On Saturday, July 12th the First Tee and Indy Parks hosted an Adaptive Golf Clinic at Eagle Creek Golf Club. We had seven participants come out on a beautiful sunny day to play games and golf. We started with putting and worked our way up to chipping tic-tac-toe before heading to the driving range. The day was filled with fun, laughter and new friendships. Participants left with some awesome First Tee swag and we hope to see them again next year!
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Huge Congratulations to Izzy Kornmeyer!
Izzy attended the First Tee Innovators Forum in November and has spent the past few months dedicated to completing her service project — and today, she delivered incredible results!
Thanks to Izzy’s hard work and commitment, the Julian Center received over 700 full-sized hygiene products and a $500 check to help them purchase additional supplies for families in need.
Her compassion and drive truly made a difference for the Julian Center — the largest organization in Indiana supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other life crises.
We are so proud of all that Izzy has accomplished. She has not only embodied the values of First Tee but also brought hope and support to countless families.
Way to go, Izzy!
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!
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.
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.
Congratulations to Blayze Chapman for his recent trip to West Creek Ranch in Montana last month for the Leadership Summit hosted by First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore.
During this weeklong event, teens were encouraged to further develop their existing strengths and values in a close-knit environment that fosters community, inspiration and connection with their peers, adult mentors and the great outdoors.
Blayze recently recapped his week for us:
“My 2 biggest takeaways from the Leadership Summit in Montana were to lead firmly, but empathetically, and to give others the tool for success, but let them learn it on their own. Though I learned many things, what I thought was the most important is that leading is not always loud. Leading is often listening to others’ ideas and input and helping to guide them to make the right decision on their own. I will use what I have learned in many ways, but especially on my golf team given that I have more influence on the culture there than anywhere else in my life. I will do that by making sure that everybody’s ideas are heard and by not being too pushy in the way I lead. I will also help guide them to learn lessons on their own, on and off the course, as opposed to just giving them the answer. If I had to choose the top three things that made this experience so great, it would be the speakers, the ability to relax and reflect in nature, and the other participants. If I had to give a couple reasons to sway someone who may be on the fence for applying, I would tell them to go for the people that they will get to meet. Everybody from the speakers to the chaperones, the participants, the staff, and even the band are extremely kind and you will learn from all of them and create lasting friendships. I would also tell them about all the amazing activities we get to do. On one of the days, we get to learn how to lead, corral, and groom the horses. In doing so, we get to learn how to be confident, but gentle and we learn how to build authentic relationships based on trust. We also got to go white water rafting where we learned how to get out of our comfort zone and how to become more willing to try something new. One of the final things we got to do was a challenge course in which we learned to utilize others’ help. The challenge was to climb a giant rope latter in which the rungs get further as you go up. Most people could get up the first few rungs alone, however the earlier you learn to work with your partner, the easier it was as you went up. Overall, I am extremely grateful for the experience and I have learned so many important lessons I can take back to my community.”
First Tee-Indiana hosted its first Indiana Leadership Day on June 6th at Purdue University. Modeled after First Tee National opportunities, 12 Indiana participants were selected from applications to spend a day interacting with their peers through several leadership activities. Purdue Men’s Golf Coach Andrew Sapp talked with them about improving your mindset for practicing, Athletic Department staff members Paul Leaf and Peyton Stovall brought a team to play games teaching collaboration and how to be a great teammate.
After lunch at the Purdue Memorial Union, the Boilermaker Special mascot train took the group on a tour of campus, taking pictures along the way and stopping at a local favorite ice cream shop. The day ended with practice and nine holes of play on the Ackerman Allen Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
Three longtime First Tee-Indiana participants were awarded scholarships to support them in their future endeavors. Funds for these scholarships are part of a grant from the PGA TOUR Superstore promoting teen retention in our programs. Congratulations Ben, Nick and Sam! Below are their reflections on their time with First Tee.
Ben is from our Northwest location and will be attending Purdue University with a double major in Profession Flight Technology and Aviation Management.
“One thing that was stressed frequently to me throughout my time with First Tee was not the mechanics of the game, but the mental side of the game. First Tee taught me perseverance, sportsmanship, and confidence, all of which play a heavy role in my character today, both inside and outside of the golf world.”
Nick is also from our Northwest location and will be attending Trine University to study Golf Management, possibly play golf for their team, and also continue to grow my personal company with their tools and resources on campus.
