Participants David and Kyndall spent the week of September 20th competing in the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. They were one of 81 teens from across the nation to receive this honor.
The week started off with a paring party where Kyndall and David were matched with their professional golfer for the week. Kyndall was paired with Stephen Ames and David was partnered with Olin Browne. Each of these pro’s played an integral role in the growth of our participants during the week and were instrumental to their success!
On Wednesday and Thursday, Kyndall and David had the opportunity to tee- off during practice rounds at both Pebble Beach and Spyglass. For part of the time, they worked with their pros to better their game. We quite literally could not get them off the course!
Kyndall was one of 6 chapter participants across the First Tee network to compete in the Chevron Challenge. Players were able to compete in a round at the 9-hole par three course, The Hay to win scholarship money that would be donated back to their chapter. While there, Kyndall was selected to interview with the Golf Channel about what First Tee means to her:
“Being interviewed twice was a nerve racking experience and honestly being able to say I was on interviewed Television is a huge accomplishment. I dealt with the adversity by remembering that I’m a great golfer and that I had the support of my family, my chapter and my professional.”
Friday and Saturday, Kyndall and David headed into the Pure Insurance Championship. During the first day, David played Spyglass and Kyndall was at Pebble Beach. They both encountered struggles but persevered through it and were back ready to play the next day. On Saturday, Kyndall teed off at Spyglass and David played Pebble Beach. Each of them came ready to play! David ended up finishing -8 and Kyndall finished -5. They both had amazing pros that helped them through the tournament and reminded them to soak it all in.
“My pro, Olin Browne, was the most influential because he told me everything I needed to know about the course, my swing, and the tournament. The best piece of advice was to always stay positive even after hitting a bad shot.”
Opportunities that First Tee provides their participants, like the Pure Insurance Championship, go beyond the course and develop these young participants into well-rounded individuals. We are SO proud of all David and Kyndall have accomplished and look forward to seeing what they will do next.
This month, First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. participants Joey and Daryn were among 24 representatives to participate in the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy in Detroit, Michigan!This female focused event explored leadership development, remaining active in the game of golf, learning the value/impact of volunteerism, and recognizing the importance of teamwork.Joey felt the experience was really introspective. “During my time at the academy, I discovered my higher purpose, focused on self-reflection, and talked about how I can become a better leader in my school and community. A guest speaker that really opened my eyes to what kind of leader I am was Sommer Woods. In her speech, she talked about what makes you special as a leader and building self-confidence. The academy really inspired me and will help me in leadership roles within school, my community, and First Tee.”The Academy had several strong female leaders in the industry to serve as role models during the workshop to build a sense of community. Daryn “learned about different types of leaders and building your own brand, like what you would want to be known for. We talked about leadership within a team and working together. Being a leader of a team does not mean that the smaller stuff is left to the rest of the group but to do it all together.”Joey and Daryn were selected for the Drive Your Future Academy, hosted by John Deere, through a national application process that scored applicants based on essays, letters of recommendation, and involvement in First Tee and other activities.We are so proud of their recognition and look forward to seeing where their leadership skills take them!
It’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed, especially since we now live in an extremely fast-paced world where expectations for us are very high, so having a mentor to guide us through our development process is definitely reassuring.
2. What makes someone a good mentor?
Listening and being able to communicate effectively are qualities that make someone a good mentor. With such qualities, a mentor will be able to offer constructive feedback which will aid in a mentee’s future development.
3. Who has been an impactful mentor to you?
My mom has definitely been the most impactful mentor for me.
4. What have you learned from her/him?
From my mom, I learned that no matter what the circumstances are, hard work pays off. My mom immigrated to the U.S. in hopes to find better future prospects for the family and despite not knowing any English, she still continued to work hard in the U.S. to achieve her goals. In the end, all of her hard work and efforts paid off because she was able to provide the basic necessities for our family and grant my siblings and I access to a higher education.
5. How did/does your mentor help encourage you?
My mom always tells me, “Don’t be afraid of failure. Just go for it!” These are words that I will always remember because they encourage me to try new things, even if I don’t necessarily succeed. It’s a way of telling me that failure is a learning experience and if I fail, I can keep trying.
