their tee shot with one parent’s or guardian’s—strategy at its finest.
This year’s competition brought out some outstanding individual performances from the winners:
Closest to the Pin
Parents:Matt
Participants:AJ
Longest Drive
Parents:Brent
Participants:Johnny
Though the Participants came in as two-time defending champs, the Parents arrived ready to rewrite the story. And rewrite it they did! With impressive teamwork, clutch shots, and maybe a little motivation from that -1 double-bogey penalty, the Parents secured a thrilling 11–8 upset victory—their first win in the tournament’s three-year history. The day wrapped up with an awards ceremony, slices of well-earned pizza, and plenty of smiles across all ages. As always, the real win was the community spirit on display. A huge thank-you goes out to all Participants, Parents, and families who make this annual event something truly special.
SAVE THE DATE
We’re already excited for next year’s showdown. Mark your calendars: November 14th, 2026!
(FTSV Girls Golf Play Day Published 11/26/25) First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted its Girls Golf Play Day on November 15th at Rancho Del Pueblo. Twenty of our participants enjoyed a fun, collaborative day enjoying a variety of activities. The theme of the day was Snoopy and the Peanuts team!
Working as a Team
Coach Gracie challenged the players to a team building activity where they needed to work together by chipping towards hoops without “waking” Snoopy and Woodstock from their winter nap. For the girls to complete their goal, they needed to be masters of collaboration, have open communication, and show confidence in their chipping skills.
The Dryvebox Experience
Thanks to the Dryvebox team, our girls were introduced to a high-tech simulator where they were able to hit full swings into a detailed screen and see their results based on their swing plane and club head speed. Our girls enjoyed the fun and goofy game modes while learning a bit about their swing mechanics.
Visiting Snoopy’s House
Our group of golfers took part in a fun maze on the putting green. The team was tasked with navigating through the hurdles of this puzzle to reach Snoopy’s house. This was a challenging endeavor for our participants. Many worked as a team to help identify and avoid the dead ends of the maze. A big thanks to Coach Khaton and Alonso for creating such an in-depth and elaborate puzzle to putt through!
Range Time with Coach Angelina
The final activity concluded with a mini golf clinic with one of our amazing coaches – Coach Angelina. Our participants were able to work with and ask questions of Angelina, a former junior tournament competitor. Each participant was given a short lesson that catered to their specific golf swing.
Pizza Time!
The day concluded with our participants enjoying pizza while playing Jenga and taking photos together. Our events are important as our youth experience a day of empowerment, collaboration, and goal setting while building positive self-esteem. Thank you to all of our Coaches and our ACE Junior Council for preparing the activities, managing the Girls Golf budget, and for creating an amazing and safe environment. Thank you to the Dryvebox team, and thank you to all our participants for attending and having an amazing time! We look forward to seeing you at our next Girl’s Golf event on February 28th.
(2025 FTSV College Day Tournament Published 11/26/25) On Saturday, November 15th, First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted our annual College Day Tournament, where 33 participants paired up with a collegiate golfer from three schools in the region for an alternate shot tournament. We were so excited for such a great turn out and continued our tradition of inviting 6 participants from First Tee – Greater Sacramento. We also we welcomed a new college team – Menlo College Men’s! Thank you to all the players from FTGS, Menlo Men’s, Stanford Men’s, and Santa Clara Men’s and Women’s, as well as all our FTSV participants, for joining us!
This tournament offers our participants a chance to learn from their college golfer partner and receive mentorship, advice, and encouragement. There was a feeling of positivity and gratitude all around, from the junior players and college players alike.
Not only did everyone involved demonstrate the life skills and character traits that First Tee is all about, but there was some awesome golf out there as well. In a tight competition, we had 2 scores under par, another 2 scores at even par, and some great performances in the individual course contests too.
FTSV College Day Tournament
2025 FTSV College Day Tournament Winners
Closest to the Pin (Hole 2): Yoodham (Stanley) Ko – 10ft
Straightest Drive (Hole 4): Kanoa Vierra – 1ft, 6in from center
Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all the participants. An extra thanks to FTGS, Stanford, Santa Clara, and Menlo as well. We can’t wait until next year!
Our College Day tournament next year will be November 14th, 2026. Please save the date!
