Author: pmoody

FIRST TEE-GREATER WASHINGTON,DC SIGNS SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT WITH MARCUS BYRD, CHAPTER ALUM

Prince George’s County Native and Professional Golfer Got His Start in the Game with First Tee-GWDC

Washington, D.C. – April 23, 2025 – First Tee-Greater Washington, DC has signed a one-year sponsorship agreement with Marcus Byrd, professional golfer and alum of the First Tee-Greater Washington, DC, local chapter of the national non-profit youth development organization.

The agreement includes First Tee-Greater Washington, DC logo placement on the A-panel of Byrd’s tour bag which will be used when he’s competing in professional tournaments plus appearances at three local events: Politics and Pros outing on July 21 at Army Navy Country Club, Arlington; Larry Byrd Memorial Junior Golf Clinic featuring Marcus Byrd at Langston Golf Course on July 22; and a third event to be determined.

“We’re proud to partner with Marcus who’s one of our most successful alumni golfers,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “Marcus was involved with our Chapter for many years where he made lifelong friendships and developed his golf skills as well as his life and leadership skills.”

Byrd, 27, joined First Tee-Greater Washington, DC at age nine, taking classes at both historic Langston Golf Course and Henson Creek Golf Course. The program was more than just golf to him as his father hosted First Tee classes at the family’s driving range, making it a deeply personal part of his upbringing.

“I’m proud to partner with First Tee-Greater Washington, DC,” said Byrd. “My Dad introduced me to the game, and First Tee shaped how I play it, and how I carry myself. Langston will always feel like home, and Henson Creek was just as meaningful, especially with my Dad helping bring the program to life. I’m honored to be an example of what the next generation can become.”

In 2011, as a high school freshman at North Point High School in Waldorf, MD, Byrd earned 2nd place in the Maryland High School State Golf Championship. Following that season, he and his mother moved to Georgia so he could play and practice in nicer weather and face better competition. He was named the 2013 Georgia State Golf Association Junior Player of the Year while at Dunwood High School.

Following high school, Byrd earned a scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University where he played on the golf team all four years. During his senior season in 2018-2019, he won two tournaments and was named Conference USA’s Player of the Year. After graduation, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Byrd worked a regular job for two years before picking up the sticks again and pursuing a full-time career as a professional golfer.

Since then, he’s competed on the Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour as well as select PGA TOUR events including the 2023 Genesis Invitational where Tiger Woods awarded him the Charlie Sifford Exemption and the 2024 RSM Classic where he Monday qualified. In addition, he has status on the PGA TOUR Americas Tour where he recently has competed in tournaments in Argentina and Brazil.

About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. In 2024, the chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee-Greater Washington, DC impacts more than 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 25 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) 

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. Learn more at firsttee.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Palmer Moody

Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement

First Tee-Greater Washington DC

847.804.2721 mobile

[email protected]

FIRST TEE-GREATER WASHINGTON, DC ELEVATES ROGER BROWN AND MIKE CILANO TO NEW ROLES

Washington, D.C. – February 6, 2025 – First Tee-Greater Washington, DC Executive Director, Clint Sanchez, recently announced the promotions of Roger Brown and Mike Cilano to new roles that will help the organization better serve its more than 2,000 annual participants.

Brown, a PGA Professional and eight-year staffer with the non-profit youth development organization, will advance from Program Manager, Maryland to Director of Player Development. His main will focus will be on-course programs, golf skills-based initiatives, participant development and additional programming and outreach management.

“Roger is an experienced golf professional who enjoys working with our young people and has dedicated several years to managing and growing our impact in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County,” said Sanchez. “This new role will allow him to allocate more time to developing league opportunities such as the Beltway Classic and PGA Junior League, golf skills camps and clinics, facilitating access to equipment and providing personal instruction to some of our talented young golfers.”

Cilano, a former middle school and high school history teacher and vice principal, moves from Program Manager, Washington DC, to Director of Education and Community Outreach. He will now focus on educational programs and participant engagement, community outreach, school program, volunteer and coach outreach and management.

