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Life is not easy, especially when one fails, it seems obvious to put our heads down and quit. You feel defeated and it’s hard to generate self-belief. At The First Tee Silicon Valley we teach and practice perseverance because we know in order to succeed, you must learn from your past experiences. Whether that be little mistakes or big failures, you decide to be successful by living and learning and committing to your goals. Perseverance means to persist an idea, purpose or task despite any obstacles and what better way to show this than to tell the story of Ryan Rankin, a former The First Tee Silicon Valley participant. Rankins has such passion for golf and has since he began playing at age eleven. He played as a young boy and eventually competed on his varsity golf team all four years of high school. Recruited by UCSD for their men’s golf team, he was excited and thankful for the opportunity to play for the school’s strong golf program and elite education following his high school career. Although, unbeknownst to Rankin, when he arrived at the University in the fall, he was cut from the team. Unlike most people in this situation, Rankin decided to make a decision that would impact his life in so many ways. He set a goal that included doing whatever it took to prove the coach he was worthy of playing for the team. This included creating relationships with all coaches and players and showing up to the team’s driving range practices an hour before and not leaving until the last person had gone home. Rankin was not giving up on his dream of becoming an NCAA athlete. He worked too hard and enjoyed the game too much to fall down and quit. Fast forwarding through lots of hard work and dedication, it was his sophomore year and it was time to try out for the golf team once again. Rankin was confident that he put in enough time to finally make the team. However, he was denied a spot on the team. Despite the fact that Rankin was turned down for a second year in a row, he fought the urge to feel defeated and made another strong decision to persevere and commit to his goal of making the UCSD golf team! After another year of hard work and determination, he remained confident as he entered his junior year tryout. After two years, Rankin finally secured a spot on the UCSD golf team and was able to call himself an NCAA athlete. Rankin is one example of someone who shows great perseverance. You just have to lead confidently, think big and believe in yourself! Refusing to give up or let go is one huge accomplishment you can give yourself. Knowing you’ve overcome obstacles in your life can be very rewarding. The First Tee of Silicon Valley teaches our participants perseverance because it can help them to be successful in any aspect of their lives.

The grand opening for Bayland Golf Links was officially on Saturday, May 26th, capping off a week of festivities. Baylands is the newly renovated Palo Alto Muni, which went under reconstruction in 2016. The First Tee of Silicon Valley’s President & CEO, George Maxe, was on hand for the ribbon cutting by City of Palo Alto Mayor Kniss, who was joined by Council Members, Deputy City Manager, Rob de Geus, and architect, Forest Richardson. The First Tee of Silicon Valley began holding its life skills classes at Palo Alto Muni in 2010. When construction began in 2016, classes moved to The Golf Club at Moffett Field, which had recently been leased by Google and operated by OB Sports. Now OB Sports is also the operator at Baylands, which will be especially good for The First Tee of Silicon Valley as we return with classes there this summer. On Friday, May 25th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley’s Program Manager, Matt Sheppard, and George Maxe played Baylands for the first time as part of a special outing. There is a dramatic and positive difference between the playing experience of Baylands now versus Palo Alto Muni in the past. Matt Sheppard said, “The course has a whole new, fresh look with a few holes that are kindly reminiscent of the old Palo Alto Muni. The Pure Select bentgrass and Platinum TE Paspalum presented great lies and fun challenges throughout the undulating greens. I appreciate Forest Richardson’s attention to detail throughout the course. Well done, Forest!” A very special guest, good friend, and former Board Member of The First Tee of Silicon Valley, Grant Spaeth, showed up for Baylands’ grand opening. Grant is a former USGA President, player on the Stanford Men’s Golf Team, and Attorney for Cooley-Goddard. He has been a huge fan of Palo Alto Muni, not to mention advocate for all public golf, for decades. He played and practiced at Palo Alto Muni regularly throughout his career. George Maxe said, “It was terrific to see Grant at Baylands’ grand opening. I admire him enormously for what he has done for public golf, but more importantly, for his exemplary character. What a wonderful man he is!” Matt Sheppard, Grant Spaeth, George Maxe, Ralph Kho

Consider attending the PGA Golf Clinics for Women on Monday, August 20th at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. The First Tee of Silicon Valley will be there to welcome attendees and share about our programs. This action-packed day will include personalized instruction, play and assessments from PGA Professionals, breakfast, lunch, and a networking reception! The PGA Clinics were created to provide women the confidence to enter into the world of business and to make them more comfortable in previously male-dominated settings. The clinics are focused on empowering women and helping lead them to be more successful on and off the golf course. To improve your golf skills, as a sport and a business tool, is just one of the ways this movement is sweeping the nation. The nationwide series is led by PGA of America in partnership with Jane Blalock, a 27-time winner of the LPGA tour.   Change Your Game in Just One Day PGA Golf Clinics for Women is the only nationwide series led by PGA and LPGA certified teaching professionals dedicated to empowering women and their careers through the game of golf. If you want to get better, learn from the best – PGA Golf Clinics for Women. Sign up now for your spot in the full-day Clinic coming to the San Francisco area on Monday, August 20.

