Girls Golf: Cosmic Play Day – A day of fun and friendship on the golf course! We kicked off the morning with an ice breaker where everyone had a chance to introduce themselves and share what food they enjoy.
Our first highlight was capturing a fantastic group picture, an essential keepsake to remember this special day. Our players were divided into groups and set off to complete their mission of space exploration!
Each hole was presented with a new mission:
Hole 1, our participants navigated their ball through our asteroid field. They were tasked to make their putt without colliding into the asteroids.
Hole 2, our participants were on a rescue mission to send 10 astronauts onto a rocket ship. The goal was to chip 10 balls to our rocket ship target.
Hole 3, our participants explored planet to planet by hitting their golf balls to each target on the fairway before going for the green.
After a successful space mission, our participants were able to stop by our prize table to collect some well-earned rewards. Pizza awaited our astronauts as they were able to celebrate with their friends as well as their parents before going home for a deserved break! Thanks to PIZZA PRESIDENTE!
Coach Tiffany said “It was cool to see so many girls out there. They were so polite and worked together so well. Zia and Mia became fast friends from the start. I’m excited to help in future Girl’s Golf events!”
Special thanks to Coach Tiffany, Andrea, Li An, Varnika, and Ysabelle! Thank you for making this event so memorable for our participants!
Next Girls Golf Event will be August 23, 2025. For more information about these events, visit our Our Opportunities page or contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected].
(Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!) First Tee – Silicon Valley extends the warmest of congratulations to our Class of 2025 High School Graduates. We are so proud of their accomplishments and all of the hard work these students have put in on their journeys toward graduation. You earned this!
Many of our seniors have been in our program taking classes each year for the past 7-10 years. They have also been junior volunteer coaches and taken part in our Junior Council. They have all played a significant role in building and shaping a supportive and inclusive community that future teens can enjoy. We are going to miss them, but we are excited for their futures! At FTSV, we believe every kid and teen deserves the chance to build inner strength before the world demands it, to find the joy that comes with feeling confident in their own skin before the world makes it feel difficult, and to access experiences and spaces where leadership and personal growth happens. We strive to equip our participants with tools to be people of high character. We are thrilled to have been able to coach these seniors and are proud of their character.
Congrats, FTSV High School Grads!
Juan Hernandez Sacramento State
Norah Yang Georgetown University
Tristan Hipolito UC Riverside
Dylan Chang UC Riverside
Martin Fu University of Pennsylvania
Isabella Herrera USC
Ashley Pang Pacific University
Eliane Juang University of Pennsylvania
Li An Panfil UCLA
Sophia Tang Loyola Marymount University
Leo Villegas West Valley
Giselle Gutierrez Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Ian Choe Purdue University
Elise Njogu California State Bakersfield
Taylene Leigh UC Riverside
Nathan Truong San Jose State
Natalie Kiatsupaibul UC Santa Barbara
Mason Sweeley West Valley
Join the First Tee Alumni and be connected with First Tee graduates around the country.
(FTSV Team Stableford Tournament)On May 31st at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course, 22 players played in a Team Stableford format. This format focuses on earning points for your score. On each hole teams get 1 point for making triple bogey, and all the way up to 6 points for scoring an eagle.
While every seasonal tournament is played in a different, sometimes fun and wacky format, the Stableford format was a new to many FTSV participants. Participants can score lots of points on each hole so one bad hole won’t take you out of the game.
These tournaments are always a blast, and a great way to let participants refine their golf skills and their life skills. Teamwork, perseverance, and goal setting are all needed to excel in this format. Additionally, these tournaments give participants the opportunity to apply their weekly class lessons in a competitive environment without direct coaching.
Team Stableford Tournament
These 22 players, ages 11 to 17, teamed up to earn the best score possible, with two chances at individual awards along the way – a Closest to the Pin contest on hole 1 and a Long Drive contest on hole 4.
Stableford Tournament Winners
On hole 1, James took the age 11-13 individual prize with a beautiful shot hit to 6’9”. Great job, James!
