Blog Archives - First Tee - Silicon Valley

Girls Golf Sugar Rush Scramble: A Day of Sweet Fun and Friendship

(Girls Golf Sugar Rush Scramble: A Day of Sweet Fun and Friendship Published 9/8/2026) On August 22nd, 21 FTSV participants took part in our Girls Golf Sugar Rush Scramble! They kicked things off by warming up on the range and bedazzling their very own candy-prize bags with sharpies and gems — a perfect ice-breaker that had everyone making new friends. From there, it was candy-collecting chaos in the best possible way.

The Activities

Hole 1 – Gummy Bear Maze: Participants putted their way through a maze of cardboard gummy bear cutouts, working together to knock out every “gummy bear” before reaching the candy and charms waiting at the finish. When putting alone wouldn’t cut it, stretchy sticky hands came to the rescue — teamwork for the win.

Hole 2 – Jellybean Chipping: Golf balls met balloon “jellybeans” in this pop-tastic chipping challenge. Every time the group popped enough balloons together, the whole crew was rewarded with candy and charms for their croc keychains — proof that golf skills and group goals go hand in hand.

Hole 3 – Scramble Golf + Marshmallow Long Drive: The girls got to show off their golf swings with a scramble-format hole, followed by a long drive contest featuring marshmallows instead of golf balls. Congrats to Samantha, who took the win for 6th grade and above, and Laneia, champion of 5th grade and below — both walked away with squishmallow prizes!

Hole 4 – Bunker Challenge: After a quick lesson on escaping the sand, the girls aimed for bullseye targets from the bunker. Hit enough targets as a group and the reward was more candy and charms for those ever-growing croc keychains.

Prizes, Food & Wrap-Up

The day wrapped up with a hunt for eggs loaded with prizes ranging from candy to toys… This crew does not mess around. Every single egg was found in under five minutes! Special shoutout to Matilda, who scored the golden egg and its baby squishmallow prize inside.

A Huge Thank-You…

Days this fun don’t happen by accident — they happen because of an incredible team of people who show up ready to make magic. Thank you to our amazing station leads and coaches: Manny (Hole 1), Natalie, Maeve, and Cora (Hole 2), Vian and Dahlia (Hole 3), Li An and Tiana (Hole 4), and Nancy. This event ran seamlessly because of your energy, planning, and hard work.

Thank you as well to our Junior Council — Tiana (team captain), Dahlia, Maeve, Cora, and Suri — for planning, organizing, and pouring so much creativity into every station. This event was as fun as it was because of the thought and care you all put into every detail. And thank you to Coach Nancy for the fun, creative and oh-so-sweet decorations!

And most importantly — thank you to every single participant who showed up ready to laugh, compete, and make new friends. Your enthusiasm is what makes Girls Golf so special. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!

What’s Next

To learn more about FTSV’s Girls Golf program, please contact Manny Gallardo at [email protected] or 408-508-4887.

If you are a teen (14 & up) and want to join the Junior Council and help plan the next Girls Golf, please register here. We will meet 9/18, 10/9, and 10/30 from 6pm-7:30pm at our Operations Office.

Please save the date for the next Girls Golf event on November 14th!

Click here to learn more about our tournaments and other opportunities

PM Chapter Championship: Juniors Show Off Skills

(PM Chapter Championship: Juniors Show Off Skills Published 9/8/2026) On Saturday, August 22nd, our teen golfers took to the course for this year’s First Tee — Silicon Valley Chapter Championship. Thanks to the dedication of our players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters, the day was a success with our junior golfers showcasing their skills, sportsmanship, and perseverance.

Tournament Leaderboard

1st Place (Tie – 34)

Arjun V
Siwat P

2nd Place (Tie – 35)

James V
Gwen H
Audrey S

3rd Place (Tie – 36)

NaYeon K
Riley M

Congratulations to ALL of our participants for playing.

Thank You!

