Author: lross

First Tee-Indiana is honored to be one of six locations in the United States to introduce the Watson Links program to junior golfers. The mission of Watson Links is to provide opportunities for kids to play golf alongside a mentor, inspiring lifelong players who benefit from the positive experiences associated with the game

Eight-time Major Champion Tom Watson’s initiative provides a bridge from golf lessons on the driving range to playing on a real golf course for aspiring players ages 10 to 18. The model is simple: pair adult golf mentors with junior golfers for fun, relaxed rounds of golf to hone basic skills, introduce course etiquette and reinforce valuable life skills – all for free!

The first program in Indiana will begin this summer at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course. A kick off event for mentors and participants was held on Monday, June 17th. We are excited to see the development of youth players and their mentors.

For more information, contact Kiselya Salcedo at [email protected].

Our First Tee-Indiana  leaders developed a special program for our First Tee School Program partners.  This unique event gives students, many who have never been to a golf course, an opportunity to visit one of our green grass programming sites and experience golf on a real course using real golf clubs.  Ten attending students from each school are selected by their P.E. teachers. On challenge day, the students will compete in a 9-hole skills event. Students answer First Tee core value questions at each of the nine stations that include putting, chipping/pitching, irons and wood shots. T-shirts are provided to the students and teachers and are color coordinated with their respective school colors. Lunch is also provided before students and teachers board their buses and return to school with the winners carrying a traveling trophy to present to their principal.  

On May 19th, 11 Fort Wayne Community Schools gathered at Brookwood Golf Course and McMillan Park Golf Course  to participate in the first events in their area. “I had the privilege of spending a few hours at McMillen with our students and staff. There were six schools at McMillen and Brookwood hosted 5 schools. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to be exposed to the game of golf, at a golf course, on a beautiful spring day. Laughter and excitement filled the air as our students enjoyed the day,” Jennifer Matthias, FWCS Board of Trustees.

In order to facilitate the School Skills Challenge days, First Tee-Indiana  provides funding for .5 day substitutes for the P.E. teachers and pays for the use of the school corporation buses and drivers. All participating students receive an invitation to attend a local green grass program free of charge via scholarship opportunities. 

All together, First Tee reached 260 kids this May through  five School Skills Challenge days. “It’s great to see kids utilizing the skills they worked on at school come alive on the golf course. Their excitement for trying something new is very encouraging.   We hope to see many of these students in our green grass programs this summer,” said Ali Beam, Senior Director of Programming.   

Along with the Fort Wayne Challenges, Klondike Elementary from the Tippecanoe School Corporation piloted a Challenge day at West Lafayette Golf & Country Club. With school administrators present, we are sure to expand the program in the greater Lafayette area next year. Our longest running challenge site at Cascades Golf Course in Bloomington welcomed seven teams from Monroe County Community Schools.  Both Franklin & Greenwood Community Schools competed at Otte Golf Center in early May with Webb Elementary taking home this year’s prize. “My students had a blast and all the schools had such great kindness and sportsmanship!  Can not wait until next year.” Ryan Macy, Greenwood Community Schools. 

Chapman and Tellez chosen for National Opportunities

We’re proud to announce that Jacob Tellez from our Michiana location was selected for the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr this July in Minneapolis, Minnesota! During this event teens will participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building.

Indianapolis’s Blayze Chapman had been selected to participate in the First Tee Leadership Academy in Montana in August. The Academy is designed for teens to explore leadership concepts including (1) building authentic relationships by developing awareness, (2) growing through challenges via positive risk taking, and (3) developing positive self-identity through dynamic outdoor and team building activities. Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana, Chapman will participate in activity-based workshops facilitated by leaders from PGA TOUR Superstore headquarters, West Creek Ranch, and First Tee headquarters. 

Support the Indiana Golf Foundation and First Tee-Indiana with our Online Auction going live this Monday May 20th at 8:00 AM EST. You don’t want to miss out on these one-of-a-kind items!

Click the link below to check out our auction items!

https://event.gives/firstteeauction24

Learn more about First Tee: http://ow.ly/rw5o50J7Eg5

Donate: http://ow.ly/8oNI50J7Eg1

Rebecca Jones and Esther Etherington, both former First Tee-Indiana participants and National Scholarship winners, recently traveled to Jacksonville, Florida for the 2024 First Tee Scholar Winter Workshop. They had weekend filled with fun at a the beach, a Jacksonville Icemen hockey, a little mini golf along with a career fair, workshops and special speakers. The ladies also got to spend some time with Stephen Outlaw, the first ever First Tee scholar and Indiana native.

“We had the opportunity to meet Steven Outlaw as he with the keynote speaker at the graduation dinner for the senior class. Steve, a First Tee – Indiana alum from Lake County, was the inaugural First Tee Scholar. After speaking at the 2001 First Tee Network Summit, he was offered a full ride to Georgetown College in Lexington, KY as the president of the college was in attendance. He is a PGA Professional, has travelled the world playing and working in the golf industry, and  currently works as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Troon Golf in Arizona,” said Etherington.

