Golf is a metaphor for life – full of unexpected challenges, and how we choose to respond defines who we are. As the kids and teens in our programs know, success is not defined by how well we play the game. It’s not about the score at the end of a round, or whether they won the tournament. It’s about the journey. What we learn along the way. And what we do with that learning makes all the difference.
What makes First Tee different from other youth development organizations is how we do our work: through golf. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do
While participating in First Tee, 82% of the youth in our programs felt more confident with their social skills and 73% reported feeling more confident in their academic ability.
“I am grateful for the First Tee program and the impact it has had on my life. I have learned that golf is much more than a game, much more than just swinging a club, and carries with it life lessons that I will draw from for the rest of my life. The program has provided me with opportunities to play matches and tournaments that not only improved my game but provided lasting friendships with the golf families and coaches over the years. The program has provided me with a safe place to be a lifetime student of the game. There will always be something to learn, something to change, something to improve, (whether it’s a part of my golf game or a non-golf, real life situation) and First Tee ties them all together in a pretty bow, and helps me understand the connection.” – Emily Knox, First Tee — Tri Valley
Experiences are our greatest teacher. We believe in developing the ones that are just as fun as they are meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next. Our trained coaches create safe, supportive and empowering environments to help our participants prepare for life ahead, including friendships, school, college and even their careers.
Whether a child’s goal is to be a lawyer, a teacher, an astrophysicist, a musician, or a professional golfer, kids become a better version of themselves when they have the space to be who they are, surrounded by passionate people who guide them to see what they are capable of.
If anyone you know thinks that golf isn’t for them, invite them to try it the First Tee way.
By: Andrew Olivo, Age 16, First Tee – Central Florida
1. How does golf relate to life?
Golf relates to life as it teaches many important qualities such as respect, responsibility, and judgment. These characteristics help me to make the right decisions in life and place me on a path for success.
2. How does golf challenge you to be a better person?
Golf challenges me to be a better person by placing me in situations to embrace the life lessons that I learn. For example, on the course, I have to always be honest with myself, even when nobody’s watching.
3. What is your favorite part about playing golf?
My favorite part about playing golf is spending time on the golf course with my dad. He is usually very busy with work so it’s nice to have some bonding time with him on the course to talk and play.
4. What golf skill helps you the most off the course?
Perseverance helps me the most off the course as it pushes me to do my best despite challenges or difficulties I may face in achieving my goals.
5. How can golf make you a more well-rounded individual?
Golf makes me a more well-rounded individual by teaching me a variety of skills and characteristics that I use in my day to day life. For example, golf helps to build my self confidence and practice respect towards adults and peers in my life.
6. How are you inspired through golf?
I am inspired through golf to continue to improve as I play competitively in tournaments and on my high school team. In addition, as a junior assistant coach, it has inspired me to give back to my community and teach younger golfers the game of golf and important life lessons.
7. How have you grown up over the past year?
Over the past year, I have learned to take on more responsibilities and leadership roles. For example, I am dedicating more time to junior coaching classes in First Tee. In school, I have become more active in clubs and organizations that I am a member of.
8. What or who motivates you?
My parents motivate me to work hard and try my best in golf and school. They teach me to always be a good person and lead by example.
9. What is your personal growth goal?
My personal growth goal is to keep working hard in school to be accepted in a highly rated university. In addition to developing my academics, I also want to continue focusing on maintaining my health and fitness through physical activity.
At First Tee, we guide kids to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action because strong character, inner strength and resilience is needed now more than ever. This month we are talking to leaders within our Network about their experiences and key lessons learned over the course of their careers.
Kelvin Williams, Senior Vice President, Business Operations at First Tee Headquarters
What is your current role at First Tee and what is the most rewarding part of your job?
Senior Vice President, Business Operations. Definitely helping others be successful. And knowing that what we do is making a difference in the lives of young people.
This month we’re celebrating Black History Month and lifting up voices of Black participants, coaches and leaders exploring what it means to be a leader. What does leadership mean to you?
It means being a good example, practicing what I preach, and doing what I say I am going to do. It also means being consistent and maintaining a great attitude no matter what… Attitude reflects leadership.
Did you always know you wanted to be in a leadership role? Can you share a little bit about your journey and how you’ve developed into your current role?
Yes. It started with my parents. People really respected them because of their strong work ethic and the manner in which they carried themselves. They would often get asked to lead various activities at church, work or in the community, and I knew one day I wanted follow in their footsteps. As I began my career, I held on to those qualities and observed others in leadership roles. I learned what to do and what not to do, and from there I developed my own leadership style, which helped me to advance up the ladder and into the role I currently serve in.
Who were some of the strong voices or mentors in your life that inspired you?
My Wife, Parents and Pastors.
Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced in your career and how have you worked to overcome it?
Absolutely. 17 years ago, as a new manager, I was struggling trying to find ways to motivate one of my team members, and it really drove me crazy because I could not get this guy to perform at a higher level . Later that year, I went to a manager/leadership seminar and it was very enlightening. My biggest take way from the seminar was the effective listening session, and I was inspired and determined to take what I learned back to my office and try it on the team member I was struggling to motivate. And it worked! By listening, I was able to get to know him and build a relationship, which fostered trust. And in return, he trusted me and shared his goals and dreams with me. And because of that I was finally able to help him be successful because I listened to him and learned how to get his engine going.