Thank you to the parents and families whose continued encouragement empowers our young golfers. Tournaments can be challenging as students manage expectations and nerves. Positive support from parents and coaches can be the difference in tournament results, but most importantly, in their experience with the sport.

We’d also like to extend a special thank-you to Board Ambassador and Coach Alex Wrobel, who spent the day behind the camera capturing the moments. We are so grateful for your time and talent in helping us document this tournament.

What’s Next?

We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming classes and events!

To learn more about FTSV’s teen tournaments, please contact Sean Finnerty at [email protected].

Mark your calendars — Our next tournament on November 14^th for our College Day Tournament at Los Lagos! For more information about upcoming events, visit our Opportunities page.

AM Chapter Championship: A Successful Day of Fun and Competition

(AM Chapter Championship: A Successful Day of Fun and Competition Published 9/8/2026) On Saturday, August 22nd, 14 participants from grades 2 to 6 teed it up at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course for our quarterly AM Tournament — this time, our Chapter Championship. It was a fantastic morning of individual stroke play across holes 3–7, with golfers from every location of FTSV bringing their game and best attitudes to the course.

Format & Divisions

Format: Individual Stroke Play
Holes Played: Holes 3–7
Divisions: Grades 2nd–4th Division and 5th–6th Division

Results

2nd–4th Division

🥇 1st Place: Leo
🥈 2nd Place: Allana
🥉 3rd Place: Deklan

5th–6th Division

🥇 1st Place: Yoodahm
🥈 2nd Place: Abiel
🥉 3rd Place: Isabel

Contest Winners

Closest to the Pin (Hole #7): Isa
Long Drive (Hole #6): Du

Congratulations to all of our winners — and to every single participant who competed.

Wrap-Up & Thank-Yous

After the round, participants and families gathered for pizza and an awards ceremony to celebrate the day’s achievements. It was a wonderful mix of friendly competition and community spirit, exactly what our tournaments are all about.

None of this would be possible without the incredible people who showed up, round after round, to support our kids. A heartfelt thank-you to Coaches Alex, Ben, Dick, Maya, and Victor for their guidance and encouragement.

To every parent, volunteer, and participant who made this Chapter Championship such a success: Thank You!

What’s Next

To learn more about FTSV’s tournaments, please contact Blake Jones at [email protected]. Mark your calendars — our next tournament on November 14^th at Rancho! For more information about upcoming events, visit our Opportunities page.

FTSV’s 10th Annual College Day Tournament: SAVE THE DATE!

(FTSV’s 10^th Annual College Day Tournament: SAVE THE DATE! Published 9/8/2026) JOIN US! Saturday, November 14^th at Los Lagos Golf Course in San Jose for FTSV’s Annual College Day Tournament.

First Tee – Silicon Valley pairs our youth with collegiate golf teams from Stanford, Menlo College, Santa Clara University, and others — giving teenagers a golf round alongside a college athlete, and a firsthand look at what’s possible beyond high school. This tournament offers our participants a chance to learn from their college golfer partner and receive mentorship, advice, and encouragement.

We’re excited to be expanding this tournament beyond the footprint of our home at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. FTSV has seen a rise in interest over the years from college teams and kids wanting to participate in this tournament—so much so that we’ve had to create waitlists. Because of this, we are happy to be moving this event to Los Lagos Golf Course and creating a full tournament experience for the FTSV participants, mentors and collegiate golf teams.

Growing this participant tournament is surely cost FTSV more. Because of the expansion of this opportunity FTSV is seeking partnerships within the community to underwrite the cost of the event.

Your partnership will fund something valuable for youth – real, sustained access to mentors who model discipline, perseverance, and possibility — on the course and off.

Support our Youth!

$5,000 — Presenting (Exclusive)

$2,500 — Hosting (3) – Tee Prize or Contests

$300 — Contributing (9) — Holes #1 to #9

$100 – Cover the cost of an FTSV Coach

*We will NOT be charging coaches or participants. This is an underwriting opportunity for friends of FTSV to contribute towards.

