First Tee – Silicon Valley’s main golf course class location at Rancho del Pueblo with the capacity to serve over 1,000 youth annually may be impacted by a new lease agreement. The City of San Jose plans to combine Rancho del Pueblo, Los Lagos and San Jose Muni into one 3-course lease beginning January 1st next year (2023). We believe that the City may finish writing the lease agreement as soon as Tuesday, March 22nd when the golf courses are on the City Council agenda.
Rancho has been home to First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2000 first as the Eagles at Rancho Junior Golf Program when the course opened. Originally 18-hole Thunderbird Golf Course, Rancho was built when the Zolezzi family donated the land to the City so that East San Jose residents would always have their own golf course.
FTSV has enjoyed a 21-year collaboration with the Department of Parks & Rec and CourseCo, Rancho’s operator since its opening.
However, while FTSV has been seeking greater access for our programs, we have never been granted enough access to meet the high demand.
FTSV is seeking a new, long-term use agreement and access requirements to be included in the new lease agreement that grant us the access to reach at least 1,500 youth per year on course, building upon our historical impact of serving over 86,000 youth.
We want to help Rancho transform into a “Community Golf Center” to maximize our benefit to the surrounding community. As such, Rancho would become a more welcoming place for East San Jose residents, beginning golfers, and youth.
Stay tuned to our Newsletter and web site Stories for further updates as the process unfolds.
Contact your San Jose City Council Member or the Mayor ASAP if you would like to share your FTSV experience at Rancho or your support for FTSV’s expanded access at Rancho.
Contact George Maxe at [email protected] or 408-288-2937 if you have any questions.
First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) had its highest performing revenue year in 2021, while working hard to rebuild our Class and Community Outreach participants served due to the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our non-profit bounced back and we are proud to share we are stronger than ever in respect to fundraising, demand for classes, and volunteerism.
We served 822 unique Class Participants which is 80% of capacity due to access restrictions that only allowed us to return to full golf course access in the Fall and Winter seasons. We were not able to resume our Community Outreach with the schools until the late Fall. FTSV relaunched our program with 6 schools reaching 3,900 youth compared to our last year-round (2019) program at 18 schools reaching over 13,000 youth.
Our youth development program has now positively transformed the lives of 86,056 youth through proven on course and at-school programs since 2005.
FTSV Program Snapshot
Class Participation – 822* unique participants took an average of 2 classes at our golf locations for a total of 1,562 class registrations *reduced by 20% due to Covid
62% at Rancho del Pueblo GC; 25% at Baylands Golf Links; 19% at Gavilan Golf Course
Served 62% Male and 38% Female
Served 26.6% Teens (age 13+) including 20 Ace students at the top level focusing on career exploration, volunteering, and post high school education
Served 45% Asian, 21% Latino, 17% White, 11% Multi-Racial, Black 2% and Other 4%
Provided Financial Aid to 28.36% underserved participant registrants in need by reducing class fee paid from $210 to a sliding scale of $20-$180 — $72,000 total awarded (*34% in 2019…Pre-Covid)
Provided a 4:1 Coach to Participant Ratio due to increased volunteerism
Outreach Participation – 3,900* youth experienced our community outreach program
6 in-school PE programs or after-school locations in San Jose (4), Sunnyvale (1), and Santa Clara (1) *reduced by 10,000 youth served due to Covid
Primarily served Title I Schools with low to moderate (LMI) students
Offered at no cost to schools through underwriting support
Served 45% Female and 55% Male
Served 65% Latino, 11% Asian, 10% White, 5% Multi, 4% Black, and 5% Other
Youth Opportunities – FTSV Teens were selected for various leadership and golf opportunities where many received special recognition through scholarships.
Nancy Rivera represented FTSV at the First Tee Innovators Forum and received a $10,000 College Scholarship
Rachel Truong, Calvin Kong, Sophie Thai, and Borina Sutikto represented FTSV at the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee
Shivani Patel received the FTSV Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and $4,000 College Scholarship
Dimarco Casillas received FTSV Dennis Kettman Memorial $4,000 College Scholarship
Isabella Herrera was chosen for the Youth on Course + TaylorMade DRIVE Club.
Athina Chen, Rachana Ajjarapu, and Kelly Yu were selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow
Jonathan Tessmann and Nancy Rivera were selected to attend the First Tee Leadership Summit
Borina Sutikto was selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program
Borina Sutikto and Sophie Thai competed in the First Tee National Championship
FTSV Youth Impact Metrics
100% of FTSV certifying class participants graduate high school
100% of ACE top-level certifying participants attend college
80% of our participants reported receiving all A’s and B’s
Class Participant Surveys reported the following:
97% Had fun
96% Said Coaches were fun and cared
94% Like golf and improved golf skills
90% Felt included as part of the group
88% Want to continue with FTSV classes
84% Learned new life skills to improve their character
FTSV Volunteerism
100 Total Volunteers
70 Teen Junior Coaches from our program
13 Board Directors and 13 Ambassadors
5,574 total hours donated
Equivalent to $111,480 in-kind labor
Financial Snapshot
FTSV raised $1.6M exceeding the operating budget of $1.2M. The operating budget distribution was approximately 70% for Programs, 6% for Operating (e.g., golf course access), 20% for Fundraising, and 4% for Administration.