How does or can First Tee play a role in bringing more diversity to our game?
By continuing to provide all young people, regardless of race, gender or social economic background, the opportunity to participate. And being intentional about hiring and recruiting leadership that looks like the community we want to serve.
What advice do you have for young people entering the job market determined to make a career for themselves?
At First Tee, we guide kids to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action because strong character, inner strength and resilience is needed now more than ever. This month we are talking to leaders within our Network about their experiences and key lessons learned over the course of their careers.
Monica Blake, First Tee – Central Arkansas
What is your current role at First Tee and what is the most rewarding part of your job?
My name is Monica Blake and I am the Executive Director of First Tee-Central Arkansas. The most rewarding part of my job is making a positive impact on the lives of the youth and families we serve in Central Arkansas. As the Executive Director I’m able to serve as the voice of our participants and advocate on their behalf. I am also a certified First Tee coach and I have been intentional about staying involved in the coaching process. I believe that in order to be a successful leader it’s important that I stay connected to our participants and our mission. As the Executive Director, it’s essential to be a good steward of our donors and sponsoring donations and it’s very rewarding to see those contributions directly impact the youth that we serve.
This month we’re celebrating Black History Month and lifting up voices of Black participants, coaches and leaders exploring what it means to be a leader. What does leadership mean to you?
I believe that leadership isn’t about a title or position that you hold, but that it’s about the difference you make in someone’s life. As the leader of First Tee- Central Arkansas it’s important that I’m putting everyone within our organization in a position to not only be successful, but to facilitate an environment where each participant, coach, and volunteer aspire to be the change they seek in the lives of the youth that we serve.
Did you always know you wanted to be in a leadership role? Can you share a little bit about your journey and how you’ve developed into your current role?
My journey with First Tee began in an entry level role as a volunteer coach in 2012. It was in this role, I realized the value that each position within the organization holds, and how it’s sometimes the person who’s the initial point of contact, that can make the biggest impact on a participant. As I reflect on my growth in the organization, and how my career has progressed, I was extremely fortunate for the opportunity to serve as a volunteer. It was instrumental in laying a foundation of what it means to serve and how to incorporate service into my leadership style. I quickly moved into the role of a paid coach and from there I was promoted to Program Director, where I served for 6 years. Being the Program Director allowed me to connect with the curriculum we were teaching and our mission as an organization and how it impacts each participant. In 2019, I became the first female African-American Executive Director of First Tee-Central Arkansas. I know it was every role that I’ve served, which helped prepare me for this amazing opportunity within this organization and has put me in the greatest position to be successful .
Who were some of the strong voices or mentors in your life that inspired you?
Harold Banks has been a mentor to not only myself, but to countless golfers throughout the Central Arkansas area. Harold was always willing to share his knowledge, skills and expertise with everyone in the golf community. He always had a positive attitude and took a personal interest in mentoring the next generation. Harold was instrumental in advancing black golfers in Little Rock and often his advice extended far beyond the golf course. He was respected by golfers throughout Central Arkansas and left a lasting impact on golfers for generations to come. The impact Harold has made on our community is something that truly inspires and motivates me to become a mentor and leader in the community.
Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced in your career and how have you worked to overcome it?
Having to lead during a pandemic was certainly a challenge and continues to be each day. One important lesson I’ve learned is how to constantly adapt to ever changing circumstances and continue to modify and adjust as necessary. Flexibility and the power of teamwork are key pillars I have to lean on. Together, as an organization, we were able to navigate through our new circumstances and now we’re in a position to advance our organization even further. We were forced to evaluate our operations through a different lens, and I feel programming has benefited as a result.
How does or can First Tee play a role in bringing more diversity to our game?
First Tee has the opportunity to play a fundamental role in increasing diversity in golf, especially in Central Arkansas. The mission of our organization has always been to introduce our programming to underserved communities and now we have the opportunity to lead the charge in bringing diversity and inclusion into the game of golf. This is done by elevating black voices within the community and developing a plan to identify the disconnections and expanding opportunities for minorities. As an organization it is our responsibility to ensure that all participants are having an equitable experience.
What advice do you have for young people entering the job market determined to make a career for themselves?
My advice for young people entering the job market would be to find something that you are passionate about and where you can make a difference. Golf has always played a significant role in my life and as I’ve grown older so has the desire to help people in my community. I’m very fortunate to now serve in a role where I get to blend these two together. It is important to make an impact on the world around you and to help those who are in need.
At First Tee, we guide kids to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action because strong character, inner strength and resilience is needed now more than ever. This month we are talking to leaders within our Network about their experiences and key lessons learned over the course of their careers.
Coach Dustin Marsh, First Tee – Central Carolina
What is your current role at First Tee, how long have you been in that role and what is the most rewarding part of your job?
Currently, I am a recognized First Tee Coach. I have been coaching with The First Tee since 2009.
This month we’re celebrating Black History Month and lifting up voices of Black participants, coaches and leaders exploring what it means to be a leader. As a coach, you’re both a mentor and leader to the participants in the program. What does that mean to you?
