Coach Spotlight | February 19, 2026
First Tee Family, please join us in congratulating three of our favorite Charleston Area PGA professionals. All three received top honors at the Carolinas PGA Special Awards Program February 15.
Perry Green pictured with Carolinas PGA President Josh Wagaman and Perry’s son, Brad, a combat medic injured in the Iraq war and an inspiration for Perry’s work with veterans through PGA Hope
Perry Green, PGA | Community Impact Award
Perry Green, Director of Instruction at Wescott Golf Club, Lead Coach for First Tee – Greater Charleston, and long-time supporter/instructor for PGA Hope, was recognized for exemplary compassion and service with the Carolinas PGA Community Impact Award. Perry has been a First Tee – Greater Charleston coach for 17 years and previously coached for First Tee – Greater Chicago before moving to Charleston. During his 17-year tenure with Charleston, he has clocked 500+ hours helping more than 2,500 kids and teens build resilience.
In her letter of recommendation for his award, Program Director, Meghan Taylor wrote that Coach Perry truly is the “role model for compassion that the Community Impact Award exemplifies, striving to make the world a better place by empowering the youth of tomorrow. He treats each of our First Tee participants as an expert on themselves, constantly asking open-ended questions like, ‘what do you think would happen if…?’ instead of forcing any single one-size-fits-all instruction model onto them. He allows them to be involved in the decision making of their own golf games. That keeps them coming back to continue to learn the important values inherent in the game of golf like how to use good judgment and build a positive self-identity.”
Alec Brown of Yeamans Hall Club pictured with wife, Megan, and parents at Carolinas PGA Special Awards Program
Alec Brown, PGA | Assistant Professional of the Year
Alec Brown, Assistant Teaching Professional at Yeamans Hall Club and Volunteer Coach for First Tee – Greater Charleston, was named Assistant Professional of the Year for showcasing overall excellence in his role. In addition to providing exemplary service at Yeamans Hall Club, Alec is also an amazing advocate for young golfers. He began volunteering with our On-Course Program in 2023 and expanded his volunteerism in 2024, when he began providing weekly summer golf instruction for our Pathfinder Immersion Program. He has also helped coordinate teen/mentor golf outings and supports program infrastructure through YAC board service.
Dylan Thew of Kiawah Island Club pictured with Bill Strausbaugh Award at Carolinas PGA Special Awards Program
Dylan Thew, PGA | Bill Strausbaugh Award
Dylan Thew, Director of Golf for Kiawah Island Club and valued First Tee – Greater Charleston partner, received the distinguished Bill Strausbaugh Award for community involvement and mentorship of fellow PGA Professionals. Dylan has been a tremendous help to our Pathfinder Immersion Program, coordinating clinics at Cassique in which program participants could experience one of South Carolina’s most exclusive courses while learning from PGA Associates who were working with Dylan to fulfill their PGA requirements. This creative combination of professional development and community service is precisely what the Bill Strasbaugh Award endeavors to honor and serves as an amazing example of Dylan’s leadership at the Kiawah Island Club.
The Carolinas PGA is the largest PGA section, covering South Carolina, North Carolina, and some of Virginia. With more than 2,300 professional members, it’s incredible that three of this year’s award recipients are from Charleston. Coach Perry, Coach Alec, and Coach Dylan are highly skilled teachers, and they are amazing testaments to the caliber of our local golf community. We are honored to know them and sincerely grateful for the tremendous amount of time and effort that they pour into helping young people through First Tee programs.