Type Archives - Page 3 of 50 - First Tee

FTSV’s Participants Selected for Game Changers Academy

Isabella Herrera and Marissa Wei from First Tee — Silicon Valley have been selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia. They are 2 of 72 teens from the First Tee network who have been selected for the five-day learning and empowerment academy and will participate in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity, empathy and inclusion. RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations, will facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. The experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position the teens to be advocates for justice and social change in their current and future communities.

Meet our Game Changers Participants

Isabella is a rising senior and has been a highly engaged participant since 2013. She has taken multiple classes each year, participated in our Girls Golf program, represented our chapter at PGA TOUR Superstore events, has volunteered at our community outreach events, and coached classes. Isabella is also an Ace program participant, taking on the extra challenge as she works to become Ace certified. According to Isabella, “A game changer is someone who is constantly pushing personal and societal boundaries in order to create a lasting impact on the world around them.” She does so consistently in her role as a junior coach, leading and teaching by example. She also pushes herself as a member of the Youth On Course Leadership Council, advocating for her peers on a national level. We are excited to have Isabella represent out chapter at this event.

Marissa has been a dedicated FTSV participant for the last 9 years, taking both regular and now Ace classes. She stands out as a participant who really embodies the Life Skills taught in First Tee, demonstrating her understanding of what it means to be a Game Changer through her actions. On and off the golf course, Marissa is inclusive, kind and resilient. In her application, she wrote that “Integrity is the foundation of a game changer. To be a game changer means to do the right thing because it is valued in your heart and not to just do what is easy.” Let’s go Marissa!

The event will be held at Villanova University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Selected participants will be housed at the Good Counsel Hall dormitory at Villanova and golf programming will take place at Walnut Lane Golf Club and Merion Golf Club.

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. The Academy honors First Tee’s former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., who led the organization from 2000 until his retirement in 2017.

Congratulations Isabella and Marissa!

Published: 06-14-2024

FTSV Participants compete at First Tee National Championships

Two First Tee – Silicon Valley participants Norah Yang and Eduardo Tapper compete at the fourth annual First Tee National Championships in Clemson, South Carolina on June 23^rd to 27^th. The First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s elite players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped them build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.

The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience.
 
Read the FULL RECAP STORY and how Norah Yang won the female division.

The winners of each male and female division are awarded the Tattersall Cup named after First Tee Trustee, Fred Tattersall. Each winner earns an exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links (click here to learn more about last year’s tournament).

Meet Norah

Norah is a leader and role model in her classes as a FTSV participant and as a volunteer coach. She has been active as a participant since 2015 and began volunteering as a FTSV coach in 2022. She is also a member of our Junior Council. She led her high school golf team to a league championship as a freshman and was awarded MVP of the league in 2021. She has qualified for the US Kids World Championship twice and the IMG Junior World at Torrey Pines. Additionally, Norah has placed high in several AGJA tournaments. Last year, Norah represented FTSV at both the First Tee National Championship at Stanford University and the PURE Insurance Championship held at Pebble Beach. Good luck Norah!

Meet Eduardo

Eduardo was a participant in our program years ago and is now back as a junior coach and member of our Junior Council. As a coach, Eduardo is enthusiastic and kind, helping his participants to develop their FTSV life skills. Wanting to go above and beyond, Eduardo started a fundraiser and club drive through his school golf team, and has been able to raise thousands of dollars for FTSV in just a few weeks. This money will help fund school programs within our service area, bringing the FTSV experience to even more kids. As a golfer, Eduardo takes his game very seriously and has been hard at work to make himself as competitive as possible. We are excited to have him represent our chapter on the national level. Let’s go Eduardo!

Published: 06-14-2024 Updated: 07-11-2024

Summer of Opportunity!

It’s another Summer of Opportunity and the competition is fierce! Every year, First Tee – Silicon Valley participants who have been long standing and highly engaged are selected to apply for First Tee National opportunities.

Qualifications to apply for Opportunities

Competition for the opportunities is high and spaces are very limited. To apply, our chapter looks for FTSV participants who have a minimum of 3 years with First Tee and have been highly engaged in the chapter over the years (e.g., volunteer coach, participant at least 2 seasons per year each year, active in tournaments/Girls Golf, etc.). Applicants are selected based on their time spent in the program, amount of volunteer hours, engagement in FTSV extracurriculars, and other accomplishments. Once selected to apply, applicants must meet the requirements set forth by First Tee National, write several short essays, list their accomplishments in and out of the classroom, and include letters of recommendation. Applicants from across the country apply for the limited spaces. Selected recipients get to experience opportunities of a life time.

