Type Archives - First Tee - Silicon Valley

FTSV Coach Spotlight: Kathy Hausler

(FTSV Coach Spotlight: Kathy Hausler – Published 2/6/26) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) owes so much of our success to our many wonderful Coaches who are the backbone of our life skill and golf skill programs. This month’s Spotlight highlights one of our standout coaches, Kathy Hausler. Kathy began coaching with us in 2022 and has amassed over 260 volunteer hours. She coaches most of our (4) 8-week seasons year in and year out. Most importantly, she leads by example and positively connects with, and cares for our participants.

Why FTSV is important to her

“Organizations like FTSV are really important to communities,” says Kathy. “The life skills we teach at FTSV help to support what the kids learn at home and at school. The golf experience allows the kids to learn something new or practice what they already know. And, helping them be successful and enjoy the sport can give them more confidence in other sports and interests.”

What she has gained through coaching

“I have appreciated the opportunity to coach, and I think it’s helped me improve my teaching and overall communication skills.”

What her fellow coaches have said about Kathy

“Kathy is an incredible coach. She brings flexibility towards and genuine care for our participants. She is always prepared and makes proper adjustments to the activities to meet each kid’s skill level and engagement. We are so lucky to have her!” – First Tee 2024 Coach of the Year, Manny Gallardo

“Coach Kathy was one of the first coaches I got to learn from when I started with First Tee – Silicon Valley,” says FTSV Program Coordinator, Tanner Riley. “Learning alongside her was invaluable; she has a gift for seamlessly connecting life skills with golf skills in a way that truly sticks with our participants.”

In addition to coaching with us, Kathy coached softball and basketball, volunteered at the Sunnyvale library, at Meals on Wheels, and was a teachers aid.

Thank you, Kathy, for your life-long commitment to giving back to others and making this world a better place!

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 Kathy who want to make a difference in the lives of youth in our community!

FTSV Summer Season SAVE THE DATE

(FTSV Summer Season SAVE THE DATE – Published 2/5/2026) Summer is just around the corner. Our Summer Class Registration opens April 1st. Mark your calendars and get ready for a season filled with growth, movement, and connection. Learning doesn’t take a break when school lets out, and summer offers a unique opportunity to build new skills, reinforce positive habits, and continue developing confidence in a fun, supportive environment.

In addition to our golf skill curriculum, participants learn important socialization and team-building skills while they build friendships. Summer is more than just staying busy—it’s about continuing to learn, grow, and belong all summer long.

Save the Date – Registration for our summer season opens on Wednesday, April at 1st and closes on, May 28^th at 11:59pm.

The 8-week summer season begins the week of June 9^th and ends August 8^th. We will have no classes the week of June 30^th through July 4^th.

The 4-day summer camps will begin on June 16^th.

Types of Summer Programming – Will be having two types of programs

(7) 4-Day Camps

3.5-hours per day for 4 straight days (Tues-Fri) – 11am-2:30pm
11am-12:30pm – learn life and golf skills in practice area
1-2:30pm – learn life and golf skills on golf course
Camps are grouped by grade groups
Camp 1 – 6/16-6/19 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 2 – 6/23-6/26 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 3 – 7/7-7/10 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 4 – 7/14-7/17 – Spring Valley Golf Course
Camp 5 – 7/21-7/24 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 6 – 7/28-7/31 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 7 – 8/4-8/7 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course

8-Week Classes

1.5-hour per day, same location and time each week for the 8-weeks
Classes offerings – Tues through Fri – 4:30-6pm and Sat 9am-3:30pm
Locations – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose), Gavilan College Golf Course (Gilroy), Baylands Golf Links (Palo Alto)

Classes are broken down by grade groups, so feel free to invite a friend and take part in our summer classes together.

Exact 8-week classes and 4-day camp schedules will be released in late February.

Financial Assistance Offered. No one is turned away. Need financial assistance to register? Please apply for financial aid when registering. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

We encourage youth 2^nd grade and above to join our program and ask that you help spread the word. For more information VISIT THE YOUTH PROGRAMS PAGE.

See you at the course!