Sponsor Now!

For more information, please contact Beth Williams [email protected].

Tournament Recaps

College Day Tournament 2023

College Day Tournament 2024

College Day Tournament 2025

Coach & Mentor Training: Ready for Fall!

(Coach & Mentor Training: Ready for Fall! – Published 9/8/2026) Each off-season, FTSV hosts trainings for our paid Instructors and Volunteer Coaches. Our instructor training takes place in the morning, and our volunteer training occurs in the afternoon. These trainings take place the weekend before each season begins and offer both new and returning coaches and volunteers alike the opportunity to build connections with each other, expand their coaching techniques, and grow as leaders within FTSV.

FTSV’s service area is from highway 92 on the Mid-Peninsula and Milpitas towards the East Bay south to Hollister. As a result, we have coaches spread out across a large region. Meeting quarterly helps our coaches from Baylands, Rancho del Pueblo and Gavilan meet each other and build new connections. We make sure that in each training they have time to build bonds by working in small groups and in pairs. In this pre-season Instructor training we ordered lunch for everyone so we could all hangout after the training was over.

In both the instructor and volunteer trainings, we explored different Neuro Hacks from Sports Neuroscientist, Dr. Izzy Justice, and techniques that our coaches can use to maximize performance and class management. Additionally, we practiced a technique to implement our life skills throughout class, while keeping the class active and engaging. Lastly, we recapped our golf cue curriculum and best practices for each cue.

FTSV is about teaching life skills and positive character through golf. We bring this same philosophy to our coaches. Our quarterly trainings are based on the four main building blocks of First Tee chapters nationwide – Empowering Youth, Mastery Driven, Activity Based, and Continuous Learning – taking a deep dive into each building block. We strive to provide our coaches with time to practice with specific coaching techniques that we learn from partner organizations like Positive Coaching Alliance and the Search Institute as well as from First Tee Headquarters and other outside research-based sources like Dr. Izzy Justice.

“We are fortunate to have so many great people coaching our youth,” said FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We hope that our trainings are helpful in skill building and provide everyone with feeling like they are a part of something meaningful and big.”

First Tee – North Coast and First Tee – Silicon Valley honor Kyle Winn

(First Tee North Coast and First Tee Silicon Valley honor Kyle Winn – Published 8/25/2026) First Tee – North Coast recently lost a beloved member of its team. Kyle Winn, the chapter’s Event and Program Coordinator, passed away suddenly, leaving behind a grieving staff, a heartbroken community, and — with painful timing — just seven weeks until North Coast’s biggest fundraising event of the year, set to tee off at Foxtail Golf Club in Rohnert Park.

Kyle was the person who was the driving force for FTNC’s programs and events, the kind of force whose absence is felt in every detail of an organization, especially in the run-up to its most important day of the year. FTSV extends its deepest condolences to the FTNC staff, board, volunteers, and families who knew and relied on Kyle, and to everyone still processing this loss. Nothing in the weeks that followed changes that grief — it simply shows what a community can do to hold each other up inside it.

Reaching Out

Austin Westly, who made a big contribution to our chapter as a FTSV Program Coordinator, moved north and joined the First Tee – North Coast team this past spring. Austin reached out to us after Kyle passed to share the sad news and for FTSV and George Maxe, our President & CEO, to be a sounding board. We have been happy to support North Coast’s leadership on the organizational side of crisis response. We know that they would have done the same for us and that’s what makes the First Tee network special.

Kyle always made himself available to offer advice. At chapter network events he was approachable, a great listener and was eager to collaborate. He was a great person with high character, a true representation of First Tee values. He like all First Tee chapter leaders compete for nothing and show up for everything, connected by the same mission and, in moments like this, by genuine friendship.