It means a great deal to me! Many people get to middle age and find themselves in a job or career that they did not foresee. They get caught up in making a living. They may or may not like what they do. I like what I do but, before I started with The First Tee I was not participating in my community as I thought I needed to. I was searching for something to fill a void in my being. When I was young, I was an education major but, life happened and I took an opportunity to work in computer technology. Now that I am coaching with The First Tee, I feel like I’m exercising the same passion I had when I was on a path to be an educator.
How important is it for participants to see diverse leaders like yourself and others coaching at the chapter?
It’s extremely important that our participants experience the program from a diverse range of leaders and with diverse peers. I think specifically about some of the kids I have coached over the years who have gone on to college and professional careers, and I know having diverse coaches was instrumental in not only attracting them to the program, but also keeping them engaged for the long run. At the end of the day, it’s about making kids feel welcome and comfortable, and when a kid can see themselves in me or another black or brown coach, that increases the likelihood they will want to come back.
Who were some of the strong voices or mentors in your life that inspired you?
Many of my coaches made strong impressions on me for various reasons. Some of my teachers inspired me as well. However, I think the strongest voices in my life were those that exemplified and instilled the importance of decency toward others.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life or career?
One thing I’m most proud of is my track record of community service, specifically through First Tee – Central Carolina. I’ve been doing this for over 11 years. It isn’t always convenient or easy in my schedule, but it has been worth it. I’m proud that kids have called me a mentor even when I didn’t think I was, and that I’ve been able to help them figure out all how to deal with the hard things life has thrown at them.
Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced in your career and how have you worked to overcome it?
A challenge that I have faced in my career is leading teams of people and how to get the best results possible. What I’ve learned is that you have to know what motivates them and what their strengths and weaknesses are. This takes time and building relationships. Once you know these details, you can put people where they are going to be the most effective and the whole team benefits. I’ve done the same thing in the First Tee classes I coach. I try to learn as quickly as I can why a kid is there and what they are looking to get out of the experience. Once I know this, I can adapt my coaching to best match their needs. Like we are trained in the First Tee Coach Program, match the activity to the child and not the child to the activity.
How does or can First Tee play a role in bringing more diversity to our game?
I think we must continue to find ways to make golf inviting to a diverse group of people. There isn’t one way to bring more diversity to golf. We have to try every approach we can come up with. It’s not something that can be accomplished overnight. Golf used to be a sport that was available to only those with financial means and making it more inclusive is going to take time and perseverance. There is a lot of untapped talent that golf has yet to tap into.
It ultimately comes down to building relationships in your community that are genuine and time tested. The opportunities to be more diverse can be hard to initially see, but if your focus is on building relationships, the opportunities to engage with black and brown communities will become more apparent. When it comes to this type of work, don’t worry about being the first one there, focus on being the last one standing.
What leadership advice or concept do you think is most important for your participants to know?
Coach Angel has been an educator for 15 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Hampton University, where she attended on a full NCAA Division I scholarship helping lead her team in March Madness.After graduation, Coach Angel traveled extensively and was invited to speak on diversity and educational practices. She began her teaching career in Turkey, teaching English as a Second Language before going back home, to Akron, Ohio where she is currently an educator at the Lebron James IPromise school.Coach Angel was introduced to First Tee 8 years ago when her son, John Ramon, joined the program. She joined in not long after and has been coaching at First Tee — Greater Akron for 7 years. “I feel it is important to stay involved in the First Tee to offer the kids in my urban community the opportunity to play a sport that they may have not felt was in their realm of abilities. When we begin working with these athletes we open a whole new world for them while developing their character through the Core Values to instill a solid foundation for success. I also feel it is essential to have representation in the world of golf and being able to interact and develop friendships and perspectives with people in the golf community that may have otherwise never built a relationship with someone in the Black community such as myself.”Coach Angel is just one of the many inspirational coaches across our network and we invite you to learn more about her journey and thoughts on leadership in the video below.
In 2020, we embarked upon developing a software platform that would benefit the parents of our students and our coaches.
Our goals were simple:
Make it easier for our coaches to measure the progress of the students, and
Allow parents to get timely accurate information about their child and their child’s goals within the program.
To fully appreciate the level of innovation, let’s first recall how this process worked before the Parent Portal was introduced.
Coaches needed to perform attendance, keep track of quiz scores and measure skills certifications on paper. They then took the data from paper and entered it into a spreadsheet once they got back in front of a computer. Many coaches had to perform these actions across multiple classes and dozens of students. Coaches also ran the spectrum of experiences in using technology to track these types of progress. Once the six-class session was completed, they needed to heavily rely upon cut/copy/paste mechanisms within word processing software to deliver a report card or progress report to deliver to a parent on Week 6.
Upon receiving the report card, Parents had that one moment in time – the end of week 6 – to have full knowledge on their child’s achievements, what goals still remained, and what level of instruction would be best suited for them as they faced the upcoming registration period for the next season.
Introducing the First Tee Parent Portal:
At the login screen, you can use the email address that we have on file for you. For Parents, it will be the email address you use for Registration. For Coaches, it will be the email address we have on file for you when you completed your background check. You can utilize the “Forgot your password?” link at the bottom of the form to reset it to something memorable for you. Once you have logged in, you can navigate to your profile page and link your account to your Facebook or Google login.
