Category: Blog

First Tee Seattle was able to introduce and teach nearly 1,000 youth in person at golf courses in 2020, which has been a huge accomplishment and highlight for our community. However, due to a cancelled spring session, smaller class sizes, and limited capacity, many more young people were not able to participate this year. So, in May, we set out to raise the funds and begin creating and distributing “Golf at Home” kits to kids in our community. To date, we have handed out more than 300 kits, and we have another 600 on the way to local schools.

 

Each kit includes a custom-sized golf club and a kit bag, assembled with both practice golf balls and a traditional golf ball, putting target, activity booklet, and accessories. Each of these items was creatively sourced at the lowest cost we could find, and then put together with our most valuable resource: human power. The community has rallied behind our efforts, donating hundreds of golf clubs, and helping us assemble and distribute the kits to kids throughout King and Snohomish County.

Among those inspired by the Golf at Home kits effort was 17-year-old Brandon Bui, a long-time participant at First Tee Seattle. Brandon joined the First Tee in 2014 at the age of 10, worked his way up to the “Eagle” level in the program, earned a spot on his high school varsity golf team, and now serves as a junior volunteer coach at First Tee Seattle. Little did we know, Brandon is also an aspiring computer science expert and whiz with a 3-D printer. He noticed that each Golf at Home kit included a putting target, which looked like something he might be able to replicate with his 3-D printer at home.

Brandon got to work designing a replica of the putting target, including even the little attached flagstick. It wasn’t easy at first, and took a couple of hours to make the first few. But with some ingenuity and perseverance, Brandon dedicated his workload (and many late nights) to creating 100 perfectly crafted putting cups for the project!

We caught up with Brandon as he delivered his amazing gift to First Tee.

Video Interview:

 

Q&A with Brandon:

 

1) How did you get introduced to golf?

Golf has always been a part of my life, I remember going to the driving range since I was young or driving the golf cart for my dad as he played.  After years of learning golf on my own I joined The First Tee in sixth grade.  I didn’t get really serious about golf until after I made my high school’s golf team my freshman year.  Ever since then golf has just been a big part of life.

2) What are your dreams for your future?

I plan on going to UW to study computer science and cyber security and maybe play club golf.  (I actually just turned my applications in today).  After college I plan to work at a big tech company and maybe start my own company.

3) Who is a role model of yours?

A big role model in my life would definitely be my dad.  He is always the one that teaches me right from wrong, makes sure I use please and thank you, and address everyone by sir and ma’am.  He’s also my golf buddy, whether it’s just a muni course like Jackson Park or a world class golf resort like Bandon, we always enjoy playing with each other…well, most of the time.

4) Favorite golf memory?

My favorite golf memory was when I found out I had made my high school’s varsity golf team my freshman year.  The two rounds of golf I played during tryouts felt like my worst rounds ever.  A few days after try-outs we had left for Oregon.  I was constantly checking my emails that day, refreshing every five minutes until I saw the email.  We were driving down the freeway somewhere between Seattle and Portland when I had gotten it.  I opened the email… and to my surprise, I had made the team.  I never felt such a sense of accomplishment before that.

 

Thank you Brandon.

You really are a Game Changer!

 

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Golf is the best sport for having fun and learning crucial life skills.  Period.  That’s it.  That’s my article…What?  You want me to explain myself?  OK.  I will give it my best shot!!!

