Coaching Archives - First Tee

The Power of Connection: Building the Coach-Participant Relationship

By Kristin Westberg, Senior Director of Curriculum and Education

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

At First Tee, coaching involves far more than just teaching golf skills and life skills in a class; it’s about cultivating relationships that foster growth, build confidence and demonstrate resilience. But how can coaches create a foundation of trust that cultivates legitimate relationships with participants? Empowering Youth, one of the First Tee Coach Building Blocks, focuses on this aspect of development and is one key to building relationships that create impact.

Trust is the foundation

Eighty-three percent of parents wish their child had more access to trustworthy coaches. Trust forms the bedrock of any enduring coach-athlete relationship. It’s the glue that holds everything together, facilitates effective communication, skill development and overall progress. All First Tee coaches are background checked and formally trained to connect with participants, whether they’re passionate golfers or just trying something new. They prioritize building trust early on to establish a strong foundation that can lead to a lasting connection.

Positive role modeling

Ninety-two percent of parents say they hope their child has a coach who they would consider a role model. First Tee coaches serve as mentors and role models for participants. They lead by example and demonstrate the values they expect from participants. Kids are far more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say, and coaches recognize this as an opportunity to positively model both golf skills and life skills that can be applied on and off the course. Coaches are committed to Building Game Changers, work hard to embody the Key Commitments, set a positive example of pursuing goals, grow through challenge, collaborate with others, build positive self-identity and use good judgment. These behaviors help to build trust and foster connections with participants of all ages.

Continuous improvement

Fifty-three percent of parents say having a trustworthy sports coach or mentor would increase their likelihood to commit long-term to the activity. First Tee coaches understand that building meaningful connections with participants is an ongoing process, and the First Tee curriculum exists to support them through that. First Tee offers a variety of eLearning courses and supplemental resources, as well as HQ led trainings to deepen their knowledge and develop new skills, such as understanding the stages of youth development or tips and tricks for tackling skill disparities. These practices improve the learning environment in a class and create opportunities to develop relationships and strengthen connections with participants.

Ninety percent of parents believe that coaches are the unsung heroes of youth development. A coach’s influence extends beyond the course and long after the round ends. Genuine connection matters when building the coach-participant relationship and even more when building game changers. At First Tee, we recognize that when participants know you care, they’ll care what you know and that’s when true learning and growth happens.

The statistics used throughout this story are from a new study between First Tee and Harris Poll. Visit the Character Gap research to learn more.

Q&A with a Coach

Sterling Simmons III is a First Tee alumnus and the player development instructor at First Tee – Greater Richmond. In that role, Sterling leads First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Player Development Academy, First Tee matches and oversees the organizations PGA Jr. League teams.

How did you get involved with First Tee?

My father took me to the First Tee Greater Richmond driving range when I was younger, and I met my first golf coach Craig Wood. I’ve stayed involved ever since.

Why do you continue to coach?

I enjoy being able to be a part of the development process for our participants, both on and off the golf course.

What have you learned from coaching at First Tee?

First Tee has taught me that each participant is unique in their own way and as a coach, you have to be able to adapt how you teach to match the participant.

What do you think new First Tee students should know?

The course of life and the golf course are very similar. You will be presented with obstacles and challenges along the way, but the ability to navigate and overcome adversity will help you in the future on both of these “courses.”

What do you think new/inquiring coaches should know?

You don’t have to be a great golfer to make an impact on a participant’s life.

New Study from The Harris Poll and First Tee: Coaches are the unsung heroes of youth development

Parents rely on sports – and trained coaches – to help their children build character and learn life skills, including working with others.

CHICAGO, Ill. & PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2024) – While 93% of parents agree that kids can learn important life skills from playing sports, four out of five parents also believe there is a shortage of high-caliber coaches today.

That is from a new survey by global consulting and market research firm, The Harris Poll, and youth development organization, First Tee. The U.S.-based survey was conducted online in April 2024 with feedback from 2,049 adults.

The survey captured data on youth involvement in extracurricular activities and sports. The data was also analyzed by gender, age, race, education, and income, among other characteristics.

