While many aspire to turn their greatest passions into a career, alumni Jessica Kent is doing just that. Jessica is an undergrad at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. As part of the Entrepreneurship program, Jessica and her classmates were charged with launching a profitable business in just 10 weeks.
They say necessity is the mother of invention and Jessica and her team
needed to succeed. If the business fails, they fall the class, so Jessica and her team were determined to find a need in the market. From there
GolfScope was born. GolfScope is a golf training aid designed to support the most competitive and the newest golfer alike. The training aid helps golfers with proper swing angle to help them focus on getting the most power out of their swing. As the CEO of the startup, we asked Jessica to share a bit about her experiences diving into the golf business. Here is what she had to say:
How did the idea for GolfScope come about?
The idea for GolfScope stemmed from a homemade training aid device.
While playing competitive golf throughout middle and high school, I had up and down days. The main problem I faced with my golf swing was straightening my spine angle at impact which resulted in inconsistent ball striking. The solution was a makeshift training aid device that provided me with a visual cue when my spine angle was not maintained. After seeing the huge improvement in my golf scores, I thought other golfers could benefit from it too. With a team of 4 other UW undergraduate students (Nic Larrivee, Daniel Stoll, Jiri Ferenc, and Taylor Herring), we conducted interviews with PGA Professionals, as well as competitive and casual golfers of all ages to further refine the idea and fulfill the desire for a smaller, more discrete, and less invasive training aids. What developed was GolfScope.
What makes it unique in the golf training aid market?
Many of our competitors market expensive, clunky large aids that
physically restrict head movement by coming directly into contact with the golfer. GolfScope provides a discreet, less invasive solution that uses a
visual guide that golfers look through during the swing to provide a natural, subconscious way to correct head movement problems and promote a consistent spine angle. The secret to GolfScope is during the swing, the golfer can see if the golf ball is centered in the “scope” or the circle piece of the device. If there is any swaying or “popping” out of the proper spine angle during the swing, the ball would no longer be centered in the “scope.” After hitting several balls with GolfScope, you will be able to understand and feel what is the proper body position, and start to strike the ball more solid which will result in increased accuracy, lower golf scores, as well as assist in reducing lower back pain by eliminating excess twisting of the spine during the swing.
Are there any lessons of The First Tee that you have found yourself using in the process of developing and marketing your product?
When given the task to create a fully launched company in 10 weeks, it’s easy for stress to take over because you have to constantly think on your feet to quickly adapt to changing situations. The First Tee life skill
Replay,
Relax,
Ready,
Redo also known as the “4R’s,” were the four words I found myself constantly referring to when persevering through challenges our business faced. Our team has undertaken a lot of risks regarding decisions when designing our product, choosing manufacturers, as well as choosing how to allocate resources among marketing strategies. Not all of these risks worked out as planned, but it made us stronger as a team. For example, when our team’s initial distribution channel to reach customers was not performing as well as expected, we “replayed” the situation and took a step back to “relax” and analyze how we could learn from this experience. With a new vision for our business, we were “ready” to “redo.” By learning at each stage of our business, we have continued to grow with steady sales.
Tell us about introducing Jermaine Kearse to GolfScope?
You’ll never know when The First Tee’s meet and greet taught at the PLAYer level will come in handy! Needing to create a “how to” video for our golf training aid, Nic Larrivee (my teammate) and I headed to the driving range to film. Carrying a golf bag, a camera, two tripods, an ipad, and multiple GolfScopes for the video shoot, we were attracting curious side glances from those at the driving range including one particular patron, Seahawk Player and UW alumni Jermaine Kearse! Using The First Tee’s meet and greet, we approached Jermaine by introducing ourselves and asking him if he would be interested in trying out our product. He agreed and participated in a before and after video swing analysis with our training aid. Afterwards he purchased a GolfScope!
College can be a challenging time. What challenges have you found yourself overcoming during your college years and how did The First Tee prepare you?
The biggest challenge I faced in college was putting myself out there to meet new people to form teams and pursue new opportunities. Before I enrolled in The First Tee, I was extremely quiet and preferred to stay in my comfort zone. Today, I am an invited member of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Washington where we actively engage with successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalist in the Seattle area to learn from their experiences. Inspired by these entrepreneurs, I enrolled in a startup class and have received funding to launch our golf training aid startup “GolfScope.” These are all things I thank The First Tee for because The First Tee provided me an environment of coaches who helped me build the self-confidence needed to overcome hesitations I had towards public speaking and trying new things. Through attending The First Tee’s national opportunities, I was able to learn from world leaders such as Hall of Fame Golfer Annika Sorenstam and Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, to accomplish high goals by building powerful teams, visions, and effective communication. In college, there so many opportunities and resources open to students. You just have to be willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone to pursue your goals and visions.
What are your plans for after college?
