Type Archives - First Tee - Silicon Valley

Change the Game for MORE Kids in 2027!

(Change the Game for MORE Kids in 2027! Published 10/8/27)

We provide mentoring, life skills, and opportunity for every young person in Silicon Valley. Here is how you can help us reach more of them in 2027.

Kids Need Us Now More Than Ever

Social pressures, loneliness, mental health challenges, family struggles, and inequities across Silicon Valley weigh heavily on today’s youth. At First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV), we provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive community where kids are free to be themselves and discover their inner strength.

Our programs are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. We care for kids with safe spaces, quality coaches, character curriculum, and a culture of respect.

Mentoring Is Priceless

Think about the mentor who made a difference in your life. That kind of guidance, with its listening, encouragement, and wisdom, shapes kids forever. Over the years, FTSV has provided this transformative mentorship to more than 108,000 kids. Your steady, monthly support ensures every child in our program has a mentor by their side.

Life Skills and Impact That Last a Lifetime

We’re proud of the results our youth development program delivers.

100% of our long-term participants graduate high school
100% go on to college
100% gain life skills that make them caring, responsible citizens
75% of our high school participants give back as junior mentors

This kind of consistency is possible only when our supporters are consistent too. That’s why monthly pledges are so vital.

What It Looks Like in a Young Person’s Life

Alonso, one of our recent alum, put it best: “First Tee has helped me become both stronger as a student and more confident. These skills have already helped me in scholarship interviews and will continue to be essential as I continue my education in college.”

A National Leader with Local Heart

Among the 150 First Tee chapters nationwide, First Tee – Silicon Valley is at the top with:

85% participant diversity
50% retention rate
1:4 mentor-to-kid ratio

These numbers reflect our commitment to making sure every child has access to caring mentors and meaningful opportunities.

Room to Grow, and Good News to Share

We are grateful to share that CA State Senator Dave Cortese has secured $2.125 million in state funding for First Tee – Silicon Valley to strengthen our facility. “Investing in our young people means investing in the places where they learn and build confidence,” said Senator Cortese.

Our President & CEO, George Maxe, explains what this means: “Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course is essential to our instruction, which includes core values, life skills, work skills, leadership principles, and career planning. This investment will enable us to help more kids and teens with additional class options and improved operations.” We will share more about how these funds will be used in the coming months.

Why Your Gift Still Matters

This state funding is dedicated to capital improvements, meaning it can only be used for facility improvements that benefit FTSV and the community. It cannot pay for the people and programs that make a difference in a kid’s life.

Your annual and monthly giving covers the classes, coaches, equipment, financial aid for low-income families and life-skills curriculum that happen on the course, at school and beyond.

Change the Game for MORE Kids NOW and in 2027

As we look to 2027, we need your help to build on this momentum. A monthly pledge is the most powerful way you can support our kids. Your commitment provides the stability and resources necessary to help thousands of youth grow into resilient, confident, and compassionate leaders.

A gift of any size helps us add classes, support our coaching staff, and reach more underserved young people across Silicon Valley:

$1,000 – Sponsor a full year of golf and life-skills programming for a low-income student, including course fees, equipment, and coaching ($80 a Month)
$500 – Support one of our signature participant events, the Girls Golf Tournament or our Annual College Day Tournament, helping cover costs so interested participants can take part ($40 a Month)
$250 – Cover the registration fee for one low-income student (ONLY $20 a Month)
$100 – Provide golf equipment and program materials for a student

Make your annual donation OR a monthly pledge today, and help us Change the Game for MORE Kids tomorrow.

Ready to Give?

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee

(PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee Published 10/8/26)FTSV participants Suri Lau, Annie Lu and Arden Xu were selected for and competed in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at historic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in September. All players conducted themselves with respect and kindness, building lasting relationships while playing golf in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

“The PURE Insurance Championship was exactly what everyone had hyped up the event to be!” said Arden Xu. “Obviously, as a Bay Area kid, playing Pebble Beach Golf Links has been a dream of mine ever since I picked up a golf club. Playing the iconic 7th hole and 18th hole felt like a dream come true. Not only that, but this event was about the quality of the First Tee as an organization. Everything about the PURE Insurance Championship embodies First Tee’s Five Key Life Skill Commitments, and it’s an exemplary model of what the First Tee’s overall mission is. All of the First Tee staff, as well as First Tee Silicon Valley, put the players first, and every detail about the event was meticulously crafted to make it as enjoyable as possible. As First Tee often says, it was a truly life-changing experience.”

