Newsletter Archives - First Tee

Alumni Spotlight: Meet Michelle Xie

(Alumni Spotlight: Meet Michelle Xie) As a youth mentoring organization, the biggest way First Tee – Silicon Valley can measure our impact is by looking at the success of our alumni. After years of character development by participating in and often volunteering with our programs, what do some of our alumni go on to achieve?

Our hope is that they pursue their goals and dreams, achieve success, and live by the many core values we teach. Of course, we believe that all our alumni can claim these achievements, and more, but not many provide a better example than Michelle Xie.

As a student and young golfer, “[she] always had the general idea that [she] wanted to do well in school and in golf, but the thought of juggling both areas felt overwhelming.” That’s where First Tee and our life skill curriculum can help. Because beside our programs and events, FTSV also offers many other opportunities including scholarships, leadership academies, advisory council roles, regional and national tournaments, and future-prep Ace classes. All of which can help prepare students for a fulfilling and successful life beyond golf.

Michelle Xie, as a FTSV participant

Michelle reached two major milestone with First Tee – Silicon Valley – achieving Ace Certification and participating in (and winning!) the 2013 Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Both accomplishments are some of the highest heights one can reach with FTSV, so it’s no surprise that Michelle has gone on to become one of our most successful alumni.

Michelle continued down the path of a successful golf career in high school, helping the inaugural girls’ golf team at Palo Alto High School win the 2014 Central Coast Section title, and claiming the individual title for herself, before leading the team to the state championship where they finished 8^th.

She then attended Harvard, studying molecular and cellular biology and playing D1 women’s golf where she captained the team, earned three All-Ivy selections, and won the Ivy League Individual Championship as a junior.

Today, Michelle lives back in the Silicon Valley area where she works as a software engineer at a financial tech company, focusing on user retention through app development. Michelle continues to be involved in golf and live by the values we teach at First Tee. And now, she is prepared to give back to First Tee as part of the National Alumni Advisory Council – a strategic advisory body that provides insights and recommendations to strengthen alumni engagement, enhance programming, and advance First Tee’s mission. Michelle is part of 20 First Tee alumni from across the country who’ve been selected to help shape the future of First Tee programs.

First Tee alumni from across the country who’ve been selected to help shape the future of First Tee programs

“I’m overjoyed and honored that First Tee has selected me to be a part of its National Alumni Advisory Council.” said Michelle. “Growing up, First Tee provided me many unique opportunities during which I was able to meet incredible young golfers from all over the country. I can’t wait to be a part of First Tee’s continued effort to strengthen its community, this time through its alumni network.”

Successful alumni not only offer a proud glimpse into the impact we have as an organization, but they are also part of the fabric of First Tee. A successful hard working participant, growing up to achieve their dreams, and giving back to First Tee – it all makes for a inspiring example for others to follow. Great job, Michelle! All of us here at FTSV are proud to call you our alum.

If you are a past First Tee participant, or you’re about to graduate from High School, consider becoming a First Tee Alumni with our chapter! For more information, CLICK HERE.

If you are thinking about joining us as a participant like Michelle once did, please CLICK HERE.

*Michelle Xie as participant (FTSV Alum)*

Published: 04-30-2025

Join the Caddy Club Majors – Master Results

(Join the Caddy Club Majors – Master Results) It’s not too late to join the Caddy Club Majors fun competition as a way to support our Financial Aid Program and meet the needs of providing a nurturing environment for the young people in our community. It kicked off with the Masters on April 13^th – but the fun continues for the PGA Championship May 15-18, US Open June 12-15, and Open Championship July 17-20.

CONGRATULATIONS to Caddy Club Majors MASTERS Results:

Tiered Fantasy Pool – Best 4 out of 6 players’ 72-hole scores in relation to Par

1ST PLACE – Mark Christierson – 27 (tie-breaker low team score 4th round)
2ND PLACE – Dennis Billings -27
3RD PLACE – Helen Zieman -26
4TH PLACE – Dan Faulkner -24 (tie-breaker low team score 4th round)
5TH PLACE – DJ Wheeler -24

When you join as a perpetual, recurring donor you will be signed up for the next 3 Majors and next year too. Individuals who commit to a $30+ monthly gift will immediately be invited to participate in our virtual Caddy Club Majors Fantasy Golf Competition. It is easy and fun! $16,000 in total donated prizes for all 4 Majors!

Click to Join!

Every $360 cumulative donation you make allows us to cover the registration fee and golf clubs for a low-income participant to attend 8 weeks of classes.

