tournament Archives - First Tee

Kids & Coaches Tournament

(Kids & Coaches Tournament) This past Saturday, March 1st, First Tee – Silicon Valley hosted the ‘Kids and Coaches Tournament’ to kick off our 2025 Spring season. With an outstanding turnout of 36 participants—18 players and 18 coaches—this exciting event took place at Rancho del Pueblo golf course. It was a fantastic opportunity for our young golfers to showcase the skills and sportsmanship they’ve been developing through our program.

More than just a tournament, this event allowed participants to not only refine their golf skills but also, to strengthen invaluable life skills such as confidence, teamwork, and perseverance. We had two divisions for this tournament, 11 and under and 12 and over. We also had two course contests, with hole number 2 being the closest to the pin and hole number 4 being the long drive competition.

11 and Under Division:

The competition in the 11 and Under division was nothing short of thrilling, with the top spots being decided by just a few points. In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Damien and Coach Shawn clinched 1st place with a score of 29. But the battle for the top spots didn’t end there. Brooks and Coach Matthew, alongside Jameson and Coach Joey, tied for 2nd place with a score of 30, just one stroke behind the leaders. Moises, Coach Jim, and Coach Michael rounded out the top three, securing 3rd place with a score of 31. Their determination and grit were evident throughout the tournament.

The 12 and Over Division:

The 12 and Over division of the tournament proved to be just as exciting. Chloe and Coach Annie emerging as the champions of the division with an impressive score of 28, the lowest of the entire tournament! In second place, Findlay and Coach Bob finished with a score of 32. Their strong performance kept them in the hunt for the top spot throughout the competition. Securing a spot on the podium, Neil and Coach Dick turned in a score of 34. Their effort was commendable, capping off a thrilling competition.

Congratulations to our course contest winners!

Closest to the Pin (Hole #2) – Adeline V.

Longest Drive (Hole #4 – 11 and younger) – Damien G.

Longest Drive (Hole #4 – 12 and older) – Elena M.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley is truly thankful for the incredible support and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved in our tournament. To our coaches, your participation and commitment are the driving forces behind our success—this event wouldn’t have been possible without you. To the parents, your continued dedication, week after week, in bringing your children to our events and classes means the world to us. And to our amazing participants, we are inspired by the growth you’ve already shown and are excited to watch you continue to thrive. We look forward to seeing each of you in our upcoming seasons!

Published: 03-07-25

Adult-Junior Tournament

(Adult-Junior Tournament) On Saturday, March 1st, 19 FTSV participants teamed up with adult mentors to compete in our annual 9-hole Adult-Junior Tournament. Many participants paired up with their guardians, while others joined forces with FTSV coaches and board members. A heartfelt thank you to all the adults who played alongside our participants. Golf is a fantastic opportunity for growth, self-reflection, and teamwork.

The teams competed in a 2-person alternate shot format, which challenged them to collaborate, communicate, and strategize together. It was inspiring to watch each team bond and support one another throughout the tournament.

Our Board member, Shawn Fox, shared about his experience playing with his partner. “It was a pleasure playing alongside Asher in the alternate shot tournament. We had a great time navigating the course together. While Asher’s golf game is already impressive, especially considering he’s only recently taken up the sport, his wide range of hobbies and extracurricular involvements are even more remarkable.”

The event wrapped up with families gathering for pizza and awards. Thank you Pizza Presidente for the lunch! It was wonderful to see families connecting, and our FTSV participants forming new friendships. Congratulations to all our participants for competing with respect, integrity, and sportsmanship. We owe a special thank you to our coaches who stepped in as playing partners for participants in need!

Each division was competitive as seen in the scores below!

12 & Under

1. James V. and Carlo V. – 37

2. Siwat P. and Vinai P. – 38

3. Ben H and Brent H – 40

13 & Over

1. Asher A. and Derek A. – 34

2. Austin A. and Eric W. – 34

3. Nicolas H. and Ramon H. – 35

Closest to the Pin (Hole #1)

Benito F. – 7’11”

Nicolas H. – 7’ 6”

To learn more about FTSV’s pre-season tournaments, please contact Manny Gallardo – [email protected] or 408-508-4887.

