Author: mhart

 First Tee recognizes 2025 Ace recipients 

Ace is First Tee’s rigorous capstone program, which helps teens gameplan for the future 

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (Dec. 8, 2025) – First Tee is proud to announce that 14 participants have successfully completed the Ace program, the organization’s premier achievement, which guides young people in planning their futures through hands-on projects and real-world skill development. 

“Achieving Ace requires considerable time, dedication and self-reflection,” said Ryan Graff, vice president of programs at First Tee. “These teens have demonstrated an incredible commitment to personal growth, and we are proud of their achievements and excited to see where their futures take them.” 

The 2025 Ace achievers represent seven First Tee chapters across the country: 

  • Will Berthiaume, First Tee – Connecticut 
  • Abelina Wakeland, First Tee – Florida Gold Coast 
  • Annika Collado, First Tee – Florida Gold Coast 
  • Elise Rivas-Mucklow, First Tee – Florida Gold Coast* 
  • Jenna Misset, First Tee – Florida Gold Coast 
  • Colby Townsend, First Tee – Greater Charlotte 
  • Colin Watson, First Tee – Greater Dallas 
  • Daniel Ferguson, First Tee – Greater Dallas 
  • Jacob Lewallen, First Tee – Greater Dallas* 
  • Aarya Shewale, First Tee – Greater Houston* 
  • Arden Han-Wei, First Tee – Greater Sacramento* 
  • Hannah Stouder, First Tee – Greater Sacramento* 
  • Evan Santoso, First Tee – Silicon Valley 
  • Tristan Hipolito, First Tee – Silicon Valley* 

*Indicates Make Your Mark grant recipient

Through the Ace program, participants explore their interests and potential career paths, while creating actionable goals. To achieve Ace, participants must complete four comprehensive projects focusing on golf, education, career and community service. 

Based on their community service projects, participants can earn grants for their local chapters to expand their impact. In 2025, six Ace participants secured Make Your Mark grants totaling $41,000 for initiatives addressing critical needs in their communities. These grants allow Ace participants to leave a legacy at their chapter and inspire future participants to do the same. 

First Tee – Greater Sacramento received $10,000 in recognition of Hannah Stouder’s “Hannah’s Care Closet,” which provides free essential items to elementary school students in need. First Tee – Greater Houston received $10,000 in recognition of Aarya Shewale’s “Katy Chess Academy,” which helps kids develop life skills through chess instruction. 

For more information about the Ace program and how to get involved, visit firsttee.org/ace. 

First Tee, Golf Digest honor 2025 network award winners advancing youth through golf

Golf Digest awards $175,000 to winning First Tee chapters in celebration of their impact

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (Nov. 5, 2025) – In partnership with Golf Digest, First Tee is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 network awards, recognizing outstanding individuals and chapters who exemplify the organization’s mission to empower young people through golf.

“First Tee has more than 10,000 passionate and committed adults who are involved in supporting chapters throughout the network,” said CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Congratulations to those selected for our 2025 network awards. Our mission would not be possible without their involvement and leadership. We are also very grateful to Golf Digest for their continued support of First Tee and our chapters.”

The awards celebrate the transformative work of coaches, volunteers, educators and leaders across the First Tee network. In recognition of their achievements, Golf Digest will award $175,000 in grants to support the honorees and their chapters.

“We are proud to honor these inspiring individuals and chapters who bring the game of golf to kids of all backgrounds,” said Chris Reynolds, general manager of Golf Digest. “Their dedication helps shape character and confidence far beyond the course.”

First Tee offers programming at golf courses, schools and community sites across the country and in select international locations, impacting more than 3.1 million youth annually. It celebrates its annual award winners each fall. This year’s recipients are:

Tim Finchem Leadership Award: Andrew Hunt, First Tee – Florida Gold Coast
Founder of First Tee – Treasure Coast (now part of First Tee – Florida Gold Coast), Hunt has served as a board member and passionate mentor since 2012. His personal contributions total more than $3.5 million to various First Tee chapters and national initiatives. Most notably, he provided $450,000 to establish a new learning center in Fort Pierce, First Tee – Florida Gold Coast’s most underserved community.

