(Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Supports FTSV’s Girls Golf – Published 10/03/25) Boulder Ridge Ladies Golf Club held its 4th Annual Member-Guest Tournament on September 26th. They celebrated with “Talk Birdie to Me” as their theme and chose First Tee – Silicon Valley’s Girls Golf program as the beneficiary. Varnika Arun, FTSV Participant, Junior Council member, and Junior Coach, spoke at the lunch program to share the impact FTSV has had on her self-confidence, and how she is driven to show other girls that they belong. Development Director, Judy Deaton was also in attendance and spoke to the ladies about getting involved as volunteer coaches so the girls have female role models and mentors. Speaking to the group, Varnika talked about her experiences at First Tee – Silicon Valley.
Thank you!
We would like to thank the very generous Presenting Sponsor: Hsing Family Foundation, Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Raffle Donors, and all the Hole Sponsors who donated a total of $10,000 directly to FTSV.
Hsing Family Foundation
Jillian & Timothy Conroy
Applied Materials
Fields In Motion Physical Therapy
Sobrato Charitable Fund
Meadow Outdoor Advertising
SBG
Material Motion
Kelly Family
Mintz
Colonial Life
Ken’s Solar and Pool
The Wilshire Group
Fremont Fire Department
HELO Energy
Special thanks to Tournament Chair Candace Caballero and Co-Chair Jillian Conroy for her continued support!
First Tee – Silicon Valley’s Girls Golf Program is an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the game of golf while empowering participants to feel confident, build self-esteem and make new friends in an all-girl environment. Girls Golf seasonal events are open to all FTSV Participants – click here for more info.
(FTSV Girls Golf Summer Play Day – Published 9/9/25) The FTSV Girls Golf Summer Play Day was filled with fun, teamwork, and water balloons on the green! Twenty (20) FTSV girls kicked off the morning with some essential range practice, where everyone had the chance to sharpen their skills and meet & greet with their coaches and our two FTSV Alumni before diving into the day’s activities. To lighten things up and set a positive tone, we engaged in some fun icebreakers, helping everyone get comfortable and excited for the day ahead.
Our first highlight was capturing a fantastic group picture to remember this special day. With energy all around, the girls were then divided into four groups and set off to tackle the uniquely themed golf holes.
Each hole on the 4-hole loop presented a summer-themed challenge. Hole one featured SpongeBob’s neighborhood where the participants had to navigate their ball through each house while avoiding obstacles. Another hole was creatively designed with water balloons as our golfers were tasked to pop them with chip shots! The goal was to make each hole engaging and different, ensuring that the day was full of surprises, twists, and turns.
After making their way through all four holes, the girls returned to the patio area to socialize, eat pizza, and receive a sportsmanship prize.
Congratulations to Sofia for being so inclusive, engaging, and positive throughout the event. She was awarded with a gift certificate to Los Lagos Golf Course.
Overall, FTSV Girls Golf Summer Play Day was a tremendous success.
Katelyn, an Alum and Coach, shared her thoughts on the event. “As a Coach, it was great seeing so many smiles out on the golf course. I wish I attended Girls Golf when I was younger. The activities were super engaging, which kept the energy high despite the heat.”
Thank you to our FTSV team of Coaches – Gracie, Tiffany, Maya, Khaton, Dahlia, Alonzo, Natalie and Brooklyn! Without them, we would not have been able to make this Girls Golf event so memorable!
Special thanks to Ysabelle (Coach), Rachana (Alumni), Katelyn (Alumni), and Annie (Ace participant) for being amazing role models for our girls!
Our next Girls Golf will be November 15, 2025. For information about these tournaments and more, visit Our Opportunities page or contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected].
(Girls Golf: Teen Clinic) On Saturday, May 31st, First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) hosted our very first Girl’s Golf Teen Clinic at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course.
During this clinic, eighteen participants were able to experience 3 advanced lessons on the putting, chipping, and range areas. They were able to practice as much as they liked while our FTSV coaches provided feedback and advanced tips.
Our putting lesson was led by Coach Angelina and Coach Annie; two accomplished golfers who understand the importance of staying cool during fierce competition. They discussed the importance of keeping a cool head when frustrated. Our teens were taught how to prepare for a long putt and the importance of leaving it in an area known as your “comfort zone.” An imaginary circle where a golfer knows they’ll make the putt 80% of the time.
