spotlight Archives - First Tee

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.

Coach Spotlight: Meet Katelyn Chan

(Coach Spotlight: Meet Katelyn Chan – Published 8/7/25) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) owes so much of our successful impact to our many wonderful coaches who are the backbone of FTSV’s programs. This month’s Coach Spotlight highlights Katelyn Chan, a FTSV alumni turned volunteer, and now paid coach, who always brings the care and enthusiasm needed to build relationships with our participants and help them build golf and life skills.

Katelyn started playing golf at age 5 and has been at it ever since. She took FTSV classes from age 7 to 16 and then started as a volunteer coach at age 15. “Once I was eligible to volunteer, I was really excited to just give back what First Tee gave me when I was a kid. All my coaches were awesome, it was such a positive environment to be in, so it seemed like so much fun to get involved as a coach.” Katelyn reflected.

It’s clear that while she was a participant, Katelyn took all our life skills to heart. Her stand-out participation led to her selection to attend the First Tee Leadership Summit, to receive the First Tee 2024 Make Your Mark Award, and to achieve her First Tee Ace Certification.

Katelyn coaches with respect and compassion, teaches participants how to persevere through difficulties with their golf swings, and always relates the life skill to a participant’s own life and interests. “When it comes to life skills, I try to have casual conversations and teach lessons naturally, just trying to relate to their life. Kids all have different ways of learning things and it’s fun to get to know different kids and how each of them best takes in our lessons. I love asking kids goofy questions and having fun with them – kids always have something to say and offer a different perspective.”

Katelyn is a great example of what it takes to build a positive environment in class. When a coach can create an environment of trust, safety, and positivity, participants are more likely to express themselves, have fun, and absorb and learn the day’s lesson effectively. It’s this active learning environment that we’re always striving for – Coach Katelyn experienced that as a participant and is now creating that as a coach.

Be a Coach… Be a Mentor

While her background in golf and as a FTSV participant was helpful in becoming a coach, it’s not a requirement – FTSV is always looking for coaches who want to make an impact on the lives of kids, teens, and the community. “Don’t be intimidated, there’s a great team of coaches to guide you along the way. Just have fun talking to kids and having fun with the class. Being a coach really helped me feel more confident and develop conversation skills that I use in and outside class.” Click here for more information on joining FTSV as a volunteer coach.

Mentor Spotlight: Ysabelle Lam

(Mentor Spotlight: Ysabelle Lam – July 11, 2025) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) has positively impacted over 100,000 kids and teens throughout our 25-year history. That success is largely built on the passion, hard work, and commitment of our hundreds of volunteer mentors and paid staff. This month’s Mentor Spotlight is on a volunteer who’s been with us for 2 years, who always brings a positive attitude and goal of meeting kids where they are to help them get the most out of their FTSV experience.

Ysabelle Lam started with FTSV in 2023. She began working with our participants at Baylands Golf Links and coaches with us every season. In her classes she successfully bonds with students over shared interests like art, gaming, and travel. Ysabelle knows how to break the ice, an important step to building a positive, trusting relationship that allows our coaches to effectively deliver our life skills curriculum in a safe, fun environment.

“When I started at First Tee, I was still in my first year of learning golf. My personal golf journey was extremely frustrating at times, so it became a great way for me to grow my character as well. I love using golf to teach life skills, because if you can stay respectful, confident, and truly persevere through an off day in golf, it prepares you to face and conquer challenging times in any aspect of life.”

The best part about Coach Ysabelle’s coaching style is her ability to bring the life skill lessons to kids within friendly conversation – showing and engaging, rather than telling, participants what it means to be respectful, appreciate diversity, collaborate, and more. In this way, participants are internalizing how the life skills connect with their interests, or with whatever they are experiencing in their lives. As a result, the life skills become much more impactful and applicable.

“When I am coaching my number one priority is to ensure everyone is having fun (and also to be safe). I emphasize encouragement over criticism and try to help students stay confident, even when they’re struggling — whether we’re on the range or out on the course. What I enjoy most is watching their confidence grow throughout the season — not just in their golf game, but in themselves.”

