(FTSV Participant Natalie Chen selected for the First Tee College Scholar Program – Published 7/09/2026) First Tee Silicon Valley participant Natalie Chen has been selected by FT Headquarters to become a part of the 2026 College Scholar Program. Congratulations, Natalie!!! She is one of 22 selected participants from all First Tee chapters world-wide.
The First Tee College Scholarship Program provides valuable, life-changing opportunities for the youth of First Tee and helps them prepare for success in and after college.
This program awards participants who excel in academics, leadership, character development, and chapter and community involvement. Thanks to generous donors, First Tee offers up to a $20,000 scholarship, mentoring throughout the college experience, professional development workshops, and assistance in securing internships and jobs.
Natalie always takes on and thrives in challenges. She began taking our classes in the 3rd grade, coming from a family that wasn’t very familiar with golf. From the beginning, Natalie has felt right at home, saying “First Tee was very welcoming…[they] set the stepping stones for me to build the confidence to walk on to a golf course and know what to do.” After many seasons with FTSV, Natalie earned a spot on her school’s varsity golf team. On the team she even has friends who she met through FTSV, other people who she knows she can rely on, both on and off of the course.
Natalie also joined our Junior Council and led a few the Council’s subcommittees including our Girls Golf events and our Family Fest. She excelled in our Ace classes and took our Leadership Series with the PGA Tour Superstore. As a result of her performances and leadership, she was selected to attend the 2024 First Tee Leadership Summit.
Throughout her time as a high school participant, Natalie took on the challenge of being a volunteer coach. During this time, she became one of our most trusted and tenured junior volunteer coaches and has now transitioned to a hired-staff coach. As her responsibilities grow, she grows as a leader. According to Natalie, “I love it so much. I really like teaching the little kids, they are like little brothers and sisters to me. First Tee has helped me build on my leadership in the program and at school, such as taking the lead and initiating conversations. I have learned how to manage a group of people, open up to others, and make space for everyone to share ideas and feel included.”
Natalie Chen attends the First Tee College Scholar Pre-College retreat
Natalie, reflects on the First Tee Scholars Pre-College Retreat:
“Between all the excitement of preparing for college, the Pre-College Retreat gave me a chance to reflect on the kind of person I want to be and the relationships I want to build when I arrive on campus. Throughout the week, we explored resilience, leadership, and networking through interactive sessions and speaker panels that encouraged vulnerable conversations. A few sessions especially stuck with me. Patric Young’s story was a powerful reminder that resilience starts with gratitude and the mindset to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go as planned. I also appreciated Carrie Zimmerman’s Networking 101 session, where we practiced entering and exiting professional conversations with confidence. The Mentor/Mentee Panel was another highlight, offering honest advice on how to build meaningful relationships with the mentors who will support us throughout our college journey.”
“One of my favorite parts of the retreat was our service project at Vicar’s Landing Retirement Community. We painted canvases for residents before spending time talking with them one-on-one!”
“More than anything, it was the people who made the week so memorable! It was such a privilege to spend the week with my fellow scholars who were not only incredibly accomplished, but also funny, thoughtful, and genuinely kind. Everyone brought a different perspective to the week, and I learned just as much from the conversations with them as I did from the sessions themselves. I left Florida with friendships that span across the country, and I’m very grateful to have found a community I’ll stay connected with for years to come!”
This Scholar Retreat is one of two every year for the duration of her time in College.
Natalie will be using the lessons from this retreat and the lessons learned while at FTSV at Stanford University in the Fall. Congratulations, Natalie! We are incredibly proud of you!
Applications for the First Tee College Scholarship Program are accepted once per year from seniors in high school who meet the minimum eligibility requirements. If you are interested in learning more about the College Scholarship Program or are interested in applying, please email Coach Manny at [email protected] and click here. Click here to watch the video of the College Scholar Program