Become a Volunteer Coach—Make an Impact That Lasts

(Become a Volunteer Coach—Make an Impact That Lasts – Published 2/5/2026) We are actively recruiting Volunteer Coaches to join First Tee – Silicon Valley for our Spring and Summer 2026 season. We’d love to have you on the course with us.

The spring season runs from March 17^th to May 9^th and the summer season runs from June 9th through August 8th, with a break from June 30 – July 4 for the Fourth of July holiday week. On-boarding is already underway and must be completed by the end of February for the spring, and by mid-May for the summer, so now is the time to take the first step.

Start Your Journey Now!

As an FTSV Volunteer Coach, you’ll work alongside a team of supportive coaches to deliver our structured life and golf skills curriculum to youth ages 7–17. No prior coaching experience is required—we provide all the training. What matters most is your willingness to mentor, encourage, and model the values that help young people grow both on and off the course.

Your impact goes far beyond golf. Our coaches help participants build character, confidence, and a process-focused mindset that prepares them for challenges in school, relationships, and life.

Volunteering with FTSV also benefits you. Throughout the season, coaches:

Develop leadership, communication, and mentoring skills
Learn research-backed coaching strategies
Receive feedback and support from experienced staff
Participate in a dedicated pre-season coach training
Become part of a fun and caring coach community

You’ll never coach alone. Every class includes multiple coaches, and collaboration is central to our culture—just as it is in the lessons we teach our participants. We believe in learning together, supporting one another, and continually growing as a team.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, grow personally, and be part of a positive, mission-driven community, this is your invitation.

👉 Visit our volunteer page to apply today.

We can’t wait to welcome you—and see you on the course. 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

FTSV Spring Season – Register on February 11th

(FTSV Spring Season – Register on February 11th – Published 2/5/2026) Registration for our spring season opens here 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. Register on February 11^th and take part in engaging and fun life 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.

Financial aid is available. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. If financial assistance is needed, one may request it within the online registration process, or reach out to us.

Setting and Pursuing Goals

Each week our participants experience one of our 6 Life Skills and 6 Golf Cues. Our life skills cover everything from showing respect, to collaborating with others, growing through challenges, making good choices, building a positive self-identity, and setting goals.

For example, participants learn that goal setting is about creating a repeatable system that includes making and tracking smaller steps in the pursuit of something big. Whether they’re aiming for a personal best on the course or working toward a goal at school or at home, they learn how preparation, reflection, and perseverance lead to progress.

Here’s what one participant had to say about learning goal setting through First Tee:

“Setting goals is like laying out a path to improve and achieve anything you want. When I set a goal, I can easily visualize my progress. It boosts my mental well-being and helps me move forward. Through my time with First Tee, I feel like I’ve not only gotten better at golf but also grown as a person. I’ve learned how to set short-term and long-term goals as steps to achieve my final goal along with my coaches and friends.” – Nico Hernandez

Mark your calendar for February 11th to make sure you secure your spot!

Download the Schedule

We encourage youth 2^nd grade and above to join our program and ask that you help spread the word. For more information visit the YOUTH PROGRAMS – COURSE PROGRAM page.

See you at the course!

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.

FTSV Participant Tristan Hipolito Awarded 2025 Make Your Mark Grant!

(FTSV Participant Tristan Hipolito Awarded 2025 Make Your Mark Grant! Published 01/07/2026) Congratulations to FTSV Ace-Certified Participant, Tristan Hipolito, for being awarded First Tee’s 2025 Make Your Mark Grant! Tristan was one of 6 First Tee Ace-Certified participants selected nation-wide for the $3,000 grant based on his work in the community.

To be eligible for the grant, one must have completed the Ace Give Back Project, which requires 24 hours of community service, and then submit a detailed report of their project/service. Upon submission, the selection committee evaluates whether the community service or initiative made an impact on a cause or organization in the participant’s community and highlights the impact First Tee has had on their learning and preparation to succeed in this initiative.

His service projects included volunteering with the Alameda County Community Food Bank and with Second Harvest. For both projects Tristan wrote extensive self-reflection journals and game plan steps as a part of his FTSV Ace Give Back class. Our Ace Give Back class also helps participants like Tristan learn what it means to go above and beyond, be professional, and gain transferable work skills. Tristan demonstrated all of these learnings in his projects to help him earn the grant.