“Mike joined us two years ago from the education sector and his experience working with and teaching young people has been extremely beneficial to our organization. We’re excited to see him advance to this new role,” said Sanchez. “He will manage programs such as our Teen Summit, STEAM camp, Teen Advisory Council and National Golf Day activation as well as lead coach outreach and management among other duties.”

In addition to Brown, Cilano and Sanchez, the First Tee-Greater Washington DC Chapter staff includes: Katie Blodgett, Sr. Director of Operations and Programs; Palmer Moody, Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement; Katie Hoesch, Sr. Director of Development; Ben Stasium, Program Manager, Northern Virginia; Dolly Davis, Program Registrar; and Almay Alday, Manager of Girls Golf and Volunteer Programs.

Sanchez took the helm at First Tee-Greater Washington DC in 2012 when the organization served 300 participants at three golf facilities and had an operating budget of $400,000. Today, the Chapter serves more than 2,000 participants age 7-18 at 23 golf facility program locations throughout Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD with an operating budget of nearly $2 million. The Chapter also impacts just under 200,000 students through its School Program which allows P.E. teachers across the Greater Washington area access to the life, leadership and golf skills curriculum which they implement as part of physical education classes.

The local Chapter of the national non-profit youth development organization has served the community since its inception in 1999 and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. It has become a leading program in the Greater Washington Area having reached more than two million young people during this time with its on-course and in-school golf and life skills experience programming.

“We’re very proud of our 25 years serving the community and how we’ve been able to positively impact the lives of young people in our program. Our vision is that all youth in Greater Washington, DC have the opportunity to build their strength of character through the game of golf,” said Sanchez.

About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. In 2024, the chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee-Greater Washington, DC impacts more than 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) 

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. Learn more at firsttee.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Palmer Moody

Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement

First Tee-Greater Washington DC

847.804.2721 mobile

[email protected]

FIRST TEE-GREATER WASHINGTON DC TEEN INVITED TO PLAY PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS’ PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP IMPACTING FIRST TEE AT PEBBLE BEACH

Washington, DC (September 16, 2024) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions have announced that Samantha Nguyen will represent First Tee-Greater Washington DC at the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. The event will bring teens from First Tee chapters to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 17-22. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised nationally on Golf Channel.

Samantha, 16, or “Sammi” as her family and friends refer to her, is a junior at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, VA and has been a First Tee participant for nine years. She plays on her high school golf team where she’s been a team captain the past two seasons and also competes in US Kids Golf, Middle Atlantic PGA Section and Peggy Kirk Bell Golf Tour tournaments. In addition to playing golf, Sammi is also involved with STEM Exploration for Youth Club, LPGA*USGA/First Tee-GWDC Girls Golf and is part of both the National Honors Society and the National Art Honors Society.

“We’re very proud of Sammi’s accomplishments both on and off the golf course,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee-Greater Washington DC. “She’s following in her sister Joey’s footsteps by competing in the PURE Insurance Championship and making her own positive impact on our chapter, participants and families.”

Sammi’s sister, Josephine or “Joey”, competed in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship and was a First Tee-Greater Washington DC participant for 10 years.

Sammi has also taken the reins as president of G.I.R.Ls Club (Girls in Roles of Leadership), which is the organization that Joey founded a few years ago. The group hosts a professional women’s leadership conference each year and develops several different service projects as well.

“I am really excited about competing at the PURE Insurance Championship. I watched my sister have a great time at the event, playing with the Pros at such nice golf courses and making new friends. It’s something that I knew I wanted to strive for as well,” said Sammi. “I am grateful for the impact First Tee has had on my life and the lasting lessons it has instilled in me.”

Sammi will showcase the skills and values she learned at First Tee during a week of competition and mentorship, during which they’ll be paired with a PGA TOUR Champions pro and amateurs from the business world. She will join 80 total teens from First Tee chapters across the country and – for the fourth year in a row – a participant from First Tee — Morocco.

Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today.”

