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Meet Sophie Thai. She is an Ace level (top level of our program) participant and has been in our program for over 9 years. She has progressed through our program and has excelled in using the life skills she learned through First Tee – Silicon Valley to benefit her school and community. Sophie is a national honors society member, a community service tutor, and a member of her student community leadership group. Her golf accomplishments are also impressive as she competes in regional, national, and international competitions. She is a 2-time Girls Golf Champion, has 3 top 3 finishes in the AJGA (the top national junior golf tour in the U.S) and is first team all-league in high school. “First Tee means a lot to me, especially since I’ve been participating in the program for such a long time,” says Sophie. “It has taught me so many important life lessons, such as learning how to step out of my comfort zone, while also emphasizing character on and off the course. The program has also encouraged me to give back to my community and make sure I prepare myself adequately for experiences in the future.” According to Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt, “Sophie is intrinsically motivated and humble. She is not afraid to push herself out of her comfort zone as evident with her volunteering to speak recently to our Board. She works hard in class, and is always open to feedback and taking the necessary steps to improve.” Keep up the great work Sophie and thank you for being in our program for 9 years! To learn more about our classes please visit our youth classes page or call 408-508-4880

First Tee – Silicon Valley participants, Nancy and Salma Rivera, were recently selected for the Gen Z Council for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. The Council, made up of more than 90 young leaders across the country, was formed by a coalition of junior golf organizations including First Tee, LPGA Foundation, National High School Golf Association, PGA Junior League and Youth on Course (YOC). As selected participants of the Gen Z Council, Nancy and Salma will help foster a community of diverse young leaders from across the country by sharing their experiences and perspectives on the current state of golf, what they hope the future of the game looks like and offering solutions for the current social and economic issues surrounding the sport. They have both been in our program, excelling for 4 years and are currently Eagle level participants. In addition to advancing in our program they are founders and members of their high school’s Latinx Club organizing food drives and participating in community events. “Our goal for the club included being part of a group that promoted diversity, a group that gives people like us a voice, and also is rooted in community development and enhancement,” says Nancy. “So far we have worked together to organize food drives every week, and supported different causes such as Black Lives Matter, and different organizations that help our environment.” “At its core, I would argue that golf is the most inclusive sport we can play, but there have been policies and practices at every level of the industry that led to it being predominantly white and male,” says Michael Lowe, Vice President of Programs for Youth on Course and a First Tee –  Silicon Valley Coach. “The Gen Z Council will play a significant role in changing this and I’m so excited to work by Nancy and Salma’s side and follow their lead. Thanks to all of the individuals and organizations who are committed to empowering young people and progressing towards equitable decision making between youth and adults.” We are supportive and proud of Nancy and Salma’s commitment to making golf a more inclusive and equal space. They will make a strong addition to the council.

SAN JOSE, CA (February 8, 2021) − First Tee — Silicon Valley, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, has launched a first-of-its-kind leadership series this week with support from PGA TOUR Superstore. Seven Ace-level participants from First Tee — Silicon Valley are benefiting from the experience. The First Tee Leadership Series in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore is an interactive five-week series designed to provide teens the opportunity to discover their personal values and emerging leadership strengths. Through the series, teens also begin to explore potential career fields based on those findings and frame out multi-year goals to guide them as they navigate future career opportunities. “We are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore, especially East Palo Alto General Manager, Sandy Davison, for providing opportunities for our teens that guide them to discover their strengths and translate that in to their interest and career choices.” said George Maxe, President & CEO of First Tee – Silicon Valley. Throughout the series, the teens will also meet and hear from PGA TOUR Superstore associates and First Tee alumni from across the country who will share personal accounts of their career paths and experiences. The Leadership Series – which was co-created between First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore – is being hosted in 27 communities across the country where there is a store and a First Tee chapter. PGA TOUR Superstore general managers will facilitate the interactive sessions between Feb. 8 and March 15 either virtually or in stores and chapters, with safe and socially distant protocols in place. Once the participants complete the series, they will be eligible to apply for the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The Summit will be held this August at PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman Arthur M.  Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana. Forty teens will be selected for the Summit where they’ll take part in interactive workshops and outdoor leadership trainings. The Summit will include First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence and resilience as a part of the experience, combined with a robust curriculum of leadership and professional development. “At PGA TOUR Superstore, we are committed to giving back and being a positive influence in our communities,” said Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We truly believe in the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth. PGA TOUR Superstore is proud to have supported First Tee for more than a decade, working together to open the door to more kids, especially inviting those who are in underserved communities.” In September, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more children across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of this new Leadership Series and Summit. The Leadership Series and Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to inspire and equip teens on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. These events often become life-changing experiences for participants to expand their horizons, meet new people, learn more about themselves and prepare for their futures. For more information on First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org. About First Tee — Silicon Valley First Tee — Silicon Valley, a youth development organization, is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the United States and in select international locations. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf at in-school and after-school programs. Learn more at www.firstteesiliconvalley.org. About PGA TOUR Superstore PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports + Entertainment and is headquartered in metro-Atlanta. As the PGA TOUR’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner in North America, PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise as card-carrying PGA TOUR pros. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear for golf and tennis. For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com.

