Month: April 2025

Meredith Speer’s journey from First Tee to a golf career

The game of golf is more than just a sport; it’s a powerful vehicle for personal growth, leadership and community. For Meredith Speer, First Tee has been an integral part of her journey, not just to become a skilled golfer but to pursue a career in the industry. Her story highlights the transformative impact of First Tee programs, which have helped shape her path on and off the golf course.

Meredith joined First Tee – Greater El Paso at 6, and when her family later moved to Cedar Park, Texas, she became involved with First Tee – Greater Austin. Female leaders at both chapters became mentors for Meredith, who soon realized she wanted golf to be a big part of her life.

“Kristi Albers started my love for the game by taking me under her wing and giving me lessons after every Saturday class,” Meredith said. “And Jennifer MacCurrach has been a mentor in so many aspects of my life – in and outside of golf.”

Meredith is currently enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University, where she was recently elected president of the PGM Student Association. This summer she’ll intern at Southern Hills Country Club, which has hosted three U.S. Opens and five PGA Championships.

“At this internship, I will be working in the golf performance center learning all about giving lessons and club fittings,” she said. “Along with that, I will get more experience working outside services and inside the golf shop getting more experience with merchandising.”

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is shaping future leaders

Meredith is a member of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. As a Scholar, she receives access to professional development opportunities, a dedicated mentor and financial support.

“The First Tee Scholarship Program has supported me in so many ways academically and socially,” she explained. “It’s given me the confidence I need to pursue a career in golf, and I’ve had the opportunity to hear from women who are already in the industry. Their stories have inspired me and assured me that success is possible.”

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is supported by generous partners like Chevron, which hosted a group of First Tee alumni at The Chevron Championship in Woodlands, Texas, last week. Meredith attended the event and networked with a variety of golf industry professionals.

“The alumni meetup at The Chevron Championship was one of the most amazing experiences,” Meredith said. “Getting to meet up with my fellow First Tee friends and watch the amazing LPGA golfers only solidified my choice of working in this industry.”

The First Tee Alumni Network helps connect past participants, providing networking opportunities, social events and job listings. Join now.

Brock Receives Award for First Tee Campaign

First Tee-Indiana Alumni Zoe Brock was recently award the Louis E Ingelhart Excellence in Strategic Communication Award. It honors a student in Ball State’s School of Strategic Communication and Journalism who has demonstrated outstanding skill in advertising or public relations by effectively promoting brand awareness, understanding the target audience, and achieving specific goals of clients. Brock’s award stemmed from her work with the Richmond location this past summer. She served both as lead coach and social media manager. She submitted a portfolio of the social media promotional work she did for First Tee-Indiana in Richmond. Zoe was Indiana’s second participant to excel to ACE status in 2023. Congrats Zoe!

Welcome Jim Warner to the First Tee Staff!

First Tee-Indiana welcomes Jim Warner as our new Director of Operations. Jim will take on a key leadership role responsible for the efficient and effective management of the organization’s day-to-day operations.

Jim was born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Columbus, Indiana, and has been an avid golfer for most of his post-Indiana University graduate life. Jim played multiple sports in his early years and now spends his recreational time traveling, playing golf wherever possible and hiking near the family’s home in the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado.  Prior to joining First Tee, Jim was in financial management with multiple large hospital and healthcare systems for nearly 40 years. It was in the healthcare consulting business where Jim met his wife, Beth Cisco, who owns a successful healthcare consulting practice based in central Indiana.  Jim, Beth and their cat, Bella, enjoy the diversity, dining and vibrancy of living in downtown Indianapolis.

Welcome Kiselya Salcedo to the First Tee Staff!

First Tee-Indiana welcomes Kiselya Salcedo to our team as the Director of Outreach & Women’s Golf. She will be focusing on the development of women’s golf initiatives as well as serving as the administrator for our School and Community Program partners.

Born and raised in Colorado, Kiselya has been an avid golfer for most of her life. She grew up playing any sport she could and ended up loving golf the most. She played college golf at Weber State University, where she met her husband Daniel. They have a dog named Monti and love all things sports and outdoors. Throughout her career she has worked running junior golf tournaments with the Utah Section PGA, organizing amateur events with Washington Golf, being a teaching professional and serving as an assistant college golf coach. She loves the game of golf and is excited to give back to it through the wonderful program at First Tee-Indiana.