Month: January 2026

First Tee’s 2026 national events connect teens with mentors, experiences that shape their futures

Signature programs bring young people face-to-face with business leaders, professional athletes and life-changing opportunities

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2026) – First Tee is pleased to announce its 2026 lineup of national participant events, offering teens powerful opportunities to grow as leaders, athletes and changemakers. Through partnerships with leading companies, organizations and generous individuals, First Tee provides experiences that challenge young people to step outside their comfort zones and discover their potential in supportive environments.

These national events are part of First Tee’s broader commitment to keeping teens actively engaged during the critical adolescent years, a need underscored by research from First Tee and The Harris Poll showing that nearly 90% of parents believe character development deserves greater emphasis in today’s society. Through First Tee’s Ace capstone program, junior coach opportunities and immersive national events, First Tee builds essential life skills and creates lasting mentor connections that help teens navigate this pivotal stage of development.

2026 Participant Events include:

Leadership Series (March 2026): In partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore, this five-week program guides participants through discovering their unique leadership values and strengths. It is held at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country.

National Championship (June 21-25, 2026): The University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club will host First Tee’s top high school golfers as they demonstrate their character and competitive skills developed through the program.

Game Changers Academy (July 18-22, 2026): Now in its 26th year, this signature event returns to Minneapolis, challenging teens to celebrate their unique perspectives and create positive change in their communities.

Leadership Summit (Aug. 3-7 and 10-14, 2026): Leadership Series graduates can apply for this adventure-based learning experience at West Creek Ranch in Montana, where PGA TOUR Superstore executives mentor participants through activities like horseback riding and whitewater rafting, designed to strengthen their leadership capabilities.

PURE Insurance Championship (September 15-20, 2026): At the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, teens compete alongside PGA TOUR Champions players and connect with business leaders in an event broadcast on Golf Channel, blending elite golf with career mentorship.

Drive Your Future Academy (Oct. 8-12, 2026): In partnership with John Deere, this event brings young women to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to connect with accomplished female mentors from John Deere and other leading organizations and explore pathways for continued involvement in golf and leadership beyond high school.

Innovators Forum (Nov. 15-19, 2026): Participants collaborate with seasoned business and nonprofit leaders in Amelia Island, Florida, to design and launch community service initiatives that make a difference in their hometowns.

First Tee participant events provide opportunities for teens to pursue their interests, expand their horizons and grow as people. For some, these events represent their first time on an airplane, visiting a college campus or traveling on their own. This freedom gives teens the opportunity to use good judgment, grow through challenge and build positive self-identity.

“These events represent some of the most meaningful moments in our participants’ First Tee journey,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We consistently hear from teens, parents and coaches that these experiences help crystallize what is possible for their futures. We are deeply grateful to AWS, John Deere, PGA TOUR Superstore, PURE Insurance, Topgolf and countless individual supporters who invest in these life-changing opportunities.”

First Tee’s national participant events serve more than 300 teens annually. Interested teens and parents should reach out to their local First Tee chapter for application information. The First Tee National Championship, Game Changers Academy and PURE Insurance Championship are currently accepting applications through March 18. High school seniors can also apply for the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

First Tee is a nonprofit youth development organization that empowers young people through the game of golf, helping them develop inner strength, confidence and life skills they’ll use on and off the course.

Building bridges: How First Tee chapters create lasting impact through community partnerships

When First Tee chapters set out to serve young people, they don’t do it alone. The 2025 Barbara A. Douglas and Dr. William J. Powell Community Award winners demonstrate how strategic community partnerships can transform lives and strengthen entire communities. 

These three chapters share the common understanding that meaningful impact requires more than programming. It requires building authentic relationships with schools, community organizations and local institutions that share First Tee’s commitment to youth development. 

Meeting youth where they are 

First Tee – Greater Richmond has mastered the art of bringing golf and life skills directly into students’ daily lives. Through their partnership with Henrico County Public Schools, the chapter hosts over 25 Title I field trips each school year. But they’ve taken accessibility even further with Anna Julia Cooper School, a charter school in Richmond’s East End. What started as a pilot program in 2023 now allows middle school students to select golf as an elective and travel to First Tee’s facilities for immersive curriculum delivery. 

The results speak volumes: In 2024, First Tee – Greater Richmond reached more than 70,000 kids and teens, with female participation growing to 42% and over 60% of participants representing ethnically diverse backgrounds. 