On hole 4, Arjun hit the longest drive in the 11-13 age group, and Diego did so in the 14-17 age group. Great drives, guys!
Many teams scored well and earned plenty of Stableford points. Congratulations everyone!
Third Place: Ade, Arjun and Antonio – scored 28 points.
Second Place: Allen, Riley and Diego – scored 32 points.
First Place: James, Siwat, Asher, and Ella – scored 33 points.
After 9 holes on a hot day at Rancho, everyone deserved recognition for staying in the game and being great teammates to one another. Thank you to everyone who came out to play, and to all our staff and volunteers for helping run a successful event.
To the parents, your continued dedication, week after week, bringing your children to our events and classes means the world to us. And to our amazing participants, we are inspired by the growth you’ve already shown and are excited to watch you continue to thrive. We look forward to seeing each of you in our upcoming seasons!
(FTSV Participant Awarded Ace Certification!) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to share that Evan Santoso was awarded the distinguished honor of being Ace-Certified!
What does it mean to be awarded Ace Certification?
Ace is the highest level of certification at First Tee and less than 1% of First Tee participants from across the country achieve Ace certification. Evan will receive local and national recognition from First Tee for completing his Ace classes and the post-class documents. More importantly, his work in our Ace classes helped him apply the First Tee Life Skills to college and career exploration, and to his give-back volunteer opportunities. The Ace classes also assisted in developing transferable skills that will aid him in his professional development.
About Evan Santoso
Evan is a rising senior at King’s Academy in San Jose. He began our program as a participant in 2017 and volunteered as a coach since 2023. Additionally, he was selected to be in a leadership position on our Junior Council where he has spent upwards of 50 of his own hours creating a few highlight videos that we used for our Family Fest and Coach Appreciation events.
Going the extra step is something that Evan takes pride in. Part of his Ace Give Back project requires participants to volunteer in addition to FTSV. Evan chose to volunteer for his Church who, when they observed his skill set, made him their Video Director & Camera Operator. There he created an official handbook for future video directors to live stream and broadcast. This handbook was not requested by his boss, but Evan thought it could help provide more clarity for the next person that takes on the role.
“Taking the Ace classes not once but twice has really opened my eyes to a world of academic and professional opportunities I didn’t realize was available,” says Evan. “Not only have I been able to practice using researched tools and networking skills to explore different colleges and potential career choices, I feel like I have been able to find out more of who I am as a person in the process!”
“The valuable life and work skills I’ve learned at FTSV like how to communicate and collaborate well with others has given me confidence to talk to adults from all walks of life and network with professionals from different fields.”
As mentioned above, Evan edited and helped direct a First Tee – Silicon Valley Promo video as part of a Junior Council Project. (See below)
There are (4) 8-week Ace sessions, each with post-class projects.
Education – financial planning for college (budgeting, saving, grants, scholarships), college application process, school identification and exploration strategies.
Career – resume-building, interview skills, transferable, adaptive and content skill development, and professional correspondence.
Complete the 4 Ace-Future Planning post class documents
Submit a letter of recommendation
Be selected by a panel of First Tee National judges
“Congratulations Evan for your outstanding work” says Program Director Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We are proud of how you look out for others and your desire to go above and beyond. You are hardworking and lift others up in class. I have no doubt you will continue to be successful and utilize the tools learned in Ace to achieve your goals.”
To find out more about our Ace-Future Planning classes and how to be Ace-Certified, please reach out to [email protected] or 408-508-4884.
(Caddy Club Majors – PGA Championship Results) It’s not too late to join the Caddy Club Majors fun competition as a way to support our Financial Aid Program and meet the needs of providing a nurturing environment for the young people in our community. It kicked off with the Masters on April 13th , followed by PGA Championship May 15-18 and continues this weekend with US Open June 12-15 and concluded with Open Championship July 17-20.