• Openings Still Available
• Held at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club
• Full Day clinic from 7:45am to 5:00pm.
• Participants receive skills instruction, on-course play and networking opportunities
• National sponsors include MetLife, Fidelity Investments, KPMG, Mondelez International, Chobani, PING, Titleist, Cutter & Buck, FOPE and Golf Digest
• Register now online at www.PGAClinicsForWomen.com

  PGA Clinic Palo Alto Flyer A video showing a typical clinic day from start to finish. In this video you will hear quotes from Jane Blalock, teachers and participants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=K2y6iFEppfA  

On Saturday, May 19^th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley collaborated with Sports for Learning and Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) for their Parent University Family Fun Day.  Rancho del Pueblo golf course was transformed into a community center with multiple stations where parents and children were able to play games using golf basics.  They played foot golf, putting games, target games with balloons, pools, hoops, etc.  Carnival games, soccer, face painting and a resource fair were also part of the fun. More than 400 parents, children, and community members from ARUSD came to the event.  Many of them had never been to the golf course before.  “It was such a pleasure to see so many kids on the golf course having fun” said Chris Moreno-Hunt, TFTSV Program Manager Norma Flores, ARUSD’s organizer of the event, said “…A heartfelt special thanks to the entire The First Tee of Silicon Valley team for a job well done Saturday at our Spring Parent University. Kids, Parents and Community members had fun with all golf, soccer and carnival games. It is such a joy to work with such a dedicated team!  Yes, we deliver excellence! A total of 422 in attendance!

Open House at San Jose Country Club On April 27, 2018 two members of The First Tee of Silicon Valley Board of Directors, J. Ernesto Moreno and Ben Heben, hosted friends at an Open House to promote and introduce The First Tee of Silicon Valley.  Ryan Rankin and Robby Keith spoke about the impact The First Tee has had on their lives as participants.  Robby continues to be involved as a current Life Skills coach.

Open House at Silver Creek Valley Country Club On May 3, 2018 four members of The First Tee of Silicon Valley Board of Directors & Ambassadors, Greg Staszko, John Ritchie, Thao Dang, and Baiba Scott hosted friends at an Open House to promote and introduce The First Tee of Silicon Valley.  Robby Keith and Isabel Suizo spoke about the impact The First Tee has had on their lives as current and past participants.  Isabel Suizo was recently named a The First Tee Scholar.

Open Houses are designed to further educate people about The First Tee of Silicon Valley and encourage support through advocating, volunteering, or donating.   In addition to hearing testimonials, guests enjoyed a video overview and had an opportunity for a Q&A with Executive Director, George Maxe.  If you would like to host an Open Houses of your own, please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon, at [email protected].  

On Sunday, April 29th Coach Alan and his DCP Alum Rock golfstars, who also take class at The First Tee of Silicon Valley, attended the LPGA Mediheal Championship at Lake Merced Golf Club.  For Coach Alan and his golfers this was the first time they had seen professional golf in action and the experience was chalked full of teachable moments. Watching these elite golfers served as reminder that even pros still embrace the concepts of sportsmanship, judgment, perseverance, along with courtesy.  Coach Alan was very pleased to see his golfstars pick up on these lessons being played out in front of them during the tournament.  One of their favorite moments throughout the day was watching the golfers and caddies talk over their current shot and what strategies they would employ.  This was a living example of judgment being played out. Alex enjoyed the tournament for how it showed him the numerous career options that are associated to the game of golf.  He saw that he didn’t necessarily have to be a professional golfer to work in a tournament.  He could become a caddie, a marshall, a scorekeeper, and even a greenskeeper.  All of these positions are integral to golf tournaments happening. It was a great experience to see these top golfers compete against each other in a respectful way. Coach Alan and his golfers look forward to enjoying other local professional tournaments and classes at The First Tee of Silicon Valley in the near future.

One of 32 selected to attend the annual event held in Richmond, Va. June 12-17 Thai Hoang from The First Tee of Silicon Valley has been selected to attend The First Tee National Par-3 Championship held at The Kanawha Club in Richmond, VA, June 12–17. Hoang was selected for The First Tee National Par-3 Championship through a national application process. Applicants that met the participation criteria were reviewed by a national committee that scored based on essays, involvement with The First Tee and letters of recommendation.

  Hoang is one of 32 teen participants—16 boys and 16 girls—from The First Tee selected to play in the 36-hole individual stroke play competition. At the conclusion of the 36 holes, a male and female Par-3 Champion will be determined. In addition to the golf experience, kids will participate in fun activities that incorporate The First Tee’s Nine Core Values, and other life skills learned through its programs and the game. Teens will also experience dorm living during their stay on campus at the University of Richmond. Thai is a Junior at Willow Glen High School in San Jose.  He has been an active member of The First Tee of Silicon Valley since 2010 and recently received Ace certification, which is the highest level of achievement in the program. Thai gives back by coaching younger participants.