“I would tell someone who is new to golf that First Tee is a great place to start. It’s an amazing overview of the game of golf and the people are very well rounded in the game of golf. Learning quickly from these people is obtainable at any age level and it really is the perfect start. I started my golf journey with a few of the First Tee high school sessions and it helped me quickly learn the basics of the game and I’ll always be thankful for that.”
Sam is from our Indianapolis location and will be attending Purdue for Computer Engineering.
“First Tee coaches have taught me patience and respect to people who have trouble fitting in with their environment. Golf is a great sport but it is slow and you need to learn to wait with others and participate as a team. Being uplifting is important even if it was a bad play, you should not be negative in any scenario even if they are not your friend or teammate. Communicate well with others, don’t be quiet, approach people and ask them questions or try to start conversation because its a lot of walking around the green and you will be spending a lot of time with them, might as well try to make friends.”
It was a beautiful afternoon at Eagle Creek Golf Club as First Tee middle school and high school participants teed up for the third annual State Championship, this year in honor of beloved First Tee Coach Roger Lundy. “His passion for golf and for kids was one that exceeded all expectations. Everything he did he always put kids first. He always wanted the best for all. We know that continuing his ideas and his traditions would make him proud,” said Ali Beam, Senior Director of Programming. “He was cheering all of you on during your good shots and your not so great shots. Keep your head held high. Each day on the golf course is a new day. Just learn for each day and reflect on the positive.”
Fifty-six players hits the links on Eagle Creek’s Pine Course with the High Schoolers playing 18 holes and the middle schoolers 9 holes. Each player received a First Tee-Indiana umbrella, water bottle and bracelet. Indianapolis’ Demi Bolin led the way with a hot three-under par on her first nine and an 18 hole score of 73. Bolin, a soon to be high school senior, is a nine year participant of First Tee. She is committed to play golf at University of Mary in North Dakota.
Levi Simms from our Northwest location edged out Sullivan Mammolenti from Michiana and Brody Haaf from South Central by a stroke with a three-over 39. The low girls round for middle school competitors came from Laila Abriani from our East Central location with a 44.
See a list of full results below and enjoy an album of photos from the day. PHOTOS
| High School Boys Results | High School Girls Results | ||||
| Player Name | Location | Score | Player Name | Location | Score |
| Michael Broida | Indy | 81 | Demi Bolin | Indy | 73 |
| Jackson Payne | East Central | 82 | Celia Florkowski | Michiana | 78 |
| Blayze Chapman | Indy | 83 | Aleah Miller | East Central | 90 |
| Edison Armbrester | Indy | 86 | Lauren Lacey | Richmond | 90 |
| Levi Gustine | Michiana | 86 | Alivia Carlisle | Indy | 91 |
| Owen McNally | Michiana | 94 | Ashlynn Sessler | Michiana | 98 |
| Nicholas Gruber | Michiana | 95 | Izzy Kornmeyer | Indy | 100 |
| Dallas Byerly | South Central | 97 | Maureen Smith | Indy | 106 |
| Tatsu Gravender | Michiana | 100 | Zoe King | Indy | 111 |
| Dane Bolin | Indy | 106 | Alice Stockwell | Michiana | 125 |
| Ethan Reynolds | Columbus | 121 | |||
| Connor Jarrett | Indy | 131 | |||
| Liam Lawyer | Indy | 133 | |||
| Middle School Boys Results | Middle School Girls Results | ||||
| Player Name | Location | Score | Player Name | Location | Score |
| Levi Simms | Northwest | 39 | Laila Abriani | East Central | 44 |
| Sullivan Mammolenti | Michiana | 40* | Camley Whitfield | Orange County | 48 |
| Brody Haaff | South Central | 40 | London Smith | Indy | 51 |
| Gavin Acord | Terre Haute | 41 | Paige Lautenslager | Fort Wayne | 55 |
| Charles Bowman | Michiana | 46 | Carli Kaminskis | Michiana | 63 |
| Rowan Evrard | Richmond | 46 | Aubree Amback | Indy | 65 |
| Finn Massoth | East Central | 46 | Jaidyn Virvani | Indy | 67 |
| Gavyn Guthrie | Richmond | 47 | Camille Powell | Indy | 68 |
| Aiden Coates | Michiana | 48 | |||
| Evan Gann | Indy | 51 | |||
| Rockford Brovont | Indy | 52 | |||
| Aiden Chapin | Indy | 53 | |||
| Nolan Jahn | South Central | 53 | |||
| Hudson Brown | Richmond | 55 | |||
| Logan Hall | Indy | 63 | |||
| Lincoln Nesbit | Indy | 64 | |||
| Donevan Cunningham | Indy | 65 | |||
| Elmer Kelly | Indy | 65 | |||
| Jamison Linn | Indy | 67 | |||
| Charlie Webber | Indy | 69 | |||
| Emmett Weintraut | Indy | 68 | |||
| * Won in Scorecard Playoff | |||||
| High School Team Results | |||||