So far this year, we have been able to submit 21 applications for 17 unique participants. We hope to have 8 more applications submitted in the near future to bring the total to 29.

We are thrilled by the acceptance of 9 of our participants…

Hopefully more in the coming months! Norah Yang, Eduardo Tapper, Isabella Herrera, Marissa Wei, Tristan Hipolito, Alexandra Varo, Natalie Chen, Dakota Chang, and Ashely Pang (pictures shown left to right below) have all been selected to attend various First Tee National opportunities.

All 2024 participants that were selected for opportunities

Norah Yang & Eduardo Tapper were accepted to the First Tee National Championship to be held at the Walker Course at Clemson University in South Carolina, June 23^rd – June 27^th. Joey Jang was selected as an alternate. Click here to learn more about Norah and Eduardo and the National Championship.

Isabella Herrera & Marissa Wei were accepted to the Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis, MN, July 9th– 13th. Click here to learn more about Isabell and Marissa and what the Game Changers Academy is all about.

Natalie Chen & Alexandra Varo were accepted to the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Emigrant, Montana, August 5^th – August 9^th and August 12^th – August 16^th. Click here to learn more about Natalie and Alexandra and what the Leadership Summit is all about.

Dakota Chang & Ashely Pang Selected to First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Atlanta Georgia, June 17th-22nd. Click here to learn more about Dakota & Ashley and the First Tee Leadership Academy.

Tristan Hipolito was accepted to the Participant Advisory Council in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, July 22^nd – 24^th. Click here to learn more about Tristan and the Participant Advisory Council.

“Our chapter looks forward to having Norah, Eduardo, Isabella, Marissa, Tristan, Alexandra, Dakota and Ashely represent our chapter at these national opportunities. We are grateful to have had them in our program and are thrilled for them to gain these experience around the country. They are great people and have made our program a better place.
– First Tee – Silicon Valley Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt

A special thank you to Coach Phoenix for working with each participant on their application.

Please join us in congratulating Norah, Eduardo, Isabella, Marissa, Tristan, Alexandra, Natalie, Dakota, and Ashely for their outstanding achievement! Acceptance to these opportunities is a product of their character, the work they put in, and the commitment they demonstrated to our program.

To find out more regarding our local, regional, and national opportunities please visit our youth opportunity page or reach out to Coach Phoenix at [email protected].

Published: 06-12-2024

Natalie Chen and Alexandra Varo Selected to First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore

Natalie Chen and Alexandra Varo from First Tee – Silicon Valley are 2 of 40 participants selected to the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The Summit is designed for teens to explore leadership concepts including (1) building authentic relationships by developing awareness, (2) growing through challenge via positive risk-taking, and (3) developing positive self-identity through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities. Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana, each teen is challenged to build on their current strengths and values in an intimate setting which provides community building, inspiration and connection with their peers, adult mentors, and the outdoors. Activity-based workshops are facilitated by leaders from PGA TOUR Superstore headquarters, West Creek Ranch, and First Tee Headquarters. Both our participants were selected based on their performance in the First Tee Leadership Series at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Cupertino.

Meet our Leadership Summit Participants!

Natalie Chen is a rising junior at Evergreen Valley Highschool. She has been a stand out First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) participant for over 7 years. Not only does she participate in our course sessions, she has taken both the Ace Career and Ace Education classes. Natalie also started volunteering as an FTSV Junior Coach in 2022, and has accumulated over 130 hours of service. Lastly, Natalie is an active member of our FTSV Junior Council, leading both the marketing and the social media team.

Outside of FTSV, Natalie is the Vice President of her high school golf team. She is a member of the California Youth Symphony and was selected last year as a spokesperson for the organization in a promotional video.

Click here to read the participant spotlight on Natalie.

Alexandra Varo is a recent graduate from Willow Glen High School. She will be attending San Jose State University in the fall. She has been an outstanding participant with FTSV since she started in 2021 and quickly started volunteer coaching. As a coach, she has accumulated over 220 hours of service, giving back her time in a meaningful and effective way. Alexandra regularly attends our Girls Golf events as both a participant and a coach and assists at our fundraisers.

“I enjoy volunteering as well as participating in First Tee because it provides an environment where I am able to learn more about myself, learn important life lessons through golf, and gain confidence” says Alexandra. “Throughout the golf seasons, I have learned how to become a better leader and I enjoy assisting in classes to contribute to a positive and fun environment for participants. I look forward to continuing in First Tee as a participant and a volunteer.”

