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Meet Our New Gift & Data Manager

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.

Meet Our New Program Manager

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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.

Zach Finds an Outlet On-Course after Leukemia Diagnosis

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.

PGA Jr. League Summer Highlights

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.

AEC Cornhole Tournament Raises $15k for First Tee

Frampton Construction chooses First Tee – Greater Charleston as beneficiary for 2nd Annual Charleston AEC Industry Cornhole Tournament.

November 3, 2023 | Community Support

Our friends at Frampton Construction hosted the 2nd Annual Charleston AEC Industry Cornhole Tournament at Holy City Brewing yesterday and raised $15,000 with the help of industry partners for First Tee – Greater Charleston programs!

As reigning 2022 champs, Frampton was nominated to orchestrate the event and chose First Tee as beneficiary. Thank you, Team Frampton!

Teams from Seaman Whiteside took home first and second place, and will have the opportunity to host next year’s event.

A huge thank you goes to Triangle Lawn Games for coordinating tournament logistics and all participating teams: Frampton Construction, Terracon, Landmark Construction, Davis & Floyd, Lithko Contracting, Eldeco Inc, JE Dunn Construction, Steel Fab, Trident Construction, Quantum Commercial, Mashburn Construction, and Seamon Whiteside & Associates.

Want to host an event benefiting First Tee – Greater Charleston? Email Kendall to coordinate.

Gene’s Dream Foundation Mentor Cup

Participant Spotlight | November 2, 2023

Clayton, Jayden, and Baron played the Gene’s Dream Foundation Mentor Cup in Myrtle Beach last weekend. They kicked things off on Friday with a meet-and-greet event at Topgolf. Jayden even got a few pointers from special guest Nancy Lopez!

On Saturday, Baron got closest to the pin on the #9 par 3 and won a pro shop gift card. He nearly holed it for an Ace! He tapped in a one-foot putt for birdie, his best hole ever.

Clayton and Jayden also played well. Here’s Clayton stripping a drive…

The Mentor Cup is an annual mentor/mentee team event dedicated to the memory of Gene Weldon, a 50-year PGA Professional who was instrumental in the foundation and development of a formidable junior golf program in Myrtle Beach. Gene believed that golf was a reflection of life—that friendships made and character developed on the course could be transformative. That spirit is captured in the Mentor Cup. Our mentor and mentee participants were touched by the level of community support. Each hole had volunteers handing out drinks, candy, golf balls, and other goodies, and comradery among teams was a major aspect of the event.

Coach Todd and Baron (left) pose with playing partners from First Tee – Greater Charlotte (right)

“It was great meeting representatives from other [First Tee] chapters… I really enjoyed it and think the event was great exposure for all three of our mentee participants!” – Coach Todd Murphy

Our superstars didn’t bring home the cup, but we certainly are proud of the way they represented Charleston! We hope to send more teams in 2024. Stay tuned for details and visit GenesDream.com to learn more.

Game Changers Hold Mock Trial Event at Charleston Historic Courthouse

Game Changers pose with mock trial volunteers at Charleston Historic Courthouse | Photo by Gabriel Conn

July 20, 2023 | Program Update

Program Update January 1, 2024: The Game Changers Immersion Program is now called Pathfinder Immersion Program.

Our Game Changers Immersion Program (GCIP) held its third annual mock trial event at Charleston’s Historic Courthouse yesterday. Amanda Perry, Esq. and Steven Smith, Esq. have been practicing with GCIP kids all summer in preparation for two cases—the State vs. Gold E. Locks and the State vs. Jack Robinson (of Jack and the Beanstalk).

First-year Game Changers (rising sixth graders) prosecuted and defended Jack. Second and third-year participants (rising seventh and eighth graders) represented Gold E. Locks and her accusers, the Bear family.

While all parties presented persuasive arguments, the jury reached unanimous verdicts in both cases. Gold E. Locks was found guilty of bad manners and theft. Jack Robinson was found not guilty of second degree intentional homicide.

Special thanks to Amanda Perry, Esq. and Steven Smith, Esq. who support this enrichment opportunity year after year with their time, talent, and energy. Our Game Changers have learned so much from you!