FTNC Golf Tournament

On July 31st, FTNC put on their great golf tournament at Foxtail. FTSV’s Nicole Woodson and Beth Williams attended and assisted with the event at Rohnert Park, helping with morning set-up and having a brief sit-down with FTNC’s management team about what could come next — not just for this event, but for the chapter moving forward.

The tournament at Foxtail was a big success, built on FTNC’s own resilience. Their team did a fantastic job and would have made Kyle proud. Lorez Bailey remarked, “Our Divots for Diversity & Inclusion Golf Tournament was more than a successful fundraiser, it was a heartfelt celebration of Kyle Winn’s life, leadership, and lasting impact on First Tee – North Coast. Together, our community honored his legacy while raising over $75,000 to ensure the opportunities he cared so deeply about continue for the next generation.” Lorez continued, “some moments are bigger than golf. This year’s Divots for Diversity & Inclusion Golf Tournament became a heartfelt tribute to Kyle Winn as we welcomed his family and honored the profound impact he had on First Tee – North Coast. The outpouring of love and support from our community was a meaningful reflection of the countless lives Kyle touched and the legacy he leaves behind.”

More Than a Network — A Family

First Tee is built on chapters that operate independently, each rooted in its own community. But events like this are a reminder that independence doesn’t mean isolation.

“When George approached me about the situation with First Tee – North Coast’s event, and that he wanted our FTSV team to help Austin’s team, I was heartbroken for them and wanted to help in any way possible, whether that included talking about the event or being an open ear to listen to their grief. Now, I look forward to helping them whenever they need the advice in the future.” – Nicole Woodson, FTSV Marketing & Events Coordinator

“My heart goes out to Kyle’s family, friends and former colleagues. He leaves a big void for First Tee – North Coast, but also the First Tee network. I am very pleased that FTNC’s tournament in wake of Kyle’s passing was such a success. First Tee – Silicon Valley is proud to have had the opportunity to help out. We will continue to be supportive of FTNC.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.

First Tee – Silicon Valley Open House at Rancho del Pueblo: A Day of Fun, Golf, and Community

(First Tee – Silicon Valley Open House at Rancho del Pueblo: A Day of Fun, Golf, and Community – Published 8/20/2026) This past Saturday, August 15^th, 2026, Rancho del Pueblo came alive as First Tee – Silicon Valley opened its doors for a community celebration. Over 300 families, golfers, and community members showed up for a day packed with games, food, music, and golf.

A Day Built for Fun

Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course turned into a playground for connection and fun. Sack races, tug-of-war, cornhole, giant Jenga, Connect Four, and ball tossing kept kids and parents moving side by side. A putting game played with hockey sticks brought out plenty of creative swings, and musical chairs turned into a giggle-filled showdown that had the crowd cheering and laughing.

Great Food, Great Vibes

A day this active called for great food, and the lineup delivered. Streetfire Bistro kept the tacos, salsas, and aguas frescas coming strong. Bun Me Up brought Bao bun tacos, packed with bold flavor combinations that had guests going back for seconds. And when it was time to cool down, Friends & Cubs Shaved Ice served up the sweet relief everyone needed.

DJ ALRX set the soundtrack for the day, keeping spirits high from start to finish. The Golden Turtle Lion Dancers brought a burst of tradition and spectacle that the crowd enjoyed. Lastly, we had Sharkie, the San Jose Sharks’ beloved mascot, come and hang out with the families.

New Swings, New Beginnings

At the heart of it all was the golf. Golfers enjoyed free tee times on the course, and many families picked up a club for the first time and hit free driving range balls with their friends and family. Going to the driving range with your family can be a lasting memory, a time to spend quality time together having fun and learning a game one can play their whole life.

Rancho del Pueblo: A Shared Space for the Whole Community

Days like this are exactly why First Tee – Silicon Valley calls Rancho del Pueblo home. This course isn’t just a place to play golf — it’s a shared space where East San Jose can come together, where long-time golfers welcome first-timers, where families from every corner of the community and from our program can show up, belong, and make friends. Saturday’s Open House was a snapshot of that vision in action: neighbors meeting neighbors, First Tee – Silicon Valley families meeting other FTSV families, kids and teens discovering something new, and an entire community gathering on the same golf course. We have a big service area going as far down as Hollister and as north as highway 92. Anytime we can bring people together to celebrate, the better.