For Parents who have logged in successfully:
Your first screen is to see the name of your First Tee student(s). Click on their name to see their Current Progress or their Transcripts which list the past classes they have enrolled in. On the Current Progress screen, you will get a listing of their achievements, and the goals still remaining. The level for which they are eligible to register their next class is the bottom field. Additionally, you can view the Program Overview if you need more information about what is being measured, and you can Contact the Coach if you need to communicate any upcoming absences or additional information to the Coach about your child.
For Coaches who have logged in successfully:
Your first screen is to see the list of classes for which you have been assigned to be the Lead Coach. Click on the class to see the Class Roster, perform attendance, score quizzes and highlight any achievements in their play requirements. Additionally, you can contact all the Parents for the class to notify them of any weather delays or class cancellations. If you need to view any data specifically about any one student, click on their name and you will see Student Detail. The Student Detail screen gives you the ability to supply notes to a Parent or to the Program Administrator. This is also the screen where you can view any allergies the student might have (Bee stings, Peanut snacks, etc) Lastly, this screen will allow you to contact the Parent should you need to communicate with them directly.
The software works on computers, smart phones and tablets.
We hope that you enjoy this technology and will improve your experience with First Tee.
For any additional information, contact Chris Hashley at 616-208-1177 or [email protected]
Randy White, PGA Professional and new Director of Instruction, with his First Tee Holland PGA Junior League Team in 2019.
It’s rare when a program’s needs align so closely with a new opportunity. When it does happen, organizations like First Tee that operate on smaller budgets must take advantage. One of those opportunities has arrived. Randy White, First Tee staffer, and PGA Professional will shift into a new role as First Tee’s Director of Instruction. We are excited about the impact White (Coach Randy) will make on our most vulnerable students through this new role.
First Tee’s mantra is “Building Game Changers.” We are a youth development program. The platform that we use to develop young people is the game of golf. The new Director of Instruction position will perfectly blend First Tee’s ability to develop high character, high integrity young men and women with our students’ need for a deeper, more technical golf experience.
The NeedFirst Tee West Michigan has heard a similar question over and over again from its parents since its inception in 2011. It goes something like this: “We love First Tee and Coach [Fill in the Blank]. My kid has loved the First Tee experience and is REALLY getting into golf. We’re wondering if you can recommend an individual instructor in the area?”
We love this question – it tells us the family and the participant are ALL in. Almost without fail, these families become some of our most engaged participants, learning First Tee skills like goal setting, conflict resolution, and of course, our Nine Core Values. They end up playing high school golf, and for some, they even end up playing college golf or go to college for Professional Golf Management. The issue since 2011 has been with WHO asks this question.
Most families that ask for recommendations for individual instruction have two characteristics:
#1. They have financial means. This means they can afford the $60-$100 hourly rate that is required for an individual golf lesson with a PGA Professional.
#2. They often come from a family of golfers. They know the impact individual instruction can make on their child’s golf game, so they pursue it.
Our most vulnerable students usually are missing one or both of these characteristics, and therefore rarely ask about individual instruction. First Tee needs to pursue its own students with limited golf background and disposable income, and offer the opportunity for instruction. Parents who didn’t grow up around the game often don’t know the value of individual instruction or don’t believe they can afford it. This is where our Director of Instruction Role comes in.
How PGA Professionals have helped until nowFor nearly a decade, First Tee has recommended PGA Professionals to its participants, and they’ve been incredibly generous with our students. Local pros we’ve recommended to our students include Raquel Bryant (Thousand Oaks), Jeff Caminiti (Maple Hill), Ian Hughes (Golf Tec), Andre Pillow (Blythefield CC), Brandon Roby (Cascade Hills), John Seltzer (Quail Ridge), and Charley Vandenberg (Thousand Oaks). Many of these pros have offered discounted or free lessons to our families. We will continue to recommend these and other pros to our full-price students. Several of these pros have generously taken 1-2 First Tee students on scholarship annually into their instruction program at a discounted rate or free.
But these professionals are busy, and if they give their time away, they need to be certain the student is “all in” before they begin. Oftentimes, our scholarship students have barriers like inconsistent schedules, lack of transportation, lack of opportunity to practice, etc. First Tee wants to build a bridge to these families to ensure they have the same opportunities for individual instruction and that they know about that opportunity.
How it will work
Through Randy White, PGA Professional and new Director of Instruction, First Tee students in all communities (Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, and now Kalamazoo) will be able to register for individual lessons with Coach Randy on our website. They will work within the V1 Golf App to see uploaded swing videos and review past lessons. During COVID-19, students will also be able to send videos for a mobile lesson. These instruction videos will be available for students at any time to show their other First Tee coaches to ensure communication is aligned.
First Tee will actively pursue and offer students on scholarship this opportunity. Any child eligible for free or reduced-price lunch at school (an indicator of financial need) can receive First Tee’s scholarship rate of $5 for a six-class session. In 2020, First Tee also added any family experiencing financial hardship because of COVID-19 to the list of those eligible for the scholarship.
