Tag: January 2024

FTSV’s 2024 SAVE the Dates

Please save the dates for First Tee – Silicon Valley events which are designed for our community, participants, supporters, both individual and corporate, and families.

Attending our events are a great way for all individuals to learn more about us while having fun. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for corporations to sponsor our youth programs while entertaining customers.

The money raised from these events and our private Invitational in July represent 55% of our fundraising budget which sustains our youth development program.

Family Fest

  • at Mexican Heritage Plaza on Sunday, March 3, 2024
  • a fun, social event for the whole FTSV Family and Supporters.
  • Registration Opens January 24th @ 11am FAMILY RESERVATION LINK HERE Sponsorships available Now!

Open

  • at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club on Friday, June 7, 2024
  • a golf tournament, lunch and dinner — our largest event of the year
  • Registration opens February 7th. Sponsorships available Now!

Challenge Cup

  • at Baylands Golf Links in early December, 2024
  • an friendly challenge of champions between country clubs
  • Registration opens early October, 2024

Please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton at [email protected] or 408-508-4881, for more information about participating in our events or Sponsorships.

Community Events

Community events occur once every quarter on a Saturdays at 11am. These events bring the local communities we serve together to experience our program in a fun, no pressure environment.

If interested in attending or getting involved with our Community Events, contact Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt [email protected].

  • February 10th
  • May 11th
  • August 10th
  • November 2nd

Girls Golf & Seasonal Tournaments

Girls Golf 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. 

Seasonal Tournaments are a great way to gain competitive experience in a fun and supportive environment. Tournaments are open to all FTSV participants.

  • February 24th
  • May 18th
  • August 17th
  • November 9th

Click Here to learn more about tournament opportunities.

PUBLISHED: 01-05-2024

Caddy Club Majors: Congrats to the winners!

It’s a wrap on the FTSV 2024 Caddy Club Majors raising $80K for our Financial Aid Program to meet the needs of providing a nurturing environment for MORE kids! Over $16,000 in total “donated” prizes were awarded for all 4 Majors plus we crowned our Player of the Year – -Ann Hallagan!

You can become a Caddy Club member now by making a minimum $30 monthly donation pledge for at least 12 months and you will be active for the 2025 Majors starting in April. 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.  Click Here to Join ANYTIME!

Caddy Club Majors Winners

“Player of the Year” – Lowest Combined score for all 4 Majors

VOICE OF THE SEA – Ann Hallagan – The Olympic Club Golf Threesome, Caddies, Lunch & Drinks

Masters

First Place – CATALINAMOM – Beth Huston – $1,500 Visa Gift Card

Second Place – SSMITH777765 – Stephen Smith-  $1,000 Visa Gift Card

Third Place – CTBAUER Chris Bauer – $500 Visa Gift Card

Fourth Place – 3 way tie

BABY NEEDS SHOES – Kathy Huston -Blackhorse/Bayonet Certificate

SLIP M – John Madigan – Shoreline Certificate

GOIRISH – Will Huston – Pacific Grove Certificate

PGA Championship

First Place – TEED OFF- Mary T. Huston- $1,500 Visa Gift Card

Second Place – SBUESNEL – Simon Buesnel – $1,000 Visa Gift Card

Third Place – CELINAARRANAGA Celina Arranaga – $500 Visa Gift Card

Fourth Place –MGILLEY30 – Mike Gilley – Cinnabar Hills Gift Certificate

Fifth Place – CATALINAMOM – Beth Huston – Coyote Creek Gift Certificate

US Open

First Place – VOICE OF THE SEA – Ann Hallagan – $500 Visa Gift Card & Almaden Golf & Country Club Gift Certificate

Second Place – KELLY HEROES – Kelly Leif – $1,000 Visa Gift Card

Third Place – 3 way tie

STU WHITE – Stuart White – $500 Visa Gift Card

JSHR0323 – Josh Schroeder- $500 Visa Gift Card

BOB ZMAN– Bob Zieman – $500 Visa Gift Card

British Open

First Place – Shone Freeman – $1,500 Visa Gift Card

Second Place – Rich Rowley – $1,000 Visa Gift Card

Third Place – BOGIE71 – Jason Suey – $500 Visa Gift Card

Fourth Place – VOICE OF THE SEA – Ann Hallagan – Baylands Golf Links Certificate

Fifth Place – Robert Park – Callippe Preserve Golf Course Certificate

Youth Development through Golf

Our unique approach to youth development transforms lives and gives kids and teens a brighter future. 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. Golf provides a powerful vehicle to help kids build the strength of character and life skills that they can use both on and off the golf course. Ultimately, strong character leads to success in life.

