Category: Press Releases

First Tee – Greater Charleston Welcomes New Board Members

January 21, 2025 | Press Release

Charleston, SC—First Tee – Greater Charleston is pleased to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors. Aaron Brewer, Richard Daudelin, Derek Ramsey, and Mary Yarbrough will join 16 returning Directors to support the administration and growth of First Tee’s golf-based character education programs, which served 22,933 young people in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties last year.

Aaron Brewer

Aaron Brewer is a seasoned real estate developer with more than 22 years of expertise in commercial real estate. He’s financed more than $300m in projects throughout Charleston and the Coastal Carolina’s and has been a Managing Partner for Mid Atlantic Capital Partners since 2018. A South Carolina native, Aaron attended Clemson University and moved to the Charleston Area in 2000. He currently resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Mary Helen, and their two sons, Davis and Hollings. Aaron is a member of Stella Maris Catholic Church and enjoys playing golf at Yeamans Hall and The Cliffs at Keowee Springs. In addition to supporting First Tee – Greater Charleston, Aaron has engaged in board work with Engaging Creative Minds, 180 Place, and The Lowcountry Food Bank.

Richard Daudelin

Richard Daudelin is an accomplished finance executive. He retired in 2022 after 34 years with Trane Technologies (formerly Ingersoll Rand). Having worked in finance for the entirety of his career, Richard held various positions including financial analyst, cost accountant, budgeting/planning analyst, controller, VP of Finance, VP of Audit, and Treasurer. He was born in Chicago, IL, attended grade school in Mt. Laurel, NJ, and moved seven times with Trane—to Charlotte, NC, Colorado Springs, CO, Anaheim, CA, Augusta, GA (where he spent time working at Club Car), Shippensburg, PA, Indianapolis, IN, and back to Charlotte, NC before moving to Charleston to enjoy retirement. Richard now resides on Daniel Island with his wife of 37 years, Carolyn. The couple has two adult daughters and welcomed their first grandchild in 2024. Richard is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing Bulls Bay and Daniel Island Club. In addition to First Tee board service, he supports United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Ada Jenkins Center. He is also Chairman of the Board for Lion Services, LLC, a nonprofit in Charlotte NC that provides employment opportunities to the blind and visually impaired.

Derek Ramsey

Derek Ramsey has served as Executive Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer for Greystar Real Estate Partners since 2000 and is a member of Greystar’s Global Investment Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Under Derek’s leadership, Greystar has completed over $1.3 billion in balance sheet capital raising transactions, over $3.5 billion in new financings for Greystar sponsor equity investment vehicles, and has closed over $300 million in corporate merger/acquisition transactions. Derek hails from Houston, Texas and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Finance from Southern Methodist University. He moved to the Charleston Area in 1998 and now resides on Daniel Island with his wife Ashley. The couple has two children, a daughter who attends the University of Georgia and a son who will be graduating from Philip Simmons High School in the Spring. Derek is a member of the Daniel Island Club and enjoys travel, golf and spending time with family. In addition to his board service with First Tee, Derek and his family are active supporters of the Tourette Association of America.

Mary Yarbrough

Mary Yarbrough is an accomplished executive with extensive experience building and developing new business lines and leading business transformation initiatives in the telecom industry.  She currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Altman Solon, a global Telecom, Media and Technology Strategy Consulting firm.  Previously, Mary held senior leadership positions in business development, marketing, product, global sales and operations during her 21-year career at Verizon Communications, most recently serving as SVP of the $3B Small Business segment.  She joined Verizon after a 6-year career in investment banking, focused on the TMT segment.  Mary and her husband, Stuart, moved to Daniel Island in the Charleston Area from Summit, NJ in 2022.  The couple has two adult children. When Mary isn’t working, she enjoys staying active – golf, pickleball, tennis, and Paddle (platform tennis) are personal favorites. She is also an extremely active business mentor, currently mentoring 25+ young women who are navigating consulting and banking careers.  Mary holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a B.S. in Finance from UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce.