CONGRATULATIONS to Caddy Club Majors PGA Championship WINNERS:
Tiered Fantasy Pool – Best 4 out of 6 players’ 72-hole scores in relation to Par
1st Place: Bob Huston – 25
2nd Place: Rick Hallagan – 25
3rd Place: Doug Moffat – 23
4th Place: Alex Allione – 22
5th Place: John Madign – 21
Season Standings competing for Player of the Year!
Lowest combined score for all 4 Majors
1st Place: Mark Christierson – 48
2nd Place: Rick Hallagan – 42
3rd Place: Bob Huston – 39
When you join as a perpetual, recurring donor you will be signed up for the remaining 2025 Majors and next year too. Individuals who commit to a $30+ monthly gift will immediately be invited to participate in our virtual Caddy Club Majors Fantasy Golf Competition. It is easy and fun! $16,000 in total donated prizes for all 4 Majors!
Every $360cumulative donation you make allows us to cover the registration fee and golf clubs for a low-income participant to attend 8 weeks of classes.
FTSV believes that ALL youth deserve the change to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them. We are dedicated to building a youth development program that is accessible, diverse and as impactful as it is fun.
(Ameriprise Financial Tournament Benefits FTSV) For the second time, the Ameriprise Financial Associate and Client Tournament on June 10th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club benefited FTSV. Ninety-two golfers raised $4,600 to help us provide financial aid so low-income kids can have access to our youth development program. Our goal is to develop life-long golfers of all levels while teaching life skills.
A special thank you to Chi Kim & Family, Gabe Wang and Kenneth Lee for hosting and for your partnership. Thank you for helping us mentor MORE kids!
To highlight the importance of these types of fundraising partnerships, FTSV’s Jennifer Barrientos (Dennis Kettmann Memorial Scholarship recipient) was invited to be a speaker.
Read more about Jennifer Barrientos’s achievements HERE.
If you have an upcoming tournament and would like to make First Tee – Silicon Valley the beneficiary, please click here.
Celebrating 130 Years, Ameriprise Financial putting clients first since 1894. Generations of clients have entrusted Ameriprise Financial with their futures. Reaching beyond standard financial and retirement plans to provide a personalized financial advice strategy that is right for you. Banking, investments or insurance, find out how Ameriprise compares to other financial services companies, CLICK HERE.
(FTSV 13th Annual OPEN Supporters & Winners) FTSV’s 13th Annual OPEN tournament on June 6th was a great day for all. The weather couldn’t have been better at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club for the 124 golfers including 10 top sponsors who came together for a great cause, raising a total of $140,000. Proceeds benefit First Tee – Silicon Valley’s financial aid program. We teach life skills and golf skills on-course, in-school, and after-school. Our programs are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.
One of our teen participants, Juan Hernandez, shared the impact our program has had on him and his brother saying “I graduated from Highschool today and I will be going to Sacramento State to study Civil Engineering. I am going to be the first in my family to attend college. I know the skills I have been developing in First Tee – Silicon Valley will help me to make the most of it. Skills such as goal setting, collaborative communication and building a go-to-team full of people who challenge me and support me are going to make me successful.”.
We would like to recognize all the individuals behind our Sponsorships.
Presenting Sponsor: SAGA Foundation (David Bartoshuk)
Hosting PLUS Sponsors: PGA TOUR Superstores in Cupertino & East Palo Alto (Kate Nielsen & Brad Hanson)
Hosting Sponsors: Gallagher (Mike Gallagher)
Contributing Sponsors: Hallagan Huston Family Foundation (Ron Hallagan), PwC (Sarah Beelaard), Panera Bread (Jeff Burrill), Pinnacle Bank (Doug Moffat), Bill Powar, Ajinomoto (Max von Poelnitz), Luna Mexican Kitchen (John Lopez)
DGDG Car Hole-in-One – no winners but special thanks to Jeremy Beaver for their sponsorship.
