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!
This September, 80 First Tee participants from across the country will arrive at Pebble Beach for the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. Among them is 16-year-old Henry Seufert from East Grand Rapids, Michigan, who will be following in the footsteps of his two older brothers.
Henry joined First Tee – West Michigan at 7 with his older brothers, Charlie and Jack. At 15 he became a First Tee junior coach like both of his brothers before him.
“I aspire to one day become a lead coach, like Charlie, and one day inspire other young golfers as Charlie influenced me,” Henry said.
Henry comes from a family of golfers, so his parents enrolled him in First Tee for the life skills and youth development aspects of the program. Throughout their time in the program, his brothers forged a reputation of exceptional dedication and leadership, and Henry’s coaches say he has diligently done the same.
In 2022, shortly after he played in the PURE Insurance Championship, Henry’s older brother Charlie received a heart transplant.
“After Charlie’s heart transplant, golf became his inspiration: His goal was to recover to play varsity golf two months later,” said Henry. “He achieved this goal, with the best season of his high school career. His story motivates me throughout life, especially on the golf course, proving to me that anybody can do anything.”
As Henry prepares for Pebble Beach, he carries with him the lessons learned from a decade in First Tee and the inspiration of his older brothers. Watching his brother’s recovery reinforced the lessons of perseverance and goal-setting that Henry has been learning as a First Tee participant.
Now, as Henry prepares for his own championship experience, he carries not just his family’s golfing tradition, but their commitment to First Tee’s mission. As a junior coach, he works with younger participants, sharing the same enthusiasm and dedication that his brothers once brought to their coaching roles.
The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee represents more than just a prestigious golf tournament; it’s a celebration of the young people who embody First Tee’s values both on and off the course. For Henry, earning his spot among the 80 participants nationwide validates years of hard work and growth within the program, he said.
Participants at the championship will engage with PGA Tour Champions professionals and experience one of golf’s most iconic venues.
By Kristin Westberg – Senior Director, Training & Evaluation
At First Tee, we believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming and empowering space to grow — both on and off the golf course. That’s why we place such a strong emphasis on class management. But what does that mean for your child?
It means we’re committed to creating an environment where your child feels seen, supported and inspired — not just to learn golf, but to build confidence, character and life skills.
Building relationships first
Our coaches start by getting to know each participant. Greeting kids by name, asking about their day and showing genuine interest helps your child feel like they belong. When children feel respected and valued, they’re more likely to engage positively and feel confident in their surroundings.
Clear expectations = safe kids
We work with participants to set clear, age-appropriate expectations that keep everyone safe and focused. For example:
“Stop, look and listen on the coach’s signal.”
“Stay in the safety zone when not hitting.”
“Only swing in the hitting area.”
By involving kids in creating these expectations, they understand not just the rules, but the reasons behind them. This helps them take ownership of their behavior and feel more invested in the group’s success.
Keeping kids engaged and active
We know that kids learn best when they’re active and having fun. That’s why our sessions are designed to keep everyone moving, learning and participating. We use stations, group rotations and fun visuals to keep things fresh and safe. Even when it’s not their turn, kids are encouraged to help a partner or review what they’ve learned.
And safety isn’t just physical — it’s emotional too. Our coaches use positive reinforcement and fair, consistent responses to behavior, helping every child feel secure and supported.
Consistency builds confidence
Simple cues like a whistle or a phrase (“1, 2, 3, all eyes on me”) help coaches get kids’ attention quickly and respectfully. Using the same cues across all classes helps your child know what to expect, which builds confidence and comfort.
Our coaches are trained to support your child
At First Tee, our coaches are more than instructors — they’re mentors. Each coach receives training in youth development, class management and safety practices. We also partner with trusted organizations like the Positive Coaching Alliance to ensure our team is equipped with the latest tools and strategies to support your child’s growth — on and off the course. Through ongoing learning and development, our coaches are prepared to create a positive, inclusive and empowering experience for every participant.
Together, we’re creating a space where your child can feel safe, supported and ready to grow — not just as a golfer, but as a person. Because when we manage our classes with care, we make room for character to shine.
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!
First Tee – South Puget Sound alumna Carly Ikei is preparing for her first season of collegiate golf at Western Washington University. But despite embarking on an exciting new chapter, she’s not giving up her connection to First Tee.
“I want to stay connected to First Tee as an alumna because I think it’s a great program and it gives so many great opportunities to make new friends and to play golf,” she said. “My biggest takeaway from First Tee – South Puget Sound is that meeting new people is always a fun experience.”