Leading with representation 

First Tee – Birmingham understands that inclusion starts with who’s leading the program. The chapter has intentionally built a leadership structure that reflects the communities it serves, with a diverse board and coaching staff, partnering with HBCUs like Miles College to build this pipeline. It outpaces the First Tee network average, with more than 40% of participants coming from underserved communities, as defined by the Distressed Communities Index. 

Through community partnerships with Birmingham City Schools, i3 Academy and the Birmingham Housing Authority, the chapter brings programming directly to students who need it most. Full program scholarships for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch ensure that financial barriers never prevent participation. 

Scaling through strategic collaboration 

Under the leadership of executive director Henry Pointer, the first African American PGA Professional from Louisiana, First Tee – East Baton Rouge Parish has increased participation by over 110% in just three years. 

“Most of our community programs are located in underrepresented areas of the city,” Pointer said. “The fact that I grew up in a community such as that gave me the opportunity to play a part in impacting kids in those areas is a huge benefit to me.” 

Its partnership with Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks provides access to five public golf courses, office space and paid staff at no cost to First Tee. But BREC benefits too: First Tee provides valuable data that helps it gain and maintain accreditations. 

The chapter’s comprehensive partnership portfolio includes the 100 Black Men, Empower 225, four YMCA locations, the Louisiana National Guard summer youth camp and the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition. 

The power of sustainable partnerships 

What sets these chapters apart isn’t just the number of partnerships they’ve formed but the intentionality behind them. They seek organizations with similar missions, build relationships that benefit all parties and commit to ongoing engagement. 

Community partnerships don’t just expand reach but deepen impact, one young person at a time. The Barbara A. Douglas and Dr. William J. Powell Community Award is presented in partnership with Golf Digest, which will make donations to support the efforts of all three winning chapters. 

Vivian D’Orazi: From identifying my strengths to finding my calling

Vivian D’Orazi is an alumna of First Tee — Metropolitan New York and a First Tee Scholar. Now a senior and member of the golf team at York College of Pennsylvania, Vivian reflected on one of the most impactful experiences she had at First Tee:

At just 5 years old, I had no idea how much of an impact First Tee would have on my life. What started as weekly classes quickly turned into something so much more, a community that gave me a coach who feels like family, lifelong friends, and opportunities I never could’ve imagined. Today, I’m playing collegiate golf and pursuing a degree in marketing, all thanks to the foundation First Tee helped me build.

One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had through First Tee was participating in a five-week Leadership Series with PGA Tour Superstore. During this program, which takes place at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, I took a deep dive into who I am, identifying my personal strengths, values, and the direction I wanted to take in life.

As part of the series, we were challenged to explore careers that aligned with our individual strengths and values. I discovered that my top strengths include achiever, arranger, relator, restorative, and belief. My values, integrity, family, teamwork, and helping others, also became clear.

At first, I wasn’t sure how those qualities could translate into a career. But after doing some research and reflection, I realized that marketing might be a good fit. From there, I began exploring the many paths within marketing, and that’s when I found something that truly sparked my interest, event marketing. The idea of creating meaningful experiences for others, moments they’ll remember and enjoy, resonated with me deeply.

I’ve made so many core memories at sporting events as a kid, laughing and cheering with my family and friends. Now, I want to help create those same experiences for other people. That’s where my strengths and values really come to life, through collaboration, creativity, and a desire to bring joy to others.

Leadership Series opened a door I didn’t even know existed. It’s what led me to major in marketing in college, and now, in my senior year, I feel more confident than ever in the path I’m on.

At the end of the five-week series, I was honored to be selected for the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Montana, an experience that took everything to the next level. I rode a horse for the first time, went white water rafting, and took in some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. But more than that, I stepped outside of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I took on new challenges, embraced different ways of thinking, and began to view leadership through a broader, more empowering lens.

Being surrounded by other motivated, passionate First Tee participants in such a beautiful place helped me grow not just as a leader, but as a person. It gave me the confidence to use my voice, trust in my abilities, and believe in the power of staying true to my values.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for how far I’ve come, and even more thankful for the experiences and people who helped me get here. From taking my first swing with First Tee to now preparing to graduate college with a clear vision for the future, I wouldn’t trade a minute of the journey.

Support First Tee and its life-changing programs by becoming an Ambassador today!

Alex Nguyen’s First Tee journey goes well beyond graduation

For First Tee – Sandhills alumnus Alex Nguyen, the path from learning life skills on the golf course to exploring career opportunities in cloud computing might seem unexpected, but it’s a testament to how First Tee’s foundation prepares young people for success.