Thank you to our Raffle Donors and Winners
La Rinconada Country Club – Derek Anderson
Almaden Golf & Country Club – Kevin Kelly
Silver Creek Valley Country Club – Alan Eustace
Boulder Ridge Golf Club - Tom Tate
San Jose Country Club – Bill Powar
The Peninsula Golf & Country Club – Lucas Wendt
Callaway Elyte Driver & Hyperlight Zero Stand Bag- Kathy Kwan
Scotty Cameron Putter – Steve Almassy
The Clubhouse in Fremont – John Turner
Total Wine Private Wine Class for 20 – Steve Baroni
Daytrip in Tesla Cybertruck – Rod Wade
Thank you to our Live Auction Donors & Supporters:
Eden Rift Vineyards ATV Tour & Tasting for 8 with Christian Pillsbury & Michelle Wei – Ken Miller
49ers 2-Game Package Plus Tailgate Parking x 2 – Gareth Hunt & Robert Carrillo/Mathew Turner
Special Day at Mayacama Golf Club with Mike Blach – Ron Hallagan
An Evening with San Jose Sharks with Randy Hahn – Steve Almassy
Spectacular Golf for 8 at CordeValle Golf Club x 2 – Ron Hallagan & Rod Wade
SF Giants Experience + Memorabilia – Steve Almassy
Warriors VIP Sandisk Courtside Lounge Experience x 2 – Steve Baroni & Ron Hallagan
Special Day at Olympic Club with Kolbey Moreno – Eric Arnold
Thank you to our MC & Auctioneer Randy Hahn – Emmy Award winning Sharks television broadcaster
Thank you to Board of Directors and Ambassadors who participated or helped with sponsors: Victor Arrañaga, Sarah Beelaard, Steve Almassy, Max von Poelnitz, Shawn Fox, Steve Guerrero, Andrea Brenholz , Dick Budelli, Don DeLorenzo, Ron Hallagan, Doug Moffat, Kunal Shalia, Alex Worbel.
Thank you to our Tournament Coordinators: Development Director Judy Dixon Deaton & Marketing/Events Coordinator Nicole Woodson
Thank you to our Staff: President & CEO George Maxe, Program Director Chris Moreno-Hunt, Operations Coordinator Julie Donnellan, Program Coordinators Manny Gallardo, Phoenix Jarrell-Desch, Tanner Riley, Austin Westly
Thank you to our Volunteers: Michael Freday, Joshua Joo, Diego Garcia, Gabe Garcia, Nico Hernandez, Sahara Huchim, Zoe Huchim, Kai Nishihara, Vian Tran, Norah Yang, Dharini Sitaraman, Jennifer Barrientos, Jerry Moore, Leonardo Villegas, Ben Hsu
Thank you to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club: Tournament Director Nick Starr, General Manager Adam Schiro, and Food & Beverage and Grounds Staff for a perfectly run tournament.
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 growing our program so it is accessible to MORE kids.
Please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton 408-508-4881 – [email protected] to discuss sponsorship or underwriting opportunities for next year’s Open in June.
(7th Annual Parent University – a resounding success!) On Saturday, May 17th, 2025, Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) and First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) once again teamed up to bring the 7th annual Parent University to Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. The event, which has long been a resounding success, was no different this year, with 705 students and their families coming out for a community day of fun and games at the golf course.
At the practice facility and on several holes throughout the course, FTSV set up a taste of what our programs offer, with fun games and activities all backed up with a specific life skill to focus on. Each station was packed with students and their families, many of whom were trying out golf for the very first time. Each group rotated through the stations before gathering for lunch and live music in the afternoon.
The focus of Parent University has always been on gathering the community and bringing valuable resources to the families of Alum Rock. ARUSD’s Student Services Department helped organize a ton of fantastic experiences for attendees, including several info booths, a great raffle, and even the ARUSD Jazz Band. And in a show of force as to just what this type of event means for the community, we were even joined by two local officials, Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong and State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who provided their encouraging remarks to kick-off the event.
