Category: Blog

Boeing Classic comes to town again in 2018!

After nearly 15 years, relationship between Boeing Classic and The First Tee is still going strong

By Aaron Lommers

Special to The First Tee

There are not many better ways to get kids interested in sports than giving them role models to look up to that provide a positive example both in and out of the realm of competition. When the Boeing Classic, a PGA Champion’s Tour event, started at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in 2005, they immediately formed a relationship with The First Tee of Greater Seattle that has allowed young golfers an opportunity to meet and learn from the pros. In addition, a fund-raising event held the Monday after the tournament concludes has helped The First Tee to raise nearly $1.5 million since the tournament began. “It’s a hugely generous gift that the Boeing Classic gave to youth golf, and our community. Former The First Tee executive director Heidi Wills said. “Since (the beginning), the Boeing Classic has truly embraced The First Tee of Greater Seattle, not just by gifting the golf course the day after the final round…but in addition to that, the Boeing Classic offered The First Tee the opportunity to bring youth from the program up to the course and get to have a clinic with one of the pros from the tour.” This year’s events surrounding the tournament and the tournament itself will be held August 20-26. The youth clinic is held the Tuesday prior to the tournament at Snoqualmie Ridge and is led by one or two of the tour professionals. In the past, golfers such as Peter Jacobsen, Tom Kite and Fred Couples have led the clinic. For the kids, the clinic, which usually includes about 200 children, is often the highlight of the week and when The First Tee surveys its members at the end of the year, is often mentioned as one of the most memorable events of the year. “I think that professional golfers can be someone for kids to look up to,” The First Tee program director Evan Johnsen said. “Being able to see them first-hand, how they play and how they conduct themselves and hopefully how much fun they’re having, does make a difference for kids. If they play golf and never get to see that, I don’t know if they have quite as much to reach for or an idea of how they set their own goals and dreams. So, I think it’s crucial for kids to be able to have that exposure to professional golfers.” There are various other events throughout the week, including family day, which is held the Saturday during the tournament. Kids get a chance to watch the tournament as well as participate in several hands-on activities on that day. After the tournament concludes on Sunday, the Boeing Classic has gifted the course to The First Tee for their annual Swing for Kids fundraiser. “We want to provide as many opportunities for kids and fans as we can throughout the week,” Johnsen said. “Because it’s the only golf tournament that occurs in our area annually, and since 2005, it’s the best venue for kids to go watch professional golf and experience some of the fun events that go with a big tournament like that. “By the end of the week, kids and families from the program are pretty jazzed about golf, and about playing and watching more golf,” Johnsen added. “It’s nice to see that momentum.” While the partnership provides a clear benefit for The First Tee, the Boeing Classic is also providing young golfers an opportunity to continue to grow the game and dream big. “It’s a huge Champion’s Tour event with some of the best golfers in the world, but they were once kids and learning how to play golf at a very young age,” said Swing for Kids event director Shelby Lanting. “For the Boeing Classic to be able to support The First Tee is kind of a full-circle experience. “The generosity of the Boeing Classic has been so much appreciated by The First Tee,” Lanting added. “I think it’s given the kids in the program something to aspire to.”                

The RGV Tour Give Big Campaign

Koenig Breaks Ground with RGV Tour across the Country

Fundraising to Support The First Tee of Greater Seattle

By Aaron Lommers

Special to The First Tee of Greater Seattle

We’ve all thought about it. What if I just quit my job and dedicated my time to something I’m really passionate about? Though most of us have thought about it, few actually follow through. Seattle’s Patrick Koenig is actually living the dream. In late 2017, Koenig decided to quit his job as a Global Account Executive for West Unified Communications Services to embark on a journey around the United States playing golf and raising money for the First Tee of Greater Seattle. The RGV tour as it’s called (Recreational Golf Vehicle), kicked off with a send off at Jefferson Park Golf Course on January 27, followed by a round of golf at the site of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in University Place near Tacoma. That round was the first of many Koenig would play at around 300 different courses across the country before the tour concludes back in Seattle in January of 2019. Koenig spoke via phone after playing Dancing Rapids in Philadelphia, Mississippi in late April. Mississippi was the 11th state Koenig had played golf and is about three-and-a-half months into the 12- month trip. “It’s been a lot of fun,” Koenig said. “This was kind of the idea that I envisioned when I started this tour, and it’s pretty exciting that it came to life.”