“I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to play at the PURE Insurance Championship.” Suri Lau humbly described. “Every day was full of friendly people, delicious food, long-lasting memories, and beautiful views of Pebble Beach. It is such an honor to represent Silicon Valley for this tournament. My experience really strengthened my First Tee values and life lessons. I definitely recommend others to participate in this event.”

For more than 20 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has provided selected First Tee participants from around the country with the unique opportunity to showcase the skills and values they’ve gained through their respective First Tee Chapters. The tournament pairs 80 standout teens from First Tee Chapters nationwide with PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business community. The teens were selected by a national panel of judges who evaluated their essays, letters of recommendations, and golf resume. Throughout the week, our three participants competed in the prestigious tournament, got to eat meals with the professional golfers, and were able to network with their peers and tournament golfers. The annual event was broadcast internationally on Golf Channel and took place September 18^th – 20^th.

In addition to our participating teens, our chapter organized a field trip that brought 36 FTSV teen participants to cheer on Suri, Annie, and Arden. Thanks to the generous grant by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, our field trip teens rode to Monterey in style with a charter bus. During their time at Pebble Beach, the teens enjoyed walking the course, taking pictures, and watching the pros in action. One group even followed Arden for much of the day, proudly cheering him on every step of the way! Everyone also made sure to explore all that Pebble Beach has to offer, from the market and shops to the beautiful museum. Taking in the sights and enjoying the scenery was an added bonus to an already unforgettable day. It was a wonderful opportunity for our teens to come together, support their fellow participants, and experience the excitement of professional golf firsthand.

Congratulations to all the athletes and thank you to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for hosting First Tee – Silicon Valley!

If you are interested in learning more about the First Tee National Opportunities and the selection process, please click here or email [email protected].

Dakota Chang: Awarded Ace Certification Status!

(Dakota Chang: Awarded Ace Certification Status! Published 10/8/26) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to share that Dakota Chang was awarded the distinguished honor of being Ace-Certified!

Ace is the highest level of certification at First Tee and less than 1% of First Tee participants from across the country achieve Ace certification. Dakota will receive local and national recognition from First Tee for completing her Ace classes and the post-class documents. More importantly, her work in our Ace classes helped her apply the First Tee Life Skills to college and career exploration, and to volunteer experiences. The Ace classes also assisted in developing transferable skills that will aid her in her professional development.

Who is Dakota?

© 2024 Decisive Moment Events, First Tee Leadership Academy at The Arthur Blank Family Foundation and Coda in Atlanta, GA

Dakota is a senior at Carlmont High School in Belmont. She began our program as a participant in 2015 and has volunteered as a coach since 2023. Dakota is one of the most diligent, engaged, and impactful participants in our program’s history. She has taken (4) 8-week classes every year since 2015, participated in our regional and local events, recently helped our team win the 2026 NorCal First Tee Regional Cup, and was selected to the First Tee Leadership Academy in Georgia, and the Innovators Forum in Florida. Additionally, she took on several leadership positions within our Junior Council where she worked with her peers on a new coach app that we rolled out this year, and she helped put together our Family Fest, which was an event where we celebrate our participants and families.

Since she was 7 years old, Dakota and her brother and father have been coming on Saturdays, taking classes and staying the entire day (7am to 4pm) to assist with a myriad of tasks. She and her family arrived first thing in the mornings to help us set up the games and stayed after her classes to help us pick up and pack up. As soon as she was old enough, she started volunteer coaching and now leads sections of our classes.

She has been taking Ace classes since she got into high school and being Ace-certified was a personal goal that she can now check off her list.

What does FTSV mean to her?

“FTSV is like a second family to me. It is a community where I can freely express myself because the coaches and my fellow participants prioritize making it a supportive and welcoming environment for all. I was able to grow as a person at my own pace because of the coaches’ patience and gentle encouragement. Most importantly, FTSV taught me that leadership doesn’t mean being the loudest in the room. Instead, it means being the one that facilitates others’ ideas and allows their voices to be heard. It was this kind of mindset that I carried with me into the Coaching App subcommittee.

What are her takeaways from Ace?

“I learned how to ensure that I have the best college experience possible by properly researching and ranking colleges and manage college budgets. I also learned how to conduct informational interviews to be able to explore and understand careers, helping me flesh out my long-term goals so I can begin working towards them.”

