2022 Archives - Page 4 of 8 - First Tee

FTSV Participant Qualified for the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship!

First Tee – Silicon Valley Ace participant Franky Sumcad, placed 3^rd in the second annual First Tee National Championship in South Bend Indiana, June 27^th to July 1^st. She shot 72, 71, and 69 for a total score of 1 under par.

As a result of her strong performance, she qualified for the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship in Monterey CA, September 20-25. An official PGA TOUR Champions event, the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California pairs one First Tee junior with a PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The tournament is televised nationally on Golf Channel. Although there is a winning score on Sunday, this experience is so much more than a golf event. First Tee participants are provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Legends & Leaders speaker program, which features notables from the business, sports and entertainment industries. This event also provides the teens a unique mentoring experience on the golf course with their PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs.

Meet Franky:

Franky is a terrific FTSV participant since 2012 and is a dedicated FTSV volunteer since 2020. She has volunteered as a coach in classes and at our Girls Golf events, and assisted at our fundraisers. She is also a high-performing competitive golfer. She is number 1 on her high school team and a +1 handicap. She was recommended, interviewed, and was selected as an honorary junior member at Silver Creek Valley Country Club, chosen for her skill level and for her character. She played in their inaugural Thanksgiving skins game and who won the most skins.

“We were thrilled for Franky and her opportunity to play in the PURE Insurance Open and proud of her accomplishment at the National Championship.” said Chris Moreno-Hunt, Program Director of FTSV. “Franky recently played in our pre-season tournament at Gavilan Golf Course and took on a mentorship role with the younger FTSV golfers that we paired her with. To see her embrace her role as a mentor and fully commit to making the other golfers feel supported and engaged is what being a role model is all about. She leads by example, and I am confident she will represent our chapter at the upcoming tournament to the highest degree.”

Congratulations Franky!

Interested in joining Franky and other FTSV participants in our First Tee classes? Please check out our youth classes page. Our fall season will begin September 6^th and the registration will open August 11^th at 10am.

Self-Esteem Grows When Strengthened and Developed by Mentors

Low Self-Esteem = Low Self-Worth

A variety of factors contribute to low self-esteem including External Expectations. External Expectations impact our identities by affecting our ability to be the person that we want to be VERSUS the person that society demands us to be. For example, when guardians assume that there is only one way to learn, youth may feel trapped and afraid to ask for help due to fear of rejection. Changing ourselves to meet External Expectations can be extremely damaging to our self-esteem and thus, our overall well-being. Low self-esteem commonly leads to being self-critical, focusing on the negatives, giving into peer-pressure, and making poor choices. First Tee commits to: “Helping youth on and off of the course to find their self-confidence, discover what they’re capable of, and feel safe being themselves by encouraging ongoing discussions and providing consistent support as they explore who they are and who they will become”.

Happier and Healthier Existence

First Tee believes that “Self-confidence grows when we work to strengthen and develop it, through the cycle of trying, failing and trying again until the goal is achieved”. It is our mission to create a safe and compassionate space for youth to learn, to make mistakes, to ask questions, and to embrace their uniqueness. As guardians, coaches, and mentors, we are in the position to model and to teach positive support and self-confidence by treating ourselves, others, and our surroundings with respect. By empowering youth to make meaningful decisions, we are sharing power and providing them with the opportunity to grow and to succeed. By teaching youth to set and follow-through with attainable goals that are important to them, we are providing a sense of responsibility, control, and hope for the future. Work with youth to find a level of success that will help them develop confidence, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy the game of golf! By exposing youth to mindfulness practices (ex: deep breathing) and coping skills (ex: painting), we are utilizing their unique skills and interests while supporting them with emotion regulation and management. Be a Go-To Person by listening to and seeking to understand our youth and by supporting them through ongoing challenges- this is one way to build a brighter and stronger future!

Join our team of supportive coaches, mentors, and volunteers today by clicking here! Let’s be the change that we hope to see in our youth and in our communities! Be part of a team that works to equip our youth with the knowledge and skills to overcome challenges and to lead through respect and empathy.

