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Little did Allison Brown know a life-changing gift awaited her when she traveled to Florida to visit family 12 years ago.

“When we arrived, my uncle pulled out three small golf bags – one for me, and one for each of my brothers,” she said. “I was excited about the gift, but I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with them.”

Her uncle taught her the basics at the driving range and told her parents about a program called First Tee. “I remember my first time walking inside and meeting the coaches and the other kids, and the rest is history,” she said

Now a high school junior, Allison has been involved with First Tee – Greater Philadelphia for more than a decade, and she’s making the most of the opportunities it provides.

Last year, she attended the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore, a leadership development event in Montana, where participants learn from pushing their boundaries and trying new things, like whitewater rafting and horseback riding. This summer, she attended the Game Changers Academy, which brought together 72 teens from across the First Tee network in Minneapolis, encouraging them to celebrate their differences and embrace new perspectives.

Allison is also an Ace participant at First Tee – Greater Philadelphia. As part of First Tee’s capstone program, Ace candidates must complete four projects designed to help them prepare for the future. The projects center around academics, career exploration, community service and golf.

“Being a part of First Tee isn’t only about learning to play the game of golf — it’s about learning to become better people,” Allison said. “The Ace Program is what really focuses on that aspect of First Tee. It has given me the tools to fully think about and prepare for my future and, more importantly, helps me enrich my community through various service projects.”

Allison’s interests extend far beyond golf. She plays volleyball, taught herself French and was even cast to play a titular role in a production of Romeo & Juliet. “First Tee taught me to be confident in myself and my abilities which gave me confidence needed to audition for the role,” she said.

While working toward her high school diploma, she’s also earning an associate’s degree through a dual enrollment program with Liberty University.

Learn more about First Tee’s opportunities for teens.

To honor Finchem’s legacy, campaign launched to support 100 additional alumni through First Tee College Scholarship Program

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Oct. 8, 2024 – Former PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem led the launch of First Tee in 1997 and was honored Monday with the youth development organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest recognition. 

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan and First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin presented Finchem with the award at a First Tee event in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

“Tim worked alongside other leaders in our sport, both with golf organizations and the greats of the game, to help facilitate the establishment of First Tee, which now reaches 3.4 million young people,” Monahan said. 

Finchem led the creation of First Tee, which was originally founded to make golf accessible and affordable to all families. The organization has evolved to teach life skills and strengthen values in young people at 150 chapters, 11,450 schools and 2,000 youth centers across the globe. 

“Tim’s leadership in what this organization has become is immeasurable,” McLaughlin said. “The contributions that he has made to the millions of young people and their families around the country and around the world, as well as to the game of golf, will be felt for decades to come.” 

Finchem received messages of congratulations from Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, USGA CEO Mike Whan and LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, as well as prominent First Tee supporters like Arthur Blank, Charles Schwab and Casey Wasserman. President Bush served as Honorary Chair of First Tee from 2011 to 2024, succeeding his father, President George H.W. Bush, who was the organization’s Honorary Chair from 1997 to 2011, and was present on the day the organization was announced in New York’s Central Park, alongside Finchem. 

First Tee will honor Finchem’s legacy through a $5 million campaign to support an additional 100 First Tee Scholars. First Tee alumni who are selected for the First Tee College Scholarship Program receive financial support, access to professional development opportunities and a dedicated adult mentor throughout up to four years of college. To date the program has served nearly 100 students. 

First Tee is an international youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and build values that they carry to all aspects of their lives.  Finchem is the second recipient of First Tee’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Retired First Tee CEO Joe Louis Barrow Jr. received the honor in 2022.

When Alexa Vela began First Tee, her mother hoped that it would help her make friends outside of school. What they didn’t realize at the time is that First Tee would become Alexa’s second home for the next decade.

Alexa found that the community at First Tee – Greater Houston welcomed her immediately with open arms. She quickly made lifelong friends and not only learned how to play golf, but how to become a leader in her community. Throughout her time as a First Tee participant, she served as a mentor and coach to the younger participants at her chapter and attended the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship where she was partnered with Mark O’Meara. In 2022, Alexa was named a First Tee Scholar, a scholarship program that pairs First Tee alumni with dedicated adult mentors and provides professional development opportunities throughout their four years in college.