Girls Golf: Teen Clinic – On the range…
our lesson was led by Coach Tracy, a former professional golfer on the LPGA Future’s Tour as well as Norah, our First Tee National Champion. While giving advanced tips on the full swing, our coaches also discussed the importance of nutrition and hydration during a golf round and how hunger affects the mental state.
Lastly, on the chipping green led by Coach Phoenix, a dedicated Program Coordinator for FTSV, as well as Coach Joey, a nationally nominated participant for the First Tee PURE Insurance Tournament. They discussed importance of making smart choices and how to select the right golf club for specific chipping conditions. Our participants were excited to learn how to hit a flop shot!
One of our participants, Natalia, shared her thoughts on the event: “I really enjoyed the teen clinic. Coach Norah explained things to me in a way that my private coaches couldn’t. Norah’s instructions were easy to understand, and I started to hit the ball better because of it. She’s my favorite coach!”
Speaking of Norah, she was proud to see the success of the event, “Thank you so much for inviting me to coach! It’s amazing to see so many female teens together. You really don’t see that too often on the golf course!”
Golf can be a challenging sport as it takes deliberate practice, patience, and a growth mindset. It can be even more challenging for a female teen since 66% of girls drop out of golf by the time they are 12 years old. We’re proud to be able to host an event where our girls can feel empowered, seen, and heard.
Many thanks to Coach Phoenix, Joey, Norah, Tracy, Annie, and Angelina! Thank you for being great mentors!
FTSV’s pre-spring Girls Golf Carnival Games gathering on Saturday, March 1st kicked off at the driving range where 19 participants were tasked with hitting golf balls through circus hoops. The sound of balls hitting their mark was met with cheers as players kept track of how many hoops they could hit. Each successful shot earned them tickets that the kids could redeem for prizes later.
The players then moved to the putting green where they were tasked with chipping and putting. Cardboard cutouts of clowns and colorful balloons were strategically placed. The challenge for golfers was to knock down every clown and balloon with precise shots. Players had to work together as some targets were close while others were placed on top of boxes encouraging high trajectory chips.
Let the Girls Golf Carnival Games
After a few rounds of driving range and green fun, the golfers moved to the warm-up area, which had been set up with a variety of carnival-style games. Here, they played ring toss, stacked canned throw, fishbowl ping pong, plinko, and a goofy chipping game. This was all designed to test their agility, focus, and luck. As they earned tickets with each game, the sense of camaraderie and excitement grew, with players encouraging one another and celebrating each little victory.
With their tickets in hand, it was time to head to the prize station. There, they could redeem their hard-earned tickets for a variety of fun prizes. Squishmallows were definitely the hot ticket item!
The event concluded with pizza. Special thanks to Pizza Presidente, which is just a few block from Rancho, for donating lunch for our girls!
Events like these aren’t just about golf; they’re about creating memories, building friendships, and enjoying the camaraderie that comes with the enjoyment of playing golf. Thanks to all our participants and coaches who attended our Girls Golf Carnival Games!
Special thanks to our Junior Council: Dahlia, Natalie, Jennifer, Zoe, Sahara, and Julia for planning such an amazing day for our participants!
To learn more about FTSV’s Girls Golf, please contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected] or 408-508-4887.
The sun shined bright as our participants gathered for our much-anticipated Girls Golf Autumn Play Day: A Fun-Filled Day of Learning, Practice, and Play. Designed to inspire our young golfers, we kicked off the session with the icebreaker: name badge creation. Each participant had the chance to design their own name badge adding a bit of personality and flair before heading out for a day full of golf and camaraderie with our coaches and two members from the San Jose State Women’s Golf team.
After creating name badges, we commemorated the day with a group photo. The participants gathered in front of hole nine to capture the moment.
On-Course Play: Putting Skills to the Test
With the group picture behind them, the participants were ready to take their skills to the course. Each hole had a different theme. On two holes, our participants played a round with San Jose State University team members Kate Roberts and Tessa Kremser. From tee box to green, the San Jose State Women’s golf team offered encouragement and advice when needed.
Our participants also competed the pumpkin patch driving challenge and the scare the scarecrow approach shot challenge. Our participants definitely scared the scarecrow with some awesome golf shots!
It’s a Wrap! Girls Golf Autumn Play Day was a Success
The day ended with our post game activities, food, and a raffle. Our participants enjoyed time taking photos in our photo booth as well as decorating fall portraits and mason jars. Our Junior Council, who helped put the event together had a few remarks regarding the event.
