Category: Character Education

Dear Mr. Blank, 

Hello, my name is Nathan Vertes. I was honored to participate in the 2023 First Tee PGA TOUR Superstore Leadership Summit last week at your beautiful West Creek Ranch and felt like I needed to follow up on my thank you note. I have never seen such a beautiful place. I met wonderful people, experienced awe inspiring adventures, took risks and learned many new skills. When I was asked to participate in the Leadership Series at your PGA TOUR Superstore last spring, I had no idea how much it would help me for my volunteer mission with a nonprofit called Project Zawadi. The five-week Leadership Series gave me some answers I was seeking and helped me dig deeper into myself to come up with new ideas that I could implement. After the Montana Leadership Summit, I am even more motivated and realize how I CAN make a better, larger impact now and far into the future. 

I became involved with Project Zawadi when I was in 7th grade, about 5 and a half years ago. One day my mom and I stopped at a park and saw a lady named Rhonda Barona getting aluminum cans out of the garbage. With my curiosity piqued, I asked her what she was doing and she said that she was helping build schools in Tanzania. She mentioned that there were 150 boys with only one teacher, writing in the dirt with sticks due to lack of educational material, and that girls didn’t attend because they had to walk for water all day. Project Zawadi made it possible for all the kids to attend school by building classrooms and school facilities and donating supplies. Last year, they installed pipelines in four villages for running water. Many of the kids walk five miles to school each day and are required to pick up two sticks so they can build a fire to cook their one meal for the day. The teachers and students planted gardens so they can feed themselves and provide surplus food to their families. 

Since 7th grade, I have been collecting aluminum cans out of recycling bins in the neighborhoods around our house. Along with Rhonda, we take them to the recycling center and get $.50-.60 cents per pound. Last year was our best year yet and we collected 4,000 pounds of cans, which was a little over $2,000.

Originally, I figured collecting cans was a way to make money without asking people for donations, but as I was getting older and busier I realized it is too time consuming with endless hours of gathering, crushing and delivering cans for little return. To be successful in my school work, sports and other philanthropy ventures, I needed to work smarter. My tactics evolved throughout the years, and I was always looking for ways to do better. For instance, last year I spoke to the manager of Madison Green Golf course, where my high school practiced and they gathered cans for me for a short time until it took too much time from their workers and needed to stop. I was appreciative for the help they gave me. 

After the Leadership Series, many of the exercises we did started triggering more ideas for me. I felt more confident and became more vocal in asking for donations. In several instances it led to people giving me donations. In the summers, we spend time in Michigan, a state that has a mandatory $.10 deposit on cans. With this in mind, I created and distributed flyers, and people provided me with cans by the bag full, making significantly more money than in Florida. I turned to social media, and with my posts, more and more people started saving their cans for me. I approached businesses and started writing to foundations. Obtaining a larger donation hasn’t panned out yet, but thanks to the values learned at the Leadership Summit, I know perseverance is key and that I will be successful in these endeavors.

I look forward to one day visiting the schools so I can volunteer in person. I realize how lucky I am to live in America, where education is a basic right. Every child in the world deserves an education and to have all of their basic needs met so they can learn skills to help lift themselves out of poverty. By working hard, going to college, networking on the golf course and having a successful career, I will be able to help a lot more kids. For right now, I will be bold and keep taking action by working hard and doing my best. I really appreciate all that First Tee and your organization has taught me and I will work toward becoming a person who can give back more and more throughout my life. Thank you for being such a blessing to all of us young golfers and to so many people! 

Sincerely,

Nathan Vertes 
First Tee – Florida Gold Coast

Esther Etherington is a First Tee Scholar, a collegiate golfer at Franklin College and an inspiration for athletes everywhere.  

She was born prematurely at 26 weeks, weighing less than 2 pounds and blind in her right eye. Esther spent the first two months of her life in the NICU, where she survived heart surgery at just three weeks old.  

