Newsletter Archives - First Tee

Mentor Spotlight: Ysabelle Lam

(Mentor Spotlight: Ysabelle Lam – July 11, 2025) 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 volunteer mentors and paid staff. This month’s Mentor Spotlight is on a volunteer who’s been with us for 2 years, who always brings a positive attitude and goal of meeting kids where they are to help them get the most out of their FTSV experience.

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, 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.”

The best part about Coach Ysabelle’s coaching style is her ability to bring the life skill lessons to kids within friendly conversation – showing and engaging, rather than telling, participants what it means to be respectful, appreciate diversity, collaborate, and more. In this way, participants are internalizing how the life skills connect with their interests, or with whatever they are experiencing in their lives. As a result, the life skills become much more impactful and applicable.

“When I am coaching my number one priority is to ensure everyone is having fun (and also to be safe). I emphasize encouragement over criticism and try to help students stay confident, even when they’re struggling — whether we’re on the range or out on the course. What I enjoy most is watching their confidence grow throughout the season — not just in their golf game, but in themselves.”

Ysabelle is a perfect example that FTSV is a “life skills first” program, where golf is the vehicle to building character and becoming the best version of yourself. No matter your skill level, golf tests us in ways that bring out the best of our integrity, confidence, and work-ethic, making it the perfect life-long sport we can all enjoy with dedication. FTSV is always looking for volunteer mentors who are looking to make an impact on the lives of kids, teens, and the community. Coach Ysabelle says, “ If you’re considering joining FTSV as a volunteer, know that you don’t need to be a golf expert — you just need a passion for helping kids grow. The impact you can make simply by showing up and caring is huge.” For more information on joining FTSV as a volunteer coach.

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Benefits First Tee – Silicon Valley

The 2025 KRTY.COM Writers Cup benefits First Tee – Silicon Valley. Join some of Nashville’s country music songwriters on October 1st at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club for a day of golf, guitars and giving back!

Writers participating in this year’s KRTY.COM Writers Cup:

Tyler Reeve, Cole Taylor, Trent Tomlinson, Luke Dick

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Timeline:

10:00am – Check In – Pick up Gift & Lunch
11:45am – Players in Carts
12:00pm – Scramble Shotgun Start
5:00pm – Cocktails & First Half Songwriters Show
5:45pm – Dinner, LIVE Auction & Raffle
7:00pm – Second Half Songwriters Show

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Tournament Pack will include:

$50 per player – Tournament pack will be available a few weeks before the tourney

One Mulligan
Closest to Hole (2)
DGDG Car Hole In One
Putting Contest at the snack bar turn
10 Raffle Tickets for chance to win exciting prizes
Benefits First Tee – Silicon Valley

To find out how to make FTSV a beneficiary of your upcoming fundraiser by visiting our Partner Page.

Read last year’s Recap: KRTY.COM Writers Cup Benefits First Tee – Silicon Valley

LAST YEAR: “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, Trent Tomlinson, Luke Dick, Ray Fulcher, Casey Brown, Tyler Reeve, and of course, Cole Taylor. One night at the end of last year, 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.”

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Benefits First Tee – Silicon Valley golfers

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Benefits First Tee – Silicon Valley songwriters

Published: 07-11-2025

5th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament in Gilroy

Join Jacobs – South County Regional Wastewater Authority for the 5th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament, benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley on Saturday, September 27^th, 2025 at Gilroy Golf Course.

Jacobs has been the Contract Operator for the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) plant in Gilroy since 1984. Under a long-term service agreement, Jacobs maintains the integrity of the wastewater system. It is the goal of SCRWA to protect public health and the environment and ensure economic vitality of the Gilroy-Morgan Hill region. The plant operator’s objective is to provide the best quality recycled water at a superior value to the residents.

This plant has won numerous awards, including Plant of the Year Award for several years in a row, while many of their employees have also won individual awards, winning Laboratory Person of the Year numerous times, with the most recent in 2022.