“Since our mission is centered on positive youth development, we think it is important to seek parents’ perspectives as the world around them continues to change and their kids face new challenges,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “It helps us better understand and serve youth, and in the case of this study, it reinforces the importance of our investment in training our coaches.”

First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engages more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. The training system is built on research-proven methods of positive youth development, providing coaches with the tools to make kids feel safe, included and empowered. As part of First Tee’s onboarding, each coach is background-checked and completes training from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

The key findings from the survey include:

89% of parents feel character is a lost value that should be more emphasized in today’s society – an increase of +4 percentage points from the 2023 survey. Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles. Parents understand that need, as nine out of 10 parents seek opportunities for their kids to build character.

Parents believe sports can help close the character gap. Parents put their kids in extracurricular activities – with sports being most popular – for socialization and to build confidence. According to 93% of parents, children learn important life skills from playing sports.

Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development. Parents turn to coaches to help teach their kids character, self-confidence, determination and leadership. 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire children to excel both on and off the field.

Safety is critically important to parents. They prefer coaches who have been background checked, with 94% of parents citing it as a priority in today’s world and 83% wishing their child had more access to well-trained coaches.

“While every generation confronts their own unique challenges, kids are facing new barriers to character development,” said Harris Poll CEO Will Johnson. “Our research findings make it clear: Parents, when registering your kids for the upcoming school year, don’t forget the critical development that comes outside the classroom.”

This is the second annual research collaboration between The Harris Poll and First Tee.

Download the full 2024 Report.

For the results of the 2023 parent survey, click here.

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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, 11,000 schools and 1,900 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.  

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:    
Annika Mayers, First Tee    
[email protected]
904-273-3513

Help your child stay calm with the 4 Rs

There was a viral moment at the 2024 U.S. Open, when in a news conference, First Tee – Sandhills participant Tytus Solt asked World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler about staying calm after a recent triple bogie.

“I think that’s something you just learn playing more and more golf, that bad breaks are going to come, but it’s more about your response to those things,” Scheffler answered.

Everyone has highs and lows on the golf course, but the most successful players have strategies to control their emotions. And the important thing is, those strategies can be useful in tough moments off the course too.

At First Tee, we teach the 4 Rs.

Relax: “This can look a few different ways,” explained AnnaLeis Caldwell, from the Programs team at First Tee. “You might hum a song while walking to your next shot. You might close your eyes for a moment or visualize your next shot.” The former collegiate golfer said she uses breathing patterns to calm down while walking to her ball. “Every player may find something a little different works best for them,” she said.

Replay: This technique is not just useful when you hit a poor shot, Caldwell explained. It is most effective when you use the 4 Rs to keep your emotions level, so you do not get too excited or upset. Replaying a good shot can help boost your confidence. Meanwhile, Bobby Jones famously said, “I never learned anything from a match I won.” Replaying a poor shot and considering what went wrong can be enlightening too.

Ready: This is when you choose your target and club before completing your pre-shot routine, Caldwell said. Consistency and rhythm are important in golf, which explains why research shows that having a pre-shot routine can help you play better.

Re-do: In this step, you put everything together, hit your next shot and start the process over again. “This is your opportunity to start fresh,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell still uses the 4 Rs when she is playing golf but acknowledged there can be off-the-course applications too. “It could be helpful for kids during testing, maybe after receiving a poor grade or even while playing other sports,” Caldwell said.

Find a First Tee location near you.

Encourage your child to warmup before exercise this spring

For many families, the return of spring means outdoor sports are back in play.

Whether your children play golf or participate in other physical activities, it’s important to keep them safe. Did you know a third of childhood injuries occur during sports?

One of the best ways to make sure your child is prepared to play this spring is by encouraging them to warm up before exercise.

“At First Tee we utilize warmups in a couple different ways,” said Ali Miller, senior manager of programs training at First Tee. “If it has been a little while since your child has been active in sports or they are new to sports in general, warmups are a great way to get their body used to being active. Warmups also allow our coaches to build a foundation of movement that helps facilitate better golf technique using exercises and movements that your child may be more used to such as throwing or kicking a ball.”