She spent much of her early years in that hospital, and a tumor was found in her bronchial tube when she was 5 years old. As a result, a third of her right lung was removed and Esther would spend the next five years of her life returning to the hospital for check-ups. 

Despite all odds, Esther joined First Tee – Indiana when she was 12 years old and not only fell in love with golf but thrived in it.  

She overcame obstacles many golfers never have to think about, like needing a range finder for every shot due to limited depth perception, but quickly rose through the ranks and held the No. 1 spot on the Richmond Bowie High School team for three years. Her determination brought her to state twice, in addition to four sectional team championship wins and three all-conference selections. She set her mind to her goals, and nothing could stop her from achieving them.  

Esther’s success both on and off the golf course is undeniable.  

In 2021 she was recognized by the Indiana High School Golf Coaches Association and awarded the Mitchel J. Winger Courage Award. This award recognizes an individual each year who has contributed to the success of their high school golf program and overcame a physical impairment or medical condition. Esther was the first recipient in her high school’s history. Although the award recognizes her accomplishments in golf, all anyone could talk about was how incredible she was as a teammate and person.  

After making waves in her high school golf community Esther still wasn’t finished.  

She recently finished her first year of collegiate golf at Franklin College where she was awarded WGCA (Women’s Golf Coaches Association) All-American Scholar Honors. At a tournament in April, she scored a new career-low round and topped the Franklin College leaderboard.  

For Esther, the sky is the limit.  

Esther was chosen as a member of the 2022 First Tee Scholar class where she is awarded up to $5,000 per year towards tuition and paired with a mentor to help guide her through college. Esther is using this to pursue an undergraduate degree in elementary education with the eventual goal of receiving a graduate degree in special education.   

Esther has been overcoming challenges since she was born and has done so with grace and resilience.  

As a mentor in her community and First Tee Scholar, she continues to inspire all those who encounter her. First Tee is proud to recognize all that Esther has accomplished thus far and celebrate everything she will accomplish in her future.  

Zayla White joined First Tee – Greater Austin when she was 8 years old at a time when golf was largely male dominated.  

When her parents first enrolled her in camps, she was one of few girls there, but she didn’t let that deter her and took an almost immediate liking to golf.  

“I thought it was so cool that you can be your own boss. All the work you put in is a direct correlation to what you see on the course. You can take ownership of your own success,” said Zayla.  

Many of the people she met in that first camp are still her friends to this day and have supported her from that initial day on the course.  

As she moved through the program, Zayla got to see the growth of girls golf firsthand. According to the National Golf Foundation, the percentage of women golfers has increased by more than 20% since 2000, and girls like Zayla have been paving the way.  

Through golf Zayla found her dream school, Savannah College of Art and Design, where she plays on the collegiate golf team.  

“Getting a scholarship into college [for golf] is one of the biggest things that I don’t think I would’ve been able to do without First Tee. Every area of my life has been touched by First Tee and golf in some way,” said Zayla.  

Zayla is a rising senior this year and continues to pave the way for young golfers following in her footsteps.  

“It’s not uncommon for me to be one of the only girls at the range and definitely one of the only women of color. More and more I’m seeing young girls get into it and more and more girls like me,” said Zayla.  

“Breaking those stereotypes and saying, ‘Yes, I’m a young woman of color in this game and that’s okay.’ We can still succeed and break down these barriers. Being a little bit of representation for some of the younger people who might not know that it’s possible to get into golf is really important.” 

Zayla still volunteers at First Tee – Greater Austin where she grew up whenever she is home in the summers, especially in their programs aimed at young women.  

When asked what advice she has for that next generation of girls pursuing golf she said, “You can be one of the first in your community or one of the first people to break a barrier. Getting into it and knowing you can be comfortable in something new is important.”   

 Zayla is studying industrial design and will start her senior thesis soon. She hopes to incorporate golf into it as she looks towards the end of her college golf career. Her priorities now are enjoying her final year with the girls on her team and making it to nationals, again. 