“I loved seeing the girls having fun and creating bonds while playing on the course!” – Coach Li An “It really brightened my morning seeing the energy and excitement the kids brought out to the Girls Golf event!”
“The girls were fascinated watching the SJSU golfers playing with them, having shared smiles and laughter throughout the day” – Coach Abigail
“I loved watching the kids interact with the San Jose State golfers. It made me so happy to see the girls surrounded by such positive role models as they continue to explore golf” – Coach Varnika
“Seeing all the kids get excited to take photos (Polaroid), crafts and just having a fun time together playing golf and interacting with one another was honestly the best feeling ever!” – Coach Chloe
The event was a perfect blend of fun, learning, and teamwork – showcasing the power of golf to create a community by bringing people together of all ages or experience. With events like these, it’s safe to say that many of the young participants will continue to grow in the sport, carrying with them the lessons they gathered in their Fall Play Day experience.
Special thanks to SJSU members Kate and Tessa for taking the time out of their day to give our participants an experience to remember.
Special thanks to our Junior Council who were tasked with putting together, budgeting, and coordinating the entire event. We’re very proud of you! Our Junior Council is made up of 20 high school FTSV participants. For more information on how to join, please email [email protected].
Lastly, thank you to Coach Gracie, Alexia, and all of our volunteer coaches for making this Girls Golf Event so memorable!
Next Girls Golf will be March,1st 2025. For information about these play days and more, visit Our Opportunities page or contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected].
Girls Golf Summer Play Day – a day of fun and friendship on the green! What a fantastic day we had at our Summer 2024 Girls Golf event! We kicked off the morning with some essential range practice, where everyone had the chance to sharpen their skills before diving into the day’s activities. To break the ice and set a positive tone, we engaged in some fun icebreakers, helping everyone get comfortable and excited for the day ahead.
Our first highlight was capturing a fantastic group picture—an essential keepsake to remember this special day. With smiles all around, the girls were then divided into groups and set off to tackle the uniquely themed golf holes.
Each hole on the 4-hole course (i.e., Holes #1, #2, #8 & #9) presented a new and quirky challenge. One-hole featured beach balls where the participants had to chip over them, adding a playful twist to the game. Another hole was creatively designed with noodles as seaweed obstacles, making the experience both entertaining and memorable. Our goal was to make each hole engaging and different, ensuring that the day was full of surprises and laughter.
After making their way through all four holes, the girls returned to the patio area where arts and crafts awaited them. This creative segment provided a perfect opportunity for the girls to relax and bond with each other while expressing their artistic talents.
Overall, Girls Golf Summer Play Day was a tremendous success
Coach Gracie said, “It was heartwarming to see the girls interacting, laughing, and getting to know each other better.” The energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and the smiles on everyone’s faces said it all. We couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable day and can’t wait for our next Girls Golf event. Until then, keep swinging and smiling!
Thank you to Coach Gracie and all of our volunteer coaches for making this Girls Golf Event so memorable!
Next Girls Golf will be November 9, 2024. For information about these tournaments and more, visit Our Opportunities page or contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected].
First Tee – Silicon Valley held our first ever Girls Golf Tournament on May 11th at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. With our largest attendance of 34 participants, our members enjoyed a fun and competitive round of alternate shot format.
Each young participant was paired up with either a FTSV high school participant, a FTSV female staff member, or a FTSV female board member. Our young players took the opportunity to ask for advice from their peers and learned a valuable lesson on course management and the etiquette of golf.
Natalia, a 6th grade participant, appreciated her partner’s advice. “Norah taught me how to properly mark the ball and showed me how to line up my putts.” Some participants had the privilege to partner up with their own siblings giving them the change to bond over their first experience in competitive play. Natalie and Isabel, siblings, enjoyed the support of their surrounding playing partners. Natalie, an Ace level participant, stated “It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm at this Girl’s Golf event! I had so much fun chatting and playing golf with these younger girls. Their energy and excitement made this experience so special.”
In the spirit of Mother’s Day, we allowed a rare exception for families to walk the course and watch their children golf in their first tournament experience. It was great seeing parents supporting each other. One parent said, “I learned a lot from the other parents who had tournament experience. They taught me where to stand to view and gave me advice on how to apply and the process for tournaments outside of First Tee.”
