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On February 23rd, The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted the Girls Golf Emoji Play Day.  Our Girls Golf members played nine holes in the alternate shot format at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course.  With the theme being Emoji golf, the girls were encouraged to use emoji stickers instead of scores to represent how they felt on each hole.  They learned that besides their score, there were other factors to determine what made a golf round enjoyable. “I was playing bad, but I remembered to breathe.  I used my calm emoji sticker for that hole,” shared a Girls Golf member. The event concluded with brunch and crafts where the girls created their own Emoji pillow! Girls Golf Play Days are beneficial events where our female participants enjoy an all-female environment.  Our participants experience a day of empowerment, healthy habits, and an outlet to build positive self-esteem. The next quarterly Girls Golf Play is scheduled for May 11^th.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley(TFTSV) has created a new partnership with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County CORAL afterschool program to offer our DRIVE curriculum to Empire Gardens Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Washington Elementary of San Jose. Other new DRIVE partners for 2019 are Solorsano Middle School and Cesar Chavez Elementary as well as relaunching partner, Downtown College Prep (DCP) Alum Rock Middle School. Our DRIVE program teaches our Nine Core Values and four golf fundamentals through golf activities delivered at the school by their school leaders. Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve and advocate for families and individuals in need. Their afterschool program, CORAL will deliver TFTSV golf and life skills to their participants at the aforementioned schools. Participants will take a series of DRIVE classes located at their school concluding with an end-of-session field trip at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt said, “We appreciate and value the work Catholic Charities and the CORAL afterschool program does with their community in San Jose. We are thrilled to have our golf and life skills curriculum adopted into their enrichment activities to further our outreach goal of Developing Rewarding, Inspiring Values for Everyone (DRIVE)” Solorsano Middle School is a public school located in Gilroy. Cesar Chavez is a Title 1 public elementary located 2 minutes from our affiliated golf course, Rancho Del Pueblo in San Jose. Downtown College Prep (DCP) Alum Rock Middle School is a tuition free public charter school and is the second DCP school to partner with us. “We are grateful for the partnerships built with the City Year team at Cesar Chavez, and with the school staff at Solorsano and DCP Alum Rock. Together we are able to introduce golf to groups over 250 students, many of whom, had not had the opportunity to play golf and learn the life skills intrinsic in the game,” said Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt. The DRIVE program includes 18 activity plans designed in a way that allows for indoor and outdoor set up to fit a variety of locations such as gymnasiums, basketball courts, baseball, football, and soccer fields.  Training, staff support and equipment is provided so anyone can deliver DRIVE regardless of their golf knowledge. To find out if DRIVE will be a good fit for your organization or school, contact our Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt.

The amount of self-confidence a child possesses affects every aspect of his or her educational and personal goals. If a child loses confidence in school, his or her grades will ultimately be affected. When self-confidence suffers, a child may give up on learning new skills and hobbies. They may feel they are unworthy of obtaining their goals or think it is impossible to achieve them. Building confidence in youth can help prevent student dropout rates, ensure kids maintain their love for learning new things, and help them achieve their dreams and goals. There is no question that the relationship between confidence and success is tightly intertwined. The First Tee of Silicon Valley fosters confidence in youth grades 2-12 through our Nine Core Values curriculum. We surround our participants with positive and affirming mentoring that directly impacts their confidence. Confidence plays a key role in the level of play that one achieves. Players can increase confidence in their abilities by being positive and focusing on something they are doing well regardless of the outcome. TFTSV Program Manager, Coach Matt shares a story about a participant developing confidence over the course of two seasons. “The tee shot certification requirement for the Par level is hit 3 out of 6 golf balls at least 75 yards or further. Tyler was not quite ready to complete this requirement so he decided to take extra steps to gain the confidence to demonstrate his readiness. After conversations with him after class and extra practice throughout the season, he was able to confidentially pass this requirement. Tyler let out a joyous reaction after demonstrating his absolute readiness to complete the tee shot. I believe his reaction was amplified because of all the hard work he put in. I’m very proud of Tyler for using perseverance and growth mindset to increase his confidence to succeed. This is a lesson that will stay with him forever.” Consider registering your child in a class, becoming a volunteer or supporting our non-profit youth development organization.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley received a $5,000 grant from Wells Fargo to underwrite the cost of providing our DRIVE educational programs to 2 new Title I schools: Washington Elementary and Cesar Chavez Elementary Schools in San Jose. Denise Miles, Sr. VP of Community Relations said, “Wells Fargo’s long-term success is directly linked to the success of our customers and the communities we serve. We want to contribute to the revitalization of low to moderate communities and recognize the impact The First Tee of Silicon Valley youth development program has on under-served students.” The DRIVE (Develops Rewarding Inspiring Values for Everyone) program builds character and instills life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The First Tee works with experts in a variety of fields to help instructors deliver programs that seamlessly weave golf and character-building activities into each lesson. We train PE teachers and after-school instructors to follow a philosophy centered on positively reinforcing students’ actions to ensure a great experience. Our youth program provides basic information on learning the game of golf as a lifelong health and fitness activity while each lesson emphasizes skills, concepts, healthy habits, and one or more of The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. The First Tee of Silicon Valley, a non-profit public benefit organization, is committed to reaching youth who have the greatest opportunity to benefit from our program. Thank you to Wells Fargo for under-writing the cost of DRIVE training, curriculum and developmentally appropriate SNAG® golf equipment which includes oversized clubs, tennis-style balls, and a variety of targets.

