Newsletter Archives - Page 4 of 48 - First Tee

FTSV Ace Classes

First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) recently wrapped up one of our four 8-week Ace classes throughout the year. This past fall season FTSV delivered the Ace – Education Class to 11 FTSV high school participants. In this Ace class, participants:

Explored the different post high school educational opportunities;
Performed research on college offerings including; student life experiences, academic offerings, and campus support;
Reviewed specific details on the college application process;
Worked on effective personal statement writing techniques & approaches;
Explored ways to pay for college including details on grants & scholarships;
Engaged in budgeting techniques; and
Learned about saving options and loan/interest details.

This upcoming winter we will be delivering our Ace Give-Back classes that covers the following:

Transferable work and self-management skills, learned through volunteering;
Going above and beyond framework;
Interviewing strategies;
Professional correspondence;
Volunteer opportunity exploration; and
Group norms and dynamics – collaboration.

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

All 9th graders and above (new or returning) may take the upcoming Ace-Give Back and other Ace classes. However, in order to be Ace-certified, which is the highest First Tee participant honor, participants that have been in our program for more than 3 years may also complete the supplemental Ace course work and submit an application for Ace-certification.

In addition to the two Ace classes mentioned above, we also have the Ace-Career class in the spring and the Ace-Golf class in the summer.

Any high schooler is encouraged to join our Ace classes on Fridays from 4:30pm-6pm this winter. For the Career and Education classes, any high schooler 10^th grade and above may join the classes. To register, please click here.

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

Published: 11-7-2024

FTSV Shows Appreciation to Adult and Junior Coaches

First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) shows appreciation to FTSV adult and junior coaches on Friday, November 1^st and Saturday, November 2^nd, with games, prizes and dinner.

FTSV Junior Council Plans the Junior Coach Appreciation Event for November 1st

For the first time, FTSV chose to have two coach appreciation events – one for the junior coaches (teen coaches under 18 years old) and the other for adult coaches. Also new this year, the FTSV Junior Council was tasked to plan the event for their peers.

Junior Council members were split into planning committees and were guided by Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “Our Junior Council is made up of participants that have been in our program for several seasons and years. Throughout their journey in First Tee, they gained communication, self-management, and goal setting skills that were perfect for planning and executing this event. They effectively managed the event budget, coordinated specific roles, and collaborated on various day-of responsibilities. I am so proud of how they worked together, and pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to put on a great event.” Said Chris Moreno-Hunt, FTSV Program Director.

Junior coaches were treated to a mini-putt course, board games, card games, and cornhole. Dinner was VERY popular amongst the kids, with build-your-own burrito bowls from Chipotle. The event wrapped up with the announcement of our raffle prizes and the Junior Coach of the Year.

Adult Coaches enthusiastically attend the November 2^nd Party

Party-vibes abound at the Adult Coach appreciation event. There was comradery, an indoor chipping contest, several raffle and tee prizes, an Italian feast from La Villa, and an epic game of Giant Jenga. The event brought together coaches from our three program locations, Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, and Gavilan College Golf Course in Gilroy. The event attendance also increased from the previous year (40 people), making the event a great and fun bonding/celebratory night. Coaches are catching on, that this annual event is “the place to be.”

“We are HUGELY thankful for all of our coaches, who give back to kids and teens with their time and wisdom from their life experiences. They are the connectors between the kids and teens and all our life skills curriculum, so their role is critically important. Then when we multiply this by our high number of coaches, we increase the chances that all our participants will benefit from mentoring. Thank you, Coaches!” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.

Being a coach in First Tee – Silicon Valley is an incredibly impactful thing to do.

Character building is a long-game, a never-ending process, and is developed through mentorship and experiences. Simply by spending their time coaching and guiding others, our coaches are changing lives for the better.

The world is always in need of high character individuals, and being a coach provides the opportunity to help build high character leaders for the future.

Additionally, not only are coaches impacting others, they are building a community for themselves full of hard working, kind, growth-minded people who want to spend their free time doing something for others.

Interested in becoming a coach? Please visit our VOLUNTEER PAGE. No golf experience necessary!

Published: 11-7-2024

FTSV Awarded USGA IDEA $15K Grant

First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) was awarded the USGA IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) $15K Grant to underwrite our Spanish-language instructors and volunteers to assist with programming in the predominantly Hispanic communities that we serve.

FTSV wants to grow our partnerships with Title I schools to bring our Community Partner School Program to more kids in underserved and underrepresented communities. We intentionally recruit Title 1 schools near our on-course golf locations. The School Program equips educators to successfully deliver FTSV’s curriculum of life skills through golf. It includes equipment on loan, training, support, coordination, and a field trip to FTSV course locations. Our staff collaborates with the schools to attend on-site parent information meetings and community events, where we can promote transition to our Golf Course program.