© 2024 Decisive Moment Events, First Tee Leadership Academy the PGA Super Store in Roswell, GA and Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA

What is ACE?

Ace includes four (4) 8-week Ace sessions, each with post-class projects.

Education – financial planning for college (budgeting, saving, grants, scholarships), college application process, school identification and exploration strategies
Career – resume-building, interview skills, transferable, adaptive and content skill development, and professional correspondence
Golf – golf psychology, optimal practice habits
Volunteer – going above and beyond, learning transferable skills, networking, professionalism

To receive Ace-certification, participants must:

be at least 14 years old;
be in our program for a minimum of 3 years;
attend a minimum of 2 seasons per year;
attend all four of our Ace-Future Planning Classes (listed above);
complete the 4 Ace-Future Planning post class documents;
submit a letter of recommendation; and
be selected by a panel of First Tee National judges.

To find out more about our Ace classes and how to be Ace-Certified, please reach out to Chris Moreno-Hunt at [email protected] or 408-508-4884.

Congratulations Dakota on your outstanding achievement with Ace and in First Tee – Silicon Valley!

2026 Innovators Forum

(2026 Innovators Forum Published 10/8/26) This November, two First Tee – Silicon Valley participants were selected by a national panel of judges to attend the Innovators Forum at Ponte Vedra. The Innovators Forum is part of First Tee’s national opportunities schedule where students from around the country apply to participate in leadership and development events to further their education and experience gained through First Tee. The Innovators Forum equips and empowers teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities based on education, health, human rights, or environmental sustainability. Selected participants have the chance to learn from industry leaders through interactive workshops and group sessions with their peers.

This year, FTSV is proud to be represented by Edwin Sanchez and Vian Tran.

Meet Edwin Sanchez:

Edwin has been a dedicated participant in First Tee – Silicon Valley for the past seven years while accumulating volunteer hours as a junior coach in recent years. Since joining in 2019, he has actively participated in classes, tournaments, and special events while continuously developing his golf skills and leadership abilities. Driven, determined, and always eager to overcome challenges, Edwin consistently demonstrates a great attitude while always being eager to learn. More recently, he has taken on the role of volunteer coach, where his kindness, empathy, and ability to connect with younger participants have made him a fantastic mentor. His commitment to personal growth, openness to feedback, and leadership qualities make him a valued member of our First Tee family.

Meet Vian Tran:

Vian has been a dedicated participant in First Tee – Silicon Valley for nearly 11 years, having joined the program when she was six years old. Since her freshman year, she has taken on an active role as a volunteer coach, contributing over 150 hours of service. Through her involvement in our Ace classes and community events, Vian has demonstrated leadership, compassion, and a strong commitment to giving back. As a coach, she helps younger participants develop valuable life skills through golf while serving as a positive role model. Beyond First Tee, she is a member of the varsity girl’s golf team at Evergreen Valley high school. She also plays an important role at fundraising events, confidently sharing her personal experiences and the impact First Tee has had on her life.

If you are interested in learning more about the First Tee National Opportunities and the selection process, please click here or email [email protected].

FTSV Participants Selected for Drive Your Future Academy

(FTSV Participants Selected for Drive Your Future Academy Published 10/8/26) The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to influence positive impact at their chapters, schools, and communities. The five-day academy experience focuses on the importance of building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, navigate post-graduation and career planning, and appreciate the value/impact of volunteerism.

The Drive Your Future Academy will take place October 8-12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra, FL. This year, we have 3 teen participants selected to attend this opportunity.

Meet Sharleen Ho

Sharleen has been a dedicated participant in First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2022, with over 40 program registrations. Throughout her time in the program, she has consistently shown maturity, leadership, and a genuine ability to connect with others. Known for creating a safe, welcoming, and positive environment, Sharleen has always encouraged her fellow participants, while making everyone feel included and appreciated. More recently, she has taken on the role of volunteer coach, giving back to the program that has helped shape her development. She has also represented First Tee as a speaker at a recent women’s club event, sharing her experiences and the impact the program has had on her life. Sharleen is currently the captain of the Branham high school varsity girls golf team where she utilizes the interpersonal skills that she learned within our program.

