Blog Archives - Page 2 of 8 - First Tee

National Mentor Month – Be a Coach… Be a Mentor

(National Mentor Month – Be a Coach… Be a Mentor Published 01/16/2026) January is National Mentor Month with #ThankYouMentorDay on January 21^st. Mentorship underlies everything we do here at First Tee – Silicon Valley. For the past 25 years, our coaches have been making a difference in the lives of kids and teens, helping them integrate life skills into their lives and be amazing people.

Thank you to the incredible mentors who are the FTSV family! This past year we had 215 volunteer mentor coaches delivering over 9,500 hours of their time. Your hard work, care and dedication are what make all the difference!

This past year, we’ve featured some of our outstanding mentors and coaches. Here is what they are saying about why they chose to mentor youth.

Meet Austin

Austin graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Sports Management from the Department of Recreation Parks, and Tourism industry. He has previous experience as a Program Coordinator and Youth Soccer League Director. Austin says, “I’m determined to build communities and influence the culture within them in order to create positive and unforgettable experiences that help people be their best.”

Sports have played a big role in Austin’s life and he fully believes in the power that sports has to make a positive difference. “There are so many role models in sports. Sports are full of metaphors for life, full of adversity and triumph. You have to learn how to be humble and respectful of others when you succeed, and how to shake things off and learn when things get hard. It’s a great place to practice one’s individual development, while also working with others either in competition or on a team.”

Meet Ysabelle

Ysabelle Lam started with FTSV in 2023. She began working with our participants at Baylands Golf Links and coaches with us every season. In her classes she successfully bonds with students over shared interests like art, gaming, and travel. Ysabelle knows how to break the ice, an important step to building a positive, trusting relationship that allows our coaches to effectively deliver our life skills curriculum in a safe, fun environment.

“When I started at First Tee – Silicon Valley, I was still in my first year of learning golf. My personal golf journey was extremely frustrating at times, so it became a great way for me to grow my character as well. I love using golf to teach life skills, because if you can stay respectful, confident, and truly persevere through an off day in golf, it prepares you to face and conquer challenging times in any aspect of life.”

Meet Sean

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.”

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.”

If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community, visit our VOLUNTEER PAGE to learn more. No golf experience necessary. Everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.

FTSV 2026 Spring Season Sneak Peek

(FTSV 2026 Spring Season Sneak Peek Published 01/16/2026) This Spring, our classes will go far beyond the golf swing. Participants build essential life skills like showing respect, collaborating with others, setting meaningful goals, and making smart choices—on and off the course. Through every lesson, we help kids grow confidence, learn effective communication strategies, develop a positive sense of self, and learn how to navigate challenges with resilience, all while having fun and learning the game of golf.

“Being a high school student can be challenging. It is easy to feel insecure and overlook your own strengths while comparing yourself to others. I did not realize that joining First Tee – Silicon Valley would be exactly what I needed to grow into a more confident and strong young woman.”

“My FTSV coach once told me ‘you are stronger than you think you are, and I know you can handle more than you realize.’ He believed in me before I believed in myself.” – Varnika Arun

Registration Coming Soon

Registration for our spring season opens on Wednesday, February 11^th at 11am and closes on Thursday, February 26^th at 11:59pm.

The 8-week spring season begins the week of March 17th and ends May 9^th.

Take part in engaging and fun life skill and golf skill classes at either Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, or Gavilan College Golf Course in Gilroy.

Classes are broken down by grade groups, so feel free to invite a friend and take part in our spring classes together. Please spread the word. For more information visit our Course Program Page.

Financial Assistance Offered

No one is turned away. Need financial assistance to register? Please request financial aid when registering. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives, and affordable to families in need.

In 2025, we had a record number of registrations, so please mark your calendar for February 11th to make sure you secure your spot.

Download Schedule

Mentor Spotlight: Thank You Judy Deaton

(Mentor Spotlight: Thank You Judy Deaton Published 01/15/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) has positively impacted over 100,000 kids and teens throughout our 25-year history. That success is largely built on the passion, hard work, and commitment of our hundreds of mentors and staff. For this month’s Mentor Spotlight, we feature and thank Judy Deaton for her 8 impactful and influential years of FTSV leadership.

