First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted the Chapter Championship Tournament for the first time at Gavilan College Golf Course on May 21st. Thirty-six FTSV players competed in an individual stroke play along with players from different levels. It was beneficial for both advanced and beginner players as they experienced a different environment. Usually, participants play with other participants of their level, but in these pairings, they were able to see different skills and various ways of using golf course management. Ace participant Franky found herself guiding the Par and Birdie level players in her group with golf course rules. This unique opportunity allowed Franky to play her game while naturally being a mentor for the younger participants. Furthermore, Coach Gabby was extremely impressed and proud of the players, “They conquered the windy conditions, which can be tough for even the best golfers.” This showed their perseverance, good use of judgment as well as confidence to play golf in harsh conditions. Congratulations to all of our participants for competing in this year’s FTSV Chapter Championship Tournament!
May 14th, 2022. Alum Rock School District (ARUSD), Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course (RDP) and First Tee – Silicon Valley (TFTSV) partnered to deliver a community resource event hosted at RDP. Over 425 participants and families from across the ARUSD community came out to join the festivities. We set up games on the entire facility and each venue was packed with families learning how to play golf, and experiencing our games and activities.
The day began with speeches by ARUSD Board of Trustees, Superintendent, Dr. Hilaria Bauer, and our First Tee participant. Everyone then made their way out to the various stations around the golf course and rotated stations. Each station had a life lesson and golf skill for the families to engage in. Afterwards families enjoyed lunch together.
The last time we were able to partner and deliver a Parent University was in 2019 before COVID. This year exceeded attendee expectations by over 200% and set a record for highest attended Parent University ever.
The Alum Rock School District Salutes “The First Tee – Silicon Valley” and “The Rancho Del Pueblo” team, says Norma Flores, Director of Student Service at ARUSD. Alum Rock kids have now embraced the Game of Golf and now see both organizations as true community partners. The most important shot in golf is the next one we are truly looking forward to that next shot with First Tee – Silicon Valley!
“FTSV is committed to serving the ARUSD community,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “Rancho Del Pueblo is situated in the heart of ARUSD and we want families to see our program and Rancho Del Pueblo as a safe and welcoming space for all families and participants. We have been committed to delivering our outreach in-school program to surrounding ARUSD schools over the years, including organizing several school fieldtrips to RDP. Parent University is an exceptional example of a community coming together to serve its residence and we are grateful for the opportunity.” “A special thank you to Norma Flores, Student Services Director for ARUSD and Dr. Bauer for their continued support and belief in what our First Tee – Silicon Valley Life Skill program can bring to their schools and students.”
Are you interested in having your school or youth development program partner with First Tee – Silicon Valley? Please contact our Program Coordinator, Joe Stuban at 408-508-4885, [email protected], or visit our outreach page
On Monday, May 9th, Palo Alto City Council voted unanimously to a “Approve and Authorize City Manager to Execute Non-Binding Letter of Intent with First Tee Silicon Valley Towards Establishing a Public Private Partnership for Practice Facility Infrastructure Improvements at the Baylands Golf Links and Long-Term Facility Use Access for the First Tee Silicon Valley’s Youth Development Teaching Program.”
This is fantastic news for FTSV, which has been working to make Baylands its long-term home and serve more than 1,000 youth there every year. FTSV has been conducting classes at Baylands since 2009 with a 2-year hiatus while Palo Alto Muni was being rebuilt. Facility constraints, including practice spaces and high demand from public golfers, has capped FTSV’s classes at 250 youth annually despite high demand and waiting lists. This project would quadruple our capacity and open the pipeline for FTSV to greatly increase outreach to Palo Alto and youth throughout the region, especially kids in lower income areas including East Palo Alto, North Fairs Oaks, and Redwood City.
What Does the Partnership Entail?
In short, the partnership is for FTSV to make infrastructure improvements in exchange for long-term use access. The predominant use access would be of a new “youth area” along Embarcadero Road in which FTSV would conduct more than 65% of its programming. Higher range nets would be installed to protect the youth area AND to open the unused short game hole on the course side of the range to the public. The youth area, which was part of the course re-design vision, would be completed for use by FTSV as well as by other youth golf programs and for private instruction. The partnership is a big win-win for everyone.