This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature legends including Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winner Kirk Triplett and Thongchai Jaidee, who will defend his title. Last year, Diego DeJesus from First Tee-Greater Washington DC participated in the PURE Insurance Championship and was paired with Jaidee and had a wonderful experience playing with the eventual champion. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.

Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee junior champion on Sunday.

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

The junior field for 2024 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee, visit FirstTee.org.

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About First Tee — Greater Washington DC

First Tee — Greater Washington DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee — GWDC reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at 22 program locations, 260 schools and several youth centers. Learn more at www.firstteedc.org.

About Monterey Peninsula Foundation

Surpassing nearly $250 million in total donations, Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org

www.attpbgolf.com

www.pureinsurancechampionship.org

About PURE Insurance

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company designed exclusively for successful, responsible families. We opened for business nearly 20 years ago with the goal of offering something different in the insurance space: a company focused on doing what’s right for our membership (policyholders), one that promotes transparency and alignment of interests, and delivers greater value. Today, with a membership of more than 100,000 individuals and families, we are the most awarded insurer in our category, offer coverage in all 50 states that includes high value homeowners, automobile, collections, watercraft, personal excess liability, fraud & cyber and flood. pureinsurance.com | 888.813.7873

About PGA TOUR Champions

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.

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FIRST TEE KIDS SELECTED TO SERVE AS STANDARD-BEARERS AT 2024 SOLHEIM CUP

13 Participants from First Tee-Greater Washington DC and First Tee Prince William County Chapters Earned the Inside-the-Ropes Roles

Washington, D.C. – September 9, 2024 – Thirteen participants from the First Tee-Greater Washington, DC and First Tee Prince William County chapters were selected to be standard-bearers at the 2024 Solheim Cup, which will be contested Sept. 13-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va.

“We are so excited for these participants,” said Clint Sanchez, executive director of First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people who are interested in the sport to get an inside-the-ropes look at the competition and see firsthand how these professional golfers prepare, play and compete.”

“The Solheim Cup is honored to partner with our local First Tee chapters to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these First Tee participants to be standard-bearers. They will receive an exciting up-close experience at this premiere international women’s golf competition,” said Matt Hoover, tournament director of the 2024 Solheim Cup.

The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with the passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial, transatlantic team match-play competition features the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the 12 best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.

Following is a list of the 13 First Tee standard-bearers, their First Tee chapter affiliation and some background information about each person.

Joelle Barksdale

Age: 17

Hometown: Washington, DC

School: School Without Walls High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Langston Golf Course and East Potomac Golf Links

Favorite part of First Tee: learning the life skills that have aided me thus far and will carry me through life

Standard-bearer excitement: watching how the players strategize and play each hole, the sportsmanship, and the dynamic environment created by the spectators and players

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Mariah Stackhouse

Favorite local golf course: Columbia Country Club

Dream foursome: Ben Hogan, Oprah Winfrey, my Dad and me

Grace Burrell

Age: 13

Hometown: Manassas, VA

School: Parkside Middle School

Chapter: First Tee Prince William County

First Tee class location: Lake Ridge Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: Getting to meet new people and play golf

Standard-bearer excitement: Getting a great view of action and seeing players up close

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: Stonewall Golf Club

Dream foursome: Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, my Dad and me

Andrew David

Age: 16

Hometown: Alexandria, VA 

School: Saint Paul the Great Catholic High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Ft. Belvoir Golf Club

Favorite part of First Tee: Being around others who love the game and all of the support and opportunities the First Tee family offers me

Standard-bearer excitement: walk along the course with the best female golfers in the game and observe the high-intensity matches right in front of me

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: The Club at Creighton Farms

Dream foursome: Steph Curry, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and me

Philip Gray

Age: 14

Hometown: Kingstowne, VA

School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Ft. Belvoir Golf Club

Favorite part of First Tee: the values I have learned and the various playing opportunities

Standard-bearer excitement: to try something new and be so close to the players

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: Burke Lake Golf Course

Dream foursome: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, my Dad and me

