Category: Feature Stories

We believe that golf provides a powerful vehicle to help kids build inner strength and life enhancing skills they can take to everything they do. Joseph Dent, Marcellus Dillard and Joey Stills are First Tee alumni using these life lessons as they compete on the APGA Tour, a launching pad for African Americans and minority golfers to compete and make their way to the PGA TOUR. The three alumni shared their experiences through First Tee and how it’s empowered them to develop their character as they pursue their goals.

Like our participants, what makes our chapters so special is that each one is unique in its own way. We celebrate their diverse perspectives because it makes our work even more powerful. Yet one thing that remains consistent at every chapter is their passion for supporting the next generation and the communities they live in. One way our chapters are doing this is by creating a space that makes every individual feel like they belong. A culture of acceptance is deeply rooted in our values as an organization as we seek to understand walks of life that are different from our own. Two of our chapters, First Tee — Greater Pasadena and First Tee — Korea, have brought this to life in a meaningful new way. In 2019, the two chapters became official sister chapters in an effort for participants to share cultural experiences and explore opportunities beyond their community. Recently, participants and coaches from the two chapters were able to meet virtually to discuss a trending topic in communities across the globe: returning to school during a pandemic. During the video call, participants shared how they’re feeling and handling the return to school. Gloria from First Tee — Korea shared, “I think I should take responsibility for myself because if I don’t follow the rules, I could put my friends and family at risk.” Through the meeting, the participants realized that they have quite a bit in common despite growing up thousands of miles apart. They’re all adjusting to the “new normal,” and are leaning on the character strengths they’ve developed through First Tee to help conquer these challenges. Bob Baderian, Executive Director for First Tee — Greater Pasadena, summed up the experience: “This very positive partnership between First Tee — Greater Pasadena and First Tee — Korea encourages participants to share their experiences and perspectives and provides opportunities to educate them about the culture and history of their respective countries and communities. These meetings have resulted in increased knowledge and appreciation of cultures and lifestyles between our two chapters.” Founded in 2006, First Tee — Greater Pasadena has served more than 200,000 kids and teens. First Tee — Korea was founded in conjunction with the 2015 Presidents Cup and is one of six international chapters within the First Tee network. The sister chapters have a goal to one day provide an in-person experience for their participants to meet. This pandemic, among other challenges this year, has been more than we could have ever anticipated. It’s stories like these, of coming together to learn, appreciate, and build relationships, that inspire us as we work to empower youth to be game-changers and make this a better world.

USGA grant helps First Tee chapters keep programs running during the pandemic

Aaron Hall-King, a New Rochelle native, was attending Albert Leonard Middle School this past March when it became the first school in New York to close due to COVID-19. His mother Kira gave him words to live by.

“The school building may be closed, but the learning continues.”

Kira was the first to reach out when First Tee — Metropolitan New York announced online learning and tutoring. First Tee has become a comfort zone for Aaron, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and needs additional help with instructions. Aaron enrolled in First Tee Life Skills and Education programs in 2014 when he was in the second grade. Since that time, program director, Karen Les Pierre shares that his grades and organizational skills have improved dramatically. Karen didn’t miss a beat when First Tee’s campuses were closed due to the virus and immediately tutored Aaron utilizing FaceTime. “I love First Tee, because they have great programs for the kids,” says Aaron’s mom, Kira. “Aaron will take individual lessons in the fall. He has really matured with First Tee. If it wasn’t for [First Tee], I don’t know where we would be.” Aaron is one of many participants reached by the chapter’s virtual programs which were supported in part by a recent USGA grant . So far, they have delivered more than 200 hours of virtual tutoring this year. In addition, hundreds of hours are being spent online and, on the phone, helping participants navigate the college and high school application process through the Path to College program. They also offered Summer STEM online, a six-week program focused on the sciences, computer programming and literacy. First Tee — Metropolitan New York is one of 51 First Tee chapters to receive a grant from the USGA towards their ongoing commitment to making the game more accessible and welcoming for juniors. In addition to the $200,000 that went to chapter grants, the association pledged $125,000 to help First Tee headquarters develop innovative digital tools that enable stronger connections between juniors, parents, chapters and coaches, bringing the USGA’s total investment to $325,000 for 2020. “Year after year we are seeing the positive impact that First Tee and other junior programs are having in breaking down barriers and connecting communities through sports,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “It is vital for golf’s long-term health that we continue to create pathways for all juniors to participate.” First Tee brings kids and teens to the game of golf and leverages it as a catalyst for personal growth through experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience. Through chapters in 150 communities and more than 10,000 schools and 1,200 after-school partnerships, First Tee reaches kids ages 5-18 from all backgrounds. Learn more about our character building programs and how you can get involved.