What’s Next?
Council’s unanimous vote and support of City staff shows a level of commitment for FTSV to begin fundraising to obtain at least $4.2M for the improvements. FTSV will reach out to local donors — both individuals and organizations — and collaborate with First Tee HQ to raise the requisite resources. In addition, FTSV and City staff will negotiate terms of a partnership agreement in which FTSV expects long-term access of 15 to 50 years.
“I am thrilled to have Palo Alto City Council’s unanimous support of FTSV and for proceeding with this creative and model partnership agreement.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO. “We’re in this to build the character of all youth (regardless of background or ability to pay) through the game of golf. We hope for many donors to join us by seizing this refreshing opportunity for the public and private sectors to partner and to achieve significant results for literally thousands of kids for decades.”
Contact George Maxe at [email protected] or 408-288-2937 if you have any questions.
The City of Cupertino is assessing future options for Blackberry Farm Golf Course (BFGC). Along with Rancho del Pueblo, Gavilan College, Pruneridge and the short course at Santa Teresa, BFGC is a great golfing option for First Tee – Silicon Valley participants. Click the link below to learn more or to complete a survey and share your comments with the City of Cupertino.
Join the Caddy Club as a way to support our Financial Aid Program and meet the needs of providing a nurturing environment for the young people in our community.
All Caddy Club members receive invitations to our free Donor Appreciation events which includes our Caddy Club Majors Competition. It kicked off with the Masters on April 7th – but it is not too late to join in the fun for PGA Championship May 19-22 (pick deadline is May 19th 4am Pacific). The competition continues with the US Open June 16-19 and Open Championship July 14-17.
Every $240 donation allows FTSV to offer financial aid to a new under-served, at-risk youth participant to attend an 8-week program.
Become a Caddy Club member by making a minimum $20 monthly donation for at least 12 months or a one-time donation of a minimum of $240. Click Here to Join!
CONGRATULATIONS to Caddy Club Majors MASTERS WINNERS:
1st Place VINMONEY – Vincent Lam
2nd Place SBUESNEL – Simon Busesnel
3rd Place MARYWALKER15 – Mary Walker
4th Place JDGET – James Gettelman
5th Place RICHROWLEY – Rich Rowley
Together, We are Building Game Changers!
Our kids and teens are facing challenges unseen by previous generations. Many lack access to safe opportunities that foster a culture of acceptance and provide mentorship. They live in a world where social pressures are always on, calm and confidence are hard to access, and perseverance is a required superpower every day.
Youth Development through Golf
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 life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner 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 golf programs that are accessible, welcoming, and as impactful as they are fun.
Who You Will Be Helping:
(FTSV on-course participants)
90% racially diverse
100% certifying youth graduate from HS
100% Ace top level teens go to college
80% achieve all A’s and B’s in school
Class Participant Surveys Reported:
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
According to an outreach youth leader at Franklin Elementary, “FTSV Outreach gave us the opportunity to have impactful conversations about the core values. The early childhood education setting does not allow for these types of crucial conversations. These core value conversations and using the values in the games led to more positive behaviors in our classroom setting as well in their day-to-day lives. Our staff and the parents noticed a drastic improvement socially and emotionally with participants. First Tee’s outreach program truly has a lasting impression and has been a platform that helps the participant perform the best on and off of the golf course.”
When in-person learning was postponed due to COVID there was a void in peer-to-peer interactions. At our golf course program, we noticed a difference when we resumed in-person classes in the summer of 2021. Participants were more reserved, and hesitant to be themselves. When schools came back so did after school programs and enrichment programs. Students were back interacting face-to-face. However, social wellness through healthy communication is a skill that needs to be practiced consistently. The long hiatus prevented those skills from being practiced. When we relaunched our outreach program at 10 sites this academic year, we hoped that our games, Nine Core Values, and curriculum would help promote social and emotional wellness.
“First Tee outreach program has been incredibly fun to get off the ground again after two years of COVID,” says City Year Leader, Uma Reddy. “The program has been incredibly rewarding from start to finish. I see the greatest improvement in their respect for their peers, their awareness about safety, and in their expression of sportsmanship. I add points to their game when they show sportsmanship which allows students to get just as excited about practicing good sportsmanship as having fun and learning golf.”
