(2024 Annual Review) In 2024, 6,054 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) experienced growth during the year.
Expanding our course program at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course continues to be a top priority. About 10% more kids and teens participants took classes there in 2024 vs. 2023. Our school program also grew as we served students in more Title 1 schools than ever before.
Our central business challenge is to adequately invest in our capacity to serve the growing number of youth in our programs while increasing the quality of what we do. As a mentoring organization, our people are key to that quality. While we are extremely proud of our 2024 full-time program staff (6), part-time instructors (34), and volunteer coaches (203), we will always be helping our staff improve their positive impact.
(Participant Spotlight: Meet Juan Hernandez) Juan Hernandez first came to First Tee – Silicon Valley as a 6th grader. He was exposed to our program by our long-time youth partner, Redwood City Pal Center. Over the next seven years he took classes at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto with the help of the Pal Center and then participated in our Saturday classes at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose. Now he is preparing to graduate high school and continue to college where he has been accepted to four schools so far with plans to study Civil Engineering.
Juan’s journey began in the Redwood City Pal Center which is a resource program that co-creates solutions with the community and builds brighter futures for youth and families. They do a fantastic job at exposing their participants to many different experiences like our Life and Golf Skill classes. Participants grades 2-6 are transported from the Pal Center to Baylands Golf Links every Friday in each of our four 8-week seasons. Thanks to the SAGA Foundation’s support of both organizations, we are able to have a successful partnership, which includes covering the cost of their registrations and providing Pal Center with a van that is designated for transportation to our program.
Juan is one of hundreds of Pal Center participants who have had the opportunity to join our classes since 2017 because of our partnership, SAGA Foundation’s support, and Pal Center’s commitment to broadening opportunities for youth. Pal Center’s Executive Director, Ivan Martinez, says, “This partnership exemplifies our mission to connect young people with enriching experiences that might not have been on their radar otherwise. Juan’s journey is just one of many success stories we’ve seen through our partnership with First Tee. By creating access to experiences beyond their immediate environment, we empower our youth to dream bigger and step into new opportunities.” The Pal Center is an important community building organization, and FTSV is proud to be able to offer Golf and Life Skill development to Juan and their other members.
When asked about his experience, Juan said, “I didn’t know anything about First Tee. I never thought I’d play golf or enjoy it. Now, I like it. It’s good exercise, and it’s a good way to socialize and destress yourself. In the beginning, my brother and I were nervous, having never played golf and not knowing anyone there. Coach Matt was the first person I met at the course. He introduced himself and had everyone else introduce themselves with a handshake. Before these classes I wasn’t confident speaking up in front of the group, but Coach Matt helped me to speak up and build that confidence.”
Seven years later he is now one of the leaders in his Grades 9-12 class at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. He lifts others up and has earned the respect of his peers and coaches. “At First Tee – Silicon Valley you have people helping you, and then you make friends,” Juan says. “Including others and being more outgoing are some of my biggest take aways from FTSV. I sometimes see people at school that are by themselves or don’t have many friends, and I invite them to hang out with me and my friends. First Tee has helped me to be a Go-To person for others and realize who my Go-To people are. I have different Go-To people for different situations, people like my brother, my friends, and my coaches.”
“For other kids starting out, I’d say keep going. It’s good to keep an open mind, in the end, it’s worth it. The program will help you a lot. It will help you clear your vision and help you to learn important life skills that will help you right now and for the rest of your life. Don’t knock it until you try it!”
From all of us here at FTSV, congratulations Juan on all your hard work! We are proud of you!
If you are interested in joining the Spring season, registration opens here on February 19th, at 11am. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Coach Phoenix via email ([email protected]) or phone (650-887-7104).
(CYGF $15K Grant Supports Our Mission) First Tee – Silicon Valley recently received a generous $15,000 grant from CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation (CVYGF). This will underwrite our 2025 Volunteer and Instructor Uniforms (hats & shirts) and a portion of our paid lead Instructor compensation. We are a growing chapter that relies heavily on golf enthusiasts and youth development foundations like CVYGF to support our mission.
About CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation
The non-profit CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation was founded in 2004. The foundation’s mission is to expand access to the sport of golf for children of all income levels by directly supporting successful youth golf programs throughout the Santa Clara County. The goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to learn the sport, receive lessons and equipment. Additionally, have access to practice space, and compete, and build positive life skills.
The Foundation annually awards approximately $100,000 in grants to deserving programs. This foundation is funded through a $50,000 annual contribution from CordeValle Golf Club. Also, they raise an additional $50,000 per year through CordeValle’s public charity tournaments.
CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation and First Tee – Silicon Valley are equally committed to expanding opportunities for youth of all income levels to access to the game of golf. Through the discipline and challenge of golf, youth in the Santa Clara County are provided a community with a safe environment and positive life alternatives that build confidence and character, ultimately helping them succeed in our community and in life.
CordeValle has been the location for our annual FTSV Invitational since 2005.
(FTSV Summer Activities for Kids!) Registration for our SUMMER season opens on Wednesday, May 21st at 11am and closes on Thursday, May 29th at 11:59pm. The 8-week summer season begins the week of June 9th and ends August 9th with no classes July 1st through July 5th . Register for the Summer season on May 21st and 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 group so feel free to invite a friend and take part in our summer classes.
Financial aid is available. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.
Continuing Development through the Summer with FTSV Summer Activities for Kids – 3 Ways Summer Activities Benefit Youth
Samantha Sparks writes for Studentassembly.org explains that Summer Activities for kids “are a great option that provides many benefits for your child’s growth and development. Here are three ways that enrolling your kid in summer camp this year can help them thrive.”
Learn New Skills – Making Good Choices and Showing Respect
Grow Socially – Collaborating with Others and Building Positive Self-Identity
Gain Resilience – Pursuing Goals and Overcoming Challenges
(Mentor Spotlight: National Mentor Month) Mentorship is the most important part of First Tee – Silicon Valley. For the past 25 years, our coaches have been making a difference in the lives of kids, helping them to learn important life skills and become amazing people. Thank you to the incredible mentors who are the FTSV family. This past year we had over 200 volunteer mentor coaches. Your hard work, care and dedication are what make all the difference!
Let’s meet some of the longtime mentors at FTSV….
Coach John has been coaching for almost 10 years, passing on what he learned as a participant to the next generation of FTSV participants. “As a former participant, it feels like I get to give back what I was taught, just like coaches did for me years ago. Specifically, a lesson that really stuck with me was about dealing with conflicts. Instead of a “I am always right” mentality, FTSV coaches taught me how to work with others to resolve an issue and find win – win solutions using the CARE model.”
CARE = Communicate, Actively Listen, Review Options, End with a Win-Win
For Coach John, it’s the people that make FTSV so special. “FTSV has developed a really good community of people, including the coaches, volunteers and full-time staff. The people are what makes you want to keep coming back. I get to work alongside people who really care about what we do and mentoring kids, and it makes even the challenging days fun and rewarding.”
Coach Tracy started volunteering with FTSV in 2019. As a former Division 1 college golfer and LPGA player, Coach Tracy has plenty of elite golf experience, making her an incredible asset to FTSV. “First Tee – Silicon Valley means that I can share my lifelong passion for golf with the upcoming generation of golfers,” says Tracy. “And while it’s great to see their golf skills improve over the season, it’s even more rewarding to help them learn and apply the life skills in their daily lives.” Coach Tracy is fantastic at turning golf instruction into memorable life lessons, helping participants to thrive both on and off the golf course. On top of coaching with FTSV, Coach Tracy is currently the Mountain View High School girls’ golf coach, and the team took the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division title this year. Congrats Coach Tracy and the Mountain View High School girls!
Since 2017, Coach Jeffy, who has had two of his children in FTSV, has been working with FTSV to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. With clear expectations and thoughtful questions, Jeffy helps our high schoolers think about their goals, make effective plans, and learn how to effectively communicate with peers and in the workplace. He contributes to the positive, supportive environment that exists within FTSV. He’s a living example of what a mentor should be.
“There are parents that think we need to just teach kids golf, but all of our Life Skill behaviors/tips are things that should start at home; FTSV coaches just reinforce them. I encourage parents, if they aren’t going to volunteer, to please be involved in what we are trying to help their kids learn. It’s going to be that much more effective if you can talk with your kids at home about what they are working on in class and help continue that learning.”
Join us!
If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community, please visit our website to learn more, or fill out this form to get started. No golf experience necessary. Training is provided. Everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.
First Tee – Silicon Valley’s 25th Anniversary (2025) is a year-long celebration of our 25 years of positive impact for our FTSV family and local community.
In addition to recognizing our achievement at all our Events, FTSV will commemorate our Silver Anniversary at our special Community Day on August 16th at Rancho del Pueblo in San Jose. Check our events page in the coming months for event details.
2025 Events – SAVE THE DATE
Please save the dates for FTSV events which are designed for our community, participants, supporters (both individual and corporate), and families.
Attending our events is a great way for all individuals to learn more about us while having fun. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for corporations to sponsor our youth programs while entertaining customers and clients.