Judy Deaton came to First Tee – Silicon Valley in 2017 from the ever-fluctuating radio advertising world and became FTSV’s Development Director. At the time, FTSV needed to secure and sustain significantly more funding to support the high demand for our programs. Simply, we needed more money to help more kids and teens. Judy dove right in and fully owned FTSV’s fundraising efforts in partnership with our Board of Directors and Ambassadors. Her leadership and hard work helped FTSV grow to a whole new level financially. As a result, FTSV now serves thousands more participants.

Judy is retiring at the end of the month but will continue to be a mentor to FTSV Youth as an instructor at Rancho del Pueblo in San Jose and at Gavilan Golf Course in Gilroy. She also plans to continue advocating for FTSV as a Board Ambassador by being the main point person for the Caddy Club Majors in the Spring and FTSV partnership with the KRTY Writer’s Cup Tournament in the Fall.

What we’re saying about Judy?

“I cannot emphasize enough how important Judy has been to FTSV and our staff these eight years. As Development Director, she built a successful development infrastructure that has enable us to grow our revenues significantly. As a member of FTSV’s management team along with me and Chris, our Program Director, she was a valued thought partner and grounding force with our entire staff. Personally, she tirelessly advocated for our kids and teens, supported our character-building mission, and drove many of our key business processes to success. We are grateful to Judy for her many contributions to FTSV!” – George Maxe, President & CEO, FTSV

“Judy’s passion towards helping others is contagious and we are better at our jobs because of her. I respect her dedication to going above and beyond and her ability to rally teams around challenging initiatives. She is professional, motivating, and caring, all qualities that have made her successful as a Development Director and as a coach. I’m so glad she has been on our team and I’m looking forward to her continuing to coach and lead our youth.” – Chris Moreno-Hunt, FTSV Program Director

“I thank Judy for her dedication, heart and professionalism she’s poured into First Tee – Silicon Valley. Her leadership in development has strengthened our organization and opened doors for countless young people. Judy’s impact will be felt for years to come, and we are truly grateful for all she has built. I wish her joy, health and fulfillment in her retirement.” – Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr., Board Chair, FTSV

“I’ve walked alongside Judy through different chapters of my professional life—from our time in radio advertising to her role as a mentor, coach, and development director at First Tee – Silicon Valley. Her passion, empathy, and ability to truly listen make her an extraordinary leader. Judy has a way of seeing people, encouraging them, and helping them believe in their own potential. She is directly responsible for helping shape my career, and I’m proud to call her a mentor I never anticipated finding later in life. I’m thankful that she will continue her work at FTSV, guiding and mentoring kids with the same generosity and heart she has always shown me.” – Nicole Woodson, FTSV Marketing

Thank you, Judy, for your many years of mentoring, advocating and hard work!

If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community like Judy has, please visit our VOLUNTEER PAGE to learn more. No golf experience necessary. Everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.

Mentor Spotlight: Meet Coach Sean

(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.

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.

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

(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

(FTSV Girls Golf Play Day Published 11/26/25) First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted its Girls Golf Play Day on November 15^th 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 28^th.

2025 FTSV College Day Tournament

(2025 FTSV College Day Tournament Published 11/26/25) On Saturday, November 15^th, 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

3^rd Place: Gabriella Borrego (FTGS), Cooper Stearns (Stanford) – 28 (E)

2^nd Place: Suri Lau (FTSV), Ethan Gao (Stanford) – 27 (-1)

1^st Place: Myles Pena (FTGS), Dean Greyserman (Stanford) – 27 (-1)

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 14^th, 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

(FTSV Appreciates Our Coaches Punished: 11/13/2025) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) held a coach appreciation event on Saturday, November 8^th, 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.

No golf experience necessary!

FTSV and Community Outreach

(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].

Join the Movement: Inspire Youth Through Volunteerism at First Tee – Silicon Valley

(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

(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!

If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved with FTSV, click here for our Board page and click here for our Volunteer page. Join people like Ron who want to make a difference in the lives of youth in our community!

Change the Game for MORE Kids! Meet Li An Panfil

(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.

Make the Pledge!