I started playing golf at age 15 in sunny San Diego, where I played 2 years of junior golf. From there I moved to Claremont McKenna College where I was the team captain all four years, league individual champion two years and first team all-league four years. Later in life I would become the CFO of Cobra golf in 1979 and most recently have been the assistant coach for Holy Names Academy. The very fabric of the game of golf teaches golfers about themselves and about life. To help guide players on their lifelong journey, The First Tee uses its Nine Core Values to highlight what those lessons can be. Here are a few short stories that exemplify life learning through our beloved game. A couple of seasons ago, I was hanging around with some coaches at the end of a dual golf match between high school teams. A player on my team came up to the coaches at the end of the round and asked for a ruling. During the round, a player from the other team had hit her ball under a tree. To hit the next shot, the opposing player had a teammate hold a branch back so she had room to take a full swing at the ball (unfortunately, this is against the rules). My team member (the player asking for the ruling) had the foresight to announce to her opponent (the player hitting the ball) that she would ask for a ruling upon completion of play. Note: the player hitting the shot did not have a clue about the rule, and there was no intent to gain an advantage. The girl asking for the ruling was a First Tee participant!!! She used courtesy in announcing her intent to ask for a ruling. She was confident in her handling of the situation and used good judgment. She showed respect to her opponent and demonstrated sportsmanship. And, she was correct in her knowledge of the rule. Key point: the player in the story was prepared. More importantly: the skills she exhibited are those she will use for all aspects of her life going forward. To all of the current First Tee participants please, do not overlook the power of the Nine Core Values and the impact they have on your current and future life. Many years ago, I was playing in the finals of a match play tournament. I was 2 up after 23 of 36 holes in the match. My drive was down the middle and my opponent’s drive was in the right rough. When we came together at the green he announced that his ball had moved when he addressed it. As a result of the penalty stroke I won the hole and eventually the match. I will never forget the integrity, honesty and sportsmanship it took for him to announce a penalty on himself. As I got to know him better in following years, I learned that he ran his business in that same highly principled and honest manner. Key point: do you think there is a connection between how a person acts on the golf course and in real life?  Yes!!! One more story. During qualifying for the USGA Junior Amateur, I stood on the 18^th tee and thought I was out of contention. I hooked my tee shot out of bounds and ended up taking a triple bogey. Turns out, if I had made a par, I would have been one of the qualifiers. I was distraught and devastated. In walking to the parking lot after the trophy ceremony, where a number of my fellow competitors greeted and consoled me (I wasn’t the only one who almost qualified). Everyone of those players that consoled me demonstrated Respect, Courtesy, and Sportsmanship. The nice gestures made me feel good at a time where I was really down. Key point: After this, I learned perseverance. I continued to work on my game and ended up having some good tournaments later on. I never again stopped trying my best before a round was over. Golf, good or bad, is about learning how to plan your way around the course. The First Tee is about learning to golf and learning how to plan your way through life, incorporating the Nine Core Values into your actions along the way. At my seemingly ancient age of almost 68, I would like to say to all First Tee Participants, please take the Nine Core Values to heart and incorporate them all into your actions – starting right now. Before you know it you will be 68 and writing articles telling people how to lead their lives…

                   

We asked Coach Chris Villasenor to share his relationship with Honesty, and honestly, we felt like you’d want to take a look! One of the Nine Core Values of the First Tee is Honesty. We often frame this around our behavior on the course: are we counting the right number of strokes, are we following the rules, do we have the proper number of clubs in our bag.  However, Honesty stretches far beyond this into other aspects of golf as well as life. When we’re practicing golf to improve, can you be honest with yourself as to your strengths and weaknesses? Many players will simply play to their strengths on the practice tee but an honest player can look at their game objectively then decide to focus on the things that will help them improve the most. In fact, whether it’s golf, music, Fortnite, or school (you can put these in any order you’d like) being honest about your shortcomings and addressing them in some way can improve your overall performance as well as your enjoyment. Honesty, let’s be honest, is sometimes the harder road but like anything, it takes practice. In many cases, we cannot choose our outcomes but if you come to them via Honesty, you can always hold your head up. There are going to be people in the world who tell you, “that band you like is no good,” or “that movie you like is terrible” or “why are you friends with that person?” The honest response is that you don’t have to defend these kinds of choices. Finding your passion is a true form of Honesty and I encourage you to be honest with your parents, teachers, and friends… but most importantly with yourself!  

                     

Dealing With Challenges by Coach Val Patrick

I consider myself an upbeat, confident, patient and positive person, and I am the “glass is half full” personality.  What I have learned over the years about challenges is that they come to us and through us – through many streams and in many ways.

Growing up for example, at age 15 my dad was diagnosed with cancer.  He was out of work for over a year.  That presented many challenges for a family of seven people to figure out how we were going to survive.  Where would we get food if dad wasn’t able to work?  How would my mom take care of all of us if my dad did not survive?