The event concluded with a pizza party and a celebration for the players.
7 to 10 years old division
1st place: Isabel and Natlie – 42
2nd place: Ella and Sarah – 45
3rd place: Allie and Shivika – 46
11 to 14 years old division
1st place: Natalia and Norah – 34
2nd place: Emma and Andrea – 35
3rd place: Audrey and Judy – 40
What they’re saying about the tournament
“My favorite part was meeting new people and playing golf with them! The tournament was competitive, but everyone was very supportive”
– Isabel
“First Tee has done a lot for me as I have grown up, and now that I’m older, I wish to help the younger kids grow to be their best. Being able to play with them on the golf course is a fun experience and a great way to help them accomplish some of their greatest goals and challenges”
– Salma, an Ace level participant
“My daughter has played many competitive tournaments, but it was a breath of fresh air to see her play a tournament in a more relaxed environment.”
– Parent
Our Girls Golf Play days are a fun and supportive event where our participants and experience golf together, enjoy an empowering environment, and a place to meet new friends. The next event is scheduled for August 24th. Contact Manny at [email protected] for more information.
First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted our Girls Golf Play Day on Saturday, February 24th at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. Twelve of our FTSV’s Girls Golf members had a fun filled day where they played various versions of golf with their mothers. It was a great opportunity for some of our parents to experience golf for the first time. Yenny, mother of Lizbeth, enjoyed the opportunity to golf with her daughter. “I am very grateful and happy for the opportunity that the Mother-Daughter play day gives us to be able to spend time sharing and enjoying golf with our children on the golf course. Thank you so much!”
What were they playing?
The girls and their mothers were challenged to play four holes of stroke play, two holes of frisbee golf, and two holes of soccer golf. The groups had a chance to work as team as well as play individually. Playing in larger groups gives our young participants the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills as they met participants from all three of our locations. Gracie, a First Tee alumni and current FTSV coach, witnessed firsthand how important these moments between mother and daughter are. “I loved seeing moms come out and join the girls this past Girl’s Golf event. It’s so important that the participants have someone in their daily life who is there to not only motivate and support them, but to also participate in what is enjoyable for the players. Through this event we were able to foster an environment where a different aspect of the mother-daughter bond could grow.”
Special thanks to Coach Gracie, Varnika, Salma, and Alexandra for guiding our families on the golf course!
At the end of their round, our families enjoyed a pizza party while they created a memento by taking a polaroid and decorating a picture frame. Our Girls Golf Play Days are beneficial events where our participants enjoy a stress-free environment with friends, old and new, led by our supportive group of female coaches. The next event is scheduled for May 11th. Contact Manny at [email protected] for more information.
First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted our Winter Pre-Season Girls Golf Play Day on November 11th, 2023, at Rancho Del Pueblo. The theme of the event was Autumn Fun.
20 of FTSV’s youth participants had “fall fun” enjoying games on the practice areas while meeting new friends. The fall event allowed our girls to build confidence by interacting with their grade peers as well as meeting some of our Ace participants who were in attendance as mentors.
On the green, Coach Gracie challenged the participants to compete in a fall-themed version of tic-tac-toe by chipping golf balls to score 3 in a row. The girls were tasked in marking their progress with toy corn-on-the-cobs.
On the range, the girls were given a lesson on the full swing by some of our golfers who either progressed to our Ace classes or are currently starting for their local high school team. Special thanks to Coaches Vian, Elise, Jennifer, Li An, and Natalie!
The event concluded with enjoying snacks, playing fall-themed games, and creating a collage dedicated to Coach Colleen, who is a First Tee master level coach, for all of her support. We hope this experience of building new friends, meeting our Ace participants, and practicing golf together was memorable for our female participants. We’re confident our participants will utilize the life skills they learned from this event.
We are always thrilled to have our Girls Golf event, and want to say thank you to all the participants for making it such a success. Everyone made sure to create an inclusive, supportive and respectful atmosphere where all felt comfortable to learn and try new things. If you are interested in making a positive difference and mentoring youth for First Tee – Silicon Valley & Girls Golf, please visit: firstteesiliconvalley.org/about/volunteer/
Join us for the next Girls Golf Event
FTSV participants are welcome in join. Learn more about our next Girls Golf event on February 24th, 2024 may contact Manny Gallardo at [email protected] or call (408) 508-4887. We will release our next event flyer around mid-January. Stay tuned!