Published: 03-07-25

FTSV Summer Games Tournament

Rancho del Pueblo was filled with energy and excitement this summer as it hosted its first ever FTSV Summer Games Tournament, featuring a creative spin on Olympic-themed events across the scenic course’s Holes #3 to #7. Competitors of all ages came together for a day filled with unique challenges and friendly competition.

Here’s a recap of the unforgettable day:

The tournament kicked off with a twist on a classic sport. Hole #3 was transformed into soccer Golf, where participants traded their clubs for soccer balls. (Rancho’s design includes FootGolf with its own greens and larger holes adjacent to the traditional greens.) The goal was to kick the ball into the hole with as few attempts as possible. The strategy involved careful control and precision, with competitors learning quickly that a well-placed kick could make all the difference.

At Hole #4, it was all about raw power and technique. This traditional golf hole was the setting for the Longest Drive competition. Players took their best swings, aiming to send the ball soaring as far as possible. The event showcased some incredible drives, with participants using every ounce of skill to gain those extra few yards. We had a winner from each level. Congratulations to Yoodahm Ko from grades 2-4, and Victor Kotlyar from grades 5-6.

Hole #5 brought a new level of creativity with the Javelin Throw event. Instead of traditional javelins, participants used a specially designed launcher to hurl a tennis ball onto the green. The objective was to land the ball as close to the hole as possible. Contestants displayed a range of techniques and strategies, from aiming high to maximizing distance.

Hole #6 was a test of versatility and skill in the One Club Challenge. Competitors were required to complete the hole using only one golf club of their choice. The challenge forced players to think strategically about club selection and shot execution. Some opted for irons, while others chose drivers for a more aggressive approach.

The final event at Hole #7 was perhaps the most unique: the Archery Shot. Here, participants took their tee shots with a foam-tipped bow & arrow. The unusual setup added an extra layer of challenge, requiring steady hands and keen focus. Players had to balance the intricacies of archery with the precision of golf, aiming to hit the fairway or green with a well-placed shot.

The Summer Games Tournament at Rancho del Pueblo was a resounding success, blending traditional golf with imaginative Olympic-themed events. Each hole offered a distinctive challenge, pushing competitors to adapt and showcase a wide range of skills. The camaraderie among participants made the event an even more memorable occasion.

Congratulations to all our participants for making this such a wonderful tournament! And congratulations to all of our winners!

1^st Place (Gold Medal) – Yoli Lin and Alanna Grigsby

2^nd Place (Silver Medal) – Odin Lopez and Yoodahm Ko

3^rd Place (Bronze Medal) – Yao Yan, Kai Brunner / Yuan Lin, Landon Fang

Next Tournament will be November 9, 2025. For information about these tournaments and more, visit Our Opportunities page or contact Tanner Riley – [email protected].

Published: 09-11-2024

4th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament in Gilroy

Join Jacobs – South County Regional Wastewater Authority for the 4th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament, benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley on Saturday, September 21st at Gilroy Golf Course.

Jacobs has been the Contract Operator for the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) plant in Gilroy since 1984. Under a long-term service agreement, Jacobs maintains the integrity of the wastewater system. It is the goal of SCRWA to protect public health and the environment and ensure economic vitality of the Gilroy-Morgan Hill region. The plant operator’s objective is to provide the best quality recycled water at a superior value to the residents.

This plant has won numerous awards, including Plant of the Year Award for the past 5 years, while many of their employees have also won individual awards, winning Laboratory Person of the Year numerous times, with the most recent in 2022.

Community involvement is an extension of the Jacobs’ and the SCRWA culture. They care about their surrounding communities. Which is why Jacobs’ felt compelled to sponsor the 4th Annual Fund the Kids Golf Tournament, benefiting First Tee – Silicon Valley.

(Read about last year’s tournament HERE)

Published: 06-28-2024 Updated: 09-24-24