More Than a Game

That sense of togetherness is at the core of what First Tee – Silicon Valley is all about. For over 25 years, First Tee – Silicon Valley has used the game of golf as a vehicle to teach kids and teens life skills – collaborating with others, building a positive identity, overcoming challenges, setting goals – and core values — respect, perseverance, confidence, sportsmanship and integrity — that carry far beyond the course. Every swing, every lesson, and every event is part of a bigger mission: building character through golf, one young golfer at a time.

Saturday’s Open House was just the beginning. Here’s to the next generation of golfers — and the community that’s cheering them on every step of the way.

Special Thanks!

FTSV was very happy to have Councilmember Peter Ortiz join us for the afternoon. Mr. Ortiz remarked on how important Rancho del Pueblo is to the community as a gather space.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Resource Partners!

Hosting Sponsors – Valley Water and Yellow Cab of Silicon Valley

Contributing Sponsors – Councilmember Peter Ortiz, Councilmember Domingo Candelas, Pete Carillo, Ash Pirayou, and San Jose Water, which offered some fun items for attendees like recyclable bags and basil seeds

Resource Partners – Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and SOMOS Mayfair Community Center

And the Volunteer Face-painters – Iris He, Lauren Conder & Melissa Dutra.

A special thank you to all of our FTSV families and coaches. We really appreciate you being part of our organization and making our program what it is today!

If you are interested in joining our program and community, please visit here.

First Tee – Silicon Valley Brings Home First-Ever NorCal Cup Title

(First Tee – Silicon Valley Brings Home First-Ever NorCal Cup Title – Published 08/07/26) On July 27, 2026, six First Tee – Silicon Valley participants traveled to Del Rio Country Club in Modesto and made chapter history — winning the NorCal Cup for the first time, all while battling a scorching 95-degree day on a demanding course.

The NorCal Cup takes place every summer between the following First Tee Chapters – Central Valley, Tri-Valley, Silicon Valley, Contra Costa, Fresno, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin, and San Francisco. All Northern California chapters are great partners with one another, and we turn to each other for assistance and collaboration. The NorCal Cup is a great opportunity for the chapter participants to represent their chapter, make new friends and compete in a fun tournament together.

Each team of 6 participants compete in a stroke play format. The team’s four best net scores count towards the final total. Thank you to Coach Manny and Coach Alex who coached and supported our team.

A special thank you to the host chapter and 2025 winner, First Tee Central Valley.

The Results

Jesse J — Net 67
Suri L — Net 69
Dakota C — Net 70
Ben H — Net 78
Adam R — Net 87
Brady S — Net 89

Suri turned in a standout individual performance, taking home both the gross overall award (74) and women’s low net honors (69).

More Than a Trophy

For Coach Alex Wrobel and the coaching staff, the win itself was only part of the story. What stood out most was how the players carried themselves on the course — leaning on the interpersonal and life skills FTSV works to instill in every participant.

Suri stepped up as team captain, helping every teammate stay relaxed before they even teed off. Ben and Jesse leaned on each other for encouragement and support throughout their round. Adam and Brady demonstrated perseverance and resilience. And Dakota brought her signature positivity to the day, lifting up not just her own teammate but her opponents as well.

“It was wonderful to see the lessons we teach on full display throughout the entire tournament,” Coach Manny shared.

In Their Own Words

Dakota found herself paired with two players she’d never played with before — a chance to put FTSV’s lessons into practice in real time.

“As someone who doesn’t often play with random people, this tournament provided an easier environment to push myself outside my comfort zone and utilize the interpersonal skills First Tee has taught me,” Dakota said.