Growing up with The First Tee program, sports shaped me into the person I am today. Through my involvement with The First Tee, I see the empowering impact sports have in instilling core values such as self-confidence, perseverance, and integrity that help participants succeed not only in sports but in life. I strongly believe the best athletes are those who give back to inspire other athletes. I plan to go into marketing and utilize my creativity side in digital media to create marketing campaigns to capture and empower athletes. Through working with The First Tee and interning at the PGA TOUR, I have already accomplished mini steps of my goal ladder. I plan to graduate with a double degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, as well as a Minor in Dance at the University of Washington next year and accomplish my goal of pursuing a career in the sports industry after college.
Life often sends quiet reminders that time is a gift. Three years ago, Tom White’s reminder came in the form of a diagnosis. Doctors told him he had brain cancer and that it was terminal.
The first two years after his diagnosis were difficult. Treatments and doctors appointments left him physically exhausted. His tumor, which impacts the portion of his brain that controls speech and language, took its emotional toll as well. But after spending time grappling with the new realities of his life, Tom was more determined than ever to live in a way that helped others. That’s when he decided to get involved in The First Tee.
You can now find Tom at Jefferson Park three days a week, helping coach countless kids in The First Tee with their golf swings and serving as an inspiring role model of perseverance. On some days, Tom can be seen smiling as he coaches a class of high-energy 7 and 8 year olds on the importance of confidence and meeting-and-greeting. On other days, he coaches an outreach class of young men from a boys’ home, many of whom are seeking refugee status and all of whom have never played golf before coming to The First Tee. Seeing Tom’s grin from ear to ear, it is clear that he has found a place where he is no longer a cancer patient. To his students, he is simply Coach Tom.
“I just love the kids,” says Tom. “Because of my issue with cancer, I have a lot of opportunity to give back. I feel very privileged that I have been given some period of time to do so.”
Tom’s brain cancer may be challenging his speech but it is no match for his sense of purpose. When he thinks back to his own childhood, Tom fondly remembers summer days when his parents would drop him and his older brother off at the golf course. The brothers would spend the whole day at the course together building a love for the game that has lasted Tom more than 60 years. He wants to give more kids those fond memories playing the game while helping teach the lessons that matter in life.
“Time is precious to everyone and it certainly is precious for Tom,” said Evan Johnsen, Program Director. “We often use lack of time as an excuse, but if Tom can find the time to give back then we all can.” 
Khanh Nguyen, 17, is no stranger to competition. As an ACE level participant at The First Tee, she knows how to use values like confidence and perseverance to keep her cool under pressure. But recently, Khanh has found the lessons of The First Tee helping her in competitions off the golf course as well.
Khanh is a member of her school’s DECA program, a program that introduces students to the world of entrepreneurship, marketing and finance through business projects and competitions. When asked to picked an enterprise to analyze, Khanh went straight to her passion and immediately thought of The First Tee. Her project partner had visited a class at The First Tee with Khanh during a “Bring A Friend” day and was sold on the idea too. The two set out to learn more about The First Tee’s marketing strategies and designed a plan to engage the organization’s target market through social media and mobile platforms.
Khanh and her partner presented their marketing plan during the Washington State DECA competition this March in Bellevue. Their strategic thinking and innovation secured them a trip to compete at DECA nationals in Anaheim, CA this week!
Khanh is a leader in many arenas. She has been participating in The First Tee with her sister since 2011. In addition to taking classes, Khanh serves as a intern with the program and is a member of The First Tee Junior Advisory Board. She was recently named a national First Tee Scholar for her dedication to and leadership within the program and in her community.
While Khanh clearly has the talent and skills to be a successful marketer, her heart is for healthcare. Khanh will be studying nursing at Seattle University starting this fall.
This week, 28 students from Tolt Middle School kicked off Masters Week with a field trip to Blue Heron Golf Course. The students were greeted by excited coaches from The First Tee and a host of activity stations around the course that gave them a chance to put their skills to the test. Whether on the driving range or around the greens, the students spent the morning building confidence in new ways and in new spaces.
Through The First Tee’s DRIVE program, these middle schoolers have been learning the elements of the game during their P.E. class. DRIVE, which stands for Develops Rewarding, Inspiring Values for Everyone, gives young people a chance to learn about golf and develop character through fun golf games in any environment. The First Tee of Greater Seattle partners with more than 190 schools to introduce the game and its values during the school day to more than 100,000 students throughout King County.
When Kayla, 16, began with The First Tee last fall, she was simply looking to explore something new. Having decided to end her time on the swim team, she wasn’t entirely committed to getting into another sport but was willing to give it a shot. With a bit of hesitancy and some encouragement from her mom, Kayla signed up for the Teen & High School class at Willows Run Golf Course. She soon discovered that through The First Tee, she had not only found a sport she could call her own but a training ground for developing skills to succeed in school and in her other passions, as well. We asked Kayla to share what she has learned during her time at The First Tee.
Here is what she had to say:
What do you like most about The First Tee?
I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging, helpful, and friendly the coaches are, and how much fun I ended up having.
Is there a lesson you learned in class that has been helpful off the golf course, as well?
Learning about the 4 R’s (Replay, Relax, Get Ready, and Redo) has been helpful in staying level-headed in school. When I don’t understand a subject and it gets frustrating, I remember to stay calm, and think about what I did, what I should do next, and then try again.
