A huge round of applause for our 2026 First Tee Senior Scholarship recipients! Besides being long time participants, these three have given back by volunteering and junior coaching. We are incredibly proud of how they represent First Tee as ambassadors and we wish them nothing but success in their next endeavors! Read about their experiences at First Tee below.
Izzy Kornmeyer, Indianapolis, will attend St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, play on the women’s golf team and study marketing.
How has First Tee positively impacted your life?
“First Tee has shaped how I handle golf and life situations. It built discipline in my practice habits and improved how I respond to pressure during competition. Before First Tee, I had never even touched a club before. Through coaching and repetition, I learned how swing a club and control my emotion on the course. One shot does not define the next one. That mindset changed my performance and my confidence during tournaments.
First Tee also helped me grow socially and emotionally. I learned how to communicate better with coaches, volunteers, and other players. I became more comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and accepting feedback. That helped me improve faster because I stopped taking corrections personally and started using them as tools for growth. It also taught me respect for others in competition, including honesty in scoring and proper etiquette on the course.
It also improved my consistency in practice. I started focusing on specific goals instead of just hitting balls. Putting, short game, and alignment became priorities. That structure made my practice more effective and showed in my scores. Overall, First Tee built confidence, discipline, and a stronger mindset that carries into school, sports, and everyday challenges.”
Kellen Eder, Indianapolis, is planning to attend Purdue University-Indianapolis and get a degree in mechanical engineering.
What will you take away from First Tee that will help you in your future?
“I will take away all of the various life skills that I have learned during First Tee classes to help me become a better person which will help me get a job. I feel like I am more principled compared to a lot of kids my age because of First Tee, and I think that will help me in the future because it will be easier to make connections.”
Priya Veramallay-Hodges, Richmond, will be attending Purdue University pursue engineering, hoping to focus on the environmental/ecological aspect of engineering.
What would you tell someone who is new to golf and interested in First Tee?
“I would tell them that golf is a lifelong sport and can even help them collaborate with others in the future. In terms of First Tee, I would tell the individual that it is a great program that can teach them the basics of golf, as well as proper etiquette on the course. First Tee is a fun way for young individuals to learn a sport, make new friends, and become better people. If they are just starting out, they don’t have to own clubs or know anything about the sport to feel included. The coaches do a wonderful job of placing you with other students of your skill level and helping you improve along the way.”