All First Tee classes start with a warmup, and coaches aim to make them fun, so kids feel excited about the rest of the lesson, Miller said. Not only is warming up healthy before exercise, but it’s also a great way to instill in kids the importance of preparing for a task.

Miller recommends warmups that combine a few different exercises to focus on different skills and muscles. For example, she’ll combine skiers for balance and agility with lunges for strength and flexibility.

“Lastly, I always have kids do some kind of throwing, kicking or hitting motion, which covers object control. All these actions mimic golf skills and help me see what kids are capable of movement wise,” Miller said.

“I also usually organize these exercises into some kind of circuit or obstacle course to keep things fun and keep kids moving for the whole warmup.”

When it comes to other tips to prepare for spring sports, Miller said kids are generally resilient, but it never hurts to take your child to the doctor for a physical, especially if they’ve been more sedentary over winter.

“Our coaches place safety as a number one priority but parents can help by making sure kids are wearing golf or athletic shoes and clothing that is easy to move around in,” she said. “As always if your child has any allergies or physical limitations let your local First Tee staff know so they can make sure everything is in order and they’re set up for success.”

Learn about First Tee programs in your area.

Because of First Tee – Alumnae feature on Grace Kehoe

1. Where are you today and how’d you get there?

I am currently in my last semester of my undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University double majoring in Business Administration concentrating in Marketing and Foreign Languages and Literature concentrating in Mandarin.

I was a Tournament Services Management intern for the 2022 Presidents Cup held at Quail Hollow Club. In 2023, I attended the Middlebury College Language School participating in an intensive language immersion program adhering to the Language Pledge, with emphasis on Chinese literature and culture.

I hope to one day use my language proficiency to promote collaboration between the US and China while encouraging strategic stakeholder relationships and analyzing emerging markets.

2. How had First Tee positively impacted your life?

First Tee offered a space for me to find community and mentorship. Because of First Tee, I have developed the confidence to trust my ability in navigating life.

I have been encouraged to set goals and work towards them, always knowing I could turn to my mentors for guidance. One of these goals was to become the first participant of the First Tee of Greater Charlotte chapter to become ACE Certified. I have had the opportunity to travel to many incredible places across the US and meet wonderful people across different First Tee chapters.

I played in the 2018 Pure Insurance Championship and attended many life skills and golf development academies.

3. What advice would you share to participants in the program now?

Embrace every opportunity big or small.

Picking between my favorite memories at First Tee is impossible because walking down the fairways of immaculate and acclaimed courses around the world holds just as much weight as those walking down the fairway of Dr. Charles L. Sifford with the friends I made in my chapter. I would also say to give back to your chapter and community as much as you can. Volunteering within your chapter and neighboring chapters is a valuable experience that helps develop leadership and organizational skills. You only have so much time in your life to be a part of First Tee as a participant, make sure to embrace the connections that will last beyond that time. To this day I go to my mentors for guidance and advice as it remains helpful as life goes on

First Tee – Coachella Valley alumna and coach, Karla Garcia, on her journey with First Tee

Karla Garcia was born on March 11, 2002, in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico.

She moved to Novillero, Nayarit at the age of 4, where she spent almost eight years with her maternal grandparents. She worked in her grandparents’ vegetable field during those years, planting, picking and selling vegetables. Karla and her older sister immigrated to the Coachella Valley in 2013 where their mother and stepfather lived.

Karla’s stepfather enrolled her in the First Tee in the summer of 2013 when she was 11. It was there that she learned how to play golf for the first time. Karla didn’t speak English and couldn’t understand a word the coaches said to her but she enjoyed striking a small ball with a club.

Karla started working as a lead instructor with the First Tee in 2021, and she enjoys passing on her knowledge to other young children. Karla has recently accepted the position as outreach coordinator, and she is extremely excited to be able to work and grow with First Tee.

Karla is also a student at the College of the Desert where she is pursuing a degree in golf management. Karla intends to continue working with First Tee in order to make a positive impact on the lives of children.

Coach Jordan explains why First Tee felt like the perfect fit 

Jordan Hall found her home at First Tee – Triangle during a college internship.  