To participate in this tournament, and our other pre-season tournaments throughout the year one must be an active FTSV participant. Click here to join our program, and click here to learn about our pre-season tournaments.
(FTSV Appreciates Our Coaches Punished: 11/13/2025) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) held a coach appreciation event on Saturday, November 8th, with games, prizes, and dinner.
The event brought together adult coaches from our three program locations – Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, and Gavilan College Golf Course in Gilroy. The night was a great and fun bonding/celebratory event. Games were played, raffle prizes were awarded, and food and drinks were provided throughout. More importantly it was a great to have everyone together, strengthening our coaching community. We have around 250 coaches (volunteer and paid). With how big our territory is, it is important for us to bring our coaches together – whether that is through our quarterly trainings or big celebratory events like this one.
“We are HUGELY thankful for all of our coaches, who give back to kids and teens with their time and their wisdom from life experiences. They are the connectors between the kids and teens and all our life skills curriculum, so their role is critically important. Then, when we multiply this by our high number of coaches, we increase the chances that all our participants will benefit from high-quality mentoring. Thank you, Coaches!” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.
Being a coach in First Tee – Silicon Valley is an incredibly impactful thing to do.
Character building is a long-game, a never-ending process, that is developed through mentorship and experiences. Simply by spending their time coaching and guiding others, our coaches are changing lives for the better.
The world is always in need of high character individuals, and being a coach provides the opportunity to help build high character leaders for the future.
Additionally, not only are coaches impacting others, they are building a community for themselves full of hard working, kind, growth-minded people who want to spend their free time doing something for others.
Interested in becoming a coach? Please visit our VOLUNTEER PAGE.
(FTSV and Community Outreach Published 11/7/2025) The fall season means back-to school nights, school-wide harvest celebrations, and community resource fairs. FTSV has been dedicated to attending these events and being part of the community that we serve, especially East San Jose. In September, we attended the back-to-school district event at Aptitud Academy at Goss and the National Night Out at the Mayfair Community Center. In October, we attended the Alum Rock Unified School District Parent University resource fair, and in November, we will be attending the SOMOS Mayfair Harvest Festival.
At each event we get to meet and greet with parents and participants, build relationships with other community resource groups and leaders, and showcase our program. We strive to show everyone that our program is affordable, accessible, and welcoming to everyone. We thank our community and school supporters for inviting us to their events.
Beginning on November 6, we will begin hosting 15 school field trips at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course where students will be taking a 1-hour lesson from our staff. For many of the participants, this will be their first time at a golf course.
Community resource fairs are so critical for a connected and supported community. Often resources exist but are not taken advantage of due to lack of exposure. We thank the community and school leaders for their efforts in building these resource fairs and advocating on our behalf.
If you have a fair or event that we should be attending, please contact [email protected].
(Inspire Youth Through Volunteerism Published: 11/7/2025) At First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV), we believe in the power of people who care — people who want to shape brighter futures for our youth. Our mission goes beyond golf; it’s about teaching kids and teens life lessons that build confidence, communication skills, integrity, and perseverance.
By volunteering as a coach or mentor, you’ll play a vital role in guiding participants toward success—on and off the course. Together, our team of dedicated volunteers and staff foster a supportive, encouraging environment where every youth has the opportunity to grow into a strong, compassionate leader. And with just a few hours of your time, you can create impact that lasts a lifetime.
Why Volunteers Matter
FTSV’s success depends on the enthusiasm and commitment of our community. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on volunteers who are eager to make a real difference in the lives of youth. Our mentors and coaches bring our curriculum to life — helping kids and teens learn essential life skills through engaging activities that make learning fun.
To ensure each participant gets the attention and support they deserve, we maintain a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio. That means every volunteer plays a critical role in making our programs meaningful and effective. And while you’re helping young people build character and confidence, you’ll also find yourself developing new leadership, communication, and coaching skills — all while becoming part of a community with a shared purpose.
The Power of Giving Back
Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time — it’s about being part of something larger than yourself. When you give back to your community, you not only change lives but enrich your own. Research shows that helping others can elevate your mood, strengthen your sense of purpose, and bring deep personal fulfillment.
As the saying goes, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” At First Tee – Silicon Valley, that change begins with you. By volunteering, you help create a future where young people have the tools, confidence, and support to thrive. Whether you can offer a few hours a month or more, every bit of your time contributes to something extraordinary.