I am the oldest of 5, and I had plans to go to college and play on a college [golf] team.  No one in my family had gone to college – I was the first. Would I be able to go if my mom needed me?  Golf was everything to me – literally.  I found myself clinging to my clubs for comfort knowing my dad taught me how to play.  What would I do without him?

That was a HUGE challenge and decision facing me, so my dad and I talked a lot.  He said he wanted me to go to college and not worry about what was going to happen at home.  This was as important for him as it was for me.  He is the one that put a club in my hand when I was 8 years old.  He wanted to see me play college golf.

Fast forward to High School graduation, soon it would be time for me to leave for college in Miami Florida, a LONG way from home!  Dad and I agreed I would go in August.  He said this is “YOUR TIME.”

“YOU” have worked so hard for this opportunity, and he was right.  Now I had a choice: go or stay home.  I wanted to continue to make him proud.  And so, it was – I left for Florida driving my car with a friend (because the trip would be too much for him).  Saying goodbye was awful. “What if…what if?” kept going through my head.  He said “it’s okay – you go play like you know it. Show the other girls on the team that Michigan has good golfers too!  Not all good golfers come from Florida!”  We laughed and he gave me a big hug.  I got in the car (packed with everything it could hold) and while backing out of the driveway, my mom and dad waving, I hoped this would be the scene when I came home for Winter Break – that he would still be around.

It was close to Thanksgiving and mom called “Val, can you come home?” I said “yes.” She said “good, I think your dad needs to see you.”

Back then, flying was a big deal for a kid.  I flew from Miami to Detroit, my uncle picked me up and we drove 75 miles to our home in Jackson.

Dad had a million questions and was short on energy. I told him how the college team was doing and how the coach was outstanding.  He was happy, that meant everything.

Dealing with challenges: they do not care how old we are, how smart we are, what we are wearing, or who we know.  Challenges are opportunities that help us reach deeper within ourselves to bridge relationships or circumstances that are far out of our control.  I have learned it is important to have the patience to understand the situation (no matter what it looks like) and negotiate the ‘what-if’ scenarios with other people that may be involved, or at times with your own inner voice.  Challenges will always be a way of life, just like what we are all facing now with the monster of all challenges – mitigation of spreading a virus – and it feels like everything has stopped and that time is the force in control, not us.

Stay positive, live positive and face challenges with an open heart and mind.  This is my experience: be patient.  I practice patience.  Breathing exercises and meditation are amazing tools for the heart and mind. When a person has patience – you can overcome challenges.

Patience is a wonderful gift from the universe.

 

 

 

 

“This is by far my favorite picture. To be standing beside one of the two remaining (living) founders of the LPGA, is such an honor. It’s because of Shirley Spork’s passion, confidence, and perseverance girls and women around the world can be a part of the game of golf!”  

Coach Ben Bergner has been a rock star with The First Tee of Greater Seattle since 2013! Get to know him as he shares how he got his start in the game of golf, his insight, experience and advice for young players!

“I really like golf and I like to have fun with whatever I am doing,” Coach Ben says. “I have been hitting golf balls since I was 2 and have been playing competitively since I was 8, and it is really just about enjoying yourself.  That’s all golf is about.”