Meet Coach Alex – A Committed Mentor

Alex Wrobel joined First Tee – Silicon Valley as a volunteer coach and Board Ambassador in 2021 and has made a positive impact on his participants and on our entire organization.

Alex works for SAP Labs as a Principal Solution Architect. Since he joined FTSV, he has emersed himself fully and made a positive impact. Alex has coached every season since he started and has been one of our most active and reliable volunteer coaches. He works full time and still manages to find time to coach 3-4 classes each season.

“I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to be part of such an amazing organization and I enjoy the time with everybody involved: staff, coaches, board members, participants and their families.” Says Alex. “It is fantastic to see what a great, positive impact the program has on its participants – not only on golf skills, but also especially on the life skills we teach and the opportunities like college scholarships it helps to provide. As a coach it is a very rewarding experience to be part of this program.”

“We are grateful to have Alex on our team. He goes above and beyond our expectations.” says Manny Gallardo, FTSV Program Coordinator. ”For example, Alex often arrives early and before the other volunteers to assist in setting up for our classes and is the last one to leave in order to help ease the transition for our staff. He also introduces new golf and life skill strategies to help create the best learning environment for our participants. Alex believes in building meaningful relationships. The participants speak very highly of him and about how he makes them feel heard and listened to. In addition, Alex always takes the time to speak with the junior coaches about their next major steps in life and always provides thoughtful and genuine advice about how to prepare for those next steps. He truly is not just a coach, but a mentor. His contributions and experience he offers to the program are invaluable.”

In addition to his coaching, we can always count on him to assist at our tournaments and fundraising events. As a board ambassador, he has perfect attendance at our meetings and always finds ways to add value and research for various projects without even being asked. It is a great combination when Ambassadors also volunteer as coaches to establish a true connection with our youth development program. We are thankful for his contributions and grateful to have him on our team.

We are looking for additional coaches like Alex. If you are interested in making a positive difference, being part of a supportive community, and building your coaching and leadership skills, please apply to join our team.

How to get started

Visit our volunteer page and click on the volunteer form.
Or contact Julie Donnellan at 408-508-4882 or [email protected]
Click here for our volunteer tri-fold for more information
We are accepting volunteers year-round, but to be able to coach in the next season you will need to complete the on-boarding steps by 2/15 for Spring, and 5/15 for Summer, 8/15 for Fall, and 11/15 for Winter
Training provided (golf and life skills)

FTSV’s Participants Selected for First Tee Leadership Summit

Isabella Herrera and Katelyn Chan from First Tee — Silicon Valley have been selected to attend the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in West Creek Ranch, Montana, August 1-5 and 8-12. They will join a cohort of 20 teens from across the First Tee network. Over the course of the 5 days, they will be provided an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities. They will also participate in collaborative workshops which will challenge their conceptions of transformational leadership. First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence and resilience will be a part of the experience, combined with a robust curriculum which explores the concepts of building authentic relationships, growing through challenge, and building positive self-identity.

Meet our Game Changers Participants:

Isabella is going to be a sophomore at Notre Dame High School in San Jose and has been part of FTSV for 9 years. She is an Ace participant and volunteer coach for our chapter. She is one of our go-to volunteers at our community outreach events where she assists in Spanish translation and delivers our activities. Outside of FTSV she is an e-Leader for LPGA Girls Golf, is on the Youth on Course Leadership Council, and is a member of the YOC DRIVE Club that works to improve diversity in golf.

Katelyn is a raising senior at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino and has been in our program for 10 years. She completed all four of our Ace classes/projects and is one of longest standing participants in our program. She began volunteering as a junior coach this year and participated in our 2022 Leadership Series. Outside of FTSV she is a treasurer for a school club that donates arts and crafts to charities.