Since leaving, Koenig said there has only been about five days where he has not played a round of golf, but he’s made up for that by playing 36 holes about 10 times to average just over a round played each day. For Koenig, the trip is about more than just playing golf. It is about raising money to get youth involved in a sport that has been so important for him throughout his life. “I tried to think of the places that have helped me and I said, ‘Man, golf is the thing that has done the most for me, almost without even realizing it,’” Koenig said. “It used to be in life and in golf, I was a little hotheaded, and at times it would get the better of me. It wasn’t good. You quickly kind of realize in golf that doesn’t fly at all, if you want to play well or be fun to play with. “It would’ve been better if I had been in The First Tee, because I would’ve learned some of these things that kind of took me a while to learn,” Koenig added. “That’s why I decided to do it. These kids will have an opportunity to get exposed to the game and get teaching – stuff that I didn’t have at a much younger age. They can benefit from the same things that golf has given me. That’s exactly why I wanted to do this.” Koenig set a goal of raising $10,000 for The First Tee of Greater Seattle and is well on his way, raising nearly half that amount already. He hopes to raise more than the original goal but said he won’t set a new mark until the original mark is achieved. Just how big would a $10,000 donation to First Tee be? It costs around $500 to put a child through the program for one year. If he hits his goal that means at least 20 kids will be able to go through the program. “What Patrick is doing for us, obviously it helps financially with donations that will come in,” First Tee program director Evan Johnsen said. “But even more than that, just kind of inspiring the next generation of golfers, that’s a huge part of it.”

Koenig posts frequently on social media and on his blog (www.pjkoenig.com/golf-blog). Through his posts, he has met several people all over the country interested in what he is doing and willing to play a round with him when he visits their state. One such player is Brent Christy, who lives in Wichita, Kansas. “The people have probably been the best part, because they’ve just been very generous,” Koenig said. “Once they understand what I’m doing, they are like, ‘Wow, that’s awesome.’ They kind of look at me like, ‘What? Man, this guy is weird.’ When I’m explaining it to them for the first time.” Koenig and Christy played three rounds at three different courses in or near Wichita and Christy hosted him for his stay. The two became friends and still communicate frequently throughout Koenig’s travels. “It’s incredible,” Christy said. “If I didn’t have a great wife and a little kiddo, that would be the dream trip for me to go on. That’s the best way I can try to describe it, it’s just a dream trip. Who doesn’t want to go and play all these awesome courses across the United States. It’s really just an incredible opportunity that he has.” Koenig doesn’t have any children, but he is married to a woman he calls, “the most understanding wife ever.” Though his idea may have sounded crazy to some, his wife supported his decision to travel the country raising money and has even joined him briefly along the way. “The short story is I’ve always supported her in what she wanted to do, so when I came up with this idea she was very happy to help support me and my dreams, as dumb as it is driving around the country in an RV,” Koenig said. One thing is certain, Koenig’s idea, which he bankrolled himself, is unique and not likely to be replicated any time soon. “What he’s doing is unlike anything that’s ever been done,” Johnsen said. “There is no other RGV tour that I’ve ever heard of. It’s pretty groundbreaking, actually. For all the efforts that people go through to be creative and do different things, the level of commitment that it takes to quit your job and set out on a solo journey for a full year, apart from your wife, family and everything you know… that is a legendary journey, and definitely a story that we continue to share with our participants, families, and fellow golfers. You never know when the next person will find their spark of interest to do something extraordinary, or where their journey will take them.”  