As a sports management student at North Carolina State University, Jordan heard about First Tee through her school’s job board. After interviewing at multiple other places, she said that First Tee was the only place that felt right.  

“I walked in, they welcomed me, I felt that same sense of home and I knew that the program, the life skills, and development that kids were receiving as a result of being involved in First Tee was so similar to how I was fortunate to grow up.

The opportunity to be a part of that and think that it could be a career for me was really awesome, and I’ve been here ever since,” said Jordan.  

Jordan’s passion is coaching and youth development. She is now the vice president of programs at First Tee – Triangle where she did her first internship seven years ago.  

Jordan is currently pursuing a master’s degree in parks, recreation, tourism, and sport management from NC state. She explained how she’s learned to grow through challenges and lean on those around her.  

“Starting grad school and balancing a full-time schedule and trying to find the balance between that and my personal life has been difficult.  

I’ve been able to lean on my friends and my peers for support, but also finding strength in routine and [using] some of the things I’ve learned through the game [of golf] to help me off the course as well as help me find that right balance,” Jordan said.  

Even with her busy schedule, Jordan still prioritizes her time with First Tee. She especially enjoys seeing participants that she taught in middle school go off and play in college or pursue their dreams and come back to the chapter to share all that they’ve accomplished.  

“There are so many little moments that over time add up to really big moments. In a lot of cases, it’s the kids you don’t realize you’re impacting,” she said. “You didn’t realize in the moment that you were impacting that child’s life.”  

Jordan continues to positively impact the participants at First Tee – Triangle and teach them the same lessons that help her to grow through challenge in her own life.  

Get to Know Our 2024 Summer Team

Summer is an exciting season for First Tee – Central Ohio! During these few months, we engage hundreds of kids through our onsite classes, summer camps, community partner organizations, and special event sessions. We need all the help we can get, and that’s why we are thrilled to highlight our 2024 intern team!

Through our annual summer internship program, high school and college students can inspire positive change by teaching life skills, fostering a love for golf, and promoting healthy habits during our summer programming. Interns gain valuable hands-on experience, collaborate with peers and staff, and contribute to fulfilling our organization’s mission of developing character in kids through the game of golf.

Our summer interns are essential to a successful summer. They arrive early to set up, bring positive energy and enthusiasm to our participants during classes, and stay late to clean up after our fun-filled activities. Most importantly, they serve as inspiring examples to younger kids, demonstrating the character it takes to be a Game Changer!

Thanks to Discover Financial Services and the Eubanks-DeWitt Family Foundation for their generous support of our summer internship program!

Let’s learn more about our outstanding 2024 summer team!

Akoua, First Tee Coach

Akoua is a 19-year-old sophomore at Columbus State Community College, returning for her second year as a coach at FTCO. This summer, she is eager to connect with new people and deepen her knowledge of golf. Akoua aspires to open her own spa and become an orthodontist in the future.

Fun fact: Akoua speaks 3 different languages and plays 8 different sports!

Anji, Game Changers Intern

Anji, a 20-year-old Columbus native, is interning with FTCO for the first time this year. She is eager to connect with the students and expand her golf knowledge. Anji’s future goal is to become an entrepreneur and own a salon offering hair, nail and lash services.

Fun fact: Anji is working towards becoming a cosmetologist!

Belina, First Tee Coach

Belina has been a part of First Tee for seven years and is currently a trained Level One coach. Having started golfing at just three years old, her passion for golf shines through her dedication to teaching the game to others. This summer, she looks forward to building connections with both participants and fellow coaches. Belina aspires to become an inspiration to others in the future.

Fun fact: Belina’s favorite color is dark forest green and her favorite animal is a manatee.

Brenden, Game Changers Intern

Brenden is a rising high school junior and a first-year coach with FTCO. He loves golf for its calming nature and is eager to advance his skills. In the future, Brenden aims to attend college and pursue a fulfilling career.

Fun fact: Brenden loves cooking!

Carter, Game Changers Intern

Carter, a rising high school sophomore, has been an FTCO participant for nine years. This summer marks his first year interning with FTCO, and he is excited to expand his knowledge as a coach. His favorite aspect of golf is its challenging nature. In the future, Carter hopes to have a family.