The 2020 Challenge Cup was awarded to La Rinconada Country Club scoring 434 Points  – the most of the 6 competing clubs.  The real winners are the kids who will receive financial assistance from the $55,475 in donations. This support helps us to create a sense of belonging for all kids – no matter what walk of life.  Thank you to all of the 181 donors that supported us! The 2^nd 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. Click here for the official scoreboard results and roster of players.

• La Rinconada 434 Almaden 410 took place on October 30^th and raised $16,750
• San Jose 363 Silver Creek 276 took place on November 24^th and raised $8,625
• Menlo 358 Sharon Heights 306 took place on December 3^rd. and raised $30,100

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. 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 2nd Annual Challenge Cup Perpetual Trophy! Congratulations to La Rinconada Country Club! FTSV also rallied our own players using the same format as a team building event where coaches and participants from our three locations came together to represent FTSV. The match scoring 326 points was played on November 9^th at the Golf Club at Moffett Field. There were 27 participants made up of 9 Ace level youth, 9 instructors, 7 volunteer coaches and 2 staff. If your golf club wants to be a part of the 3^rd Annual Challenge Cup, Contact Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton to get started 408-508-4881 – [email protected].

First Tee – Silicon Valley actively creates a space of belonging for every participant – no matter what walk of life. We help participants discover what’s inside of them, guide them to strengthen it, and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do. One way that we do this is through “coachable moments” – real-time windows of opportunity for participants to learn something very specific to what they are experiencing. Our team of mentors is key to making this happen. 2020 for all of its challenges has been one big “coachable moment” for First Tee – Silicon Valley and our team of mentors. Our team has leveraged this year’s challenges to strengthen our coaching infrastructure, expand everyone’s capacity as a mentor, and bond as a team. Together, we streamlined and enhanced our lesson plans, and produced how-to and informative curriculum and training videos. We used the time to equip our mentors with additional coaching tools and safety strategies/procedures. Knowing how to engage and build relationships with participants means we needed to continue to foster our teamwork from within, and 2020, despite its social interaction challenges, provided us with an opportunity to try something new. We explored Zoom team bonding activities including a fun Rice Crispy baking challenge and held a golf outing at Moffett Field Golf Course, celebrating and bringing together advance participants, paid instructors, and volunteer coaches. Through obstacles comes opportunities, the chance to come together and work together. Our coachable moment this year was how we rallied to create new website content, and new experiences that strengthen our team as positive mentors. We often describe golf as the context, the learning lab, in which we teach our life skills curriculum. Golf is the Where and illustrates much of the What that we teach. Simultaneously, mentoring is the means, the delivery method, by which we teach. Mentors are the Who and How of our teaching. 2020 has been one big coachable moment for our mentors making them even more well-prepared to walk alongside our participants as their individual coachable moments arise. All of our added efforts in 2020 to grow stronger as a coaching team ultimately leads to a caring, trusting posture towards our participants and readiness to help them.