Schedule of 2021 Participant Opportunities through First Tee HQ – Click to ViewFirst Tee will offer students on scholarship hourly lessons for just $15, but will not turn away a family for their inability to pay. Group lesson rates will also be available, and non-scholarship students can also get lessons for $70. By working with Coach Randy, First Tee can offer this opportunity to students who are younger and less-seasoned in First Tee, capturing them earlier. Informing parents and guardians about this opportunity for their child, and doing it at an earlier age can open up many opportunities, including:
Each lesson offered to First Tee students on scholarship will be subsidized by First Tee’s budget. Already, a generous donor from Grand Rapids has committed $12,500 to this program in 2021, including more than $9,500 in subsidized lessons (a projected 165 group and individual lessons). Your gift would ensure even more students would have access to these subsidized lessons with Coach Randy.
Director of Instruction Randy White, PGAWhy Coach Randy White?
White has served as First Tee’s Holland Area Director since 2017. He’s led the growth in Holland from its start to now serving 150-180 students annually, fundraising and managing a $100,000 budget, and managing roughly 25 volunteers and 5 part-time Lead Coaches. But his heart is in instruction.
In his 35-year career as a PGA Professional, White has instructed some of the finest high school golfers in West Michigan, including leading multiple area high school girls golf teams to state appearances, including Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Mona Shores. In addition, Randy has run the MSHAA’s Girls Golf State Championships for the past several years, building relationships with hundreds of high school golf coaches. Outside of golf, prior to his work at First Tee, White served as an area director for First Priority, a faith-based school mentoring program.
White is also a Level III First Tee Coach and knows First Tee’s life skills and values curriculum well. He will be able to seamlessly weave First Tee’s life skills like goal setting, conflict resolution, appreciating diversity, and of course, First Tee’s Nine Core Values into his golf instruction with First Tee participants. He has already taught PLAYer, Par, Birdie, and Eagle classes, and knows how to communicate with students at each level. This winter, with COVID-19 limiting group opportunities, Randy has opened up his personal home golf studio in Muskegon for “Open Hitting” and has already seen significant swing improvement from participants. Randy will also provide lessons during the winter in Grand Rapids in the future.
In addition to improving our participants’ golf skills, we also see instruction with White leading to higher retention and progression amongst our students on scholarship, leading them to more First Tee and golf opportunities in the future.
What’s Next?
As White leads this new initiative, First Tee hopes to add other PGA Professionals to the program in its communities. Through training, these instructors can learn the curriculum of First Tee, and serve as instructors, offering the subsidized lessons to more students in more communities.
Your support of this new initiative ensures that more students on scholarship get this opportunity, and have all the top-level instruction possible. Thank you for your consideration!
Since its inception in 2011, First Tee – West Michigan has focused on impacting students who otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to golf and the values it can teach because of income, communication, culture, and transportation barriers. For as long as the game of golf has been played, race and income have been huge barriers to access. Caddie programs used to be one avenue for people of color and those with lower incomes to gain access. Caddie programs still exist today, but at a much smaller scale (only five caddie programs remain in West Michigan). So how does a student TODAY who doesn’t know any golfers and has never golfed themselves learn about the game and what it can teach? That’s where First Tee comes in.
First Tee seeks to remove the barriers of entry to golf and what it can teach. One of the major barriers is communication. COVID-19 exacerbated the communication and technology barriers for many families First Tee serves. 2021 marks a new year for First Tee, and with it will come new initiatives to improve, increase, and individualize the communication with our most vulnerable students.
How does First Tee find its participants?
In 2019, 48% of First Tee’s 1,241 participants received a scholarship to participate because of their family income. Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunchat school receive First Tee’s programs for $5.00 or free, depending on how they participate. In 2019, 50% of students in Kent County (more than 50,000) were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, while in Muskegon (61%, more than 16,000), and Ottawa Counties (32%, more than 14,000) the need was great as well.
First Tee works to provide access to students on scholarship through two different ways: partnerships with schools and other youth-serving organizations, and through open-enrollment sessions. Students receive the same curriculum and programming, but how they get to the golf course is different. In 2020, many of First Tee’s partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations were put on hold due to COVID-19, which in turn, dropped our scholarship rate from 48% to 32% in 2020. Our 2021 communications plan will help increase the number of students on scholarship we serve. In order to do that, First Tee needs to:
Improve retention among its existing participants on scholarship
Be more strategic in recruiting new participants on scholarship.
Improved, Increased, Individuals Communication to our existing low-income students
With a Marketing & Communications Coordinator joining our staff in 2021, First Tee families will receive improved, increased, and individualized communications. Here are a few new tools and initiatives First Tee will use in 2021:
Hubspot– our new customer resource management platform easily segments participants so they receive emails about program opportunities specific to their community. This way, families in Muskegon receive program info about Muskegon – not Grand Rapids. Likewise, as a donor or volunteer, you can choose to receive information that is applicable to you.
TextMagic Over time, First Tee has relied more on texting its families rather than emailing them. The reason? Every guardian and parent use texting regardless of their income or background – not all of our families use email frequently.
Example of how First Tee will use TextMagic to improve communication: When a participant comes to First Tee through a partnership with an organization like the Boys & Girls Club, the only thing required from a guardian or parent before the student participates is filling out a simple application. Some parents do not know that their child is participating in First Tee. But, now through TextMagic, partnership parents and guardians will receive a weekly text sharing what their child learned that day at First Tee, and also be given a question to ask their child about their experience. In the final weeks of the session, parents and guardians will be sent a link to register for the next session available.