| Indy HS #2 | East Central – Richmond – South Central – Columbus | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Blayze Chapman | 255 | Jackson Payne | 262 | ||
| Dane Bolin | Aleah Miller | ||||
| Alivia Carlisle | Lauren Lacey | ||||
| Michael Broida | Dallas Byerly | ||||
| Ethan Reynolds | |||||
| Indy HS #1 | Michiana HS #1 | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Edison Armbrester | 265 | Levi Gustine | 275 | ||
| Maureen Smith | Owen McNally | ||||
| Demi Bolin | Tatsu Gravender | ||||
| Nicholas Gruber | |||||
| Michiana HS #2 | Indy HS #3 | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Alice Stockwell | 301 | Izzy Kornmeyer | 342 | ||
| Ashlynn Sessler | Connor Jarrett | ||||
| Celia Florkowski | Liam Lawyer | ||||
| Zoe King | |||||
| Middle School Team Results | |||||
| South Central – Orange County | Richmond – Northwest | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Brody Haaff | 132* | Rowan Evrard | 132 | ||
| Nolan Jahn | Gavyn Guthrie | ||||
| Camley Whitfield | Hudson Brown | ||||
| Laila Abriani | Levi Simms | ||||
| *Won by 4th score | |||||
| Michiana | Fort Wayne – Terre Haute – East Central | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Aiden Coates | 134 | Paige Lautenslager | 142 | ||
| Sullivan Mammolenti | Finn Massoth | ||||
| Carli Kaminskis | Gavin Acord | ||||
| Charles Bowman | |||||
| Indy MS #4 | Indy MS #1 | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Emmett Weintraut | 173 | Evan Gann | 183 | ||
| Camille Powell | Aubree Amback | ||||
| Rockford Brovont | Jamison Linn | ||||
| Aiden Chapin | |||||
| Indy MS #2 | Indy MS #3 | ||||
| Player Name | Total Team Score | Player Name | Total Team Score | ||
| Donevan Cunningham | 185 | Logan Hall | 192 | ||
| London Smith | Jaidyn Virvani | ||||
| Charlie Webber | Elmer Kelly | ||||
| Lincoln Nesbit | |||||
First Tee-Indiana alumni Sam Reising had the unique opportunity to return to the Game Changers Academy, a First Tee National Opportunity, recently held in Minneapolis, Minn. He joined current participant Jacob Tellez from our Michiana location. During this event teens will participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. Reising has the honor of attending this opportunity as a participant himself. Here are his reflections of returning in a new role:
Becoming a leader within the First Tee program has been the cornerstone of who I am as a leader, instilling values that transcend the golf course. As a participant, I learned the importance of inclusive leadership, which emphasizes promoting all voices and ensuring everyone has a seat at the table. This approach taught me that effective leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room but about being the person who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Inclusive leadership involves listening actively, valuing diverse perspectives, and promoting an environment where everyone feels respected and heard.
Transitioning from a participant to a chaperone, I continued to apply these leadership skills. My role shifted from receiving guidance to providing it, ensuring the participants felt supported and valued. I strived to create an inclusive atmosphere where every participant, regardless of background or skill level, felt they belonged and could contribute meaningfully. I feel like being only one year removed as a participant I truly was able to connect and relate to what the participants needed to have the best and most meaningful experience.
Continuing in the First Tee program is crucial because it reinforces these leadership principles and allows for ongoing personal growth. The program’s focus on character development, resilience, and integrity is invaluable. It provides a platform for me to continuously practice and refine leadership skills, ensuring they are applied not only within the program but in everyday life. By staying involved, I aim to help support the next generation of leaders, giving my touch on some of the things I gained through the program. Showing them that true leadership is about empathy, inclusivity, and guiding others with integrity and compassion is the way to create a positive work, learning, and even social environment!
-Sam Reising, Richmond
First Tee-Indiana t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts and more are now available for purchase in our new on-line storefront. Our partnership with Athletic Solutions will allow coaches, volunteers, and participants and family members to add to their golfing wardrobe with First Tee-Indiana items. Our chapter will benefit by 25% of every sale being donated back to First Tee-Indiana.
You can access the storefront at https://firstteeindiana.athsolutions.shop/. Enjoy shopping!