Watching her teammates celebrate at the medal ceremony made the day one she won’t forget — though she noted she’d have walked away just as satisfied even without the win, simply for having represented her chapter well.

Suri described the tournament as a chance to connect with the wider First Tee community.

“I am very blessed to participate at the First Tee NorCal. Being given to opportunity to play at such a beautiful, well-kept course and getting to know other First Tee chapters has been very memorable. Every single First Tee participant showed up with a positive mindset and good golf etiquette. It is such an honor to represent Silicon Valley and to be the first ever Silicon Valley team to bring home the trophy because it has taught me another life lesson. Focus on the future, not the past.”

Adam credited his group’s energy — and a little karaoke — for making the round memorable.

“I had a great time participating in the NorCal Cup this week at Del Rio. I had a blast with the group I was paired with, as no one let the difficult course or the blazing heat prevent them from bringing their full selves and spirit. As a group we joked, laughed and sang “Sunroof” together as we played throughout the round. And to the fellow champions here in Silicon Valley, I cannot be prouder for the friends and teammates that formed it–from those who I’ve known for years at Rancho, but also to the new friends I had just met from Gilroy–I seriously cannot be prouder and happier to have been a part of such an excellent team to bring home the gold. I can’t wait to see what we are able to bring next year!”

Ben got to play alongside one of his best friends, which he says gave him extra confidence and helped him stay focused all day.

“I’m really grateful I had the chance to be part of the NorCal Tournament. It was awesome getting to play with someone from my own area because we already knew each other well and worked great as a team. That made me feel more confident, helped me stay focused, and made the whole experience even more fun. It was also really cool meeting and playing with golfers from different areas. Being paired with one of my best friends made it even more special. I learned a lot, met some great people, and made memories I won’t forget.”

Jesse admitted to some early nerves, unsure how tough the course or the competition would be.

“Seeing the golf course and all the players for the first time made me feel nervous because I didn’t know how difficult the course would be or how skilled the kids were. However, as the tournament went on, I became more comfortable, enjoyed playing each hole, and realized that almost everyone was there to have a good time. Meeting First Tee Participants from different chapters made the tournament experience exciting because it allowed me to connect with others who play golf and enjoy the small competitive atmosphere. One of the best parts of this tournament was playing alongside Ben; the conversations, encouragement, and fun we had together shaped this event to be more memorable and enjoyable.”

Congratulations to Jesse, Suri, Dakota, Ben, Adam, and Brady. Congratulations to all the chapters and chapter participants! Thank you for being respectful and resilient.

First Tee – Silicon Valley will host the cup next year and we look forward to having everyone from these other chapters out to our neck of the woods.

Julia Villa Receives 2026 Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. Leadership Award

(Julia Villa Receives 2026 Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. Leadership Award – Published 7/27/2026) The Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. Leadership Award was created by First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) to recognize a Participant of Good Character, Academic Achievement & Demonstrated Leadership. The $5,000 scholarship was awarded to Julia Villa at the FTSV 2026 Invitational fundraiser on Sunday, July 19th at CordeValle in San Martin, CA.

Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. is the Founding Chairman of First Tee – Silicon Valley, leading the organization with unwavering dedication since 2000. As Chairman of the San Jose Sports Authority in the late ’90s, he helped launch the Eagles youth golf program at the new Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. The program evolved into a First Tee chapter in 2005, expanded regionally in 2012, and became an independent nonprofit in 2014. Under Victor’s leadership, FTSV has grown into a top-tier chapter among more than 150 nationwide.

Victor leads with heart and purpose, fueled by his deep love for East San José, youth, and the game of golf as a tool for character development. His successful career in government relations with major corporations adds to his gravitas, while his warm presence and signature phrase — “keep a smile” — continue to uplift and inspire all around him.

Julia Villa Receives Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. Award – Julia was unable to attend the Invitational to tell her story in-person, as she was selected by a national group of First Tee judges to represent our chapter at the First Tee Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis.