Case Workers – To foster more mentor-mentee relationships in 2021, First Tee asked their Lead Coaches in November to sign up for a new program. Six Lead Coaches opted in, saying they wanted to identify 3-6 participants on scholarship that they’d like to build a deeper relationship with. As a ‘Case Worker,’ our coaches will reach out individually 6-8 times per year to each of their students, sharing upcoming opportunities for six-class sessions, leagues, Saturday tee times, and other program opportunities. We expect the Case Worker initiative to increase retention and progression in the program, and foster more mentor-mentee relationships. Already, more than 75% of students who have participated in more than one session say they view someone at First Tee as a mentor.
Improved First Tee Store Items with First Tee’s logo – At each session, students earn First Tee bucks (our in-house currency) for good attendance and exhibiting positive behaviors and our Nine Core Values. In the final week of class, students can use First Tee bucks to purchase equipment, apparel, and other goodies. With First Tee’s new brand rollout in September 2020, we will be investing in hundreds of youth-sized First Tee t-shirts and polos to increase awareness, particularly with our partnership and low-income students. T-shirts and polos will be ‘sold’ at the First Tee store to incentivize students to wear them at school, at home, and in their neighborhood.
A strategic approach to finding new participants eligible for First Tee’s scholarship rate
First Tee has relied heavily on partnerships and word of mouth to recruit new participants on scholarship. With COVID-19 temporarily putting our partnerships on hold, First Tee will add new strategic approaches to recruit new students on scholarship in 2021. With a new Marketing & Communications Coordinator in charge, here are two initiatives that will begin in 2021:
Facebook Advertising: Next spring, First Tee will offer programs at 19 area golf courses. By identifying lower-income neighborhoods nearby to those golf courses and advertising to ages 25-45, First Tee can offer personalized program offerings to families in their neighborhood.
Door to Door Mailers: With the help of First Tee’s 16 teenage junior coaches, First Tee will distribute simple program advertisements door to door in specific neighborhoods near its golf course locations. This will provide information to new potential participants, while also providing more hours (and earned income) to First Tee’s teenage participants.
Each and every one of these new initiatives will require strategic thought, time, energy, and creativity. Your support at year-end helps First Tee pay for the new Marketing & Communications Coordinator, and also for the increased marketing, mailers, and strategic communication to our families. Thank you for considering First Tee’s year-end campaign, and for supporting deeper relationships with the students that need us the most.
How it StartedIn the spring of 2020, First Tee announced its plans to expand to the Kalamazoo community, partnering with the Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association and the Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association (owners of Red Arrow, Milham Park, and Eastern Hills Golf Courses) to offer its programs to kids starting in the spring of 2021. But the potential partnership between the KJGA, the City of Kalamazoo, and First Tee – West Michigan started long before that.
Executive Director Tyler Smies first met with Mitch Wilson and PGA Professional Dean Marks of the KJGA in 2016 to discuss a potential partnership. At that time, First Tee – West Michigan was a young chapter, and unable to dedicate the time and resources to a potential partnership. As 2018 came to a close, Tyler Smies reconnected with Mitch Wilson, Dean Marks and First Tee board member Nate Golomb to see if First Tee could be a fit in Kalamazoo. Little did First Tee know all the groundwork the KJGA had already laid in the community.
By the end of 2019, First Tee – West Michigan had a full business plan and applied for the opportunity to expand to Kalamazoo. So many pieces were already in place thanks to the hard work of the KJGA. The KGJA had already been using First Tee LINK, a modified version of First Tee’s curriculum, for years at Red Arrow Golf Course. More than 150 students participated in the LINK program throughout 2019 and even more participated in 2020. An additional 250+ participate in the KJGA’s tournament series annually, a natural competitive golf opportunity for future First Tee students. In addition to Red Arrow, First Tee will run programs at Eastern Hills and Milham Park.PGA Professional Dean Marks, who operates the City of Kalamazoo’s three courses, and is also President of the Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association, is excited. “The KJGA has provided affordable golf opportunities to 400+ youth annually for over 30 years. The opportunity to partner with First Tee and their life skills and values curriculum will increase our outreach to area youth. That is a win for the community, a win for the youth, and a win for golf and the future of Kalamazoo. We are excited to expand the use of Red Arrow Golf Course to ensure that any family who wants their kids to learn important life skills through the game of golf will be able to do so regardless of their ability to pay.”Kalamazoo Advisory Committee & Kalamazoo Golf Marathon Fundraiser
All throughout 2020, a newly formed Kalamazoo Advisory Committee has been meeting monthly to prepare for the launch of programs in 2021. In September, First Tee launched its first-ever Golf Marathon fundraiser in Kalamazoo. $38,000 was raised and more than 1,400 holes were played for First Tee’s launch in Kalamazoo. Below are all the marathoners who played this year!
This, along with a surprising and incredibly generous $25,000 gift from a local family foundation, allowed First Tee to begin searching this December for a full-time Kalamazoo Area Director.
