Type Archives - Page 3 of 58 - First Tee

Mentor Spotlight: Meet Coach Blake

(Mentor Spotlight: Meet Coach Blake Published 4/2/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to welcome Coach Blake to our team as our newest Program Coordinator. Blake will be coaching at Baylands Golf Links during the week and at Rancho del Pueblo on Saturdays.

Blake graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Public Relations. He has extensive leadership experience in people management and customer service across different industries and is a certified NRPGI Golf Instructor. “I wanted to work for an organization that makes a difference to the younger generation,” says Blake. “I see FTSV as an opportunity to be a positive role model and mentor. Helping kids build confidence and discover their potential is something I find rewarding every day.”

Blake grew up in junior golf programs and played competitive high school golf. As a result, he believes in the importance of programs like FTSV. Since he began working with us in March, he has fully embraced our commitment to life skills and has demonstrated strong leadership skills for our participants and other coaches.

“Coaching with FTSV has given me a new purpose for being a role model to the kids outside of just the game of golf,” says Blake. “I am finding ways to use the life skills in my life everyday as well. It goes to show you ways of living by the motto of ‘practicing what you preach.’”

When asked what FTSV means to him, Blake said, “FTSV means acceptance of who you are as an individual and being in a family-oriented environment. Everyone is welcomed with open arms and no judgment.”

Other than sports, Blake enjoys music, attending live events, and collecting shoes.

Welcome Blake! We are excited to have you on our team!

If you are interested in becoming more involved with FTSV, please visit our website.

FTSV Junior Coach Appreciation Game Night

(FTSV Junior Coach Appreciation Game Night Published 3/16/26) On Saturday, March 7^th FTSV celebrated the commitment of our Junior Volunteer Coaches by bringing them together for an evening of games, food, fun and prizes. Games included a long putt, target chipping, musical chairs, Banana Grams, giant Jenga, giant connect four, and Geoguessr. We are fortunate to have had over 134 Junior Volunteer Coaches in 2025. For many of our Junior Coaches they were, or are, current FTSV participants, who looked up to their own Junior Coaches when they were younger. We couldn’t do what we do without them!

This was the second year FTSV entrusted the planning of the Junior Coach Appreciation event to our Junior Council committee.

Our Junior Council consists of 18-25 high school FTSV participants who meet 3 times each season. They break into 3-4 sub-committees focused on everything from fundraising, marketing, AI app building, and event/tournament coordination. This year was the first year FTSV appointed a Junior Council Sub-Committee Chair and event coordinator. Julia V, who has been a standout participant and Junior Coach for FTSV, took on this role and did an outstanding job.

Julia said…

“Serving as a Chair of the Junior Sub-Council Committee for FTSV by leading the “Junior Appreciation Event” was an incredible hands-on experience. Being trusted to guide my committee in planning an event entirely run by juniors showed me the power of collaboration and leadership. I’m especially grateful for my committee members, whose dedication made the event possible. Creating an event by Junior Coaches, for Junior Coaches made it feel truly like our own engaging celebration. As I pursue college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Experience and Event Management, I’ll carry forward FTSV’s “Learn by Doing” mindset that made this opportunity so impactful.”

FTSV is proud of the entire Junior Council Appreciation Committee and their hard work to make this a fun night for all our Junior Coaches. Before the close of the evening, the staff honored one Junior Coach with Junior Volunteer Coach of the Year. This year Alonso J was chosen for his leadership, going above and beyond in all of his duties and classes, and most importantly being a person of high character. Congratulations, Alonso, Julia, our Junior Council and all our junior volunteer coaches. You all make our First Tee chapter so impactful.

If you would like to be a volunteer Junior Coach, visit OUR VOLUNTEER PAGE. If you are a teen and would like to participant in the Junior Council, contact [email protected]. Any high school FTSV participant can join the Junior Council.

Annual Kids & Coaches Tournament

(Annual Kids & Coaches Tournament Published 3/05/26) This past Saturday, February 28th, FTSV hosted the “Kids & Coaches Tournament” to officially kick off our 2026 Spring season. With an outstanding turnout of 30 participants—15 players and 15 coaches, including four FTSV Board Members—the exciting event took place at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course.

From the first tee shot to the final putt, the course was filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. Players encouraged one another, and coaches offered high-fives and advice.

The competition concluded with some outstanding performances:

Team Results

🥇 1st Place: Christine, Aaron, Coach Suri
🥈 2nd Place: Mateo, Coach Josh
🥉 3rd Place: Riley, Coach Alexis

Congratulations to all our winners and participants for their hard work and dedication!

In addition to regular play, three on-course contests added to the excitement:

Hole 4: Long Drive Contest (Kids)
Hole 7: Closest-to-the-Pin Challenge (Kids)
Hole 5: Closest-to-the-Pin Challenge (Coaches), featuring a challenging shot over water

Course Contest Results

Closest to the Pin (Hole #5): Max VP
Closest to the Pin (Hole #7): Ikher
Longest Drive (Hole #4 – 12 and older): Aidan

The tournament wasn’t just about scores — it was an opportunity for growth, sportsmanship, and the comradery. The afternoon wrapped up with congratulatory handshakes, high-fives and fist-bumps. Participants and coaches were then treated to a pizza lunch.