Click here to read the participant spotlight on Alexandra.

We are grateful for the contributions Natalie and Alexandra have made to our chapter,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “They both are outstanding role models for our participants and we are excited for them to continue to develop their leadership skills at the leadership summit. Congratulations to you both!”

Published: 06-12-2024

First Tee – Silicon Valley Partners with Amazon Web Services

In April of 2024, First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) began its local partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS provides world-leading cloud technologies that help organizations and individuals build solutions to transform industries and communities. Recently, AWS began a nation-wide partnership with First Tee Headquarters through their contact with the PGA TOUR. Their goal is to help develop teen programming, recruit Amazon employees to volunteer with local First Tee chapters, and support First Tee Alumni.

For our chapter, we had two AWS executives volunteer their time to be guests in our spring Ace Career classes, Patrick Duffy, Senior Solutions Architect, and Umar Saeed, Senior Manager Solutions Architect. During our class we split into two groups and our Ace participants conducted informational interviews of Mr. Duffy and Mr. Saeed. Ace Career class participants learn strategies for conducting informational interviews and are expected to complete several of them on their own to gain a better understanding of what jobs and careers are out there, but also to develop their networking and professional skills.

“Thank you to Patrick and Saeed for assisting our participants and sharing their career paths and tips. Informational interviews are an important part of our Ace teens’ exploration of careers, including industries and job functions within most organizations such as HR and finance. When business professionals visit us they help participants demystify interviews and the world of work. Frankly, such experiences wipe away a lot of their fears and anxieties about work and boost their confidence. Thank you AWS!”
– FTSV President & CEO, George Maxe

This season we will be coaching our Ace Golf classes at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course and the Ace Education (College) classes will be in the Fall. For more information on our four Ace projects please click here, email [email protected], or call 408-508-4884.

Published: 06-12-2024

Participant Spotlight: Eduardo Tapper

Meet Eduardo Tapper, this month’s participant spotlight. Eduardo began his love for golf with First Tee – Silicon Valley at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto when he was only six. Now a rising junior at Sacred Heart Prep, he is giving back by helping to raise funds to underwrite St. Elizabeth Seton’s equipment, training and field trip so kids in East Palo Alto neighborhoods can experience the culture of mentorship with the First Tee – Silicon Valley School Program. “I asked what else I can contribute and started funding an after-school event in addition to collecting more clubs for First Tee that will help later generations.” To date, Eduardo and his golf team has helped to collect over $5,000 in donations and many clubs for participants to use.

Through his efforts and accomplishments, Eduardo has learned valuable life skills that will serve him well for college and beyond. According to Eduardo, ” I’ve learned an entire array of business skills like using Google Sheets, reaching out to people, writing formal emails, getting a glimpse into work life, updating calls, and working with a team.” In addition, his project has given him the ability to quantify his goals, treat his work as a step-by-step process, and improve his decision making as well as to become more efficient in his time management by scheduling out everything. All of which are part of the First Tee – Silicon’s Life Skills curriculum. However, maybe the most important perspective Eduardo has gained is that “It takes a community to drive a strong movement and to understand how such a small change like donating twenty dollars or a single small idea can legitimately change someone’s life.”

Preparing for the Future

One of the biggest goals of FTSV is helping to prepare the participants for the future. The fundraising that Eduardo is facilitating is not only helping provide resources to support other participants, it is developing his own skills that will be valuable later. FTSV encourages our participants to push themselves and take on extra challenges, go above an beyond, and learn through experience to accomplish their biggest goals. Through programs like the First Tee National Opportunities, FTSV Junior Council, volunteer coaching, the ACE Program, and more; FTSV participants have the framework necessary to not only to succeed in the future, but to thrive.

First Tee – Silicon Valley thanks Eduardo for all of his generous work for the program, and can’t wait to see his future plans come to fruition!

Learn more about how you can help!

If you would like to donate to FTSV, please click here. To read more about the opportunities available at FTSV, check out this page on our website.

Published: 06-12-2024

Pre-Summer Girls Golf Tournament

First Tee – Silicon Valley held our first ever Girls Golf Tournament on May 11^th at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. With our largest attendance of 34 participants, our members enjoyed a fun and competitive round of alternate shot format.

Each young participant was paired up with either a FTSV high school participant, a FTSV female staff member, or a FTSV female board member. Our young players took the opportunity to ask for advice from their peers and learned a valuable lesson on course management and the etiquette of golf.

