Tag: joyce taylor

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.   

Ashely Pang Receives Joyce Taylor Eagle Award

(Ashely Pang Receives Joyce Taylor $5K Scholarship – Published 08/01/2025) The Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and $5,000 College Scholarship was presented to long-time FTSV participant Ashley Pang at the First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) 2025 Invitational fundraiser on Sunday, July 20th at CordeValle in San Martin, CA. Thank you to all our 2025 Invitational sponsors for their continued support as we celebrate our 25th year to address socio-economic gaps with programs designed to foster diversity, equity and inclusion. FTSV has served over 100,000 youth making our program accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

Ashely was selected for her consistent academic excellence, her exemplary volunteer accomplishments, and for her demonstration of First Tee character and life skills. The purpose of the award is to provide a high school student the financial hope of attending college. Ashely will be attending Pacific University this fall.

The scholarship was initiated by a very generous 9-year grant by PG&E several years ago and has since then been supported by other supporters and Joyce’s brother, Alan Taylor.

Ashely remarks on her takeaways from FTSV

“Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for what First Tee has given me—not just a deeper understanding of golf, but a clear sense of how I want to lead and be seen by others. Through lessons like identifying what it means to be in the stretch zone, and adopting a growth mindset through challenges, I’ve learned that leadership is about stepping up and embracing the challenges, even when the outcome is uncertain or so far away. I now carry a toolkit of confidence, compassion, and resilience–characteristics of myself that I hope to inspire and share with my surrounding community….my First Tee community will always be supporting me wherever I am.”

Ashely’s Accomplishments

  • FTSV Participant since 2012 & Volunteer since 2021 Selected by a National Panel to Attend:
  • The First Tee Leadership Academy in Atlanta
  • Drive Your Future Academy in San Francisco
  • High School Golf Team Captain 2021-2024
  • President’s Volunteer Service Golf Award for 2024
  • Co-President of her High School’s German Club
  • 1 of 2 Participants at her High School awarded Social Studies Excellence Award
  • Magna Cum Laude

Speech: Ashely Pang Received Joyce Taylor $5K Scholarship

In additional to the Joyce Taylor Award presentation…

The Invitational included a gathering of Government Affairs professionals from various companies: PG&E, PhRMA, Chevron, Altria, SoCal Edison, Commerce Casino & Hotel, Noteware Government Relations, and Niemela Pappas & Associates. Organized by FTSV Board Chairman Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. and FTSV President & CEO George Maxe, the Invitational includes several activities for sponsors – a Legislative Roundtable, dinners, and golf with colleagues. A special thanks to the following Government Elected Officials who were in attendance for portions of the event: CA Assembly Member Heath Flora, CA Assembly Member Greg Wallis, CA Assembly Member Ash Kalra, and Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone.

First Tee – Silicon Valley Board of Directors, staff, and program participants, thank you for your commitment and support of our mission to develop the character of youth through the game of golf.

Joyce Taylor (1957–2010) was a woman known for her intelligence, warmth, and elegance. She graduated with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Oklahoma (OU) with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. Joyce became a highly successful and respected business woman and community leader with a long career in telecommunications. In 1997, she was promoted to Regional President, Bay Area, and then Senior Vice President, External Affairs-Northern California, AT&T, where she oversaw legislative, governmental and external affairs activities in Northern California.

Joyce worked extensively with Bay Area business and community-based organizations. Her support of the Eagles at Rancho del Pueblo junior golf program was instrumental to its growth and success. In 2005, the program became First Tee — Silicon Valley to develop the character of youth through golf throughout Santa Clara County. Joyce’s support helped to build a solid program that has reached over 81,234 youth since 2005. The Joyce Taylor Eagle Award is given annually to provide financial assistance for college to a participant who has consistently achieved academic excellence and exhibits exceptionally good character.

Alexandra Varo Receives Joyce Taylor Award & $5K Scholarship at Invitational

Alexandra Varo received the *Joyce M. Taylor Eagle Award and a $5,000 college scholarship at the First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) 2024 Invitational fundraiser on July 17th at CordeValle in San Martin, CA. Thank you to our sponsors for supporting our 24-year mission of addressing socio-economic gaps and fostering inclusion. FTSV has served over 100,000 youth, making programs accessible and affordable across Santa Clara County.
Alexandra was recognized for her academic excellence, volunteer work, and First Tee values. She will be the first in her family to attend college, studying Forensic Science at San Jose State University.

Alexandra’s achievements include:

– FTSV participant and volunteer since September 2021
– Selected for the First Tee Game Changers Academy & Leadership Summit
– HS Scholar-Athlete Award: 2021-2023
– President’s Volunteer Service Bronze Award: 2023
– Volunteer math tutor

“I can say that I am a different person now than when I first joined First Tee – Silicon Valley,” says Alexandra. “I consider First Tee – Silicon Valley to be my greatest support system that has given me a place to practice and develop my personal skills.” See below to hear Alexandra share her personal story and how First Tee is helping her on her journey to college and beyond.

Organized by FTSV Board Chairman Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. and FTSV President & CEO George Maxe, the 2024 Invitational included a Legislative Roundtable with CA Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, CA State Senator Dave Cortese, CA State Senator Steven Bradford, CA Assembly Member Heath Flora, and Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone.

George and Victor shared the State of FTSV with the elected officials. Victor said, “The core of what we teach the youth we serve is appreciating diversity, respect, integrity, active listening, and empathy. We are determined in our mission to build character, shape the leaders of tomorrow and inspire them to make our community and the world a better place.”

*Joyce Taylor (1957–2010) was a respected businesswoman and community leader, graduating with honors from the University of Oklahoma. As Senior Vice President at AT&T, she supported the founding of the Eagles at Rancho del Pueblo junior golf program in 2000, which became First Tee – Silicon Valley in 2005, reaching over 100,000 youth. The Joyce Taylor Eagle Award provides college financial assistance to participants excelling academically and demonstrating exceptional character.

Published: 07-25-24