Get Involved
Thank you for considering how you can support First Tee – Silicon Valley. If you’re ready to get started, visit OUR VOLUNTEER PAGE to learn more and apply today. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more inspired generation — one young person at a time.
(FTSV Board & Coach Spotlight: Ron Hallagan – Published 10/27/25) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) owes so much of our success to our many wonderful Board Directors, Ambassadors, and Coaches who are the backbone of our youth golf programs. This month’s Spotlight highlights one of our standout Board Ambassadors and Coaches, Ron Hallagan. Over the last 15 years, Ron has given his time, talent and treasure for FTSV – all in the spirit of joy and gratitude.
When asked why he has been so committed to helping FTSV Ron said,
What I am grateful for are people like Victor, George, Judy, Chris and Manny and so many more. Their commitment and loyalty to First Tee has inspired me to want to do more. My relationship with First Tee has been such a Blessing!”
Ron is truly an amazing hands-on volunteer that we wish we could clone.
During Ron’s volunteer service he has worn several different hats, many simultaneously – Board Director (2011-2022), Secretary/Officer (2014-2022), Board Ambassador (2023-Current), Coach, Strategic Thought Partner, School Program Advocate, Engaged Annual Fundraiser, Personal Major Donor, and FT Trustee.
Ron has generously given hundreds of hours a year of his time to FTSV, but he has given much more than his time. He has provided FTSV with the same consulting services he provided his clients at EY for 33 years. Ron understands our business on all levels, so he is a tremendous resource, including when we established our new 501(c)3 in 2014.
Ron is definitely on our Go-To Team!
Commitment to Staff – George Maxe, President & CEO
Ron is an “attached processor,” as folks like to say here in Silicon Valley, as a trusted advisor and focused encourager. He has a wealth of management expertise from spending his entire career with EY as a business consultant that he shares in a respectful and professional way. First and foremost, he appreciates the dedication and hard work of staff who ultimately must run our business day in and day out. Ron collaborates with me as CEO providing thoughtful input and helping hands when the job simply needs time and energy to get done – always with healthy boundaries including even when he was one of our long-time Board Officers. At the same time, Ron is a cheerleader for FTSV as a whole as well as for our individual staff. He clearly believes in our cause to mentor youth, build character, instill a sense of service, treat everyone with respect, and lend a helping hand. It’s common to receive a text, call, email or in-person side comment from Ron that is an energizing boost. Ron is one of the most generous and gratitude-filled individuals who I have ever known. His commitment to me and our staff has been priceless.
Commitment to Mission – Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. – Chairman of Board
During Ron’s tenure as FTSV Executive Board Director and Ambassador, he has continued to embrace the values of First Tee by developing strategic plans, providing personal financial resources, and has increased outreach and support for programs that target marginalized communities. Ron’s engaging personality and work ethic has made a positive impact on program participants, board, staff, and volunteers to raise their game in our chapters efforts to transform lives and giving kids and teens a brighter future.
Commitment to Fundraising – Judy Deaton – Development Director
Ron is a highly engaged Board Member always checking in to ensure that we reach our revenue budget. He develops a personal plan to reach both his goals. Ron puts in the time to send personalized solicitations to connect his network to stories about our participants/chapter and invites his network to attend our events. I have served as the Development Director since September 2017 and Ron has been my strategic partner for our annual development goals and plan no matter his role on the board. Fundraising doesn’t feel like sales to Ron, because he believes in our mission and truly cares about the welfare and sustainability of our chapter. He is a role model for our other board members setting the bar on how they can champion our fundraising efforts.
Commitment to Participants – Chris Moreno Hunt – Program Director
Ron has a passion for youth development and believes in the power of mentoring. He has been an exemplary role model to the students he coaches and to the coaches he works with.
Ron goes above and beyond in his coaching duties. When we coached ALR (Ask-Listen-Respond) he came up with a conversation game for those waiting in line, which incorporated ALR and improved team dynamics. He is a critical thinker who always provides great alternatives to games, and suggestions for how we can better communicate our life skills or incorporate them into the games. He knows how to adapt his coaching to fit the needs of each participant and is eager to learn from his fellow coaches.