The events of 2020 have reinforced the need for programs like First Tee – Silicon Valley that lift up, support and empower kids to stand strong and grow during challenging situations. Our financial aid requests are at an all-time high. First Tee – Silicon Valley helps kids and teens discover what’s inside them, guide them to strengthen it and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do. By integrating our life skills curriculum with the game of golf, we are creating active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience, which is more important now than ever. “First Tee – Silicon Valley has made me much smarter in thinking about my decisions.  It reminds me how I want to treat people the way I want to be treated. That’s why I like the core value courtesy because everybody needs that in life. You want the same energy that you would give to other people.” – Jasmine Rumble, a freshman at Independence High School. Your donation to First Tee – Silicon Valley allows us to continue our work to actively create a space of belonging for every kid – no matter what walk of life.  Thank you for partnering with us to provide opportunities where our young people feel supported, safe and better prepared for anything that comes their way. Explore the many ways to support us: Caddy Club

• Individuals who donate a $20+ monthly gifts or $250+ one-time gifts will become part of our Caddy Club and receive special thank yous and invitations to participate in donor appreciation events

Donate Funds

• donations that keep our program affordable and support our general operations – learn about Company Matched Giving, Planned Giving and Capital Giving

Donate Stock

• we accept stock or appreciated securities as a way to support us

Donate Golf Equipment

• donate equipment (ladies or junior sets preferred).

Donate Goods & Services

• donate goods and services for our operations and fundraising

Sponsorships & Underwriting

• learn about a variety of events and youth programs that are available to sponsor or underwrite

The Future Talent of Silicon Valley DBA First Tee – Silicon Valley is a nonprofit public benefit corporation (501 c3) – tax identification #46-3102278.

Coach Keith has been one of First Tee- Silicon Valley’s most consistent, long-time Program Instructors. He began in 2011 and has coached with us each and every year delivering the First Tee’s curriculum and mentoring hundreds of participants from the PLAYer level up to the Eagle level (1^st to 4^th levels). Several of the students he coached have enjoyed the experience he provided so much so that they returned to be coaches themselves. According to FTSV President & CEO George Maxe, “Over the years, Keith has embraced the First Tee curriculum and expanded his capacity as a coach. As a result, he has taught PLAYer, Par, Birdie, and Eagle levels. We are fortunate to have him on our team.” “First Tee,” says Keith, “is an all-inclusive place where you can be yourself, learn about yourself, and grow your character. It provides a venue to discover new or different ways of performing a task or reaching goals. It allows you to explore and develop yourself as well as cultivate new relationships and friendships. Coaching with FTSV has impacted me by opening my eyes to the core values we teach and how I use them in my daily life. It has made me aware of how many times I rely on those values. I have learned the value and importance of treating everyone with respect.” In addition to coaching our golf and life skills, he took on a leadership role one year by coordinating our participant opportunities and assisting our upper level participants with their national participant opportunity applications and essays. According to Program Director Chris Moreno-Hunt, “Coach Keith has been a staple of our organization for almost 10 years. In addition to reaching the top level of First Tee’s national coach trainings, he is always thinking of ways to improve the program, and is committed to mentoring and bringing the best out of his participants. We are thankful to Keith for elevating our program and for playing an important role in FTSV’s development. Coach Keith’s experience and curriculum knowledge makes our program a better place. Thank you, Coach Keith! If you would to learn more about joining our coaching team, click here to get started.

Amanda Flores has been in our program since 2016 excelling in our classes and making her way up to Ace (our highest level). She has recently completed all four Ace projects. “Amanda is an outstanding student, she is determined, smart, respectful, and self-motivated. Our program is better with her involved as she leads by example and consistently demonstrates our Nine Core Values. Over the years she has become more self-confident and routinely pushed herself past her comfort zone. I am glad she began coaching with us this Winter as she is someone students should look up to.”  shared Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. According to Amanda, “First Tee of Silicon Valley helped me discover methods to learn about myself and what I wanted when pursuing higher education. Over the years I participated, I saw the bonds the coaches shared with the participants and I’m at a point where I am now assisting First Tee by being what they were to me to the incoming students. I also carry this insight that has been provided by FTSV to school and the clubs I am involved in.” Amanda is a high school senior at University Preparatory Academy in San Jose. In addition to her studies she is the Secretary of the Latinx club at her school, and volunteers at Sacred Heart Community Center passing out and preparing food boxes for those in need. Currently she is in the process of applying to colleges where she hopes to attend a 4-year university. Her goal is to be a Professor and plans to major in Sociology with a minor in History or Latin-American studies. We wish the best for Amanda through her college application process and believe in her ability to shine in college and beyond.  Thank you, Amanda, for making a positive impact on our chapter! Are you interested in joining Amanda and taking a FTSV class? Please visit our Youth Classes Page

The 2020 Challenge Cup was awarded to La Rinconada Country Club scoring 434 Points  – the most of the 6 competing clubs.  The real winners are the kids who will receive financial assistance from the $55,475 in donations. This support helps us to create a sense of belonging for all kids – no matter what walk of life.  Thank you to all of the 181 donors that supported us! The 2^nd 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. Click here for the official scoreboard results and roster of players.

