Category: News Releases

7th Annual Parent University – a resounding success!

(7th Annual Parent University – a resounding success!) On Saturday, May 17th, 2025, Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) and First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) once again teamed up to bring the 7th annual Parent University to Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. The event, which has long been a resounding success, was no different this year, with 705 students and their families coming out for a community day of fun and games at the golf course.

At the practice facility and on several holes throughout the course, FTSV set up a taste of what our programs offer, with fun games and activities all backed up with a specific life skill to focus on. Each station was packed with students and their families, many of whom were trying out golf for the very first time. Each group rotated through the stations before gathering for lunch and live music in the afternoon.

The focus of Parent University has always been on gathering the community and bringing valuable resources to the families of Alum Rock.  ARUSD’s Student Services Department helped organize a ton of fantastic experiences for attendees, including several info booths, a great raffle, and even the ARUSD Jazz Band. And in a show of force as to just what this type of event means for the community, we were even joined by two local officials, Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong and State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who provided their encouraging remarks to kick-off the event.

From left: FTSV Board Victor M. Arrañaga Jr., ARUSD Superintendent German Cerda, CA State Rep Ash Kalra, Supervisor Betty Duong, FTSV CEO George Maxe

Here’s what their saying about the 7th Annual Parent University

Each year, FTSV is proud to partner with ARUSD and come together to serve and benefit the residents of our community. “FTSV was so pleased to play host once again at ARUSD’s Parent University at Rancho. The event was a huge success giving so many students and families the opportunity to experience golf and FTSV’s life skills curriculum. Rancho is FTSV’s home program location and East San Jose’s community golf course, so utilizing it in such a way is a perfect pairing for ARUSD and FTSV.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.

ARUSD Superintendent German Cerda said, “First Tee is a shining example of the powerful impact that school and community partnerships can have. It was truly inspiring to see so many families come together for this special event, where both students and parents were introduced to the game of golf—many for the very first time. Moments like these remind us what meaningful engagement really looks like.”

Interested in having your school or youth development program partner with First Tee – Silicon Valley? Please contact our Program Coordinator, Tanner Riley at (408) 508-4885, [email protected], or visit our outreach page.

Published: 05-22-2025

Intero Foundation $5K Grant Supports Our Mission

(Intero Foundation $5K Grant Supports Our Mission) First Tee – Silicon Valley recently received a generous $5,000 grant from Intero Foundation .  Special thanks to Intero agents Lisa & Steve Guerrero (FTSV Board Director) for inviting us to apply.  These funds will help us adequately invest in our capacity to serve the growing number of youth in our programs while increasing the quality of what we do. In 2024, 5,642 Course Participants and School Students, who were 85% Ethnically Diverse and 57% Low-Income, experienced our life skills and golf skills program. All of our youth development programs (on-course, in-school, and after-school) are growing and FTSV relies heavily on foundations like Intero that are supportive of youth development and our mission.

Intero Foundation Inc. $5K Grant Supports Our Mission

The Intero Foundation’s mission…

To positively impact the communities Intero Real Estate serves through supporting nonprofit programs that advance the health, education and well-being of children and seniors. It is the heartbeat of Intero Real Estate Services and embodies their core values of creating a thriving community. They are an all-volunteer organization founded on the principles of always striving to build a better future which aligns with FTSV’s unique approach to transform lives and gives kids a brighter future. We believe teaching core values and life skills through golf is the foundation of strong character, which leads to success in life.

The Intero Foundation was created in 2002, at the same time Intero Real Estate
Services Inc. (Intero) was founded to serve Silicon Valley’s growing real estate
market. Intero’s founders believed it was important to give back to the
communities where Intero agents live and serve. Since its inception, and thanks
to over 20 years of hard work by its agents and employees raising funds to support local charities, the Intero Foundation has given more than $7 million to 225+ local nonprofits and we are grateful to be one of those non-profits in 2025.

Published: 05-21-2025

Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser

(Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser) Dryvebox is partnering with First Tee – Silicon Valley throughout the year to do Closest to the Pin fundraising events to raise funds to grow the game of golf.

The Dryvebox 15’ x 40’ trailer equipped with the best in golf simulation technology traveled to Almaden Golf & Country Club on May 9th and Silver Creek Valley Country Club on May 10th for an inter and intra-club Closest to the Hole competition. 

Club Members made donations to take swings on Dryvebox simulator Hole 7 at Pebble Beach (106 yards). Thanks to their generosity a total of $2,000 was raised for FTSV financial aid program.

Closest to the Pin (1-Male / 1-Female at each Club) Won: $250 credit at their Club’s Pro Shop

Almaden Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser WINNERS

Female – Debra Taoyama  11’4”

Male – Robbie Zipp  1’4″ 

Silver Creek Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser WINNERS

Female – Bonnie Tomei  3’4″ 

Male – Sean Guzman 14’1″

Overall Closest to the Hole Winner 

Rob Zipp from Almaden 1’4″ received a Round of Golf and Dinner for 4 from opposing club Silver Creek + 2 bottles of Daou Red Wine from FTSV.