Fun fact: Carter writes with his left hand but plays sports with his right hand!

Eliza, First Tee Coach

Eliza, 20, has been a part of First Tee for five years, and this will be her third year as a coach. She finds joy in the challenges that golf offers. This year, she is most looking forward to meeting new people and enjoying the fun games planned for events and classes. Eliza’s future goals are to be successful and to remain a lifelong learner.

Fun fact: Eliza has a deep interest in astronomy!

Grant, Game Changers Intern

At just 18 years old and entering his freshman year of college, Grant is already a seasoned member of the FTCO family with 12 years of involvement, including three years of intern experience. Grant has a strong passion for golf and loves the competitive aspect of the sport. This summer, he is looking forward to working alongside participants and sharing his knowledge of the game. Grant’s future goal is to graduate with a degree and play four years of college golf.

Fun fact: Grant likes to play basketball!

Isaac, Game Changers Intern

Issac, a rising high school senior, has been part of FTCO for seven years. As a third-year intern, he is excited to pass the game of golf to the next generation.

Through his time with FTCO, Isaac has been selected for the prestigious First Tee Leadership Summit in Bozeman, MT and recently attended the First Tee Game Changers Academy honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr, in Philadelphia, PA.

Issac aspires to earn the Evans Scholarship, study finance at The Ohio State University, and eventually work for a golf company.

Fun fact: Issac likes to play tennis in his free time!

Mikaili, Game Changers Intern

Mikaili, 16, has been a part of FTCO for nine years and is a rising junior in high school. She loves golf for the connections it creates, and many of her friendships began while on the golf course. This summer, she looks forward to working with her fellow coaches and showing kids how fun golf can be. In the future, Mikaili plans to play golf in college while majoring in architecture, with aspirations to pursue a career in real estate or home design.

Fun fact: Last summer, Mikaili attended the First Tee Leadership Academy in Atlanta!

Nikelle, Game Changers Intern

Nikelle is a rising senior at the Ohio State University studying strategic communications. Involved in First Tee since she was seven, this summer marks her first year as a marketing intern. She has held various roles at the golf course, including caddying, cart operations and coaching. Walking on the golf course brings her peace, and she is excited to capture photos for FTCO’s social media pages this summer. Nikelle’s future career goal is to help diversify the game of golf.

Fun fact: Nikelle has been vegan for six years!

Paige, Game Changers Intern

Paige is a rising senior in high school where she plays on the golf team and has been a part of the First Tee family for eight years, including two years of intern experience. She loves golf because she sees courses as puzzles to be solved and appreciates their beauty. This summer, Paige looks forward to helping kids develop a love for golf, just as she did at First Tee. In the future, Paige aspires to become a registered pediatric nurse.

Fun fact: She loves baking – especially making cookies!

Reese, Game Changers Intern

Reese is a rising junior in high school and has been a part of FTCO for six years. This summer marks his first year as an intern, and he is most looking forward to gaining leadership experience. Reese loves golf for its peaceful nature and aspires to become a CAT scan technician in the future.

Fun fact: Reese plays football and baseball!

Riley, Game Changers Intern

Riley is a rising junior in high school and has been involved with FTCO for over a decade. He loves golf for the environment and is excited to share his passion for the sport with this year’s FTCO participants. Riley’s future goal is to play golf in college and eventually become a professional golfer.

Fun fact: Riley is left handed!

Rori, Game Changers Intern

Rori is a rising junior in high school and has been a part of FTCO for four years. This summer marks her first year coaching for FTCO, and she is excited to share the impact FTCO has made on her with this year’s participants. Rori loves golf because it pushes her outside her comfort zone, and she has made many friends on the golf course. In the future, Rori hopes to become an architect or open a bakery.

Fun fact: Rori has a girls golf clothing line!

Sarah, First Tee Junior Coach

Sarah is a 22-year-old junior at Columbus State Community College, returning for her second year coaching at FTCO. This summer, she looks forward to building connections with FTCO participants. Sarah loves golf for the opportunity to walk different courses and play with friends. Her future goal is to finish college and become a first-grade teacher.

Fun fact: Sarah is bilingual and she loves to travel!