All of these efforts have been led by the First Tee’s Kalamazoo Advisory Committee, listed below:
Nate Golomb, Chair, Mercantile Bank
Mercedes Befus, Horizon Bank
Marcus Brussee, Mercantile Bank
Matt Forkin, Boys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo
Torean Greeley, HUB International
Jeanne Hess, Kalamazoo City Commissioner
Melissa Johnson, Gull Lake View Resort
Dean Marks, Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association, KCC Women’s Golf Coach
Jack Versau, Kalamazoo Country Club
Mitch Wilson, Retired from Pfizer, Pretty Lake Camp, KCC Men’s Golf Coach
First Tee Kalamazoo Launch Timeline:
January 2016: KJGA visits First Tee – West Michigan’s Homework & Hitting program
November 2018: Executive Director Tyler Smies and board member Nate Golomb reconnect with Mitch Wilson and Dean Marks of the KJGA
January 2019: First Tee – West Michigan launches a feasibility study with support from Kalamazoo current and former residents
December 2019: First Tee’s Kalamazoo Business Plan approved by Board of Directors
February 2020: First Tee’s territory expansion to Kalamazoo County approved by First Tee HQ in Florida
March 2020: First Tee hosts Meet & Greet at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo
April 2020: First Tee Kalamazoo Advisory Committee begins to meet monthly
September 2020: First Tee’s first fundraiser, the inaugural Kalamazoo Marathon held at Eastern Hills, nets nearly $40,000 for the program launch.
November 2020: First Tee received a generous $25,000 gift from a family foundation
December 2020: First Tee Kalamazoo Area Director Position is posted
Fostering Community Partners
As First Tee launches in the spring of 2021, it will look to partner with other organizations already working with at-risk youth in Kalamazoo. First Tee ceaselessly collaborates with existing organizations to give students new opportunities to learn values and life skills. Conversations have already begun with key strategic organizations in Kalamazoo, including:
Boys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo
Douglass Community Association
Kalamazoo Country Club
Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation Department
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Kalamazoo Communities in Schools
Kalamazoo Youth for Christ – City Life
The Moors
And others
The Need
Come this spring, with a new Area Director joining the staff and programs offered at multiple locations, First Tee anticipates 35-50 needed volunteer mentors to start in Kalamazoo. Interested individuals can connect with Program Director Taylor Haudek at [email protected].
All this growth means a 2021 projected operating budget of over $100,000, with that number expected to increase in future years as First Tee impacts hundreds of area youth.
Your financial support of this expansion at year-end can make a big impact on next year’s launch. Thank you for your consideration!
Since 2016, Jorge and his younger brother Nicholas have been mainstays in First Tee, receiving its six-class sessions for just $5.00. Along the way, both Jorge and his brother have become solid golfers. Jorge was the number one golfer at Wyoming High School during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Through donated lessons at Golf-Tec with number four teacher in the state of Michigan Ian Hughes, Jorge carded his lowest scores ever (in the low 40s on 9 holes) his junior year. As he wrapped up his senior year (golf season was canceled due to COVID-19), he was in the Eagle Level at First Tee and was a junior coach in 2019 and this summer.But since his freshman year, Jorge has been working toward something bigger than his 4.0 GPA and a good golf game – a full-ride college scholarship. He began caddying at Kent Country Club in 2016 and worked extremely hard in the summer of 2019 to get the loops he needed as a caddie for a chance at the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship – a caddie scholarship that provides a full ride, including room and board, to the University of Michigan or Michigan State.Last winter, Jorge was the first-ever Evans Scholarship recipient from First Tee – West Michigan, and was the only caddie from the area courses selected for the award. Now, he’s in his first year at the University of Michigan with 25 other Evans Scholars, putting his self-reliance to the test with COVID-19 online classes and other typical first-year college challenges. He and Executive Director Tyler Smies connect every other week over Zoom to ensure Jorge is acclimating in Ann Arbor. He’s the first in his family to attend college. The normal challenges exist – getting to bed on time and balancing new freedoms with class demands and responsibilities in the Evans House. There is still time for fun – Jorge is excited that he made an eSports Team at Michigan and has found a passion for ping pong as well.Looking back four years ago when we first interviewed Jorge’s mother Maria, it was clear to her even then what impact First Tee was making on Jorge and Nicholas.“I noticed then that both my sons were calmer, more polite, more thoughtful, and even more strategic in their day-to-day life than they were before,” Maria said. “The values that First Tee talks about – they are truths that they can live by in all parts of life – it’s not just in the context of sports.”
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – November 17, 2020 – Since 2011, First Tee – West Michigan has provided youth development and golf programs to young people in Muskegon, Kent and Ottawa Counties. This upcoming spring, it will also provide programs in Kalamazoo Counties. To accommodate the growth of the organization, First Tee has recently hired Benjamin Elenbaas as its first full-time Administrative and Accounting Coordinator.
Elenbaas grew up in Byron Center, graduating from South Christian High School in 2012 as a multisport athlete in golf, soccer, and basketball, including a 2-time state competitor in golf and state champion in soccer in 2010. Elenbaas went on to play golf at Calvin University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Accounting in 2016. He continues to be an avid golfer and has a 2 handicap.