About First Tee – Greater Charleston

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. The 501(c)3 offers On-Course, In-School, and Community Outreach Programs that teach life-enhancing values and interpersonal skills through the game of golf, reaching thousands of children each year in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties–22,933 in 2024 alone.

New Program Location for 5-6 Year Old Participants Effective Summer 2024

April 9, 2024 | Program Update

With the introduction of an age-based curriculum in 2023, we experienced amazing program growth among older participants (teen participation increased 107% from the previous year). To accommodate a growing number of families on our waitlist without over-extending our generous golf course partners, we’ve made the difficult decision to move our 5-6 year-old programming in Mount Pleasant to an off-golf course setting.

Effective summer 2024 (and for all seasons beyond that), our 5-6 year-old classes in Mount Pleasant will move to the lawn adjacent to Dunes West Golf & River Club’s pool on Friday afternoons. The program will continue to be an introduction to First Tee’s Golf & Life Skills curriculum. Instructors and participants will exclusively use SNAG equipment and focus on important fundamental abilities like balance, flexibility, and object control. Click here to learn more about SNAG, which we also use in our In-School Program. 

There will be no change to current programming (spring 2024). The Mount Pleasant program location change will go into effect summer 2024 and will be in effect for all future seasons. Additionally, our Summerville area 5-6 year old classes will remain unchanged at The Club at Pine Forest. Our summer registration lottery for all ages and locations of programs will take place April 29-May 5. Click here to learn more about our registration process.

We are extremely grateful to Dunes West Golf & River Club for allowing us to utilize their lawn and look forward to a fun-filled summer season!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Program Director, Meghan Taylor: [email protected].

Carolinas PGA Awards REACH Retired Professional of the Year to Tom Rader

February 21, 2024 | Press Release

Charleston, SC–Longtime Wescott Golf Club volunteer and beloved First Tee Coach Tom Rader has been named REACH Retired Professional of the Year by the Carolinas PGA.

This distinguished honor recognizes retired professionals who have given back to the game in extraordinary ways by supporting the three pillars of the PGA REACH Foundation—youth, military, and diversity.

Rader, who helps administer First Tee – Greater Charleston’s On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program at Wescott, has introduced hundreds of children to the game of golf and core value curriculum. The benefits of that work extend well-beyond the course, and Rader was recognized for his efforts as First Tee’s Volunteer of the Year in 2015. His faithfulness to the mission of positively impacting the lives of young people is as strong as ever nearly 10 years later.

“Coach Tom was one of our very first volunteers and has been with us for 15+ years,” says First Tee Program Director Meghan Taylor. “We are so grateful for him!”

Rader is also a long-time volunteer for two adaptive golf therapy initiatives at Wescott, PGA HOPE events for veterans/active duty military and the HERO Program for first responders.

Most would consider Rader an installation at Wescott. You can find him several days a week with Ziggy, Wescott’s unofficial mascot, in tow. The pair bring a smile to everyone they meet. And when they aren’t on the golf course, they’re making friends through ATD (Alliance of Therapy Dogs). Favorite ATD volunteer appearances include dog therapy days at local colleges during exam weeks.  

About First Tee – Greater Charleston

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. The 501(c)3 offers on-course, in-school, and community outreach programs that teach life-enhancing values and interpersonal skills through the game of golf. The organization reaches thousands of children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties–19,869 young people in 2023 alone.

PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation

The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, the largest of the 41 sections in the United States of America. Carolinas members across North and South Carolina are committed to serving local communities and growing the game of golf through three pillars–Youth, Military, and Diversity/Inclusion.

Meet Our New Philanthropy Director

February 5, 2024 | Press Release

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Conor O’Rourke as our new Philanthropy Director!