Malaika Jha

Age: 18

Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA

School: Muhlenburg College

Chapter: First Tee Prince William County, chapter employee/assistant

First Tee class location: Forest Greens Golf Course, PWC Golf Course, Lake Ridge Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: the kids I meet and get to work with

Standard-bearer excitement: meeting the players

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Lexi Thompson

Favorite local golf course: Shenandoah Valley Golf Course

Dream foursome: Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang and me

Rosangela Le

Age: 17

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA

School: Osbourn Park High School

Chapter: First Tee Prince William County

First Tee class location: Lake Ridge Golf Course and Forest Green Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: meet new people while golfing and hit bomb shots

Standard-bearer excitement: walk the course with the players

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: Caves Valley Golf Club

Dream foursome: current high school golf team teammates – we’d make a fire foursome!

Maeve McGuire

Age: 15

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

School: Bishop Ireton High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Ft. Belvoir Golf Club

Favorite part of First Tee: meeting so many welcoming and encouraging people

Standard-bearer excitement: watch the players navigate the course and play tough shots

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Lexi Thompson

Favorite local golf course: Belle Haven Country Club

Dream foursome: Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Leona Maguire and me

Rory McGuire

Age: 17

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

School:  Bishop Ireton High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Ft. Belvoir Golf Club

Favorite part of First Tee: improving and perfecting aspects of my game and the satisfaction of seeing it pay off in my results

Standard-bearer excitement: view the match from a first-person perspective, gaining insight into what it might feel like to play at the highest level of competition

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: Belmont Country Club

Dream foursome: Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Caroline Hedwall and me

Josephine Sanchez

Age: 16

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

School:  Hayfield High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Ft. Belvoir Golf Club

Favorite part of First Tee: Improving my game while having fun and building relationships

Standard-bearer excitement: getting to see the Solheim Cup competition up close

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Rose Zhang

Favorite local golf course: Pohick Bay Golf Course

Dream foursome: Rose Zhang, Hideki Matsuyama, my grandfather and me

Jack Schimler

Age: 17

Hometown: Gainesville, VA

School: Gainesville High School

Chapter: First Tee Prince William County

First Tee class location: Prince William Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: opportunity to increase my knowledge of the game by competing

Standard-bearer excitement: walking with players and getting an up-close view of play

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Lexi Thompson

Favorite local golf courses: Prince William Golf Course and Stonewall Golf Club

Dream foursome: Ludvig Aberg, Lexi Thompson, Luka Doncic and me

Aaliyah Shabazz

Age: 15

Hometown: Herndon, VA

School: Westfield High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: East Potomac Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: development of one’s comfort level and self-esteem

Standard-bearer excitement: walking inside the ropes with these great female players

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Lydia Ko

Favorite local golf course: Oak Creek Golf Club

Dream foursome: Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Tiger Woods and me

Claire Varughese

Age: 16

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

School:  Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Ft. Belvoir Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: start with any skill level and you can still succeed

Standard-bearer excitement: seeing how players adjust when they don’t hit a great shot

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: Pohick Bay Golf Course

Dream foursome: Nelly Korda, Tom Holland, my older sister Grace and me

Skyler Xue

Age: 16

Hometown: Bethesda, MD

School: Montgomery Blair High School

Chapter: First Tee-Greater Washington DC

First Tee class location: Needwood Golf Course

Favorite part of First Tee: Learning about golf and life skills that  

Standard-bearer excitement: walking with some of the best female golfers in the world

Favorite LPGA Tour player: Nelly Korda

Favorite local golf course: East Potomac Golf Links

Dream foursome: Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and me

-END-

About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee-Greater Washington, DC impacts more than 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) 

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. Learn more at firsttee.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Palmer Moody

Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement

First Tee-Greater Washington DC

847.804.2721 mobile

[email protected]

First Tee-GWDC Launches 25th Anniversary Video Series

This is the first intallment of our quarterly video series celebrating the Chapter’s 25th anniversary and highlighting various aspects of our programming. This video features several of our coaches from all four territories: DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD.

