Type Archives - First Tee - Silicon Valley

FTSV Participant and Coach Jennifer Barrientos Receives Scholarship via Youth on Course

(FTSV Participant and Coach Jennifer Barrientos Receives Scholarship via Youth on Course – Published 7/09/2026) Jennifer Barrientos is the 2026 recipient of the Youth on Course College Scholarship! She will be the first in her family to attend a 4-year college and we couldn’t be more proud of her.

Her journey with us began in 2018 at our Parent University outreach event for Alum Rock Unified School District’s participants and families. Our Operations Assistant, Lina Herrera Peña attended the event and spoke with her and her family about our program. “Watching them participate together in the activities and seeing how excited the children were about golf allowed me to share with them the purpose and opportunities that come from being in First Tee,” said Lina. “What resonated with them the most was our program’s commitment to teaching life skills through golf while also preparing participants for the future beyond high school.”

According to Jennifer, “Before joining FTSV, all I knew about golf was that it was expensive and difficult to play. It was foreign to me and my family and not something we thought was going to be an option. FTSV offered my sister and I financial assistance, which made it possible for us to join the program. True to what my mom always taught us, I did not take this opportunity for granted. Now I am here receiving multiple scholarships to college!”

She further highlights the impact that FTSV has had on her and her family, “My mom is a single mom and takes care of all three of us. She tries her best to give us what we need. I have a responsibility to my mom, sister, and brother. We are in this together and I embrace the challenge of being a role model and taking care of my mom. In FTSV, we learned that responsibility requires setting goals and following through on promises. I will continue to work hard in golf, my education, and my career to make myself, and my family proud.”

Fast forward 8 years and she has been one of the most engaged participants and coaches that we have ever had. She has taken all of our classes across all age groups, participated in and coached our Girls Golf program, assisted at our outreach events by speaking Spanish to families, became a volunteer life and golf coach, and now that she graduated is a paid coach with us over the summer. As a result of her contributions and her high character, she was selected to attend the First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy in Florida, which is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to influence positive impact at their Chapters, schools, and communities. In 2022, FTSV selected her as our Dennis Kettmann College Scholarship recipient. She also received the Latino Education Advancement Foundation Scholarship and was a finalist for the Posse Foundation Scholar Program, which connected her with St Olaf and their scholarship fund.

In addition to the opportunities and scholarships, she credits FTSV with helping her “learn how to network, mentor, collaborate, and set goals. The impact my FTSV coaches have had on me is beyond explainable. They have always been there for me, guided me, gave me advice from their personal experience, and tied it back to what I can do for my personal impact.”

Networking and setting goals helped her get jobs throughout high school to save up money for college. That, together with her earned scholarships, is making it possible for her to accomplish her dream of being the first in her family to go to a 4-year college. This fall she will be attending St Olaf in Minnesota!

“I have so many good memories with First Tee – Silicon Valley and I’m extremely grateful for everything they have given me – national opportunities, personal growth, and most importantly, such a supportive community where I was able to learn and adapt.”

Congratulations, Jennifer. We are so proud of and happy for you, and we are excited for your next steps in life.

To join our program as Jennifer did, please visit here. Financial aid is available, and we don’t turn anyone away.

To read more about our local, regional and national opportunities, please click here.

New Staff Spotlight: Meet Nancy Rivera

(New Staff Spotlight: Meet Nancy Rivera – Published 7/09/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to welcome our newest Program Coordinator, Nancy Rivera. Although, Nancy is not new to FTSV and not new to the spotlight, she is a very welcome addition to our full-time staff. Her main areas of focus, aside from coaching, will be to oversee the First Tee – Silicon Valley Alumni Club and Community Outreach. Having a local alumni club will allow us to continue strengthening bonds and community as fellow alumni navigate the professional stage of life.

Nancy began her journey with FTSV in 2017 and racked up a series of well-deserved honors during her time as a highly engaged participant. Her hard work, dedication, and high character led to her being nationally selected attend to First Tee national opportunities such as the First Tee Game Changers Academy, Innovators Forum, and Leadership Summit.

After she graduated high school, Nancy was awarded the First Tee College Scholar Program, joining a class of 25 scholars who earned this honor based on their academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need, and commitment to volunteerism. This program’s financial assistance, along with her award of the Innovators Forum scholarship and FTSV’s Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and scholarship, helped her achieve her dream of being a first-generation college student when she chose to attend Middlebury College in Vermont. While at Middlebury she was selected for the Patrick J. Durkin ’79 Public Service Leadership Award, a prestigious honor given to students who demonstrate a special dedication to public service at Middlebury College.

We sat down with Nancy to ask some questions.

What does the FTSV mean to you as an Alum?

“To me, FTSV means having a lifelong community. No matter where I am in the country, the First Tee has become my home away from home. As I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast for College, my First Tee family, both from my home chapter and others, have become an incredible support system in my life in general. Whether it is just general life advice or guidance related to school or work, I know there is always someone I can reach out to. Even if they don’t have the answer, they’ll always offer support or connect me with the right resources. Being an alumni means that you know there’s people in your corner through the relationships you’ve built throughout the years and that doesn’t just end when you leave a chapter or graduate, they stay with you wherever you go.”