And thank you to the many volunteers and staff members who helped make this year’s event a success—Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, Esq. (judge), Officer Gause (bailiff), Officer Rice (bailiff), Ryan Webster, Esq. (juror), First Tee Program Director Meghan Taylor (juror), First Tee Marketing Director Kendall Flock (juror), Game Changers Immersion Program Director Lerone Johnson, and camp counselors Maddie, Antonio, Vada, Olivia, and Gabe.

Get to Know Our 2023 Summer Interns

May 25, 2023 | Program Update

Summer is an exciting season for First Tee – Greater Charleston! When the school year ends, we’re able to reach hundreds of kids through community partner organizations, and we host a full-day, Monday-Friday camp for our Game Changers Immersion Program participants. This is in addition to summer Core Golf & Life Skills classes at six course locations. Needless to say, we need all the help we can get… which is why we are very excited and exceedingly grateful to introduce our 2023 team of summer interns!

Vada Williams, Dee M. Robinson Fellow

Vada will be working with our Game Changers Immersion Program, and as a Dee M. Robinson Fellow, he will also be learning the inner-workings of nonprofit life. Vada is a rising senior at Chicago State majoring in business management. He is currently the men’s golf team captain and serves as the Student Athlete Advisory Board President! He is looking most forward to being able to mentor the kids the same way he was when he was a First Tee participant growing up.

Antonio DelCastillo, Game Changers Intern

Antonio will be working with our Game Changers Immersion Program this summer. He’s a student at the University of Alabama and is expected to graduate in May of 2026 with an Anthropology, Economics, Pre-Med, STEM path to his MBA. He is a member of the National Hispanic Honors Society and is also a Level 1 First Tee Coach who graduated from the First Tee – Orange County program, where he was involved since the age of 6.

Madeline Webster, Game Changers Intern

Madeline will be working with our Game Changers Immersion Program. She is a rising Junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management. FUN FACT: She went to a 2019 PGA TOUR event and got a fist bump from Tiger Woods! Madeline is excited to spend her summer on the golf course and connecting with young people who share her love of the game.

Gabe Conn, Game Changers Intern

Gabe is pulling double duty as a marketing and Game Changers Immersion Program intern. He is going into his senior year at University of South Carolina and is majoring in sport and entertainment management. Gabe currently works for the News and Creative Media Team at USC covering all sports and he looks forward to applying those skills to help tell the story of First Tee and our amazing program participants.

Olivia Ratliff, Game Changers Intern

Olivia will be working with our Game Changers as well. She is a sophomore at South Carolina State majoring in Middle Level Education and Political Science. She enjoys playing tennis and watching sports in her free time. She is most looking forward to helping kids develop life skills as her passion lies with teaching, education, and youth development.

Tanner Reynolds, Outreach Intern

Tanner is one of our Outreach Program interns. He is a rising senior at the University of South Carolina and majoring in sport and entertainment management. Before his time at USC, he was captain of the men’s golf team at Montreat University. He is excited to work with the kids in our programs and help them build a relationship with the game of golf!

David Fahrer, Outreach Intern

David will be working alongside Tanner as an Outreach Program intern. He is entering his junior year at the University of South Carolina, and he is majoring in finance. David has been a First Tee program participant since he was five years old and is most looking forward to helping kids learn life skills!

Learn More About Internships

Interning with First Tee is a meaningful way to build your resume, and it’s also a lot of fun! We advertise internships and volunteer opportunities in our monthly newsletter. Subscribe to our email list or contact Meghan Taylor to learn more.

The Key to Setting Reachable Goals

Have you ever thought about your achievements in life? What were the dreams and ambitions that you wanted to work towards? How did you get there? At First Tee, these are the type of questions we propose to kids and teens to help them understand the process of attaining goals; but to reach their goal, they must first understand how goals are formulated.  

A goal is something that you want to do, be or have, but it’s not something that you can do, be or have right at this moment. It’s something you must work to get in the future, and you can apply that to any challenge in life. For example, if your child wants to achieve Honor Roll and receive all As and Bs in school this year, what would that require them to do? They would need to do well on tests and assignments. How would they accomplish that? Encourage them to take good notes, turn in their work on time, and study for their tests. 

