Category: Blog

GREG MCLAUGHLIN NAMED WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION CEO & PRESIDENT OF THE FIRST TEE

Written by Austin Williams, The First Tee
Newly consolidated role to bring together direction and leadership of World Golf Foundation, The First Tee, World Golf Hall of Fame; Miller Brady named PGA TOUR Champions President as McLaughlin’s successor ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida, and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (November 28, 2018) – The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors announced today that Greg McLaughlin will assume the combined roles and responsibilities of World Golf Foundation Chief Executive Officer & President of The First Tee. McLaughlin most recently served as President of PGA TOUR Champions, since January 2015; prior to his role at the TOUR, he was CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation for 14 years. McLaughlin will strategically direct the World Golf Foundation, The First Tee and World Golf Hall of Fame, expanding the reach, impact and global prominence of each and ensuring financial performance and sustainability. McLaughlin will serve as a leader among the world’s top golf organizations, and a key ambassador and spokesperson for the game of golf. “We are thrilled to welcome Greg to this incredibly important new role,” said Jay Monahan, World Golf Foundation Chairman and PGA TOUR Commissioner. “I’m not sure we could have asked for a more qualified, passionate leader, considering his deep level of experience and executive leadership success within the golf world and beyond. Given the scope of this newly consolidated role – to further the World Golf Foundation’s mission and build upon the vision of The First Tee – his proven ability to build relationships at the highest level of the sports, business and not-for-profit communities is unique and will be invaluable. This restructure represents an exciting evolution for the World Golf Foundation, and Greg is the perfect person to take the mantle.” World Golf Foundation Board Member and LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan added, “Greg will be a perfect fit in this new role. He is an authentic, proven leader who delivers on so many important attributes – he’s experienced, passionate and a visionary. Specifically, I think Greg will instantly connect with The First Tee chapters, donors and participants. With Greg at the helm, and given his ability to build lasting partnerships, this will be an exciting time for The First Tee and the World Golf Foundation.” “As a member of the greater golf community for more than 30 years, I have always been proud of what the collective efforts of our sport have done and continue to do to inspire communities and change lives, especially for young people who can learn and grow through the values of golf,” said McLaughlin. “This is an exciting time in the evolution of the World Golf Foundation and, specifically, The First Tee, and I am humbled by and excited for the opportunity to lead our industry’s efforts to increase participation and global awareness of golf as a sport that is welcoming to all.” McLaughlin joined the PGA TOUR in 2014, initially as Senior Vice President of the TOUR’s Championship Management division; he was promoted to PGA TOUR Champions President in 2015 and Executive Vice President of the PGA TOUR in 2018. McLaughlin has been instrumental in the success of PGA TOUR Champions, overseeing a record-setting 20-year marketing partnership with Charles Schwab & Co., the implementation of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs and the addition of several new title sponsors and markets. Prior to joining the Tiger Woods Foundation in 2000, McLaughlin was the Vice President of Tournaments at the (now-named) Genesis Open, Honda Classic and BMW Championship. McLaughlin graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Economics. He also received his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Ten-year World Golf Foundation CEO Steve Mona will assist McLaughlin with the transition, as Executive Director of WE ARE GOLF and Senior Advisor, before retiring later next year. In addition, 25-year golf industry veteran, Jack Peter, who has made significant contributions including overseeing the design, build out and operation of PGA TOUR Entertainment and most recently, helping to bring the World Golf Hall of Fame to global prominence in his role as President, will retire from his position at the end of the year. “I’d like to thank Jack for his incredible leadership through the years, specifically his success in raising the profile of the of the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum,” added Monahan. Brodie Waters, World Golf Hall of Fame Vice President of Business Affairs, will lead the Hall of Fame structure, funding and operations with McLaughlin’s oversight, and will also oversee PR/communications activities for the World Golf Foundation. Miller Brady, a 19-year veteran of the PGA TOUR, will succeed McLaughlin to lead PGA TOUR Champions. Brady steps into the role after most recently working under McLaughlin as Senior Vice President & Chief of Operations, where his responsibilities have included direct oversight of tournament business affairs, operations, competitions and player relations as well as scheduling. In previous roles at the TOUR, Brady gained valuable experience within the Corporate Marketing department and as Special Assistant to the Commissioner (Tim Finchem) during the development of the FedExCup. Brady began working in the sports industry in 1996 with Advantage International (now Octagon), overseeing BMW’s grassroots golf program and eventually Bank of America’s PGA TOUR Sponsorship of the West Coast Swing. He is from Atlanta and is a graduate of Georgia Southern University. About the World Golf Foundation The mission of the World Golf Foundation is to unite the golf industry in support of initiatives that enhance the growth of and provide access to the game of golf worldwide, while preserving golf’s traditional values and passing them on to others. In support of that mission, World Golf Foundation focuses on a variety of initiatives to grow and celebrate the game of golf around the world. Through The First Tee, the World Golf Foundation focuses on positively impacting the lives of young people. Under the banner of the World Golf Hall of Fame, it recognizes and celebrates golf’s greatest players and contributors and serves as an inspiration to golfers and fans worldwide. The World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative pursues programs to ensure golf’s continued growth and vitality. All World Golf Foundation initiatives work together to support the growth of the game among youth, women and minorities, while also fostering diversity within the golf industry. The World Golf Foundation also supports the golf industry in a variety of other roles, including acting as a centralized vehicle for communicating the industry’s initiatives to the media, providing a forum for golf’s organizations to collaborate on initiatives of mutual importance and commissioning and disseminating to golf’s stakeholders research on key aspects of the game. About The First Tee The First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has grown its network to deliver programs in all 50 United States. In 2016, The First Tee brought character education through the game of golf to more than 5.3 million young people. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Johnson & Johnson is The First Tee’s Legacy Partner and Southern Company is its Education Patron. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501c3. About PGA TOUR Champions PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. In 2019, the PGA TOUR Champions schedule will include 27 tournaments across the United States, Japan, England and Canada, with purses totaling nearly $58 million. The Charles Schwab Cup, which includes the Regular Season and the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, is used to determine the season-long champion. All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, telecasts air in excess of 190 countries and territories, reaching more than 330 million potential households. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, Facebook, Twitter (@ChampionsTour) and Instagram (@pgatourchampions).