From left: FTSV Board Victor M. Arrañaga Jr., ARUSD Superintendent German Cerda, CA State Rep Ash Kalra, Supervisor Betty Duong, FTSV CEO George Maxe
Here’s what their saying about the 7th Annual Parent University
Each year, FTSV is proud to partner with ARUSD and come together to serve and benefit the residents of our community. “FTSV was so pleased to play host once again at ARUSD’s Parent University at Rancho. The event was a huge success giving so many students and families the opportunity to experience golf and FTSV’s life skills curriculum. Rancho is FTSV’s home program location and East San Jose’s community golf course, so utilizing it in such a way is a perfect pairing for ARUSD and FTSV.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.
ARUSD Superintendent German Cerda said, “First Tee is a shining example of the powerful impact that school and community partnerships can have. It was truly inspiring to see so many families come together for this special event, where both students and parents were introduced to the game of golf—many for the very first time. Moments like these remind us what meaningful engagement really looks like.”
Interested in having your school or youth development program partner with First Tee – Silicon Valley? Please contact our Program Coordinator, Tanner Riley at (408) 508-4885, [email protected], or visit our outreach page.
(Intero Foundation $5K Grant Supports Our Mission) First Tee – Silicon Valley recently received a generous $5,000 grant from Intero Foundation . Special thanks to Intero agents Lisa & Steve Guerrero (FTSV Board Director) for inviting us to apply. These funds will help us adequately invest in our capacity to serve the growing number of youth in our programs while increasing the quality of what we do. In 2024, 5,642 Course Participants and School Students, who were 85% Ethnically Diverse and 57% Low-Income, experienced our life skills and golf skills program. All of our youth development programs (on-course, in-school, and after-school) are growing and FTSV relies heavily on foundations like Intero that are supportive of youth development and our mission.
The Intero Foundation’s mission…
To positively impact the communities Intero Real Estate serves through supporting nonprofit programs that advance the health, education and well-being of children and seniors. It is the heartbeat of Intero Real Estate Services and embodies their core values of creating a thriving community. They are an all-volunteer organization founded on the principles of always striving to build a better future which aligns with FTSV’s unique approach to transform lives and gives kids a brighter future. We believe teaching core values and life skills through golf is the foundation of strong character, which leads to success in life.
The Intero Foundation was created in 2002, at the same time Intero Real Estate Services Inc. (Intero) was founded to serve Silicon Valley’s growing real estate market. Intero’s founders believed it was important to give back to the communities where Intero agents live and serve. Since its inception, and thanks to over 20 years of hard work by its agents and employees raising funds to support local charities, the Intero Foundation has given more than $7 million to 225+ local nonprofits and we are grateful to be one of those non-profits in 2025.
(Alumni Spotlight: Nancy Rivera) Here at FTSV, we’re always proud to give a well-deserved shout out to our past participants. This alumni spotlight is on Nancy Rivera.
Nancy began her journey with FTSV in 2017 and racked up a series of well-deserved honors during her time as a participant. She achieved FTSV Ace Certification in 2022, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication that also helped earned her multiple scholarships and selection to national opportunities such as Game Changers Academy, the First Tee Innovators Forum, and the First Tee Leadership Summit.
In 2021, Nancy was selected to represent FTSV at the First Tee Innovators Forum in San Jose, a program that challenged teens to develop a meaningful service project in their community. Twenty-six participants from across the country had the opportunity to hear from inspirational keynote speakers and participate in interactive workshops focused on global issues like education, health, and sustainability. As a result of these workshops and motivating speeches, Nancy narrowed in on her project, which provided resources to promote and explain higher education in low income and undocumented communities. Her leadership and project work helped her earn a $10,000 scholarship towards continuing her education.
After she graduated high school, Nancy was selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program, joining a class of 25 scholars who earned this honor based on their academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need, and commitment to volunteerism. Beyond financial assistance, the scholarship program also offered ongoing support throughout their post-graduate careers.
This program, along with her award of the Innovators Forum scholarship and FTSV’s Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and scholarship, helped her achieve her dream of being a first-generation college student when she chose to attend Middlebury College in Vermont. It’s no surprise that there, she continued her exceptional work and quickly established herself as a leader in her community. In the same vein as her Innovators Forum project, Nancy joined Middlebury’s Juntos, a social justice and human rights group advocating for the migrant community in Vermont. In her three years with the campus organization, she’s risen to the role of President, working tirelessly to help further their mission.