FTSV believes that ALL youth deserve the change to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them. We are dedicated to building a youth development program that is accessible, diverse and as impactful as it is fun.

Published: 04-15-25

First Tee Level I Coach Training Recap

(First Tee Level I Coach Training Recap) On March 8^th, First Tee – Silicon Valley had 12 coaches participate in a Level I coach training. The Level I training is one of four First Tee National trainings that make up the First Tee Coach Program. The Coach Program is an educational training program that prepares First Tee coaches from around the country to effectively deliver the First Tee’s Life and Golf Skill Curriculum.

Level I training is done locally, and Levels 2, 3, and 4 are held at different locations around the country. Coach Chris and Coach Manny are both trained to deliver the Level I training for First Tee – Silicon Valley as Level 4 certified coaches and as long-time program staff – over 25 years combined.

The Training Program is primarily focused on creating experiences for coaches to learn the application of the Coach Building Blocks – Activity-Based, Mastery Driven, Empowering Youth, and Continuous Learning. Coach Chris and Manny delivered the Coach Building Block theories and best practices to the attendees who then had the opportunity to apply what they learned by delivering the lessons to each other.

“In coaching, we never stop learning,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “Every class and every participant are different. The more we can practice best coaching techniques, the better we are at adapting to each individual and each class situation. That is why we have more than four First Tee – Silicon Valley trainings each year in addition to the National Coach Program that is offered by First Tee Headquarters. The more prepared we are, the better the experience for the participants.”

To learn more about becoming a coach and building your coach skill set, please visit our volunteer page, or reach out to [email protected], 408-508-4884

Published: 04-03-2025

ACE – Career Class for FTSV High School Participants

(ACE Career Class for FTSV High School Participants) This spring season, First Tee – Silicon Valley is delivering the Ace – Career Class to 21 FTSV high school participants. The Career class is one of (4) 8-week Ace classes offered throughout the year.

In this Ace class, participants are:

Building their elevator pitch and develop their personal brand
Identifying their work & lifestyle values, ideal career characteristics, and personal identity, then using them to identify matching career industries and functions
Pursuing different methods for career exploration and identification
Practicing informational interviews and job shadowing techniques
Reviewing resume-building best practices and cover letter approaches
Exploring and building LinkedIn profiles
Practicing networking techniques
Learning and demonstrating job interviewing strategies

We are fortunate to also have a few guest speakers give their professional and work expertise during the classes. Each week the content is delivered through group work, games and activities, and peer to peer demonstrations.

This upcoming summer we will be delivering our Ace Golf classes that covers the following:

Golf psychology – “the mental game” approaches
Optimal practice habits
Golf goal setting and application
Advanced golf techniques

The goal of our Ace classes is to bridge the life skills that we learn throughout First Tee to the next steps of their upcoming adult life. Additionally, we aim to equip our high schoolers with specific tools to succeed post high school.

All 9th graders and above may take the upcoming Ace-Golf classes. All 10^th grade and above participants can take the Ace – Education class in the fall and the Ace Career in the spring. To be Ace-certified, which is the highest First Tee participant honor, participants that have been in our program for more than 2 years may also complete the supplemental Ace course work and apply for Ace-certification. Ace certification is optional and is supplemental to taking the 4 in-person classes.

We are proud of these Ace classes and would love for more FTSV participants to experience them. To register, please click here.

For more information on our four Ace classes, please click here, email [email protected], or call 408-508-4884.

Published: 04-03-2025

Meet New Board Ambassador: Samantha Smith

(Meet New Board Ambassador: Samantha Smith) First Tee – Silicon Valley’s board recently elected Samantha Smith to our Board of Ambassadors.

“First Tee served as the foundation for developing integrity as one of my core values,” Samantha shares. “From age five, the program was instrumental in shaping not just my golf skills, but my character and worldview. The community I found through First Tee has supported me beyond the golf course and throughout my career; I’m passionate about creating those same opportunities for the next generation. The mentors who guided me remain important figures in my life today, which speaks to the program’s lasting impact. I’m thrilled to bring my experience full circle by joining the First Tee – Silicon Valley chapter.”

Samantha’s connection with First Tee runs deep, having participated in First Tee – Greater Houston from age 5 (2002) until achieving Ace certification alongside her brother, Lonnie. As a scratch golfer, she served as a Junior Mentor from 2008-2015. Her First Tee journey included attending the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and First Tee Player’s Academy with Kunal Shalia (FTSV Alumni & Ambassador), with whom she has maintained contact over the years.