Meet Zoe Huchim Velazquez

Zoe has been an active participant in our program since 2018, celebrating an incredible 8 years of involvement! She consistently participates in classes each season. Beyond her dedication to golf, Zoe has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment as a volunteer coach, accumulating 96 hours of service, including 48 additional hours since 2025! As a member of our Girls Golf Junior Council, she has played an instrumental role in planning and coordinating events for our female golfers, taking responsibility for budgeting, inventory, game creation, and curriculum development. Zoe is also a member of the Notre Dame High School varsity girls golf team. Her dedication has made a lasting impact on our program!

Meet Dahlia Suarez

For the past 8 years, Dahlia has been an incredible part of our program developing from a young participant to an ACE student/ and high school leader. She has been selected to give a speech at a fundraiser and has participated in all of our class offerings. Since becoming a junior coach at just 14 years old, she has dedicated an amazing 159 volunteer hours! When the opportunity arose to become our Girls’ Golf Team Captain, Dahlia stepped outside her comfort zone and embraced the challenge. She managed budgets, developed curriculum, and coordinated her fellow coaches. She has taken on every responsibility with maturity, attention to detail, and dedication. What makes Dahlia stand out is her kindness, patience, and genuine care she shows the younger girls who look up to her. Dahlia utilizes the skills she learned from First Tee and applies them to her varsity girls golf team for Notre Dame high school.

The First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to focus on the importance of building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, navigating post-graduation and career planning, and appreciating the value and impact of volunteerism.

Congratulations to all three of these amazing young women! We are very proud of you.

If you are interested in learning more about the First Tee National Opportunities and the selection process, please click here or email [email protected]

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Raised $55K – A NEW RECORD!

(KRTY.COM Writers Cup Raised $55K – A NEW RECORD! Published 10/7/2026) The 3^rd Annual KRTY Writers Cup benefitted FTSV in a BIG WAY by raising $55K! With a SOLD OUT tournament of 140 golfers, including 5 Nashville Songwriters, came out to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club on a toasty Wednesday for a day of golf, guitars and giving back!

“We are very proud to be able to produce this event for the benefit of First Tee – Silicon Valley” said Nate Deaton, KRTY.com General Manager. “We are lucky to have 6 amazing songwriters with us this year, Lily Rose, Luke Dick, Ben Williams, Casey Brown, Parker Welling, and the one that started it all – Cole Taylor. One night at the end of 2024, I mentioned to Cole Taylor that I had an idea to do a Charity Golf Event with Songwriters. He looked at me and said, we could call it the Writers Cup! And here we are.”

After a full day, players, sponsors and some KRTY Fans were treated to dinner and a sold-out show. The songwriters told stories, played guitar, and sang some hit country songs.

The KRTY Writers Cup raffle, live and silent auctions raised an astounding $55K for First Tee – Silicon Valley’s financial aid program. FTSV would like to thank the Writers Cup sponsors, players, and the staff at Legendary KRTY.COM for their support. Without such support, FTSV could not continue to help MORE Kids!

“All of us here at First Tee – Silicon Valley cannot thank enough KRTY.com, Nate Deaton, and everyone who supported the Writers Cup for their generosity. These funds will go a long way in helping us help kids who benefit so much from our life skills education.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.

Writer’s Cup Results Recap:

Songwriter Lily Rose’s Winning Team = Score 678

Tony Damore, Jeff Athens, Rigo Gutierrez, Mark Chiavetta, Eric Cotter, Jim Bignell, Brett Wingo, Joe Dermer, Shone Freeman, Eric Arnold, Dom Nicoli, Justin Moles, Robby Zipp, Gabe Soza, Chris Walliger, Bobby Cashen, Michael Lybbert, Steve Nimeyer, Carey Wright, Troy Smith, Miles Knapp, Kyle Baldasano, Pat Carnesecca, John Brehm.

Foursome Winners = Score 120

Kolbey Moreno, Bill Ayres, Rodney Wilson, Matt Wheeler

Putting Contest

Randy Hahn

Closest to the Holes

Lake#2: Gary Scott Thomas 7’0’ (2^nd Place – Tristan Fox 11’8”)

Lake #8: Ryan Hayes 9’1”

Mountain #2: Bill Ayres 8’3”

Mountain #6: Angi James 6’3”

Special Thanks to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club – Adam Schiro & Nick Starr. Also, Randy Hahn, San Jose Sharks play-by-play commentator for over 30 seasons, thank you for being our auctioneer for the evening and for your continued support.

If you have an upcoming tournament and would like to partner with and make First Tee – Silicon Valley the beneficiary, please click here.