Thank you to all the parents, families, and coaches for your unwavering support of the program. Your encouragement and dedication make events like this possible and help our young athletes continue to grow both on and off the course.

We’re already looking forward to the next tournament and another unforgettable day with our First Tee Silicon Valley family! Please save the date for the next pre-season tournament on May 30^th.

Click here to learn more about our tournaments and other opportunities.

Family Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo

(Family Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo – Published 2/24/26) Thanks to a generous NCGA REACH grant, FTSV provides affordable, semi-private lessons in addition to our normal classes to a sub-group of participants. The goal is to help more families have access to semi-private lessons and develop a love for the game.

FTSV launched a subsidized, semi-private lesson program in Summer 2024, helping break down the financial barrier that many families face when introducing their children or teens to the game of golf. Only participants who are active FTSV participants that receive financial aid, have participated in at least 2 seasons over the last 2 years, and are in the 3^rd grade or higher are eligible for this program. This spring will be our 8^th season offering these lessons.

To date, we’ve had 53 participants benefit from the FTSV Semi-Private Lesson program. On Saturday, February 21st we celebrated the participants who took the lessons in 2025 by hosting a Family Clinic at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. Participants and members of their families came out and received golf instruction and played games on the driving range and practice green. Participants were excited to show their families what they’ve been learning and were eager to watch their family try out some swings.

More than just a day around the practice area, the Family Clinic offered families…

A chance to build bonds together, have friendly competition, and hopefully become inspired to play golf together as a family in the future. At the end of the clinic, we emailed the families a “how-to” guide on playing golf to help them understand golf jargon and with resources to take up the game as a family. This guide included everything from making tee times, to a list of courses, available discounts, and the basics of course etiquette. We also sent them a link to the Youth on Course card, which offers kids and teens discounts on hundreds of golf courses across California.

We hope the families will continue to support their child’s time in FTSV and in golf.

With this kind of encouragement, and the improvements found through private lessons, participants will develop the confidence and ability to improve as golfers, compete on school teams and in tournaments, and pursue opportunities on and off the course. By supporting our community in this way, we believe golf can be a game that families can share together for many years to come.

Thank you to Coach Felix and Coach Rob for teaching the semi-private lessons over the past 2 years. Thank you to the over 30 participants and family members who joined us at the Family Clinic and continue to be long-standing and engaged members of our organization!

To learn more about FTSV’s Financial Aid program and the Semi-Private Lessons, please contact [email protected], or call 408-508-4884.

FTSV Coach Spotlight: Kathy Hausler

(FTSV Coach Spotlight: Kathy Hausler – Published 2/6/26) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) owes so much of our success to our many wonderful Coaches who are the backbone of our life skill and golf skill programs. This month’s Spotlight highlights one of our standout coaches, Kathy Hausler. Kathy began coaching with us in 2022 and has amassed over 260 volunteer hours. She coaches most of our (4) 8-week seasons year in and year out. Most importantly, she leads by example and positively connects with, and cares for our participants.

Why FTSV is important to her

“Organizations like FTSV are really important to communities,” says Kathy. “The life skills we teach at FTSV help to support what the kids learn at home and at school. The golf experience allows the kids to learn something new or practice what they already know. And, helping them be successful and enjoy the sport can give them more confidence in other sports and interests.”

What she has gained through coaching

“I have appreciated the opportunity to coach, and I think it’s helped me improve my teaching and overall communication skills.”

What her fellow coaches have said about Kathy

“Kathy is an incredible coach. She brings flexibility towards and genuine care for our participants. She is always prepared and makes proper adjustments to the activities to meet each kid’s skill level and engagement. We are so lucky to have her!” – First Tee 2024 Coach of the Year, Manny Gallardo

“Coach Kathy was one of the first coaches I got to learn from when I started with First Tee – Silicon Valley,” says FTSV Program Coordinator, Tanner Riley. “Learning alongside her was invaluable; she has a gift for seamlessly connecting life skills with golf skills in a way that truly sticks with our participants.”

In addition to coaching with us, Kathy coached softball and basketball, volunteered at the Sunnyvale library, at Meals on Wheels, and was a teachers aid.

Thank you, Kathy, for your life-long commitment to giving back to others and making this world a better place!

If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved with FTSV, click here for our Board page and click here for our Volunteer page. Join people like Kathy who want to make a difference in the lives of youth in our community!

FTSV Summer Season REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

(FTSV Summer Season REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – Published 2/5/2026 / Updated 4/17/2026) Summer is just around the corner. Our Summer Class Registration is NOW OPEN! Register and get ready for a season filled with growth, movement, and connection. Our summer classes offer a unique opportunity to build new skills, reinforce positive habits, and continue developing confidence in a fun, supportive environment.