First Tee –Silicon Valley recently elected Steve Petersen to our Board of Directors. Steve is passionate about family, golf and helping underprivileged children learn to play golf. He is a California native & was raised in East San Jose and currently resides in Morgan Hill. Steve learned to play golf as a kid in a community without access to a wonderful organization like the First Tee.
Steve has spent his 30+ professional sales career consulting & serving Technology, Software, Healthcare and Financial Services. He graduated from San Jose State and brings valuable experience from Xerox, Gartner, PWC & EY. Steve currently works for Microsoft on the National Health Services Team. Steve is also an entrepreneur and operates his family-owned Micro-Boutique Winery, EmmaLily, Inc. For more info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-petersen-6190802/
Steve comes to us with high-energy dynamic leadership skills and an incredible “make It happen” attitude! Steve shared, “I am excited to join this incredible organization and dynamic Board of Directors! I am committed to the First Tee SV’s charter of exposing the game of golf by providing positive life lessons to youth in underserved communities.”
FTSV Board Directors vote, provide planning, performance, legal and financial oversight and raise sufficient funds to ensure FTSV’s success. Board Ambassadors give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Click here to meet all our Board Members. Contact Judy Dixon if you have interest in learning more about a volunteer Board opportunity.
First Tee – Silicon Valley recently elected Dave Kinser to our Board of Directors. Dave has been playing golf for 58 years and fondly remembers playing as a youth and knows how much golf can provide meaningful experiences. Dave has been a member at Almaden Golf & Country Club since 1990 and served on their board for 6 years. He believes passionately that all kids should have the opportunity to play the game of golf and experience the joy and discipline the game offers.
Dave grew up in Humboldt County and graduated from Humboldt State University before finding his way to Santa Clara County. He brings a multitude of experiences from his executive roles in finance at National Semiconductor and Apple Computer and his roles as VP of Operations for Claris Corp and Intuit. He currently advises private, venture backed companies. For more info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkinser/
Dave is excited to be able to be part of an organization that is dedicated and passionate in making a positive impact on our local youth through golf. He shared, “The First Tee of Silicon Valley provides a wonderful and compelling opportunity. Providing a meaningful and positive experience for all our youth, through golf, with passion. I am excited to be a part of this incredible organization.”
FTSV Board Directors vote, provide planning, performance, legal and financial oversight and raise sufficient funds to ensure FTSV’s success. Board Ambassadors give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Click here to meet all our Board Members. Contact Judy Dixon if you have interest in learning more about a volunteer Board opportunity.
Meet Coach Howie Roth. He joined First Tee – Silicon Valley coaching staff in 2008 and has been one of the staples of the FTSV coaching team.
“It’s been a great privilege for me to have been coaching at the First Tee,” says Coach Howie. “I’ve always enjoyed seeing how much our participants enrich their lives by growing their life skills through our golf activities. And a special highlight for me has been working with coaches that I originally met as students, and observing how effectively they display these skills learned at the First Tee!”
Coach Howie has been a dedicated, impactful, and skilled coach. He has successfully delivered life lessons and mentored hundreds of participants over the years. Additionally, his mentoring of our volunteers has been just as significant. “When I think of First Tee I think of Howie,” says Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “He embodies our Core Values, shows care to those around him, and makes learning fun. He always strives for better, and that mentality has positively impacted our program and benefited his students. We are grateful to have Coach Howie on our team!”
“Coach Howie has been a regular, reliable instructor for us for over a decade,” says CEO and President, George Maxe. “I’ve always loved that he decided to give back to the community in this way after retirement. I deeply appreciate his dedication to FTSV and our kids.”
Interested in making a positive difference like Coach Howie, developing coaching skills, and working together with other like-minded individuals? Please apply to join our team.
Click here for our volunteer tri-fold for more information
We are accepting volunteers year-round, but to be able to coach in the next season you will need to complete the on-boarding steps by 2/15 for Spring, and 5/15 for Summer, 8/15 for Fall, and 11/15 for Winter
Our history dates back to 2000 when the San Jose Sports Authority created the Eagles at Rancho del Pueblo (Eagles) junior golf program for East San José youth. In 2005, the Eagles became The First Tee of San José, a new chapter within The First Tee network. With 21 years of operation, FTSV now has a group of alumni that participated in our program at any level that are attending college, are young professional and are getting involved in the local community.
