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.
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.
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.
The time commitment is about 12 hours over a 6-8 week time period and two hours per week.
Questions? Contact Taylor Stockbridge at (317) 826-7176 or [email protected].
Carter Bonas has already broken through in the business world, and he’s just 12. His love of golf helped inspire his company, Spectrum Golf.
The golf brand got its name because Carter is on the autism spectrum. The company was created to address an issue he faced, turning a challenge into an opportunity.
“Me and my mom were spending lots of money on clothes that were supposed to be comfortable but weren’t because I have skin sensitivity,” explained the First Tee – Florida Gold Coast participant.
“I started Spectrum Golf because I wanted other people to be comfortable too.”
The brand sells golf attire and accessories, which have been displayed at the PGA Show in Orlando, an industry standard event. Carter has been interviewed by Golf Channel, Golf Digest and more about his company.
It’s impossible for Carter to choose a favorite memory from his time as a golfer. “They’re all super amazing,” Carter said.
He’s walked the course with Ernie Els at the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida, chipped with PGA Champions Tour player Alex Cejka and even met basketball star Steph Curry. Last year Curry was honored as Sports Illustrated’s Sports Person of the Year, while Carter was named Sports Kid of the Year.
Carter has big goals for his company, ultimately aiming to own a retail store and collaborate with other major brands. Playing on the PGA TOUR isn’t out of the question either, he said.
Carter loves the sport because he’s able to play on a team while still controlling the outcome of his round – whether good or bad. He also loves spending time in nature, he said.
Carter began playing golf after struggling to find another sport that fit.
During Autism Awareness Month, his message to others on the spectrum: “If you’re considering golf it takes lots of patience and practice, and you always need to stay positive,” he said.
Carter and his family have faced their own set of challenges when it comes to managing a new business. They had to table Spectrum Vitamin Water due to a manufacturing issue. “Carter only wants to sell products he loves,” said his mother, Dr. Thelma Tennie. But after finding a new producer, the vitamin water could be back on the market this year.
Seeing his mom – who owns a private therapy practice – helped inspire Carter to become an entrepreneur, he explained. And he’s also passionate about giving back. He recently launched a nonprofit, and he serves as a golf coach and motivational speaker for schools and events.
Like First Tee, Carter is dedicated to growing the sport of golf and showing that anyone can play. Carter and his mom were drawn to First Tee’s values, and he’s been participating with the Florida Gold Coast chapter in Fort Lauderdale for about a year.
“It’s been super awesome,” Carter said.
Jayda Dookie didn’t quite know what she was getting into when her high school coach reached out about a caddying opportunity at Seminole Golf Club.
Ranked the top course in Florida for the last 35 years by Golf Digest, the Club has a rich history of hosting the corporate elite along with a couple of high-profile events in the past. But Jayda was about to make her own history. When Jayda, a First Tee – Florida Gold Coast participant, signed on as caddy, she was unaware that she would become the first female caddy in the history of the storied club. As a freshman, she was also the youngest caddy in the yard when she took the job four years ago.
“A lot of the caddies were excited to see a girl come and do this job, not only because you have to engage with a lot of important people, but it’s also a physical job,” she explained. “I quicky had to get out my shell. I had to make sure my players were comfortable, and I definitely only succeeded because of the mentors I had in the caddy yard.”
She said planning ahead is an important part of caddying at Seminole: “First we have to forecaddie. We must get to the ball before the players do to get all the numbers like distance from the hole, wind speed and direction. At Seminole, we really place an emphasis on pace of play, and the only way we’re able to do that is if our caddies are two steps ahead of our players,” she said.
Jayda said it was intimidating to start her job at Seminole, but now she loves it because of the network she’s forged.
“I have learned so much through the other caddies and members,” she said. “Many are prominent CEOs and business leaders, and it’s good for me to watch how business deals are negotiated the golf course.”
That’s especially true since Jayda plans to have a career in international business – even though she’ll be sad to leave Seminole when she attends college in the fall. “I’m definitely going to miss it, but I know there’s an invitation extended for me to come back because they’ve become my second family now,” she said.
Jayda credits First Tee’s John Deere Drive Your Future Academy with helping her select her future career path. She attended the event in San Francisco last summer. “It was amazing to see girls from all over the country gather to learn about business and leadership and play golf,” she said. “We didn’t know each other at first but by the end we all felt like family.”
Jayda said First Tee has not only given her lots of impactful opportunities – including a recent behind-the-scenes visit to The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens – but also a supportive community.
“I’m probably not going to remember all the stress and heartbreaks of different tournaments but I’m definitely going to remember the people and the family that has gathered around me thanks to golf.”