Samantha is completing her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior (Micro) at Harvard Business School, where she researches strategic decision-making under competition and develops evidence-based strategies for organizations to leverage diverse talent. After marrying Modibo, a Stanford Graduate School of Business professor, in summer 2024, she now maintains a bicoastal presence between Cambridge, MA and Palo Alto, CA.

While completing her Ph.D. at Harvard, Samantha is concurrently a Research Fellow at ghSMART and Faculty Instructor/Course Designer at Harvard Extension School. Her previous experiences include a Behavioral Research Fellowship at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She earned her AB in psychology with minors in neuroscience and cognitive science from Princeton University.

Samantha joins First Tee – Silicon Valley as a Board Ambassador and is interviewing First Tee Alumni as part of a Harvard case study on the organization’s growth and long-term impact. She feels a special connection with First Tee and is passionate about giving back to the foundation that played the most formative role in her development.

LinkedIN: Samantha Smith

Published: 04-01-2025

FSTV Trainings for Instructors and Volunteer Coaches

Each off-season, FTSV hosts a training for our Instructors and Volunteer Coaches. These trainings take place the weekend before each new season begins and offer both new and returning coaches and volunteers alike the opportunity to expand their coaching techniques and grow as leaders in our chapter. Thank you to the 24 paid instructors and 65 volunteer coaches who attended these trainings!

FTSV Coaching Philosophy

FTSV is about teaching life skills and positive character through golf, and we bring this same philosophy to our coaches and volunteers. While these trainings cover the four main building blocks of First Tee nationwide (Empowering Youth, Mastery Driven, Activity Based, and Continuous Learning), we dive deeper into those building blocks and give coaches practice with specific coaching techniques that we research, and that we learn from partner organizations like Positive Coaching Alliance and The Search Institute. The knowledge and skills taken from this training will help our coaches and volunteers make a greater impact on the community we serve.

Instructor Training

We started off the day with our Instructor training – most of these coaches have been involved in FTSV for many years and some even started off as participants! Instructors serve as class leaders and empower, offer direction, support and feedback to our volunteer coaches during class. Bringing all our instructors together is a great way to recap our coaching goals from the previous season, look at participant survey results, and turn our focus towards refining our skills for the next season.

Later that afternoon, 65 of our volunteers came out to learn more about our activity-based coaching strategy using the Try-Show-Try-Play technique, how to foster engagement with fun breaks during activities, and how to seamlessly deliver our life skill curriculum using our Focus-Ask-Reward system.

Coaching is an ongoing journey of self-exploration and personal development, which is why we ask our coaches to attend all 4 coach trainings each year. It is also why we consistently identify and incorporate fresh and proven coaching tips that reinforce our coach approach and curriculum into each training.

FTSV coaches are the backbone of our program. They are the mentors that guide our participants and help them feel welcomed. We want them to always be learning and feel empowered to help others. Hopefully our trainings are accomplishing that goal. From everyone in the FTSV office, thank you very much to all our amazing coaches!

To find out more about how to be a FTSV Coach, please click here.

Published: 03-26-25

2025 Family Fest was a fun and engaging event for all

First Tee – Silicon Valley’s 2025 Family Fest was a fun and engaging event for all! On the evening of March 8th, over 200 FTSV families came out to enjoy a delicious Barbeque meal, play fun games and activities, win raffle prizes and most importantly, connect with other FTSV families.

The Family Fest’s goal was to celebrate our FTSV participants, families, and coaches while promoting community-building and supporter engagement. We want to extend our appreciation to Presenting Sponsor, PGA TOUR Superstore with locations in Cupertino and East Palo Alto for their $15,000 donation to support our event. Special thanks also goes out to Dryvebox for being onsite with their mobile golf simulator offering a unique closest to the pin experience for attendees. FTSV is fortunate to have an annual partnership with both PGA TOUR Superstore and Dryvebox who will support us throughout the year at various events.

Special thanks to our raffle donors: PGA TOUR Superstore, Aqui Cal-Mex, Original Joe’s Italian, Luna Mexican Kitchen, Panera Bread, In-N-Out, Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts, San Jose Giants, Happy Hallow Park & Zoo, and TopGolf.

A critical part of the planning and execution of this event was the FTSV Junior Council. The group is comprised of FTSV participants that have been in our program anywhere from 1 to 12 years, have been in our Ace classes (seminar classes covering topics on careers, college, volunteering, and golf), and many of whom have also been junior coaches. They know our program better than anyone, and most importantly, they want to be part of group that can leave a legacy and positively impact families, coaches and participants of the future. The Juniors took part in numerous planning meetings and experienced all that goes into putting on an event.

Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt says, “we are so proud of the work they did to solicit donations and prizes for the event, in their coordination of the games and activities, and in their meeting and greeting skills at the event itself. They are role models for our younger participants, and we are grateful that they are giving back to help our program improve.”

This year’s Fest goers were also invited to our 25^th Anniversary event at Rancho Del Pueblo on August 16^th, by FTSV CEO George Maxe. “FTSV has much to celebrate in 2025 after 25 years of positively impacting over 100,000 youth. We’ve been growing nearly 10% each of these past few years, so we want to build on that momentum for our next 25 years of helping many more kids and teens. Our plan is to make our anniversary celebration at Rancho on Saturday, August 16^th our largest – and most fun and festive – event ever!”

For more information on these events and more, email Nicole Woodson, Marketing Coordinator, [email protected].

Published: 03-14-25

Kids & Coaches Tournament

(Kids & Coaches Tournament) This past Saturday, March 1st, First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted the ‘Kids and Coaches Tournament’ to kick off our 2025 Spring season. With an outstanding turnout of 36 participants—18 players and 18 coaches—this exciting event took place at Rancho del Pueblo golf course. It was a fantastic opportunity for our young golfers to showcase the skills and sportsmanship they’ve been developing through our program.

More than just a tournament, this event allowed participants to not only refine their golf skills but also, to strengthen invaluable life skills such as confidence, teamwork, and perseverance. We had two divisions for this tournament, 11 and under and 12 and over. We also had two course contests, with hole number 2 being the closest to the pin and hole number 4 being the long drive competition.

11 and Under Division:

The competition in the 11 and Under division was nothing short of thrilling, with the top spots being decided by just a few points. In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Damien and Coach Shawn clinched 1st place with a score of 29. But the battle for the top spots didn’t end there. Brooks and Coach Matthew, alongside Jameson and Coach Joey, tied for 2nd place with a score of 30, just one stroke behind the leaders. Moises, Coach Jim, and Coach Michael rounded out the top three, securing 3rd place with a score of 31. Their determination and grit were evident throughout the tournament.

The 12 and Over Division:

The 12 and Over division of the tournament proved to be just as exciting. Chloe and Coach Annie emerging as the champions of the division with an impressive score of 28, the lowest of the entire tournament! In second place, Findlay and Coach Bob finished with a score of 32. Their strong performance kept them in the hunt for the top spot throughout the competition. Securing a spot on the podium, Neil and Coach Dick turned in a score of 34. Their effort was commendable, capping off a thrilling competition.

Congratulations to our course contest winners!

Closest to the Pin (Hole #2) – Adeline V.

Longest Drive (Hole #4 – 11 and younger) – Damien G.

Longest Drive (Hole #4 – 12 and older) – Elena M.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley is truly thankful for the incredible support and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved in our tournament. To our coaches, your participation and commitment are the driving forces behind our success—this event wouldn’t have been possible without you. To the parents, your continued dedication, week after week, in bringing your children to our events and classes means the world to us. And to our amazing participants, we are inspired by the growth you’ve already shown and are excited to watch you continue to thrive. We look forward to seeing each of you in our upcoming seasons!

Published: 03-07-25

Adult-Junior Tournament

(Adult-Junior Tournament) On Saturday, March 1st, 19 FTSV participants teamed up with adult mentors to compete in our annual 9-hole Adult-Junior Tournament. Many participants paired up with their guardians, while others joined forces with FTSV coaches and board members. A heartfelt thank you to all the adults who played alongside our participants. Golf is a fantastic opportunity for growth, self-reflection, and teamwork.

The teams competed in a 2-person alternate shot format, which challenged them to collaborate, communicate, and strategize together. It was inspiring to watch each team bond and support one another throughout the tournament.

Our Board member, Shawn Fox, shared about his experience playing with his partner. “It was a pleasure playing alongside Asher in the alternate shot tournament. We had a great time navigating the course together. While Asher’s golf game is already impressive, especially considering he’s only recently taken up the sport, his wide range of hobbies and extracurricular involvements are even more remarkable.”

The event wrapped up with families gathering for pizza and awards. Thank you Pizza Presidente for the lunch! It was wonderful to see families connecting, and our FTSV participants forming new friendships. Congratulations to all our participants for competing with respect, integrity, and sportsmanship. We owe a special thank you to our coaches who stepped in as playing partners for participants in need!