She recently joined a group of fellow former First Tee participants for a Seattle Mariners game at T-Mobile Park hosted by the First Tee Alumni Network, which aims to facilitate networking, professional and personal development opportunities for First Tee alumni.
For Carly, the game of golf has always been about more than just swings and scores. It’s about connection, growth and pushing herself to new heights, both on and off the course.
One highlight of her First Tee experience was competing in the Gearheart Cup, a friendly tournament between chapters in South Puget Sound, Greater Seattle and Oregon. Held in the scenic town of Seaside, Oregon, the event wasn’t just about competition; it was about community. “It’s a lot of fun to connect with other First Tee members,” Carly said. “It’s such a unique chance to make new friends through golf.”
Carly also represented First Tee – South Puget Sound as a competitor at the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event at Pebble Beach, where she played alongside Shane Bertsch.
Carly’s dedication and talent on the golf course are undeniable. As she heads to Western Washington University to join the golf team, Carly is excited to travel, compete and experience the camaraderie of collegiate athletics, she said.
But her achievements extend far beyond the fairway. She recently earned her associate’s degree in computer science while finishing high school.
To help us bring more life-changing programs to teens, donate today.
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
I am attending Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington to study Business.
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
I plan to study Biology on a pre-med track at the University of Mary while playing golf!
I am pursuing a biomedical engineering degree at the University of Florida.
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.
Through golf, young people can find more than athletic skill. They can discover a pathway to personal growth, leadership development and lasting community impact.
For 17-year-old Finley Mentzel, First Tee has been an integral part of her leadership journey. The guidance and support Finley has experienced through First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky have been foundational in developing her character both on and off the course, she said.
This summer, Finley will attend First Tee’s Game Changers Academy. Now in its 25th year, the weeklong event brings together teens from across the country for meaningful discussions on self-awareness, inclusive leadership and community building – skills they will carry with them throughout their lives.
“This experience has inspired me to lead and make a difference on and off the course,” she said. “I’ve learned so much and want to create more positive change in my community,” Finley said.
Finley joined First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky at age 8 with her older brother Henry, who’s now a First Tee Scholar, and fraternal twin Tiernan, an attendee at the First Tee’s Game Changers Academy in 2024. Throughout her golf journey, Finley has received mentorship that she believes has shaped her into the athlete, student and friend she is.
“First Tee helped me by teaching me life skills in how to manage work, hard teachers and to set smaller goals to accomplish larger ones,” said Finley. “The First Tee lessons and coaches have helped me accomplish many things both big and small.”
Finley currently serves as a volunteer coach and participant advisor, known by her coaches and peers for her patience and ability to connect with participants of all skill levels.
Last fall, Finley attended the First Tee Innovator’s Forum in Phoenix, Arizona. Her experience resulted in a community service project that aims to connect chapter alumni with current participants. Her chapter is currently working to implement it.
Finley plans to pursue a career in the health care industry after college with hopes of someday working in a children’s hospital. She hopes to combine her passion for working with children with her desire to make an impact on her community.
Mayo Clinic supports First Tee’s Game Changers Academy, helping to prepare the next generation of leaders, including those in the health care industry like Finley.
Golf Channel announced the full field of teens which includes exceptional students, tournament winners and committed collegiate golfers
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 8, 2025) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions are proud to announce the 80 exceptional teens selected to compete in the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, to be held September 19–21 at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
The annual tournament is hosted by PURE Insurance and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and broadcast internationally on Golf Channel. It uniquely pairs First Tee participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals and amateurs from the business world for a week of competition and mentorship. The teens, ages 15 to 18, represent 48 First Tee chapters nationwide and will compete for the male and female pro-junior titles.
Participants were chosen based on both their golf skills and personal growth through First Tee’s youth development programs. This year’s class boasts an average GPA of 3.89 and nearly seven years of involvement with First Tee.
“The PURE Insurance Championship is more than a golf tournament — it’s a celebration of the dedication, perseverance and character of First Tee juniors,” said Katie Krum, Chief Marketing Officer at PURE Insurance. “Having experienced firsthand the lasting impact of youth sports, I am proud to support such a worthy cause and thrilled to share that we have extended our title sponsorship commitment through 2029 and continue championing these inspiring young leaders.”
The 2025 junior field was announced live on Golf Channel, featuring an interview with Dylan Au, an alumnus of First Tee – Greater Seattle, who competed in the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship alongside Fred Couples. Au will begin pre-med classes at the University of Washington this fall.