Natalia, a 6^th grade participant, appreciated her partner’s advice. “Norah taught me how to properly mark the ball and showed me how to line up my putts.” Some participants had the privilege to partner up with their own siblings giving them the change to bond over their first experience in competitive play. Natalie and Isabel, siblings, enjoyed the support of their surrounding playing partners. Natalie, an Ace level participant, stated “It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm at this Girl’s Golf event! I had so much fun chatting and playing golf with these younger girls. Their energy and excitement made this experience so special.”

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, we allowed a rare exception for families to walk the course and watch their children golf in their first tournament experience. It was great seeing parents supporting each other. One parent said, “I learned a lot from the other parents who had tournament experience. They taught me where to stand to view and gave me advice on how to apply and the process for tournaments outside of First Tee.”

The event concluded with a pizza party and a celebration for the players.

7 to 10 years old division

1^st place: Isabel and Natlie – 42

2^nd place: Ella and Sarah – 45

3^rd place: Allie and Shivika – 46

11 to 14 years old division

1^st place: Natalia and Norah – 34

2^nd place: Emma and Andrea – 35

3^rd place: Audrey and Judy – 40

What they’re saying about the tournament

“My favorite part was meeting new people and playing golf with them! The tournament was competitive, but everyone was very supportive”
– Isabel

“First Tee has done a lot for me as I have grown up, and now that I’m older, I wish to help the younger kids grow to be their best. Being able to play with them on the golf course is a fun experience and a great way to help them accomplish some of their greatest goals and challenges”
– Salma, an Ace level participant

“My daughter has played many competitive tournaments, but it was a breath of fresh air to see her play a tournament in a more relaxed environment.”
– Parent

Our Girls Golf Play days are a fun and supportive event where our participants and experience golf together, enjoy an empowering environment, and a place to meet new friends. The next event is scheduled for August 24^th. Contact Manny at [email protected] for more information.

Published: 06-12-2024

Parent University – A Resounding Success

Alum Rock School District (ARUSD) and First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) partnered to deliver a community resource event, called the Parent University. The event was hosted at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course with over 550 students and families from across the ARUSD community coming out to join the festivities. FTSV set up games and activities all around the golf course, and each venue was packed with families learning how to play golf and experiencing our typical games.

The day began with speeches by ARUSD Board of Trustees, Interim Superintendent, Dr. Imee Almazan, California Assemblymember, California State Assembly Member Ash Kalra, and California State Senator, Dave Cortese.

“We were grateful to have Assembly Member Kalra and Senator Cortese join us. They have been avid supporters of FTSV and advocates for preserving and improving Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course as an asset for the community, especially Eastside residents. Both spoke in celebration of Rancho and FTSV’s important life skills education for so many kids.”
FTSV President & CEO, George Maxe

Parent University – Game On!

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. Participants who enjoyed the games, were able to register for our 8-week summer season. Afterwards, families ate lunch, listened to music, and enjoyed the beautiful day.

“We were honored to partner with ARUSD and we look forward to this event each and every year. Parent University is an exceptional example of a community coming together to serve and benefit its residents. Our hope is that families see our program and Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course as a safe and welcoming option.”

“Thank you to Jesus Araujo, Student Services Interim Director for ARUSD, and Alum Rock School District for their continued support and belief in what our First Tee – Silicon Valley Life Skill program can bring to their schools and students.”
FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt.

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.

Interested in joining our program as a participant, give us a call at 408-408-4884, email [email protected], or check out our youth classes page.

Published: 06-12-2024

FTSV 12th Annual OPEN a HUGE SUCCESS

FTSV’s 12th Annual OPEN full-shotgun tournament on June 7th was a huge success. The weather couldn’t have been better at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club for the 160 golfers including 17 sponsors that came together for a great cause, raising a total of $190,000. Proceeds benefit First Tee – Silicon Valley’s financial aid program. We teach life skills and golf skills on-course, in-school, and after-school. Our programs are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

One of our teen participants, Tristan Hipolito, was in attendance to share the impact our program has had on his leadership skills, “I never thought I would be the type of person that was capable of interviewing executives, mentoring youth, organizing improvement plans for my high school team, and most of all, representing my chapter (First Tee – Silicon Valley) on a national panel. FTSV gave me the tools to be a better leader and the opportunity to push myself – for that I am so grateful.”

