Register to Play or Sponsor the Open

First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to announce our 12th Annual Open Scramble Golf Tournament on Friday, June 7th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. The Open will be our only golf tournament fundraiser this year with a full-field shotgun utilizing all 27 holes and the opportunity for many companies to show their support. Registration for foursomes, twosomes and sponsorships is available now.

All proceeds benefit First Tee – Silicon Valley, 501(c)3 #46-3102278 

Gather your clients, co-workers and friends for a great day of camaraderie to help MORE kids! Our unique approach to youth development transforms lives and gives kids and teens a brighter future. We teach life skills and golf skills on-course, in-school, and after-school. Our programs are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

There are various ways to support the Open:

$20,000 Presenting Sponsor – 3 foursomes and 2 hole sponsor signs plus co-branded logo on all signage, website, socials, newsletters, flyer and program ($16,250 Tax Deductible)

$10,000 Hosting Sponsor – 2 foursomes and 1 hole sponsor sign plus logo on sponsor signage, website, newsletter and program ($7,500 Tax Deductible)

$6,000 Contributing Sponsor – 1 foursome and 1 hole sponsor sign plus logo on sponsor sign and program ($4,750 Tax Deductible)

$2,500 Foursome or $1,250 Twosome Sponsor – 18 holes of golf, shared cart, boxed lunch, tee prize, on-course beverages and snacks, dinner and awards program per player ($1,250/$625 Tax Deductible)

$1500 Hole Sponsor – 1 hole sign, program and sponsor sign listing, plus 2 dinner invites ($1,500 Tax Deductible)

$100 Contest & Raffle Bundle Add On – Per player includes all Contests – Putting, Closest to the Pin and Car Hole-In-One Plus 1 Mulligan and 10 Raffle Tickets.

Option to pay by credit card now or register and pay later by mailing check to: First Tee – Silicon Valley 2797 Park Avenue, Suite 205 Santa Clara, CA 95050

Tournament Timeline

  • 10:30am – Check In, Tee Prize, Range Open, Lunch
  • 12:00pm – Welcome In Carts
  • 12:30pm – Shotgun Start
  • 5:30pm – Dinner & Awards
  • 7:00pm – Closing Remarks

The tournament will be played as a “scramble” format. Each team member will hit from the tee. Two tee shots from each player must be used during the round. The team will select which of the four (4) tee shots it will use for its second shot. Each team member will hit their second shot from the location of the selected tee shot. This process will continue until the ball is holed out. The highest team score per hole will be MAX Bogey (1 over Par) to maintain a good pace of play. 1 Mulligan per player if purchased with Contest/Raffle Bundle. Mulligans apply only to one player — not the entire foursome. Prizes will be awarded to the First and Second Place Teams with the lowest scores.

Please Contact Judy Dixon Deaton for Sponsorships or other information (408) 508-4881 or [email protected]

PUBLISHED: 02-08-2024

FTSV is Hiring!

First Tee – Silicon Valley is hiring more paid part-time Coaches and full-time Coordinators to teach kids life skills and golf skills.

Click here to view the details on the paid part-time Coach position and here for the full-time Coordinator position.

The part-time coaching position:

  • Delivers our life and golf skill curriculum during our 8-week seasons
  • Commits to 2.5 hours per class a minimum of twice per week for an 8-week class season, 2-4 seasons per year

The full-time coordinator position:

  • Oversees all operational aspects of classes, outreach, and more
  • Delivers and leads our life and golf skill curriculum every day during each 8-week season throughout the year

We recently secured a long-term use agreement with Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course and are working to receive increased golf access at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto and Gavilan Golf Course in Gilroy. Additionally, we are expanding our reach within the surrounding school districts to bring our First Tee – Silicon Valley curriculum to schools and youth serving organizations. As we continue to expand our program, we need additional staff to join our outstanding team of caring, committed, and enthusiastic individuals.

To Apply

Please fill out this form and note which position you are interested in under “additional information.” If you have any questions about the positions please contact [email protected].

For more information on our program staff please click here

PUBLISHED: 02-07-2024

Join Us as a Volunteer Coach!