We’ll see y’all next year!

CLICK HERE for Foursome Photos

FTSV Benefits from the 6th Annual Fund the Kids Tournament

(FTSV Benefits from the 6^th Annual Fund the Kids Tournament Published 10/7/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) benefits from the 6^th Annual Fund the Kids tournament sponsored by Jacobs. On Saturday, September 26^th, Jacobs hosted 52 golfers at Gilroy Golf Course as they played 18 holes and on-course games, like Cornhole and a Chipping Challenge. Players were then treated to a BBQ lunch, raffle, and an inspirational speech from FTSV teen participant, junior council member, and volunteer coach, Diego Garcia. Diego’s journey in our program began when he joined at age 6. He has been a leader for other participants in South County, and 11 years later is ready to take what he learned in First Tee – Silicon Valley and apply it to college and beyond.

FTSV would like to thank Presenting Sponsor Jacobs, all the supporting, hosting, and contest sponsors, and players for raising over $15K which will go to help MORE kids in South County. The funds are a big help to First Tee – Silicon Valley’s ability to offer affordable classes to kids at Gavilan College Golf Course.

Jacobs has been the Contract Operator for the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) plant in Gilroy since 1984. Tournament Coordinator, Kerry Edmonds, said, “Community involvement is an extension of the Jacobs’ and the SCRWA culture. They care about their surrounding communities which is why we felt compelled to sponsor the 6th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament, benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley and will do it again next year.”

Special Thanks to Gilroy Golf Course, FTSV Ambassador Jason Luehrs – for volunteering to help with set-up and raffle sales, FTSV Ambassador Michael Serrania – for putting together a foursome to play in the tournament, The Smart Family & Friends – Christian, Zachary, Brock, and Dustin for helping with setup and clean up. To the many Jacobs Volunteers who set up the course and volunteered throughout the tournament and cleaned up – John, Dana, Brynn, Andy, Adriana, and Eli – THANK YOU for your hard work!

Tournament Results:

First Place: Kerry Edmonds, John Torres, Scott Stephens, Melinda Stephens

Closest to the Hole – Women: Lindsey Edmonds

Closest to the Hole – Men: Scott Stephens

Long Drive – Women: Lindsey Edmonds

Long Drive – Men: Adam Khan

Putting Contest: Landon Eaton & Joel Coria

If you have an upcoming tournament and would like to make First Tee – Silicon Valley the beneficiary, please Contact Nicole Woodson

2026 Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Supports FTSV’s Girls Golf

(2026 Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Supports FTSV’s Girls Golf – Published 9/22/26) Boulder Ridge Ladies Golf Club is held its 5th Annual Member Guest Tournament on September 18th. The ladies took to the fairways to raise funds for First Tee – Silicon Valley’s Girls Golf Program. Sharleen Ho, FTSV Participant and Junior Coach, spoke at the lunch program to share the impact our program has made on her and thanked the ladies for donating funds to help grow the game of golf with more girls (see speech below). Development Director, Beth Williams and Marketing & Events Coordinator, Nicole Woodson were also in attendance and spoke to the ladies about getting involved as volunteer coaches so the girls have female role models and mentors.

Thank you!

We would like to thank the very generous Presenting Sponsor: Hsing Family Foundation, Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Raffle Donors, and all the Hole Sponsors who donated a total of $10,000 directly to FTSV’s Girls Golf initiatives.

Hsing Family Foundation
SBG – Minhye Mueller
Timothy & Jillian Conroy
Applied Materials
Material Motion
Kelly Family – Heather Kelly
Colonial Life
Fremont Fire Department
Los Gatos Meats & Smokehouse
CBRE
MJ Builder Company
Krulevitch Architecture PC
Palo Alto Dermatology Institute
Cesar Escudero DDS
Sustainable Capital Finance
Meadow Outdoor Advertising
Meeru Ai
Stan Vuckovich

Special thanks to Tournament Chair Jillian Conroy and Co-Chair Heather Kelly, Lee Wilkerson, Teresa Cappielloand and Megan Fletcher for their continued support!

First Tee – Silicon Valley’s Girls Golf Program is an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the game of golf while empowering participants to feel confident, build self-esteem and make new friends in an all-girl environment. Girls Golf seasonal events are open to all FTSV Participants – click here for more info.