Coach of the Year: Anthony Rodriguez, First Tee – Metropolitan New York
With 15 years of dedicated service, “Coach Arod” contributed more than a thousand hours of instruction in the past year alone. He’s been an integral part of the chapter’s efforts to make golf more accessible to New York City kids and teens, including an outreach initiative at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx. 

George H.W. Bush Volunteer of the Year: Allen Doyle, First Tee – Troup County
A former professional golfer, Doyle has led First Tee – Troup County for two decades as its board president and largest donor. Known for his hands-on approach, he mows grass, repairs clubs and coaches at the chapter every weekend.

Teacher of the Year:  Michelle Phillips LeBlanc, First Tee – Atlantic
Based at Forest Glen School in New Brunswick, Phillips LeBlanc has introduced over 400 students to the game of golf. She’s organized golf course field trips and a STEM mini golf challenge, where students design a course in the gym and welcome parents to play.

Each of the chapters will receive $25,000 from Golf Digest to further their impact. First Tee – Canada will split its prize with Forest Glen School. Additionally, Golf Digest will make financial contributions to three chapters that are being recognized with the Barbara A. Douglas & Dr. William J. Powell Community Award, which celebrates chapters that are championing access and inclusivity.

  • First Tee – Greater Richmond ($35,000)
    Hosting over 25 annual field trips for Title I schools, this chapter has impacted 500+ kids through partnerships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Police Athletic League.
  • First Tee – Birmingham ($25,000)
    The chapter boasts a diverse roster of board members and coaches, ensuring every participant has an advocate or mentor with whom they identify. It also offers scholarships to all participants on free- or reduced-lunch programs.
  • First Tee – East Baton Rouge Parish ($15,000)
    Led by executive director Henry Pointer, Louisiana’s first Black PGA professional, this chapter maintains deep partnerships with local schools and nonprofits.

First Tee launches National Alumni Advisory Council to strengthen engagement across its growing Alumni Network 

The First Tee National Alumni Advisory Council held its first in-person meeting in Charlotte 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2025) – First Tee has launched a National Alumni Advisory Council, a group of 20 dynamic alumni who are business and community leaders from across the United States. The council will play a key role in shaping the future of the organization’s growing Alumni Network. 

The Alumni Council’s primary focus will be to guide and direct strategies that engage more alumni in meaningful ways — helping them stay connected to each other and to First Tee’s mission of empowering young people through golf and life skills programming. 

In addition to virtual meetings, the Alumni Council will gather annually, with its first session having taken place Sept. 12-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is sponsored by Gallagher. 

“First Tee alumni are an essential part of our story and our future,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The Alumni Council will help ensure we are creating opportunities for them to continue to grow, give back and lead, while staying connected to the values they developed through First Tee.” 

The Alumni Council is co-chaired by Rayshon Payton of First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City, who works as general counsel for Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt, and Sara Diaz of First Tee – San Antonio, a presenter for ESPN+ and PGA TOUR Live and vice president of recruiting for Capstone Hospitality. 

“I’m thrilled to come full circle with First Tee, an organization that has shaped not only my life but the lives of so many others,” Payton said. “Serving as board chair of the Alumni Council is a special opportunity to give back, support the next generation and help strengthen a community that continues to inspire growth on and off the course.” 

“I’m excited to continue being part of the First Tee, the program where my golf journey began,” Diaz said. “I’m truly honored to be selected as co-chair of the First Tee Alumni Council and look forward to expanding our Alumni Network to foster lasting connections and meaningful opportunities.” 

Council members represent a diverse group of graduates who embody the impact of First Tee programs. They were appointed and will serve terms of two, three or four years. Together, they will guide efforts to recruit alumni, design impactful engagement opportunities and drive alumni reconnection to local chapters. As ambassadors of the program, they will inspire current participants and help grow a powerful, united Alumni Network. 

The First Tee Alumni Network includes thousands of former participants who have carried the organization’s values into their careers, communities and lives. Since its launch in 2020, the First Tee Alumni Network has provided career assistance, professional and personal development opportunities and fun events for former participants. It’s free to join and open to all First Tee Alumni. 