Conor has over a decade of fundraising experience in both independent and higher education sectors. He has dedicated his career to supporting advancement opportunities for young people. Most recently, he served as Director of Development at Rocky Hill Country Day School in Rhode Island and has held various development roles at St. George’s School (Newport, RI) and Brown University. The son of a PGA Professional, Conor developed a keen interest in golf at an early age and benefited significantly from lessons learned on the golf course. He is excited to contribute to similar hands-on learning experiences for youth in the Charleston area. 

Conor hails from New England but has strong family ties to Charleston and is eager to be an active member of the community. 

Conor enjoys history, cooking, and spending time with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Finley Anne. He also loves to play golf, particularly with pre-1930 hickory clubs that he collects and restores. 

Juan Acevedo Joins First Tee – Greater Charleston Board of Directors

January 16, 2024 | Press Release

We are pleased to welcome local entrepreneur Juan Acevedo to our Board of Directors! He is joining an active group of 19 returning directors, which brings total board membership to 20.

Born in Columbia, South America and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Juan Acevedo developed a passion for athletics at an early age. He was an All-American high school soccer player and went on to play for Ohio State University.  

After college, Acevedo ventured to South Florida where he opened several successful businesses. In 1995, he became a McDonald’s owner-operator and was awarded his first store in Ft. Lauderdale. In 1999, he relocated to Charleston, acquiring 7 McDonald’s restaurants and building 3 more stores.

Acevedo recently sold his McDonald’s restaurants but is still involved in the industry as a partner, investing in farm-to-table Mexican restaurants in San Diego (Lola 55).

In addition to serving Charleston Area youth through First Tee, Acevedo has been instrumental in the growth of the Ronald McDonald House Charity Golf Tournament in Charleston, an event that has raised more than $2,500,000 over the last 10 years to help families with children battling cancer.

Outside of work and community service, Juan enjoys spending time with his wife (Lina) and two children (Camille and Lucas).

Game Changers Immersion Program Has a New Name

Pathfinder Immersion Program participants visit College of Charleston for a robotics lesson.

January 1, 2024 | Press Release

First Tee – Greater Charleston is kicking off the New Year with a new name for its golf and STEM enrichment program. The Pathfinder Immersion Program, which launched under the name Game Changers in 2021, will continue providing year-round athletic, academic, and social/emotional support to students grades 6-12. The rebrand, set in motion by a Board of Directors vote in November, simply aims to more clearly communicate program objectives.

“We say it all the time… ‘First Tee – Greater Charleston is Building Game Changers.’ That means all of our programs–immersion, on-course/after-school, in-school, and community outreach–are Building Game Changers,” says Bucky Dudley, Executive Director. “Rebranding the immersion program is just a formality, but we hope the distinction between our tagline and this specific program will help people better understand what we’re trying to accomplish–at an organizational and program level.”

First Tee’s mission is to positively impact the lives of youth by providing structured educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choice through the game of golf. The newly dubbed Pathfinder Immersion Program is merely one tool in First Tee – Greater Charleston’s toolbox.

Dudley says “It’s still the same great program.” That means Pathfinder Immersion Program participants will continue to enjoy a full day of enrichment activities Monday through Friday each summer and Saturday meetups during the school year with all transportation, meals, and equipment provided at no cost thanks to generous donations.

A major component of the program, since its inception, has been and will continue to be professional development and STEM curriculum administered through enrichment partners such as Boeing, Synovus, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, Terracon, Frampton Construction, Main Ocean Logistics, Seafox Boats, and others. Pathfinder Immersion Program Director Lerone Johnson, Sr. says, “Our goal is to expose young people to a variety of educational options and career paths in hopes that they will be prepared to make informed choices as they mature into positive productive adults.”

Pathfinders visit Frampton Construction for a professional enrichment presentation.

The Pathfinder Immersion Program, will continue accepting a new class of rising sixth graders each summer and relies heavily on community support for continued expansion. Individuals who want to explore volunteer or enrichment partner opportunities are encouraged to contact Coach Johnson ([email protected]). 