The money raised from these events and our private Invitational in July funds and sustains our youth development program.
Fund the Kids Tournament – Gilroy Golf Course – Saturday, September 27, 2025
KRTY.com Writer’s Cup – Cinnabar Hills Golf Club – Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Community Events
In addition to our 25th Celebration Event on August 16th, Community Events occur once every quarter on a Saturday. These events bring the local communities we serve together to experience our program in a fun, no pressure environment. If interested in attending or getting involved with our Community Events, contact Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt [email protected].
Learn About FTSV’s 25-year History
Our youth development program dates back to 2000 when the San Jose Sports Authority (SJSA) and founding Board Chair, Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. created the Eagles junior golf program for East San José youth at Rancho del Pueblo. In 2005, the Eagles became The First Tee of San José, a new chapter within The First Tee network of over 180 internationally, while remaining a program of SJSA. Having grown substantially by early 2012, the program expanded to all Santa Clara County and East Palo Alto and changed its name (and license) to The First Tee of Silicon Valley. The year 2014 began a new era as we separated from SJSA and became a new, 501c3, non-profit entity, The Future Talent of Silicon Valley DBA First Tee – Silicon Valley. Southern San Mateo County (north to Hwy 92) and Hollister were added to our service area in 2018. We have taught our life skills and golf skills curriculum to over 100,000 youth since 2000.
Join the Movement: Empowering Youth through Volunteerism at First Tee – Silicon Valley! At FTSV, we are constantly seeking passionate individuals who are committed to shaping the lives of young people and providing them with the tools they need for a bright future. By volunteering your time as a coach or mentor, you’ll help instill core values and essential life skills in our kids and teens, guiding them toward success. Together, our coaches and volunteers create a positive and safe space for growth, allowing young people to flourish and develop into confident, capable leaders. With just a few hours of your time, you can make a lasting, meaningful impact on their lives.
Why Your Role is Essential
The involvement of community members like you is absolutely vital to FTSV’s success. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on volunteers who are eager to make a difference in the lives of youth. Our coaches and mentors help deliver a fun, engaging curriculum focused on life skills development. In order to maintain an effective, personalized experience for our participants, we aim for a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, meaning every volunteer is important. By volunteering, you’ll not only help build character in young people, but you’ll also have the opportunity to grow your own leadership and mentorship abilities, all while being part of something much larger than yourself.
The Importance of Giving Back to Your Community
Volunteering and giving back to your community aren’t just about helping others—it’s also about feeling good about yourself and being a part of something bigger. Studies show that giving your time and energy can boost your mood, increase feelings of purpose, and create a sense of fulfillment and belonging.
As the saying goes, “be the change you want to see in the world.” By volunteering at FTSV, you’re doing just that—you’re helping to create a future where kids and teens have the opportunity to succeed, grow, and become the next generation of high character leaders. Every caring action, every piece of advice a coach delivers, no matter the size, can make a big impact.
First Tee – Silicon Valley needs help from you to Change the Game for MORE Kids!
We have MORE Capacity. First Tee – Silicon Valley is thrilled to share that we have a new 25-year agreement for expanded access at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course which doubles our course capacity. We have the space to help 10,000 kids annually – now we need the funding to support our growth.
Mentoring is Priceless. If you had a mentor growing up, you know that having someone to listen and give guidance to overcome life’s challenges can be transforming. When we look back on the over 100,000 kids First Tee – Silicon Valley has worked with, we are filled with pride and joy knowing that our mentors and our youth development program was there for the kids of our community.
We have Long-term Mentoring Impact. Our intentional focus on the recruitment, retention and progression of our participants has a big impact.
100% of our long-term kids and teens graduate high school
100% of our long-term teens attend college
100% learn life skills that make them good citizens!
75% of our long-term high school participants give back as junior mentors
Our Kids Face Heavy Stuff. The pressures of social media, loneliness, mental health struggles, family dynamics, peer and family judgment, inequities of living in Silicon Valley and devastating world events are all adversely affecting youth. FTSV creates a supportive, safe, and positive environment where kids are empowered to be themselves, and feel included!
We are a National Leader. We lead the nation among the 140 First Tee chapters in several key program measures including the highest number of participants selected to national academies and leadership opportunities:
85% diversity 48% low-income
55% retention 1:4 mentor ratio
Meet Alexandra. “I can say that I am a different person now than when I first joined First Tee – Silicon Valley,” says Alexandra. “I consider First Tee – Silicon Valley to be my greatest support system that has given me a place to practice and develop my personal skills.” Listen to Alexandra share her personal story and how FTSV is helping her on her journey to be the first in her family to attend college.