“Sorting and handing out food for those in need was deeply rewarding, as I saw the immediate impact of my efforts, whether personally handing groceries to families or helping sort food to be handed out. Furthermore, the work I did not only provided access to food for the community but also helped me grow through honing my communication skills for efficient coordination when giving out food.”

Congratulations Tristan! Your work in the community shows high character, empathy, and a desire to make the world a better place. Thank you!

If you are interested in joining our program like Tristan did years ago, please click here or contact us at [email protected] or 408-508-4880 for more information. Click here to learn about our Ace classes.

Avi Desai – Alumni Spotlight & AWS re:Invent Conference Recap

(Avi Desai – Alumni Spotlight & AWS re:Invent Conference Recap Published 12/19/25) Throughout 2025, and into the new year, First Tee HQ is helping chapters across the country lead an initiative to get Alumni more involved in what’s happening at the local and national level. Through meetups, advisory positions, and conferences and networking events, First Tee Alumni have more opportunities than ever to stay involved with First Tee.

Avi Desai, First Tee – Silicon Valley Alum, was recently selected to attend the AWS re:Invent conference, an industry-leading cloud computing and AI professional development and networking event, which took place in Las Vegas earlier this month. This amazing opportunity is part of an ongoing partnership between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and First Tee, and we’re so proud that Avi could represent FTSV as one of eighteen First Tee national alumni in attendance.

Avi started his FTSV journey in elementary school with his sister, Sapna. “[We] had never played golf before, and our dad took us to Rancho for the first time around 6^th grade. We saw a bunch of kids in a golf class and learned about FTSV. We signed up for class the next season.” They were immediately hooked, citing their enjoyment learning the game and the life skills that accompanied it, along with the many amazing peers and mentors they met along the way. Avi particularly remembered Coach John Jasso, an integral part of FTSV’s early years, then known as the Eagles at Rancho, and later as First Tee – San Jose. “Coach Jasso was an amazing mentor to us – he was so easy going and knew exactly what to say to keep you motivated on your golf journey. He gave us so much guidance and he really shaped us.”

After graduating and leaving the FTSV program, Avi attended Oregon State, earning his B.S. in Computer Science, in 2023 and is now pursuing his Masters in AI Engineering at UT Austin. His goal is to combine his passion for helping others with the near-limitless potential of STEM and AI to help create innovative solutions to everyday problems.

Avi’s introduction to STEM, an integral part of much of the industry and culture around Silicon Valley, started at a young age. Both his parents were engineers, but Avi soon realized that not all kids had access to the information and technology that he and his sister did. Avi reflected…

“…where we grew up, in a different school district only a half mile away, kids maybe only had 2 computers at their library, didn’t have a computer at home, didn’t have access to things that were so important to the dominant industry here. My sister and I decided we wanted to help change that, so we set out to create STEM learning opportunities for kids at local libraries.”

Avi and Sapna founded their own non-profit, SV Kids, and over the next couple of years began hosting their own STEM classes for underserved youth at libraries around Silicon Valley.

So, Avi was a perfect fit to be selected to attend the AWS re:Invent conference.

“It was so exciting and rewarding to be selected,” said Avi. “We played some golf, networked, and met First Tee Alums from across the country. It was great to hear everyone’s story and see how their First Tee experience has shaped them… There were seminars about different topics, and I spoke to so many bright individuals from different backgrounds, from high-tech to government…. It was awesome to hear the challenges and concerns that other industry leaders have about AI.”

After returning from AWS re:Invent, Avi joined current Ace participants and other FTSV alumni at PGA TOUR Superstore in Cupertino on Friday, December 12^th for a special, local event. READ THE FULL RECAP STORY

“FTSV is so proud of Avi for representing us at this national First Tee Alumni event! I cannot think of a better FTSV Ambassador and Alum for AWS re:Invent.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO, who has know Avi since he first started as a participant. When asked why he’s staying involved in FTSV as an alunni, Avi said, “I definitely want to give back. When I was a participant, hearing from leaders in different industries and how they apply life skills in their careers… inspired me and I want to be a mentor to kids now and further into my career.”

Keep it up Avi! We’re excited to see you continue your career in AI and hope you stay involved in FTSV for years to come. If you’re an alum and want to get re-involved in First Tee events and opportunities, click here.