FTSV would like to invite our Alumni to join us as a volunteer Board Ambassador! Board Ambassadors give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. We would love for our Alumni to become Ambassadors. Who would be a better Ambassador than those who have directly experienced our character building classes? Our Alumni know first-hand the impact of the life and golf lessons we teach and how they help build strong character. The Alumni Ambassador group will provide a meaningful network opportunity while allowing you to be part of a group with a similar passion to positively transform youth in throughout Silicon Valley.
Please contact George Maxe at [email protected] or 408-288-2937 if you are interested.
Please save the dates for First Tee – Silicon Valley fundraising events which are designed for our supporters, both individual and corporate. Attending our events are a great way for all individuals to learn more about us while having fun. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for corporations to sponsor our youth programs while entertaining customers. The money raised from these events and our private Invitational in July represent 55% of our fundraising budget which sustains our youth development program.
at Several Silicon Valley golf courses in early December2022
an inclusive and friendly challenge between golf clubs
Registration opens August 1st
Please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton at [email protected] or 408-508-4881, for more information about participating in our events or Sponsorships.
Form your team for a fun and challenging evening at TopGolf on Monday, March 28th from 6pm – 9pm for the Battle of the Bays benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley. This event is perfect for employee team building or to invite clients, customers, family or friends. Challenge your industry peers to see if they’ve got the game to compete!
Each team can be up to 12 players per Bay. Pick your team name and register your guests. You can all play or some can spectate and cheer your team on! Each team will hit 240 balls playing 2 Top Contender target rounds to gain the maximum points for their team, which will be officially scored on the Top Golf leaderboard. Team with the highest 2-round total will be declared the Winner. Winning Team will be crowned the inaugural “Battle of the Bays” Champion, awarded golf and lunch for 6 at Spyglass Hill Golf Course/Roy’s in Pebble Beach.
Show your philanthropic and competitive spirit by stepping up as a $10,000 Sponsor!
Benefits include:
One TopGolf Bay with 6 to 12 players
All-inclusive taco bar buffet and beverages for 12 + 2 cocktails per person
Raffle Tickets and Tee Prizes (1 of each per team member)
Sponsor logo and team name featured in all event marketing
90% Tax Deductible Donation
Proceeds will benefit FTSV STEM Education and Financial Aid.
FTSV exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with FTSV’s life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner the strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids carry in everything they do. With the belief that ALL kids deserve the chance to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them, we are dedicated to building life-changing programs that are as inclusive, accessible, and impactful as they are fun.
First Tee – Silicon Valley owes an enormous thank you to SAGA Foundation led by President, David Bartoshuk for their generous $100,000 donation to further develop FTSV programs in the Palo Alto-Redwood City area including at Baylands Golf Links. Their donations to FTSV now total $410,000 over the last four years. The SAGA Foundation assists nonprofits to work smarter, reach further, and have a lasting impact. They are committed to helping FTSV expand dramatically at Baylands for the benefit of Mid-Peninsula youth and the community. David Bartoshuk, President – SAGA Foundation, says, “SAGA Foundation believes critical problems require bold actions through collaboration, open communication, and entrepreneurship. FTSV continues to be a touchstone of what can be accomplished through creative teamwork and the knowledge that together we can make positive, long-term progress.” “David and the SAGA Foundation are showing incredible generosity towards and support of FTSV’s future at Baylands Golf Links and in the lives of youth throughout the Mid-Peninsula.” said FTSV President & CEO, George Maxe. “In addition to SAGA Foundation, we are actively partnering with the City of Palo Alto to make significant improvements to Baylands Golf Links so that FTSV can expand our footprint and public golfers can enjoy more practice area amenities.” FTSV is very grateful to SAGA Foundation and looks forward to impacting many more Mid-Peninsula youth at Baylands Golf Links.
The 2021 Challenge Cup was awarded to Almaden Country Club scoring 440 Points – the most of the competing clubs. The real winners are the kids who will receive financial assistance from the $53,450 in donations. This support helps us to create a sense of belonging for all kids – no matter what walk of life. The 160 participating club members will be supporting 200 deserving youth.
The 3rd Annual Challenge Cup was an inclusive and friendly challenge between golf clubs benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) to help us grow the game of golf while building game changers in our community. It was an opportunity for golf clubs to demonstrate their philanthropic spirit of giving back to a non-profit closely associated with their favorite past time. This year we had 3 Golf Club head-to-head challenge matchups competing for the Challenge Cup on Friday, December 3rd.