6. Have you grown as a result of your mentor?
Yes, I have grown as a result of my mom. Her guidance has helped me become more disciplined and more open to new experiences and opportunities. Without her, I don’t think I would be the person I am today.
7. What would it mean to you to become a mentor? Or Do you serve as a mentor at your chapter or any other capacity?
For me, being a mentor is very meaningful and fulfilling because not only am I able to help others, I am also able to develop myself further as a leader.
8. Do you have any advice on how to choose the best mentor in your life?
Find someone who cares about you and is willing to take the time out of their busy day to listen to your needs and help you.
9. What has First Tee taught you about mentorship?
First Tee has taught me that both the mentor and mentee are learners. Both rely on each other as a resource for new perspectives and knowledge. It’s not a one way relationship where only the mentor is helping the mentee.
Mentorship is important because it allows a chain of knowledge and wisdom from years of experience from mentors to be passed down to mentees, unlocking their potential. Mentorship gives underprivileged students guidance to take control of their own life.
2. What makes someone a good mentor?
A great mentor is someone who has as much common ground with the mentee as possible, such as similar circumstances, college, passions, and career trajectory. More importantly, a great mentor actively listens to the mentee, providing insightful feedback, advice, or opportunities in return.
3. Who has been an impactful mentor to you?
The mentor I have been paired with from the First Tee Scholarship, Jim Smith from Morgan Stanley, has been an amazing mentor, a key guide through all my academic, career, and spiritual difficulties.
4. What have you learned from her/him?
Through our monthly discussions together over the past year, Mr. Smith has given me an abundance of wisdom from his years of experience in becoming a Senior Wealth Portfolio Manager. Also, his advice has helped me get past my choice paralysis in deciding career pathways and majors in college.
5. How did/does your mentor help encourage you?
When I hear about Mr. Smith’s stories of his journey in finding, developing, and maintaining both a loyal client basis and talented team through ups and downs, I am inspired. Additionally, Mr. Smith provides so many life tools, advice, and books/video recommendations to help me stay on a healthy path and achieve career goals.
6. Have you grown as a result of your mentor?
Because of Mr. Smith, I have learned to prioritize my different goals and face my reality with a clear mind. Although remaining open to life, I truly want to serve the world, my community, and my family while also pursuing my passions in computer science, finance, and fitness.
7. What would it mean to you to become a mentor? Or Do you serve as a mentor at your chapter or any other capacity?
Being a mentor to someone is a true honor to me because I can impact someone’s life so personally. I am in Harvard’s Chinese Student Association, and as a sophomore, I am a mentor to freshmen paired with me. Although it can be worrying wondering if you are providing value to your mentees, remember that simply listening and sharing your experience can help them out.
8. Do you have any advice on how to choose the best mentor in your life?
Be open to all mentors, even if they may not align with you in certain aspects such as passions, hobbies, career path, or academic major. Hearing a different perspective may change your mind and open new pathways that you may have not considered. Listen to what your mentor truly has to say and keep asking questions.
9. What has First Tee taught you about mentorship?
First Tee has taught me that mentorship comes from a genuine care to better the world and your community, and that most often, mentees become mentors to future generations. Mentorship keeps the spirit of the First Tee alive as older students come back to volunteer their time to help their chapters.
This August, we held our first ever First Tee Leadership Summit in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana. This event took place for two weeks, bringing together 20 teens each week from across the country to develop leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities.
Through collaborative workshops, First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence and resilience played a huge part of the experience, to explore the concepts of relationship building, positive risk taking, and character evaluation.
We recently caught up with participant Benjamin Parris from First Tee – Denver to hear how this year’s event impacted him.
Benjamin Parris, First Tee – Denver
In Denver, I often hear the amazing experiences fellow participants have when they return from First Tee national events. Until the first week of August 2021, I had never experienced one for myself and I was not quite sure what to expect when I was selected for The First Tee Leadership Summit in Partnership with the PGA TOUR Superstore at Mr. Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana.
As soon as I arrived at the airport, I knew it would be a special week as I was immediately greeted by fellow participants and alumni chaperones. When we arrived at West Creek, even more participants were eager to greet us and introduce themselves. I knew I had formed relationships almost immediately, and those only got better as the week went on.