We would like to recognize all the individuals behind our Sponsorships

Presenting Sponsor: SAGA Foundation (David Bartoshuk)

Hosting PLUS Sponsors:

EmmaLily Winery (Steve Petersen)

PGA TOUR Superstore (Brad Hanson & Nicholas Kendall)

Hosting Sponsors:

Hallagan Huston Family Foundation (Ron & Ryan Hallagan)

PwC (Sarah Beelaard & DJ Wheeler)

Gallagher (Mike Gallagher)

Contributing Sponsors:

Guerrero Properties – Intero Real Estate (Steve & Lisa Guerrero)

Pinnacle Bank (Doug Moffat)

Ernst & Young LLP (Scott Whelton, Gareth Hunt, Blake Bridges)

D&V General Engineering Contractors (Mark Petersen, Gregg Fisher, Nada Maxwell)

Luna Mexican Kitchen (John Lopez)

Panera Bread (Jeff Burrill – who generously donated lunches)

FTSV 12th Annual OPEN Scramble Winners

**First Place – Score 54** Brad Rocca, Nate Deaton, Tom Skinner, Eric Arnold – Repeat Champions!

**Second Place – Score 56** Ryan Hallagan (pictured), Jeff Lai (pictured), Adam Duong, Joshua Duong

PGATSS Putting Contest: 8 players made 1 putt – Dave Vanoncini, Bill Feulner, Rich Gillern, Jody Kirk, DJ Wheeler, Casey DeCarlos, Bret Treece, JC Nuno

Closest to the Pin: Lake #8-Mark Zunich 7’6”, Mountain #2-John Leetch 5’8’’, Canyon #5-Ross Huffman 14’11”

DGDG Car Hole-In-One – no winners but special thanks to Jeremy Beaver for their sponsorship

Want to see your FOURSOME photo? CLICK HERE

Thank you to our MC & Auctioneer Dan Rusanowsky – voice of the Shark’s Radio Network and recent recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

Thank you to our Raffle supporters for donating Golf foursome plus carts. Raffles Prize Winners:

1) La Rinconada Country Club – Andrew Beelaard

2) Half Moon Bay Golf Links – Nathan Hamby

3) Almaden Golf & Country Club – Dave Vanoncini

4) Silver Creek Valley Country Club – Ron Hughes

5) Saratoga Country Club – Justin Lee

6) Boulder Ridge Golf Club – John Crevelt

7) San Jose Country Club – Rob Sisco

8) Peninsula Golf & Country Club – Joe Chan

9) Bay Club Football – Steve Guerrero

Thank you to our Live Action Supporters:

1) EmmaLily Winemakers Dinner for 10 with Steve Petersen – Bill Feulner

2) Klay Thompson Signed Designer Basketball Shoes – James Cilker

3) VIP 49ers Game Experience Package – Blake Bridges

4) 49ers 2-Game Package Plus Tailgate Parking – John Wong

5) Dan Rusanowsky Go Teal Experience – Lucas Watson

6) CordeValle Resort 2-Night Golf & Spa Getaway – Scott Whelton

7) CordeValle Resort 2-Night Golf & Spa Getaway – James Cilker

8) San Jose State vs Stanford Tailgate Experience for 4 – Ross Huffman

9) San Jose State vs Stanford Tailgate Experience for 4 – Eric Arnold

10) Special Day at Mayacama Golf Club with Mike Blach – Ken Miller

11) Warrior 4 Courtside Lounge Tickets – James Cilker

Thank you to our Board Members for their support: Steve Almassy, Victor Arrañaga, Jr, Sarah Beelaard, Andrea Brenholz, Steve Guerrero,and Lucas Watson

Our Participating Board Ambassadors: Dick Budelli, Ron Hallagan, Doug Moffat, Steve Petersen, Tiffany Sparks, DJ Wheeler, James Woodbury and Alex Wrobel.

Thank you to our Tournament Coordinators: Development Director Judy Dixon Deaton & Marketing Coordinator Nicole Woodson,

Thank you to our other Staff: President & CEO George Maxe, Program Director Chris Moreno-Hunt, Operations Coordinators Julie Donnellan & Victor Manrique, Program Coordinators Manny Gallardo, Phoenix Jarrell-Desch, Joe Stuban, Tanner Riley & Felix Jasso.

Thank you to our Adult Volunteers: Nestor Arivizu and Roni Castro plus Alumni Nancy Rivera and Francesca Sumcad.

Thank you to our Participant Volunteers: Tristan Hipolito, Alexandra Varo, Jennifer Barrientos, Kristen Tang, Sophia Tang, Salma Rivera and Zachary Smart

Thank you to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club: Nick Starr, Tournament Director, and Adam Schiro, GM, and Food & Beverage and Grounds Staff for a perfectly run tournament.