Community involvement is an extension of the Jacobs’ and the SCRWA culture. They care about their surrounding communities. This is why Jacobs’ felt compelled to sponsor the 5th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament, benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley.

(Read about last year’s tournament HERE)

Fund the Kids Sponsorship Levels

$1,500 – HOST SPONSORS: Signage at registration, lunch area, and beverage stations. Recognition on website, on socials, program and 1-Foursome. Sponsor may be on-site with giveaways and/or info.
$1,000 – CONTEST SPONSORS: Signage at the (3) contest holes (closest to the pin, longest drive & putting), website, recognition on socials, program and 4-lunch invites. Sponsor may be on-site with giveaways and/or info.
$500 – SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Signage at (2) Tee boxes, website, recognition on socials, program and 2-lunch invites.
$300 – HOLE SPONSORS: Signage at (1) tee box, recognition on social and program.

PUBLISHED: 07-11-2025

Benefits of Extracurricular Activities on Youth Development

(Benefits of Extracurricular Activities on Youth Development – July 11, 2025) According to numerous published studies, students who participate in Extracurricular Activities outside the classroom experience notable gains in academic success, character building, social development and community involvement.

1. Academic Success

“Students who participate frequently in extracurricular activities tend to have higher grades, better test scores, and more positive educational experiences in general” (Claudette Christison The Benefits of Participating in Extracurricular Activities https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1230758.pdf – Fredricks, 2011). Christison continues… “students involved in activities have a 10% increase in their expectations of attaining a college degree, as compared to non-participants” (Lipscomb, 2007, p. 470).

2. Character Building

“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.”

3. Social Development

Adolescents that participate in after-school sports and/or activities, are likely to experience a greater sense of belonging. “Group activities provide opportunities for students to build connections with others who have similar interests and goals, which will increase their motivation to commit long term to an activity that also increases enjoyment.” (Claudette Christison The Benefits of Participating in Extracurricular Activities https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1230758.pdf).

4. Community Involvement

By participating in extracurricular sports and activities, students are exposed to communities outside the normal school networks, which can be diverse. Claudette Christison explains, … “participating in extracurricular activities creates a network between individuals and their community, including the elderly and the working class (Gatto, 2005). Students can learn the importance of giving back to the community and helping those in need. Students are also more likely to volunteer in their community after high school if they participate in extracurricular activities during adolescence (Barber, Mueller, & Ogata, 2013). These activities generate a sense of belonging to the community as a whole (Barber et al., 2013), which inspires them to be contributing members of society.”

Why Youth Development and Our Program Matters

Our kids are facing challenges beyond life’s expected growing pains. They experience pressures within their communities, online, and the world. It is important for all kids and teens to engage in safe opportunities and programs that foster a culture of acceptance and provide mentorship.

Our program addresses all four benefits.

100% of our teens that have been with us for more than 3 years graduate high school and our Fall Ace class demystifies the college exploration and application process.
Character building is at the core of who we are and what our mission is all about. Of our 6 Life Skills, we have 4 lessons centered around how to build a positive self-identity, 4 lessons designed to help a participant overcome challenges, and 4 lessons focused on how to make informed decisions and work well with others.
When our long-standing participants give speeches or reflect on their time with us, many point to how they have developed socially, and feel First Tee – Silicon Valley is a safe and supportive community. Shaking hands, introducing oneself, and asking questions are behaviors and actions that we encourage and try to develop for all participants in our program.
Last year we had over 120 junior volunteer coaches give back and help mentor our youth. Of the 127 junior volunteers more than 75% were or are active participants in our program. Many of them said they remembered their junior coach when they were young and wanted to give back as soon as they were eligible.

2025 School Year is coming fast!

Many extracurricular sports and activities require try-outs, signups and/or fees weeks in advance. Make sure you’re keeping up with groups and organizations’ communications. Learn more about First Tee – Silicon Valley’s youth programs.

