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