At the summit, we got to participate in activities such as horseback riding, archery, white water rafting, and other spectacular outdoor experiences. Also, during our days, we had the opportunities to listen to guest speakers like Dick Sullivan (CEO of the PGA TOUR Superstore), Ralph Stokes (the PGA TOUR Superstore’s Director of Partnership Marketing and former University of Alabama running back), Joe Shepard (a PGA TOUR Superstore Regional Manager), Stacie Monks (a PGA TOUR Superstore District Manager), and our keynote speaker Michael Vick (former NFL quarterback). We learned lessons in values, teamwork, skill sets, representation, and more.
Each day at the summit had a different theme. Our themes were: “relationships are the foundation for leadership,” “positive risk taking,” and “my character is me.” While our speakers were able to give us insightful words and stories on these themes, we learned just as much from our outdoor experiences as we did from our speakers.
On Tuesday, we focused on relationships and how trust is the foundation of every successful relationship. After hearing from Dick Sullivan and Michael Vick, six participants, including myself, departed for the ropes course while everyone else elected to horseback ride. When we arrived, we immediately had to build a relationship as we picked partners to ascend on a partner climb up a 30-foot wooden ladder. My partner Sam Gibbs from the First Tee of Fort Worth deserves a quick shoutout for putting her trust in me all week from the second we became partners at the ropes course.
On Wednesday, we worked on taking positive risks. My first risk of the day was waking up at 6:30 after a late night to go on a sunrise hike. Let me tell you, the views in Montana were spectacular, it was very much worth the risk of not sleeping in. Later that day I took another risk by going on a 3-hour horseback excursion, by far the longest I had ever been near another animal, besides my dog at home. My biggest takeaway from learning about positive risks were to approach people who think differently than you so you can challenge your own thinking and to seek out your own mentorships.
On Thursday, our final full day at the summit, we did a lot of self-reflection while thinking about how to own our characters. Stacie Monks began the day after another gorgeous sunrise hike. She posed the following question to all the participants. “What type of leader do you want to be?” She went onto discuss how to create a culture when you are leading others and how to empower them. Later that morning we had perhaps the hardest task of the entire summit, but also to me the most impactful. We were asked to complete this phrase. “This is what I believe about myself as a leader…” This wasn’t a simple sentence to complete, and to really answer the question, it required more than just a few sentences. To complete the thought, I had to reflect upon all the things I had been through that week at West Creek. I had to think about climbing with a partner, taking leaps of faith, the inspiration I had received from our speakers and workshops, and what I had learned from all the people around me. Later that evening, we sat around the fire pit as we listened and shared all 18 of us has discovered about ourselves as leaders.
My favorite part of the leadership summit was the comradery all of the participants formed. I got the opportunity to make 17 new friends, who over the course of the week felt like family. I know that I’ll be keeping in touch with them for years and years to come and can’t wait until I can see them again. For me, the week made me feel like a true member of the greater First Tee family. I had never met a fellow participant from outside of Colorado, but now I feel like I’m connected to the First Tee everywhere I go. I can’t wait to stay involved with the program as I go to college and beyond.
I want to thank the First Tee, PGA TOUR Superstore and West Creek Ranch staff one final time for giving me what was truly a life changing experience. The programming was phenomenal, and the experiences were irreplicable. I came back home truly knowing what type of leader I am and how I can continue to grow as a leader. I can’t wait to apply what I learned in Montana to our local programs in Denver as well as other extracurriculars I participate in. I feel honored that I was a part of the inaugural summit.
On Saturday, July 31st, Coach John Garner received the PCA Double Goal Regional award for his unwavering dedication to empowering our participants at First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. Several of our participants, alumni, volunteers, coaches, board members and staff were there to celebrate this honor.
He is the embodiment of the pillars of what both the Positive Coaching Alliance and First tee stand for to include but not limited to honoring the game and filling the emotional tank. Coach Garner has touched hundreds of lives during his time with First Tee and it is clear that he has created a legacy that will impact hundreds more. There are not enough words to express how importnat Coach Garner is to our community.
Thank you, Coach, for all you do for your students, colleagues and community. We appreciate you more than you know!