Each division was competitive as seen in the scores below!

12 & Under

1. James V. and Carlo V. – 37

2. Siwat P. and Vinai P. – 38

3. Ben H and Brent H – 40

13 & Over

1. Asher A. and Derek A. – 34

2. Austin A. and Eric W. – 34

3. Nicolas H. and Ramon H. – 35

Closest to the Pin (Hole #1)

Benito F. – 7’11”

Nicolas H. – 7’ 6”

To learn more about FTSV’s pre-season tournaments, please contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected] or 408-508-4887.

Published: 03-07-25

Girls Golf Carnival Games

FTSV’s pre-spring Girls Golf Carnival Games gathering on Saturday, March 1^st kicked off at the driving range where 19 participants were tasked with hitting golf balls through circus hoops. The sound of balls hitting their mark was met with cheers as players kept track of how many hoops they could hit. Each successful shot earned them tickets that the kids could redeem for prizes later.

The players then moved to the putting green where they were tasked with chipping and putting. Cardboard cutouts of clowns and colorful balloons were strategically placed. The challenge for golfers was to knock down every clown and balloon with precise shots. Players had to work together as some targets were close while others were placed on top of boxes encouraging high trajectory chips.

Let the Girls Golf Carnival Games

After a few rounds of driving range and green fun, the golfers moved to the warm-up area, which had been set up with a variety of carnival-style games. Here, they played ring toss, stacked canned throw, fishbowl ping pong, plinko, and a goofy chipping game. This was all designed to test their agility, focus, and luck. As they earned tickets with each game, the sense of camaraderie and excitement grew, with players encouraging one another and celebrating each little victory.

With their tickets in hand, it was time to head to the prize station. There, they could redeem their hard-earned tickets for a variety of fun prizes. Squishmallows were definitely the hot ticket item!

The event concluded with pizza. Special thanks to Pizza Presidente, which is just a few block from Rancho, for donating lunch for our girls!

Events like these aren’t just about golf; they’re about creating memories, building friendships, and enjoying the camaraderie that comes with the enjoyment of playing golf. Thanks to all our participants and coaches who attended our Girls Golf Carnival Games!

Special thanks to our Junior Council: Dahlia, Natalie, Jennifer, Zoe, Sahara, and Julia for planning such an amazing day for our participants!

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

Published: 03-07-25

Family Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo

(Family Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo) In 2024, First Tee – Silicon Valley was awarded a $16,000 NCGA Reach Grant to help grow participation within our community. Many of FTSV’s participants have very limited access to golf and receive financial assistance from FTSV, so we work hard to provide affordable opportunities for everyone to enjoy the game and grow through our programs.

With this grant, FTSV launched a subsidized private lesson program in Summer 2024 led by FTSV Coach Felix, helping break down the barrier to entry that low-income families face when introducing their children to the game of golf. Only participants who are active FTSV participants that receive financial aid, have participated in at least 2 seasons over the last 2 years, and are in the 3^rd grade or higher are eligible for this program. This spring will be our 4^th season offering these lessons.

In celebration, FTSV offered a Family Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo

So far, we’ve had over 30 participants, well on the way to our goal of 65 for the calendar year. To celebrate the success of the program, and welcome participants’ families to the course to build community, we hosted a Family Clinic on Saturday, February 22nd, at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. Participants and members of their family came out for an afternoon in the sunshine, receiving golf instruction and playing games on the driving range and practice green. Participants jumped for joy watching their parents and loved ones do what they’ve been doing in their golf lessons over the past several months.

More than just a day around the practice area, the Family Clinic offered parents and their children a chance to build bonds together and hopefully become inspired to play golf as a family. At the end of the clinic, we passed out a “how-to” guide on playing golf, helping educate our community on how to play the game and access golf on their own. This guide included everything from making tee times, to a list of courses, available discounts, and the basics of course etiquette. Families who know about and understand the game of golf, and who participate with their kids, can better support them during their development through programs at FTSV. With this kind of encouragement, and the improvements found through private lessons, participants will develop the confidence and ability to improve as golfers, compete on school teams and in tournaments, and pursue opportunities on and off the course. By supporting our community in this way, we believe golf can be a game that families can share together for many years to come.

Thank you to the over 40 participants and family members who joined us at the Family Clinic and continue to be long-standing and engaged members of our organization!

To learn more about FTSV’s Private Lessons, please contact Felix Jasso – felix @ftsv.org or 650-887-7141.