Our 4th Annual Challenge Cup returns on Friday, December 2nd with 4 Country Clubs participating*. It is an inclusive and friendly challenge between golf clubs benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley to help us grow the game of golf while building game changers in our community. It is an opportunity for golf clubs to demonstrate their philanthropic spirit of giving back to a non-profit closely associated with their favorite past time.
The head-to-head challenge matchups competing for this year’s Challenge Cup are: Sharon Heights vs Menlo and La Rinconada vs Almaden
The aggregate of Top 24 scores from each club determines their team score. The team scores will be compared to rival club to determine each match up club winner. The team with highest overall score among ALL clubs is declared winner of the 4th Annual Challenge Cup Perpetual Trophy! Past winners are: 2021 Almaden, 2020 La Rinconada, and 2019 Sharon Heights.
Along with Silver Creek and San Jose, these same country clubs raised $54,000 last year and a total of $236,000 over the last 3 years. The donations from the Challenge Cup will allow us to create a sense of belonging for all kids – no matter what walk of life. It will help us build the strength of character that empowers kids through a lifetime of new challenges by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills.
Click here for member registration or anyone can donate as non-player to support a team.
If your golf club wants to challenge another club, Contact Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton to get started 408-508-4881 – [email protected].
FTSV makes learning fun with opportunities for participants to apply what was learned. For example, in school science classes participants need lab experiments to bring theory and make it reality. We learn how to cook, not only by reading a recipe, but through applying the recipes and through trial and error. We learn to ride a bike by getting on the bike and falling. Doing a lab experiment, making food, and riding a bike is more fun, engaging, and memorable, which translates into long lasting learning. Similarly, FTSV encourages participants to learn our life and golf skill curriculum through application, play, and reflection, as opposed to memorizing.
Our goal is to make education fun and interactive. To make our lessons fun and interactive requires our staff to be creative with the games that we play. It also involves enthusiasm from our team of coaches. Fortunately, in our most recent survey, 98% of participants said they had fun, 97% said their coaches helped them improve their golf skills, and 94% said their coaches helped them improve their life skills.
This winter we look forward to having another fun season of games that tie in life lessons and golf skill development. Our winter season registration opened to the public on November 3rd. By the end of the first day of registration, over 300 participants registered for a class. Currently, there are a few spaces still remaining for the season beginning on November 29th and ending February 4th (with two weeks off on December 20th through December 31st.) Click here to register and here to view the schedule.
FTSV’s classes take place at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, and Gavilan Golf Course in Gilroy. We encourage youth 2nd grade and above to join our program and help spread the word.
“A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life,” said 7- time national coach of the year winner, John Wooden. Becoming a coach is a big responsibility, but a potentially rewarding opportunity. For coaches to be successful they need to care about their students, they need to adapt to their students, and they need to be present. This year we had over 100 volunteer coaches and 34 paid instructors dedicate their time to help others build character and improve golf skills. Many of our coaches have been with us year after year, season after season, and it is this commitment and continuity that has helped thousands of participants over the years.
On Saturday, November 5th, FTSV hosted an event to celebrate and appreciate our coaches’ commitment to the program. Over 35 adult coaches attended the event. We had a BBQ, games, and activities for the coaches to enjoy and take part in together.
“This event is hopefully one of many appreciative events in the future,” said Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are fortunate to have a team of coaches who care, and who are positive-minded people. It is a privilege to work with all of them.”
First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV), in collaboration with First Green of Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) hosted a Go Green, an environmental education event, at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course on November 5th. 30 FTSV participants took part in a fun STEM-based learning event with 5 interactive demonstrations, followed by a pizza reception.
Station number 1 explored golf course management by fixing and replacing a golf hole in the putting green, using a stimpmeter to determine the speeds of the green, and learning how to repair the greens.
Station 2 performed experiments on water conservation while participants explored underground water content in different areas of the golf course using a special machine.
Station 3 tested different soils showing the impact they have on grass and watering.
Station 4 explored hydrogen bonds, adhesion, cohesion, and capillary action and its relation to water.
Station 5 involved participants building bird houses that will be placed on the golf course.
First Green is an innovative environmental and STEM education outreach program using golf courses as environmental learning labs. Senior Agronomist from CourseCo, Gary Ingram, led a team of superintendents from all over Northern California and collaborated with FTSV staff to bring the event to our participants. “We’re excited to see Go Green return to our schedule of community day events, especially in partnership with CourseCo.” said FTSV President & CEO, George Maxe. “We anticipate quarterly community days at Rancho del Pueblo beginning with this recent Go Green event to serve Rancho’s local residents neighborhoods.”