For kids, having guidelines or tools can effectively help them identify their goals and make them feel comfortable about reaching them. At First Tee, we utilize four guidelines to do this. Talk to your child about the dreams they currently have and try these out for yourself. 

Four Guidelines for Setting a Reachable Goal: 

  • The goal is Positive: 
    • I want to achieve a passing score of 80% or higher vs. I don’t want to fail this test 
  • The goal is Important to You: 
    • The goal needs to be important to you, not to someone else. You should be able to explain why you want to achieve it and why it will make a difference for you. 
  • The goal is Specific: 
    • You want to know exactly what you’re working toward. 
  • The goal is Under your Control: 
    • Your efforts will allow you to achieve this goal vs. Something that is out of your control like becoming famous or winning the lottery. 

Goal setting is a strategy kids and teens will apply for the rest of their life. When we set our goals, we want to be very clear about them so that we have the best chance to achieve them. The key to remember is that goals come in all shapes and sizes. Just because it doesn’t work for someone else doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve it. Your kids will learn from both their achievements and setbacks, but as they begin to set personal goals, they will learn and grow in ways that you did not think possible. 

Want to get involved with what we are building at First Tee? Click here to find out more. 

Three Ways to Help Kids Develop a Positive Self Identity

Experiences are our greatest teachers. They shape how we treat others, how we see the world around us, and how we view ourselves. How we view ourselves is also known as our self identity and is defined as the qualities and potential you possess. It can influence the choices you make, the attitude you have day-to-day, and ultimately, it becomes your inner voice. For youth especially, a positive self identity can have a massive impact on who they become as adults. There are many ways parents can help their kids develop a positive self identity, and at First Tee we pride ourselves in nurturing a positive self identity for youth. Here are three ways you can help your kids develop a positive self identity inspired by our core values. 

Live Your Values

Kids watch and learn from the adults in their lives every day. Studying their actions and responses, they develop their identity based on their guardians and the other mentors in their life. If you live according to the values you want your kids to have, then they are more likely to absorb that into their own independent lives. That being said, having a mentor is a great way to ensure this happens. At First Tee,youth learn from their coaches by:

  • Treating others with respect and honesty 
  • Experiencing the value of teamwork, not just by being told to act as a team but by witnessing their coach lead with teamwork. 
  • Watching their coaches exercise positive self talk and kindness to others around them brings out the best in themselves and their self identity.  

Create a Culture of Acceptance

When there is no room for failure there is no room for growth. Fostering an environment that is not only safe for kids to fail but encourages them to try again, helps kids develop a strong sense of self. Acceptance also transcends just failure; it also means that every person, regardless of their background, is welcome. We work together to actively create a space of belonging for every kid— no matter what walk of life. Through example we encourage youth to accept their team members for who they are, treat each other with kindness, and create that culture of acceptance everywhere, so that when they reflect on themselves and their own identity they treat themselves with the same level of respect and positivity that they give others.

Empowerment Through Experiences

For kids, experiences shape their inner voice that gives them confidence and character. Not all experiences in life are easy, and when we empower youth to persevere and stay true to themselves, we bring out the best that’s inside of them. First Tee exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. As time goes on, that empowerment creates a strong sense of self, and encourages a positive self identity even in difficult situations. 

Though a positive self identity may seem like something only some people are born with, it is really something that can be cultivated through leading by example, an open culture of acceptance, and consistent empowerment through all experiences. What do you want your child’s inner voice to sound like when they grow up? Nurturing their self identity can make all the difference in that. We guide kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action. If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today! 

Building Understanding, Trust and Empathy with Active Listening

Every conversation can be an opportunity to learn something new, build trust with someone, and deepen connections. This happens when we build the skill of active listening and learn to treat listening as an active process – not a passive one. 

What is Active Listening?

Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. It’s about being present, listening to understand (not respond), and showing active interest and engagement in the dialogue.  

Why does it matter? 

Active listening is an important skill for all of us to cultivate. Not only is it an important leadership skill, it has been shown to promote mindful thinking, can reduce anxiety and depression, helps build relationships and can promote empathy.  