Our school and community partners in East San Jose, Santa Clara, East Palo Alto, and Redwood City are currently delivering our golf and life skill curriculum at their schools with plastic clubs, velcro targets, and tennis balls. Each week the youth leaders at each school teach a core value together with a golf skill using games that promote friendly peer-to-peer interaction.
Recently our staff began hosting field trips where participants at each school leave their campus (for the first time in 2 years) and go on a group trip to our affiliate golf courses.
“Kids need to be kids,” says Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are thankful to work collaboratively with school partners and offer their participants a sport that is mostly new to them, games that are engaging, and a space where they can safely interact with each other.”
Are you interested in having your school or youth development program partner with First Tee – Silicon Valley. Please contact our Program Coordinator, Joe Stuban 408-508-4885, [email protected], or visit our outreach page
Registration for the summer program opens 5/12 at 10am. Summer begins June 7th and ends August 6th.
Is happiness a choice that is under our control, or is it a product of our surroundings and constantly shaped by external factors? Maybe it is a bit of both, and although our surroundings are not under our control, how we think and act is. We have control over our awareness and practice of social and emotional well-being, which is a foundation for happiness.
Emotional well-being involves identifying and operating from our strengths rather than focusing on our weaknesses. It involves reflecting and recognizing how we are feeling, why we are feeling that way, and then choosing the appropriate way to react to that situation. When participants hit a bad shot the tendency is to dwell on their mistakes, which hinders their ability to see the positives and be in a head space necessary to successfully make adjustments.
It is important to learn from mistakes, and there is a distinction between learning and dwelling. Dwelling decreases the confidence in oneself, which negatively impacts the ability or desire to persevere. On the other hand, learning involves self-reflection which gives us the tools to persevere. Our program encourages participants to make a conscious choice to self-reflect and identify what they did well, what they enjoyed, and how to manage their frustrations so that they are having fun while learning through challenges. How they feel after a bad shot is not a choice, we feel what we feel, but what we do with that feeling is a choice.
If emotional wellness involves internal reflection, social well-being involves mutually respectfully and compassionate interactions with others. In our classes we teach participants to “Ask, Listen, Respond” as a tool for engaging conversations. Social well-being also includes surrounding oneself with positive and supportive individuals. If one does not feel included or supported, it is more difficult to feel happy. Our coaches enjoy using the time in our games, on the course, in our warm up, and during transitions to get to know each other.
By better understanding ourselves and those around us, we set the stage for a more empathetic, and compassionate community.
In our most recent survey over 79% of our participants said they made friends in their class and 95% said they felt their coaches cared about them. We believe having a supportive and inclusive environment, coupled with learning how to manage our emotions and build confidence will lead to increase happiness. If participants are happy, then we are happy. This summer we look forward to building emotional and social well-being. This summer we look forward to having fun. Come join us!
Registration for the Summer season opens Thursday, May 12th at 10am. The actual season will start June 7th and will end August 6th. Our break week is June 27th to July 3rd. The classes will take place at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, and Gavilan Golf Course in Gilroy. We encourage youth 2nd grade and above to join our program and help spread the word. For more information on our programs please visit https://www.firstteesiliconvalley.org/. and click here for the summer schedule. To register please click here
Itzel Espino is a Birdie participant at First Tee — Silicon Valley. She joined our program in 2018 from our school outreach event in San Jose. When she started in 8th grade she was brand new to golf, but since then she worked hard to catch up with those her age. She progressed through our program, took part in our tournaments and Girls Golf program, and is now applying to volunteer and give back to the younger participants in our program.
Itzel is a junior at Cristo Rey High School in San Jose. In addition to being a high school junior and Birdie participant, she interns for Silicon Valley Bank where she researches and provides analysis of fund information for the investment team, and summarizes SVB private bank’s quarterly capital market insights for team markets among other responsibilities. She recently was accepted into the Youth on Course caddie academy where she will earn scholarship money towards her college tuition.
“Ever since I became a participant in First Tee it has made a positive impact in my life, says Itzel.” I have personally used goal setting skills in my daily life which has helped me create a clear understanding when making decisions and also makes me feel motivated. I appreciate all of the opportunities that First Tee has given me.”