We currently have 2 adult Spanish-speaking part-time employees, Victor and Lina, who help us facilitate marketing outreach to the Spanish community. FTSV creates Spanish version videos and collateral materials. Our Spanish-speaking staff members make follow up phone calls to Spanish-speaking parents and assist them in registering for, and navigating our Golf Course program. They assist in demystifying golf jargon and golf course play outside of our program. Lastly they promote our local/regional/national opportunities, including scholarships, national academies, our tournaments, golf course discounts, our golf club lease program. In other words, they will simplify the process, establish important relationships that will break down barriers, and help participants maximize their engagement in our program offerings.

USGA Directs $200,000 Annually Toward Local Programs

As a founding partner of First Tee, the USGA directs $200,000 annually toward local programs that help build up young people and address the barriers that many face at this critical entry point into the game. FTSV was one of 28 chapters that received up to a $15,000 IDEA grant.

Since the grant program’s inception in 2021, the USGA has awarded 100 grants to more than 50 chapters, supporting initiatives that strengthen inclusion among participants, coaches and volunteers. In total, $810,000 has been awarded to date, with several chapters receiving funding year-over-year to sustain the growth that has been generated from grant activities.

“The work that so many First Tee chapters have done – and will continue to do – as a result of IDEA grant funding is inspiring and goes well beyond the golf course,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “It’s important that we not let up on these efforts and continue to deliver resources toward the programs that help eliminate financial, language or accessibility barriers so that even more kids can enjoy our game.”

“Our chapters are reaching young people from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds, offering not only direct access to the game of golf but empowering them to become future leaders,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Our network is stronger because of the USGA’s continued investment in our mission.”

The National Golf Foundation reports that 3.5 million youth currently play golf, marking a 40% increase in participation from 2019-23. Additionally, the junior segment is more diverse than the overall golf population, with higher percentages of females, people of color and adaptive golfers than ever before.

The means by which young people connect with the game varies greatly from community to community.

(Read the Full Press Release)

Published: 11-1-2024

Support Our Mission – Become an Ambassador

(Support Our Mission – Become an Ambassador) Leadership, engagement and fundraising are key to First Tee – Silicon Valley’s sustainability and success. Consider being part of a volunteer Board Ambassador program that believes youth development makes a difference.

You are the right person for this role if you are passionate about supporting and advocating for our mission to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf.

Ambassadors represent the diverse interests, needs and concerns of the constituency we serve in the underserved communities within our service area which spans from the southern city of Hollister to Milpitas in the East Bay to Southern San Mateo on the Mid-Peninsula.

Ambassador Attributes include:

Diversity that embodies all the differences of the kids we serve
Modeling The First Tee Code of Conduct and “Respect for Our Organization”
Reflection of high standards of conduct in their professional and public lives
Outreach into golf clubs, professional associations, corporate hierarchies, and personal networks
Willingness to make a difference in the lives of our youth constituents

The Ambassador Role is to give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network. Many of our Ambassadors also choose to serve as volunteer coaches so they can directly mentor our youth and make a positive difference as a role model. Visit our volunteer page to learn more.

Complete the volunteer form to get started as an Ambassador and/or Coach. We look forward to getting to know you through our interview and our on-boarding process which includes background checks, Safesport training and mission-program training.

Click here to meet all our Staff, Coaches and Board Members.

Published: 10-11-2024

FTSV Participants Field Trip to Pure Insurance Tournament

On Sunday, September 22nd, First Tee – Silicon Valley participants attended the PURE Insurance Championship to go walk Pebble Beach Golf Course in support of our very own Joey Jang.

For this trip, the generous Monterey Peninsula Foundation granted us funds to charter a bus to take 38 participants and 6 chaperones to show our support for Joey and the First Tee. The attending participants were invited based on how long they were in our program and how active they are in our golf opportunities. From taking multiple classes to being in our tournaments, these participants truly have a passion for the game of golf.

The main focus of this field trip is to validate their commitment to our program. By watching these selected First Tee tournament players, we hope this trip inspires our own participants to continue their golf journey with us at First Tee.

The PURE Insurance Championship is an opportunity for committed First Tee participants to be able to play with Professional and Pro-Amateur PGA players at one of the most recognized golf courses in the world- Pebble Beach. The process to get into this tournament requires an application process as well as a referral from your chapter, then the finalized entries are made by First Tee National.