PGA Tour – First Tee Event – Game Changers at John F. ByrnePGA Tour – First Tee Event – Game Changers at John F. Byrne
Following a tumultuous year, First Tee has offered several national opportunities for participants to connect with others across the country. We are so proud that we have had many of our participants be selected to represent our chapter, especially to attend the the First Tee Game
Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia. Participants Daryn and Ansh were among 48 teens from the First Tee network who were selected for the five-day learning and empowerment academy, and participated in critical conversations around issues of
identity, racism, equity and empathy. Friends were made, stories were shared and memories were made. Ansh was selected for the “Rise Up” Game Changer award in which he exhibited the most prominent traits of being a Game Changer during the academy. We are so proud of these two and all the time they have dedicated to bettering their communities.
First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. prides itself on the inclusive environment provided for participants and to have TWO participants be selected for this unique program is an honor. We are looking forward to incorporating the lessons that Daryn and Ansh learned at the First Tee Game Changers Academy into our daily programming at First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C.
Participants Daryn and Ansh took the time to reflect on their experience with us! Continue reading to learn more about how the Game Changers Academy impacted them:
Daryn:
PGA Tour – First Tee Event – Game Changers at John F. ByrneMy overall experience at Game Changers Academy was impactful. Being there, I got to participate in open discussions, learn, and engage in each topic involving diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also played nine holes with other participants from different chapters which provided us a great opportunity to rely teamwork. Not only did we get to go on the course, but each golf workshop had a relation to what we learned in our RISE sessions. Evert evening, we participated in social activities with other participants which gave us the chance to get to know each other better. I think this event is important for teens to attend because it gives you exposure, education, and an outlet. Growing up in different areas across the country means that someone else went through something different and/or have different opinions. I think you learn a lot more when you get to have those open discussions and conversations which helps you understand a lot more. The events and workshops had an impact on me. In our table group discussions, I was able to broaden my way of seeing things related to our topics. It was enlightening to hear different perspectives and viewpoints not just from the other participants but the coaches as well. When someone else had a different opinion we were able to talk it out and understand. Also, some participants from my chapter shared personal experiences that I never knew about and I would have never known that they went through that if they never shared. One night after playing, we went into Philly and ate cheesesteaks in the park. After that, we split up into groups of five and went on a scavenger hunt throughout Philly. In my group, we were being creative and definitely trying to win. One of the tasks were to find a tattoo that looked like something outside in the city. While doing one of the other tasks at the movie theater, I saw a lady going in with a tattoo of a hand that had water drops dripping off. One of my teammates had a water bottle and we wet my hand and snapped a picture right next to the tattoo. Also, we had to find a police officer, firefighter, or EMT and get them to do a dance off with one of us. We went up to a police officer but he was on duty but referred us to a fire department not too far away. So, we went to the fire department and had a dance off with an EMT, who also had a Mohawk which was also for another task. The scavenger hunt was extremely fun and an event I will never forget. The Game Changers Academy was one like no other. We started each day with RISE workshops that empowered us on social issues occurring in the word, such as racism, privileges, understanding our identity, etc. From there, we would practice golf skills through various workshops before our nine hole round of golf that afternoon. All of the activities were amazing and taught us, as participants, so many new things. It also allowed us to build new friendships with other participants, coaches, and chaperones throughout the nation. It was truly incredible.
Ansh:
PGA Tour – First Tee Event – Game Changers at John F. ByrneThe RISE Privilege Walk was the most eye-opening experience of the entire academy. The Privilege walk showed how people have different privileges in America based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, etc. Being the victim of a hate crime, I spoke about the fact that Sikhs are the targets of mistaken identity, especially after the hate crime that took place on 9/11. Discussing personal experiences, I shared my cousin’s hate crime story, as well as the shooting in the Gurudawara (Sikh temple) in Wisconsin, along with the Swastika vandalized on our garage door. This speech left participants and coaches in tears, showing them that different people have faced extremely serious and scarring situations in their past. By the end of the presentation, I spoke about how grateful I was to have a loving community of players into the academy who would become my lifelong friends, and that because I have this privilege, I can feel belonged, regardless of my race and religion.The event was definitely important for teens to attend because it opens their eyes and shows them how important it is to learn about golf as well as social issues. Being granted the Rise Up Game Changers Award, I can definitely say that the Academy creates a new sense of understanding in teens and allows them to not only see, but visualize social issues and their plausible solutions in order to become game changers in their communities.As stated before, I shared an extremely personal experience during the privilege walk and showed how the Privilege walk affected me personally. It was extremely emotional and scarring to re-live those memories, but it was also important to show the participants at the academy that different people have different privileges. No one person’s privilege will ever be the same because everyone is different.