“Itzel is an extremely compassionate participant who always shows care for the class as a whole and for each of her fellow students individually,” says Program Coordinator, Robby Keith. “She comes to class with a smile and a joke to improve everyone’s mood and makes class more fun.”
Itzel demonstrates high character and a desire to consistently improve. She maintains a great demeanor regardless of the challenge and contributes to the supportive environment that we promote. We have no doubt she will be successful in anything she decides to pursue.
Are you interested in joining other participants like Itzel? Please click here for our Youth Classes page. Our summer season will begin June 7th and end August 6th. Registration will begin, May 12th at 10am.
First Tee – Silicon Valley recently elected James Woodbury as a Board Ambassador.
James has been at Blach Construction Company for 10 years working his way from Senior Project Manager to Project Executive to Vice President in March 2021. He was recommended to serve on our Board by long-time First Tee – Silicon Valley supporter Mike Blach, Blach Construction Chairman. Prior to Blach, he worked at Devcon for 11 1/2 years as a Project Manager.
James graduated from Cal Poly State -San Luis Obispo in 2000 with a BS in Architectural Engineering and Minor in Construction Management. He is a member at Almaden Golf & Country Club and lives on the course with his wife and 2 girls. James was on the AGCC Board for one year and he and his wife currently run the AGCC Gator Swim Program.
James shared that he has been looking for a way to give back to the community and for something he is passionate about. He loves golf and has been trying to get his girls involved in the game because he feels strongly that golf is a lifetime sport teaching life lessons. James looks forward to utilizing his construction background to improve the future growth our program facilities.
For more background – https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-woodbury-43541a5/
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.
Please meet FTSV Instructor, Karl Rogers. He joined our First Tee – Silicon Valley family in August 2019 as a volunteer coach and in the spring of 2022 he transitioned to a Program Instructor role.
Karl works for Lockheed Martin Corporation as a Packaging Design Engineer. As a First Tee Coach he has been teaching classes at Rancho Del Pueblo and Baylands Golf Links.
“I am so excited to serve the First Tee organization,” says Karl. “It has provided me with the opportunity to mentor the next generation, while doing something I love. FTSV is an awesome program that is positively impacting the future of our community, the lives of each and every participant, and the coaches. Coaching with the first tee is very rewarding. The participants, fellow coaches, and staff are a joy to work with. It is such a pleasure to see the participants not only build on their golf skills, but build friendships with each other. Helping participants to overcome interpersonal challenges in a safe yet fun environment is especially rewarding.”
Karl excels at relating and building relationships with his participants. He is consistently identifying coachable moments which makes him successful at life skill integration.
“We are grateful and excited to have Karl join our instructor team,” says Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “He excelled as a volunteer coach, and is well liked by his participants and fellow coaches. Karl’s interpersonal skills and care for others helps create the positive social and emotional climate that we strive for. We look forward to having Karl increase his responsibilities as a coach and positively impact those around him.”
If you are interested in joining Karl and other caring First Tee coaches, please let us know!
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 5/15 for Summer, 8/15 for Fall, 11/15 for Winter, and 2/15 for Spring
First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to announce the 10th Annual Open Scramble Golf Tournament on Friday, June 10th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Registration for foursomes, twosomes and sponsors is available now. The Open is our largest fundraiser tournament so we are pleased to resume a full-scale shotgun tournament with a dinner awards program including raffles and an auction.
Gather your clients, co-workers and friends for a great day of golf and camaraderie for a great cause. Proceeds will help us impact the lives of youth by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. We believe that all kids deserve the chance to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them. We are dedicated to building programs that are accessible, welcoming and as impactful as they are fun.