What motivates you? “Honestly, I enjoy sharing the game of golf with people, and it’s not always just golf. You learn how to problem solve. Golf is a series of challenges that there is never one answer for, and you always need to think critically. You are always given a different situation and you need to make the best of what you got. What motivates me is that there are always people trying to figure that out and that we are there to help them.” What is your best advice for young players? “Aside from the fact that with every shot you hit, you need to hit the center of the club or as close to it as you can, you have to believe you can hit the shot you are trying to hit. “Frustration comes easily from the ‘golf is hard’ standpoint, but a lot of it is expectations. Players tend to have expectations that aren’t always realistic. Even the pros miss the majority of putts from 10 feet!” Which First Tee lesson or activity is your favorite? “It’s not an actual First Tee lesson, but competition should be fun! I believe in encouraging fun competition to test your skills with different activities and games. Much of life is a competition and we need to have ways to practice that are fun! “One activity that works really well is the Swish Hoop Race – how it works is you set up hoops and hitting stations in an open area – hoops/targets can be modified to accommodate different skill levels. “The goal is to fly a ball into each target hoop – closing that target for the team – and to ‘close out’ the round by closing out all targets, scoring an overall point. After a team hits a ball in a hoop, they must announce their current score. With two hoops, you can just announce ‘first.’ With 3 or more hoops, it works best to use different color hoops and have teams announce loudly the colors they have successfully landed in, e.g. ‘purple and red’ with green hoop remaining. Players within a team alternate a single shot at a time. After each round – rotate groups to new hitting stations.” Favorite golf joke? “I don’t have a favorite golf joke but I do often use ‘FORE’ as a forewarning say if somebody would inadvertently meander outside of the safety zone.” Favorite club in the bag? “I am an equal opportunity clubist! It is a mindset – whatever club I need to hit is the right club!” What hobbies do you have outside of golf? “I honestly like golfing a lot. I have a 3-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback named Cacao that keeps me busy. I also like playing guitar and have been playing for around 20 years. I enjoy BBQing, smoking foods, going to the beach, and I am up for playing any just about any sport at any time. I keep enough stuff in my trunk so that if anyone ever wants to play a sport, I got it!”

Favorite food? “My mom’s jambalaya! Grilled shrimp, chicken, Portuguese sausage, rice, tomatoes, Creole seasoning – spicy, smoky and just amazing! “I also love sushi and teriyaki – we have such good teriyaki here!” Getting back to your journey through golf, who was it that taught you to play? “My dad. He introduced me to the game. He would take us to the driving range and would drill holes out of wooden clubs to make them lighter. He taught me to play until I was 8 – he wanted me to learn from other people so that I would not get frustrated with him. Even to this day he will watch instructional videos and share with me along with tips on how to incorporate them into my game. We play once or twice a week. He knows my game and has seen it evolve. A special moment was when I shot 64 at Jefferson in February and he said it was the best golf he has seen me play and that was special considering the many rounds we’ve played together.” What is a special memory that you have from teaching the game and its values? “I learned how fearless some participants can become. I remember an Eagle class that I was coaching at Riverbend and would take them out to play on the course. When pairing them up I would ask who wants to play against me and every single time, young Eagle player Cole Reynolds said ‘ME!’ It’s rewarding to see how hard the kids work and their desire to come and prove it. Cole coming to class eager to test himself reminded me of myself and how I used to have the skill to beat my dad but could not prove it when playing against him. It reminded me of me and it is special to see that. I beat my dad for the first time when I was 19 or 20 and that includes A LOT of golf.”

  What advice would you give to the aspiring golfer? “Forgive yourself. “If you want to play golf and enjoy it for the long-term, you need to learn to forgive yourself. I don’t consider myself a hot head, but we are all going to hit bad shots and have bad shots multiple times within a round – golf is not a game of perfect. Arnold Palmer used to give himself 7 steps to be emotional and then emotionally done with a shot. 7 steps and it is over – the only shot that matters is the next one.”

For teenagers, caddying is one of the best opportunities to apply yourself, learn, and even earn an income. And for a select few, it can actually lead to a full college scholarship through the Western Golf Association. But it takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. We are proud to announce that Ace member Thomas Hwang has earned his way to being awarded the Evans Scholarship and will be attending the University of Washington as a freshman in 2020 on a full tuition scholarship!

