Category: Uncategorized

May 27, 2025 | Alumni Spotlight

Each year, we are thrilled to provide academic scholarships to First Tee – Greater Charleston alumni who are enrolled in post-secondary education programs. This year’s class features nine scholars, four of whom have been generously sponsored by Yeamans Hall…

Ben Cuff

Ben is a renewing scholar attending Clemson University. He’s a rising junior majoring in Computer Science and will be interning with Meta as a software engineer this summer.

Cate Cuff

Cate is a renewing scholar entering her junior year as a Nutrition Major at Clemson University.

Otis Franklin

Otis is a renewing scholar entering his sophomore year at the College of Charleston, where he plans to major in African American Studies.

Jackie Freibert

Jackie is a renewing scholar entering her sophomore year at Coastal Carolina University. She is studying Professional Golf Management and will join First Tee – Greater Charleston as a Community Outreach Intern over the summer.

Alice Li

Alice is a renewing scholar entering her sophomore year as an Engineering Major at Columbia University.

Mackenzie Manning

Mackenzie is a new scholar graduating this spring from Ashley Ridge High School. She will attend Berry College in the fall where she will be playing golf.

Kate Nyers

Kate is a renewing scholar and rising senior at Belmont Abbey. She plays on Belmont’s golf team, plans to major in marketing, and will complete an internship with Kiawah Partners this summer.

Joseph Terry

Joseph is a new scholar graduating from Palmetto Christian Academy. He plans to attend Auburn University in the fall.

Nathan Thomas

Nathan is a renewing scholar entering his sophomore year as an Engineering Major at Clemson University Honors College.

We are incredibly proud of these young people and wish them well in their continued success!

May 13, 2025 | Event

Friends of First Tee – Greater Charleston showed up and showed out yesterday for the 7th Annual 100 Hole Golfathon presented by JM2. Many thanks to the players who braved intense rain for a long (but fun) day of golf. We are also grateful to the generous donors who supported their journey, collectively raising $61,302 to keep kids on course!

Event proceeds help fund golf-based character education programs for 22k+ annually in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, ensuring that 97% of kids participate at no cost and fueling three vehicles to provide game-changing transportation services for families in underserved communities.

This year’s event featured 27 dedicated teams. Each played 100-109 holes in less than ideal weather. Finishing the day was an accomplishment in itself, but we are eager to extend an extra special congratulations to this year’s top finishers…

John Michael Moore & Weston Peters
Fundraising Champs
$10,065 Raised

Jeff McDowell & Tony Polichemi
Second Place
$7,175 Raised

Jordan Lewis & Logan Heydt
Third Place & Most Spirited
$4,775 Raised

Jordan and Logan claimed our Most Spirited Award with an amazing spectacle for passersby to enjoy. Their giant duck was as dependable as he was adorable, staying put all day through downpours and the low clearance tunnel at Wescott Golf Club.

The Mystery Inc gang (First Tee Alum Maya Timmons and friends Zoe Mills, Tyasia Knight, and Tyana Knight) are also deserving of spirited praise for setting the mood bar high.

Thank you to the many players, donors, and sponsors (including JM2, Biggby Coffee, Verde, and Home Team BBQ) who made this wild and rainy event a success. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

May 2, 2025 | Participant Spotlight

Each year, Coaches for Character partners with Charleston County School District to recognize students who have overcome tremendous odds to achieve amazing things. CHAMP Awards are given to students who demonstrate strong character, academic effort, community involvement, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Willie Lofton, who joined our Pathfinder Immersion Program in 2022, without a doubt embodies all of those things. A talented musician attending Allegro Charter School of Music, a committed golfer, and a friend to all, Willie was presented with a CHAMP Award on April 26th during a ceremony at Trident Tech featuring special guests Cade Klubnik, Clemson Quarterback, and Lanorris Sellers, USC Quarterback.

And our very own Coach Johnson was, of course, honored to attend…

Congratulations, Willie! It is an absolute privilege to know you.

April 7, 2025 | Program Update

On March 26, teams from 17 Charleston Area elementary schools traveled to Wescott Golf Club to compete in Champions Cup, our annual Golf & Life Skills tournament. This year’s event was generously sponsored by the Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation and Bear the Palm.

Photos by Banner Photography

Students, who were selected to participate by their PE teachers, demonstrated their knowledge of our Golf & Life Skills Curriculum by competing in 9 golf challenges (such as chipping a ball into the mouth of a larger-than-life-sized inflatable hippo) and 9 Core Value challenges. 