There’s no doubt in her mind golf will continue to play a large part in her life even after she closes out her final year.  

“When I first showed up to golf camp when I was 8, I was really scared, I didn’t think it would turn out this way. Trust yourself and have the confidence that whatever comes your way you are prepared, and you might find some unexpected surprises in your life,” she said.  

When he was born, no one would have thought that Lev Abramson would become a golfer. His path to golf was borne out of necessity rather than choice.

Lev was born without a functioning left thumb and with a misshapen hand due to a congenital abnormality called a hypoplastic thumb. His parents consulted numerous pediatric hand surgeons across the country who issued recommendations ranging between four reconstructive surgeries to a single surgery with intensive occupational therapy.

Lev’s parents opted in favor of the least invasive approach when one team of hand surgeons remarked that Lev showed an early level of tenacity, suggesting he could learn how to build connections between his brain and his hand without as many surgeries.

Lev had a single surgery as a toddler and started intensive occupational therapy. As part of the therapy, Lev was handed a plastic golf club in order to teach his brain and hand to communicate. He was enthralled by the club and the ball, and together it was his favorite form of intervention and play. 

Occupational therapy sparked his love for the sport even before he could say the word “golf.”

By nine, he had won his first golf tournament.

Some might perceive his birth difference as an obstacle, but Lev indicates that it taught him the most important lesson of all: perseverance.

While he experienced pain and cramping and had to give up his love of playing catcher for his baseball team due to the risk of high velocity pitches jeopardizing his weak hand, he never got discouraged and maintained a devotion to golf.

When he joined First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountain and was introduced to First Tee’s values, he finally had the words and the framework to express how he had been living his life and coping with his differences. 

“Having First Tee in my life from a young age allowed me to solidify my commitment to perseverance and understand its key importance to how I play golf and how I live life,” remarked Lev. 

Now, as a junior golf coach and Players’ Club assistant coach, he utilizes his experiences to positively impact other students when they are struggling. 

While his difference is not as visibly obvious now as it was at birth, it remains at play underneath the surface. 

Lev still experiences pain and has to approach every club grip with an extra level of intention and brain-body communication but is proud of his progress emotionally and physically.

“While my life and golf trajectory would have been simpler with a normal hand, I would not have learned the vital importance of perseverance and I appreciate First Tee for providing this framework. When situations get tough, I find a path forward and use frustration as fuel.”

At just 15 years old, Mikaili Smith is already making waves as a young leader in the First Tee – Central Ohio program. Recently, she had the incredible opportunity to attend the inaugural First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. Mikaili traveled to Atlanta, where she spent five transformative days developing new leadership skills and learning about the powerful impact sports can have on communities, businesses, and civic pride. Mikaili’s journey represents the core of First Tee’s mission, combining her passion for golf with a desire to inspire and empower others.

Building Connections and Embracing New Experiences

Mikaili’s journey began when she was selected as one of 48 participants from across the nation to attend the first ever First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. Excited and nervous, she set out on this adventure, unsure of what to expect. However, she soon discovered the incredible opportunities that awaited her, including networking with peers from around the country, learning from inspiring speakers, and exploring iconic sports facilities in Atlanta.

Upon returning from the trip, Mikaili shared her excitement, “I instantly made 47 new friends. It was really cool to see how similar we all were – like we all had experience with teaching younger kids.” The friendships she developed during the trip demonstrated the power of golf in fostering meaningful connections.

Discovering New Perspectives

Throughout the week, Mikaili and her fellow participants experienced various aspects of the sports world, from touring the Atlanta Falcons training facility to watching an Atlanta United soccer game. For Mikaili, who had never been to a soccer match before, this experience was especially memorable.