What impact has the program had on you?

“Since I joined the First Tee, the trajectory of my life has changed tremendously. I always give credit to the First Tee and the coaches for helping me become the first person in my family to graduate college. This program has truly shaped me into the person I am today. It has also inspired my future career aspirations, and given me the confidence to pursue opportunities I had never even thought about before.”

What are your goals in your position?

“As far as Alumni Club I would love for all of us to see the First Tee as a place that brings us back together and helps us stay connected, even after graduating from the program. More broadly I would love for every participant and their families to feel welcomed, supported and valued at First Tee. I want them to see us as a community where they can meet new people, and build meaningful relationships that go beyond our weekly class.”

For more information about joining the Alumni Club, visit our Alumni Club Page or contact Nancy via email: [email protected].

From Flip-Flops to Backpacks: Navigating the Summer-to-School Shift

(From Flip-Flops to Backpacks: Navigating the Summer-to-School Shift – Published 7/09/2026) As we ditch the long summer days of pools, camps, gaming, extended vacations, sleepovers, and late-night hangouts — and transition into bedtimes, homework, and shorter days — it’s important to help youth slide into the new routine with ease and confidence.

Here are some quick tips to help you make this transition a little easier.

Create a Routine
- Create a daily routine or personal calendar. Treat your routine as your best friend, when things get crazy, rely on your specific routine to give you control.
Stay Active
- Get out in nature. Our brain hertz tend to be high with so much stimulation and stress. Going on walks, playing sports, and exercising are proven ways to reduce the brain hertz, which increase our functional capacity, help us stay in the present, and access more of our brain.
Enroll in Extracurriculars
- Extracurriculars are an important part of all kids’ routines throughout their school years. “Students who participate in extracurricular activities report higher levels of self-concept and self-worth (Claudette Christison – Blomfield & Barber, 2009).” Christison goes on to explain that “they also have opportunities to develop personal interests and discover their strengths and weaknesses (Claudette Christison – Fredricks & Eccles, 2008), which is especially important during the adolescent stage of self-exploration.”

Register for FALL FTSV Program

We can be an option that addresses all three tips.

Routine
- Pick a class, once a week for 8 weeks, same day, time, and location each week. Your class will help form a routine
- Learn about setting goals and routines in life and in golf
Active
- 98% of our students say their coaches kept them active and playing.
- Our philosophy is to learn by doing and asking. All of our classes have games for the students to play, where they tie in their life and golf skills
Extracurricular
- Our classes are fun opportunities to build relationships, confidence, teamwork, and learn a sport that one can play their whole lives.
- Our proven Life Skill curriculum connects well to school values and characteristics that lead to school success.

The First Tee – Silicon Valley FALL 2026 Classes begin September 8^th Registration for our Fall 2026 Classes opens Wednesday, August 12th at 11am. We will announce the fall schedule on the week of July 21^st. Register for an 8-week set of classes at one of our three locations:

Classes are open to all youth from 2nd to 12^th grade. Equipment Provided. Financial aid is available on a sliding scale and can reduce the fee to $20-$180.

If you’re interested in registering your child or want to ask a question, please fill out the inquiry form below. Learn more about First Tee – Silicon Valley’s youth programs.

FTSV Participant Natalie Chen selected for the First Tee College Scholar Program

(FTSV Participant Natalie Chen selected for the First Tee College Scholar Program – Published 7/09/2026) First Tee Silicon Valley participant Natalie Chen has been selected by FT Headquarters to become a part of the 2026 College Scholar Program. Congratulations, Natalie!!!

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

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

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

Natalie also joined our Junior Council and led a few the Council’s subcommittees including our Girls Golf events and our Family Fest. She excelled in our Ace classes and took our Leadership Series with the PGA Tour Superstore. As a result of her performances and leadership, she was selected to attend the 2024 First Tee Leadership Summit. In this summit, First Tee Participants from across the country spend a week at a working ranch in Emigrant, Montana. They take part in team building activities, growing through challenges via positive risk taking, and developing positive self-identity.

“Before Montana, I was more reserved. After this trip, I am willing to take bigger risks, and I believe that will help with my leadership skills. Being a good leader and being able to direct a team to success depend on taking those risks. Just going for it and having the mindset that you can succeed is really important.”

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

Natalie will be using the lessons she learned while at FTSV with her as she takes on new challenges at Stanford University in the Fall. Congratulations, Natalie! We are incredibly proud of you!

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

Girls Golf Spring Play Day – Bring a Friend!

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

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

Games On the Course

Hole 1 – Animated Putting Maze

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

Hole 2 – Chipping Tic-Tac-Toe

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

Hole 8 – Foot-Golf!

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

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

The Wrap-Up

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

Thank-You Coaches!