Alexa’s love for the game of golf and First Tee is clear from her dedication to making it more accessible for kids and families. And there is no clearer example of that than her participation in the panel at The Chevron Championship in 2024 titled Fairway Phenoms: Diversity and Inclusion as Women’s Golf is on the Rise. As part of its support of First Tee, Chevron invited Alexa to speak. Alexa joined Al Williams, the VP of Corporate Affairs at Chevron, and Nellie Borrero, the Managing Director and Sr. Strategic Advisor in Global DE&I at Accenture, to speak on the intersection of innovation, diversity, inclusion and leadership in golf and business.

A proud supporter of First Tee since 2011, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. has worked with First Tee to create a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of many young people – like Alexa – throughout the country. Last month, Chevron continued its support of First Tee during the PURE Insurance Championship through a closest to the pin contest for the First Tee participants, with the ten winners receiving a $2,000 donation each for their local First Tee chapters and providing $100,000 for First Tee scholarships.

“Scholarships are a big part of what we do. We believe it’s important to provide opportunities whether they ultimately pursue golf or not. Having someone like Alexa share her journey with us brings the scholarship dollars to life, showing the impact on the individual and what they accomplish as a result of this opportunity,” said First Tee Trustee and Chevron Vice President and General Counsel Hewitt Pate.

Since first benefiting from the First Tee College Scholarship Program, Alexa has continued to develop her passion for growing the game. She interned with First Tee headquarters as a network relations intern and most recently with the USGA as a member of its merchandise and licensing team on-site for the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst. Now a junior on the club golf team at Rice University in Houston, Alexa has helped provide her teammates with the opportunity to experience the impact that access to the game can have in their life.

“My journey from a shy and timid young girl, uncertain of her place, to a confident leader with a clear vision for her future has been profoundly shaped by the unwavering support and opportunities provided by First Tee and Chevron,” said Alexa.

Applications for the First Tee College Scholarship Program open in early 2025. Learn more.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 10, 2024) – First Tee is excited to announce that actress and avid golfer Kathryn Newton has signed on as its newest national brand ambassador. Newton, an alumna of First Tee – Miami, is passionate about making golf feel fun and accessible for everyone, and she’s known for featuring the sport on her popular social media channels.

Newton and First Tee have already collaborated at events like the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst and the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in 2023 and 2024. In her role as ambassador, she’ll continue to engage with First Tee participants and represent the youth development organization at events.

“This is a full-circle moment for me,” Newton said. “Having grown up in First Tee, I’m proud to join the organization as an ambassador because I know the difference it can make for kids and teens. Golf has meant so much to me, and I’m thrilled to share my love for the game, and its inherent values, with the next generation.”

Well known for her roles in Marvel Studios Ant-Man and The Wasp Quantumania, Netflix’s The Society, as well as Legendary Pictures Pokémon Detective Pikachu, this year she stars in the highly anticipated Focus Features Film Lisa Frankenstein and Universal Studios Abigail. Her past work includes Oscar winning films such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and LadyBird, as well as Golden Globe winning Big Little Lies.

Newton started her acting career at the age of 4 and was also an avid golfer. Her nickname in high school was “Kathryn the Golfer,” and as a +2-handicap, she helped her team win championships while simultaneously working as an actress.

“Kathryn embodies First Tee’s mission and our work to use golf as a platform to empower the next generation of game changers,” said CEO Greg McLaughlin. “She brings energy to our work and a commitment to making an impact on the young people with whom she interacts.”

Newton joins professional golfers Austin Smotherman and Alex Smalley, becoming First Tee’s third ambassador. As someone who’s passionate about the game, she brings a new perspective to the organization’s ambassador program.

First Tee has been helping kids and teens build character since 1997. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with its life skills curriculum, First Tee aims to instill values that are important both on and off the golf course, including inner strength, self-confidence and perseverance.

About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,450 schools and 2,000 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.     

Contact:
Megan Hart
[email protected]
(941) 400-8793

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.

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

Roger Lundy Memorial State Championship

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!

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.