Donate Today!

All contributions on behalf of the RGV Tour go directly to The First Tee of Greater Seattle and are 100% tax deductible.

 

About The First Tee

The First Tee of Greater Seattle was formed in 2001 through a collaboration between the Broadmoor Golf Club Foundation, The First Tee, the Board of Municipal Golf of Seattle and the City of Seattle. We became the 106th chapter of The First Tee on December 20, 2002. While our legal name is the Seattle Junior Golf Foundation, we do business as The First Tee of Greater Seattle. At The First Tee, kids and teens are learning to play golf along with life lessons and leadership skills. Experts in youth development, golf, and coaching came together to develop The First Tee Life Skills Curriculum. Through the curriculum, coaches seamlessly integrate golf and character building activities into each lesson. As a child progresses through The First Tee Life Skills Experience, the activities and life lessons become more involved, helping young people build character and become even more equipped to make good choices on and off the golf course. We serve more than 1,800 young people annually at 9 different facilities in King County. We also partner with more than 200 local elementary and middle schools to bring the game and its inherent core values to more than 100,000 students during the school day.
Follow Patrick’s journey on the RGV Tour!

Website and blog (pjkoenig.com)

Instagram (@pjkoenig)

Grips Fore Good

Through our Clubs for Kids program, and with the help of our Junior Advisory Board, our chapter resizes and regrips approximately 500 golf clubs per year for junior golfers.
But what happens to all of those discarded rubber grips?
They used to end up in a landfill…
…until we connected with Grips Fore Good!
 
Grips Fore Good collects large quantities of discarded rubber grips, grinds them up, and repurposes them into the base layer of driving range hitting mats, reducing all that waste and providing golfers with a fresh place to practice!
Additionally, GFG has designed a modular mat, which is more economical and can be replaced in pieces, rather than tossing the whole mat away when it’s worn out.
 
Founder of Grips Fore Good, Vito Desantis, was a PGA member with connections to the recycling industry, so it wasn’t long before he realized the amount of waste being generated by discarded rubber golf grips. Through his relationships in golf and manufacturing, he has found a way be successful and make a difference.
 
Ask your local golf course if they are buying their mats from Grips Fore Good. It’s good for golfers and the planet!

Local Participants Attend Network Summit in Orlando

The First tee Network meeting 2017

This biennial event brings together representatives from our network of 155 chapters for education, networking and guest speakers to help them implement best practices and deepen their impact in their communities. There were more than 900 representatives in attendance from The First Tee chapters as we celebrated our 20th Anniversary.

The First Tee Future Leaders and Achievers Summit

Two of our Eagle level participants were among just 28 from around the country selected to attend this month’s The First Tee Network Meeting in Orlando. They had a great week of education, explored ideas with others, and came back inspired and ready to dive into initiatives of their own for 2018! Kayla Tounalom started playing in the program at age 6 in the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf classes at Jefferson Park Golf Course. Now at age 14, Kayla will be developing a plan to grow the game for the next generation of girls by connecting all ages of female golfers with a fun, special event next year.
Isis Beauregard-Coaxum plays on the Garfield High School golf team and sees that many of her peers could enjoy and benefit from learning the game but have never tried it, so she is planning social gatherings to bring more teenagers to the course. Stay tuned for their progress on these exciting endeavors!

The First Tee Alumni Summit

We are so proud of our very own alumni Jessica Kent, who was one of just 12 young adults from around the country selected to attend this week’s The First Tee Network Meeting in Orlando! Jessica joined The First Tee of Greater Seattle in 2006 and received many local and national honors in her 7 years as a participant, and now she continues to make an impact on our community by giving back and inspiring those around her to reach their potential on and off the course. Combining her passion for golf and entrepreneurial spirit, Jessica also helped develop a team at the University of Washington to innovate and launch the GolfScope training aid.
Way to go, Jessica!

