Category: Year

Por favor oprima aquí para Español We all need people or animals we can depend on, to reassure us, to support us, and to guide us. At the First Tee of Silicon Valley we believe in building teamwork and relationships so much so that one of our Core Lessons is centered around how to, and why we create a “Go-To Team.”  Having a go-to team means you have someone to turn to when life gets hard, you have someone to challenge your beliefs, and offer advice when asked. A go-to team can come from anywhere and anyone. All we have to do is ask, ask for help, ask for guidance. And when we are asked to be on someone’s go-to team, we need to listen. Golf is an individual sport, where we can be isolated in our thoughts for better or worse. Yet it doesn’t have to be that way. By asking questions, expressing interest, and respecting others we can build lasting friendships, gain new perspectives and create a positive support network with the people we play with and our coaches. We are committed to being a friendly resource for all, and during this time we ask that you explore how you have been impacted by your go-to team and how you can be the best go-to person for others. Please share a picture of you with your go-to team on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #TFTSV and #gototeam and #respectothers. Make sure to follow us too. We are never alone nor should we be. Let’s build a team and spread the word. TFTSV Core Staff is a Go-To Team: Judy, George, Lina, Manny, Julie, Carlos, Chris, Joe & Gabby (left to right by row starting with the top left)

TFTSV hosted several school field trips at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course during February. Our goal was to reward our current DRIVE (Develops Rewarding, Inspiring Values for Everyone) partners and students by offering them a field trip at the conclusion of their DRIVE classes. Students were able to experience a typical TFTSV class and transition from hitting tennis balls at school to real golf balls at a golf course. DRIVE utilizes our golf platform to extend the life skills and The First Tee Nine Core Values to young people who may not previously have been exposed to the game of golf.  The program’s Activity Plans are designed in a way that allows for indoor and outdoor set up to fit a variety of locations such as gymnasiums and soccer fields.  Training and staff support are provided so anyone can deliver DRIVE regardless of their golf knowledge. In the month of February, we welcomed over 100 total participants from Cesar Chavez, Arbuckle, San Antonio, Anne Darling, Empire Gardens, Generations United, and Bracher Elementary. We are proud to be partnering with youth organizations and schools, many of which are Title I schools with a high percentage of students on free or reduced lunch. For many of the students, their trip to the Rancho Del Pueblo was their first experience at a real golf course. Several of the participants signed up for our 8-week season at Gavilan Golf Course, Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course, and Baylands Golf Links under our financial assistance program. For more information on our DRIVE program please visit https://www.firstteesiliconvalley.org/programs/outreach/

Meet Dylan Chang, an 7^th grader at Ralston Middle School. He began our program in the summer of 2015 and is currently an Eagle participant (Eagle is our 2^nd highest level). He regularly enrolls in 3-4 class seasons a year, receives our A/B honor roll distinction every semester, and is a consistent participant in our seasonal tournaments. Dylan also voluntarily assists our coaches in setting up and taking down our games and equipment every Saturday. He arrives early and stays late to help his coaches and is an engaged participant in our classes.  He is an ambitious and respectful young man who is a joy to have in our program. Congratulations, Dylan, and good luck playing for middle school golf team!