Ysabelle is a perfect example that FTSV is a “life skills first” program, where golf is the vehicle to building character and becoming the best version of yourself. No matter your skill level, golf tests us in ways that bring out the best of our integrity, confidence, and work-ethic, making it the perfect life-long sport we can all enjoy with dedication. FTSV is always looking for volunteer mentors who are looking to make an impact on the lives of kids, teens, and the community. Coach Ysabelle says, “ If you’re considering joining FTSV as a volunteer, know that you don’t need to be a golf expert — you just need a passion for helping kids grow. The impact you can make simply by showing up and caring is huge.” For more information on joining FTSV as a volunteer coach.

Alumni Spotlight: Nancy Rivera

(Alumni Spotlight: Nancy Rivera) Here at FTSV, we’re always proud to give a well-deserved shout out to our past participants. This alumni spotlight is on Nancy Rivera.

Nancy began her journey with FTSV in 2017 and racked up a series of well-deserved honors during her time as a participant. She achieved FTSV Ace Certification in 2022, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication that also helped earned her multiple scholarships and selection to national opportunities such as Game Changers Academy, the First Tee Innovators Forum, and the First Tee Leadership Summit.

In 2021, Nancy was selected to represent FTSV at the First Tee Innovators Forum in San Jose, a program that challenged teens to develop a meaningful service project in their community. Twenty-six participants from across the country had the opportunity to hear from inspirational keynote speakers and participate in interactive workshops focused on global issues like education, health, and sustainability. As a result of these workshops and motivating speeches, Nancy narrowed in on her project, which provided resources to promote and explain higher education in low income and undocumented communities. Her leadership and project work helped her earn a $10,000 scholarship towards continuing her education.

After she graduated high school, Nancy was selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program, joining a class of 25 scholars who earned this honor based on their academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need, and commitment to volunteerism. Beyond financial assistance, the scholarship program also offered ongoing support throughout their post-graduate careers.

This program, along with her award of the Innovators Forum scholarship and FTSV’s Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and scholarship, helped her achieve her dream of being a first-generation college student when she chose to attend Middlebury College in Vermont. It’s no surprise that there, she continued her exceptional work and quickly established herself as a leader in her community. In the same vein as her Innovators Forum project, Nancy joined Middlebury’s Juntos, a social justice and human rights group advocating for the migrant community in Vermont. In her three years with the campus organization, she’s risen to the role of President, working tirelessly to help further their mission.

Through her hard work supporting this important cause, Nancy was recently recognized with the Patrick J. Durkin ’79 Public Service Leadership Award, a prestigious honor given to students who demonstrate a special dedication to public service at Middlebury College.

Congrats, Nancy! We’re so proud of the work you’re doing after all your success at FTSV.

*Nancy Rivera – Front/Center Yellow Dress – Patrick J. Durkin ’79 Public Service Leadership Award*

If you are a past First Tee participant, or you’re about to graduate from High School, consider becoming a First Tee Alumni with our chapter! For more information, CLICK HERE.

If you are thinking about joining us as a participant like Nancy once did, please CLICK HERE.

Published: 05-19-2025

Alumni Spotlight: Meet Michelle Xie

(Alumni Spotlight: Meet Michelle Xie) As a youth mentoring organization, the biggest way First Tee – Silicon Valley can measure our impact is by looking at the success of our alumni. After years of character development by participating in and often volunteering with our programs, what do some of our alumni go on to achieve?

Our hope is that they pursue their goals and dreams, achieve success, and live by the many core values we teach. Of course, we believe that all our alumni can claim these achievements, and more, but not many provide a better example than Michelle Xie.

As a student and young golfer, “[she] always had the general idea that [she] wanted to do well in school and in golf, but the thought of juggling both areas felt overwhelming.” That’s where First Tee and our life skill curriculum can help. Because beside our programs and events, FTSV also offers many other opportunities including scholarships, leadership academies, advisory council roles, regional and national tournaments, and future-prep Ace classes. All of which can help prepare students for a fulfilling and successful life beyond golf.

Michelle Xie, as a FTSV participant

Michelle reached two major milestone with First Tee – Silicon Valley – achieving Ace Certification and participating in (and winning!) the 2013 Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Both accomplishments are some of the highest heights one can reach with FTSV, so it’s no surprise that Michelle has gone on to become one of our most successful alumni.

Michelle continued down the path of a successful golf career in high school, helping the inaugural girls’ golf team at Palo Alto High School win the 2014 Central Coast Section title, and claiming the individual title for herself, before leading the team to the state championship where they finished 8^th.