     

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has selected CourseCo to receive the 2019 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship. The GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize “an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf; a contribution that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent’s image as a steward of the land.” “CourseCo’s strong commitment to the environment is a great example for the entire industry,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “They believe in a sustainable turfgrass management, and CourseCo superintendents are supported and encouraged to use sustainable practices and innovative strategies to benefit the environment and their communities.” Starting in Northern California, CourseCo now manages 36 golf courses that are primarily owned by municipalities or counties, which includes Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course.  A core principal of CourseCo is a commitment to environmental enhancement, reduction of resource use and sustainable management practices that benefit the communities they work in. Sustainable turfgrass management is an integral aspect of every evaluation, recommendation and management plan they implement for their clients. “Our environmental focus dates back to our founder Tom Isaak, who attended the first Earth Day,” CourseCo President and CEO Michael Sharp said. “It has flowed from him since day one.” “Winning the President’s Award is extremely rewarding, but it’s really our superintendents who have earned the award,” Sharp said. “They have done the work that reflects our core values. We know we are stewards of these large pieces of land, and it’s our duty and responsibility to consciously maintain them.” “The First Tee of Silicon Valley is proud to have CourseCo as a long-time partner and supporter at Rancho del Pueblo and Los Lagos Golf Courses. This is a well-deserved honor.” said George Maxe, President & CEO, The First Tee of Silicon Valley.

On November 15^th and 16^th TFTSV hosted the first two of eight classes of at SportsHouse in Redwood City. Over 60 free and reduced lunch students were recruited by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League (SAL) and the Redwood City’s Police Activities League (PAL) for the 8-week session November 15^th through January 31^st. PAL officers and staff, along with SAL deputies joined our coaching team to deliver our Life and Golf Skill curriculum in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Each week, students learn one of our Nine Core Values and a golf fundamental through golf games and activities. Funding for program equipment, outreach efforts, and facility rental was provided by the SAGA Foundation led by President, David Bartoshuk. The SAGA Foundation assists nonprofits to work smarter, reach further, and have a lasting impact. Program Manager Chris Moreno-Hunt says, “on behalf of our TFTSV staff we would like to thank The SAGA Foundation, San Mateo Country Sheriff’s Activities League, the Redwood City’s Police Activities League, SportsHouse staff, and the school officials at Taft, Clifford, Connect, Fair Oaks, and Garfield schools. We are grateful to have a team of dedicated partners aligned with the same goal of extending opportunities for youth development.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley was the recipient of a generous $6,000 grant from CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation to underwrite the cost of golf hats for all new participants in 2019. All participants are provided The First Tee of Silicon Valley logoed hats at no charge to wear as part of their class uniform. This is a terrific way to reinforce the importance of proper etiquette, to build community, and to publicize our program. The non-profit CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation was founded in 2004. The foundation’s mission is to expand access to the sport of golf for children of all income levels by directly supporting successful youth golf programs throughout the Santa Clara County. The goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to learn the sport, receive lessons and equipment, practice, compete, and build positive life skills. The Foundation annually awards approximately $100,000 in grants to deserving programs. The foundation is funded through a $50,000 annual contribution from CordeValle Golf Club and raises an additional $50,000 per year through CordeValle’s public charity tournaments. The CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation and The First Tee of Silicon Valley are equally committed to expanding opportunities for youth of all income levels to have access to the sport of golf. Through the discipline and challenge of golf, youth in the Santa Clara County are provided a community with a safe environment and positive life alternatives that build confidence and character, ultimately helping them succeed in our community and in life.