“First Tee – Silicon Valley’s appreciation and commitment to diversity helped me feel like I belonged.” Julia continued, “This type of inclusivity and unity is truly one of a kind, and as a Latina female golfer, it gave me the confidence to be myself. Unfortunately, away from the First Tee – Silicon Valley, such inclusivity and support wasn’t what I experienced, and my confidence suffered as a result. For example, during my freshman year of high school, I attempted to try out for my school’s golf team, but was discouraged from trying out because I was told it would be too competitive. Naturally, this caused me to feel inadequate and made me form a negative opinion on golf. Why would I be told what I can’t do? That discouragement held me back for two years. Yes, it took me two years to realize this is a game and space for me. I’m happy to say that the First Tee Silicon Valley not only gave me the confidence back, but it gave me the confidence to try new opportunities.”

“As my self-belief and confidence grew, I felt more and more excited about my future. First Tee – Silicon Valley helped me discover my future plans and gave me the space and opportunity to develop to develop the necessary professional skills, I was interested in event coordination, so I shadowed the First Tee Silicon Valley’s marketing coordinator, Nicole Woodson, and learned about event marketing and coordination from start to finish. I learned group collaboration skills, how to organize and structure event agendas, and practice the professional correspondence. Then she and my coaches encouraged me to be the lead of the first tee Junior Council Committee. I was in charge of planning our Junior Council Appreciation Party. Because of this experience, I’m happy to announce that in the fall I’ll be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in Experience Industry Management with a concentration in event planning.”

Listen to Julia’s Full Speech HERE

Julia’s Accomplishments

FTSV Participant since 2024
FTSV Volunteer Coach since 2024
FTSV Junior Council Member – Event Planning Committee Chair. Coordinated an event that celebrated and recognized youth volunteers.
Selected by a National Panel to Attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis.
Attending Cal Poly SLO this Fall

FTSV Participant Natalie Chen selected for the First Tee College Scholar Program – Attends First Pre-College Scholar Retreat

(FTSV Participant Natalie Chen selected for the First Tee College Scholar Program – Published 7/09/2026) First Tee Silicon Valley participant Natalie Chen has been selected by FT Headquarters to become a part of the 2026 College Scholar Program. Congratulations, Natalie!!! She is one of 22 selected participants from all First Tee chapters world-wide.

The First Tee College Scholarship Program provides valuable, life-changing opportunities for the youth of First Tee and helps them prepare for success in and after college.

This program awards participants who excel in academics, leadership, character development, and chapter and community involvement. Thanks to generous donors, First Tee offers up to a $20,000 scholarship, mentoring throughout the college experience, professional development workshops, and assistance in securing internships and jobs.

Natalie always takes on and thrives in challenges. She began taking our classes in the 3^rd grade, coming from a family that wasn’t very familiar with golf. From the beginning, Natalie has felt right at home, saying “First Tee was very welcoming…[they] set the stepping stones for me to build the confidence to walk on to a golf course and know what to do.” After many seasons with FTSV, Natalie earned a spot on her school’s varsity golf team. On the team she even has friends who she met through FTSV, other people who she knows she can rely on, both on and off of the course.

Natalie also joined our Junior Council and led a few the Council’s subcommittees including our Girls Golf events and our Family Fest. She excelled in our Ace classes and took our Leadership Series with the PGA Tour Superstore. As a result of her performances and leadership, she was selected to attend the 2024 First Tee Leadership Summit.

Throughout her time as a high school participant, Natalie took on the challenge of being a volunteer coach. During this time, she became one of our most trusted and tenured junior volunteer coaches and has now transitioned to a hired-staff coach. As her responsibilities grow, she grows as a leader. According to Natalie, “I love it so much. I really like teaching the little kids, they are like little brothers and sisters to me. First Tee has helped me build on my leadership in the program and at school, such as taking the lead and initiating conversations. I have learned how to manage a group of people, open up to others, and make space for everyone to share ideas and feel included.”