Proceeds from the Open 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 growing our program so it is accessible to MORE kids. Please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton 408-508-4881 – [email protected] to discuss sponsorship or underwriting opportunities for next year’s Open on June 6, 2025.

Published: 06-10-2024

Tag Team Tournament Recap

Thank you to the 36 First Tee – Silicon Valley participants who took part in our annual Tag Team tournament on Saturday May 11^th at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. Participants from FTSV teamed up with players from each of the four grade levels for the highly anticipated “Par Wars” Golf Tournament. The essence of the tournament lay not only in the pursuit of victory, but also in the spirit of collaboration and unity that permeated the event. As FTSV participants joined forces with their younger counterparts, a sense of mentorship and mutual respect blossomed, creating a dynamic synergy that propelled teams towards success.

Tag Team Highlights

One of the day’s highlights was the closest to the pin contest on hole 1, where precision and nerve were put to the test. In a display of skill and determination, Joshua Jang from grades 9-12 and James Carlo Vergara from grades 2-4 rose to the challenge, their shots landing with pinpoint accuracy to claim the coveted awards.

As the tournament reached its peak, excitement filled the air, ending in a thrilling conclusion that saw victory bestowed upon deserving teams. In third place, with a total team score of 159, Ella Julian, Jorge Pachuca, Joey Jang, and Bryanna Perez showcased their talent and teamwork, earning well-deserved recognition for their efforts. Earning second place honors with a total team score of 158 were Lorenzo Choto, Antonio Perez, Jesse Jang, and Erik Chavez, whose stellar performance and unwavering resolve propelled them to the podium.

Yet, with a total team score of 141 it was James Carlo Vergara, Benjamin Hughes, Fernando Flores, and Coach Phoenix who emerged as the ultimate victors, their exceptional skill and teamwork propelling them to first place glory. Their triumph symbolizes the power of collaboration and determination, serving as a shining example of what can be achieved when individuals come together as a team.

The Results

Another great thanks to CourseCo for donating a foursome at Deep Cliff as a raffle prize. The winner was James Carlo Vergara!

As we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the Tag Team Golf Tournament, let us also recognize the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that defined the event. In a game where success is measured not only by scores, but also by the bonds forged and memories made, every participant is a winner in their own right. We announced that we had a secret agent scouting the field. Coach Stefan was tasked with finding a participant displaying the best golf etiquette, sportsmanship, and integrity during tournament play. While winning is a great goal, we must never lose ourselves and who we want to be in the heat of competition. Two participants stood out the most and were awarded the sportsmanship award. Congratulations to Adam Rosas and Jared Ibarra for their display of our First Tee – Silicon Valley values and life skills that we instill in every participant that joins our family!

Published: 06-04-2024

First	Last	College
Alexandra	Varo	San Jose State
Amy	Tran	UC San Diego
Salma	Rivera	De Anza College
Shreyas	Nanjanagud	Carnegie Mellon University
JM	Diaz	University of San Diego
Anjali	Kiran	Georgia Tech
Shivam	Maji	Santa Clara University
Kara	Chou	MIT
Joshua	Jang	USC

Meet our Game Changers Participants

Meet Norah

Meet Eduardo

Qualifications to apply for Opportunities

We are thrilled by the acceptance of 9 of our participants…

Meet our Leadership Summit Participants!

All former FTSV participants may join the First Tee alumni group.

Interested in starting our program and taking part in what our seniors experienced?

Preparing for the Future

Learn more about how you can help!

7 to 10 years old division

11 to 14 years old division

What they’re saying about the tournament

Parent University – Game On!

We would like to recognize all the individuals behind our Sponsorships

FTSV 12th Annual OPEN Scramble Winners

Thank you to our Raffle supporters for donating Golf foursome plus carts. Raffles Prize Winners:

1) La Rinconada Country Club – Andrew Beelaard

2) Half Moon Bay Golf Links – Nathan Hamby

3) Almaden Golf & Country Club – Dave Vanoncini

4) Silver Creek Valley Country Club – Ron Hughes

5) Saratoga Country Club – Justin Lee

6) Boulder Ridge Golf Club – ­John Crevelt

7) San Jose Country Club – Rob Sisco

9) Bay Club Football – Steve Guerrero

Thank you to our Live Action Supporters:

Tag Team Highlights

The Results

The FTSV Alumni Club

Questions? Want to sign-up?

6) Boulder Ridge Golf Club – John Crevelt