Almaden 440 points vs. La Rinconada 425 points – Raised $18,850
Silver Creek vs. San Jose Fundraiser – Raised $8,700
All teams were encouraged to include men, women and seniors in their team tally. Each participant made a donation to benefit the FTSV. The format was a Point Par Scoring with 100% of Handicap — Net Par 1 point, Net Birdie 2 points, Net Eagle 3 points, and Net Albatross 4 points. The aggregate of top 24 scores from each club determined their team score. The team scores were compared to rival club to determine each match up club winner. Special thanks to all the Club Pros for assisting with coordination, promotion and scoring.
All money raised by both teams was donated to FTSV in the name of the winning club plus bragging rights! The team with highest overall score among ALL clubs was declared winner of the 3rd Annual Challenge Cup Perpetual Trophy! Congratulations to Almaden Country Club!
If your golf club wants to be a part of the 4th Annual Challenge Cup or create a fundraiser benefitting FTSV, Contact Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton to get started 408-508-4881 – [email protected].
95.3 KRTY (San Jose Country Station) held its inaugural Justin Moore Charity Golf Tournament on November 8th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club benefitting First Tee – Silicon Valley and awarded us with a $20,000 donation.
The event featured over 140 golfers including Country star Justin Moore, KRTY personalities Gary Scott Thomas and Tony Michaels, local broadcast veteran Randy Hahn and new country artists Ray Fulcher, Ryan Griffin and George Birge. The day was full of fun and dubbed by Gary Scott Thomas as the loudest charity golf event he had ever heard. The dinner kicked off with a 3-song acoustic performance by Justin Moore and the evening finished with a 9-song concert from the new artists.
Another highlight of the evening was the live auction and raffle emceed by Gary Scott Thomas and Sharks TV Voice Randy Hahn which also raised funds for other named charities: The Aubri Brown Club and Cancer Care Point.
Nate Deaton, KRTY’s General Manager and FTSV Volunteer Coach, said “This was a great inaugural event! When Justin asked me two years ago to put together a charity event for the local community, I knew the First Tee had to be a part of it. I have seen firsthand the impact this non-profit has on kids teaching them golf and life skills. We are looking forward to next year’s event in September of 2022!”
FTSV is very appreciative to have Nate Deaton as a longtime supporter since our inception in 2005. As someone who starting playing golf at age 5, he has been a great advocate of our mission of empowering kids and teens through the game of golf because it was an integral part of his personal development.
George Maxe, President & CEO, played in the FTSV foursome with Board Director Steve Guerrero, Development Director Judy Dixon Deaton and country artist Ray Fulcher. (Pictured below)
The SVB Foundation recently awarded FTSV a $9,000 grant to underwrite financial assistance for 45 underserved participants especially due to COVID hardship. The SVB Foundation is currently focusing on partnering with employees who regularly volunteer to award grants to non-profit organizations that are most impacted by the current pandemic. Matt Crismond, SVB Senior Vice President of Tech, was first drawn to FTSV as an Ambassador and volunteer coach in the Summer of 2018. Dating back to when he was a summer counselor at a local golf camp, he saw the importance of providing kids with a supportive environment in which they could not only practice and play golf, but more noticeably develop self-confidence, social skills, and healthy lifestyles that they take far beyond the course. When talking about FTSV Matt said, “Seeing the transformation and growth of the kids from the beginning of an 8-week session to the end is by far the most rewarding part of being part of this great organization!”.
Kids are never turned away from taking FTSV’s youth development through golf classes due to an inability to pay. We work to actively create a space of belonging for every kid – no matter what walk of life. Our diversity, empathy and inclusion (DEI) efforts are not a project, program or series of events, but an expression of who we are and a purposeful process to ensure our mission is fulfilled. We offer programs for kids and teens up to age 18. We help kids discover what’s inside of them, guide them to strengthen it, and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do.
FTSV offers financial assistance for our 8-week season on a sliding scale from $20 to $180 depending upon need, which is determined by self-reported household income, number in the household, enrollment in the SFLP, and financial hardship. Due to the impact of Covid-19, our low-income families have experienced increased financial hardship which has increased our number of requests for aid and an increased number of families only able to pay $20. The demand for our classes is at an all-time high with families looking for safe outdoor naturally social distanced activities for their children during a pandemic.
Thank you SVB Foundation for providing the necessary funds so we can expand our financial aid program to more families in need.. Your grant will allow us to continue providing our youth development program which enable kids and teens to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills.
For more than 35 years, SVB Financial Group (NASDAQ: SIVB) and its subsidiaries have helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB Financial Group’s businesses, including Silicon Valley Bank, offer commercial and private banking, asset management, private wealth management, brokerage and investment services and funds management services to companies in the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity and venture capital, and premium wine industries. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, SVB Financial Group operates in centers of innovation around the world. Learn more at svb.com.
