Third Party Archives - First Tee

KRTY.COM Writers Cup Raised $55K – A NEW RECORD!

(KRTY.COM Writers Cup Raised $55K – A NEW RECORD! Published 10/7/2026) The 3^rd Annual KRTY Writers Cup benefitted FTSV in a BIG WAY by raising $55K! With a SOLD OUT tournament of 140 golfers, including 5 Nashville Songwriters, came out to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club on a toasty Wednesday for a day of golf, guitars and giving back!

“We are very proud to be able to produce this event for the benefit of First Tee – Silicon Valley” said Nate Deaton, KRTY.com General Manager. “We are lucky to have 6 amazing songwriters with us this year, Lily Rose, Luke Dick, Ben Williams, Casey Brown, Parker Welling, and the one that started it all – Cole Taylor. One night at the end of 2024, I mentioned to Cole Taylor that I had an idea to do a Charity Golf Event with Songwriters. He looked at me and said, we could call it the Writers Cup! And here we are.”

After a full day, players, sponsors and some KRTY Fans were treated to dinner and a sold-out show. The songwriters told stories, played guitar, and sang some hit country songs.

The KRTY Writers Cup raffle, live and silent auctions raised an astounding $55K for First Tee – Silicon Valley’s financial aid program. FTSV would like to thank the Writers Cup sponsors, players, and the staff at Legendary KRTY.COM for their support. Without such support, FTSV could not continue to help MORE Kids!

“All of us here at First Tee – Silicon Valley cannot thank enough KRTY.com, Nate Deaton, and everyone who supported the Writers Cup for their generosity. These funds will go a long way in helping us help kids who benefit so much from our life skills education.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.

Writer’s Cup Results Recap:

Songwriter Lily Rose’s Winning Team = Score 678

Tony Damore, Jeff Athens, Rigo Gutierrez, Mark Chiavetta, Eric Cotter, Jim Bignell, Brett Wingo, Joe Dermer, Shone Freeman, Eric Arnold, Dom Nicoli, Justin Moles, Robby Zipp, Gabe Soza, Chris Walliger, Bobby Cashen, Michael Lybbert, Steve Nimeyer, Carey Wright, Troy Smith, Miles Knapp, Kyle Baldasano, Pat Carnesecca, John Brehm.

Foursome Winners = Score 120

Kolbey Moreno, Bill Ayres, Rodney Wilson, Matt Wheeler

Putting Contest

Randy Hahn

Closest to the Holes

Lake#2: Gary Scott Thomas 7’0’ (2^nd Place – Tristan Fox 11’8”)

Lake #8: Ryan Hayes 9’1”

Mountain #2: Bill Ayres 8’3”

Mountain #6: Angi James 6’3”

Special Thanks to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club – Adam Schiro & Nick Starr. Also, Randy Hahn, San Jose Sharks play-by-play commentator for over 30 seasons, thank you for being our auctioneer for the evening and for your continued support.

If you have an upcoming tournament and would like to partner with and make First Tee – Silicon Valley the beneficiary, please click here.

We’ll see y’all next year!

CLICK HERE for Foursome Photos

FTSV Benefits from the 6th Annual Fund the Kids Tournament

(FTSV Benefits from the 6^th Annual Fund the Kids Tournament Published 10/7/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) benefits from the 6^th Annual Fund the Kids tournament sponsored by Jacobs. On Saturday, September 26^th, Jacobs hosted 52 golfers at Gilroy Golf Course as they played 18 holes and on-course games, like Cornhole and a Chipping Challenge. Players were then treated to a BBQ lunch, raffle, and an inspirational speech from FTSV teen participant, junior council member, and volunteer coach, Diego Garcia. Diego’s journey in our program began when he joined at age 6. He has been a leader for other participants in South County, and 11 years later is ready to take what he learned in First Tee – Silicon Valley and apply it to college and beyond.

FTSV would like to thank Presenting Sponsor Jacobs, all the supporting, hosting, and contest sponsors, and players for raising over $15K which will go to help MORE kids in South County. The funds are a big help to First Tee – Silicon Valley’s ability to offer affordable classes to kids at Gavilan College Golf Course.

Jacobs has been the Contract Operator for the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) plant in Gilroy since 1984. Tournament Coordinator, Kerry Edmonds, said, “Community involvement is an extension of the Jacobs’ and the SCRWA culture. They care about their surrounding communities which is why we felt compelled to sponsor the 6th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament, benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley and will do it again next year.”

Special Thanks to Gilroy Golf Course, FTSV Ambassador Jason Luehrs – for volunteering to help with set-up and raffle sales, FTSV Ambassador Michael Serrania – for putting together a foursome to play in the tournament, The Smart Family & Friends – Christian, Zachary, Brock, and Dustin for helping with setup and clean up. To the many Jacobs Volunteers who set up the course and volunteered throughout the tournament and cleaned up – John, Dana, Brynn, Andy, Adriana, and Eli – THANK YOU for your hard work!

Tournament Results:

First Place: Kerry Edmonds, John Torres, Scott Stephens, Melinda Stephens

Closest to the Hole – Women: Lindsey Edmonds

Closest to the Hole – Men: Scott Stephens

Long Drive – Women: Lindsey Edmonds

Long Drive – Men: Adam Khan

Putting Contest: Landon Eaton & Joel Coria

If you have an upcoming tournament and would like to make First Tee – Silicon Valley the beneficiary, please Contact Nicole Woodson

Boulder Ridge Ladies Group Supports FTSV’s Girls Golf

(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.