FIRST TEE-GREATER WASHINGTON, DC CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY

Youth Development Organization Has Reached More Than Two Million Young People Throughout the Greater Washington Area with Its Life Skills and Golf Programming

Washington, D.C. – March 12, 2024 – First Tee-Greater Washington, DC will celebrate its 25th anniversary throughout the year and kicks off its Spring Session this week. The local Chapter of the national non-profit youth development organization has served the community since its inception in 1999. It has become a leading program in the Greater Washington Area and nationally having reached more than two million young people with its on course and in-school golf and life skills experience programming.

The First Tee-GWDC Chapter was founded on July 16, 1999, when 90 participants were registered for classes that summer at historic Langston Golf Course. Program expansion soon extended to East Potomac Golf Links and Rock Creek Golf Course. And, now today, First Tee-GWDC hosts classes at 23 golf facilities serving 2,000 young people annually age 7-18 covering four territories: District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD.

“We’re very proud of our 25 years serving the community and how we’ve been able to positively impact the lives of young people in our program,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “Our vision is that all youth in Greater Washington, DC have the opportunity to build their strength of character through the game of golf.”

FIRST TEE-GWDC BY THE NUMBERS

  • More than 2 million young people reached
  • 70% of participants are ethnically diverse
  • 36% of participants are female
  • 2,000 young people impacted via on course program annually
  • 200,000 young people at 261 schools reached via school programming annually
  • More than 1,000 volunteers
  • More than 50 coaches
  • 5 FTGWDC participants are current First Tee National College Scholars
  • 3 FTGWDC participants have earned Western Golf Assn./Evans Scholarships, a full college housing and tuition grant awarded to golf caddies

First Tee-GWDC integrates the game of golf with its life skills curriculum to create learning experiences that build character, self-confidence and resilience that young people carry into everything they do. The organization features a golf course program, school program, community program, national opportunities and also offers college scholarships.

“First Tee was very influential to me becoming the person I am today,” said Marcus Byrd, First Tee-GWDC alum and professional golfer. “From the moment I swung my first club, I was in love with the game and First Tee gave me the opportunity to learn the game, teach the game and grow as a person.”

Byrd played college golf at Middle Tennessee State and is now on the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour which hosts a series of tournaments to elevate the game of golf through greater diversity. He has multiple wins on the APGA Tour and has earned status on PGA Tour Americas as well as the Korn Ferry Tour plus he has earned various PGA TOUR exemptions throughout the past season.   

“First Tee is a wonderful program that lifts up young people and gives them many tools to be successful in life,” said Tony Kavanagh, Chairman of the Board, First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “I’ve been involved for nearly 20 years and seen firsthand the difference our program makes in a young person’s life. And, combining the life skills experience with the game of golf is a winning combination.”

25th ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES

First Tee-GWDC will celebrate and honor its 25th anniversary with several different programs throughout the season:

  • Special social media posts from First Tee-GWDC alumni
  • Video congratulations from local professional athletes
  • Quarterly video series highlighting different aspects of the organization
  • Youth golf clinics hosted by First Tee alumni professional golfers
  • 25th anniversary celebration event in the fall (exact date/location TBD)

About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee-Greater Washington, DC impacts more than 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) 

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. Learn more at firsttee.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Palmer Moody

Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement

First Tee-Greater Washington DC

847.804.2721 mobile

[email protected]

DEJESUS PAIRED WITH THONGCHAI JAIDEE FOR 2023 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS’ PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2023) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced its tournament pairings today and Diego DeJesus, representing First Tee — Greater Washington, DC, will be paired with Thongchai Jaidee when he competes in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee.

The event, in its 20th year, brings teens from First Tee chapters across the country to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 19-24. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised nationally on Golf Channel. DeJesus will compete for the Pro-Junior Team title.

“I am who I am today because of the First Tee,” said DeJesus. “First Tee and Coach Katie have taught me so much that I can use on and off the course. I’m excited to represent the Greater Washington DC chapter in the PURE Insurance Championship.”