In addition, Marley Pedrique of First Tee – Florida Gold Coast earned an exemption into the tournament by finishing third at the 2025 First Tee National Championship, held in June at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Course.
“This moment represents years of hard work and dedication for these 80 teens,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “Thanks to our partners at PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for supporting this event. It is a week filled with incredible golf, mentorship and invaluable life lessons.”
This year’s PGA TOUR Champions field will include legends such as David Duval, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and defending champion Paul Broadhurst. Clint Eastwood returns as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.
Tournament play begins Friday on both Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Following Saturday’s rounds, the top 24 juniors will advance to Sunday’s final round at Pebble Beach, where one male and one female First Tee participant will be crowned champions.
The junior field for 2025 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.
Since 1999, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to First Tee, supporting youth development across the U.S. through the game of golf
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 20, 2025) – First Tee today announced a landmark $10 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which reaffirms PGA TOUR Superstore’s strong commitment to the youth development organization. The gift marks a milestone in the organizations’ ongoing relationship, which began more than 25 years ago with an investment in First Tee – Metro Atlanta. With the growing popularity of youth golf – 3.7 million juniors hit the links in 2024, according to the National Golf Foundation – this grant helps ensure that youth from all backgrounds have access to the sport and its inherent values.
Arthur M. Blank, owner and chairman of the Blank Family of Businesses and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, joined First Tee as a National Trustee in 2011. Since then, support from Blank’s PGA TOUR Superstore and family foundation has helped fuel the growth of First Tee’s character-building programs across the country, which now reach more than 3 million youth annually on golf courses, schools and community centers. The new grant will help First Tee reach more youth across the U.S. and strengthen First Tee’s curriculum for teenage participants.
“Junior golf is the fastest-growing segment of the sport, and that’s no coincidence. It’s a testament to the power of First Tee, which has made the game more accessible and enjoyable for young people, helping them experience golf in new and fun ways,” said Arthur Blank, owner and chairman, Blank Family of Businesses. “The innovative and engaging experiences that First Tee provides help kids build self-confidence and inner strength, qualities that will serve them throughout their lives. We’re proud of our deep partnership with the First Tee and are committed to the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth.”
“We are grateful to Mr. Blank and his family of businesses for their continued support of First Tee,” said Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR Commissioner and Chair of First Tee Board of Governors. “Arthur’s vision and commitment reflect a deep understanding that investing in First Tee is truly an investment in the future. Through this transformative gift, Arthur is helping open doors for young people nationwide – empowering them to grow as golfers and as people.”
The new grant extends programming established by a $9.5 million grant in 2020 and will support First Tee’s efforts to keep teens engaged with the organization, where they have access to safe spaces, educational opportunities and positive role models during a traditionally challenging time in adolescence. The grant will be deployed in several ways:
Chapter grants: First Tee Chapters in PGA TOUR Superstore markets will receive grants to support youth to develop life and golf skills. To date, grants have impacted 50 First Tee chapters across the country, a number that will grow as PGA TOUR Superstore’s footprint continues to expand.
Leadership Series: PGA TOUR Superstore general managers across the country lead a five-week, in-store leadership series in partnership with First Tee designed to help teens uncover their strengths and personal values and explore potential career opportunities. The program was offered at 44 PGA TOUR Superstore locations in 2024 and plans to expand to 70 by 2029.
Leadership Summit: Each summer since 2021, Arthur Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Emigrant, Montana, has welcomed 40 First Tee teens for an unforgettable experience where they grow as leaders by taking on new challenges – like whitewater rafting, ropes courses and horseback riding – and learn about the power of building authentic relationships.
Here at the Indiana Chapter, we celebrated a $15,000 donation from the Indianapolis PGA TOUR Superstore during our Indiana Leadership Day. Store manager, Mark Mulfod, met with our leaders to discuss the importance of using the right equipment along with presenting the annual check to support our Indiana programs.
“This incredible partnership with the Blank Family of Businesses reflects our shared commitment to using golf as a vehicle for positive youth development,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We are grateful to Arthur Blank, who has been a longtime, committed supporter of First Tee. This transformative investment will allow us to introduce more youth to golf, keep them engaged with First Tee and teach them essential life skills like leadership and teamwork.”