Joey Jang, from Gilroy, was selected to represent our chapter with his partner- 95’ US Open Championship Winner, Corey Pavin. Joey has been part of FTSV since 2016 and has continued to grow as a person through our volunteering opportunities. He gives back on Saturday’s at Gavilan while also maintaining a student-athlete career at Christopher High School. Joey finished -5 on the weekend and ranked within the top 25 in the Tournament. We are beyond proud of how well Joey played and handled himself and will continue to support him as he continues his junior year at Christopher.

We would like to thank the coaches who volunteered as chaperones – Alex W., Nestor A., Amado V., Emma V., and James P. Without the 5 of you, we would not have been able to have this awesome trip. We also wanted to recognize the parents of the invited participants. Thank you for bringing the excited kids to us and trusting us with your children yet again.

We hope for another great event next year!

Published: 10-11-2024

KRTY Writers Cup Benefits FTSV in a BIG WAY!

The 1^st Annual KRTY Writers Cup benefits FTSV in a BIG WAY by raising $40K! 140 golfers, including 6 Nashville Songwriters, came out to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club on a toasty Monday 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, 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.”

After a full day in the sun, players and sponsors were treated to dinner and a show. The songwriters told stories and played and sang some hit country songs. Smack dab in the middle, First Tee – Silicon Valley participant and junior coach, Evan Santoso, spoke about his experiences.

Evan said, “When I think about the First Tee – Silicon Valley, I immediately think of the welcoming community of people that I’ve often thought of as my second family. At First Tee we actually have a term for this: it’s our Go-To Team. My Go-To Team has helped me so much to come out of my shell and grow as a person.” Evan also said that “…the volunteer coaches teach me the fundamentals of golf in a positive way, how to build my character, and how to develop important skills for life. So now I’ve become a volunteer coach myself because I want to give back by growing the game and seeing a new generation foster their own love of golf while learning invaluable life skills.”

The KRTY Writers Cup raffle, live and silent auctions raised an astounding $40K 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!

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!

Published: 10-11-2024

Fall National Opportunities

First Tee National opportunities are fantastic experiences for our participants. Attendees get to meet new people, create lasting memories, and challenge themselves in unique and interesting ways. Here are the opportunities happening this fall.

First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere

Participants Natalie Kiatsupaibul and Sophia Tang will be representing FTSV at the Drive Your Future Academy this year. Held in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, the DYFA 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 (1) building a strong network and how to approach mentorship opportunities, (2) navigating post-graduation and career planning, and (3) appreciating the value/impact of volunteerism. Over the years, this has been an awesome event where our female participants meet other great FT participants and leaders from across the country, and build connections and networks that they can rely on into the future. Have fun Natalie and Sophia!

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First Tee Innovators Forum

Participant Dakota Chang is going to be attending the upcoming Innovators Forum, this year held at the First Tee National Network Summit in Phoenix, Arizona. First Tee Innovators Forum equips and empowers First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focused on education, health, human rights, or environmental sustainability. Selected participants have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders through interactive workshops and small group breakout sessions. By bringing together passionate participants from across the chapter network, First Tee Innovators Forum provides a distinctive enrichment experience, engaging teens who share a similar desire for learning and generating changes in their communities. Dakota has been a stand out participant and volunteer for many years. We have no doubt that she will positively represent our chapter at this national First Tee event.

The Power of Opportunity

When FTSV participants attend National Opportunities, they meet participants, coaches and mentors from across the country. Through collaboration and teamwork, First Tee teens make lasting friendships, learn more about their strengths, and push themselves to be their best selves. These opportunities are available to those who have demonstrated their ability to go above and beyond in the program, and who continue to become involved in the many different sessions FTSV has to offer. Most of the opportunities occur during the summer, so applications are due in the spring. If you would like to learn more about applying for National Opportunities, please reach out to Coach Phoenix ([email protected]) or visit our website.

Published: 10-11-2024

Coach Spotlight: John Spadafore

Coach Spotlight: John Spadafore has been involved with First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2009 when he started as a participant. He took classes through 2014, began volunteering as a coach, and then quickly transitioned into paid instructor. Because of his experience as a child in the program, Coach John has a personal connection with the curriculum. It makes what he does as a coach just that much more special.

“As a former participant, it feels like I get to give back what I was taught, just like coaches did for me years ago. Specifically, a lesson that really stuck with me was about dealing with conflicts. Instead of a “I am always right” mentality, First Tee coaches taught me how to work with others to resolve an issue and find win – win solutions using the CARE* model.”

*CARE = Communicate, Actively Listen, Review Options, End with a Win-Win

One of the most special parts of First Tee is the collaboration that happens on all levels of the program. From kids supporting one another to coaches working together to come up with new and fun ways to deliver class, this entire program is built on collaboration and teamwork. For Coach John, the community of First Tee coaches is one of the main reasons that he wants to come back season after season.