The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted our 2020 Tag Team Tournament at Gavilan College Golf Course on February 29th. The event commenced with a group discussion led by Coach Manny on identifying diseased or dead trees and when to avoid them. During their round, the participants were encouraged repair divots, identify staked trees, and to pick up any debris roaming the golf course. On hole one, the participants were able to use a soil test kit to determine the moisture and pH level on the teeing ground. Twenty-six participants competed in a nine-hole alternate shot format. Congratulations to all our participants for competing with honesty, integrity, and perseverance. A special thanks to our volunteers who helped keep the pace of play and assisted the participants in determining the golf rules. Our seasonal tournaments are valuable events to help participants bond and create friendships in a pressure-free environment. We hope these tournaments help them feel more confident engaging in conversation with others! They are also a great stepping stone for participants to learn how to deal with adversity, set expectations, and experience teamwork. Our next event is the Chapter Championship on May 30^th. Contact Manny at [email protected] for more information.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted the Girls Golf Winter Play Day on February 29^th. With 14 Girls Golf members, our event commenced with the telephone game. A message is passed down from person to person with the potential of the original message becoming distorted.  With the theme being centered around “Empower,” the participants were encouraged to use the information given to them and determine themselves if the message was credible. On the practice area, the girls were introduced to the games of Impact Tape and Putting Sharks and Minnows. Each game encouraged the participants to identify the information at hand to make a decision to create the best-case scenario. These types of games promote the exploration of the game, learning new golf rules, and overcoming challenges together. The day concluded with brunch provided by Ranch Del Pueblo Golf Course. Girls Golf Play Days are beneficial events where our female participants enjoy an all-female day with friends and a supportive group of coaches and volunteers. The next event is schedule for May 11^th. Contact Manny at [email protected] for more information.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley (TFTSV) has created a new partnership with Santee Elementary and Dorsa Elementary. Our DRIVE program teaches our Nine Core Values and four golf fundamentals through golf activities delivered at the school by their school leaders. Their after school programs will teach TFTSV golf and life skills to their students. Participants will take a series of DRIVE classes located at their school concluding with an end-of-session field trip to Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt said, “We appreciate and value the work Dorsa and Santee does with their student community in San Jose. We are thrilled to have our golf and life skills curriculum adopted into their enrichment activities to further our outreach goal of Developing Rewarding, Inspiring Values for Everyone (DRIVE).” Dorsa and Santee are Title 1 public elementary schools located within 5 minutes from our affiliated golf course, Rancho Del Pueblo in San Jose where we offer extensive classes. Special thanks to Wells Fargo for providing an underwriting grant so there was no cost to the schools. The DRIVE program includes 18 activity plans designed in a way that allows for indoor and outdoor set up to fit a variety of locations such as gymnasiums, basketball courts, baseball, football, and soccer fields.  Training, staff support and equipment are provided so anyone can deliver DRIVE regardless of their golf knowledge. To find out if DRIVE will be a good fit for your organization or school, please contact our Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley partnered with Valdés Math and the Latinx team to deliver a golf introduction to pre-high school youth at Notre Dame High School in San Jose on February 22^nd. Latinx Golf Founder and Executive Director, Alexia Gutierrez and Rosalie Gutierrez lead a year-long tutoring program of over 120 students. Every Saturday their students come from various schools in San Jose to participate in STEM and math tutoring with the help of over 52 high school and college tutors. TFTSV set up a golf station in the high school field where two groups of 13 children, age 7 to 13, participated in our golf games and practiced courtesy with each other. During the games, we met with parents/guardians and signed up over 13 participants for our Spring Session at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. Of the participants who signed up, 100% qualified for our full financial assistance. TFTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt, said “we are excited and grateful to be partners with Latinx Golf and Valdéz Math to help serve their group of participants whom they have supported and developed over the years. TFTSV is committed to collaborate with dedicated community partners like Latinx Golf and Valdéz with the intention of building a sustainable pathway for students to access golf and golf facilities.”

Meet Coach Alisa Yamanaka. She is a Software Engineer and an alumna of the University of Washington. Alisa joined our team as a volunteer coach in the Summer of 2019.  Since becoming a coach, she has made a positive impact on her participants and her fellow coaches. Her attention to detail, collaborative approach, and passion for giving back makes her a great coach and mentor. Alisa believes, “There are a lot of parallels between golf and life, and TFTSV does a great job helping kids see and connect those parallels.” She currently coaches on Saturdays at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. She shared, “I enjoy seeing a concept or skill click with a student and then watching their excitement grow.” We are fortunate to have Alisa as a coach and appreciate her enthusiasm and drive to make our program a better place for everyone. Thank you Alisa and keep up the great work! The deadline for Spring Coach training is Feb 15th. If you are interested in joining coaches like Alisa, please visit https://www.thefirstteesiliconvalley.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/