Thanks to Discover Financial Services and the Eubanks-DeWitt Family Foundation for their generous support of our summer internship program!

Join Our Team

Are you interested in becoming part of the First Tee – Central Ohio team? We have a variety of ways you can get involved. Click the button below to start making a difference today!

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Teen participants celebrated at Game Changers Luncheon

We are always on the lookout for ways to celebrate our participants and share their stories. This year during Tournament week, we hosted the Game Changers luncheon, made possible by generous support from the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday.

We celebrated the accomplishments of three outstanding participants through a panel discussion with PGA Tour Professional, Chris Gotterup. Led by NBC4 anchor, Matt Barnes, our participants had the opportunity to share their stories and gain valuable insights into the mind of a professional golfer through an engaging interview with Chris.

Participant Spotlights:

Caroline Donato: Embracing Leadership in Girls Golf

At just 15 years old, Caroline Donato has already demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities within our LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program. Attending Heritage Middle School in Hilliard, she became a Girls Golf participant in 2020. Caroline’s commitment to growth was recognized when she was chosen to attend the prestigious LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Leadership Academy in 2022. Her continued dedication led to a significant achievement as she was appointed to serve on the Girls Golf eLeader Board of Directors in 2023.

Grace O’Grady: A Well-Rounded Golfer with a Bright Future

Grace O’Grady’s journey in golf began in 2013 when she joined First Tee. Recently graduating from Pickerington Central High School, where she played on the varsity golf team, Grace’s passion for the sport has only grown stronger. Her involvement with First Tee extended to a summer internship, and she also attended the highly esteemed First Tee Game Changers Academy in 2022. This fall, Grace will embark on a new adventure at Yale University, where she plans to study Political Science and Environmental Studies.

Jake Pierce: An Aspiring Golfer with a Passion for Growth

At the age of 18, Jake Pierce’s passion for golf has been evident since he became a participant in First Tee back in 2012. Having just graduated from DeSales High School, Jake has played on his school’s varsity golf team and will continue pursuing his golf dreams at Ohio Northern University next year. He has also served as a First Tee volunteer and summer intern, showcasing his dedication to the sport and his community.

Interview with PGA Tour Professional, Chris Gotterup

The three teenagers were thrilled to engage in an enlightening conversation with Chris Gotterup, who graciously shared his experiences and advice for aspiring golfers. They delved into various aspects of his journey, including the importance of hard work, perseverance, and maintaining a positive mindset.

Watch the video below to hear more about each participant’s journey and insights from Chris on what it takes to be successful.

Hannah Sudbury, First Tee – Tennessee Program Coordinator gives her tips on coaching while having fun with intention

“I’ve been working with First Tee for over 10 years now!”

Position with First Tee: First Tee Tennessee Program Coordinator

How long with First Tee: I have been with First Tee – Tennessee since I was 15 years old (became a level one coach at 17 years old); 10 years over all!

Why you joined the First Tee: I joined First Tee to learn about the game of golf! My dad really wanted me to try another sport other than softball and golf was next on my list. My dad found First Tee and I have been here ever since!

Your favorite memory so far with First Tee: I personally do not have one favorite memory with First Tee. My favorite memories include all the relationships that I have built over the years with the participants and their families. The love and support I have received from each of them has made my time with this program unforgettable. I hope to continue making these memories in the future!

If no one had heard of First Tee before, what would you say? First Tee is an incredible organization to get your kids involved in golf! Golf can be a hard sport to learn, but First Tee makes learning golf knowledge and skills fun by incorporating games and activities that are essential and engaging. First Tee is a great environment for young children to get out of their comfort zone and make new friends, while enjoying the game of golf. Not only does First Tee offer golf, but we also incorporate life skills in our curriculum that the participants can take on and off the course!

What would be your 3 tips of having Fun with Intention/examples of how:

1) Create fun, engaging, and age-appropriate activities; for example, “Hungry Hungry Hippos” for putting, “Frogger” for chipping, and Golf Baseball for pitching and full swing. All these games are somewhat familiar and can be played individually, groups, and in teams.

2) Have incentives or rewards to provide motivation to participants!

