Tag: Alonso Jose

2026 Summer of Opportunity!

(2026 Summer of Opportunity! Published 6/11/2026) Summer is here, and with it, another round of First Tee National Opportunities. Every year, First Tee – Silicon Valley participants who have been long-standing and highly-engaged are selected to apply for these unique, once in a lifetime experiences. FTSV has submitted their applications, and many participants have been selected to attend these opportunities and represent FTSV. Congratulations!

Qualifications to apply for Opportunities

Participants from First Tee chapters worldwide apply for one of the limited spots at these limited opportunities. To apply, our chapter looks for FTSV teens who have a minimum of 2 years with First Tee and have been highly-engaged in FTSV over the years (e.g., volunteer coach, participant at least 2 seasons per year each year, active in tournaments/Girls Golf, etc.). Applicants are selected to apply based on their fit with the opportunity, time spent in the program, amount of volunteer hours, engagement in FTSV extracurriculars, and other accomplishments. Once selected to apply, applicants must meet the requirements set forth by First Tee National, write several short essays, listing their accomplishments in and out of the classroom, and include letters of recommendation. FTSV staff works with each applicant and helps with essay support.

Great work to all participants who were able to submit applications this year!

So far, we have submitted 24 applications for 4 different National Opportunities. Please see below for our 8 selected FTSV participants.

First Tee College Scholar – Class of 2026  

FTSV participant, Natalie Chen, was accepted into the College Scholar Program that provides a college scholarship, career mentorship and internship opportunities throughout their four years in college. Please click on the subtitle to read more about the program.

First Tee National Championship – Chapel Hill, NC June 21-25

Three FTSV teen participants were accepted to represent our chapter this year at the First Tee National Championship in North Carolina. Congrats and good luck to Alexis Chu, Annie Lu and Arden Xu. Please click on the subtitle to read more about the National Championship opportunity.

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow,Jr July 8-12

Four FTSV participants were selected to attend the Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis this summer. Congratulations to Alonso Jose, Adam Rosas, Julia Villa and Varnika Arun. Please click on the subtitle to read more about the opportunity.

We will post a recap story of all the national opportunities and hear from each participant. Stay tuned!

Applications are currently being completed for the Innovators Forum and the Drive Your Future Academy. Selections will be made in August and September, respectively. Selected participants for the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach will be announced in early July.

Interested in learning more about the national opportunities, please click here

Thank You OPEN Sponsors & Players

(Thank You OPEN Sponsors & Players Published 6/11/2026) FTSV’s 14th Annual OPEN tournament on June 5th 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 $104,000 after expenses. Proceeds benefit First Tee – Silicon Valley’s financial aid participants. 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.

For the first year, FTSV awarded one of our most important and longest standing college scholarships at the Open. The Joyce Taylor Eagle Award is given annually to provide college financial assistance to a teen participant who has consistently achieved academic excellence and exhibits exceptionally good character.

The 2026 Joyce Taylor Eagle Award was given to Alonso Jose.

  • FTSV Participant, Volunteer, and Junior Councilmember
  • Selected by national panel to attend Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis
  • FTSV Junior Coach of the Year 2025
  • District 2 Representative, Valley Water Youth Commission 2025-2026
  • Valley Water Adopt-A-Creek Junior Partner, Canoas Creek
  • Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction
  • Santa Clara County Office of Education Seal of Biliteracy

All of the individuals behind our Sponsorships deserve special recognition.

Special Hosting Check Presentation:

PGA TOUR Superstore – Cupertino (Kate Nielsen)

PGA TOUR Superstore – East Palo Alto (Brad Hanson)

Hosting Sponsors:

Gallagher Insurance (Mike Gallagher)

US Bank (Keith Kobata)

Contributing Sponsors:

Hallagan Huston Family Foundation (Ron & Ann Hallagan)

Panera Bread (Jeff Burrill)

Pinnacle Bank (Doug Moffat)

Bill Powar

Ajinomoto Group Ventures (Max von Poelnitz)

Guerrero Properties (Steve & Lisa Guerrero)

Luna Mexican Kitchen (John Lopez)

Want to see your FOURSOME photo? CLICK HERE

FTSV 14th Annual OPEN Scramble Tournament Winners

First Place – Score 54 Nick Robles, Aaron Beverly, Samantha Castillo, Jose Rojo

Second Place – Score 57 Ron Gonzales, Chris King, Manny Diaz, Steve Guerrero

Contest Winners

Closest to the Pin:

Lake #8 – Manny Chavez

Mountain #2 – Alexis Chu

PGATSS Putting Contest:

1) Phoenix Jarrell

2) Steve Morgan

3) Nick Robles

4) Kyle Krebs

Sunnyvale Toyota Car Hole-In-One – no winners but special thanks to Kevin Pang and the fine folks at Sunnyvale Toyota

Thank you to our Raffle Donors and Winners

  • San Jose Muni Golf Course – Jackson Burrill
  • Almaden Golf & Country Club – Chris Chang
  • Silver Creek Valley Country Club – Tom Tate
  • Callippee Preserve Golf Course – Al Yanez
  • Bayonet-Blackhorse with Ron Hallagan – Tony Briseno
  • Stanford Golf Course – Doug Moffat
  • Los Positas Golf Course – James Houlihan
  • Callaway Tri-Force Driver & Hyperlight Zero Stand Bag – Ian Bronson
  • 90-Minute Bay Flight – Ron Fischang
  • Hellam’s Tobacco & Wine Shop: Wine & Cigar Pack with Glasses – Mike Lorion
  • (2) Tickets to 49ers vs. Titans Aug. 13th – Randy Hahn (Re-donated THANK YOU!)