First Tee – Silicon Valley is always looking for people interested in transforming lives through youth development and giving kids and teens a brighter future. By becoming a coach or volunteer, you will contribute to the development of core values and life skills in our students, helping to set them up for the future.

New Challenges!

FTSV participants are encouraged to challenge themselves, on and off the golf course, because it is through challenge that they grow the most. It is the same for our coaches. Being a youth coach will present you with unique and exciting challenges, ones that will help you to further develop your creativity, leadership and mentorship skills. Not only will you be making a positive impact on other’s, you’ll be making a positive impact on yourself.

Have an Impact

People find themselves growing the most when they take on new challenges. You can be an important part in that growth, helping to challenge and support our participants as they work on their life and golf skills. At the same time, our coaches are also taking on challenges, learning how to teach in different ways, and all the time improving their communication, mentorship and leadership skills. Not only is this a program that benefits our youth, FTSV is a program that positively impacts all who are involved.

Our coaches and volunteers play a CRUCIAL role in FTSV’s ability to succeed. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on community members determined to make a difference to work with us, delivering our fun life skill curriculum to the kids. It is our goal to maintain a 4 to 1 student to instructor ratio, so every volunteer and coach makes it possible to grow and accomplish our goal. Not only will you be contributing to changing lives and growing character, but you will also continue to develop and hone your own mentorship and leadership skills, all while being a part of something bigger than yourself.

Join Us!

If volunteering as a coach sounds like a good fit for you, please visit our volunteer page where you can apply.

PUBLISHED: 02-07-2024

Participant Spotlight: Meet Natalie Chen

For this spotlight, meet FTSV participant Natalie Chen!

First Tee – Silicon Valley believes that challenges faced in life present the perfect opportunity for personal growth and development. Golf, like life, is full of challenges. Learning how to react to and work through these challenges is what allows players to excel at the game. FTSV believes that the same principles apply to our lives outside of golf, that when faced with difficult and unique circumstances, maintaining a growth mindset allows us to persevere and continue to develop. Our participants have internalized these values and find success as they apply them to challenges on and off the course.

Natalie Chen is one of our participants who thrives in challenging situations. She began taking our classes in the 3rd grade, coming from a family that wasn’t very familiar with golf. From the beginning, Natalie has felt right at home, saying “First Tee was very welcoming…[they] set the stepping stones for me to build the confidence to walk on to a golf course and know what to do”. After many seasons with FTSV, Natalie earned a spot on her school’s varsity golf team. On the team she even has friends who she met through FTSV, other people who she knows she can rely on, both on and off of the course.

Natalie on Volunteering

Natalie began volunteering with FTSV the summer before her freshman year of high school, the earliest possible season a junior can begin coaching. It has been a year and a half now, and she has thrived in her position. According to Natalie, “I love it so much. Coaching has helped me build my relationship with golf even outside of my school team. I really like teaching the little kids, they are like little brothers and sisters to me”.

Being involved with FTSV as both a participant and volunteer has provided Natalie with the tools and mindset to work through and grow from challenges. As a participant, Natalie has worked on the FTSV curriculum with her coaches for many seasons, practicing and developing her perseverance, her positive growth mindset, and her ability to reflect on her mistakes and successes to learn what works and what to do differently. When asked about the challenges she faces in golf, Natalie said “Golf is a process, it isn’t quick fixes. I am always dealing with internal struggles, but knowing that my practice is having an impact and that I will make progress helps me to just keep at it.” She says that she uses the ideas of “process over outcome,” focusing more on improving her process than getting caught up on the particular outcome. She credits her success in golf to this particular mindset.

What do Natalie’s Coaches have to say?

Even Natalie’s coaches have taken note of her growth during her time with FTSV. When asked, Program Coordinator Manny Gallardo said “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Natalie since 2018.  With each passing season, she has grown more confident.  She’s often the first to participate in our group discussions and has often taken the initiative to help her fellow peers understand our life skills at a deeper level.  Whenever Coach Alex and I gave her a responsibility, we were confident that she would go above and beyond to complete it.  Natalie has been a fantastic participant and I’m excited to see the next step of her journey”.