• La Rinconada 434 Almaden 410 took place on October 30^th and raised $16,750
• San Jose 363 Silver Creek 276 took place on November 24^th and raised $8,625
• Menlo 358 Sharon Heights 306 took place on December 3^rd. and raised $30,100

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. 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 2nd Annual Challenge Cup Perpetual Trophy! Congratulations to La Rinconada Country Club! FTSV also rallied our own players using the same format as a team building event where coaches and participants from our three locations came together to represent FTSV. The match scoring 326 points was played on November 9^th at the Golf Club at Moffett Field. There were 27 participants made up of 9 Ace level youth, 9 instructors, 7 volunteer coaches and 2 staff. If your golf club wants to be a part of the 3^rd Annual Challenge Cup, Contact Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton to get started 408-508-4881 – [email protected].

The Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and $4,000 Scholarship was presented to Nancy Rivera at the First Tee – Silicon Valley 2020 Invitational fundraiser on Sunday, October 18th at CordeValle in San Martin, CA. Nancy was selected based on her good character, community advocacy, academic achievement, and life-skill level.

The purpose of the award is to provide a high school student the financial hope of attending college. For Nancy, she is hoping to be the first in her family to attend college and this award she says, plays a big role in making her dream that much closer to a reality. The scholarship has been made possible by a very generous 9-year grant by PG&E several years ago. Thank you to all our Invitational supporters that help fund our programs: HP, NGR, Anheuser Busch, PhRMA, Altria, Sempra Energy, AERA, Intuit, CALA Association, Southern CA Edison, SAGA Foundation, Niemela, Pappas & Associates and CDA.

Nancy has been a participant of First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2017, has completed all 4 projects at the Ace level, and has taken more classes since 2017 than any other participant.  She is a student at University Preparatory Academy in San Jose, CA and she is working on a plan to attend a 4-year university or college in the Fall of 2022.

In her speech (below) to the Invitational attendees, Nancy stressed the importance of carrying on and embodying First Tee values of giving back, and respecting diversity. She said, “This sport and program is very different from all the other ones I tried out because it included a little bit of everything. Yes, they help my golf game, but it is so much more… I am proud to be part of a group that promotes respect and appreciating diversity and provides tools on how to help and think of others. Respect is a BIG part of our daily lives, especially living in the Bay Area where we have a diverse community. Learning collaborative communication strategies has been a key takeaway that I’ve learned in this program and carried with me in my volunteering. I’ve learned  what it means to truly actively listen and how listening involves asking follow up questions to better understand the perspectives of others…Being able to listen, show empathy, and understand the rest of your team are definitely characteristics of being a good leader, which is what FTSV wants us to be and what I want to be.”

Her extensive community service and leadership actions certainly backed up her message to the audience. At each table she passed out hand drawn golf balls for each attendee. The drawing was of a woman’s silhouette made up of different national flags holding a heart that had the word “Respect” in the middle. After her speech she received a standing ovation.

Joyce Taylor (1957–2010) was a woman known for her intelligence, warmth, and elegance. She graduated with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman, OK, with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. Joyce became a highly successful and respected business woman and community leader with a long career in telecommunications. In 1997, she was promoted to Regional President, Bay Area, and then Senior Vice President, External Affairs-Northern California, AT&T, where she oversaw legislative, governmental and external affairs activities in Northern California. Joyce worked extensively with Bay Area business and community-based organizations. Her support of the Eagles at Rancho del Pueblo junior golf program was instrumental to its growth and success. In 2005, the program became First Tee – Silicon Valley to develop the character of youth through golf throughout Santa Clara County. Joyce’s support has helped to build a solid program that has reached over 80,000 youth from 2005 to 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Tee – Silicon Valley owes an enormous thank you to SAGA Foundation led by President, David Bartoshuk for their generous $110,000 donation to further develop FTSV programs in the Palo Alto-Redwood City area including at Baylands Golf Links. Their donations to FTSV now total $310,000 over the last three 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. Also, we are eager to return to normal in 2021 and continue our particular collaboration with Redwood City Police Activities League.” FTSV is very grateful to SAGA Foundation and looks forward to making progress at Baylands Golf Links and serving Mid-Peninsula youth.