Thank you to Dryvebox, Head of Ops Jake Haselden; Almaden Golf & Country Club Golf Head Pro, Joe Calhoun; Silver Creek Valley Country Club Golf Head Pro, Avery Cook for your collaboration and support to make this fundraiser possible.

Please contact Judy Deaton [email protected]g if you are interested in creating a 3rd Party Beneficiary Partnership with FTSV.

Published: 05-16-2025

First Tee – Silicon Valley Participant Norah Yang Wins 2024 First Tee National Championship 

Norah Yang of Los Altos, California won the girls divisions of the 4th annual First Tee National Championship at the Walker Course at Clemson University. The event brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the confidence, perseverance and skills needed to play at the next level. 

Norah finished the tournament 6-under-par and shot a final round 69 to clench the victory on the girls’ side. She is a rising high school senior with a 4.0 GPA. She’s been a First Tee – Silicon Valley participant since 2015, a volunteer coach for three years, and is also a member of our junior council. In addition to her national championship accomplishment, she finished 3rd at the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event that pairs First Tee juniors with professional players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach.  

During the final round of the 2024 First Tee National Championship at the Walker Course at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Chris Keane/First Tee)

“It has been amazing playing at Clemson this week,” Norah said. “I have met so many amazing players from all the other chapters and had so many great experiences. Getting here and winning would not have been possible without First Tee – Silicon Valley and all the skills they have taught me.” 

For winning the event she was awarded with the Tattersall Cup in honor of event chairman Fred Tattersall.  

Based on her play at the First Tee National Championship, she will also earn a spot in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, which aims to support talented golfers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the sport. The PGA TOUR will announce the full roster for its Pathways program, including the two players who earned their spots at the First Tee National Championship, in the coming days.

“Congratulations to all of our participants in the field and especially to Norah for an outstanding performance in becoming the 2024 First Tee National Champions,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This event plays an important role in helping these young people prepare for the next level. We are extremely proud of this event and of the teens who work hard on their game all year preparing. Thank you to Clemson University for hosting for the second time, we look forward to coming back again.”  

The First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college golf courses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country. Next year’s event will take place at Notre Dame University. 
  
The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. We are proud of our two participants, Eduardo Tapper and Norah Yang for representing our chapter and being great individuals! Read more about FTSV participants, Norah Yang and Eduardo Tapper, and their selection to the National Championship. A full list of results is available here.
  
The National Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.  Click here to view all of our opportunities and click here to view more details on the 10 national opportunities.

Published: 06-27-2024

Meet New FTSV Ambassadors

First Tee – Silicon Valley recently elected Mike Kenyon, DJ Wheeler and Tiffany Sparks as Board Ambassadors.

Mike Kenyon grew up in the Los Gatos-Saratoga area attending Saint Francis High School. He ventured to the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned his Business degree and his leadership earned him a football assistant coaching position. Mike returned home and began his Real Estate training with Keller Williams Realty where he was recognized as #1 new agent in the world in 2014. He moved over to Compass Los Gatos in 2019. Mike is a not only a diehard golfer, but also passionate about the youth development aspects of First Tee. He understands how hard work gets things done, and there is no substitute for effort. He is also a recent member at Almaden Golf & Country Club. 

Tiffany Sparks has worked in Marketing High Tech as a Senior Director in the Bay Area for 25 years. She received her BA from University of Pennsylvania and also attended Yale School of Management receiving a Fostering Inclusion and Diversity credential and attended Univ of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Education receiving a Leading with Data and Analytics credential. She is married and has 2 college-aged daughters. She was attracted to FTSV mission of being open and welcoming to kids from all backgrounds. Tiffany is a member at Sliver Creek Valley Country Club where she serves as a board member on the ladies group.

DJ Wheeler grew up in the Alum Rock area and is both a Bellarmine and Santa Clara University graduate. After graduating in 2010, he went to work at PwC in Assurance and earned his CPA license. He left for a brief job at Apple but returned to Assurance and is now a Director.  DJ is married and has 2 young children. He has played golf his whole life with his dad. Prior to college, he worked at Pruneridge for 7 years and taught junior lessons. DJ  will also be volunteering as a FTSV coach starting in the Winter Season. He shared what resonates most with him about our mission is the progression levels being impactful so no one ages out and kids can grow with our program. He relates with the idea of using golf to teach life/soft skills as a great way to build relationships.  

Board Ambassadors give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Click here to meet all our Board Members. Contact Judy Dixon if you have interest in learning more about a volunteer Board opportunity.