Category: 2018

Thanks to SJCC for Hosting a Trek!

The First Tee of Silicon Valley would like to thank San Jose Country Club for their welcoming hospitality in hosting one of our Treks. Participants, Rishi and Kelly, were able to play a fun round of golf with Board Director Ben Heben (CFO at Chronicle, an independent company within Alphabet) and Board Ambassador Nicole Hayashi (Investor Relations at Google). The First Tee of Silicon Valley is grateful to be a beneficiary of the Ernie Pieper Santa Clara County Championship held annually at San Jose Country Club.

Thank You, Coach Ashley!

Please join me in thanking Coach Ashley for her hard work and dedication to The First Tee of Silicon Valley and our youth as our Operations Coordinator for Marketing and Program Coordinator.  Her last day on our staff was Thursday, February 22nd.  Ashley coordinated many of our events, including Girls Golf, community events and the Family Fiesta. She made a big impact on the participants she coached and events that she coordinated. Thank you, Ashley! — George Maxe, Executive Director
Biggest thank you to my entire TFTSV family! Thank you to George and the team for giving me the opportunity to give back to this wonderful organization and to get my feet underneath me after graduation. Thank you to every Coordinator, Instructor, and Volunteer for the constant support and source of laughter. And thank you to all my kiddos and their families for welcoming me into their lives as a coach and bringing me so much joy every Saturday.  🙂  Lots of love, Coach Ashley
Coach Ashley was recently featured as an Alumni of The First Tee.  Read the article here

Welcome, Chris & Lina!

Please join The First Tee of Silicon Valley in welcoming Chris & Lina! Chris Moreno-Hunt joins us as Program Manager.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Pitzer College where he played on the golf team for four years, earning awards for First-Team All-League and the Jesse Clark Sportsmanship award. Prior to joining TFTSV, Chris was the Program Manager at the The First Tee of the East Bay for six years. He was also the Head Golf Coach for the Albany High School men’s and women’s teams coaching the men to their first league title in 45 years. Chris also taught golf at Tilden Park Golf Course as a lead instructor for their Nike Jr. Golf Camp, and Jr. Golf Academies. Learn more about Chris from the Q&A below. Q: Why did you get involved with The First Tee of Silicon Valley? A: In my six years with The First Tee I have enjoyed working with coaches, volunteers, and schools to deliver a unique program that promotes positive character development in ways that few other programs do. I am excited for the opportunity to continue delivering the First Tee curriculum and getting to know the Silicon Valley community. Q: What is your favorite Core Value and why? A: Courtesy.  Being polite and considerate of others should be something we do not have to think about–it should be an impulse. When we operate with inherent courtesy we create an environment of empathy.  Empathy will in turn help us understand each other and through understanding comes positive change. Q: What do you look forward most about your new role as Program Manager? A:  I look forward to building relationships and strengthening our partnerships with the Silicon Valley community. I have heard wonderful things about the community and I am excited to find new ways to expand our reach, particularly in underserved areas. Q: Do you have any hobbies? A: I play league soccer, indoor badminton, and enjoy plucking away at the Ukulele. Q: Is there anything else you’d like The First Tee of Silicon Valley community to know about you? A: When I was first introduced to golf I had no idea how much it would shape me as a person. I believe in the 9 Core Values and I try to live by them every day of my life. I care about others and would like nothing more than to help others experience the joy and the life lessons this game has offered me.   Lina Peña-Herrera joined our team as Operations Assistant in February. Lina habla Español.  She will be working closely with our outreach program and the Latino community. Learn more about Lina from the Q&A below. Q: Why did you get involved with The First Tee of Silicon Valley? A: Because we wanted our children to be involved in a youth program that combines not only sports practice but also the teaching of core values. After a long time asking for info on different sport programs, we found that TFTSV had just what we were looking for. Today, after being involved in this wonderful program for more than four and half years, we can state TFTSV was our best decision ever. Q: What have you learned about yourself while being a volunteer with our chapter? A: I found out that is very rewarding helping other participant families in TFTSV to fulfill their expectations of the program and, at the same time, get involved in my children’s activities. All of that makes me feel happier and more productive. Q: What is your favorite Core Value and why? A: Perseverance. Because I never stop working to achieve my goals and dreams. No matter what how difficult it is, I just keep moving. Q: What do you look forward most about your new role as Operations Assistant? A: I want to let my community know that through golf we can help our children develop their sport and life skills. Also, I want more children to come to our program, take advantage of the opportunity to share with other children, and understand through the game each value applied. Q: Do you have any hobbies? A: Crafting and travel to new places with my family. Q: Is there anything else you’d like The First Tee of Silicon Valley community to know about you? A: I enjoy teaching Spanish, volunteering at my church and working with the staff, couches and volunteers at TFTSV.  

Are you a Caddy Club Member?

Judy Dixon, our Development Director, asks, “Are you a Caddy Club member?” Donors that have given gifts of $250 or more as part of our 2017 Year-End or have given in 2018, you are now a member of the Caddy Club, our annual giving recognition program.  Please watch your mail for a small token of our appreciation and display your bag tag and magnet proudly. We appreciate your generous financial support to continue shaping youth into high quality adults and to keep our classes affordable. More than 50% of our current class costs (>$250) are covered by contributions keeping class fees affordable. And more than 25% of our participants require full financial aid to even cover the $160 class fee. Your generosity provides opportunity and results. If you are not yet a member of our Caddy Club for this year, please visit our website to learn more about our multiple levels of Caddy Club Annual Giving and see the impact you can have by underwriting a participant(s) as they progress through our five class levels of certification. The Caddy Club levels include:
DIAMOND = $250,000
Your donation covers the full cost of 100 participants from 1st through 12th grade (10 sessions).
PLATINUM = $100,000
Your donation covers the full cost of five classes of 20 participants for two sessions.
GOLD = $50,000
Your donation covers the full cost of five classes of 20 participants for one session.
SILVER = $25,000
Your donation covers the full cost of 10 participants from 1st through 12th grade (10 sessions).
BRONZE = $10,000
Your donation covers the full cost of two classes of 20 participants for one session.
 Black = $5,000
Your donation covers the full cost of a class of 20 participants for one session.
Blue = $2,500
Your donation covers the full cost of 1 participant from 1st through 12th grade (10 sessions).
White = $1,000
Your donation covers the full cost of 4 participants for one session.
Red = $500
Your donation covers the full cost of 1 participant for one session.
Green = $250
Your donation covers the full cost of 1 participant for one session.