Participant Kyndall Campbell was selected to attend the 2021 First Tee National Championship! The event brought together 48 of First Tee’s elite players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.
On Monday, Kyndall played her practice round and attended the welcome dinner at the West End Zone at Tiger Stadium. PGA tour player Steve Scott was the guest speaker. He spoke about his 1996 Amateur Match Play rounds against Tiger Woods. His story about integrity, confidence and learn to accept failure was inspiring.
During her rounds, Kydnall had the opportunity to play with participants from the Atlanta Metro and Delaware chapters! She finished 19th.
Hear what Kyndall had to say about her experience:
I had an amazing experience at the Inaugural First Tee National Championships at Clemson University. I learned so much from playing and managing the course as well as handling pressure and staying calm. I’m so thankful for being given the opportunity to play at this amazing event and will cherish the memories and friendships that I’ve made from it!
In 2021, twelve high school graduates have been selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program based on academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism. This class of scholars includes aspiring engineers, accountants, teachers and environmental activists, all of whom will be attending stand out colleges and universities, including Dartmouth University, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, University of Indiana and other top institutions across the country. The Scholars also represent diverse backgrounds from communities across the First Tee network. The class is comprised of eight females and four males. The Scholars’ average GPA is 4.19 on a 4.0 scale and hold an average of 1,422 out of 1,600 on SAT and 31 out of 36 on ACT. Five of the Scholars will play on their college’s golf team.
First Tee College Scholarship Program supports selected alumni throughout their college career in an effort to further their life skill development and mentorship. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. The program also provides professional development workshops, access to internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. One of the key factors of the program is pairing Scholars with a dedicated adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the four years.
Meet the Scholars
Claire Alford, First Tee — Central Coast
Santa Clara University
American Mathematics Champion, AP Scholar with Distinction and American Indian/Hispanic National Merit Scholar are just a few of the amazing individual achievements Claire has attained in her life. What is more impressive, though, is Claire’s drive to help her community and create outlets that impact others. Of the many clubs and funds Claire has created, one was Birdies for Baskets. This was an initiative by Claire, in which she played 65 holes of golf in a single day raising more than $1,000 providing food baskets for under privileged families. Graduating with a 4.56 GPA, Claire plans to major in Public Health and Biology with a goal of becoming an anesthesiologist.
Marion Caldwell, First Tee — Four Corners
Dartmouth University
Pursuing a future in teaching, Marion is passionate about passing down the knowledge she has obtained throughout her life to the children within her community. Marion will attend Dartmouth University where she will major in both English and History. Throughout high school, Marion achieved numerous academic honors such as national honor society and earning a cumulative 4.39 GPA. When asked who her dream golf foursome is, Caldwell said a close friend, someone to teach and someone to learn from. Marion’s enthusiasm for both teaching and learning aligns perfectly with the goals and values of First Tee. She is a 10-year participant at First Tee — Four Corners and is the first participant to achieve ACE certification, the highest designation in the First Tee program.
Natalie Cao, First Tee — Greater Houston
University of Pennsylvania
Earning a cumulative 4.37 GPA, Natalie strives for greatness in both the classroom and on the course. While at the University of Pennsylvania, Natalie will play on the women’s golf team and will major in economics. She has used her passion for economics to become a financial advisor to help her community, working as the sole junior cashier and assistant treasurer for a bi-monthly book sale, raising more than $12,000 each year for her library. An eight-year participant at First Tee — Greater Houston, Natalie has also been a First Tee Junior Mentor since 2015 making a monumental impact on many through both the game of golf, and her desire to help others. On her goal of becoming a financial advisory, Natalie thinks it’s very similar to mentoring kids at First Tee as she’ll give counsel to those who seek her assistance and knowledge, focusing on financial goals instead of golf goals.
