Congrats to Our 2025 Senior Scholarship Winners
On behalf of the Indiana Golf Foundation and the First Tee – Indiana, we are pleased to announce the 2025 First Tee Senior Scholarship winners. This scholarship is in recognition of dedication and participation in First Tee programming and is sponsored by the PGA TOUR Superstore and its teen retention initiative.
This year’s recipients include Alivia Carlisle, Demi Bolin and Sam Landmesser. Enjoy reading about their experiences at First Tee and their plans for the future below.
Alivia Carlisle
How has First Tee positively impacted your life?
First Tee has not only taught me skills that I apply on the course but also skills I use in my day to day life in school and work. The program has shaped my character, leadership skills, and overall confidence. I learned the value of perseverance, integrity, and respect.
What will you take away from First Tee that will help you in your future?
I have grown into a more confident communicator. The experiences in First Tee have given me the confidence to lead projects on school and even speak at public events.
What would you tell someone who is new to golf and interested in First Tee?
My advice to someone new to golf who is interested in First Tee would be to definitely go into it with an open mind and heart. It’s so much more than just golf you will learn valuable life skills, build confidence, and make life lasting friendships. And don’t stress if you know nothing about golf, that’s what the coaches are there for! Just be open to learning and ask questions.
Demi Bolin
How has First Tee positively impacted your life?
I was given the opportunity to go to Texas and meet other First Tee members and I’m still friends with those people today. I’ve also been given mentors that have helped shape me into the person I am today!
What will you take away from First Tee that will help you in your future?
Through First Tee I’ve learned countless skills that will help me in my future career. I’ve learned how to work with people effectively and treat people with kindness no matter where they come from. Golf isn’t just a sport, it’s an avenue that can lead you into many opportunities and teach you skills for the future. The skills of teamwork and responsibility will have a major impact on the field I want to pursue going into college which is the medical field.
What would you tell someone who is new to golf and interested in First Tee?
I would tell them that they should join and that it will be something that will change their lives. I would let them know the opportunities I have been given as well as the support that I was shown through all my years of being in First Tee. I would tell them that golf isn’t about a score or placement in a tournament but that they should try it out and do it with their friends and family because that brought me a lot of joy and happiness growing up.
Sam Landmesser
How has First Tee positively impacted your life?
First tee has not only enabled me to meet more resources to help get younger kids into golf, but also it has opened doors for me as a player! First tee helped me meet my swing coach of 2 years, Nancy Bender, who has positively impacted both my golf game and my mindset as I have taken lessons with her!
What will you take away from First Tee that will help you in your future?
With First tee, I have learned the importance of putting others first. Through teaching and learning myself, I have learned the value in giving others opportunities and guiding them along the way!
What would you tell someone who is new to golf and interested in First Tee?
First Tee is the best way to not only become a better golfer, but a better person. The people I met through First Tee are irreplaceable! First Tee is the best way to learn life skills while also learning a sport. Golf houses so many values that are taught along your journey through learning the sport, First Tee simply makes all those values accessible to new players.