Lastly, he coaches with passion and enthusiasm, which rubs off on those around him. I can tell he loves to coach and make connections. Recently, he helped us at a community day where we had over 500 families at our golf course playing games. It can be a hectic experience as many are first time golfers. Ron not only taught the families and kept it safe, but also made sure everyone was included by checking in and having conversations with each family at his station. He is able to connect with everyone, and makes learning fun. We are so lucky to have him as a coach.
His contributions to our classes go beyond coaching. He led the launch of our school program with San Jose Catholic Schools, created a partnership with Cristo Rey High School where students were bused to the golf course for our classes, mentored our teens at our Ace-Career Classes, and funded FT’s Make Your Mark Scholarship Awards. As of today, two of our participants have won the scholarship made available by Ron. Thank you Ron!
(Change the Game for MORE Kids! Meet Li An Panfil – Published 10/23/25) Li An was a standout participant with First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2013. She is now a freshman at UCLA where she is studying healthcare.
In her time with FTSV she participated in every class offered, including our four Ace seminar classes (Career, Education, Give Back, and Golf). Li An also volunteered regularly, giving almost 300 hours as a FTSV volunteer coach in Gilroy. She also coached and organized Girls Golf events and lead several subcommittees in our FTSV Junior Council. Throughout Li An’s many FTSV engagements, she always went above and beyond and distinguished herself as a respected leader.
Li An’s high character, community contributions, and FTSV engagement helped her selections for the following National Opportunity Achievements:
We Asked Li An about How First Tee – Silicon Valley Impacted Her
“First Tee – Silicon Valley played a big role in developing my perseverance and helped me become a stronger communicator and learn skills that are transferable everywhere in life. It’s a big community feeling, spreading knowledge and helping us to improve and be our best selves.”
Li An applied the life and work skills that she learned and coached in FTSV. As a result, she succeeded academically, built a network of support, lifted others up around her, and achieved scholarships that helped her attend UCLA.
A National Leader with Local Heart.
Among the 140 First Tee chapters nationwide, First Tee – Silicon Valley is at the top or near the top in the following categories:
85% participant diversity
48% participants from low-income households
55% retention rate including a 75% teen retention rate
1:4 mentor-to-kid ratio
These numbers reflect our commitment to making sure every child has access to caring mentors and meaningful opportunities.
Be Part of the Change.
As we look to 2026, we need your help to build on this momentum. A monthly pledge is the most powerful way you can support our kids. Your commitment provides the stability and resources necessary to help thousands of youth grow into resilient, confident, and compassionate leaders.
Help Us Grow Our Impact and the Number of Kids We Serve!
Our youth development programs are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. We care for kids with safe spaces, quality coaches, character curriculum, and a culture of respect.
Course Program — ensure high quality classes that are affordable and accessible to all (full cost for one participant to take an 8-week class = $500 – or pledge $40 per month)
School Program — equip teachers to deliver our curriculum in their setting (cost of equipment, training, and curriculum per school = $2,000 – or pledge $165 per month)
Opportunities — provide our kids with special experiences outside of our classes (cost of quarterly tournaments or scholarship = $5,000 – or pledge $415 per month)
Make your monthly pledge today—and help us Change the Game for MORE Kids tomorrow.
(PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee – Published 10/03/25) FTSV participants, Alexis Chu, Brian Yu and Walton Li were selected and competed in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at historic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Everyone played very well, including a 4th place finish for Alexis and 3rd place finish for Brian. More importantly, all players conducted themselves with respect and kindness, building lasting relationships while playing golf in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Fantastic work!
For more than 20 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has provided selected First Tee participants from around the country with the unique opportunity to showcase the skills and values they’ve gained through their respective First Tee Chapters. The tournament pairs 80 standout teens from First Tee Chapters nationwide with PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business community. The teens were selected by a national panel of judges who evaluated their essays, letters of recommendations, and golf resume. Throughout the week, our three participants competed in the prestigious tournament, got to eat meals with the professional golfers, and were able to network with their peers and tournament golfers. The annual event was broadcast internationally on Golf Channel and took place September 19th – 21st.
In addition to our participating teens, our chapter organized a field trip and brought 30 FTSV teen participants to cheer on Alexis, Walton, and Brian. Thanks to the generous grant by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, our field trip teens rode to Monterey in style with a charter bus. While there, they enjoyed their time walking the course, watching the pro’s and supporting dedicated young First Tee players. They made sure to get autographs and soak in this unique experience.