Thank you to our Live Auction Donors & Supporters:

1) Eden Rift Vineyards ATV Tour & Tasting for 8 (donated by Christian Pillsbury and Michelle Wei) – Nick Gates

2) 49ers 2-Game Package Plus Tailgate Parking x 2 – Steve Guerrero & Keith Kobata

3) Spectacular Golf for 8 at CordeValle Golf Club x 2 – Julie Boncher & Blake Bridges

4) An Evening with San Jose Sharks with Randy Hahn & Signed Team Jersey – Ron Hallagan

5) Special 49ers (4) Club Level Seats + (4) Field Passes – Javier Garcia

6) 5-Night Stay for FOUR in Hawaii x2 – Julie Boncher & Nick Gates

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, Max von Poelnitz, Shawn Fox, Steve Guerrero, Andrea Brenholz, Don DeLorenzo, Ron Hallagan, Doug Moffat, Jason Luehrs, Bau-Lin Yueh and Alex Worbel.

Thank you to our Tournament Coordinators: Development Director Beth Williams & Marketing-Event 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, Sean Finnerty, Tanner Riley, Blake Jones, Nancy Rivera  

Thank you to our Volunteers: Michael Freday, Sahara Huchim, Zoe Huchim, Vian Tran, Jennifer Barrientos, Jerry Moore, Ellie Kong, Isabel Suizo, Nick Suizo, Japman Kahlon, Roni Castro and Tony Aiello.

Thank you to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club: Tournament Director Nick Starr, General Manager Adam Schiro, and Food & Beverage and Grounds Staff.

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, Beth Williams 408-508-4881 – [email protected]  to discuss sponsorship or underwriting opportunities for next year’s Open on Friday, May 14, 2027.   

Participant Spotlight: Alonso Jose

(Participant Spotlight: Alonso Jose – Published 9/12/25) This month’s Participant Spotlight is on Alonso Jose, a long-time participant and now volunteer who embodies many FTSV values and core life skills on and off the course. Alonso began his journey with First Tee – Silicon Valley back in 2022, and since then has enrolled in nearly 20 different classes – over 5 per year! Alonso reflected on his early class experiences, “I still remember my very first class; it poured so hard that we had to stay in the back of the pro shop. Even though we weren’t hitting balls, the coaches kept it fun, and that day really gave me the spirit of the program. Rain or shine, I’ve loved it ever since.” From Practice and Course classes to Ace and Junior Council, Alonso has grown tremendously throughout his time in our programs and that growth comes down to individual moments that have made an impact and set him on a journey of self-discovery.

“One of my favorite experiences was helping to plan and run the FTSV Family Fest as part of the Junior Council… It really helped me realize how much of an impact I could have, and it is something that I’ll never forget.” After positive experiences like these, it’s easy to see why a participant would want to give back. Alonso is now a dedicated volunteer who spends much of his Saturday afternoons helping out at our registration and check-in booth at Rancho del Pueblo.  Alonso goes above and beyond, always proactive and attentive to the needs of our participants, families, and coaches. When asked why he started volunteering, Alonso said, “I wanted to help give others the same great experience I’ve had, and I was inspired by my coaches and fellow ACE participants who were already volunteering. Being a volunteer has really helped me apply the FTSV curriculum’s lessons… and see the real effects they can have.”

Alonso Jose is a perfect example of how our programs can help kids build positive identity.

He’s now a leader in many of the classes he takes, helping other participants navigate their journey through First Tee, by simply being a friendly and helpful face to everyone he comes across. That identity has spilled over to other areas of Alonso’s life as well – his parents have even noticed his greater sense of responsibility in the classroom and more confidence in the way he carries himself. “First Tee has helped me become both stronger as a student and more confident… to be myself in new environments and interact with new people. These skills have already helped me in scholarship interviews and will continue to be essential as I continue my education in college.”

Positive identity is crucial to youth development, and part of that confidence is having a sense of belonging within your community. That process takes time, and over the years coaches, program staff, and FTSV leaders alike have seen Alonso’s confidence grow. “One of the blessings of working with youth is walking alongside them and watching them grow.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO. “I’ve had the good fortune of also working alongside Alonso as we set-up and then operate our check-in area for Saturday classes at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. It’s been wonderful to watch him learn the many steps to our set-up, follow them with efficiency and a positive attitude, and go above and beyond with helpfulness. All of this appears to have helped him grown in confidence. Go Alonso!”

When asked to offer advice to any participants considering volunteering with FTSV, he said, “Really put yourself out there and connect with your coaches and fellow participants. I know it can feel intimidating at first. I was nervous too when starting, but everyone is there to learn, grow, and have fun together.”

“Thank you also for the kind words about Alonso!” exclaimed Elizabeth Jose (Alonso’s Mother). “He is really loving his morning volunteering, and we have seen a new sense of responsibility and self-confidence spilling over into his school experience and even the way he carries himself! We are so thankful to the First Tee program and the whole administrative team!”

If your child is interested in golf or looking for a new extracurricular activity where they can learn, grow, and become part of something bigger than themself, consider enrolling them in FTSV programming. There are tons of opportunities for important early development for younger students, and equally as many for leadership and growth for middle and high schoolers. Visit our YOUTH PROGRAMS page for more information.