Jones’s experience was just as positive. “I had an amazing time at the First Tee Scholars Winter Workshop. I had the opportunity to meet other First Tee alumni, talk to industry professionals, and participate in professional development workshops. I am so thankful for the opportunities The First Tee has given me, they have made me grow personally and professionally.”

The First Tee Scholars program and weekend is one of many National Opportunities that are offered to First Tee participants across country. To see the full schedule of opportunities and their requirements, you can visit the national First Tee website link HERE.

On this #givingtuesday we are highlighting two campaign pillars that go beyond the building. Using the link below, you can designate your donation to go towards First Tee Program Locations or scholarships that support First Tee-Indiana participants, a program reaching over 100,000 youth annually with the game of golf! #IndianaGolf has currently raised $4.8 million of our $6.5 million goal. Please consider the Indiana Golf Capital campaign today! Donate: https://charity.pledgeit.org/igcapitalcampaign… Learn More: http://indianagolf.org/capitalcampaign #indianagolf #capitalcampaign #TheFort

Indiana Society for Health and Physical Educators recently name Northern Regional Director Ali Beam as its 2023 INSHAPE Recreation Professional/Leisure Educator of the Year Award recipient. The award was given at INSHAPE recent conference held at SportsZone Indy on November 9-10. Educator of the Year means through which INSHAPE recognizes the work of an individual who exhibits outstanding leadership in the recreation profession or as an leisure educator at the college/university level.

First Tee-Indiana partners with over 300 elementary and middle schools throughout Indiana with the First Tee School Program, a physical education curriculum centered around golf skills. Beam is the primary trainer of P.E. teachers and helped write the middle school curriculum with our national headquarters.

Located on the grounds of The Fort Golf Resort designed by Pete Dye at Fort Harrison State Park, the new Pete and Alice Dye Golf Center will feature new administrative space for staff, the Indiana Golf Foundation Hall of Fame, a Golf Academy, and an adjacent short game practice area.

Indiana Golf has launched a four pillar Capital Campaign with the new Pete and Alice Dye Indiana Golf Center at the forefront. The central location of Fort Harrison will bring Indiana Golf’s homesite closer to our targeted programming population and provide a space for us to tell our story throughout the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame space. The property will include our administrative building, the Indiana PGA Golf Academy and an enhanced short game area. Our additional three pillars to the campaign include the Indiana Golf Trailer, support of our First Tee program locations and Scholarships to support First Tee-Indiana participants. To learn more about our campaign, keep up with progress, and/or speak with someone about a multi year pledge; check out indianagolf.org/capital campaign/.

View our Capital Campaign brochure HERE.

Congrats to the winners and all players in the 3rd Annual First Tee-Indiana State Championship. Thanks to Eagle Creek Golf Club for being a fabulous host! 

Congratulations to our four Senior Scholarship winners David Fulcher, Cassie Hall, Dakota Stacy and Sam Reising. These four are the definition of Game Changers, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors! Thanks to @pgatoursuperstore for supporting these scholarships through their teen retention grants. Read below some of the ways First Tee programs impacted these four graduates.

Grover Golf Open

On Saturday, June 25th, the 3rd Annual Grover Golf Open took place at Pleasant Run Golf Course in Indianapolis. The family of Daniel Witter, an avid golfer, conducts this annual event in memory of their beloved son, brother, and uncle. The funds raised have been the catalyst for Triton Central Elementary and Middle School First Tee programs. This year, a summer program is being conducted at the practice field at Triton Middle. Organizers Sean and Ashley Duffey recently posted on the Grover Open Facebook page,

Another AMAZING Grover Open! Thank you to our volunteers, our sponsors and our golfers who come together to make this day special! It was a beautiful day to celebrate Daniel’s memory while raising money for the next generation of golfers. With the help of all of you, we once again successfully raised thousands of dollars for First Tee! We’re thankful for the relationship we’ve created with Roger Lundy & Lucy Ross at First Tee-Indiana so we can continue to expand programming in Eastern Marion, Hancock and Shelby Counties.

Our family is blessed to have had all of your support over these last three years! It has not been easy for us, or many of you, as we miss Daniel every day. However, seeing all of you at the outing, and hearing memories of Daniel is a bright spot in our year. It means so much to our family to have you spend the day with us!

from Grover Golf Open Facebook page

The Duffey’s children, and Triton First Tee participants, kicked off the event with the first swing of the day on hole number 1. Southern Region Director Roger Lundy greeted golfers and spoke about the impact of our the Grover Golf Open on our ability to fund programs in the Triton school area. We are extremely grateful to the Duffeys and Daniel Witter’s family and to be the recipient of funds raised in his honor.

For more information on the Grover Golf Open, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GroverGolfOpen.

Calling All Volunteers!

TRAINING

All adult volunteers 18 years or older must complete a background check and virtual SafeSport training prior to beginning. We also offer a virtual volunteer and coach training.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteers can expect to assist our trained lead coaches. You may be asked to work with a small group of 4-10 participants at a station but only if comfortable.

TIME COMMITMENT

The time commitment is about 12 hours over a 6-8 week time period and two hours per week.

WHO TO CONTACT

Questions? Contact Taylor Stockbridge at (317) 826-7176 or [email protected].