In addition to our golf skill curriculum, participants learn important socialization, character, and team-building skills while they build friendships. Summer is more than just staying busy—it’s about continuing to learn, grow, and belong all summer long.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Registration for our summer season is OPEN and closes on, May 28^th at 11:59pm. Spaces are filling up so don’t wait until the deadline.

Types of Summer Programming:

(7) 4-Day Camps – Begin on June 16^th.

3.5-hours per day for 4 straight days (Tues-Fri) – 11am-2:30pm
11am-12:30pm – learn life and golf skills in practice area
1-2:30pm – learn life and golf skills on golf course
Equipment provided
Camp 1: Grades 2-4 – 6/16-6/19 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 2: Grades 5-6 – 6/23-6/26 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 3: Grades 2-4 – 7/7-7/10 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 4: Grades 2-4 – 7/14-7/17 – Spring Valley Golf Course
Camp 5: Grades 7-12 – 7/21-7/24 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 6: Grades 5-6 – 7/28-7/31 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course
Camp 7: Grades 2-4 – 8/4-8/7 – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course

8-Week Classes – Summer season begins the week of June 9^th and ends August 8^th. No classes week of June 30^th through July 4^th.

1.5-hour per day, same location and time each week for the 8-weeks
Classes offerings – Tues through Fri – 4:30-6pm and Sat 9am-3:30pm
Locations – Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose), Gavilan College Golf Course (Gilroy), Baylands Golf Links (Palo Alto)

Download Class Schedule (English & Español)

Classes are broken down by grade groups, so feel free to invite a friend and take part in our summer classes together.

Financial Assistance Offered. Need financial assistance to register? Please apply for financial aid when registering. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. No one is turned away.

We encourage youth 2^nd grade and above to join our program and ask that you help spread the word. For more information VISIT THE YOUTH PROGRAMS PAGE.

See you at the course!

Become a Volunteer Coach—Make an Impact That Lasts

(Become a Volunteer Coach—Make an Impact That Lasts – Published 2/5/2026) We are actively recruiting Volunteer Coaches to join First Tee – Silicon Valley for our Spring and Summer 2026 season. We’d love to have you on the course with us.

The spring season runs from March 17^th to May 9^th and the summer season runs from June 9th through August 8th, with a break from June 30 – July 4 for the Fourth of July holiday week. On-boarding is already underway and must be completed by the end of February for the spring, and by mid-May for the summer, so now is the time to take the first step.

Start Your Journey Now!

As an FTSV Volunteer Coach, you’ll work alongside a team of supportive coaches to deliver our structured life and golf skills curriculum to youth ages 7–17. No prior coaching experience is required—we provide all the training. What matters most is your willingness to mentor, encourage, and model the values that help young people grow both on and off the course.

Your impact goes far beyond golf. Our coaches help participants build character, confidence, and a process-focused mindset that prepares them for challenges in school, relationships, and life.

Volunteering with FTSV also benefits you. Throughout the season, coaches:

Develop leadership, communication, and mentoring skills
Learn research-backed coaching strategies
Receive feedback and support from experienced staff
Participate in a dedicated pre-season coach training
Become part of a fun and caring coach community

You’ll never coach alone. Every class includes multiple coaches, and collaboration is central to our culture—just as it is in the lessons we teach our participants. We believe in learning together, supporting one another, and continually growing as a team.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, grow personally, and be part of a positive, mission-driven community, this is your invitation.

👉 Visit our volunteer page to apply today.

We can’t wait to welcome you—and see you on the course. 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

FTSV Spring Season – Register on February 11th

(FTSV Spring Season – Register on February 11th – Published 2/5/2026) Registration for our spring season opens here on Wednesday, February 11^th at 11am.

Registration Extended to March 9th at 11:59pm!

The 8-week spring season begins the week of March 17th and ends May 9^th. Register on February 11^th and take part in engaging and fun life 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.

Classes are broken down by grade groups, so feel free to invite a friend and take part in our spring classes together.

Financial aid is available. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. If financial assistance is needed, one may request it within the online registration process, or reach out to us.

Setting and Pursuing Goals

Each week our participants experience one of our 6 Life Skills and 6 Golf Cues. Our life skills cover everything from showing respect, to collaborating with others, growing through challenges, making good choices, building a positive self-identity, and setting goals.

For example, participants learn that goal setting is about creating a repeatable system that includes making and tracking smaller steps in the pursuit of something big. Whether they’re aiming for a personal best on the course or working toward a goal at school or at home, they learn how preparation, reflection, and perseverance lead to progress.

Here’s what one participant had to say about learning goal setting through First Tee:

“Setting goals is like laying out a path to improve and achieve anything you want. When I set a goal, I can easily visualize my progress. It boosts my mental well-being and helps me move forward. Through my time with First Tee, I feel like I’ve not only gotten better at golf but also grown as a person. I’ve learned how to set short-term and long-term goals as steps to achieve my final goal along with my coaches and friends.” – Nico Hernandez

Mark your calendar for February 11th to make sure you secure your spot!

Download the Schedule

We encourage youth 2^nd grade and above to join our program and ask that you help spread the word. For more information visit the YOUTH PROGRAMS – COURSE PROGRAM page.

See you at the course!