Download the Flyer

Published: 01-05-2024 EDITED: 08-07-24

FTSV’s First Junior Council

On December 15th over 25 high school FTSV participants gathered to form our first ever Junior Council. The group is comprised of participants that have been in our program anywhere from 1 to 12 years, and many of whom have also been junior coaches. They know our program better than anyone, and most importantly, they want to be part of group that can leave a legacy and positively impact families, coaches and participants of the future.

The Go-To Team

Building a go-to-team is a lesson in our life skill curriculum. The lesson discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with a support network. One that listens and challenges you by asking questions. These participants are our go-to-team, and they are the go-to team for each other. They are forging a tight-knit community of FTSV high schoolers while applying the skills learned at FTSV to make program improvements. Due to the demand and size of the group, they are splitting into 3 sub-committees focusing on marketing, fundraising, and events. You will hopefully see the fruits of their labor in 2024, so stay tuned.

Interested?

If you are interested in joining our program like these high schoolers, please click here or contact us at [email protected] or 408-508-4880 for more information.

PUBLISHED: 01-05-2024

Coach Spotlight: Meet Coach Ronna

This month’s Coach Spotlight: Meet Coach Ronna! We are so grateful to have Ronna on our team. She has been a volunteer coach with us since the summer of 2021 and has coached just about every season. Before FTSV she volunteered for St Christopher Catholic School as a tutor for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th graders. She also volunteered for Bay Areas Women’s Sports Initiative where she taught girls life lessons through physical activity. She is an avid golfer, so FTSV is a great fit.

“Has been a great attribute to the first tee!” Says Coach Kyle, about Ronna. “Her positive attitude and demeanor keeps her classes fun and engaging. She demonstrates great leadership skills. If any complications or concerns come up, Ronna is the first one to jump into action. We can’t thank her enough for the years of dedication and support.”

“I enjoy being out there with the kids,” says Ronna, “and tying in golf and life skills while finding ways to utilize them away from the golf course. My goal is to help build trusting relationships so I can help participants build their go-to-team.”

Ronna has been fantastic with the participants,” said Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt.  “She meets the students where they are, brings people together, and builds their confidence. Her lead coaches We are grateful to have her as a coach!”

Help Make an Impact through Volunteering!

First Tee — Silicon Valley is looking for high quality, caring people like Ronna that are interested in showing up and guiding others, so they become even better people and leaders of tomorrow. Our volunteer coaches work together to teach our Life and Golf Skill curriculum by finding and using coachable moments and by making the sessions fun and engaging.

Interested in Getting Started like Ronna?

What if I am not an expert coach or golfer?

Our coaches come from all walks of life with different life and golf experiences. We provide life and golf skill training as well training on coach strategies, techniques, and on our coach philosophy. Our goal is to make sure every coach feels supported. Additionally, we have created lesson plans to help everyone work together and support one another in the content and delivery. There will always be a paid, lead coach for each class coordinating the group of coaches.

What is the time requirement?

  • Volunteer coaches can choose from several class options by location, day of the week, and time.
  • Time commitment is 2.5 hours a day, once a week for an 8-week season. The 2.5 hours include a 30-minute pre-class meeting, 1.5-hour class, and a 30-minute post-class debrief.

Join our team, learn/develop coaching skills, make a difference in the youth, and give back to the community! Please help us spread the word. The more positive and dedicated coaches, the better the program, and the more impactful it is for our youth. 

PUBLISHED: 01-05-2024

SAGA Foundation Donates $100,000

First Tee – Silicon Valley owes an enormous thank you to SAGA Foundation led by President, David Bartoshuk for their generous $100,000 donation to further develop FTSV programs in the Palo Alto-Redwood City area including at Baylands Golf Links. Their donations to FTSV now total $610,000 over the last six years. 

What is the SAGA Foundation?

The SAGA Foundation assists nonprofits to work smarter, reach further, and have a lasting impact. They are committed to helping FTSV expand dramatically at Baylands for the benefit of Mid-Peninsula youth and the community. David Bartoshuk, President – SAGA Foundation, says, “At SAGA, we continue to believe in the tremendous power of working together, and we recognize there is no limit to what can be accomplished when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.” Read more about SAGA’s commitment to collaboration in their Fall 2023 Letter – The Power of “WE.”

“We cannot thank David and the SAGA Foundation enough for all of their support of FTSV’s future at Baylands Golf Links and in the lives of youth throughout the Mid-Peninsula.” said FTSV President & CEO, George Maxe.

PUBLISHED: 01-03-2024