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The First Tee of Silicon Valley is excited to begin classes in Redwood City this upcoming Winter season! We are coordinating with Redwood City Department of Parks & Rec, Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL), Redwood City School District, and San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League (SAL). Both PAL and SAL have begun delivering The First Tee DRIVE program in Redwood City and North Fair Oaks schools. SAL efforts, in particular, are for their Pete Liebengood Junior Golf Program. TFTSV’s entry in to southern San Mateo County is part of our plan to expand our presence at the new Baylands Golf Links (formerly Palo Alto Muni) and to reach many more low income youth. TFTSV is very grateful to the SAGA Foundation for its generous grant to help make all of this possible.  

Bring your used clubs to the PGA TOUR Superstore in East Palo Alto on Saturday, November 10th from 11am to 3pm. Collecting used clubs enables The First Tee of Silicon Valley to pursue our mission to impact the lives of young people by providing education programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Bring your used clubs to the PGA TOUR Superstore (1751 East Bayshore Road, East Palo Alto, CA  94303) on Saturday, November 10^th from 11AM to 3PM and receive a $20 off/$60 PGATSS coupon.

• Club donations: full sets, usable drivers/putters/fairway metals, golf bags, and iron sets
• Club donors will receive $20OFF$60 (PGATSS coupon)

The First Tee of Silicon Valley believes positive youth development happens through a meaningful, quality relationship between the coach and participant. Mentor coaches are critical to ensuring our participants have an optimum and enjoyable learning environment. Therefore, we are always looking for high quality volunteers to serve as mentor coaches. The First Tee works with experts in a variety of fields to help coaches deliver programs that seamlessly weave golf and character-building activities into each lesson. Our coaches follow a philosophy centered on positively reinforcing a child’s actions and ensuring a great experience. As a child progresses through The First Tee’s programs, the activities and life lessons become more involved, helping her/him build character and become even more equipped to make good choices on and off the golf course. TFTSV Coaching Philosophy We believe that positive youth development happens through a meaningful, quality relationship between the coach and participant. Young people do not care what a coach knows until they know a coach cares. This philosophy is implemented through four building blocks. Activity-Based Doing versus telling  (create experience-based learning environments; seamless delivery of life skills within golf activities) Mastery-Driven Seek challenging tasks that help develop new skills  (balance the focus on process versus outcome) Empower Youth Young people actively participate in the decision-making process  (develop positive relationships and take a student-centered approach) Continuous Learning Foster long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes  (engage young people in feedback and identify coachable moments) Coaching is a very rewarding experience. Click here for an application to be considered. Onboarding steps must be completed by November 15^th to coach the Winter Session (Dec-Feb).

On September 30th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley brought 36 TFTSV DRIVE participants on a bus trip to the 2018 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Course. TFTSV participants, who were mostly from our outreach efforts in the Alum Rock Unified School District in East San José, took part in the Chevron STEM Zone and learned how science, technology, engineering, and math impacts golf. They also cheered on our 4 local chapter teens: Linette Jun, Calton Kong, Erica Lam & Kelly Yu who were selected to compete in the official PGA TOUR Champions event September 24-30. What an inspiration for the field trip students to observe how the efforts of our high -school, Eagle certified participants earned them the coveted spot to play along-side professional and amateur golfers in a nationally televised event. After watching the golf tournament, they returned to Rancho del Pueblo to hit range balls and turn their inspiration into action! TFTSV sends a special thank you to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation http://www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org/ for providing the grant which allowed us to cover transportation to and from Pebble Beach and participate in the Chevron STEM Zone. TFTSV will be piloting its own STEM classes to Birdie level participants this Winter. Elective classes for Par, Birdie, Eagle and Ace will begin in the Spring of 2019. TFTSV’s STEM curriculum will integrate The First Tees’s nine golf fundamentals with developmentally appropriate STEM concepts.

The Silicon Valley Business Travel Association (SVBTA) named The First Tee of Silicon Valley their charity beneficiary for the third year in a row and made a generous $2,000 donation. The 24^th annual tournament of business leaders responsible for the purchase of annual travel services exceeding $1Billion was held on Monday, September 24^th at Silver Creek Valley Country Club. Tournament Director, Chris Suarez said, “We are happy to give back to a non-profit that introduces youth to the game of golf while teaching them life skills”. Robby Keith, former participant and current instructor, delivered a powerful speech to the 200 members. He shared how the TFTSV program embraced, educated and empowered him to become the person he is today. Robby joined the program when he was 7 years old and graduated Ace certified in 2015. He is proud to be a role model and enjoys giving back as a mentor.