About First Tee – Greater Charleston

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. The 501(c)3 offers on-course, in-school, and community outreach programs that teach life-enhancing values and interpersonal skills through the game of golf. The organization reaches thousands of children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties–19,869 young people in 2023 alone. Visit FirstTeeCHS.org to learn more.

About the Pathfinder Immersion Program

The Pathfinder Immersion Program launched in summer 2021 with six students. In 2022, the program earned the Barbara A. Douglass and Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award from The TORO Foundation and was featured on the Golf Channel. In 2023, program participation increased to 22 students thanks to generous community support and USGA IDEA Grant funding. First Tee – Greater Charleston endeavors to serve more than 50 students through the Pathfinder Immersion Program by summer 2027. Visit FirstTeeCHS.org/pathfinders to learn more.  

USGA Grant Supports Academic, Athletic & Professional Enrichment for Underserved Youth

October 3, 2023 | Press Release

Program Update January 1, 2024: The Game Changers Immersion Program is now called Pathfinder Immersion Program. Learn more about the switch and our vision for Pathfinders here.

First Tee – Greater Charleston is receiving a $7,500 IDEA grant from the United States Golf Association. Funds will support academic, athletic, and professional enrichment opportunities for local youth in underserved communities through First Tee’s Game Changers Immersion Program—a program that has garnered USGA support since its inception in 2021.

The USGA awards IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) grants to organizations that are expanding access to the game of golf and its inherent social emotional benefits.

Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA says, “The best way to introduce youth to the game is by meeting them where they are in their communities, and we are going to continue to drive resources toward the local level to ensure a more accessible and inclusive game for generations to come.”

Thanks to continued USGA funding and generous community support, First Tee – Greater Charleston is currently serving students grade 6-8 on a year-round basis. Participants meet with coaches and mentors Monday through Friday during the summer and on Saturdays throughout the school year for golf instruction and STEAM activities. All activities, transportation, snacks, meals, and equipment are provided at no cost to participating families.

The program is still very young, but First Tee is excited to share early trends and benefits. According to recent survey data (summer 2023), 100% of Immersion Program parents report that their child is more confident and more likely to exercise good judgment after spending time with First Tee coaches and mentors. 83% of parents report that their child is better able to cope with challenges.

“Access is important, but our primary objective isn’t access to the game. We want to provide children with access to game-changing learning opportunities. We want to help them build a toolbox for life. Confidence and coping skills are significant short-term outcomes, and we look forward to sharing more long-term program benefits as our Immersion Program matures,” says Bucky Dudley, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Charleston.

The Game Changers Immersion Program accepts a new class of rising 6th graders each summer and is on track to serve more than 56 young people, grades 6-12, by 2027.

About First Tee – Greater Charleston

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. In addition to the Game Changers Immersion Program, the chapter offers on-course, in-school, and community programs to teach life skills using the game of golf and its inherent values to more than 17,000 children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. 97% of participants receive free programming thanks to generous community support.

Contact [email protected] to learn more about how to get involved.

First Tee – Greater Charleston Welcomes New Board Members

March 7, 2023 | Press Release

Charleston, SC—First Tee – Greater Charleston (FTGC) is kicking off 2023 with enhanced board support. Seven new Directors joined the organization last month including Keith Barringer, Cynthia Hubbard-Schools, Pam Kennedy, Kelly Lyle, Jim Mackey, Kelvin Moore, and Nick Schumacher.

New board members will join an active group of 14 returning members, bringing the Board of Directors total to 21.

Get to Know the Board

Keith Barringer

Keith Barringer is a retired Senior Managing Director from Accenture where he was a founding partner. He joined Accenture in 1986 after graduating from UNC Chapel Hill and was promoted to partner in 1996. During his 35-year tenure with the firm, he held various leadership roles around the world and worked in 28 countries.

In November 2020, Keith founded Abbotts Drive Advisory, a firm committed to helping C-level leaders and boards capture the opportunities enabled by the digital revolution.