First Tee – Silicon Valley recently elected Sarah Andrea Brenholz to our Board of Directors.
Andrea has worked at ATR International for almost 16 years in the staffing and recruiting industry and has been overseeing the entire business strategy as CEO/President since September 2018.
Outside of her position as head of ATR, she enjoys serving as a mentor to and voice for women and minorities looking to excel in staffing, for which she was named one of Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2018 Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing.
Andrea aims to increase awareness of STEM subjects to the area’s girls and young women, and to give back to the community that serves as ATR’s home. She shared that she has always been passionate about philanthropy, and she encourages her team to use ATR’s Volunteering Time Off policy to help make a positive impact on all those we meet at ATR and beyond.
Andrea played college golf at UC – Santa Cruz. She loves golf and believes it gives you a leg up due to great business opportunities. She has a passion to introduce golf to more women and kids so they can have the same opportunity. In addition to joining the FTSV board, she will also be joining our volunteer coaching staff.
Andrea is a great addition to our FTSV Board Directors. Director responsibilities include voting, providing planning, performance, legal and financial oversight and raising sufficient funds to ensure FTSV’s success. Click here to meet all our Board Members. Contact Judy Dixon if you have interest in learning more about our volunteer Board opportunities.
First Tee – Silicon Valley recently elected Mike Kenyon, DJ Wheeler and Tiffany Sparks as Board Ambassadors.
Mike Kenyon grew up in the Los Gatos-Saratoga area attending Saint Francis High School. He ventured to the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned his Business degree and his leadership earned him a football assistant coaching position. Mike returned home and began his Real Estate training with Keller Williams Realty where he was recognized as #1 new agent in the world in 2014. He moved over to Compass Los Gatos in 2019. Mike is a not only a diehard golfer, but also passionate about the youth development aspects of First Tee. He understands how hard work gets things done, and there is no substitute for effort. He is also a recent member at Almaden Golf & Country Club.
Tiffany Sparks has worked in Marketing High Tech as a Senior Director in the Bay Area for 25 years. She received her BA from University of Pennsylvania and also attended Yale School of Management receiving a Fostering Inclusion and Diversity credential and attended Univ of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Education receiving a Leading with Data and Analytics credential. She is married and has 2 college-aged daughters. She was attracted to FTSV mission of being open and welcoming to kids from all backgrounds. Tiffany is a member at Sliver Creek Valley Country Club where she serves as a board member on the ladies group.
DJ Wheeler grew up in the Alum Rock area and is both a Bellarmine and Santa Clara University graduate. After graduating in 2010, he went to work at PwC in Assurance and earned his CPA license. He left for a brief job at Apple but returned to Assurance and is now a Director. DJ is married and has 2 young children. He has played golf his whole life with his dad. Prior to college, he worked at Pruneridge for 7 years and taught junior lessons. DJ will also be volunteering as a FTSV coach starting in the Winter Season. He shared what resonates most with him about our mission is the progression levels being impactful so no one ages out and kids can grow with our program. He relates with the idea of using golf to teach life/soft skills as a great way to build relationships.
Board Ambassadors give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Click here to meet all our Board Members. Contact Judy Dixon if you have interest in learning more about a volunteer Board opportunity.
Leadership, engagement and fundraising are key to First Tee – Silicon Valley’s sustainability and success. Consider being part of a volunteer Board Ambassador program that believes youth development makes a difference.
You are the right person for this role if you are passionate about supporting and advocating for our mission to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf.
Ambassadors represent the diverse interests, needs and concerns of the constituency we serve in the underserved communities within our service area which spans from the southern city of Hollister to Milpitas in the East Bay to Southern San Mateo on the Mid-Peninsula.
Ambassador Attributes include:
Diversity which embodies all the differences of the kids we serve
Modeling The First Tee Code of Conduct and “Respect for Our Organization”
Reflection of high standards of conduct in their professional and public lives
Outreach into golf clubs, professional associations, corporate hierarchies and personal networks
Willingness to make a difference to the lives of our youth constituents
Ambassador Role is to give advice, assist with projects, represent the organization in the community at events, help raise funds, and expand FTSV’s network. Many of our Ambassadors also choose to serve as volunteer coaches so they can directly mentor our youth and make a positive difference as a role model. Visit our volunteer page to learn more.
Complete the volunteer form to get started as an Ambassador and/or Coach. We look forward to getting to know you through our interview and our on-boarding process which includes background checks, Safesport training and mission-program training.
Click here to meet all our Staff, Coaches and Board Members.
KRTY.com (San Jose Country Station*) held its 2nd Annual Justin Moore Charity Golf Tournament on September 20th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club benefitting First Tee – Silicon Valley and awarded our program a $24,000 donation.