Isabella and Katelyn are representatives of the leadership qualities that we espouse. They know when to step back in order to help others step up. They show empathy to others and exhibit strong interpersonal skills,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are proud of who they are and we are excited for their opportunity to continue developing their leadership skills at the summit.”

First Tee Leadership Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee. Isabella and Katelyn join our other Ace participants that have applied and been selected based on their outstanding work in our program and in their communities. To find out more regarding our national, regional, and local opportunities please visit our youth opportunity page.

Interested in starting the journey as a FTSV participant? Please visit our Youth Classes Page. Lastly, if you are interested in coaching and developing the leadership qualities in our youth please visit our volunteer page.

Congratulations Isabella and Katelyn!

Volunteer for the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Tournament

The Notah Begay III Jr. Golf National Championship Series (NB3 JGNC) will be coming to Coyote Creek Golf Club in Morgan Hill on July 30-31^st.

The NB3 JGNC is a 2-stage qualifying process culminating in a 54-hole National Championship that will air on Golf Channel during a 2-hour broadcast.

The series is in its third year and is open to all players. Players qualify at the local level, then move on to regional tournaments around the country. From there they progress to the National Championship.

The NB3 JGNC Team have requested the assistance of any individuals who may be interested to help at the tournament to work at the registration table, marshal, starter, scorer, and/or assist with filling coolers on the course. Any interested staffer will be in communication with the Tournament Director leading up to the tournament and will meet the TD on the day of the event to go over their responsibilities. The TD can work with your schedule to fit your needs and availability.

If you are interested, please contact Thomas Byrne at their Florida National office at [email protected] or 407-675-4567.

Thank You Open Sponsors – See Results

It was a great (but very warm) day on June 10^th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club with 160 golfers supporting the First Tee – Silicon Valley Open! Thanks to all our sponsors we were able to raise $140K to underwrite financial aid for class participants. We’re especially grateful for our Hosting Sponsors: EmmaLily Vineyards and PwC, our Contributing Sponsors: Emerson Street Ventures, IBM, Hallagan Huston Family Foundation, PGA TOUR Superstore, our Beverage Sponsors: Reyes Coca Cola Bottling and Body Armor and our Hole Sponsors and Foursome Sponsors all listed in on our program. All foursome pictures are posted soon on our Facebook page #FTSVOpen

Scramble Tournament Results:

First Place – Scoring an impressive 52 – Andrew Bowdish, Doug Lung, Matt Leslie and Joe Calhoun

Each Player Won a $100 Cinnabar Hills Gift Certificate, a Dozen Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls, and a Bottle of EmmaLily Laura’s Love Wine

Second Place – Scoring a 58 (winning a 5-way scorecard playoff with an Eagle on Lake #4 and Canyon #6) – Lorin Alusic, Jon Dickenson, Al Amiri, and Arshad Khan

Each Player Won a 100 Cinnabar Hills Gift Certificate, a sleeve of Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls, and a Bottle of EmmaLily Madeline Wine

Closest to the Pin: Each player won a $50 Cinnabar Hills Gift Certificate

Lake #8: Jackson Thoreson 2’2”

Mountain #2: Chris King 0’8”

Canyon #8: Jack Dibachi 5’0”

Live Action Supporters: Special thanks to MC Dan Rusanowsky

CordeValle Resort Getaway – Rick Anderson, UC Components
Dan Rusanowsky Go Teal Experience (2)– K.V. Rao and Jim Cilker
EmmaLily Winemakers Dinner for 10 (3) – Ron Hallagan, Steve Guerrero, Chuck Vargas
49er Tickets & Parking/McGlinchey Singed Helmet (2) – Sione Hautau, Mike Montgomery
Monterey Bay Golfers Dream: MPCC/Links at Spanish Bay/Dinner at Roy’s – Jody Ho
Golden State Warrior Tickets/Warrior 2015 Limited Edition Memorbilia – Rick Anderson

Raffle Prize Winners: Foursome plus Carts unless noted
1) Almaden Golf & Country Club – Jeremy Townsend