In addition to being an enthusiastic supporter of First Tee – Greater Charleston, Keith has been involved with Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, the Network of Executive Women, and Consult Your Community at Georgia Tech, where he was the founding. Keith is also a founding sponsor of the Last Mile Partnership, an innovative venture between The Coca-Cola Company, the Gates Foundation, Yale University, USAID and Accenture that streamlines medical supply distribution in Africa.

Keith and his wife Julie have three children – Alex, Grayson, and Jack. In his free time, Keith enjoys tennis, golf, soccer/football (Fulham FC season ticket holder), collecting wine, photography, reading, East Coast hip hop, and spending time with family and friends.

Cynthia Hubbard-Schools

Cynthia Hubbard-Schools grew up in South Carolina (Aiken, Orangeburg, and Charleston). She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English from the College of Charleston and spent most of her life as a legal assistant. She began her career in Columbia and returned to Charleston after accepting a position with The McNair Firm. Cynthia assumed the role of Judicial Legal Assistant to The Honorable P. Michael Duffy at the US District Court in 1995 and retired in 2018.

Cynthia splits time between San Francisco and Charleston where she enjoys spending time with her three children and three grandchildren. She and her husband, Scott, love traveling, good food, and good wine. Favorite destinations include wine country and Hawaii. Cynthia also enjoys playing golf, tennis, and pickleball.

In addition to First Tee – Greater Charleston board service, Cynthia has been involved in fundraising and event planning for Water Mission International, the American Heart Association, and local schools (Ashley Hall and Porter Gaud).

Pam Kennedy

Pam Kennedy is a retired Physical Educator and Health Teacher. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, she began teaching after graduating from Morgan State University where she played starting point guard for the lady Bears basketball team. She went on to teach for 38 years and spent 25 of those years coaching varsity basketball.

A lifelong athlete, Pam enjoys working out and loves spending time outdoors—golfing, playing pickleball, hiking, snow shoeing, and trail biking. She picked up golfing in her late 40s and has already scored a hole-in-one at Charleston National Golf Club.

Pam and her husband, Don (also a long-time educator), have a beautiful, blended family of 7 children and 15 grandchildren and an extended family of beloved students.

In addition to First Tee – Greater Charleston board service, Pam is an active member of Charity Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.

Kelly Lyle

Kelly Lyle is the Founder and former President of 2 Oceans Promotions, a Promotional Marketing Company.

Kelly attended The Ohio State University and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music on a vocal scholarship. When Broadway did not call, a love of sport led her to Brendamour Sporting Goods in Cincinnati Ohio where she became the store’s youngest manager. Recruited by Federated Department Stores, she became Divisional Merchandise Buyer for Junior Apparel and Accessories for 15 stores throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

After relocating to Nashville, Kelly was Director of Customer Service for Mercantile Department Stores Southern Division. As Director, her responsibilities included increasing sales, marketing, recruiting, training and retention of top performers for 13 stores throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.

Kelly’s next move brought her to Aiken, SC, where in 1998 she started 2 Oceans Promotions, an ASI, PPAI, and WBENC Certified Woman Owned Business. Known for creating specific branded merchandise for the Entertainment Industry. 2 Oceans was named one of the top 500 Companies in ASI from 2010-2014. The company became one of 20 Time Warner preferred vendors and garnered 2 ADDY awards during Kelly’s Ownership. The Company was sold in 2014.

Playing competitive golf in the 90s and up until mid 2000, Kelly still has a true love for the game and the people you meet along the way. Golf Memberships include Daniel Island Club, Bulls Bay, Palmetto Golf Club, and Cornerstone Club in Montrose (Telluride) Colorado. Aside from golf, Kelly seeks out 14’ers (hiking) in the summers of Colorado while traveling with husband David. She also is active in the community. Philanthropic interests have included serving on the board for Louie’s Kids and fundraising/volunteering for East Cooper Meals on Wheels.