How do we practice it?

At First Tee, we use a process called A-L-R to help build connection through active listening. This helps us to deepen conversations, keep them going, and get the most out of them. Here’s how A-L-R works:

  • Asking questions: Asking thoughtful questions is not only a way you can keep the conversation going, but it gives you a deeper understanding of the person or topic you are engaging with. 
    • Helpful Tip: Be curious. Try asking questions that dig a bit deeper: How did they feel in that moment? What was going on in their minds during that experience? What would they do differently the next time? These make the conversation richer, rather than closed-ended questions that are typically answered with a simple Yes or No.  
  • Listening to understand: When you ask a question, it is important to listen carefully to what the person is saying. We can sometimes be fixated on what we are going to say next, or when it’s our turn to jump back into the conversation, but try not to think about what you are going to say next.. Your focus is on them and their perspective rather than your own. 
    • Helpful Tip: Make an effort to try to clear your mind first of any distracting thoughts. It can help to jot down a mental or physical note of things on your mind in order to give your full attention. 
  • Reflect & respond to the reply: Keep the conversation going by responding in a way that connects with what they just said. You can try to restate in your own words what the person said, share what you think or feel about it, or ask another open-ended question that connects with what the person just said.
    • Helpful Tip: Show engagement and interest in what they are saying: look them in the eye when they are talking, use body language like nodding your head.


Active listening requires work, but you’ll be surprised at how much reward there is when you approach conversations and communication with this skill. Active listening is just one of the skills we are supporting kids and teens to build at First Tee. Click here to find out more about our programs.

4 Ways To Encourage Positive Thinking In Kids

We all deal with highs and lows in life. Even as kids, we experience a variety of emotions that have a direct impact on our choices, and the way we think about ourselves. A bad experience can result in negative thinking which can be detrimental to a young person’s self confidence and outlook on life. That’s why positive thinking is so powerful— not just for adults but kids as well. Maintaining a positive attitude can be challenging at times, but through practice and encouragement it becomes a skill that can shape and transform young lives.

Just as you exercise your swing before hitting the ball, it’s important to practice things that can promote positive thinking. Our minds are valuable tools, and maintaining a healthy and positive headspace can improve confidence and drive in all aspects of life.

Here are four ways that you can encourage positive thinking in your kids:

  1. Always Give Your Best Effort – Parents and mentors should encourage kids to give their best effort as often as possible. At First Tee, we believe that it is important to help kids show up to the challenge, and develop the resilience and inner strength needed to give their best effort on and off the golf course. If kids can give their best effort in all of their endeavors, they will be able to realize what they are truly capable of. This can directly improve their confidence, and help them develop a positive attitude about the world around them.
  1. Give Back To Your Community – Giving back to your community, or causes that you care about is another great way to maintain a positive mindset. Volunteering can help your family connect with others who hold similar values and beliefs. Even activities as simple as tutoring someone on the weekend, or pulling a neighbor’s weeds can have a tremendous effect on the community you live in. When kids can see that their actions can make a positive difference in the world, they will be more likely to feel positively about themselves, and their community.
  1. Practice Positive Self-Talk – Parents and mentors should show kids the importance of being gentle with themselves and others. A great way to help kids develop this skill is to tell them to talk to themselves as if they are talking to their best friend. If they wouldn’t say something mean to their friend or loved one, they shouldn’t say it to themselves. The way we think directly impacts our behavior and feelings about the world. If kids can think positively about themselves, they will likely feel the same way about the world around them.
  1. Take Ownership & Responsibility For Your Actions – Helping kids realize they have control over the outcomes of the challenges they face can help build confidence and reduce overall anxiety. Reducing anxiety and practicing problem-solving skills at a young age can have a huge effect on how their mindset develops through the rest of their lives. Raising confident kids is one of the best ways to help encourage positive thinking.

First Tee guides kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside them and put it into action. It’s a priority for us to show young people the value of caring for their social and emotional wellness. So when they step up to the next shot, math test, or presentation they have the strength to move forward, aim further, and finish stronger than the last time.

If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today.

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