$500 Donation. Will underwrite one low-income course participant and one Title 1 student to experience our school program. That’s $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference.
Ways to Give. We are locally funded by people like you! Consider a recurring or one-time donation or select FTSV as your Company Matching or Donor Advised Funds charity.
Click Here for credit card donation or make a pledge to mail us a check.
On Sunday, September 22nd, First Tee – Silicon Valley participants attended the PURE Insurance Championship to go walk Pebble Beach Golf Course in support of our very own Joey Jang.
For this trip, the generous Monterey Peninsula Foundation granted us funds to charter a bus to take 38 participants and 6 chaperones to show our support for Joey and the First Tee. The attending participants were invited based on how long they were in our program and how active they are in our golf opportunities. From taking multiple classes to being in our tournaments, these participants truly have a passion for the game of golf.
The main focus of this field trip is to validate their commitment to our program. By watching these selected First Tee tournament players, we hope this trip inspires our own participants to continue their golf journey with us at First Tee.
The PURE Insurance Championship is an opportunity for committed First Tee participants to be able to play with Professional and Pro-Amateur PGA players at one of the most recognized golf courses in the world- Pebble Beach. The process to get into this tournament requires an application process as well as a referral from your chapter, then the finalized entries are made by First Tee National.
Joey Jang, from Gilroy, was selected to represent our chapter with his partner- 95’ US Open Championship Winner, Corey Pavin. Joey has been part of FTSV since 2016 and has continued to grow as a person through our volunteering opportunities. He gives back on Saturday’s at Gavilan while also maintaining a student-athlete career at Christopher High School. Joey finished -5 on the weekend and ranked within the top 25 in the Tournament. We are beyond proud of how well Joey played and handled himself and will continue to support him as he continues his junior year at Christopher.
We would like to thank the coaches who volunteered as chaperones – Alex W., Nestor A., Amado V., Emma V., and James P. Without the 5 of you, we would not have been able to have this awesome trip. We also wanted to recognize the parents of the invited participants. Thank you for bringing the excited kids to us and trusting us with your children yet again.
Coach Spotlight: John Spadafore has been involved with First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2009 when he started as a participant. He took classes through 2014, began volunteering as a coach, and then quickly transitioned into paid instructor. Because of his experience as a child in the program, Coach John has a personal connection with the curriculum. It makes what he does as a coach just that much more special.
“As a former participant, it feels like I get to give back what I was taught, just like coaches did for me years ago. Specifically, a lesson that really stuck with me was about dealing with conflicts. Instead of a “I am always right” mentality, First Tee coaches taught me how to work with others to resolve an issue and find win – win solutions using the CARE* model.”
*CARE = Communicate, Actively Listen, Review Options, End with a Win-Win
One of the most special parts of First Tee is the collaboration that happens on all levels of the program. From kids supporting one another to coaches working together to come up with new and fun ways to deliver class, this entire program is built on collaboration and teamwork. For Coach John, the community of First Tee coaches is one of the main reasons that he wants to come back season after season.
“FTSV has developed a really good community of people, including the coaches, volunteers and full-time staff. The people are what makes you want to keep coming back. I get to work alongside people who really care about what we do and mentoring kids, and it makes even the challenging days fun and rewarding.”
Thank you so much to Coach John for everything he has done for First Tee – Silicon Valley! We truly are lucky to have him.
If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community, please visit our website to learn more, or fill out this form to get started. No golf experience necessary, everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.
The KRTY.COM Writers Cup will benefit First Tee – Silicon Valley. Join some of Nashville’s country music songwriters on October 7th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club for a day of golf, guitars and giving back!
(Join Us as a Volunteer Coach!) First Tee – Silicon Valley is looking for adult coaches interested in transforming lives through youth development and giving kids and teens a brighter future. By becoming a coach or volunteer, you will contribute to the development of the life skills and character of our participants, helping to set them up for the future.
It is Fun!
We believe in having fun while learning and coaches play a large role in making the classes enjoyable. We utilize creative games to reinforce the life and golf skills, and our class framework is structured to keep the participants active. Coaches and participants learn from each other while having a good time.
Have an Impact!
People find themselves growing the most when they take on new challenges. You can be an important part in that growth, helping to challenge and support our participants as they work on their life and golf skills. At the same time, our coaches are also taking on challenges, learning how to teach in different ways, and all the time improving their communication, mentorship and leadership skills.
Join Us as a Volunteer!
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on community members determined to make a difference to work with us, delivering our fun life skill curriculum to the participants. If volunteering as a coach sounds like a good fit for you, please visit our volunteer page where you can apply. Please also consider inviting a friend, or a work colleague.