Molly Castle, First Tee — Tennessee
University of Tennessee Knoxville
As a First Tee — Tennessee participant for seven years, Molly has achieved ACE certification, the highest designation in the First Tee program, and used that experience and her love of golf for helping others within her community. She is an active volunteer for Second Harvest Food Bank and the Tennessee School for the Blind, where she assists those who are visually impaired learn the game of golf. Molly is a triplet and while her siblings have decided to continue their golf careers in college, Molly has chosen to focus on her passion to study agriculture and her drive for continued academic success.
Malisone Chanthapanya, First Tee — Forth Worth
Texas Wesleyan University
A 12-year participant at First Tee — Fort Worth, Malisone is the youngest participant to ever achieve ACE Certification in the chapter’s history. She serves on the Chapter Junior Advisory Committee and will play in the 2021 First Tee National Championship. With a cumulative 4.0 GPA combined with her success on the course, Malison plans to continue her golf career at Texas Wesleyan University while double majoring in computer science and accounting.
Quincy Crawford, First Tee — Greater Washington D.C.
University of Cincinnati
Being a part of the First Tee — Greater Washington D.C. for a decade, Quincy has been able to make an impact in his community using both his love for golf, and his passion to help others. Quincy has plans to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, but the impressive academic achievements do not stop there. Fluent in four languages – English, French, Italian, Russian – Quincy earned a cumulative 3.98 GPA while being on the honor roll all four years throughout high school. He was named captain of his high school golf team and plays bass in his school’s advanced orchestra. The First Tee Scholarship Program will empower him as he pursues his goal of using his Aerospace Engineering degree to create fuel-efficient aircrafts, lessoning the overall carbon footprint and possibly slow the rate of climate change.
Rebecca Jones, First Tee — Indiana
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
With goals of one day working on environmentally friendly engineering projects, Rebecca will be studying environmental engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Holding a cumulative GPA of 3.39, the classroom is not the only place Rebecca exceled, as she was a three-sport athlete (Basketball, Golf, Track) in high school earning all-conference accolades in each. Being a member of the First Tee — Indiana for six years and achieving multiple medals as a competitor, Rebecca has been able to use golf as both an outlet to give back and succeed individually. Not only thriving in the classroom and athletic fields, she is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a five-year president of the Orchestra Council. Rebecca is most excited about using her degree to earn a career focusing on land remediation and implementing new systems to reduce pollution, ultimately striving to make the area she grew up in a cleaner and greener place that will benefit the entire community.
Josh Lendach, First Tee — Triangle
University of Cincinnati
Through both his hard work in the classroom and on the golf course, Josh has earned the privilege to play golf at the University of Cincinnati. Josh has been a part of the First Tee — Triangle for 13 years and continues to use golf as an outlet to help others. He’s been a junior coach and mentor for the younger First Tee participants, raises money at an annual charity golf event benefiting the Nicklaus Children’s Foundation, and when schools closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, he founded Golf Gives Back with his fellow high school golf teammates to collect food for those in need. Hoping his passions for golf and environmental/atmospheric sciences collide, Josh wants to study how different environmental and atmospheric conditions could threaten the sustainability of golf course maintenance for future generations.
Meghna Mazumdar, First Tee — Connecticut
Boston College
Scoring a 1430 on her SATs while achieving a 4.12 cumulative GPA, Meghna will study Business Economics at Boston College in the fall. Her passion for investing in the stock market started at a young age which was featured on the Today Show when she was 13. Since 2011, her investment portfolio performance has consistently beat the S&P 500 index and she donates part of her investment gains to various charities and a First Tee — Connecticut Scholarship. Her love for investing and golf collided in 2016 when she was selected as winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together contest, earning her the opportunity to play with PGA TOUR player Rory McIlroy in Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am. Meghna is a 13-year participant at First Tee — Connecticut and her love of the game led her to be the founder of her high school’s first girl’s golf team. She was also recently elected as one of eight people from across the nation to serve on the First Tee’s Participant Advisory Council.