This week the Blank Family of Businesses welcomed 48 First Tee teens from across the country to Atlanta where they learned about what it takes to lead a successful organization. The weeklong program included visits to PGA TOUR Superstore headquarters, the Atlanta United training ground, the Atlanta Falcons practice facility and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, where the new grant will be officially celebrated this afternoon with a check presentation and remarks from the foundation’s president, Fay Twersky, and managing director, Youth Development, Daniel Shoy, Jr., PGA TOUR Superstore’s vice president, Partnerships & Community Relations Ralph Stokes and First Tee’s senior director, Philanthropy Amanda Zedrick.
First Tee’s evidence-based program combines golf instruction with a life skills curriculum, reaching youth ages 7-18 at golf courses, schools and community centers across the globe. The organization impacts more than 3 million young people annually.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to First Tee to date. In 2022, First Tee presented Arthur Blank with its Founders Award, for his generous support of the organization.
Representing 22 unique First Tee Chapters, this year’s Scholar class includes 6 first-generation college students and 5 collegiate golfers.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (June 6, 2025) – The First Tee College Scholarship Program welcomes 27 recent high school graduates. Each of these Scholars was selected from a competitive national pool of First Tee teens and completed a rigorous application and interview process. In its sixth year, the program now boasts 121 current or former members, including 21 college graduates.
The 16 young women and 11 young men in this new Scholar class demonstrate a commitment to excellence both on and off the golf course, with the class averaging nearly 10 years in First Tee and an SAT score of 1450.
“I want to congratulate these 27 remarkable First Tee participants and welcome them to the First Tee College Scholarship Program,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to the donors and mentors who make this life-changing program possible. Since it launched in 2020, it has been rewarding to see our Scholars further develop in their respective fields and grow as students, golfers and people.”
The First Tee College Scholarship Program takes a multifaceted approach to supporting alumni after high school graduation. In addition to providing financial support, each Scholar is paired with a trained adult mentor to help guide them through higher education and beyond. Each of the new Scholars will also attend a pre-college retreat at First Tee Headquarters in July to meet their fellow class as well as an annual professional development conference in the winter that all active First Tee Scholars attend. Each Scholar also receives assistance with summer internship and employment placement after graduation.
Participants across the First Tee Network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, community service and other criteria.
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.
Natalie Cao is a collegiate golfer, First Tee Scholar and soon-to-be graduate from the University of Pennsylvania.
While she loved golf from three years old, she struggled with the independent nature of the sport until her parents enrolled her in First Tee when she was in fifth grade. Upon joining First Tee, she realized golf could be something more than just a competitive sport and was immediately drawn to the life skills curriculum. She quickly integrated herself into the community at First Tee – Greater Houston and began junior coaching while she was in middle school.
As a successful junior golfer, her eyes continued to be set on the future and finding where she could best pursue her goals as a golfer as well as her hopes of becoming a financial advisor. Soon she found the best of both worlds: the University of Pennsylvania, where she could play on the golf team as well as pursue a degree in economics.
Around this same time, Natalie applied and was accepted to the First Tee Scholarship Program. Throughout her time in the program, she was able to meet a network of hundreds of people across the country including other First Tee Scholars, First Tee leadership and her mentor, Valerie Wong Fountain.
The First Tee Scholarship Program assigns each member with a designated mentor during their freshman year to help them navigate their time in college and beyond. Natalie’s mentor, Valerie, is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley in the Firm’s New York City office. Like Natalie, Valerie also played collegiate golf at the University of Pennsylvania, and she is involved with First Tee as a board member of First Tee – Metropolitan New York. The relationship between the two quickly flourished after they met in person for the first time to play golf while Natalie was visiting New York City over the summer after her freshman year.
Natalie and Valerie engaged on topics ranging from career advice to leadership to negotiating offers. In addition, Valerie opened doors to opportunities at Morgan Stanley and provided additional networking experiences in the asset management industry. Throughout her time at the University of Pennsylvania, Natalie flourished academically and athletically. She completed two internships with Morgan Stanley as part of the Firm’s Early Insights program and competed with the UPenn women’s golf team contending for its first Women’s Ivy Championship in more than a decade. Each time she competed in the Ivy Championships, Valerie attended to cheer her on.
As her time in college comes to a close, Natalie hasn’t stopped looking towards the future. After her graduation at the end of May, she will move down to Miami to begin a two-year rotational program in commercial mortgage-backed securities with Rialto Capital, an investment management group. Although her time as a First Tee Scholar officially ends when she graduates college, she has already been in touch with First Tee – Miami to coach and mentor the next generation of First Tee participants.
Want to learn more about the First Tee College Scholarship Program and how you can get involved? Visit here.