She then attended Harvard, studying molecular and cellular biology and playing D1 women’s golf where she captained the team, earned three All-Ivy selections, and won the Ivy League Individual Championship as a junior.

Today, Michelle lives back in the Silicon Valley area where she works as a software engineer at a financial tech company, focusing on user retention through app development. Michelle continues to be involved in golf and live by the values we teach at First Tee. And now, she is prepared to give back to First Tee as part of the National Alumni Advisory Council – a strategic advisory body that provides insights and recommendations to strengthen alumni engagement, enhance programming, and advance First Tee’s mission. Michelle is part of 20 First Tee alumni from across the country who’ve been selected to help shape the future of First Tee programs.

First Tee alumni from across the country who’ve been selected to help shape the future of First Tee programs

“I’m overjoyed and honored that First Tee has selected me to be a part of its National Alumni Advisory Council.” said Michelle. “Growing up, First Tee provided me many unique opportunities during which I was able to meet incredible young golfers from all over the country. I can’t wait to be a part of First Tee’s continued effort to strengthen its community, this time through its alumni network.”

Successful alumni not only offer a proud glimpse into the impact we have as an organization, but they are also part of the fabric of First Tee. A successful hard working participant, growing up to achieve their dreams, and giving back to First Tee – it all makes for a inspiring example for others to follow. Great job, Michelle! All of us here at FTSV are proud to call you our alum.

If you are a past First Tee participant, or you’re about to graduate from High School, consider becoming a First Tee Alumni with our chapter! For more information, CLICK HERE.

If you are thinking about joining us as a participant like Michelle once did, please CLICK HERE.

*Michelle Xie as participant (FTSV Alum)*

Published: 04-30-2025

Mentor Spotlight: Meet Austin

(Mentor Spotlight: Meet Coach Austin) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to welcome Coach Austin to our team as our newest Program Coordinator. Austin will be coaching at Baylands Golf Links during the week as well as Rancho del Pueblo on Saturdays.

Originally from Santa Rosa, Coach Austin grew up playing golf in high school, where he fell in love with the game. “I really like the individual aspect of it; it’s you against the course. You have to navigate the environment while also navigating your own internal environment, and that’s really cool to me.”

Austin graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Sports Management from the Department of Recreation Parks, and Tourism industry. He has previous experience as a Program Coordinator and Youth Soccer League Director. Austin says, “I’m determined to build communities and influence the culture within them in order to create positive and unforgettable experiences that help people be their best.”

Sports have played a big role in Austin’s life and he fully believes in the power that sports has to make a positive difference. “There are so many role models in sports. Sports are full of metaphors for life, full of adversity and triumph. You have to learn how to be humble and respectful of others when you succeed, and how to shake things off and learn when things get hard. It’s a great place to practice one’s individual development, while also working with others either in competition or on a team.”

Other than sports, Austin spends his free time being outdoors with his girlfriend and his dog, Otto, and also plays the guitar. He has played since he was 14 and used to perform at open mics back in Santa Rosa. His favorite musician is Jack Johnson. Like FTSV and Coach Austin, we are all better together!

If you are interested in becoming more involved with FTSV, please visit our website.

Published: 03-07-2025

Participant Spotlight: Meet Juan Hernandez

(Participant Spotlight: Meet Juan Hernandez) Juan Hernandez first came to First Tee – Silicon Valley as a 6^th grader. He was exposed to our program by our long-time youth partner, Redwood City Pal Center. Over the next seven years he took classes at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto with the help of the Pal Center and then participated in our Saturday classes at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose. Now he is preparing to graduate high school and continue to college where he has been accepted to four schools so far with plans to study Civil Engineering.

Juan’s journey began in the Redwood City Pal Center which is a resource program that co-creates solutions with the community and builds brighter futures for youth and families. They do a fantastic job at exposing their participants to many different experiences like our Life and Golf Skill classes. Participants grades 2-6 are transported from the Pal Center to Baylands Golf Links every Friday in each of our four 8-week seasons. Thanks to the SAGA Foundation’s support of both organizations, we are able to have a successful partnership, which includes covering the cost of their registrations and providing Pal Center with a van that is designated for transportation to our program.