For more information about the Alumni Network, visit firsttee.org/alumni. 

2025 Alumni Council members 

Rayshon Payton Metropolitan Oklahoma City General Counsel, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester 
Sara Diaz Greater San Antonio VP of Recruiting, Capstone Hospitality 
Anthony Bonales Central Valley Finance Manager, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling 
Grace Kehoe Greater Charlotte Media Logger, PGA TOUR 
Karrington Knight Greater New Orleans Staff Assistant, Rep. Jasmine Crockett 
Steven Outlaw, PGA Hammond (Historical) Director of Sales & Marketing, Troon 
Colm Parrish Pittsburgh Category Manager, Catalent Pharma Solutions 
Hannah Rens Siouxland Systems Engineer, Boeing 
Benjamin Nganga Tennessee Real Estate Valuations Analyst, Baker Tilly 
Ashley Noda Greater Sacramento Director of Outreach & Competitive Activities, First Tee – Greater Sacramento 
Alyssa Ramont Central Valley Executive Administrative Assistant, San Francisco Giants 
David Singh Tampa Bay Program Manager, Cleveland Clinic of Florida 
Blake Christenson Tennessee Designer, Cooper Carry 
Michelle Xie Silicon Valley Software Engineer, Dave 
Mia Bishop Metro Atlanta Psychotherapist 
Brittany Gill Greater Richmond Corporate Partnerships Manager, PGA TOUR 
Derrick Ow Monterey County Communications & Customer Service Coordinator, Northern California Golf Association 
Connor Shooks Benton Harbor Sports Management Student, University of Michigan 
Callen Williams Metropolitan New York Assistant Program Director, First Tee – Metropolitan New York 
Taryn Yee Greater Sacramento Program Manager, Meta 

Creating a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment: Why Class Management Matters at First Tee

August 25, 2025 | From First Tee Headquarters
By Kristin Westberg – Senior Director, Training & Evaluation

At First Tee, we believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming and empowering space to grow — both on and off the golf course. That’s why we place such a strong emphasis on class management. But what does that mean for your child? 

It means we’re committed to creating an environment where your child feels seen, supported and inspired — not just to learn golf, but to build confidence, character and life skills. 

Building relationships first 

Our coaches start by getting to know each participant. Greeting kids by name, asking about their day and showing genuine interest helps your child feel like they belong. When children feel respected and valued, they’re more likely to engage positively and feel confident in their surroundings. 

Clear expectations = safe kids 

We work with participants to set clear, age-appropriate expectations that keep everyone safe and focused. For example: 

  • “Stop, look and listen on the coach’s signal.” 
  • “Stay in the safety zone when not hitting.” 
  • “Only swing in the hitting area.” 

By involving kids in creating these expectations, they understand not just the rules, but the reasons behind them. This helps them take ownership of their behavior and feel more invested in the group’s success. 

Keeping kids engaged and active 

We know that kids learn best when they’re active and having fun. That’s why our sessions are designed to keep everyone moving, learning and participating. We use stations, group rotations and fun visuals to keep things fresh and safe. Even when it’s not their turn, kids are encouraged to help a partner or review what they’ve learned. 

And safety isn’t just physical — it’s emotional too. Our coaches use positive reinforcement and fair, consistent responses to behavior, helping every child feel secure and supported. 

Consistency builds confidence 

Simple cues like a whistle or a phrase (“1, 2, 3, all eyes on me”) help coaches get kids’ attention quickly and respectfully. Using the same cues across all classes helps your child know what to expect, which builds confidence and comfort. 

Our coaches are trained to support your child 

At First Tee, our coaches are more than instructors — they’re mentors. Each coach receives training in youth development, class management and safety practices. We also partner with trusted organizations like the Positive Coaching Alliance to ensure our team is equipped with the latest tools and strategies to support your child’s growth — on and off the course. Through ongoing learning and development, our coaches are prepared to create a positive, inclusive and empowering experience for every participant. 

Together, we’re creating a space where your child can feel safe, supported and ready to grow — not just as a golfer, but as a person. Because when we manage our classes with care, we make room for character to shine. 

Find a First Tee Chapter near you!