First Tee – Silicon Valley to Receive $2.125 Million

(First Tee – Silicon Valley to Receive $2.125 Million Secured by Senator Cortese to Invest in Youth Leadership and Development Published 9/21/2026)

San José, CA – First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) will be receiving $2.125 in state funding secured by California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San José) as part of the Legislature’s 2026 Budget Bill Jr. package. The funds are an investment in FTSV’s youth development programs that are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

“First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) is deeply grateful for Senator Dave Cortese’s long-time, and heartfelt commitment to and support of our youth development programs. Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in East San Jose is essential to our instruction, which includes core values, life skills, work skills, leadership principles, and career planning. This investment will strengthen FTSV by enabling us to help more kids and teens with additional class options and improved operations,” said President & CEO George Maxe.

FTSV Teen Leaders Celebrate 25^th Anniversary
with Board Chairman Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr.

Senator Cortese’s connection to FTSV spans 26 years while he was a San José City Councilmember, Santa Clara County Supervisor, and now California State Senator. He supported FTSV’s original program, Eagles at Rancho junior golf, when it was created by the San José Sports Authority in 2020. He supported FTSV and advocated for Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (Rancho) – FTSV’s main program location – multiple times when the City of San José wanted to develop the open space. Now he is supporting FTSV and Rancho with this investment of district funds to improve FTSV’s program spaces, including an expanded classroom, and operations.

“Investing in our young people means investing in the places where they learn and build confidence,” said Senator Cortese. “This $2.125 million investment will strengthen an important community facility in East San José and help ensure that First Tee – Silicon Valley can continue providing educational and developmental opportunities for local youth through sport.”

FTSV will be coordinating the use of this investment with Rancho’s operator and leaseholder, CourseCo, and the City of San José including the department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz, and the Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Public-Private Partnerships.

“First Tee is important for young people in East San José,” said Councilmember Peter Ortiz. “Not just because it gives them an opportunity to get out and play a sport, but because it uses that experience to build skills that can open doors for their future. It gives our young people the confidence and opportunities to see a better future for themselves.”

“Investing in our young people today creates lasting impacts tomorrow,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “I want to thank Senator Cortese for consistently bringing home dollars that make a difference in our region, in this case supporting First Tee, which helps keep our East Side kids on course — in life and on the green.”

FTSV’s presence at Rancho has had a major impact for over 25 years helping children and investing financially. The program has grown significantly serving over 110,000 kids and teens. In 2025, 5,936 Course Participants and School Students, who were 85% Ethnically Diverse and 64% Low-Income, experienced its life skills programs. FTSV and its donors have made a noteworthy investment to achieve these results – over $10,000,000 on its Rancho-based programs alone. There are many stories of its FTSV’s impact and on Senator Cortese’s involvement.

Girls Golf Sugar Rush Scramble: A Day of Sweet Fun and Friendship

(Girls Golf Sugar Rush Scramble: A Day of Sweet Fun and Friendship Published 9/8/2026) On August 22nd, 21 FTSV participants took part in our Girls Golf Sugar Rush Scramble! They kicked things off by warming up on the range and bedazzling their very own candy-prize bags with sharpies and gems — a perfect ice-breaker that had everyone making new friends. From there, it was candy-collecting chaos in the best possible way.

The Activities

Hole 1 – Gummy Bear Maze: Participants putted their way through a maze of cardboard gummy bear cutouts, working together to knock out every “gummy bear” before reaching the candy and charms waiting at the finish. When putting alone wouldn’t cut it, stretchy sticky hands came to the rescue — teamwork for the win.

Hole 2 – Jellybean Chipping: Golf balls met balloon “jellybeans” in this pop-tastic chipping challenge. Every time the group popped enough balloons together, the whole crew was rewarded with candy and charms for their croc keychains — proof that golf skills and group goals go hand in hand.

Hole 3 – Scramble Golf + Marshmallow Long Drive: The girls got to show off their golf swings with a scramble-format hole, followed by a long drive contest featuring marshmallows instead of golf balls. Congrats to Samantha, who took the win for 6th grade and above, and Laneia, champion of 5th grade and below — both walked away with squishmallow prizes!

Hole 4 – Bunker Challenge: After a quick lesson on escaping the sand, the girls aimed for bullseye targets from the bunker. Hit enough targets as a group and the reward was more candy and charms for those ever-growing croc keychains.

