Author: lross

First Tee School Skills Challenges

Each spring First Tee-Indiana hosts School Skills Challenge days in select locations for our Indiana partner schools. This spring, events were held in Bloomington, Franklin, Lafayette and South Bend. Weather got the best of two challenges scheduled in Fort Wayne. Those days will be made up in the Fall. 

Schools compete in a Drive, Chip and Putt style competition while practicing First Tee’s Nine Core Values. Points are awarded at each station and tallied to determine the winning school. This year’s winners included:

Bloomington – Clear Creek Elementary

Greenwood – Creekside Elementary

Lafayette – Wyandotte Elementary

South Bend – Elm Road Elementary

“The 2026 Skills Challenges were amazing! We had over 20 schools come out to compete and they all did so well. They were wonderful events full of lots of great golf shots, laughs and some much needed spring sunshine. We were thrilled to give some of our wonderful teacher and kids a fun field trip,” said Kiselya Salcedo, First Tee-Indiana’s Director of Outreach. 

Watch the action at our Lafayette Skills Challenge  HERE. 

First Tee Week and Dear Coach Campaign

The last week of May we honored our First Tee-Indiana coaches and volunteers in our Dear Coach Campaign. Our team of trusted, trained and caring coaches and staff develop meaningful relationships with participants that prepare them for what’s next – on the course, at school and in daily life.​ Our over 200 coaches and volunteers in Indiana are what set our program apart. 

Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development

A finding with The Harris Poll shows parents turn to coaches to help build their kids’ character, self-confidence, determination and leadership.  

Ninety-one percent of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire their child to excel both on and off the field.

The Harris Poll

Andrea Bornino, TSC Teacher of the Year & First Tee Partner

Congratulations to Andrea Bornino of West Lafayette for being name Tippecanoe School Corporation’s Teacher of the Year. Andrea is the PE Teacher at Klondike Elementary and has been a First Tee School Program partner for many years and sees a tremendous benefit of the program for her students. 

How many years have you been teaching the First Tee School Program?

I’ve been teaching First Tee for at least 7-10 years now! I first started introducing the program to my students when I was teaching at Glen Acres and Vinton in Lafayette and then moved to Klondike Elementary in West Lafayette.  

Do you have a favorite First Tee lesson?

I absolutely love teaching students how to use the clubs at our driving range station. The joy on their faces the first time the ball lifts, launches into the air, and carries some distance is absolutely priceless. There is something so incredible about watching their confidence skyrocket in that exact moment. It’s even icing on the cake when they have their ball hit one of the designated targets.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of introducing golf skills to your students?

Confidence and determination are definitely the biggest benefits. A lot of students can feel intimidated by fast-moving sports, but golf allows them to slow down, take their time, and learn how to set and accomplish goals.

I see this happen with all of my students at our putting stations. They slow down, align their bodies, take a deep breath, and really lock in their focus. When the ball rolls up and over onto the velcro target, they are so proud of themselves—and their teammates are right there celebrating with them! This doesn’t just build confidence on the green; it sets them up for success in life. It teaches them that if they stay determined, they just have to try, try, and try again until they reach their goals.

The First Tee Program has been a magnificent addition to my PE program, and my students look forward to it every single year. All of my classes benefit so much from our discussions about the Nine Core Values. 

Most recently, my fifth graders have been extremely excited to participate in the First Tee School Skills Challenge on a real golf course. A lot of my students have only been to putt-putt courses, so watching them step onto a real fairway and green for the very first time is unforgettable. The First Tee program truly offers so many amazing, life-changing experiences for my students and I feel honored to have the as part of our schools PE curriculum.

Visit Tippecanoe School Corporation for more on Bornino and her award.

Robotics and Golf?

Lance Pean has been a First Tee participant at Studebaker Golf Course since he was six years old. Now at 15, he is in his second year of serving as  a junior coach. This winter he had the opportunity to compete with his robotics team in the World Championships in Houston. 

How did First Tee help you with school, robotics?

First Tee has helped me with school and robotics by teaching me discipline and how to work in a team environment. It has also helped me learn the importance of being sportsmanlike and respectful toward others.

Where did you get to compete in robotics?

I am part of a First Tech Challenge team in Osceola Indiana. We mostly compete near northern Indiana for qualification tournaments, then we go to the University of Indianapolis for the state championship where we placed 2nd in the robot game and 1st in the judging category. This meant our team was granted an opportunity to compete in the world championship in Houston. We did a good job there in the robot game, and in our division we got the Connect award, which is the 7th highest award out of the 58 teams in our division.

What did your robot do and what was your role on the team?

The goal for the 25-26 season for First Tech Challenge was to be able to pick up 3 balls and be able to shoot them into a goal. You have 30 seconds of autonomous period to score balls autonomously and you have 2 minutes to score them in a driver controlled period. My role on the team was a builder and strategist.

Dane Bolin, Innovators Forum Project

After attending the national First Tee Innovators Forum, Dane was chalIenged to develop a meaningful service project in their community focused on education, health, human rights, or environmental sustainability. Dane chose to create a supply drive called “Restock The Hope Night” to spread awareness of homelessness in my community. Hear from Dane about his efforts to support Family Promise of Hendrick County: 

“By educating my community about the services available at Family Promise of Hendricks County and collecting donations to help restock their Resource Center, my service project helped homeless families achieve stability and get back on their feet again.”

“I started designing this project in October 2025 and arranged to meet with some families in their “Almost Home” overnight shelter by bringing them a taco-themed dinner. I was able to tour the Resource Center and overnight shelter to gain a better understanding of where families can go to recover from the trauma of homelessness and begin rebuilding their lives. I was also impressed to learn that they offer individualized case management to help the families take the steps to ensure stability on their own. Then, after my collection drive, it really impacted me to unload all of the supplies in the Resource Center and organize the items on the shelves for the families. I learned how many families in my community need everyday essentials, and I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness knowing the impact I’ve made on others.”

Congrats Dane on a job well done!

Eagle Creek Golf Club in Indianapolis hosted the fourth annual Roger Lundy Memorial Championship on July 27th. Fifty-five participants persevered through extreme heat to finish the annual competition with both and individual and regional competition.

Since 2012, Coach Roger Lundy devoted himself wholly to First Tee-Indiana, pouring his time, energy, and passion into the development of young people not only as golfers, but as individuals of character and integrity. Coach Roger worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for our kids and teens. This vision led to the creation of the First Tee State Championship. Coach Roger passed away in 2023 but his legacy and vision lives on in the Roger Lundy Memorial First Tee Championship. Coach Roger would be so proud to see all of the participants who played this year!

Enjoy our Photo Album from the day.

Congrats to all of our top finishers!

Overall medalist

High School Boys — Blayze Chapman — 74, Sullivan Mammolenti —76,

High School Girls — Celia Florkowski — 80, Aleah Miller — 93

Middle School Boys –Kennix Lee —39, Nolan Jahn —41

Middle School Girls — Camley Whitfield — 38, Koey Lee — 41

Team Champions

High School Team Champion — Michiana — 234

High School Team Runner-up — East Central — 259

Middle School Team Champion — Richmond/Orange County — 123

Middle School Team Runner-up — Indianapolis —130

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.

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!