The First Tee – Silicon Valley FALL 2025 Classes begin September 9^th

Registration for our Fall 2025 Classes opens here on Wednesday, August 13th at 11am. Register for an 8-week set of classes at one of our three locations:

Rancho del Pueblo (San Jose)
Baylands Golf Links (Palo Alto)
Gavilan College Golf Course (Gilroy)

Classes are open to all youth from 2nd to 12^th grade. Equipment Provided. Registration Fee is $250 for our Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course and Gavilan College Golf Course classes and $300 for our Baylands Golf Links classes. 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.

FALL 2025 Class Inquiry

(This is an INQUIRY FORM ONLY. This does not guarantee your kid’s place in our program for the Fall 2025 class season.)

Name(Required)

(Nombre)

First Last

Email(Required)

(Correo electrónico)

Preferred Language(Required)

(Idioma preferido)

English

Español (Spanish)

What grade will your kid(s) be entering Fall 2025

If multiple kids, select all that apply

2nd – 4th

5th – 6th

7th – 8th

9th – 12th

Let us know your level of interest in registering your kid in FTSV Classes this Fall

Somewhat Interested

Very Interested

Extremely Interested (Where do I sign?)

Do you have any questions?

How did you hear about First Tee – Silicon Valley?

2025 Summer of Opportunity!

(2025 Summer of Opportunity!) 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 their chapter. Congratulations!

Qualifications to apply for Opportunities

Every year, participants from First Tee chapters worldwide apply for one of the limited spots at these limited opportunities. To apply, our chapter looks for FTSV participants who have a minimum of 3 years with First Tee and have been highly engaged in the chapter 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 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.

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

So far, this year FTSV has submitted 24 applications for 4 different National Opportunities, including the College Scholar Program.

First Tee College Scholarship – Class of 2025

Two participants, Isabella Herrera and Li An Panfil, accepted into the College Scholar Program, provided them with financial support, career mentorship and internship opportunities. Congratulations and good luck with this next chapter of your life!

First Tee National Championship – Notre Dame June 22-26

Participant Brian Yu was selected this year as our representative to the FT National Championship tournament. Unfortunately, he will not be able to attend, but it was an honor to be selected.

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

Participants Li An Panfil and Nicolas Hernandez Lopez were selected to attend the Game Changers Academy.

First Tee Leadership Academy with PGA Tour Superstore, June 16-21

Participants Edwin Sanchez, Vian Tran and Marissa Wei have been selected to attend the FT Leadership Academy held in Atlanta, GA.

First Tee Leadership Summit with PGA Tour Superstore, August 4-8 or August 11-15

Participants Joshua Joo and Vikrant Bhende have been selected to attend the FT Leadership Summit taking place at the West Creek Ranch in Emigrant, Montana.

Applications are being filled out for the Innovators Forum and the Drive Your Future Academy and selections will be made in August and September respectively. Selected participants for the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach will be announced early next month.

Published: 06-16-2025

Girls Golf: Teen Clinic

(Girls Golf: Teen Clinic) On Saturday, May 31^st, First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) hosted our very first Girl’s Golf Teen Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course.

During this clinic, eighteen participants were able to experience 3 advanced lessons on the putting, chipping, and range areas. They were able to practice as much as they liked while our FTSV coaches provided feedback and advanced tips.

Our putting lesson was led by Coach Angelina and Coach Annie; two accomplished golfers who understand the importance of staying cool during fierce competition. They discussed the importance of keeping a cool head when frustrated. Our teens were taught how to prepare for a long putt and the importance of leaving it in an area known as your “comfort zone.” An imaginary circle where a golfer knows they’ll make the putt 80% of the time.

Girls Golf: Teen Clinic – On the range…

our lesson was led by Coach Tracy, a former professional golfer on the LPGA Future’s Tour as well as Norah, our First Tee National Champion. While giving advanced tips on the full swing, our coaches also discussed the importance of nutrition and hydration during a golf round and how hunger affects the mental state.