Learn more about National opportunities with The first tee

Heidi Wills Sets Out On New Adventures

It is with a great sense of gratitude that we express well wishes to Heidi Wills as she sets off on her next adventure. Heidi has faithfully served The First Tee of Greater Seattle over the last 15 years, first as a board member, then as Executive Director for nearly 13 years. While her time on staff is coming to an end, we know the foundation her leadership built will elevate the organization for years to come. What sets Heidi apart is her commitment to seeing no limits. If it should be done, it can be done. Her optimism, vision, and tireless advocacy have helped The First Tee grow from serving 224 students to serving more than 1,800 young people at golf courses across our community each year. Under her leadership, The First Tee of Greater Seattle has also developed one of the largest school-based programs in the country, serving 100,000 kids annually right here in King County. Heidi inspires those around her to think big, which sets a high bar for excellence. Nationally, The First Tee of Greater Seattle has consistently achieved ACE status, the highest ranking of performance within The First Tee’s network of 155 chapters. Locally, we were recognized by Seattle Business Magazine as a top youth development organization in Puget Sound. Heidi has fueled a tangible passion and framework for effective impact at The First Tee of Greater Seattle and we are excited to see what lies ahead. Thank you, Heidi, for your leadership and selfless service to the organization and to the community. We are hosting a celebratory send-off on Monday, September 18th from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Lakewood Seward Park Community Club. To RSVP, please email Shelby at [email protected]. ALL STORIES LAST STORY

One Step Closer to The Fred Couples First Tee Clubhouse

The dream to build a clubhouse just for kids has never been closer to being realized. The First Tee of Greater Seattle has had a vision to create a special place for community, coaching, and mentorship right at Jefferson Park Golf Course.  Seattle native and PGA TOUR Champion Fred Couples had many of his own dreams begin at Jefferson Park. That’s why he is serving as Honorary Chair of the capital campaign to make The Fred Couples First Tee Clubhouse & Learning Center a reality. This community space will offer kids a place to learn and grow through the game year-round. Classroom space and indoor practice facilities will help ensure the golf course is more than a place kids can improve their golf swings. It will be a safe place they can call their own. Our proposal was recently evaluated by Seattle Parks & Recreation and successfully competed for the opportunity to build the junior golf clubhouse at Jefferson. We are excited to begin land lease negotiations as we continue down this road towards construction.  We are also grateful for a visit from Fred Couples, who recently joined us at the proposed clubhouse site for a brief filming to share the vision and invite others to be a part. Want to be a part of building a legacy? Give today.     NEXT STORY LAST STORY

Seattle Sends Siblings to Compete at Pebble Beach

We’ve all had that daydream where we are taking a victorious walk down the 18th fairway at a major championship, with an adoring crowd cheering us on from both sides. For Seattle participants Bradley and Haley Wong, this dream will soon become their reality. Bradley (17) and Haley (15) were recently selected to play in the 2017 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. This official PGA TOUR Champions event pairs 81 participants of The First Tee with TOUR professionals to compete for the pro-junior title. The siblings will have a chance to play in a field that includes golf greats like Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Vijay Singh, and Colin Montgomerie. The Wongs were chosen through a highly competitive process that included a national panel of judges. Participants were selected based both on their playing ability and their ability to demonstrate leadership using The First Tee Nine Core Values. Haley and Bradley understand what living by the core values is all about. Having both started with The First Tee when they were seven years old, they have grown up in the program and now serve as mentors and coaches to younger players. “Being selected to play at the PURE Insurance Championship means many different things to me,” said Haley. “The First Tee has taught me valuable life skills that have helped me throughout my life. It has provided me with incredible opportunities and I am thankful to be able to play with professionals at a prestigious course like Pebble Beach.” Some might find playing among the world’s best professional golfers a bit intimidating, but Bradley embraces the opportunity to put his First Tee meeting-and-greeting skills to work. “One of the most important lessons that I learned from my coaches at The First Tee is the importance of making eye contact and greeting someone with a firm handshake and an open-ended question,” said Bradley. “I didn’t get this concept when I was younger but when I started working as an assistant coach for The First Tee, I learned to appreciate the value of this life skill. I find it fascinating to learn about other people’s life experiences. No matter what a book or online news article tells us, I believe talking to somebody who has had the experience gives me the most insight into something new.” The PURE Insurance Championship will take place the week of September 19-24, 2017. You can cheer for Haley and Bradley when you watch the action unfold on the Golf Channel. NEXT STORY LAST STORY