The following schools, all of which belong to our In-School Program network, participated in the tournament:

Ashley River Creative Arts
Charleston Development Academy
Charleston Progressive Academy
Chicora Elementary
Goose Creek Elementary
James B. Edwards Elementary
Julian Mitchell Elementary
Lambs Elementary
Marrington Elementary
Montessori Community School
Mount Zion Elementary
Oakland Elementary
Orange Grove Charter School
St. John Catholic School
Stiles Point Elementary
Sullivan’s Island Elementary
Whitesville Elementary

Volunteers from the Lucy Beckham Girls Golf Team were also on-hand to help our Coaches and Board Members with games and scoring.

All teams had fun, played well, and exhibited First Tee’s Nine Core Values (respect, courtesy, responsibility, honesty, sportsmanship, confidence, judgment, perseverance, and integrity). They also took home commemorative pullovers from Bear the Palm and fee-waived invitations to participate in additional First Tee programs at seven Charleston Area golf courses. 

Whitesville Elementary and Chicora Elementary

It was an extremely close contest, and as with any golf match, lowest score wins. Whitesville Elementary finished third with a score of 136, Chicora Elementary finished second with a score of 128, and Stiles Point Elementary took home the Champions Cup title with a score of 127! The Stiles Point team will be recognized at a special awards ceremony at their school and each team member will receive a free set of age-appropriate golf clubs.

Stiles Point Elementary, our 2025 Tournament Champions

We had such an amazing day, our best Champions Cup yet! Many thanks to the volunteers, PE Coaches, chaperones, kids, and donors who made it possible.

Want to support school outreach? Email Conor@FirstTeeCHS.org, to learn more about how you can get involved.

March 25, 2025 | Event

On May 12, Friends of First Tee – Greater Charleston will take on the incredible challenge of playing 100 holes of golf in one day at Wescott Golf Club to raise money and awareness for our golf-based character development programs and game-changing transportation services.

Since 2019, Golfathon-ers have raised more than $700,000 to fund youth enrichment opportunities at Charleston Area courses, schools, and community centers—all by collecting pledges and playing as many holes as humanly possible. Their efforts play a vital role in keeping our programs free for 97% of participants, and since 2021, this event has funded and fueled the buses needed to make programming possible for kids who live furthest from the golf course.

Two-person teams will compete for top Golfathon honors, including:

• Fundraising Champs (team with most dollars raised)
• Most Influential (team with most donors reached)
• Most Spirited (team with best outfits and gimmicks)

Golfers can register to play now through April 11 (simply register as an individual and encourage your teammate to do the same; our staff will handle the rest). All are welcome, but space is limited.

Corporate teams are encouraged, and we (not so secretly) hope you will invite colleagues and competitors to battle it out on course in over-the-top branded costumes for Most Spirited. Event sponsorships are also available. Please email Conor@FirstTeeCHS.org to learn more.

See you May 12!

March 14, 2025 | Program Update

We are currently accepting applications for our Pathfinder Immersion Program! Any rising 6th grader is eligible to apply now through April 14.

Ideal candidates should have an interest in learning golf, engaging in STEM curriculum, and exploring academic/professional development opportunities. No prior golf experience is required. Accepted students will participate in a 6-week summer camp (based out of Charleston Day School) followed by Saturday enrichment activities throughout the school year. 

There is no cost to apply or participate in this program. Activities, equipment (including golf clubs), transportation, and meals are all fully funded by generous community support. 

Families and professionals working with youth in underserved communities, are encouraged to contact Lerone@FirstTeeCHS.org learn more.

February 3, 2025 | Team Spotlight

We are excited to announce the hire of Amy Kissell, our new Gift & Data Manager! Amy will play a vital role in streamlining administrative efficiencies, donor communication, and garnering grant support to advance the First Tee mission.

Amy has more than 20 years experience working in a fast-passed environment as Executive Director of Operations for a local food manufacturing company. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s from The Citadel.

A Charleston native, Amy splits her time between Charleston and Nantucket, Massachusetts, where her husband is from and her son currently resides. Her husband and son are both avid golfers, with her son being a former First Tee participant. Amy’s daughter is proudly serving in the Army and is currently deployed overseas.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys reading, exercising, playing pickleball, and exploring her creative side through knitting, needlepointing, quilting, and sewing. A passionate traveler, she loves discovering new places and cultures.