Lastly, on the chipping green led by Coach Phoenix, a dedicated Program Coordinator for FTSV, as well as Coach Joey, a nationally nominated participant for the First Tee PURE Insurance Tournament. They discussed importance of making smart choices and how to select the right golf club for specific chipping conditions. Our participants were excited to learn how to hit a flop shot!

One of our participants, Natalia, shared her thoughts on the event: “I really enjoyed the teen clinic. Coach Norah explained things to me in a way that my private coaches couldn’t. Norah’s instructions were easy to understand, and I started to hit the ball better because of it. She’s my favorite coach!”

Speaking of Norah, she was proud to see the success of the event, “Thank you so much for inviting me to coach! It’s amazing to see so many female teens together. You really don’t see that too often on the golf course!”

Golf can be a challenging sport as it takes deliberate practice, patience, and a growth mindset. It can be even more challenging for a female teen since 66% of girls drop out of golf by the time they are 12 years old. We’re proud to be able to host an event where our girls can feel empowered, seen, and heard.

Many thanks to Coach Phoenix, Joey, Norah, Tracy, Annie, and Angelina! Thank you for being great mentors!

For future events, visit our Our Opportunities page or contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected].

Published: 06-12-2025

Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!

(Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!) First Tee – Silicon Valley extends the warmest of congratulations to our Class of 2025 High School Graduates. We are so proud of their accomplishments and all of the hard work these students have put in on their journeys toward graduation. You earned this!

Many of our seniors have been in our program taking classes each year for the past 7-10 years. They have also been junior volunteer coaches and taken part in our Junior Council. They have all played a significant role in building and shaping a supportive and inclusive community that future teens can enjoy. We are going to miss them, but we are excited for their futures! 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 happens. We strive to equip our participants with tools to be people of high character. We are thrilled to have been able to coach these seniors and are proud of their character.

Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!

Juan Hernandez Sacramento State

Norah Yang Georgetown University

Tristan Hipolito UC Riverside

Dylan Chang UC Riverside

Martin Fu University of Pennsylvania

Isabella Herrera USC

Ashley Pang Pacific University

Eliane Juang University of Pennsylvania

Li An Panfil UCLA

Sophia Tang Loyola Marymount University

Leo Villegas West Valley

Giselle Gutierrez Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Ian Choe Purdue University

Elise Njogu California State Bakersfield

Taylene Leigh UC Riverside

Nathan Truong San Jose State

Natalie Kiatsupaibul UC Santa Barbara

Mason Sweeley West Valley

Join the First Tee Alumni and be connected with First Tee graduates around the country.

Join the Alumni Group

Published: 06-12-2025

FTSV Team Stableford Tournament

(FTSV Team Stableford Tournament)On May 31^st at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course, 22 players played in a Team Stableford format. This format focuses on earning points for your score. On each hole teams get 1 point for making triple bogey, and all the way up to 6 points for scoring an eagle.

While every seasonal tournament is played in a different, sometimes fun and wacky format, the Stableford format was a new to many FTSV participants. Participants can score lots of points on each hole so one bad hole won’t take you out of the game.

These tournaments are always a blast, and a great way to let participants refine their golf skills and their life skills. Teamwork, perseverance, and goal setting are all needed to excel in this format. Additionally, these tournaments give participants the opportunity to apply their weekly class lessons in a competitive environment without direct coaching.

Team Stableford Tournament

These 22 players, ages 11 to 17, teamed up to earn the best score possible, with two chances at individual awards along the way – a Closest to the Pin contest on hole 1 and a Long Drive contest on hole 4.

Stableford Tournament Winners

On hole 1, James took the age 11-13 individual prize with a beautiful shot hit to 6’9”. Great job, James!

On hole 4, Arjun hit the longest drive in the 11-13 age group, and Diego did so in the 14-17 age group. Great drives, guys!

Many teams scored well and earned plenty of Stableford points. Congratulations everyone!

Third Place: Ade, Arjun and Antonio – scored 28 points.

Second Place: Allen, Riley and Diego – scored 32 points.

First Place: James, Siwat, Asher, and Ella – scored 33 points.