chasing the dream

Three years ago, Thomas began the pursuit of a college scholarship through caddying, and he never looked back. He knew that if he kept his grades up, stayed involved with volunteer and service opportunities, and made caddying a regular part of his routine, he would have a decent chance of being selected. With his dream in his sights, he created a goal ladder and got to work. Caddying jobs are not easy to come by, however, but fortunately Thomas made a great impression with the membership at Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, where a few members have been committed to supporting the youth caddie program. Early in the morning on weekends, while many of his peers were still fast asleep, Thomas would beat the sunrise to the golf course and be ready for the first rounds of the day. Golfers recognized his work ethic and potential, and Thomas was able to complete more than 60 total caddying rounds in just over two years. “It is no small accomplishment, and I’m glad to see that Thomas stuck with it. He’s a very deserving young man.” A former Evans Scholar himself, Craig knows what it takes to qualify, and he also knows the opportunity that it can provide. He has long advocated for and supported youth caddying opportunities in our area, as both a founding member of the First Tee of Greater Seattle Board of Directors, member of Sahalee Country Club, and an active Director for the Western Golf Association. At Glendale Country Club, where Thomas completed all of his rounds, caddying was not always available for teenagers. But in 2017, member and former caddie Dan Hay decided it was time to launch. He worked with Head Professional Kenney Boyd and Assistant Golf Professional Jack Kelly to propose his plan, and contacted First Tee of Greater Seattle with the goal of recruiting the best candidates. To this day, Mr. Hay continues to support each and every caddie individually, and Jack ensures that those opportunities are made available to them. From the beginning they both recognized Thomas’s drive and work ethic. “We teed the ball up, and Thomas hit it right down the middle,” says Dan Hay. “It’s been a pleasure having him caddie for me on many Saturday mornings, and I am proud to see him now going on to college. His future is bright.”

Thomas after his selection meeting, with uncle (left) and First Tee Program Director Evan Johnsen (right).

What is the Evans Scholarship?

The Chick Evans Scholarship for caddies was started by legendary amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. He learned the game as a caddie, won the 1910 Western Open and gained worldwide fame in 1916, when he became the first to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open in the same year. Evans insisted on preserving his amateur status, and any money he received from golf was put toward caddie scholarships. The first two Evans Scholars enrolled at Northwestern University in 1930. Since then, more than 10,800 men and women have graduated from college as Evans Scholars, and 985 are currently in school. The Western Golf Association, founded in 1899, has supported the Evans Scholarship since its inception. The Chick Evans Scholarship for caddies is a grant that covers full tuition and housing in an Evans Scholarship House and may be renewed for up to four years.

Who is eligible for an Evans scholarship?

To be eligible to apply for a Chick Evans Scholarship for caddies, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Strong caddie record: applicants must have caddied, regularly and successfully, for a minimum of two years and are expected to caddie at their sponsoring club the year they apply for the Scholarship.
2. Excellent academics: Applicants must have completed their junior year of high school with above a B average in college preparatory courses and are required to take the ACT and/or SAT.
3. Demonstrated financial need: Applicants must clearly have a need for financial assistance.
4. Outstanding character: Applicants must be outstanding in character, integrity and leadership. (via WGA Evans Scholarship Foundation)

 

Thomas’s story, in his own words:

Hi everyone! I’m Thomas Hwang, a First Tee of Greater Seattle participant as well as a Chick Evans Scholar. This experience/adventure of being both a participant and a scholar started back in my summer vacation, where I was transitioning from being a 5^th grade elementary school student to a 6^th grade middle school student.  During this time, I wanted to try every activity/sport to figure out what I liked best.  At one point, I was swimming, playing basketball, playing soccer, and playing the violin all at the same time! One day, my mom asked if I wanted to learn how to play golf. At first, I didn’t want to because I only heard of the stereotypes in golf.  It’s boring, slow-paced, and only old people want to play golf. But, with enough convincing from my mom, I went to my first summer class with the First Tee. At the first class, the coaches were all so nice and welcoming. We introduced ourselves and then we went on the driving range. The moment I made my first swing and hit the ball, I was hooked. I never felt anything more exciting and thrilling than swinging the club, so I hit ball after ball until I ran out of balls to hit. From that day on, I went to each class, with the mindset of trying to learn as much as I can to reach the highest class level: Ace.  Along with learning golf, we learned life skills as well.  For instance, we learned an acronym called STAR to help make decisions both on and off the golf course.  STAR stands for Stop, Think, Anticipate, and Respond.  On the course, it helps you get out of tough situations, like when you’re in the trees or in the deep rough. Off the course, it helps you learn life skills, like how to talk to people or deal with obstacles in life. After a couple of years, I finally made it to Ace. While I was in Ace, Glendale Country Club was thinking about starting a caddying program that would be eligible for the Chick Evans Scholarship. Glendale contacted the Program Director, Evan Johnsen, to see if any juniors were interested in this opportunity.  Mr. Johnsen then contacted me, and I officially became a caddy at Glendale.  At first, caddying was a little difficult.  I knew the etiquettes of playing golf, which helped tremendously, yet I wasn’t quite sure about caddying etiquette.  Not to mention carrying a golf bag in the Pacific Northwest weather can be wet, to say the least. But over time, I learned how to caddy properly and picked up tricks here and there (always have a rain jacket in the bag).  After about 2 years of caddying, I applied to the Evans Scholarship and I got it! Looking back, the First Tee has given me things I wouldn’t have even dreamed of. I made close friends that I still talk to today, I learned valuable life skills that isn’t taught anywhere else, I learned how to play golf, and I got a scholarship that is/will change my life.  I am very thankful for both the First Tee and the Chick Evans Scholarship for the wonderful opportunities and experiences it has given me, and I want to thank you all for reading my experience/adventure with the First Tee and the Evans Scholarship!