Jim Mackey

Jim Mackey is a retired pharmaceutical executive with forty years’ experience with industry-leaders such as Wyeth, Schering-Plough, and Merck.  He served in sales, marketing, and general management roles and retired as Merck’s Senior Vice President, North America for Consumer Healthcare in 2014.  From 2015 to 2022, Jim led a successful consultancy advising both large multi-national and smaller startup firms in commercial strategy.

Jim was a long-time board member for DARE NJ, an organization providing drug and alcohol resistance education to middle school and high school students, and he has been involved with First Tee since 2009, when his home club, Plainfield Country Club, became the first private club in the nation to host First Tee programming. Jim was instrumental in both individual and corporate fundraising for First Tee – New Jersey, and he helped the chapter produce 40+ college scholarships from PCC membership.

Since relocating to the Charleston Area in 2018, Jim has continued his commitment to First Tee as a volunteer coach.  He is also an Ambassador to The Congaree Foundation, serves on the Board of Visitors for his alma mater’s Haub Business School at Saint Joseph’s University, and is a board member of the Center for Marketing Solutions at University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

Jim and his wife Mary Ann are blessed with seven adult children who are dispersed throughout the country.  Their home on Sullivan’s Island is the family’s gathering place.  In retirement, Jim is an avid golfer and an ardent supporter of all things Gamecock athletics.

Kelvin Moore

Kelvin Moore is the Chief Security Officer for The United States Small Business Administration. He resides in Charleston and Washington D.C. and advises SBA program offices in the development of information technology (IT) security and privacy.

Kelvin was born and raised in Greeleyville, South Carolina. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1990 and spent 12 years serving his country in uniform.

In 2002, Kelvin transitioned from the armed forces and was hired as the IT Director for the Suffolk County District Attorney in New York. He went on to hold various senior leadership positions managing diverse teams of personnel in support of National Security Initiatives with the U.S. Department of State, several intelligence agencies, The Department of Defense, and the Defense Information Systems Agency (as part of the Joint Interoperability Test Command).

In 2016, Kelvin assumed the role of Chief Information Officer at Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland, and he relocated to Charleston in 2018 after becoming the Deputy Director of the National Cyber Range Complex.

When Kelvin isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family and playing golf. He is an enthusiastic supporter of First Tee – Greater Charleston, and in addition to board service, he’s a devoted on-course program volunteer.

Nick Schumacher

Nick Schumacher was raised in Aiken, SC and is a proud graduate of Clemson University.  He credentialed as an unlimited general contractor and has held various management and executive roles in real estate development, consulting, and commercial and residential construction.  He currently works with the Kessler Collection, as their Corporate Vice President of Construction.  

In his spare time, Nick is active in the community, serving on various boards and committees for several youth development programs, Operation Home, and City of Charleston Housing Authority Commission. He enjoys coaching youth sports and has been an active volunteer with First Tee – Greater Charleston for over a decade. Volunteer roles include a previous term as Board Chair and serving as Chair of the GOLF&GALA committee.  

Nick has called Charleston home for 20 years.  He loves spending time traveling with his wife Katie, chasing his three kids around, and playing and enjoying live music whenever he gets the chance.

Learn More About FTGC Leadership

For a complete list of Directors and Advisory Board Members, please visit firstteechs.org/about.

First Tee – Greater Charleston Honored for Commitment to Diversity

December 1, 2022 | Press Release

Program Update January 1, 2024: The Game Changers Immersion Program is now called Pathfinder Immersion Program. Learn more about the switch and our vision for Pathfinders here.

Charleston, SC–First Tee – Greater Charleston (FTGC) stepped into the national spotlight at First Tee Network Summit in Dallas, Texas last month as a recipient of the Barbara A. Douglas and Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award. The award, presented by First Tee Headquarters (St. Augustine, FL) and The Toro Company (Bloomington, MN), recognizes outstanding leadership and commitment to promote ethnic diversity within local golf communities and the First Tee Network at large. Out of 150+ First Tee chapters, FTGC was one of two to receive this honor.