Jayda was recently named Participant of the Year by First Tee – Florida Gold Coast.
She credits the sport with teaching her discipline and giving her confidence and recommends golf for any girls who are looking for a new hobby. “I think they should definitely do it,” she said. “Golf is a sport you can play for life. Golf gives you a community and opportunities and people to lean on if you ever need help.”
Felipe Obando may now be studying at the Keiser University College of Golf. But it wasn’t always a given that the sport would play an important part in his life.
Obando has long been a passionate artist, and in fifth grade, he won an art contest that not only awarded him tickets to The Honda Classic – and meet and greets with PGA TOUR players like Russel Henley – but also a lifetime membership to First Tee – Florida Gold Coast.
It was the first time Obando was exposed to golf, and First Tee introduced him to the coaches who could become important mentors, he said.
“I could go on all day long about the insane and incredible opportunities that have been given to me by the First Tee,” he said. But one thing stands out from his time in the organization: the values it instilled.
“Responsibly, honesty, integrity … were all words we learned as kids going to the First Tee which helped pave the way for the rest of my life,” he said.
During his time as a First Tee participant, Obando attended national events like the Leadership Series in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore, he played at storied courses, including The Breakers and The Bears Club, and he volunteered to help younger kids learn the game.
Obando was so passionate about the sport that he teamed up with seven other First Tee participants to create the First Tee – Palm Beaches Teen Golf Association, which has evolved into a thriving organization.
Obando has had to overcome challenges to get where he is today. He was born with a malformed right hand and has developed a golf swing that compliments his disability.
“Grabbing a cup, throwing a ball, flipping a coin. Those were all things I could do with my normal left hand. But what about a sport that involves your two hands gripping something? Golf was probably the most challenging sport I ever had to learn, and it took me lots of time and practice to be able to get good contact,” he said.
“I would say the most important thing throughout this process was never giving up, even if it meant putting myself in uncomfortable situations. I always (and still do) finished holes even if I wasn’t playing my best and wanted to pick up,” he explained. “Overcoming challenges for me was difficult, and it still is to this day, but not giving up and going the extra mile pays off in the end.”
Obando always knew he wanted to attend college, and now his goal has become a reality. He received a four-year scholarship to attend Keiser University College of Golf where’s he’s studying golf management.
“When it comes to post graduation, all I know is that I want to be involved in the best industry there is, the golf industry, whether it’s a head pro at a club, a coach, working for a company and many more of the thousands of careers there are in the golf world,” he said.
He recently received his WR4GD pass, which makes him eligible to compete in tournaments like the USGA’s second U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst this summer. Obando said he’s excited for what the future holds.
“I have been practicing hard, focusing on my classes, focusing on my game and staying healthy,” he said.
Louis Kelly, First Tee – Greater Philadelphia alumni and now coach, has been with the chapter for longer than he can remember. Coach Kelly started when he was just 13 years old, graduating through the program in 2010.
Growing up with the First Tee – Greater Philadelphia chapter, Coach Kelly had been so positively impacted as a participant that he thought the only thing he could do was give back by returning to be a coach at the chapter in 2017.
“I love First Tee and I’ve been around it a long time now. Coaching my kids and being with influential people outside in the business world makes me reflect that I just love being able to bring a smile to people’s faces,” said Coach Kelly.
Coach Kelly focuses primarily on the in-school curriculum, along with coaching golf lessons for the participants to help them make their high school golf team. From there, Coach Kelly wishes to see his kids in the program graduate and go on to college where they can play for collegiate teams.
In addition to the curriculum and golf lessons, coaches like Coach Kelly serve as a mentor for the community, helping to support participants along their educational and golf journey. Coach Kelly focuses on building a positive self-identity as a core characteristic in life.
“The mind believes in whatever you say about yourself, so we need to make it a good one,” said Coach Kelly.
“We need community, and as you know, First Tee has allowed young people to come in a safe space and be around positive coaches and other young people to build healthy habits and life skills.”
Sixteen-year-old Demi Bolin, a Plainfield, Indiana sophomore, recently completed a service project as she works towards her First Tee ACE Certification. She collected 302 pounds of food to support 18 food banks in the Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition. She presented her donations to the Coalition on February 3rd and received rousing applause from the group. Bolin has inspired a few of her First Tee peers from the Indianapolis location to have their own food drives. Way to go Demi!
