First Tee

First Tee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that teaches children life skills, self-confidence, and resilience through golf lessons. First Tee reaches more than 3.6 million youth annually through programs delivered at chapter program locations, in schools and at youth centers across the country and international locations.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan serves as chairman of the board of governors, which is composed of business leaders. Former President George W. Bush serves as the honorary chair; he succeeded his father, former President George H. W. Bush, who served from 1997–2010.

History

First Tee was founded in 1997. Led by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, the organization emerged as a partnership among the PGA Tour, PGA of America, LPGA, USGA and the Masters Tournament Foundation. Under the umbrella of the World Golf Foundation until 2019, its original mission was to make golf affordable and accessible for all children. Within the first few years of operating, First Tee began to integrate life skills and values alongside learning the game.

In 2019, First Tee made the transition to a new nonprofit entity, PGA Tour First Tee Foundation, to more closely align with the PGA Tour and its players, tournaments, media partners and sponsors. The founding partners continue to support First Tee, including financial contributions and partnerships.

Chapters

The participants of First Tee are children aged 5–18. Participants progress through the program over time. More than 400 PGA and LPGA teaching professionals and 15,000 volunteers help the participants through First Tee.

Chapters offer full scholarships or reduced fee programming for those with financial need.

Participant opportunities

With First Tee, teens have the opportunity to participate in national leadership events, from being mentored by PGA Tour Champions players at Pebble Beach to an all-girl event sponsored by John Deere.

The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee is one of the national participant events. This opportunity is for First Tee teen participants to meet, play and be mentored by PGA Tour Champions players and amateurs from the business world. This PGA Tour Champions event is played annually in September at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Club and is televised nationally on the Golf Channel.

PURE Insurance became the title sponsor of this event in 2017. Prior to that, Nature Valley served as the title sponsor from 2011–2016; Home Care & Hospice in 2010, it went unsponsored in 2009; and Walmart served as the title sponsor from 2004–2008.

First Tee College Scholarship Program

First Tee launched an enhanced college scholarship program in 2020. This program provides support to First Tee alumni. Scholars are paired with an adult mentor who guides them through the college experience. The program also provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year for four years. In addition, scholars receive professional development workshops and assistance with internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. Since 2003, First Tee has provided more than $10.6 million in scholarships to help fund participants' education.

First Tee School Program

Since 2004, First Tee has trained educators at more than 10,000 elementary schools to teach First Tee curriculum in their Physical Education classes.

The program aligns with national physical education standards developed by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) and is designed to allow physical educators to adjust lessons in response to class size, time, and facility type.

First Tee and its chapters work with the school to identify funding opportunities, such as sponsors or donations.

First Tee Community Program

First Tee Community Program is an opportunity for kids to learn golf and values at their local youth center. The program partners with youth centers like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club to run the program and introduce golf using games. First Tee provides training, equipment and lesson plans.

References

External links

First Tee

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Golf associations
Sports charities
Organizations established in 1997
Charities based in Florida
Youth organizations based in Florida