We’ve Reached 200 Local Schools!

With the summer season coming to a close, it may seem like the golf season is slowing down. Not at The First Tee! The school year marks a new season of action for The First Tee’s National School Program. Through the National School Program, The First Tee equips local schools with the curriculum, equipment, and teacher training to make character education a regular part of the school day. This year, we’ve hit a new milestone. Now, students at more than 200 schools are having conversations on confidence, perseverance, and integrity in their physical education classes, thanks to The First Tee. This means that more than 100,000 kids throughout King County are being exposed to new opportunities through our school partnerships. The Enumclaw, Riverview, and Snoqualmie School Districts are the latest to join the growing list of school partners. Plus, for the first time, The First Tee is partnering with middle schools in the 2017-2018 school year. This means more opportunities to remind young people of the power of demonstrating respect, celebrating sportsmanship, and using good judgment, with golf as the hook. Learn more about how The First Tee is supporting local schools through the National School Program HERE.  NEXT STORY  ALL STORIES

Building National Leaders

Participants at The First Tee are using the lessons they are learning on the golf course to become leaders at home. But this summer, some are getting a chance to build their leadership on a national scale as well. Every year, The First Tee National Office brings together selected participants from around the country for a host of once-in-a-life time experiences. While the paths of these young people may be separated by thousands of miles, they are united by a love for the game and a desire to make a difference. Read about the experiences of some of our Seattle participants below.

The John Deere Drive Your Future Academy This summer, participant Estey Chen was selected to represent Seattle at the inaugural John Deere Drive Your Future Academy in Atlanta, GA. She was one of 24 participants to attend this all-girls event. During the jammed packed Academy, Estey visited the Carter Presidential Library and the Center for Civil and Human Rights, received coaching on college admissions from Georgia State University advisers, learned about collegiate golf, and volunteered at a local senior center. All the while, Estey had a chance to learn from women executives and connect with new lifelong friends from around the country.

“The John Deere Drive Your Future Academy focused on building confidence, resilience, and using lessons learned over the week to become “powers for good,” said Estey.  “I will immediately apply the lessons I learned by setting an example of confidence and resilience but I hope to continue to apply the lessons throughout my life as I pursue a career in community service as a policy maker, public defender, or civil rights attorney.”

Watch some of the highlights from the Drive Your Future Academy:

The First Tee National Par-3 Championship Daniel McIntyre also had an opportunity to represent Seattle as one of 32 participants selected to compete in The First Tee National Par-3 Championship in Richmond, VA. Daniel represented his region as he went  head to head in this match play East vs West 36-hole competition.
“I learned a lot about patience during this trip,” Daniel commented.  “Having patience while playing was key.  I also kept telling myself to simply enjoy the experience. We all knew we were playing at a course we may never see again and I wanted to enjoy it while it lasted.”
The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy Seattle participant Valerie Tse was also chosen to represent Seattle this summer at the 2017 Life Skills & Leadership Academy. Valerie spent the week at Michigan State University where she had the chance to build relationships with participants and coaches from around the country while building personal leadership skills and exploring college and career plans.
Click here to learn more about the national opportunities offered by The First Tee.