Bring your used clubs to the PGA TOUR Superstore in East Palo Alto on Saturday, February 9th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Collecting used clubs enables The First Tee of Silicon Valley to pursue our mission to impact the lives of under-served youth by providing education programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.  These donations allow us to provide the necessary equipment for those on financial assistance to participate. Bring your used clubs in good condition and less than 10 years old to the PGA TOUR Superstore (1751 East Bayshore Road, East Palo Alto, CA  94303) on Saturday, February 9^th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. We are collecting:

• Clubs: full sets, usable drivers/putters/fairway metals, and iron sets
• New bags, balls, towels, tees and ball markers

We are not able to collect clothing (hats, shoes, socks, jackets) or equipment (pull/push cards, training aids, travel bags, used bags).

Matt Sheppard (Program Manager) and Lam Nguyen (PGATSS)                 George Maxe (President & CEO) and Matt

 

The holiday season is the appropriate time to feature one of the The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits*: Family. As part of our youth development curriculum, The First Tee of Silicon Valley not only teaches youth how to play golf but we promote healthy, active lifestyles and we stress the emotional and social benefits of golf that can also be incorporated into one’s daily life. Family by definition is a group of related (or in some cases, unrelated) people held together by bonds of love and affection. We teach our participants the importance of family support by encouraging them to participate in activities together – share meals, communicate and establish roles and responsibilities. The First Tee stresses with our students that they are more likely to be successful in achieving their health-related goals by involving their family. In addition, when families play golf together, there are a number of social benefits felt by the whole family. Not only are parents spending key quality time with their children, but it provides time to get active for all members of the family, which is crucial – making it a fun activity to take up as a family sport. It is also a great opportunity to socialize with other families and build relationships. Consider registering your child in a class, becoming a volunteer or supporting our non-profit youth development organization. *The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits were created through a collaboration among The First Tee, ANNIKA Foundation and Florida Hospital for Children to promote healthy, active lifestyles for youth.  

“As we join the world in mourning President Bush’s passing, the PGA TOUR and entire golf community share a deep appreciation for all that he meant to our sport. From his love of playing to his selfless dedication and support, golf held a special place for President Bush.” Said Commissioner Tim Finchem of PGA Tour.

George HW Bush was the first Honorary Chairman of The First Tee—the youth outreach program that uses golf to teach life lessons—and promoted The First Tee when it launched in late 1997. “I’m very enthusiastic about The First Tee,” Bush said then, “and I believe it will expand interest in the game. We’ll be uplifting the lives of a lot of kids.” George W. Bush, the 43rd President, succeeded his father as Honorary Chairman in 2011. Former President George HW Bush passed away at his home in Houston, Texas on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at age 94, less than 8 months after his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. Read PGA Tour statement here

New volunteer coaches from Sheriff’s Activities League, Police Activities League, Carlmont High School Golf Team, and staff from neighboring schools, attended a mentor training on November 15^th at SportsHouse in Redwood City. The mentor training is one of the 8 steps we take to help prepare our volunteer coaches to positively develop the character of youth. The 20 volunteer coaches learned about integrating core values, swing cues, and empowering youth into their coaching, “It was enjoyable to hear laughter and see the bonding amongst the coaches as they experienced our golf games and youth development exercises during our activity-based training.” Matt Sheppard (Program Manager). Classes begin on November 29^th, register now!