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

Thank you to the Junior Council

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

Thank you Sponsors & Donors

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

Stay Connected

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

Learn more about our tournaments and other opportunities at firstteesiliconvalley.org/youth-programs/opportunities/.

Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!

(Congrats, FTSV High School Grads! Published 6/11/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley extends the warmest of congratulations to our Class of 2026 High School Graduates. We are so proud of their accomplishments and all the hard work these students have put into their journeys toward graduation. You earned this!

Many of our seniors have been in our program taking classes each year for the past 4–13 years. They have also served as junior volunteer coaches and taken part in our Junior Council. They have each played a significant role in building and shaping the supportive, inclusive community that future teens will continue to enjoy.

We are going to miss them — but we are so excited for what lies ahead!

At FTSV, we believe every kid and teen deserves the chance to build inner strength before the world demands it, to find the joy that comes with feeling confident in their own skin before the world makes it feel difficult, and to access experiences and spaces where leadership and personal growth happen. We strive to equip our participants with the tools to be people of high character — and this Class of 2026 is a shining example of exactly that.

Congratulations, seniors!

Elena Alegre – University of Oregon

Varnika Arun – NYU

Jennifer Barrientos – Saint Olaf

Vikrant Bhende – University of Indiana

Lucas Chen – Stanford University

Natalie Chen – Stanford University

Khaton Ho – De Anza College

Joey Jang – University of California San Diego

Alonso Jose – Fordham

Walton Li – Emory University

Diyaan Mehta – University of Michigan

Alexander Sanchez –

Evan Santoso – Carlton College

Kristin Tang – Gonzaga

Julia Villa – Cal Poly SLO

Marissa Wei – The Ohio State

Kayden Wong – University of San Francisco

Amaris Zarate –

Seniors, we strongly encourage you to join our First Tee – Silicon Valley Alumni Club and the First Tee Alumni Network to stay connected with First Tee graduates around the country. To join or contact our Alumni Coordinator Nancy Rivera – [email protected]

2026 Summer of Opportunity!

(2026 Summer of Opportunity! Published 6/11/2024) Summer is here, and with it, another round of First Tee National Opportunities. Every year, First Tee – Silicon Valley participants who have been long-standing and highly-engaged are selected to apply for these unique, once in a lifetime experiences. FTSV has submitted their applications, and many participants have been selected to attend these opportunities and represent FTSV. Congratulations!

Qualifications to apply for Opportunities

Participants from First Tee chapters worldwide apply for one of the limited spots at these limited opportunities. To apply, our chapter looks for FTSV teens who have a minimum of 2 years with First Tee and have been highly-engaged in FTSV over the years (e.g., volunteer coach, participant at least 2 seasons per year each year, active in tournaments/Girls Golf, etc.). Applicants are selected to apply based on their fit with the opportunity, time spent in the program, amount of volunteer hours, engagement in FTSV extracurriculars, and other accomplishments. Once selected to apply, applicants must meet the requirements set forth by First Tee National, write several short essays, listing their accomplishments in and out of the classroom, and include letters of recommendation. FTSV staff works with each applicant and helps with essay support.

Great work to all participants who were able to submit applications this year!

So far, we have submitted 24 applications for 4 different National Opportunities. Please see below for our 8 selected FTSV participants.

First Tee College Scholar – Class of 2026

FTSV participant, Natalie Chen, was accepted into the College Scholar Program that provides a college scholarship, career mentorship and internship opportunities throughout their four years in college. Please click on the subtitle to read more about the program.

First Tee National Championship – Chapel Hill, NC June 21-25

Three FTSV teen participants were accepted to represent our chapter this year at the First Tee National Championship in North Carolina. Congrats and good luck to Alexis Chu, Annie Lu and Arden Xu. Please click on the subtitle to read more about the National Championship opportunity.

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow,Jr July 8-12

Four FTSV participants were selected to attend the Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis this summer. Congratulations to Alonso Jose, Adam Rosas, Julia Villa and Varnika Arun. Please click on the subtitle to read more about the opportunity.

We will post a recap story of all the national opportunities and hear from each participant. Stay tuned!

Applications are currently being completed for the Innovators Forum and the Drive Your Future Academy. Selections will be made in August and September, respectively. Selected participants for the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach will be announced in early July.

Interested in learning more about the national opportunities, please click here

Spring Shamble Tournament

(Spring Shamble Tournament Published 6/11/20260) On Saturday, May 30th, 24 FTSV participants teamed up with fellow FTSV participants to compete in our Spring Team Shamble Tournament.

The teams competed in a Shamble shot format, which challenged them to collaborate, communicate, and strategize together. Everyone hits their tee shot, they all play from the best tee shot and then their own ball until the hole is complete. It was great to watch the golfers bond and support one another throughout the tournament. We encourage our participants to play golf together as it can strengthen their relationships and make for lasting memories.

The event wrapped up with pizza and awards. It was wonderful to see our FTSV participants forming new friendships. Congratulations to all our participants for competing with respect, integrity, and sportsmanship.

Results

1st Place: Japman, Nico, Adebayo, Dylan – 1 Under