Benjamin Nganga, First Tee — Tennessee
University of Indiana
Benjamin’s excellent drive to succeed in the classroom has achieved him a 4.46 cumulative GPA earning him the prestigious Fry Scholarship to attend the University of Indiana Kelly Business School. Benjamin’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Kenya and could not be prouder of Benjamin becoming the first person in their family to attend college, with sights on a double major in Finance and Computer Science. Benjamin’s hard work was not limited to the classroom, as the seven-year First Tee — Tennessee participant was his high school golf team’s captain and in 2019 was named first team All-Metro. One of his future passions is to develop a non-profit that helps with the expenses of youth sports.
Kaleb Palm, First Tee — Central Florida
Florida Atlantic University
Kaleb is a six-year participant at First Tee — Central Florida whose passion and drive has helped him earn selection into many of First Tee’s national mentoring and empowerment events. Kaleb has earned a cumulative 4.69 GPA and PGA TOUR Champions player, Skip Kendall, says that “Kaleb has always been very positive and never lets adversity get in his way.” The son of a pastor, Kaleb uses what any adverse experience has taught him to help in many community outreach programs, such as helping the local food pantry in feeding less fortunate families.
Borina Sutikto, First Tee — Silicon Valley
Santa Clara University
With plans already in place to study Accounting & Information Systems while playing golf at Santa Clara University, Borina is passionate about the game both on and off the course. Earning both Junior Golf Association of Northern California Player of the Year honors along with the Girls Low Scoring Average Champion, Borina’s golf skill and love for the game is second to none. The trait that separates her from the pack is her passion to grow the game by helping others. She is a member of the Women’s Nine Hole Golf Association, an organization that helps promote the game of golf and inspire more women to play it. Having earned a 4.25 GPA, the nine-year participant at First Tee — Silicon Valley gives back to the younger participants as a junior coach and mentor.
First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners who stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission, including Astros Golf Foundation, Peter A. Bonanni Scholarship Fund, Chevron Corporation, A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, Timothy W. Finchem Scholarship Fund, Paul and Ruth Flowers, Morrell Studios, Charles Schwab, TruGreen, Edward and Lisa Vaughan and Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund.
First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. Participants Daryn and Cameron had the opportunity to travel to Naples, Florida to compete in the The Golf To Paradise-First Tee Champions Challenge at Quail Creek Country Club in conjunction with the Chubb Classic. This event brings 12 teams from First Tee chapters to participate in several exciting opportunities!The tournament consisted of scramble in the first round, modified alternate shot in the second round, and best ball in the third round. Over the course of the three days, Daryn and Cameron were partnered with participants from First Tee – Chicago, First Tee – Twin Cities and First Tee- Naples/Collier. In addition to playing in the tournament, Daryn and Cameron also had a teaching clinic with Champions Tour players Thursday. This trip was also a huge personal development opportunity for those involved. “I got the chance to get to know First Tee participants and coaches from all across the country” Cameron remarked, “This trip has taught me to come out of my shell even more and to enjoy every moment to the fullest because you never know who you might meet or what opportunities lie ahead.”In addition to playing themselves, participants had other opportunities as well including a service day at the Collier Museum and a Sunset Cruise on the Naples Princess! “The event provided awesome golf and social activities, including watching pros at Chubb Classic,” Daryn recalled, I became friends with all the other First Tee chapters and was able to have fun and a little vacation along with playing the sport I love.” Daryn and Cameron finished 8th on Sunday. We are so proud of all their accomplishments during this trip and look forward to watching them grow as golfers. To learn more about the Chubb Classic check out this article:https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/golf/2021/04/13/golf-paradise-first-tee-champions-challenge-returns-despite-covid-19/7201438002/
Meet Micaa’! In honor of Women’s History Month we are highlighting women who have gone through First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C’s programming and still shine today.Micaa’ Thomas is a distinguished First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. alum who continuously illustrated the importance of our core value of perseverance daily; whether that is on or off the course. “The core value of perseverance has been instrumental in my junior and collegiate golf careers. Perseverance today still plays a major role in furthering my professional development in golf.” For years – Micaa’ took classes with First Tee. She still served as a role model for all the girls in our program. In (2014) Micaa played in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach! Micaa’ and her PGA Tour Champions playing partner, Olin Browne finished in the Top 10, the top ever finish for our chapter in the event. “The First Tee – Greater Washington DC has afforded me with the foundation and principles of success in life. The program continues to be an impactful influence in my golf aspirations. Mentorship and support from First Tee instructors and its corporate sponsors has been invaluable.”Upon graduation, we had the privilege of continuing to watch Micaa’ in her golf journey as she attended Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) where she won several conference championships and accolades. As an inductee of the African American Collegiate and Youth Golfer’s Hall of Fame, Micaa’ continued her talents past graduation and into the amateur golf world where you can have the chance to see her play now. During her time at SCAD, Micaa’ made a lasting impression on the communities around her. Read about her career, choices and accomplishments here:https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-micaa-thomas-competitive-amateur-golfer-and-visual-effects-artist/In addition to her achievements on the course, Micaa’ has continued to amaze us with her ability to challenge society. She is in the process of publishing a children’s book titled Penny and the Peanut, to highlight the harmful effects of peanut allergies. Micaa’ is continuing to impact the lives of many through her love of golf and art. We are so proud of the woman she has become!