Juan is one of hundreds of Pal Center participants who have had the opportunity to join our classes since 2017 because of our partnership, SAGA Foundation’s support, and Pal Center’s commitment to broadening opportunities for youth. Pal Center’s Executive Director, Ivan Martinez, says, “This partnership exemplifies our mission to connect young people with enriching experiences that might not have been on their radar otherwise. Juan’s journey is just one of many success stories we’ve seen through our partnership with First Tee. By creating access to experiences beyond their immediate environment, we empower our youth to dream bigger and step into new opportunities.” The Pal Center is an important community building organization, and FTSV is proud to be able to offer Golf and Life Skill development to Juan and their other members.

When asked about his experience, Juan said, “I didn’t know anything about First Tee. I never thought I’d play golf or enjoy it. Now, I like it. It’s good exercise, and it’s a good way to socialize and destress yourself. In the beginning, my brother and I were nervous, having never played golf and not knowing anyone there. Coach Matt was the first person I met at the course. He introduced himself and had everyone else introduce themselves with a handshake. Before these classes I wasn’t confident speaking up in front of the group, but Coach Matt helped me to speak up and build that confidence.”

Seven years later he is now one of the leaders in his Grades 9-12 class at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. He lifts others up and has earned the respect of his peers and coaches. “At First Tee – Silicon Valley you have people helping you, and then you make friends,” Juan says. “Including others and being more outgoing are some of my biggest take aways from FTSV. I sometimes see people at school that are by themselves or don’t have many friends, and I invite them to hang out with me and my friends. First Tee has helped me to be a Go-To person for others and realize who my Go-To people are. I have different Go-To people for different situations, people like my brother, my friends, and my coaches.”

“For other kids starting out, I’d say keep going. It’s good to keep an open mind, in the end, it’s worth it. The program will help you a lot. It will help you clear your vision and help you to learn important life skills that will help you right now and for the rest of your life. Don’t knock it until you try it!”

From all of us here at FTSV, congratulations Juan on all your hard work! We are proud of you!

If you are interested in joining the Spring season, registration opens here on February 19^th, at 11am. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Coach Phoenix via email ([email protected]) or phone (650-887-7104).

Published: 02-07-2025

Mentor Spotlight: National Mentor Month

(Mentor Spotlight: National Mentor Month) Mentorship is the most important part of First Tee – Silicon Valley. For the past 25 years, our coaches have been making a difference in the lives of kids, helping them to learn important life skills and become amazing people. Thank you to the incredible mentors who are the FTSV family. This past year we had over 200 volunteer mentor coaches. Your hard work, care and dedication are what make all the difference!

Let’s meet some of the longtime mentors at FTSV….

Coach John has been coaching for almost 10 years, passing on what he learned as a participant to the next generation of FTSV participants. “As a former participant, it feels like I get to give back what I was taught, just like coaches did for me years ago. Specifically, a lesson that really stuck with me was about dealing with conflicts. Instead of a “I am always right” mentality, FTSV coaches taught me how to work with others to resolve an issue and find win – win solutions using the CARE model.”

CARE = Communicate, Actively Listen, Review Options, End with a Win-Win

For Coach John, it’s the people that make FTSV so special. “FTSV has developed a really good community of people, including the coaches, volunteers and full-time staff. The people are what makes you want to keep coming back. I get to work alongside people who really care about what we do and mentoring kids, and it makes even the challenging days fun and rewarding.”

Coach Tracy started volunteering with FTSV in 2019. As a former Division 1 college golfer and LPGA player, Coach Tracy has plenty of elite golf experience, making her an incredible asset to FTSV. “First Tee – Silicon Valley means that I can share my lifelong passion for golf with the upcoming generation of golfers,” says Tracy. “And while it’s great to see their golf skills improve over the season, it’s even more rewarding to help them learn and apply the life skills in their daily lives.” Coach Tracy is fantastic at turning golf instruction into memorable life lessons, helping participants to thrive both on and off the golf course. On top of coaching with FTSV, Coach Tracy is currently the Mountain View High School girls’ golf coach, and the team took the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division title this year. Congrats Coach Tracy and the Mountain View High School girls!