Elenbaas’s work experience includes two years at Everett’s Landscape and two years at the Christian Athletic Complex, serving in accounting and programming roles. In addition, Elenbaas has more than 5 years of coaching experience, including currently serving as the Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at South Christian High School.
“We’re thrilled to have Ben on our staff,” said Executive Director Tyler Smies. “His background and passion working with youth, experience in accounting, along with his passion and skill for golf makes him the ideal fit for this role. We are excited to have a steady hand on our finances, and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make on our young people.”
First Tee – West Michigan grew to serve more than 1,200 students in 2019 at 15 area golf courses, teaching life skills and its Nine Core Values through the game of golf. Hundreds of their participants receive First Tee’s programs for $5.00 or less because of their families’ income. Despite the coronavirus, First Tee will still serve nearly 950 students in 2020 and has a strong financial position to pursue continued growth.
Registration for First Tee’s virtual winter program is currently open to all returning and new participants, with sessions beginning this week. To register a participant between the ages of 7-17, visit firstteewestmichigan.org/register.
For more information on The First Tee of West Michigan or to interview Ben Elenbaas, contact 616-240-8069 or email [email protected].
Golf is a metaphor for life – full of unexpected challenges, and how we choose to respond defines who we are. As the kids and teens in our programs know, success is not defined by how well we play the game. It’s not about the score at the end of a round, or whether they won the tournament. It’s about the journey. What we learn along the way. And what we do with that learning makes all the difference.
What makes First Tee different from other youth development organizations is how we do our work: through golf. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do
While participating in First Tee, 82% of the youth in our programs felt more confident with their social skills and 73% reported feeling more confident in their academic ability.
“I am grateful for the First Tee program and the impact it has had on my life. I have learned that golf is much more than a game, much more than just swinging a club, and carries with it life lessons that I will draw from for the rest of my life. The program has provided me with opportunities to play matches and tournaments that not only improved my game but provided lasting friendships with the golf families and coaches over the years. The program has provided me with a safe place to be a lifetime student of the game. There will always be something to learn, something to change, something to improve, (whether it’s a part of my golf game or a non-golf, real life situation) and First Tee ties them all together in a pretty bow, and helps me understand the connection.” – Emily Knox, First Tee — Tri Valley
Experiences are our greatest teacher. We believe in developing the ones that are just as fun as they are meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next. Our trained coaches create safe, supportive and empowering environments to help our participants prepare for life ahead, including friendships, school, college and even their careers.
Whether a child’s goal is to be a lawyer, a teacher, an astrophysicist, a musician, or a professional golfer, kids become a better version of themselves when they have the space to be who they are, surrounded by passionate people who guide them to see what they are capable of.
If anyone you know thinks that golf isn’t for them, invite them to try it the First Tee way. 
Yes. It started with my parents. People really respected them because of their strong work ethic and the manner in which they carried themselves. They would often get asked to lead various activities at church, work or in the community, and I knew one day I wanted follow in their footsteps. As I began my career, I held on to those qualities and observed others in leadership roles. I learned what to do and what not to do, and from there I developed my own leadership style, which helped me to advance up the ladder and into the role I currently serve in.
Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced in your career and how have you worked to overcome it?
Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced in your career and how have you worked to overcome it?
What is your current role at First Tee, how long have you been in that role and what is the most rewarding part of your job? 
Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced in your career and how have you worked to overcome it?
Coach Angel has been an educator for 15 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Hampton University, where she attended on a full NCAA Division I scholarship helping lead her team in March Madness.
At the login screen, you can use the email address that we have on file for you. For Parents, it will be the email address you use for Registration. For Coaches, it will be the email address we have on file for you when you completed your background check. You can utilize the “Forgot your password?” link at the bottom of the form to reset it to something memorable for you. Once you have logged in, you can navigate to your profile page and link your account to your Facebook or Google login.
Your first screen is to see the name of your First Tee student(s). Click on their name to see their Current Progress or their Transcripts which list the past classes they have enrolled in. On the Current Progress screen, you will get a listing of their achievements, and the goals still remaining. The level for which they are eligible to register their next class is the bottom field. Additionally, you can view the Program Overview if you need more information about what is being measured, and you can Contact the Coach if you need to communicate any upcoming absences or additional information to the Coach about your child.
Your first screen is to see the list of classes for which you have been assigned to be the Lead Coach. Click on the class to see the Class Roster, perform attendance, score quizzes and highlight any achievements in their play requirements. Additionally, you can contact all the Parents for the class to notify them of any weather delays or class cancellations. If you need to view any data specifically about any one student, click on their name and you will see Student Detail. The Student Detail screen gives you the ability to supply notes to a Parent or to the Program Administrator. This is also the screen where you can view any allergies the student might have (Bee stings, Peanut snacks, etc) Lastly, this screen will allow you to contact the Parent should you need to communicate with them directly.
The software works on computers, smart phones and tablets.
We hope that you enjoy this technology and will improve your experience with First Tee.
For any additional information, contact Chris Hashley at 616-208-1177 or 
Through Randy White, PGA Professional and new Director of Instruction, First Tee students in all communities (Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, and now Kalamazoo) will be able to register for individual lessons with Coach Randy on our website. They will work within the 
This, along with a surprising and incredibly generous $25,000 gift from a local family foundation, allowed First Tee to begin 