Participants David and Kyndall spent the week of September 20th competing in the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. They were one of 81 teens from across the nation to receive this honor.
The week started off with a paring party where Kyndall and David were matched with their professional golfer for the week. Kyndall was paired with Stephen Ames and David was partnered with Olin Browne. Each of these pro’s played an integral role in the growth of our participants during the week and were instrumental to their success!
On Wednesday and Thursday, Kyndall and David had the opportunity to tee- off during practice rounds at both Pebble Beach and Spyglass. For part of the time, they worked with their pros to better their game. We quite literally could not get them off the course!
Kyndall was one of 6 chapter participants across the First Tee network to compete in the Chevron Challenge. Players were able to compete in a round at the 9-hole par three course, The Hay to win scholarship money that would be donated back to their chapter. While there, Kyndall was selected to interview with the Golf Channel about what First Tee means to her:
“Being interviewed twice was a nerve racking experience and honestly being able to say I was on interviewed Television is a huge accomplishment. I dealt with the adversity by remembering that I’m a great golfer and that I had the support of my family, my chapter and my professional.”
Friday and Saturday, Kyndall and David headed into the Pure Insurance Championship. During the first day, David played Spyglass and Kyndall was at Pebble Beach. They both encountered struggles but persevered through it and were back ready to play the next day. On Saturday, Kyndall teed off at Spyglass and David played Pebble Beach. Each of them came ready to play! David ended up finishing -8 and Kyndall finished -5. They both had amazing pros that helped them through the tournament and reminded them to soak it all in.
1. Why is mentorship important?
Benjamin Parris, First Tee – Denver
On Saturday, July 31st, Coach John Garner received the PCA Double Goal Regional award for his unwavering dedication to empowering our participants at First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. Several of our participants, alumni, volunteers, coaches, board members and staff were there to celebrate this honor.
He is the embodiment of the pillars of what both the Positive Coaching Alliance and First tee stand for to include but not limited to honoring the game and filling the emotional tank. Coach Garner has touched hundreds of lives during his time with First Tee and it is clear that he has created a legacy that will impact hundreds more. There are not enough words to express how importnat Coach Garner is to our community.
Thank you, Coach, for all you do for your students, colleagues and community. We appreciate you more than you know! 
In 2021, twelve high school graduates have been selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program based on academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism. This class of scholars includes aspiring engineers, accountants, teachers and environmental activists, all of whom will be attending stand out colleges and universities, including Dartmouth University, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, University of Indiana and other top institutions across the country. The Scholars also represent diverse backgrounds from communities across the First Tee network. The class is comprised of eight females and four males. The Scholars’ average GPA is 4.19 on a 4.0 scale and hold an average of 1,422 out of 1,600 on SAT and 31 out of 36 on ACT. Five of the Scholars will play on their college’s golf team.
First Tee College Scholarship Program supports selected alumni throughout their college career in an effort to further their life skill development and mentorship. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. The program also provides professional development workshops, access to internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. One of the key factors of the program is pairing Scholars with a dedicated adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the four years.