Since 2017, Coach Jeffy, who has had two of his children in FTSV, has been working with FTSV to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. With clear expectations and thoughtful questions, Jeffy helps our high schoolers think about their goals, make effective plans, and learn how to effectively communicate with peers and in the workplace. He contributes to the positive, supportive environment that exists within FTSV. He’s a living example of what a mentor should be.

“There are parents that think we need to just teach kids golf, but all of our Life Skill behaviors/tips are things that should start at home; FTSV coaches just reinforce them. I encourage parents, if they aren’t going to volunteer, to please be involved in what we are trying to help their kids learn. It’s going to be that much more effective if you can talk with your kids at home about what they are working on in class and help continue that learning.”

Join us!

If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community, please visit our website to learn more, or fill out this form to get started. No golf experience necessary. Training is provided. Everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.

Published: 01-10-2025

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet Nico Hernandez

FTSV is Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet Nico Hernandez, a long-time participant and volunteer Junior Coach (at Baylands Golf Links), Nico is now inspiring a whole new generation of young golfers.

Grateful for all that FTSV has done for him, Nico takes pleasure in giving back to the First Tee community, arriving early to help set up for the day’s activities, and staying late for tear down. Nico says, “I’m super passionate about doing whatever I can for our participants because I’ve been there myself. My goal is to become a future generation leader and understand anything they’re going through because I’ve experienced the same thing from my own time as a participant.”

Changing the Game outside the Golf Course

Nico’s enthusiasm and dedication extends beyond the golf course. He excels in a variety of pursuits, putting the skills of setting and achieving goals that he’s learned from First Tee to work. Not only has he become the fastest swimmer on his swim team, Nico also turned a dream into reality by starring in his own weekly podcast at school. He explains, “Setting goals is like laying out a path to improve and achieve anything you want. When I set a goal, I can easily visualize my progress. It boosts my mental well-being and helps me move forward. Through my time with First Tee, I feel like I’ve not only gotten better at golf but also grown as a person. I’ve learned how to set short-term and long-term goals as steps to achieve my final goal along with my coaches and friends.”

No matter if it’s academics, social interactions, or golf, Nico feels confident in tackling any challenge. His positive attitude and mindful approach to his activities has helped him and the people he’s around to flourish.

Mentoring is Priceless. If you had a mentor growing up, you know that having someone to listen and give guidance to overcome life’s challenges can be transforming. When we look back on the over 100,000 kids First Tee – Silicon Valley has worked with, we are filled with pride and joy knowing that our mentors and our youth development program was there for the kids of our community.

Our Kids Face Heavy Stuff. The pressures of social media, loneliness, mental health struggles, family dynamics, peer and family judgment, inequities of living in Silicon Valley and devastating world events are all adversely affecting youth. FTSV creates a supportive, safe, and positive environment where kids are empowered to be themselves, and feel included!

There are many Ways to Give to First Tee – Silicon Valley and help us Change the Game for MORE Kids… like Nico. $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference.

Donate Now!

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet Tristian Hipolito

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet one of First Tee – Silicon Valley’s long-time participants – Tristian Hipolito.

Tristan has been a wonderful part of our program since he transferred from the First Tee East Bay chapter 9 years ago. Tristan is one of the most active participants in our program, taking multiple classes every season, participating in all of our off-season events, and coaching on Saturdays. He is an empathetic and thoughtful individual who leads by example and is committed to self-improvement.

Leadership in Action

As a participant, Tristan continuously goes above and beyond. He speaks up and contributes to Life Skill discussions, works exceptionally hard on improving his golf game, and actively seeks out other ways where he can be of service. He recently represented First Tee in the national Participant Advisory Council in Florida where he was one of eight selected from around the country. Tristan is also a member of our Junior Council where he leads his subcommittee on raising money and donations for our chapter.

Tristan often speaks about developing these leadership skills through the Life Skill lessons taught by FTSV Coaches and Mentors. Specifically, Goal Setting and Overcoming Challenges. Tristan spoke about these skills at the FTSV 2024 OPEN Tournament:

Recently, Tristian was awarded the 2024 Dennis Kettman Memorial Scholarship. Each year golfers in the Dennis Kettmann Memorial Tournament raise funds to remember Dennis. Their generosity underwrites this special $5,000 college scholarship for a FTSV chosen participant.