3) Socializing; for example, giving participants the opportunity to socialize with each other and coaches to build relationships. This leads to participants to be more comfortable, allowing them to be open and engaged throughout their classes.

Coach Leroy Bates says golf made him a better person. Now he’s sharing his passion in L.A.

First Tee – Los Angeles coach Leroy Bates estimates he’s helped more than 1,000 kids earn college scholarships over the course of his decades long career.

He tries to instill values like integrity and responsibility in addition to golf skills. It’s why he connected so deeply with First Tee’s youth development style when he first encountered the organization 20 years ago.

Bates has helped at least 10 kids earn spots in the field of the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs golf legends with First Tee participants at Pebble Beach. He also attended First Tee’s Life Skills & Leadership Academy as a coach in 2019.

He was sad when First Tee – Los Angeles folded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s thrilled the chapter relaunched and is now offering programming, he said

“Now students are coming back and it’s out with the old and in with the new,” he said.

Golf is thriving in Los Angeles, Bates said, especially with the eyes of the golf world on Los Angeles Country Club, site of the 2023 U.S. Open. But not all kids have equal access to the sport in a state where transportation can be difficult. Bates said almost half the kids he coaches today live with a single parent.

He knows that can be tough.

Bates’ golf journey began in Selma, Alabama, where his grandfather – a retired Army colonel – owned a small driving range. It’s where his mom sent him in the summer when she needed extra help, and it changed his life. Bates collected range balls and cut the grass before going on to play collegiate golf and then on mini tours.

He understands the opportunities golf can bring. He said he’s met new people and traveled the world thanks to the sport.

“Golf made me a better person,” he said. “I learned to respect the rules. I learned to get out and be healthy.”

First Tee – Los Angeles is currently offering programming at courses throughout the city including Chester Washington Golf Course, which was the home course of Charlie Sifford, the first Black man to earn a PGA TOUR card.

“Chester Washington is a gem. It makes you smile when you go on-site because there’s so much diversity. There’s so much happiness and joy on the course,” said Kathy Bihr, vice president of programs at First Tee – Los Angeles.

Last year, U.S. Open host organization, the United States Golf Association, supported 25 First Tee chapters in their efforts to make golf more accessible to kids from all backgrounds with donations totaling $325,000.

Learn more about becoming a First Tee coach.

Coach Kyle Believes in First Tee’s Positive Impact

Kyle Harris has been the Director at First Tee – Massachusetts for the past five years, but his involvement with First Tee started in Utah in 2012.

Originally from Cape Cod, Kyle attended The University of Massachusetts Amherst before working in college athletics as a Sports Information Director for 10 years.

Although Kyle began playing golf while in college, he did not find himself a part of the golf industry until being introduced to First Tee while living in Utah.

One of Kyle’s friends was working to establish the First Tee – Utah chapter and invited Kyle to join him at a participant recruitment event. The weather was miserable, rainy and cold, and Kyle didn’t understand why they were standing out in it. That was until he met KJ, a young boy who was more than happy to stand out in the rain to try golfing.

After missing the ball four or five times, he finally hit it and a big smile spread across his face. That was the moment that Kyle realized how impactful First Tee was and he has been involved ever since.

After that day, Kyle spent much of his time volunteering with First Tee – Utah’s chapter. He helped to get programs off the ground, was a volunteer coach, and oversaw the certification program to help advance participants.

“Always with this mindset, ‘Man if I ever had a chance to work with First Tee full-time I totally would,’” said Kyle.

Kyle’s wishes were answered when a position opened at First Tee – Massachusetts. . Although he said he would have taken a job with First Tee anywhere, he appreciates the opportunity to work with members of the community he grew up in.

“As an adult I’ve learned as much to apply to my own life as I’ve taught to the kids,” he said.

“I’m a better dad, I’m a better husband, I’m a better golfer, I’m a better person, I’m a better employee because of First Tee and holding myself to the standards that I want to hold the kids to.”

Kyle believes that if he had been a part of First Tee growing up, it would have given him a better outlook on the world earlier on. He continues to mentor and encourage participants so that they can foster that positive mindset from the beginning.