Congratulations to all the athletes and thank you to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for hosting First Tee – Silicon Valley!
(Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Supports FTSV’s Girls Golf – Published 10/03/25) Boulder Ridge Ladies Golf Club held its 4th Annual Member-Guest Tournament on September 26th. They celebrated with “Talk Birdie to Me” as their theme and chose First Tee – Silicon Valley’s Girls Golf program as the beneficiary. Varnika Arun, FTSV Participant, Junior Council member, and Junior Coach, spoke at the lunch program to share the impact FTSV has had on her self-confidence, and how she is driven to show other girls that they belong. Development Director, Judy Deaton was also in attendance and spoke to the ladies about getting involved as volunteer coaches so the girls have female role models and mentors. Speaking to the group, Varnika talked about her experiences at First Tee – Silicon Valley.
Thank you!
We would like to thank the very generous Presenting Sponsor: Hsing Family Foundation, Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Raffle Donors, and all the Hole Sponsors who donated a total of $10,000 directly to FTSV.
Hsing Family Foundation
Jillian & Timothy Conroy
Applied Materials
Fields In Motion Physical Therapy
Sobrato Charitable Fund
Meadow Outdoor Advertising
SBG
Material Motion
Kelly Family
Mintz
Colonial Life
Ken’s Solar and Pool
The Wilshire Group
Fremont Fire Department
HELO Energy
Special thanks to Tournament Chair Candace Caballero and Co-Chair Jillian Conroy for her continued support!
First Tee – Silicon Valley’s Girls Golf Program is an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the game of golf while empowering participants to feel confident, build self-esteem and make new friends in an all-girl environment. Girls Golf seasonal events are open to all FTSV Participants – click here for more info.
(KRTY Writers Cup Benefits FTSV! – Published 10/03/25) The 2nd Annual KRTY Writers Cup benefitted FTSV in a BIG WAY by raising $40K! 124 golfers, including 6 Nashville Songwriters, came out to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club on a cloudy Wednesday for a day of golf, guitars and giving back!
“We are very proud to be able to produce this event for the benefit of First Tee – Silicon Valley” said Nate Deaton, KRTY.com General Manager. “We are lucky to have 6 amazing songwriters with us this year, Trent Tomlinson, Luke Dick, Ben Williams, Casey Brown, Chris Bandi, and the last-minute entry, Matt Stell. One night at the end of last year, I mentioned to Cole Taylor that I had an idea to do a Charity Golf Event with Songwriters. He looked at me and said, we could call it the Writers Cup! And here we are.”
After a full day, players and sponsors were treated to dinner and a show. The songwriters told stories, played guitar, and sang some hit country songs. Smack dab in the middle, First Tee – Silicon Valley participant and junior coach, Adam Rosa, spoke about his experiences. Adam shared how FTSV helped him set his own goals and grow at his own pace instead of comparing himself to others, which gave him a new positive perspective about his self-worth and his accomplishments.
The KRTY Writers Cup raffle, live and silent auctions raised an astounding $40K for First Tee – Silicon Valley’s financial aid program. FTSV would like to thank the Writers Cup sponsors, players, and the staff at Legendary KRTY.COM for their support. Without such support, FTSV could not continue to help MORE Kids!
Writer’s Cup Results Recap:
Songwriter Trent Tomlinson’s Winning Team = Score 679
Tony Damore, Jeff Athens, Rigo Gutierrez, Justin Moles, Ben White, Geno Gingery, Robby Zipp, Shone Freeman, Hayden Freemen, Tom Holt, Kurt Klein, Mark Chiavetta, Lucas Chiavetta, Jeff Narduzzi, Sean Narduzzi, Cathy Smith, Tak Taoyama, Keven Want, Tomoaki Kumagai
Foursome Winners = Score 125
Justin Moles, Ben White, Geno Gingery, Robby Zipp
Putting Contest = Avery Cook
Closest to the Holes = Matt Leslie Lake #2, Matt Moore Lake #8, Adam Craig Mtn #2, Shelley Carr Mtn #8
If you have an upcoming tournament and would like to partner with and make First Tee – Silicon Valley the beneficiary, please click here.