Through her hard work supporting this important cause, Nancy was recently recognized with the Patrick J. Durkin ’79 Public Service Leadership Award, a prestigious honor given to students who demonstrate a special dedication to public service at Middlebury College.
Congrats, Nancy! We’re so proud of the work you’re doing after all your success at FTSV.
Nancy Rivera – Front/Center Yellow Dress – Patrick J. Durkin ’79 Public Service Leadership Award
If you are a past First Tee participant, or you’re about to graduate from High School, consider becoming a First Tee Alumni with our chapter! For more information, CLICK HERE.
If you are thinking about joining us as a participant like Nancy once did, please CLICK HERE.
(Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser) Dryvebox is partnering with First Tee – Silicon Valley throughout the year to do Closest to the Pin fundraising events to raise funds to grow the game of golf.
The Dryvebox 15’ x 40’ trailer equipped with the best in golf simulation technology traveled to Almaden Golf & Country Club on May 9th and Silver Creek Valley Country Club on May 10th for an inter and intra-club Closest to the Hole competition.
Club Members made donations to take swings on Dryvebox simulator Hole 7 at Pebble Beach (106 yards). Thanks to their generosity a total of $2,000 was raised for FTSV financial aid program.
Closest to the Pin (1-Male / 1-Female at each Club) Won: $250 credit at their Club’s Pro Shop
Almaden Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser WINNERS
Female – Debra Taoyama 11’4”
Male – Robbie Zipp 1’4″
Silver Creek Dryvebox Club Challenge and Fundraiser WINNERS
Female – Bonnie Tomei 3’4″
Male – Sean Guzman 14’1″
Overall Closest to the Hole Winner
Rob Zipp from Almaden 1’4″ received a Round of Golf and Dinner for 4 from opposing club Silver Creek + 2 bottles of Daou Red Wine from FTSV.
Thank you to Dryvebox, Head of Ops Jake Haselden; Almaden Golf & Country Club Golf Head Pro, Joe Calhoun; Silver Creek Valley Country Club Golf Head Pro, Avery Cook for your collaboration and support to make this fundraiser possible.
Please contact Judy Deaton [email protected]g if you are interested in creating a 3rd Party Beneficiary Partnership with FTSV.
(PwC and AWS Volunteer Day at Rancho Del Pueblo) On Tuesday, May 13th, PwC and Amazon Web Services employees “rolled up their sleeves” to clean-up the streets, parking lot and FTSV storage areas at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. This was the first, of what we hope will be many more, quarterly Corporate Volunteer Days in May, August, November and February.
Corporate volunteerism is a pillar of corporate social responsibility, and by encouraging employees to volunteer their time and give back to their community’s nonprofits, there are considerable benefits. Employees gain positive team building experiences, while providing a valuable service to the local community.
Amongst the 12 PwC and 9 AWS volunteers, were 7 FTSV staff members there to facilitate the clean-up. “The volunteers in my group were from different walks of life and it was really interesting to hear their stories as we worked” said Nicole Woodson, FTSV Marketing Coordinator. “We were laughing, talking about the various tasks at our companies and forming relationships. It was a very positive teamwork experience for all of us”.
Throughout the morning, corporate volunteers cleaned and organized FTSV’s storage areas for our incoming summer class kids. Additionally, they swept and raked the sidewalks, streets and parking lot. In total, 30 large garbage bags were filled with trash and debris.
“First Tee – Silicon Valley and Rancho are very grateful to the PwC and AWS employees who helped us spruce up Rancho and FTSV’s storage. We want the best for all FTSV participants including an environment that is safe, clean and organized. The higher the quality program we offer, the greater the positive impact we can have on kids’ and teens’ lives,” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.
If you your company would like to participate in the next Corporate Volunteer Day, contact George Maxe [email protected] 408-288-2937.