2) Silver Creek Valley Country Club – Tony Coleman

3) San Jose Country Club – Lionel Yee

4) Stanford Golf Course (3some playing with host) – Al Amiri

5) Cinnabar Hills Golf Club & Coyote Creek Golf Club – Douglas Wheeler

6) Shoreline Golf Course & Presidio Golf Course – Steve Guerrero

7) Pacific Grove Golf Course & Laguna Seca Golf Ranch – Tanner Arrizabalaga

8) Callippe Preserve Golf Course & Los Positas Golf Course – Dylan Chang

9) Betina’s of Los Gatos $250 GC & Aldo’s Ristorante $250 GC – Chris Lopez

Thank you to our Board Members for their support, especially Co-Chairs Steve Guerrero, Jr. and Evan Rosenberg, and additionally to Steve Petersen, Ron Hallagan, Sarah Beelaard, Steve Almassy, J. Ernesto Moreno, Victor Arrañaga, Frank Wilde, Jackson Thoreson, Dick Budelli, Jeffy Chang, Alex Wrobel, and Tiffany Tai.

Thank you to our Participant Speakers: Rachana Ajjarapu, Franky Sumcad and Steven Pan plus all the volunteers.

Proceeds from the Open will help us impact the lives of youth by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. We believe that all kids deserve the chance to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them. We are dedicated to building programs that are accessible, welcoming and as impactful as they are fun.

Please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton 408-508-4881 – [email protected] to discuss sponsorship or underwriting opportunities for our Classic Tournament on September 12, 2022.

Summer of Opportunity!

Every year participants from our Ace level, which is the highest in our program, are selected to apply for First Tee National opportunities. Competition for the opportunities is high and spaces are limited. To be selected, applicants must meet the requirements set forth by First Tee National, and must write several short essays, add in their accomplishments in and out of the classroom, and include letters of recommendation. Applicants from across the country apply for the limited spaces and recipients get to experience opportunities of a life time. We are thrilled to announce the acceptance of 5 of our Ace participants: Franky Sumcad, Salma Rivera, Nancy Rivera, Norah Yang, and Sophie Thai (pictures shown left to right) to various First Tee National opportunities.

Franky Sumcad, Norah Yang, and Sophie Thai were accepted to the First Tee National Championship to be held at Warren Golf Course in South Bend Indiana on June 27^th – July 1^st. Click here for the full story

Salma Rivera and Nancy Rivera were all accepted to the Game Changers Academy to be held July 19^th-23^th in Philadelphia, PA. Participants will take part in workshops exploring topics that encourage personal growth and promote understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion that foster positive change in the community. Click here for the full stor y

Nancy Rivera was one of 25 high school graduates selected from around the country (over 250 program locations nationwide) to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program supports alumni throughout their college career in an effort to further their life skill development and mentorship. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. The program also provides professional development workshops and access to internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. Click here for the fu ll st ory

“We are proud and excited to have Franky, Salma, Norah, Sophie and Nancy represent our chapter at these national opportunities,” says First Tee – Silicon Valley Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are grateful to have had them in our program and be able to watch them give back and develop strong interpersonal skills. They make our program a better place. Congratulations Franky, Salma, Nancy, Norah, and Sophie!”

Please join us in congratulating our participants for their outstanding achievement. Acceptance to these opportunities is a product of their character, the work they put in, and the commitment they demonstrated to progress through our program.

To find out more regarding our local, regional, and national opportunities please visit our youth opportunity page.

First	Last	College
Athina	Chin	Brown University
Caeleigh	Rich	George Washington University (studying abroad in Paris)
Calvin	Kong	UC Santa Barbara
Daniel	Pagatpatan	University of Colorado, Boulder
Dylan	Mack	Cal Poly SLO
Jeremy	Wei	University of Utah
Justin	Song	CMU
Kevin	Kiatsupaibul	UC Berkeley
Nancy	Rivera	Middlebury College, Vermont
Rachana	Ajjarapu	UC Merced
Shivani	Patel	UC Berkeley