The Diversity Award is a relatively new addition to Network Summit, a bi-annual meeting of representatives from First Tee chapters around the world. It is named for Barbara A. Douglas, the first minority chairman of the United States Golf Association, and Dr. William J Powell, the first and only African American to design, build, own and operate his own golf course (Clearview Golf Club).

FTGC was nominated for the award based on geographic and financial accessibility of programming. The local 501(c)3 offers golf and life skills curriculum at 8 courses and 35 schools, 60% of which are Title I. 97% of children served receive programming free of charge. Additionally, FTGC impressed the award selection committee by pioneering a new immersion program for middle and high school students that includes STEAM curriculum, transportation, and meals in addition to golf instruction.

Staff members and stakeholders are floored by the award, but Executive Director Bucky Dudley says the work is just beginning…

“The Barbara A. Douglas and Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award is a uniquely special honor. It’s wonderful to receive validation that we are on the right track, but the work doesn’t end here. Inclusion is not a destination. It’s a journey, and the way is paved with persistent invitations.” 

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. The chapter offers on-course, in-school, and community programs to teach life skills through the game of golf to more than 17,000 children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. 

Email [email protected] to learn more about ways to get involved.

Judson McNeil, President of The Toro Foundation; Bucky Dudley, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Charleston; Kharynton Beggs, First Tee Alumna; Coach Lerone Johnson, Director of Special Programs; Kendall Flock, Director of Marketing and Communications; Russ Playford, Board Treasurer

USGA IDEA Grant is Helping First Tee – Greater Charleston Build Game Changers

October 19, 2022 | Press Release

In recognition of First Tee’s 25th anniversary, The United States Golf Association has awarded IDEA grants to 25 of the 150+ First Tee chapters across America, including First Tee – Greater Charleston. 

The IDEA Grant delivers direct funding to community-based programs that break down barriers to participation in golf and expand access to First Tee character-building curriculum. This year, 25 chapters were awarded funds to provide transportation, hire diverse coaches, train volunteers and build programs in diverse communities. First Tee – Greater Charleston received a $10,000 IDEA grant to expand its Game Changers Immersion Program, a needs-based golf and STEAM initiative that launched in 2021. 

“This year’s IDEA grants are the latest milestone that reflect significant progress made to date in partnership with First Tee,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “The best way to introduce youth to the game is by meeting them where they are in their communities, and we are going to continue to drive resources toward the local level to ensure a more accessible and inclusive game for generations to come.” 

This is First Tee – Greater Charleston’s second year receiving the USGA IDEA Grant. The local 501(c)(3) received $10,000 in 2021 as seed money for the Game Changers Immersion Program. That investment, along with generous community support, sponsored eight rising 6th graders who now participate in year-round programming–a full-day camp Monday-Friday each summer and continued golf/enrichment on Saturdays throughout the school year. 

With continued community and USGA support, First Tee – Greater Charleston added eight new rising 6th graders in summer 2022 and hired a full-time staff member, Coach Lerone Johnson, to lead Game Changers and spearhead additional DEI efforts. 

Bucky Dudley, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Charleston says, “The Game Changers program seamlessly incorporates STEAM enrichment activities, field trips, free meals, transportation, and mentoring to the foundation of our sport-based character education program. The positive response from families is a testament to the impact this program is making in the lives of young people in our community.“ 

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. In addition to the Game Changers Immersion Program, The chapter offers on-course, in-school, and community programs to teach life skills using the game of golf and its inherent values to more than 17,000 children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. 97% of the families participating in FTGC programs do so through full scholarships graciously supported by local individuals and businesses. FTGC has also partnered with local courses to make free rounds of golf available to all Charleston Area youth, regardless of program enrollment.

Email [email protected] to learn more about ways to get involved.