Natalie Chen attends the First Tee College Scholar Pre-College retreat

Natalie, reflects on the First Tee Scholars Pre-College Retreat:

“Between all the excitement of preparing for college, the Pre-College Retreat gave me a chance to reflect on the kind of person I want to be and the relationships I want to build when I arrive on campus. Throughout the week, we explored resilience, leadership, and networking through interactive sessions and speaker panels that encouraged vulnerable conversations. A few sessions especially stuck with me. Patric Young’s story was a powerful reminder that resilience starts with gratitude and the mindset to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go as planned. I also appreciated Carrie Zimmerman’s Networking 101 session, where we practiced entering and exiting professional conversations with confidence. The Mentor/Mentee Panel was another highlight, offering honest advice on how to build meaningful relationships with the mentors who will support us throughout our college journey.”

“One of my favorite parts of the retreat was our service project at Vicar’s Landing Retirement Community. We painted canvases for residents before spending time talking with them one-on-one!”

“More than anything, it was the people who made the week so memorable! It was such a privilege to spend the week with my fellow scholars who were not only incredibly accomplished, but also funny, thoughtful, and genuinely kind. Everyone brought a different perspective to the week, and I learned just as much from the conversations with them as I did from the sessions themselves. I left Florida with friendships that span across the country, and I’m very grateful to have found a community I’ll stay connected with for years to come!”

This Scholar Retreat is one of two every year for the duration of her time in College.

Natalie will be using the lessons from this retreat and the lessons learned while at FTSV at Stanford University in the Fall. Congratulations, Natalie! We are incredibly proud of you!

Applications for the First Tee College Scholarship Program are accepted once per year from seniors in high school who meet the minimum eligibility requirements. If you are interested in learning more about the College Scholarship Program or are interested in applying, please email Coach Manny at [email protected] and click here. Click here to watch the video of the College Scholar Program

Girls Golf Spring Play Day – Bring a Friend!

(Girls Golf Spring Play Day – Bring a Friend! Published 6/12/2026) Twenty-four participants — including some specially invited friends — came out on a sunny spring Saturday to create memories, build friendships, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with playing fun golf games. This season’s theme celebrated Best Animated Movie Friends, bringing beloved characters to life all across the course. Our FTSV participants also brought their friends to join them in the festivities.

The day kicked off with casual warm-up games including cornhole, giant Jenga, and bucket toss. A creative bow decoration station added an extra splash of personality to the festivities.

Games On the Course

Hole 1 – Animated Putting Maze

The girls were challenged to drive the ball through an intricate putting maze featuring fun animated bestie characters scattered throughout.

Hole 2 – Chipping Tic-Tac-Toe

Players chipped their ball into a Tic-Tac-Toe grid, going head-to-head against an opponent in a game that blended short-game skill with a classic battle of wits.

Hole 8 – Foot-Golf!

Clubs down — participants switched it up with a round of Foot-Golf, kicking it in a whole new direction and getting plenty of laughs along the way.

Hole 9 – Chipping Through Hoops To close out the course, the girls practiced chipping through hoops and into the sand — a skill-builder wrapped in just the right amount of challenge.

The Wrap-Up

To close out the day, everyone returned to the bow making station — which proved so popular the girls dove right back in for a second round of crafting. While the casual lawn games remained in full swing, participants enjoyed pizza together, celebrating a day well played.

Thank-You Coaches!

Thank you to our adult and junior coaching staff… Angelina, Christine, Dahlia, Julia, Julia V., Natalie, Sui, Vikrant, Tiffany, Varnika, and Gracie

Thank you to the Junior Council

The Girls Golf Junior Council Planning Committee, including Tiana, whose creativity and effort helped make the day a success.

Thank you Sponsors & Donors

A heartfelt thank-you to the Boulder Ridge Ladies Tournament, which raises money specifically to support Girls Golf events at First Tee – Silicon Valley.