Empowering Through Leadership

At the Leadership Academy, Mikaili and her peers dug into team building and leadership exercises. Split into smaller groups, they participated in interactive activities designed to build their leadership skills and promote teamwork. One of the most impactful exercises involved selecting three words each day and discussing the words with their group, creating a powerful paragraph by the end of the week.

Reflecting on this experience, Mikaili noted, “As we turned words into sentences and built our paragraph, it was really cool to see similar traits we had in common.” These leadership exercises demonstrated First Tee’s dedication to fostering young leaders with effective communication, empathy, and teamwork skills.

Pursuing Future Dreams

Mikaili’s passion for golf and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others have led her to become a valuable leader in her community. As a Girls Golf eLeader and a dedicated member of her high school golf team, she continues to inspire and support younger girls interested in the sport.

Through her experience at the Leadership Academy, Mikaili feels like she learned valuable skills, like public speaking and networking, that she knows will be vital in her leadership roles. Mikaili shared, “We talked about the important skills to have as a leader. You need to listen a lot – listen to other people’s perspectives.”

Encouraging Others to Seize Opportunities

When asked about her advice to other First Tee participants who might be hesitant about applying for leadership opportunities, Mikaili’s response was clear: “Apply for everything that you can, reach out for every opportunity. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Mikaili’s participation in the inaugural First Tee Leadership Academy highlights the positive impact of First Tee programs and opportunities for growth they offer. Her story demonstrates the power of embracing new challenges, collaborating with peers and building valuable leadership expertise – all skills that will last a lifetime.

As Mikaili continues to pursue her passion for golf and her dream of becoming a graphic designer and architect, we can’t wait to see the great things she achieves both on and off the course!

Marlo Zamora, a participant from First Tee – Greater San Antonio, is one of 24 exceptional high school seniors who will join First Tee’s Scholar program in 2023.  

Marlo has been playing golf for 12 years, and 10 of those have been spent at First Tee – Greater San Antonio.  

“I really love the First Tee program because I feel like it’s one of the only programs out there where the program actually grows with you instead of you outgrowing the program,” said Marlo.  

Marlo credits First Tee for introducing her to some of her lifelong friends, teaching her how to set and accomplish her goals, and establishing many of the values and morals she lives by today.  

One of her biggest goals was to find a college where she could balance academics and sports. Trinity University in San Antonio was the perfect fit for her.  

Marlo loved Trinity, but was hesitant in getting her hopes up about attending there. Like many high school seniors, she was worried about its high academic standards and expensive tuition, she said. On top of that, she was hoping to play collegiate golf.  

After speaking with an alumna of the women’s golf team at Trinity and hearing about her great experience, Marlo’s mother encouraged her to pursue it. 

Shelby DeVore, the head women’s golf coach at Trinity University, watched Marlo play at the Texas Junior Golf Tour’s Swing for the Cure.  

“I ended up shooting lights out good, and right afterwards she ended up offering me the spot [on the team]. It was nice to see my years of hard work in golf pay off,” said Marlo.  

On her signing day in February, all the people she was close with from First Tee – Greater San Antonio surprised her at the signing to celebrate her accomplishments.  

But the surprises didn’t stop there.  

In May, members of the 2023 First Tee Scholar Class were invited to join an online meeting under the impression that they would be completing a final group interview. Instead, they were met by First Tee ambassador and current PGA TOUR player, Austin Smotherman. He surprised all of them with the news that it was not a real interview, and they were all chosen as Scholars.  

“It was the day before my birthday, and it was the best present I could have had. This scholarship means a lot to me because it will help me achieve my academic goals and pursue my dreams of being a computer scientist,” said Marlo.  

Marlo hopes to one day be a cyber-security engineer. Through the First Tee Scholar program, she will be paired with a dedicated adult mentor who will help to encourage and guide her throughout the next four years and beyond. 

“What’s so special about this scholarship is they provide a lot of mentorship, and you can’t really find that with many other scholarships. Being able to talk to someone and ask for advice is something that money can’t buy,” she said.