“FTSV has developed a really good community of people, including the coaches, volunteers and full-time staff. The people are what makes you want to keep coming back. I get to work alongside people who really care about what we do and mentoring kids, and it makes even the challenging days fun and rewarding.”

Thank you so much to Coach John for everything he has done for First Tee – Silicon Valley! We truly are lucky to have him.

If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community, please visit our website to learn more, or fill out this form to get started. No golf experience necessary, everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.

Published: 10-11-2024

FTSV Winter Season – Register on November 6th

Registration for our winter season opens here on Wednesday, November 6^th at 11am and closes on Thursday, November 14th at 11:59pm. The 8-week winter season begins the week of December 3^rd and ends February 8^th with no classes December 24^th through January 4th. Register on November 6^th and 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.

The winter schedule is now posted here. See you at the course!

Classes are grouped by grade group, so invite a friend for a winter class together!

Financial aid is available. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

Collaborating with Others

Each week our participants experience one of our 6 Life Skills and 6 Golf Cues. Our life skills cover showing respect, pursuing goals, making good choices, building a positive self-identity, overcoming challenges, and collaborating with others. Our classes consist of group classes (and range from 5 participants to 16 participants) because we believe in the power of working together, and in the positive benefits that come from building a supportive group and peer environment.

Within our Collaborating with Others life skill our participants learn to be aware of how others are feeling, to ask questions and actively listen in order understand others, to see differences as a value, and to seek win-win solutions during conflicts. All of these are important for navigating social situations, and for building effective people skills eventually needed in life and the work.

Over 97% of our surveyed class participants said they felt part of the group. We believe that is in part because of the environment our coaches help provide, but also because of the participants and how they treat each other.

We look forward to having returning and new participants team up and join us for the upcoming winter season. We encourage youth 2^nd grade up to 12^th grade to join our program and ask that you help spread the word. For more information click here. Click here to view our program video and learn more from our participants, parents, and coaches!

Published: 10-11-2024

First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA Tour Superstore

In August, two awesome FTSV participants traveled to Emigrant, Montana to take part in this year’s First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA Tour Superstore. Kids from across the country were selected to attend this fun event, participating in team building activities, growing through challenges via positive risk taking, and developing positive self-identity. Over the course of the week, these participants learned important things about themselves and others all while creating long lasting relationships and memories. Thank you, PGA TOUR Superstore, for this event!

Participants Natalie Chen and Alexandra Varo represented FTSV at the Leadership Summit, attending different weeks.

Throughout each week, both participates took part in activities such as a ropes course, horseback riding and white-water rafting as well as different self-reflective activities and hearing from different inspirational speakers. Both had really positive experiences during their trip, and both participants feel that they grew as people while there.

When asked which activity stood out the most, Natalie reflected on her time white-water rafting. “One moment that was special was the white-water rafting. Everyone was jumping in the water and I hesitated because I didn’t want to get my clothes wet. Everyone reassured me that it would be okay, and I had so many people committed to making sure I was safe. I ended up jumping in! It really helped me to connect and bond with these other people and it gave me confidence.”

“Before Montana, I was more reserved, especially for physical activities. 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.”

Participant Alexandra Varo also had a transformational experience in Montana. From horseback riding to golfing with new friends to attending a fun dance night with a live band, Alexandra made memories while exploring about her own natural leadership abilities. For her, the experience that was most impactful was the partner rope ladder. She and another participant had to navigate a tall rope ladder all while being tied together, forcing them to focus on their trust and communication in a situation where anxiety can build quickly. By pushing through the scary heights, they were both able to succeed and make it to the top.

At the end of the trip, Alexandra and the rest of the participants spent time reflecting on how the week was and what they learned. She spoke in front of the group about how she had changed over the course of the week. Alexandra said, “I’m usually not confident in my own decisions. This week, however, I made a lot of my own choices. It taught me more about being independent, to think about my opinion first instead of asking someone else… I want to take on more leadership roles when I get to college next year. I was talking with someone about how my new school doesn’t have a track club, and how I could start my own. I have a new perspective about how important it is to be a leader sometimes, and how not to let anything, especially yourself, hold you back.”

National Opportunities

These sorts of national opportunities provide FTSV participants to expand on the lessons they are learning in the program, and to push themselves to grow in ways they never would have expected. Not only are trips such as this Leadership Summit super fun, they are transformational, personal growth experiences that have lasting impressions. If you would like to learn more about the available National Opportunities, please visit our website, or reach out to Coach Phoenix ([email protected]).