We are a National Leader. We lead the nation among the 140 First Tee chapters in several key program measures including the highest number of participants selected to national academies and leadership opportunities:

85% diversity 48% low-income

55% retention 1:4 mentor ratio

There are many ways to help First Tee – Silicon Valley Change the Game for MORE Kids… like Tristan. $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference.

Ways to Give

Participant Spotlight: Edwin Sanchez

First Tee- Silicon Valley participant spotlight: Edwin Sanchez has been hard at work giving back to his community and being the change that he wants to see in the world. He is leading neighborhood clean-up projects, volunteering with us as a youth mentor and coach, and even serving as a part of the District 3 Youth Commission. On and off the course, Edwin continues to show what it really means to be involved and make a difference. Great work, Edwin!

Edwin joined FTSV as a participant 5 years ago. Since then, he has taken over 17 classes, participated in many of our tournaments and events, and started volunteering as a junior coach, passing on the Life Skill knowledge he has learned to the younger participants. Edwin is a committed and caring FTSV participant, and this extends to other parts of his life as well.

Beyond the golf course

He organizes a monthly neighborhood clean-up, getting people together to make positive change. Working with Beautify SJ, Edwin and other community members spend 3 hours every month cleaning and giving back to the neighborhood. When asked about the project, he said “I’ve been doing this for almost 8 months. It fills me with pride to help my community, the place I grew up. FTSV has helped me a lot with my time management and I use that skill regularly, especially on projects such as this one.”

Edwin is also a part of the San Jose Youth Commission, representing District 3. The Youth Commission is a group of young people committed to serving their community through legislation, service projects, and activism. Within this role, Edwin runs a Youth Advisory Committee, working directly with other teens from his district to provide input on policy and programs that impact the city. Currently he is organizing monthly meetings and looks forward to the upcoming projects.

When asked about his passion for social service, Edwin reflected on his upbringing. “My mom took me out almost every week to do some sort of volunteer project. Now that I am in high school, I see a lot of my school field trips are to places I volunteered at in the past, to learn more about the impact these organizations are making. I took a field trip to one place where my name is on a drawing on the wall from when I was there as a kid, and it really showed me that I have been able to make an impact for a while now. I want to continue to make that impact, both to improve my community and also to build my own confidence and experience with leadership and changemaking.”

“If I had one word of advice, take on volunteering and social service at your own pace. It takes a bit to get used to the time commitment, but it will make you feel good about yourself and reinforces your values. Also, it brings you recognition from your community leaders, and will lead to more opportunities in the future.”

Thank you for all your hard work, Edwin! If you would like to get involved in your community as a First Tee Volunteer Coach, please visit our website or reach out to Julie ([email protected]) to learn more. If you would like to join our program as a participant, please visit our registration page.

PUBLISHED: 11-8-2024

Coach Spotlight: John Spadafore

Coach Spotlight: John Spadafore has been involved with First Tee – Silicon Valley since 2009 when he started as a participant. He took classes through 2014, began volunteering as a coach, and then quickly transitioned into paid instructor. Because of his experience as a child in the program, Coach John has a personal connection with the curriculum. It makes what he does as a coach just that much more special.

“As a former participant, it feels like I get to give back what I was taught, just like coaches did for me years ago. Specifically, a lesson that really stuck with me was about dealing with conflicts. Instead of a “I am always right” mentality, First Tee coaches taught me how to work with others to resolve an issue and find win – win solutions using the CARE* model.”

*CARE = Communicate, Actively Listen, Review Options, End with a Win-Win

One of the most special parts of First Tee is the collaboration that happens on all levels of the program. From kids supporting one another to coaches working together to come up with new and fun ways to deliver class, this entire program is built on collaboration and teamwork. For Coach John, the community of First Tee coaches is one of the main reasons that he wants to come back season after season.

“FTSV has developed a really good community of people, including the coaches, volunteers and full-time staff. The people are what makes you want to keep coming back. I get to work alongside people who really care about what we do and mentoring kids, and it makes even the challenging days fun and rewarding.”

Thank you so much to Coach John for everything he has done for First Tee – Silicon Valley! We truly are lucky to have him.

If you are interested in joining our coaching staff, working as a mentor and making a difference in your community, please visit our website to learn more, or fill out this form to get started. No golf experience necessary, everyone has life experience! Hope to see you out on the course.

Published: 10-11-2024