Young golfers take on big fundraising effort

We’re always thankful for our terrific coaches and volunteers, but two young participants went above and beyond to show their appreciation this holiday season, and completely knocked our socks off! Brianna Nguyen (12) and Kylie Nguyen (13) have enjoyed their many years playing with The First Tee of Greater Seattle, and the chance to build lasting relationships with a host of caring adult mentors. They wanted to find a way to express their thanks, but not just to the coaches they’ve met… they wanted to thank ALL of the adults impacting youth at The First Tee of Greater Seattle, which is nearly 100 people! So they got to work…   Since winters can be cold in Seattle, their goal was to provide a nice, warm beverage for all the coaches and volunteers, so they set out to raise enough to give each person a $5 gift card. That way, they could purchase any warm beverage of their choice! In order to raise all that money, they sold the golf clothes they had outgrown and shared the story with friends and family, who were happy to support the cause.     Not only did they raise the $500 they needed for the gift cards, they also reached out to local golf clubs and instructors to procure some special gifts for the coaches they know best at The First Tee. In all, Brianna and Kylie raised over $1,000 in value. But the thoughtfulness, gratitude, and perseverance that went into this endeavor is priceless, and we’ll remember it forever.     We are so proud of Brianna and Kylie, humbled by their amazing gesture, thrilled to share with our coaches and volunteers, and grateful to have the chance to connect adults and youth in such a meaningful way. Thank you for the inspiration, Brianna and Kylie. Happy holiday season!        

Brandon Teeny wins Junior Golf-a-Thon

How many holes can you play in one day? Brandon Teeny pushes the limit and inspires everyone around him. Tonight we witnessed the magic of sports front and center when The First Tee of Greater Seattle hosted its third annual Junior Golf-a-Thon at the Jefferson Park Par 3 Golf Course.  Throughout the event, our young participants were challenged to find out how many holes of golf they could play in one day.  They took on fundraising responsibilities for the event, collecting pledges and procuring monetary donations in support of the chapter. From 9:00am to 11:59pm on July 18, an AMAZING young man named Brandon Teeny played 181 holes of golf. Brandon Teeny isn’t your average teenager.  He lives with a developmental disorder called cerebral palsy, which affects his balance and motor skills.  This, however, in no way, shape, or form defines him as a person or an athlete.  Rather, Brandon is known for his talents, his character, and his vibrant personality. Brandon has been involved with our chapter for over 8 years, where he has seen and experienced so much.  While I haven’t known Brandon long, I have been fortunate to get to know him this year through our mentoring program. True to form, not only did Brandon accomplish an incredible milestone and eclipse Golf-a-Thon records, but he did so with class.  He cited “playing today with so many random people” as the highlight of the day. Brandon played the course in order and waited patiently, especially when playing with younger participants.  Yet, he still remained a man on a mission. I asked Brandon around 10pm how many birdies he had on the day of the 120-some holes he had played at the time. He replied, “It would be 1 but it hit the flagstick, so technically it’s a 2 shot penalty.”  I admired his honesty – It was sincere and genuine.  He took pride in acting with integrity, which is an admirable quality, particularly for such a young individual.  Brandon proved that he is wise and mature well beyond his years. Brandon is an amazing human being.  He inspires me and so many others, and we are lucky that he has remained part of The First Tee of Greater Seattle. Cheers to you, Brandon. Here’s to your perseverance, and congratulations on an incredible milestone!

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.