After 9 holes on a hot day at Rancho, everyone deserved recognition for staying in the game and being great teammates to one another. Thank you to everyone who came out to play, and to all our staff and volunteers for helping run a successful event.

To the parents, your continued dedication, week after week, 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!

Special thanks to Pizza Presidente for the Lunch Donation!

Published: 06-12-2025

FTSV Participant Awarded Ace Certification!

(FTSV Participant Awarded Ace Certification!) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to share that Evan Santoso was awarded the distinguished honor of being Ace-Certified!

What does it mean to be awarded Ace Certification?

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. Evan will receive local and national recognition from First Tee for completing his Ace classes and the post-class documents. More importantly, his work in our Ace classes helped him apply the First Tee Life Skills to college and career exploration, and to his give-back volunteer opportunities. The Ace classes also assisted in developing transferable skills that will aid him in his professional development.

About Evan Santoso

Evan is a rising senior at King’s Academy in San Jose. He began our program as a participant in 2017 and volunteered as a coach since 2023. Additionally, he was selected to be in a leadership position on our Junior Council where he has spent upwards of 50 of his own hours creating a few highlight videos that we used for our Family Fest and Coach Appreciation events.

Going the extra step is something that Evan takes pride in. Part of his Ace Give Back project requires participants to volunteer in addition to FTSV. Evan chose to volunteer for his Church who, when they observed his skill set, made him their Video Director & Camera Operator. There he created an official handbook for future video directors to live stream and broadcast. This handbook was not requested by his boss, but Evan thought it could help provide more clarity for the next person that takes on the role.

“Taking the Ace classes not once but twice has really opened my eyes to a world of academic and professional opportunities I didn’t realize was available,” says Evan. “Not only have I been able to practice using researched tools and networking skills to explore different colleges and potential career choices, I feel like I have been able to find out more of who I am as a person in the process!”

“The valuable life and work skills I’ve learned at FTSV like how to communicate and collaborate well with others has given me confidence to talk to adults from all walks of life and network with professionals from different fields.”

As mentioned above, Evan edited and helped direct a First Tee – Silicon Valley Promo video as part of a Junior Council Project. (See below)

There are (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

FTSV Participants Awarded Ace Certification, participant must be:

14 years old
Be in our program for a minimum of 3 years; and attend a minimum of 2 seasons per year.
Attend our 4 Ace-Future Planning Classes (Career, Golf, Education, Give-Back)
Complete the 4 Ace-Future Planning post class documents
Submit a letter of recommendation
Be selected by a panel of First Tee National judges

“Congratulations Evan for your outstanding work” says Program Director Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are proud of how you look out for others and your desire to go above and beyond. You are hardworking and lift others up in class. I have no doubt you will continue to be successful and utilize the tools learned in Ace to achieve your goals.”

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

**LEFT** – Tristan Hipolito **RIGHT** – Evan Santoso

Published: 06-11-2025

Writers participating in this year’s KRTY.COM Writers Cup:

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Timeline:

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Tournament Pack will include:

Fund the Kids Sponsorship Levels

1. Academic Success

2. Character Building

3. Social Development

4. Community Involvement

Why Youth Development and Our Program Matters

2025 School Year is coming fast!

FALL 2025 Class Inquiry

Qualifications to apply for Opportunities

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

First Tee College Scholarship – Class of 2025

First Tee National Championship – Notre Dame June 22-26

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

First Tee Leadership Academy with PGA Tour Superstore, June 16-21

First Tee Leadership Summit with PGA Tour Superstore, August 4-8 or August 11-15

Girls Golf: Teen Clinic – On the range…

Each hole was presented with a new mission:

Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!

Team Stableford Tournament

Stableford Tournament Winners

What does it mean to be awarded Ace Certification?

About Evan Santoso

There are (4) 8-week Ace sessions, each with post-class projects.

FTSV Participants Awarded Ace Certification, participant must be:

CONGRATULATIONS to Caddy Club Majors PGA Championship WINNERS:

Season Standings competing for Player of the Year!