The event sponsored by DGDG featured over 120 golfers including country star Justin Moore and Matt Stell, KRTY personalities Gary Scott Thomas and Nate Deaton, and local Sharks broadcast veteran Randy Hahn. The day was full of fun and generosity! The dinner kicked off with a 4-song acoustic performance by Justin Moore followed by raffle drawings, live auction bidding, and golf awards and wrapped up with a 4-song acoustic performance by Matt Stell.
Nate Deaton, KRTY’s General Manager, said “This is what our local legendary station does best – connecting celebrities to a community benefit! When Justin asked me two years ago to put together a charity event for the local community, I knew the First Tee had to be a part of it. I have seen firsthand from coaching the impact this non-profit has on kids teaching them golf and life skills. We are looking forward to next year’s event in 2023!”
FTSV is very appreciative to have Nate Deaton as a longtime supporter since our inception in 2005. As someone who started playing golf at age 5, he has been a great advocate for our mission of empowering kids and teens through the game of golf because it was an integral part of his personal development.
*Country station KRTY formally heard on 95.3 can still be heard by going to KRTY.com and downloading the streaming app or can be played on any third-party streaming device.
Pictured left to right – Cinnabar’s Nick Starr, KRTY’s Gary Scott Thomas, Country Artist Justin Moore, FTSV’s George Maxe and Judy Deaton, Country Artist Matt Stell, KRTY’s Nate Deaton and Jamie Jackson, Sony Music’s Josh Easler, Aubri Brown Club’s Ami and Curtis Brown (also charity recipient) and Cinnabar’s Adam Schiro.
First Tee – Silicon Valley Ace participant and volunteer coach, Franky Sumcad, placed third at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. She and her senior professional golfer, Rod Pampling, shot 19 under par for the three rounds at the world-famous Pebble Beach and Spyglass Golf Links.
Franky was one of 81 top First Tee golfers from around the country selected to participate in this official PGA TOUR Champions event. The PURE Insurance Championship paired one First Tee junior with a PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs.
“PURE was an amazing experience,” said Franky. “Especially since I am generally a more reserved person, I was surprised by how much it showed that I genuinely loved playing golf and playing on such a big stage. I surprised myself and learned a lot of new things in part to everyone there. My excitement from the week spilled over into the car ride home and I talked my parents’ ears off the entire way. “
Congratulations Franky!
Interested in joining Franky and other FTSV participants in our First Tee classes? Please check out our youth classes page. Our fall program has started, but registration for the winter season will open November 3rd.
The SVB Foundation recently awarded FTSV a $10,000 grant to underwrite financial assistance for 72 underserved participants. This allows these youth access to an 8-week life and golf skills class taught by mentors providing a safe, positive, welcoming and nurturing experience. The funds will help us to continue to serve a diverse population of youth regardless of background especially those experiencing the opportunity gap prevalent in Silicon Valley
The SVB Foundation is currently focusing on partnering with employees who regularly volunteer to award grants to non-profit organizations that are most passionate about. Reka Mishra, SVB Executive, Finance – Chief Officer and Head of Strategy was recruited to join FTSV’s Board in 2019 to be instrumental in providing leadership in the areas of STEM Programming and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Reka shared, “I was drawn to their mission to develop youth throughout Silicon Valley, transforming their lives and giving them a brighter future. Being an advocate for STEM, I consulted on their innovative platform to offer under-served youth the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally while exposing them to STEM concepts for improved career choices. I am also proud to serve an organization that holds DEI at the core of their identity and ensures it is part of our culture and present in all aspects of our business.”
Kids are never turned away from taking FTSV’s youth development through golf classes due to an inability to pay. We work to actively create a space of belonging for every kid – no matter what walk of life. Our diversity,equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts are not a project, program or series of events, but an expression of who we are and a purposeful process to ensure our mission is fulfilled. We offer programs for kids and teens up to age 18. We help kids discover what’s inside of them, guide them to strengthen it, and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do.
FTSV offers financial assistance for our 8-week season on a sliding scale from $20 to $180 depending upon need, which is determined by self-reported household income, number in the household, enrollment in the SFLP, and financial hardship. Due to the impact of Covid-19, our low-income families have experienced increased financial hardship which has increased our number of requests for aid and an increased number of families only able to pay $20. The demand for our classes is at an all-time high with families looking for safe outdoor naturally social distanced activities for their children during a pandemic.
Thank you SVB Foundation for providing the necessary funds so we can expand our financial aid program to more families in need. The grant will allow us to continue providing our youth development program which enable kids and teens to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills.