$20,000 Presenting Sponsor (Registration/Dinner) – co-branded logo on website, social posts, newsletters, flyers, signage; full page ad in program plus 3 foursomes
$10,000 Hosting Sponsor (choice of Lunch, Snacks, Beverage) signage on 3 holes, logo on website, newsletter and program plus 2 foursomes
$5,000 Contributing Sponsor – signage on 2 premium contest holes, program logo plus 1 foursome
$2000 Foursome or $1000 Twosome Sponsor – 18-holes golf, shared cart, boxed lunch, tee prizes, on-course beverages and snacks, dinner and awards program per player
$1500 Hole Sponsor – signage on 1 hole, program listing, and 2 dinner invites
“No kind action ever stops with itself. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,” said Amelia Earhart. Becoming a coach allows one to be there for others, and in doing so sets forth a cycle of compassion and altruism. There is no better example of this than with our junior coaches. Almost all of our junior coaches were once participants who looked up to their junior coaches as role models. Now their goal is to pay it forward for the next generation.
First Tee — Silicon Valley is looking for high quality, caring people that are interested in showing up for others, and guiding others so they become even better people and leaders of tomorrow. Our volunteer coaches are responsible for bringing our core lessons to life by finding and using coachable moments. They also work together to make the classes fun and engaging and build a space where mentoring relationships can be formed and grow.
Relationships Matter:
The Search Institute surveyed over 25,000 youth and found that when young people experienced strong developmental relationships with program leaders they were more likely to:
Exhibit leadership and social responsibility
Develop a sense of community identity
Set goals and stretch themselves to reach goals
According to the same study, only about half of the students reported that their youth program leaders expressed care, provided support, and shared power with them. Our goal is to set an emotional climate where all of our participants feel cared for and supported. Thanks to the dedication of our coaches, we are pleased to announce the following numbers from our most recent participant survey:
95% said their coaches cared about them.
92% said their coaches did a good job assisting them with their life skill development.
Coaching makes a difference.
When we ask and survey our advanced participants about their experience in First Tee, them overwhelmingly credit their coaches for improving their communication skills, and their ability to overcome challenges. Additionally, they say they are appreciative of the relationships they formed and the confidence they gained from having their coach believe in them. In a national study across the First Tee network, 87% of First Tee alumni said their relationships with their coaches were meaningful and grew stronger over time. These relationships were based on empathy, high positive expectations, and advocacy (e.g., open doors and eyes to new experiences). According to our participant surveys over the last year, on average:
86% said their life skills have improved.
95% said their golf skills have improved.
97% said their coaches made the classes fun.
93% said they felt part of the group.
When participants have a group of coaches who care about them and work to make learning fun, it results in increased acquired skills and positive youth development.
Coaching is fulfilling and beneficial!
Coach Mark – “I started coaching First Tee to help kids learn golf, a sport I love. Interestingly I quickly found out how much more meaningful it is for me to see them learn life skills. It’s witnessing the life skill growth that now really moves me.”
Coach Rob – “Understanding how much the juniors look up to the coaches and how much of an effect we have on their lives is impactful.”
Coach Gabby – “Coaching boosted my confidence in my communication skills and gave me a platform to be a role model for the youth.”
Coach Matt – “FTSV has introduced me to wonderful people and helped me form indispensable relationships. FTSV helps me better the lives of my students and myself!”
Coach Misa – “Coaching has given me the opportunity to strengthen my skills as a coach and learn how to navigate and create new relationships with each student and point them in the right direction to help them achieve their short and long-term goals. I am reminded every week of the inclusivity that FTSV has and am proud to be part of this organization.”
Coach Jack – “FTSV encourages personal growth and responsibility in a FUN way among friends and caring coaches in a sport that can last a lifetime.”
What if I am not an expert coach or golfer?
Our coaches come from all walks of life with different life and golf experiences. We provide life and golf skill training as well training on coach strategies, techniques, and on our coach philosophy. Our goal is to make sure every coach feels supported. Additionally, we have created lesson plans to help everyone is work together and support one another in the content and delivery. There will always be a lead coach for each class coordinating the group of coaches.
What is the time requirement?
Volunteer coaches can choose from several class options by location, day of the week and time.
Time commitment is 2.5 hours a day, once a week for an 8-week season. 2.5 hours include a 30-minute pre-class meeting, 1.5-hour class, and a 30-minute post-class debrief.
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 5/15 for Summer, 8/15 for Fall, 11/15 for Winter, and 2/15 for Spring.
Join our team, learn/develop coaching skills, make a difference in the youth, and give back to the community! Please help us spread the word. The more positive and dedicated coaches, the better the program, and the more impactful it is for our youth.