Thomas in a Birdie level class in 2015, at Willows Run Golf Complex.

Thomas in his Ace level class in 2019, at Aldarra Golf Club.

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For more information:

Caddying

Evans Scholarship

In the summer of 2012, Austin Picinich attended his first class with The First Tee of Greater Seattle. He was just 7 years old, bright-eyed and eager to learn about the game of golf. Over the years, Austin applied himself and worked his way through the different levels of the program. Now age 14 and with “Eagle” status, Austin represents a small group of participants who are advanced their mastery of golf and life skills. Austin has made friends, impressed his coaches, competed in chapter tournaments like the Week 9 Championship, was selected as a PGA Junior League team captain and All-Star, and also serves as a volunteer junior coach for younger students.

Austin demonstrating his coaching skills at Willows Run Golf Complex in 2018.

Austin always volunteers to post the daily lesson on the class board. With that handwriting, no one objects!

Austin playing on and coaching his PGA Junior League team in 2016.

Austin is an ambitious young man, and has many talents. When he isn’t playing or teaching golf, his other true passion is art. He likes to create landscapes, people, wildlife… and occasionally golf scenes! This year, Austin decided to take on a new challenge, and one that would combine his passions for golf, art, and The First Tee program. To commemorate his love for the program, and to display for future generations to come, Austin set out to paint a mural at Crossroads Par-3 Golf Course, where he first learned to play. Painting a mural is no small task, and it took Austin several months and many hours of hard work to complete. On Friday, November 8th, Austin proudly hung his finished piece of work on the wall at Crossroads Par-3. And for decades and generations to come, families and young golfers will be inspired by his masterpiece.

Here is a brief Q&A with the artist, Austin Picinich:

What inspired you to create this mural?

I was inspired to create this mural because artwork is an excellent tool to brighten up an environment. Several years ago, a First Tee coach planted the seed of “Wouldn’t it be cool to paint a mural at Crossroads?” I loved the idea, but the project seemed really big at the time. As time went by the idea stuck in my head, and I just had to figure out how to make it work. While measuring the workspace, the idea came to me of painting the mural on a large sheet of plywood as opposed to the wall itself. This made the project seem more realistic that I could paint it at home instead of spending 50+ hours at the pro shop to paint. I have always loved to paint big, and I thought the bigger the better for this project.

How did you get interested in art?

I have been interested in art since a young age, and I began to paint when I was about seven years old. I have been inspired by many artists along the way, and love to attend art festivals and galleries. In my work I merge realism with my imagination and add my own twist of brighter colors that make the subject pop.

How are painting/art similar to golf?

Art and painting are similar to golf in many ways. Both art and golf involve visualizing the desired outcome and being creative of how to execute the plan. When I hit a shot into the lip of a bunker or under a tree, I must be creative of how I want to play the shot. This is similar to how creativity plays a big role in the planning of a painting.

What is your hope for the legacy of this mural? 

My hope for the legacy of this mural is that it will inspire other kids to tackle projects or goals they think too big to accomplish.

Austin lives in Kirkland, Washington and is currently a freshman at Juanita High School. He is pictured here with his dad, Greg, battalion Chief with the Kirkland Fire Department. Austin can usually be found in school, at the golf course, or creating new artwork. Check out Austin’s full gallery of art on his website: www.austinsart.net.

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Thank you Austin for leaving a lasting impression on future generations!