For more than 35 years, SVB Financial Group (NASDAQ: SIVB) and its subsidiaries have helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB Financial Group’s businesses, including Silicon Valley Bank, offer commercial and private banking, asset management, private wealth management, brokerage and investment services and funds management services to companies in the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity and venture capital, and premium wine industries. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, SVB Financial Group operates in centers of innovation around the world. Learn more at svb.com.
Gabriela Mata was one of 3 recipients of the National Hispanic Recognition Program at her high school. The award is one of four awards that the College Board provides to students excelling in academics. To be eligible, participants must have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, must take a minimum of 2-3 AP classes, and score in the top 10% on PSAT/NMSQT.
Gabriela has been in our program since 2015 and is currently an Ace level participant, which is the top First Tee – Silicon Valley level in our program. She also volunteers her time as a FTSV coach for our younger participant classes. Her lead instructors rave about her leadership skills and her ability to positively manage her group. She has a charismatic approach and speaks to her students at a level they can relate to and feel comfortable with.
“FTSV has had a profound impact on me in terms of harboring a community of support and guidance that I believe is crucial to young people,” says Gabriela. “FTSV has given me a sense of responsibility and has introduced me to a network of people that I can rely on. The program has also taught me important life skills for the future, like goal setting and perseverance, that are more than applicable to life beyond the game of golf.”
When she is not at FTSV, she works for the Evergreen Library. She is also one of the lead students in her Community Development Student Planning Committee, which provides a space for students to learn and share their own mental and health experiences and struggles. In the committee she plans out events as well as identifies their keynote speaker. Additionally, she hosts a workshop centered on intersectionality and mental health and how race, social class, and gender affects access to mental health services.
Congratulations Gabriela on your well-deserved honor! We are fortunate to have you in our program and we are excited for your future endeavors.
Golf is a game of misses. We “miss” more than we “make” and progression is seldomly linear. There are ebbs and flows, ups and downs as we try to improve. As a result, golfers become familiar with adversity and learn strategies to manage emotions and persevere.
Part of managing emotions is learning how to approach mistakes. When mistakes occur in a public place, like a class, or when playing in front of family and friends, they can lower moral. More importantly, they can create self-doubt, which can negatively impact future shots and hinder one’s desire to take risks or participate in future challenges. The problem with that is we learn best when we are challenged, when we are pushed into our stretch zone, and when we make mistakes. The questions then become: How do we view mistakes as important learning opportunities instead of signs of failure? and How do we stay positive when mistakes occur?
To address these questions, we partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance, and utilized their concepts called “mistake rituals” and “parking mistakes.” According to PCA, “a mistake ritual is a gesture and statement that individuals use to ward off the fear of making mistakes so they don’t play timidly. A mistake ritual allows athletes to quickly reset and get ready for the next play or decision without wallowing in the past and beating themselves up for having made a mistake. There are many mistake rituals, but here are some that we especially like. One is “Flushing Mistakes.” When your athlete makes a mistake on the playing field, you can simply put your hand above your shoulder and make a motion like you are flushing a toilet. You can add commentary to the flush: “It’s okay, Omar. Flush it. Next play.”
Our FTSV coaches have incorporated the mistake rituals during games in class. When we teach our core lesson, “Three Tips for Having Fun,” the mistake ritual is one of the tools we coach to stay positive and patient. Our coaches recognize that dwelling over mistakes does not help the next shot. However, our coaches understand their role is to not to ignore mistakes, but instead to provide coachable moments and help instill a habit of learning from mistakes. The difficult part is finding the right time to address mistakes.
As mentioned earlier, making a mistake in front of others can be difficult for many participants, and coaches need to find the right time for a coachable moment. A solution is to use PCA’s concept of a “parking lot ritual.” The idea is to “park the mistake in the parking lot” so they can move on, stay positive, continue with the game, and be in the present. Once the game is over they can return to the “parking lot” to examine what there is to learn from their mistake and what adjustments they can make for next time. Worrying about each mistake in the heat of a game or competition causes doubt, especially when the mistake is made in front of others. Playing with doubt negatively impacts a participant’s ability to play freely and confidently. As a result, we try to shift the coachable moments to when a participant is ready to analyze the mistake, free from the judgment of others.
This winter we look forward to another fun season and helping participants treat mistakes as opportunities to learn. We also look forward to developing strategies for participants to stay positive and be in the present.
Registration for the winter season opens Thursday, November 3rd at 11am. The season will start November 29th and will end February 4th with two weeks off, December 20th through December 31st. The classes will take place at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, and Gavilan Golf Course in Gilroy. We encourage youth 2nd grade and above to join our program and help spread the word. For more information on our programs please visit https://www.firstteesiliconvalley.org/. To register please click here