Alex’s professional journey has taken him from serving as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army to pursuing an MBA, interning at Amazon and now navigating an exciting transition into the tech industry.

Through the First Tee Alumni Network, he recently attended AWS re:Invent, the world’s largest cloud computing conference, an experience that proved invaluable as he works toward his goal of becoming a program manager who bridges the gap between innovation and the operational frameworks needed to bring them to life.

Expanding what’s possible

Attending re:Invent, an opportunity made possible by First Tee Trustee AWS, helped Alex expand his horizons. “My time at re:Invent allowed me to explore roles and functions I previously knew little about or thought might be unobtainable,” he said.

Learning directly from AWS employees about their journeys in tech helped Alex refine his approach to his own career transition, particularly valuable as he pivots from military service to the private sector. Currently studying for his MBA at Duke University, Alex gained practical insights into how to communicate his value to potential employers, he said.

When asked to describe re:Invent in three words, Alex chose “insightful, exciting, immersive,” a fitting summary for a conference that brings together tens of thousands of technology professionals, innovators and industry leaders. But among the packed schedule of sessions and exhibits, some of Alex’s most memorable moments happened in familiar territory: on the golf course.

“Golf provides the perfect medium for having meaningful conversations and to dive deep into the experiences of AWS partners and fellow First Tee alumni,” Alex said. The golf outing and networking reception at TPC Las Vegas gave him the chance to connect with professionals in an environment where the life skills he learned at First Tee – like communication, confidence and building relationships – came into play.

“Connecting with First Tee alumni who are at various stages in their career and education was a blast,” he said, highlighting the lasting community that First Tee creates.

Enduring values and connections

Alex said First Tee lessons like integrity, perseverance, respect and judgment all carried into his military service and continue to guide him today. Now he’s following his dreams using strategies he learned at First Tee. “Whether it was planning for grad school or preparing for a career transition into tech, I use the framework taught to me by my First Tee coaches and mentors to break down a vision into sets of actionable goals,” he said.

For Alex, staying engaged with First Tee as an alumnus was a natural choice. “First Tee was a constant for me growing up,” he said. But beyond nostalgia, he’s found that the alumni community continues to offer real value, including connections to other young professionals who share similar values. Alex’s experience at re:Invent is just one example of how First Tee’s alumni program creates opportunities that extend far beyond the golf course.

How the stages of youth development inform golf instruction at First Tee 

You can play for a lifetime and never master golf. It’s what keeps many players coming back to the game: the search for the perfect drive, pitch, chip or putt.  

While golfers of all age will attest that there’s always room for improvement, young players can benefit from starting small and learning the sport in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of development, helping them build confidence and setting them up for success in the long run. 

Featuring fun games, colorful landscapes and nontraditional equipment, this might mean a First Tee class will look different from a typical golf lesson, especially for younger players. But they’re designed to teach golf fundamentals, keep kids engaged and teach valuable life lessons that can be applied off the course. 

“At First Tee, we believe that meaningful learning happens when instruction aligns with a child’s developmental stage,” said Kristin Westberg, senior director of training and evaluation. “The shift to age-based learning in our curriculum wasn’t just a structural update; it was a strategic decision rooted in research and our commitment to youth development.” 

“By meeting kids where they are cognitively, socially and emotionally, we’re not only teaching golf more effectively, but we are also helping young people build confidence, character and resilience that lasts far beyond the course,” Westberg said. 

Here’s how the stages of youth development inform our programs: 

Age 7-9 

As the parents of our youngest participants know, there may be moments in these classes where kids aren’t holding golf clubs but practicing more familiar skills that can eventually translate to the course. For example, rolling a ball can help teach kids about distance control on the green, while playing catch can help improve hand-eye coordination. 

 At this age, kids are learning how to be friends, manage emotions and follow directions. That’s why First Tee coaches aim to keep kids moving, offer positive encouragement and provide clear instructions. 

Age 10-11 

During this stage, kids are often improving their fine motor skills and learning to stay on task. It’s also when the concept of “personal best” typically starts to resonate. When working with this age group, First Tee coaches refrain from comparing participants to one another, but rather compare a participant’s past and present performances. 

Through games and activities, kids are learning more complex golf concepts, like pre- and post-shot routine and club selection, but most participants are still focused on having fun and making friends. 