Enjoy the following reflection Demi recently shared with the First Tee-Indiana staff:
January 26, 2023
Hello, First Tee of Indiana –
My community service project, “Restock the Pantry Night”, on January 20th, 2023 was successful as we collected over 300 lbs of food at the Women’s and Men’s Basketball games during Plainfield High School’s Homecoming Night. I was the main lead of the project since I generated the idea. This idea developed when I went to Dallas, Texas in November at the First Tee Innovators Forum. I was one of 28 teens across the country to get invited, and we each developed community service projects there. They wanted us to make projects that we could continue and that would greatly impact our local communities.I would not have been able to do this project alone. Other contributors to this project are my parents for helping get everything organized, athletic administrators at school for supporting my efforts, and friends and golf teammates for helping me advertise and volunteering at the actual booth.
The outcome of the project in my opinion was a success. We are helping people in the community and one more canned good we can collect is one they didn’t have before we started. Collecting any amount of food for people in need is a success. My favorite part of this project will be delivering all the goods to the Hendricks County Food Coalition and I have plans to do that soon.
I was recently invited by the Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition to attend their next monthly Food Pantry Coalition meeting on Friday, February 3rd at the Conference at the 4-H Fairgrounds. I plan to deliver the over 300 lbs of food that was collected at Restock the Pantry Night. In this presentation, I will also explain where I collected the food and what prompted my interest in conducting the food drive. This is going to give me an opportunity to meet the pantry directors and give me an opportunity to ask questions of the directors. I particularly am interested in asking how many families they suspect this amount of food will help and for how long. I learned that whenever a group donates food to the food pantry from a food drive and brings it to one of the monthly meetings, the food is divided at the end of the meeting and the directors take it back to the pantries with them. The Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition consists of 18 food pantries and they are spread throughout the county. This will be my favorite part because being able to see their reactions to the amount of food we collected for people will make me happy.
It’s important to contribute to events like this because there are many people in communities without food, or a place to stay, and we don’t realize how fortunate we are. Giving back to the community is great, and I don’t think we do it enough. I hope to continue this in the future at more sporting events and learn from this experience so I can make it better next time.
Sincerely,
Demi Bolin
Richmond’s Esther Etherington recently attended the National First Tee Scholars retreat in Jacksonville, Florida. Hear from Esther in her own words what the impact of the retreat has had on her First Tee experiences:
The First Tee Scholars Retreat was once again an unbelievable experience. I was surrounded by some of the most driven and talented people from all around the country. My understanding of my leadership style and personal values increased from this weekend and I am excited to continue learning alongside them in the future.
At the end of the forum, financial literacy and opportunities with the golf industry and First Tee were also present. Also, employees from First Tee HQ engaged with us to look at the future of the organization and the future of the scholars program.
To top the week off, Etherington was able to connect with First Tee-Indiana alum Rebecca Jones, a First Tee National Scholar from our Northwest location. Jones attends Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and received her scholarship award in 2021. Etherington is in her freshman year at Franklin College where she is studying elementary education and playing on the women’s golf team.
Our very own Ali Beam, Northern Regional Director, was selected to become a National Trainer (Level 5) for the First Tee.
Ali and 14 other trainers from across the U.S. attended a national trainer session in Jacksonville, Florida. She will now represent Indiana as a Level 5 coach trainer at locations throughout the First Tee national network. She will co-lead Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 coaching sessions on how to develop intentional learning environments and create high impact relationships with First Tee participants.
“Being a national trainer is a great opportunity to grow and inspire coaches in the First Tee Network especially in our Indiana Chapter,” said Coach Ali.
Jose Perez grew up in Salinas, California where his family loved watching different professional sports, but primarily soccer because of their Hispanic heritage. It wasn’t until Jose was 8 years old when he was first introduced to the sport of golf – and instantly he fell in love. “In other sports, you have to rely on other people. With golf, you only have to rely on yourself and that’s why I love the game,” said Jose.
Jose became a participant at First Tee – Monterey County after being introduced to the game, loving the programs he took part in. So much so, after graduating from the program, he became a First Tee coach in 2013. “Monterey County had a summer program which I applied to that summer. I took my first class and loved it. First Tee – Monterey County has helped me a lot in my career. The coaches I had gave their best at everything and gave me values and skills I could use in my life. The least I could do is give back,” said Jose.
While coaching at First Tee – Monterey County, Jose is also studying to get his degree in accounting. Once he completes his bachelor’s degree, he will apply to get his master’s degree and become a CPA. One day, Jose hopes to do accounting for businesses all over California and take over his dad’s pallet business.
“If there’s anything I could teach my participants, it’s to be patient, be positive and always be willing to ask for help.”
For over 25 years, we’ve used golf to teach lessons about life. We’ve spun the unexpected challenges on the fairway to coach kids about adversity in the everyday. It’s not just a game, its game-changing.
Our alumni are a reflection of that commitment we made to building game changers. Below are just a few of our exceptional alumni who are making a difference in the world because of the lessons learned at First Tee.