January 7, 2025 | Team Spotlight

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Jensen Tomberlin as Program Manager! Jensen will be assisting with community outreach efforts and golf instruction for First Tee’s Pathfinder Immersion Program.*

Jensen is in the PGA PGM Associate Program and has been playing golf for 15 years. Previous work experience includes administering summer camps and tournaments at Topgolf and more than 5 years as a researcher at MUSC.

A South Carolina native, Jensen hails from Cheraw, where he played high school golf. He attended CofC and has called Charleston home for over 10 years. Outside of work, he’s a proud dog dad who also enjoys Ultimate Frisbee, board/card games, Dungeons and Dragons, karaoke, and spending quality time with friends and family.

*While Jensen will assist with a wide variety of programming, please continue to direct all program inquires to our Program Director, Meghan Taylor.

September 30, 2024 | Participant Spotlight

Zach Jefferies is like most middle school students. He enjoys spending time with friends. He likes sports and video games. He seems light-hearted and has a great sense humor. But Zach also possesses remarkable patience—an unusual quality for a young person, shaped by exceptionally challenging circumstances.

At the age of 10, Zach discovered unusual bruising on his feet after soccer practice. His local emergency room sent him to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent surgery and received his first chemotherapy treatment the same night.

Zach faced more than 100 chemotherapy treatments in the years to follow. On several occasions, he was admitted to the hospital for weeks at a time. And leukemia wasn’t his only battle. In 2021, Zach suffered an adverse reaction to chemotherapy resulting in Osteonecrosis in his ankles, legs and wrists. Pain, swelling, and muscle weakness confined him to a wheelchair for 9 months and limited his mobility in the years to follow. Physical activity became an extremely difficult albeit necessary part of his recovery.

In February of 2022, Zach picked up a golf club for the first time and was instantly hooked…

“Golf provided a way for Zach to step away from the stress of treatment and replaced the loss he felt from no longer being able to play soccer. He found serenity on the course and a sense of accomplishment as his ability to play improved.”

– Lisa Jefferies

In 2023, one of our favorite Community Partners, Camp Happy Days, introduced us to Zach and helped us surprise him with an early Christmas present, a set of clubs and an invitation to participate in our On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program in 2024.

We’re thrilled to share that Zach has completed treatment, is in remission, and has been enrolled in three seasons of on-course programming!

“He loves it…  He has made friends and the staff is great. It has been wonderful to see him out having fun!”

– Lisa Jefferies

At First Tee, we talk a lot about Core Values and how they are applicable on the golf course and in life. Perseverance is one of our favorites, and when Zach is on-course, we can assure you that he is teaching as much as he is learning.

August 15, 2024 | Program Update

Our PGA Jr. League team had an amazing summer! Lead by Coach Wayne Nance, Coach Frank Moore, Ben Schwing (summer intern/2024 Christian Brothers University graduate), and Jake Stanbrough (summer intern/rising sophomore at The Citadel), this talented group won 2 and tied 1 out of 4 matches…

6/15 Cassique – 5:7
6/22 Wescott – 12:0 – WIN
6/29 CCC – 9:2 – WIN
7/20 Cassique – 6:6

Congratulations to all of our hard-working team members… Ellie, Taylor, Clayton. Lilly, Vivian, Tommy, Truen, Eli, Crosby, Atticus, Chandler, Angelina, Blakely, Alec, Sam, Giada, Holden, Ellie Ann, Ava, Mara, Owen, Eli, Thad, and Lucas!

Victory at Country Club of Charleston

All Jr. League participants represented First Tee well, exhibiting respect, courtesy, and sportsmanship in the face of steep competition and perseverance through, what at least felt like, the hottest summer ever.

The weather was challenging in more ways than one, as we had 2 matches called for lightning. Even our final rain date was cancelled due to course conditions following Tropical Storm Debby.

Don’t let the jerseys confuse you. We don’t have a “home course” of our own, but we still rotate between orange and blue for “home” and “away” matches.

But the good far outweighed the bad this season. Everyone had a blast! Wednesday afternoon practices at Patriots Point Links and Saturday matches were a family affair. We enjoyed building friendships and making plans for the future. Our host courses were extremely generous. The kids even received special mementos to commemorate the season… balls from the US Open in Pinehurst courtesy of the USGA!

Playing with our lucky golf balls from the US Open.

To learn more about how to get your child enrolled visit pgajrleague.com, and stay tuned for registration information in our monthly newsletters.

Coach Jake and team enjoying Cassique.