The Golf Channel Features Alum Sophia Pangallo and Her Six Siblings

Through golf, Sophia Pangallo not only found an activity she can enjoy with her 6 siblings, she also discovered a passion for working with individuals with disabilities. After encouragement from her coach at The First Tee, she decided to pursue a degree in special education. She earned a full college scholarship and is now a sophomore at Gonzaga University chasing her dreams. The Golf Channel caught up with Sophia to learn more about her journey. Watch below:

Reflections from Our Graduates

Graduation is a time of reflecting while looking ahead. We asked three of our graduates to share some their favorite lessons from The First Tee. Here are their thoughts:
Khanh Nguyen Participant since 2012 Graduated from: Liberty High School Next steps: Khanh is headed to Seattle University to study nursing. “The most important core value to me is perseverance because it’s the core value that has helped me throughout my life. Perseverance has taught me to never give up, no matter the situation, and to always keep moving on with life. It’s helped me with my golf game because I would’ve never been the golfer I am without being persistent. Perseverance is something that will I carry with me my entire life.”
Haley Chinn Participant since 2004 Graduated from: University of Washington Next steps: Haley is working for a private equity firm in San Francisco.
“The core value that is most important to me is respect. Whether I am on the golf course or in the workplace, I find that respect is something that never goes out of style. Being respectful can go a long way. No matter where you are or who you’re with, always being kind to others and keeping an open mind can sometimes be your greatest strength.”
Makenzie Milton Participant since 2008 Graduated from: Kennedy High School Next steps: Makenzie is headed to Bellevue College to study criminal justice and play on the golf team.
“The First Tee has given me the opportunity to learn more about myself as well as succeeding in the future. By using the core value of judgment throughout my golf career and high school experience, I was able to persevere and achieve success.”
 

The First Tee Helps Kai Pursue His Dream As a Chef

Kai Rullan was one of the quieter students in his class at The First Tee but he took each lesson of his coaches to heart. Now four years after becoming an alumnus of the program, Kai is using the lessons he learned on the course to pursue his dream of becoming a trained chef. Kai recently graduated from the culinary arts program at Seattle Central and has found a way to make a career doing what he loves the most. We asked Kai to reflect on how his experiences at The First Tee made his aspirations his reality. Here is what he had to say: “My teenage years were some of my hardest times. I had to learn to make decisions and hoped they were the right ones. After two weeks in a traditional school, I transitioned to online school. It was a very different experience for me and it was a roller coaster ride of emotions, triumphs, lessons, and failures –mostly failures, academically and personally. But those were the years I felt defined my character the most, and helped me overcome my failures. They were also the years I spent my summers as an intern for The First Tee. The First Tee taught me many things growing up. I always thought it was odd how you can relate the game of golf to life, but it does work out. When making your first shot, know your options, envision your goal, and build contingency plans. When taking that swing, keep your eye on the ball, focus on the task at hand and don’t get distracted. When putting on the green, calculate, line up, and be patient because this is the most important shot. If you miss, keep trying. This all applies to life as well–know your dreams, plan your goals, don’t stray from the path you intended, and if you miss, just keep trying. I believe these lessons brought me through high school and beyond, mainly due to The First Tee Nine Core Values that the program instilled in me. I honor every single core value I learned but I particularly value integrity. Integrity is not what other people tell you that you are. Integrity is who you decide to be and how you treat yourself and others. Your integrity tells others what you do when no one is watching. It can be as small as picking up trash or stepping over it. It can be as big as helping someone without hesitation or remaining a bystander like everybody else. The First Tee program and the people involved have helped me turn my failures into successes. I am always grateful for what I’ve learned and experienced and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. As for my plans, even out of school I’m still learning and that’s something that will never stop. I currently work in a hotel downtown and in a new restaurant in Pike Place. When the time is appropriate, I plan on owning my own establishment here in Seattle, first as a food truck and eventually in a building.”   All Stories  Next Story