DeJesus is a senior at Thomas Edison High School in Alexandria and plays on the Varsity golf team. He was a member of the team that has been back-to-back District Champions and claimed back-to-back undefeated seasons. DeJesus has also competed in several Middle Atlantic PGA (MAPGA) Junior Tour events as well as Virginia State Golf Association (VGSA) tournaments. He has been involved with First Tee for eight years and has been a volunteer coach for the past two years. He is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

“Earning the opportunity to play at the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants, and we are so proud of Diego for achieving it,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Washington, DC. “Diego has been with our chapter for several years and has grown into a strong player and wonderful young man.”

Thongchai Jaidee is a Thai professional golfer playing on PGA TOUR Champions. He formerly played on the Asian Tour and the European Tour. On the Asian Tour, he holds the record for the most career earnings and is second in victories having won 13 times. He has won the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour three times during his career. Learn more about Thongchai here.

Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, Sept. 24, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.

Throughout the week, the teens apply their character strengths and life skills learned from First Tee programs during the one-of-a-kind event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. He will join 80 other teens from First Tee chapters across the country. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability.

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

The junior field for 2023 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee, visit FirstTee.org.

About First Tee — Greater Washington, DC

First Tee — Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee — Greater Washington, DC impacts nearly 200,000 kids and teens through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community centers. Learn more at www.firstteedc.org.

About Monterey Peninsula Foundation

Surpassing $200 million in total donations, Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org

www.attpbgolf.com

www.pureinsurancechampionship.org

About PURE Insurance

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company designed exclusively for successful, responsible families. We opened for business more than 15 years ago with the goal of offering something different in the insurance space: a company focused on doing what’s right for our membership (policyholders), one that promotes transparency and alignment of interests, and delivers greater value. Today, after growing at least 15% in each year since we began, we are the most awarded insurer in our category, offer coverage in all 50 states that includes high value homeowners, automobile, collections, watercraft, personal excess liability, fraud & cyber and flood to a membership of more than 100,000 individuals and families. Pureinsurance.com | 888.813.787

About PGA TOUR Champions 

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions. 

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories. 

Diego DeJesus Invited To Play in PURE Insurance Championship

Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2023) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today that Diego DeJesus will represent First Tee — Greater Washington, DC when he competes in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. The event, in its 20th year, will bring teens from First Tee chapters across the country to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 19-24. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised nationally on Golf Channel.

DeJesus is going to be a senior this fall at Thomas Edison High School in Alexandria and plays on the Varsity golf team. He was a member of the team that has been back-to-back District Champions and claimed back-to-back undefeated seasons. DeJesus has also competed in several Middle Atlantic PGA (MAPGA) Junior Tour events as well as Virginia State Golf Association (VGSA) tournaments. He has been involved with First Tee for eight years and has been a volunteer coach for the past two years. He is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

“I am who I am today because of the First Tee,” said DeJesus. “First Tee and Coach Katie have taught me so much that I can use on and off the course. I’m excited to represent the Greater Washington DC chapter in the PURE Insurance Championship.”

Throughout the week, the teens apply their character strengths and life skills learned from First Tee programs during the one-of-a-kind event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. DeJesus will compete for the Pro-Junior Team title. He will join 80 other teens from First Tee chapters across the country. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability.

The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today.” A few players and legends of the game helped surprise several participants with the news of their selection, including PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal, Rod Pampling and reigning PURE Insurance Championship winner Steve Flesch. PGA TOUR Canada player Quinn Riley – a First Tee alumnus who played at the PURE Insurance Championship as a junior – surprised his younger brother with an invitation to the tournament, and six First Tee participants were surprised by Golf Channel at women’s majors, including the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach.  

“Earning the opportunity to play at the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants, and we are so proud of Diego for achieving it,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Washington, DC. “Diego has been with our chapter for several years and has grown into a strong player and wonderful young man.”

This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature legends including Ernie Els, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Jim Furyk, as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winner Kirk Triplett and Steve Flesch, who will defend his title. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.

Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, Sept. 24, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

The junior field for 2023 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee, visit FirstTee.org.

*  *  *

About First Tee — Greater Washington, DC

First Tee — Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee — Greater Washington, DC impacts nearly 200,000 kids and teens through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community centers. Learn more at www.firstteedc.org.

About Monterey Peninsula Foundation

Surpassing $200 million in total donations, Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org

www.attpbgolf.com

www.pureinsurancechampionship.org

About PURE Insurance

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company designed exclusively for successful, responsible families. We opened for business more than 15 years ago with the goal of offering something different in the insurance space: a company focused on doing what’s right for our membership (policyholders), one that promotes transparency and alignment of interests, and delivers greater value. Today, after growing at least 15% in each year since we began, we are the most awarded insurer in our category, offer coverage in all 50 states that includes high value homeowners, automobile, collections, watercraft, personal excess liability, fraud & cyber and flood to a membership of more than 100,000 individuals and families. Pureinsurance.com | 888.813.787

About PGA TOUR Champions 

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions. 

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Palmer Moody

Sr. Director Communications/Advancement

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

[email protected]

847.804.2721

Josephine “Joey” Nguyen To Compete At First Tee National Championship

Four Players Will Earn Spots in the PGA TOUR’s New Pathways to Progression Program Based on Their Performances at the Tournament 

Palo Alto, CA and Washington, D.C. – June 29, 2023 – Josephine “Joey” Nguyen, a rising senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke, VA, has been selected to represent the First Tee-Greater Washington, DC Chapter to compete next week in the First Tee National Championship at Stanford Golf Course July 2-6, 2023.

The 54-hole, stoke play tournament brings together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level. The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience.

“I am so excited to be representing First Tee-Greater Washington DC at the National Championship,” said Nguyen. “I have attended other First Tee National Opportunities that are based on extracurricular activities and community involvement, but this event is different because it is based on golf skill. My goal for the tournament is to have fun, make new memories with my family, and play some great golf. I can’t wait to compete against some of the best junior golfers in the First Tee network.”

Nguyen has been involved in First Tee-Greater Washington, DC for 10 years. She most recently attended First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Atlanta earlier this month, and also competed in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links. She is captain of the Lake Braddock Secondary School varsity golf team and was the only individual to represent her school at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) State Championship where she finished in the Top 20.

In addition, Nguyen has two Top-10 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) finishes, multiple Peggy Kirk Bell Golf Tour (PKBGT) national tournament wins and top finishes in Middle Atlantic PGA (MAPGA) Junior Tour tournaments.

Outside of golf, Nguyen is President of Girls in Roles of Leadership (G.I.R.Ls) at school where she has built the club from the ground up, bringing together 40 young females with aspirations to become better leaders. She is a member of her school’s Athletic Council, National Art Honors Society, Philanthropy Club and National Honors Society. She’s also a volunteer coach with First Tee-Greater Washington, DC and the Girls Golf program.

“We are incredibly proud of Joey being selected to compete in the First Tee National Championship,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “She’s been in our program since she was seven years old and has developed into a tremendous person, leader and golfer. We look forward to following her on the leaderboard during the tournament.”

This year’s tournament brings an exciting new opportunity. Two boys and two girls will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s new Pathways to Progression program, a new player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.

Additionally, the winner of each division will be awarded the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 16-24, 2023.

Nguyen will compete against top players from across the country. Seven players in the field are ranked on the American Junior Golf Association or Junior Golf Scoreboard Top 250, including Megan Meng, from First Tee-Trenton, who won last year’s PURE Insurance Championship. During the week, participants will hear from a panel of coaches with advice on how to advance their game and navigate the collegiate recruiting process.

First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

View the full list of selected participants here.

#  #  #

About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee-Greater Washington, DC impacts nearly 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) 

First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. Learn more at firsttee.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Palmer Moody

Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement

First Tee-Greater Washington, DC

847.804.2721 mobile

[email protected]