Prizes, Food & Wrap-Up

The day wrapped up with a hunt for eggs loaded with prizes ranging from candy to toys… This crew does not mess around. Every single egg was found in under five minutes! Special shoutout to Matilda, who scored the golden egg and its baby squishmallow prize inside.

A Huge Thank-You…

Days this fun don’t happen by accident — they happen because of an incredible team of people who show up ready to make magic. Thank you to our amazing station leads and coaches: Manny (Hole 1), Natalie, Maeve, and Cora (Hole 2), Vian and Dahlia (Hole 3), Li An and Tiana (Hole 4), and Nancy. This event ran seamlessly because of your energy, planning, and hard work.

Thank you as well to our Junior Council — Tiana (team captain), Dahlia, Maeve, Cora, and Suri — for planning, organizing, and pouring so much creativity into every station. This event was as fun as it was because of the thought and care you all put into every detail. And thank you to Coach Nancy for the fun, creative and oh-so-sweet decorations!

And most importantly — thank you to every single participant who showed up ready to laugh, compete, and make new friends. Your enthusiasm is what makes Girls Golf so special. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!

What’s Next

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

If you are a teen (14 & up) and want to join the Junior Council and help plan the next Girls Golf, please register here. We will meet 9/18, 10/9, and 10/30 from 6pm-7:30pm at our Operations Office.

Please save the date for the next Girls Golf event on November 14th!

Click here to learn more about our tournaments and other opportunities

PM Chapter Championship: Juniors Show Off Skills

(PM Chapter Championship: Juniors Show Off Skills Published 9/8/2026) On Saturday, August 22nd, our teen golfers took to the course for this year’s First Tee — Silicon Valley Chapter Championship. Thanks to the dedication of our players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters, the day was a success with our junior golfers showcasing their skills, sportsmanship, and perseverance.

Tournament Leaderboard

1st Place (Tie – 34)

Arjun V
Siwat P

2nd Place (Tie – 35)

James V
Gwen H
Audrey S

3rd Place (Tie – 36)

NaYeon K
Riley M

Congratulations to ALL of our participants for playing.

Thank You!

Thank you to the parents and families whose continued encouragement empowers our young golfers. Tournaments can be challenging as students manage expectations and nerves. Positive support from parents and coaches can be the difference in tournament results, but most importantly, in their experience with the sport.

We’d also like to extend a special thank-you to Board Ambassador and Coach Alex Wrobel, who spent the day behind the camera capturing the moments. We are so grateful for your time and talent in helping us document this tournament.

What’s Next?

We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming classes and events!

To learn more about FTSV’s teen tournaments, please contact Sean Finnerty at [email protected].

Mark your calendars — Our next tournament on November 14^th for our College Day Tournament at Los Lagos! For more information about upcoming events, visit our Opportunities page.

AM Chapter Championship: A Successful Day of Fun and Competition

(AM Chapter Championship: A Successful Day of Fun and Competition Published 9/8/2026) On Saturday, August 22nd, 14 participants from grades 2 to 6 teed it up at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course for our quarterly AM Tournament — this time, our Chapter Championship. It was a fantastic morning of individual stroke play across holes 3–7, with golfers from every location of FTSV bringing their game and best attitudes to the course.

Format & Divisions

Format: Individual Stroke Play
Holes Played: Holes 3–7
Divisions: Grades 2nd–4th Division and 5th–6th Division

Results

2nd–4th Division

🥇 1st Place: Leo
🥈 2nd Place: Allana
🥉 3rd Place: Deklan

5th–6th Division

🥇 1st Place: Yoodahm
🥈 2nd Place: Abiel
🥉 3rd Place: Isabel

Contest Winners

Closest to the Pin (Hole #7): Isa
Long Drive (Hole #6): Du

Congratulations to all of our winners — and to every single participant who competed.

Wrap-Up & Thank-Yous

After the round, participants and families gathered for pizza and an awards ceremony to celebrate the day’s achievements. It was a wonderful mix of friendly competition and community spirit, exactly what our tournaments are all about.

None of this would be possible without the incredible people who showed up, round after round, to support our kids. A heartfelt thank-you to Coaches Alex, Ben, Dick, Maya, and Victor for their guidance and encouragement.

To every parent, volunteer, and participant who made this Chapter Championship such a success: Thank You!

What’s Next

To learn more about FTSV’s tournaments, please contact Blake Jones at [email protected]. Mark your calendars — our next tournament on November 14^th at Rancho! For more information about upcoming events, visit our Opportunities page.