It’s easy!  While you’re carving your Halloween pumpkins, think about carving out space in your garage and donate your vehicle to The First Tee of Silicon Valley. Whether you give a car, truck, boat, motorcycle, or RV, we make it easy — and the pick-up is free for any vehicle you give. Our partner Donor Representatives are available seven days a week to walk you through the process from start to finish. Call 855-500-RIDE (7433) or go to our Vehicle Donation page so you can schedule your free pick-up in time for a sweet 2018 tax deduction. Running or not, spooky or not — your generous donation will be a much-needed treat!  Learn More

Board Ambassador, Dave Cook hosted 30 fellow Saratoga Country Club members at an Open House on Sept. 27, 2018 to promote and introduce The First Tee of Silicon Valley. Thai Hoang, a Senior at Willow Glen High School and Ace Participant, spoke about the impact the program has had on his life over the last 8 years.  He concluded his speech by saying, “ I came to The First Tee of Silicon Valley to play golf and ended up learning so much more than golf, like the life lessons and giving back to the community. I definitely feel blessed to be part of ‘The First Tee Family’. I have a go-to team for life, and in return, I do my best to support my family when I can.” In addition to hearing a participant testimonial, guests enjoyed hearing how Dave got involved in TFTSV starting as a volunteer coach and then joining the Board in 2015. The evening also included watching the “More Than A Game” video and guests had an opportunity for a Q&A with Executive Director, George Maxe. It was a very attentive and supportive group that all left with their Masters raffle tickets with high hopes that they will be headed to Augusta. Open Houses are designed to further educate people about The First Tee of Silicon Valley and encourage support through advocating, volunteering, or donating. If you would like to host an Open Houses of your own, please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon, at [email protected].

The First Tee of Silicon Valley was pleased to participate in, and support the 11th annual Peter Pabst, S.J Legacy Golf Tournament benefiting Sacred Heart Nativity Schools and Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School, held on September 24^th, 2018. All of the tournament proceeds go towards helping Sacred Heart Nativity School and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School break the cycle of poverty through education. Sacred Heart operates largely as a tuition-free private school serving low-income youth in San José, and Cristo Rey Jesuit empowers students from underserved communities to be accomplished leaders committed to a lifelong pursuit of learning, faith, and justice. 98% of their funding comes from individual donors and from events like the Peter Pabst Legacy Golf Tournament. The First Tee of Silicon Valley is proud to be a tee sponsor for the tournament and pleased to be a partner with Sacred Heart Nativity School through the delivery of our in-school DRIVE program.

On Tuesday, September 18th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley participated in the Alum Rock Unified District‘s Back to School Night. Over 500 attendees from families across the Alum Rock School District attended the event which included student performances and information on local community service organizations and resources. The First Tee of Silicon Valley set up an informational booth for students, parents, and guardians to find out more about our in-school and after school programs. Students and families were also able to try golf using our DRIVE equipment. “Thank you Alum Rock Unified School District for inviting and including us in your community network,” said Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are proud to serve their students and be a positive influence in their community.”

On Tuesday, September 18th, Sacred Heart Nativity School implemented The First Tee of Silicon Valley’s DRIVE program for the first time in the 2018/19 school year. Located in San José, Sacred Heart Nativity School provides a transformative tuition-free middle school education to low-income youth. This week over 100 Sacred Heart students will play golf as a part of their PE class and explore how to show respect for others, themselves, and their surroundings through golf. Tuesday marks the first of 18 DRIVE classes taught by the school’s physical educators. “We are excited to partner with Sacred Heart Nativity School,” said Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “Golf is not always the most accessible sport, but with DRIVE being delivered at their school, their students can enjoy the sport and learn the intrinsic core values associated with the game at no cost.”

The First Tee of Silicon Valley recently added three new Directors to our Board. Board Directors vote, provide planning, performance, legal and financial oversight and raise sufficient funds to ensure TFTSV’s success. Steve Guerrero, Jr. has over 20 years of business development experience and is currently working at Western Digital in Enterprise Sales. Steve is most proud of his humanitarian work through the non-profit organizations he has been affiliated with including the Role Model Program and Boy Scouts of America SCC. He joined the TFTSV as a Board Director in June 2018. Frank Wilde is a seasoned executive and management consultant with a track record of success in software development, marketing strategy, and customer loyalty; and is currently working in SAP’s Global Center of Excellence division as the Sr. Director. Frank enjoys community service and philanthropy by serving his 24^th year on the Executive Board for Habitat for Humanity San Francisco.  He joined TFTSV in 2017 as an Ambassador and was asked to become a Director in August of 2018. Steve Almassy, Jr. is a retired Partner from EY after an impressive 41-year career and continues to serve as an Industry Global Vice Chair. Steve is an Advisory Board Member for Worldwide Women and SCU Leavey School of Business. He joined TFTSV as a Board Director in August of 2018. In addition to three new Directors, The First Tee of Silicon Valley added one new Ambassador.  TFTSV’s Board Ambassadors give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand TFTSV’s network throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Reka Mishara specializes in Hands On Technology Program Management, Global Business Operations and is a Transformation Leader. She is currently working in the Center of Excellence division of Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group as the Enterprise Program Management Officer.  She has been very involved at the non-profit PMI and is very passionate about the Women in Leadership Initiative, driving diversity and mentorship. Reka joined TFTSV Board as an Ambassador in August 2018.