The lesson on good sportsmanship has been really helpful, not only in golf, but in all-around learning to have a good attitude in life, whether things are going well, or not. I think that this is one of the most important lessons that The First Tee teaches. It’s not about doing well, it’s about your attitude, whatever the outcome.
Coupled with good sportsmanship and the 4R’s is also the lesson on perseverance. I like how The First Tee teaches you that it’s not the end of the world when you mess up – you just have to keep trying. This has been helpful to me when I’m trying out new things in school, and also in baking. Sometimes when I try out a new recipe or idea and it doesn’t go as well as I had hoped, it’s nice to remember these lessons, and keep a good attitude.
What are some of your current goals?
For a short-term life goal, I think the most important thing is doing well in school and getting good grades. Education is rather important to me and while I’m in high school, I want to learn all that I can in broad areas so that when I’m in college and am studying more specific things, I can still have a wider range of knowledge.
Long-term, I love baking cupcakes, and one day I hope to open an independent bakery.
In terms of a golf goal, it’s about improving. I find golf really fun, so I want to get better at it and continue to play.
You see, Mike and Ed are brothers and some of their treasured family time is spent coaching for The First Tee. You can often find the dynamic duo at Blue Heron helping kids gain the same benefits from junior golf that they enjoyed. Mike began volunteering with The First Tee in 2012 after learning about it on the Golf Channel. After the first season, he was hooked and soon recruited Ed so they could share the joy of coaching together.
We asked Mike and Ed about their time with The First Tee. Here is what they had to say:
Why are you passionate about the work of the First Tee?
“Having Shelia as a mentor is amazing,” says Isis. “I couldn’t ask for a better one. We go together well and I appreciate her so much. She has taught me many skills and values that I can use for the rest of my life such as leadership and coming out of my shell.”
Isis and Shelia have been paired in The First Tee Mentoring Program for two years. Through the program, Isis and Shelia come together every other week with other mentors and mentees for dinner, golf, and group activities. Whether it is a round on the par-3, a glowball tournament, a trip to the museum, or a workshop on planning for college, their time together reminds Isis that in Shelia she has found someone who is committed to being in her corner.
When Isis is not on the golf course, you can find her on the school soccer and softball teams, working as a basketball referee, or volunteering at the Woodland Park Zoo. She is thankful for the listening ear and partner in planning she has found in her mentor.
“Shelia has truly helped me become a better person and we will be in each other’s lives forever. I can’t explain in words how much she has helped me grow into the person I am today. All I can say is THANK YOU SHELIA!”
Interested in connecting with a young person in The First Tee through your love of the game? 
Through a partnership with Jubilee Reach, The First Tee of Greater Seattle now serves girls from every Bellevue Middle School through the Club Jubilee Girls Golf after school program. More than 150 girls benefit from The First Tee’s spring and fall programming at Crossroads Par-3 Golf Course. Girls hop on buses after school three days a week and head to the course, where they receive coaching on their golf swing and on building a great attitude. First Tee Coach Josh Andrews works as a Site Coach for Jubilee Reach, working on site during the school day to support students develop as great people and great athletes. We asked Coach Josh to share a bit about his experiences with the partnership. Here is what he had to say:
How long as you served as a Site Coach with Jubilee Reach?
This will be my second year with Jubilee Reach working as a site coach at Stevenson.
Why do you think the site coach role is important to the development of students?
The role of a site coach is important to the development of students. As a site coach we provide support to both the teachers and students. If it social, emotional or working on assignments we are there to help. Showing up everyday and making sure the kids are safe and doing well while they are in school is important to their success.
What impact have you seen The First Tee/Jubilee Reach partnership have on the girls involved in the program at Crossroads?
Working with Jubilee allows TFT to reach more children within our schools. Having children learn Life Skills and Core Values through the game of golf is awesome. It makes learning fun and allows children room for self discovery.
What is your favorite part of coaching at The First Tee?
My favorite part of working with TFT is being with the kids, having fun, learning golf and being a kid again. We just have fun learning, I believe that’s how we should learn. Make learning fun! 
The school day is about more than learning math, science, and history. It is a time for kids to learn about themselves and their goals. That’s why The First Tee partners with schools across King County to make sure lessons on core values are a key part of the school day.
The First Tee’s School Program not only introduces elementary students to the game of golf, but The First Tee Nine Core Values and The First Tee Healthy Habits during physical education classes. This school year, two new districts will benefit from the program. Students at nine elementary schools in the Tukwila and Snoqualmie School Districts will learn values like confidence, respect, and perseverance through the program this year. These schools will be among 185 schools throughout King County delivering the program.
The First Tee of Greater Seattle’s School Program is the second largest program of its kind in the country. Through the program, teachers receive professional training, curriculum, and equipment to integrate The First Tee Nine Core Values into their daily activities.
And teachers are seeing the impact. “Homeroom teachers comment to me that our kids are on their best behavior during golf week, ” said PE teacher Jeanine Bastasch. “I know it’s not because of the golf, but because of the core concepts we are teaching, like respect and judgment.”