Age 12-13 

Most participants in this age group have chosen golf as their sport, and they’ll typically start picking up new golf skills more quickly. Because this group is advancing rapidly, parents may see skill disparities develop among players, but First Tee coaches are trained to make classes fun and engaging for all skill levels. 

While players in this age group have typically made serious strides in terms of distance response, target awareness, body balance and other golf fundamentals, they’re often facing more social challenges. This age group tends to be more conscious about what others think of them, which is why First Tee coaches are trained to encourage participation in all activities and cultivate strong and supportive relationships. 

Age 14+ 

Compared to younger players, teens are typically seeking guidance, suggestions and alternatives instead of detailed instruction, and this is reflected in First Tee’s class format. Coaches aim to create opportunities for teens to use real-life problem-solving skills, make their own decisions and support their peers. 

Many First Tee Chapters offer junior coaching opportunities for teens to work with younger players, giving them a taste of responsibility and an appreciation for volunteerism. Many chapters also offer competitive playing opportunities, junior advisory boards and other ways to keep teens engaged with the program. 

In conjunction with sponsors, First Tee headquarters offers a variety of national participant opportunities for teens, including leadership events and golf tournaments, as well as the First Tee College Scholarship Program. 

Learn more about First Tee’s Coach Philosophy. 

How the stages of youth development inform golf instruction at First Tee 

You can play for a lifetime and never master golf. It’s what keeps many players coming back to the game: the search for the perfect drive, pitch, chip or putt.  

While golfers of all age will attest that there’s always room for improvement, young players can benefit from starting small and learning the sport in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of development, helping them build confidence and setting them up for success in the long run. 

Featuring fun games, colorful landscapes and nontraditional equipment, this might mean a First Tee class will look different from a typical golf lesson, especially for younger players. But they’re designed to teach golf fundamentals, keep kids engaged and teach valuable life lessons that can be applied off the course. 

“At First Tee, we believe that meaningful learning happens when instruction aligns with a child’s developmental stage,” said Kristin Westberg, senior director of training and evaluation. “The shift to age-based learning in our curriculum wasn’t just a structural update; it was a strategic decision rooted in research and our commitment to youth development.” 

“By meeting kids where they are cognitively, socially and emotionally, we’re not only teaching golf more effectively, but we are also helping young people build confidence, character and resilience that lasts far beyond the course,” Westberg said. 

Here’s how the stages of youth development inform our programs: 

Age 7-9 

As the parents of our youngest participants know, there may be moments in these classes where kids aren’t holding golf clubs but practicing more familiar skills that can eventually translate to the course. For example, rolling a ball can help teach kids about distance control on the green, while playing catch can help improve hand-eye coordination. 

 At this age, kids are learning how to be friends, manage emotions and follow directions. That’s why First Tee coaches aim to keep kids moving, offer positive encouragement and provide clear instructions. 

Age 10-11 

During this stage, kids are often improving their fine motor skills and learning to stay on task. It’s also when the concept of “personal best” typically starts to resonate. When working with this age group, First Tee coaches refrain from comparing participants to one another, but rather compare a participant’s past and present performances. 

Through games and activities, kids are learning more complex golf concepts, like pre- and post-shot routine and club selection, but most participants are still focused on having fun and making friends. 

Age 12-13 

Most participants in this age group have chosen golf as their sport, and they’ll typically start picking up new golf skills more quickly. Because this group is advancing rapidly, parents may see skill disparities develop among players, but First Tee coaches are trained to make classes fun and engaging for all skill levels. 

While players in this age group have typically made serious strides in terms of distance response, target awareness, body balance and other golf fundamentals, they’re often facing more social challenges. This age group tends to be more conscious about what others think of them, which is why First Tee coaches are trained to encourage participation in all activities and cultivate strong and supportive relationships. 

Age 14+ 

Compared to younger players, teens are typically seeking guidance, suggestions and alternatives instead of detailed instruction, and this is reflected in First Tee’s class format. Coaches aim to create opportunities for teens to use real-life problem-solving skills, make their own decisions and support their peers. 

Many First Tee Chapters offer junior coaching opportunities for teens to work with younger players, giving them a taste of responsibility and an appreciation for volunteerism. Many chapters also offer competitive playing opportunities, junior advisory boards and other ways to keep teens engaged with the program. 

In conjunction with sponsors, First Tee headquarters offers a variety of national participant opportunities for teens, including leadership events and golf tournaments, as well as the First Tee College Scholarship Program. 

Learn more about First Tee’s Coach Philosophy.