Translating Natalie’s FTSV Skills to school and beyond

In school, the attitude and skills she has developed surrounding challenges continue to support her growth. Here she highlights her leadership as one of the most influential aspects of her personality. According to Natalie, “First Tee has helped me build on my leadership in the program and at school, such as taking the lead and initiating conversations. I have learned how to manage a group of people, open up to others, and make space for everyone to share ideas and feel included”. As she encounters challenges in her academic life, Natalie is confidence that she can face them head on. She is armed with specific skills to help her succeed and she knows that facing challenges is where she is able to grow the most. 

Outside of golf, Natalie is also a piano accompanist in her school choir and is a percussionist in the California Youth Symphony. She believes that music, like golf, helps to build her patience and enjoyment of challenge. Great work Natalie!

PUBLISHED: 02-05-2024

FTSV Spring Season – Register on February 14th

Registration for our spring season opens here on Wednesday, February 14th at 11am and closes on Thursday, February 22nd at 11:59pm. The 8-week spring season begins the week of March 12th and ends May 4th. Register on February 14th and take part in engaging and fun life skill and golf skill classes at either Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose, Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, or Gavilan College Golf Course in Gilroy.

We have a new, expanded, long-term use agreement at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course so more classes are available at Rancho than ever before! Classes are broken down by grade group so feel free to invite a friend and take part in our spring classes.

Financial aid is available. We make our programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

Overcoming Challenges

Each week our participants experience one of our 6 Life Skills and 6 Golf Cues. Our life skills cover everything from showing respect, to collaborating with others, setting goals, making good choices, building a positive self-identity and overcoming challenges. Golf, like life, can be filled with challenges. Through our games, participants learn tips to persevere, make adjustments and develop a growth mindset. Each class is an opportunity to learn and develop the grit necessary to improve. What’s important to us is that our participants learn those skills while having fun.

In 2023 we had a record number of registrations, so please mark your calendar for February 14th to make sure you secure your spot. The schedule is now posted here.

We encourage youth 2nd grade and above to join our program and ask that you help spread the word. For more information click here. Click here to view our program video and learn more from our participants, parents, and coaches!

See you at the course!

PUBLISHED: 02-07-2024

Annual Review 2023

2023 was a year of growth for First Tee – Silicon Valley. We served MORE kids!

In 2023, 5,241 Course Participants and School Students, who were 85% Ethnically Diverse and 60% Low Income, experienced our life skills and golf skills program.

Our youth development program has now positively transformed the lives of 95,747 youth through proven programs on-course, in-school, and after-school since 2005.

FTSV signed a new 25-year agreement in April, 2023 for expanded access at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course for our character-building course program. This nearly doubled our class capacity so that we may include many more kids and teen participants and enable them to take even more classes. Our school program completely recovered from COVID set-backs and we are now serving more students than ever at Title 1 schools.

Program Snapshot

Course Participation Impact

  • 100% of our long-term class students graduate high school
  • 100% of our long-term teen class participants attend college
  • 90% of class participants achieve all A’s and B’s in school

Participant Survey Results

  • 97% Coaches were fun and cared
  • 96% Had a fun experience
  • 95% Felt included as part of the group
  • 94% Coaches helped me with my golf skills
  • 89% Coaches helped me with my life skills/lessons

Course Participation

1,208 unique participants took an average of 2 classes at our golf locations yielding 2,226 total registrations

  • 85% Ethnically Diverse
  • 30% Low Income Families received Financial Aid for total of $112,000
  • 59% Male and 41% Female
  • 20% Teens (age 13+) including 22 Junior Council participants focusing on career exploration, post high school education, and community service.
  • 61% at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course; 20% at Baylands Golf Links; 12% at Gavilan Golf Course and 7% Other – FTSV office and multiple locations

School Participation

3,015 students experienced our in-school and after-school program in their setting.

  • 27 total partners – San Jose (15), Mid-Peninsula (7) and South County (5)
  • 85% Ethnically Diverse 
  • 75% Low Income students
  • 24 of our 27 were Title I Schools
  • 49% Female and 51% Male

Volunteerism

  • 4:1 Coach to Participant Ratio due to increased volunteerism
  • 73 Total Adult Volunteers
  • 87 Teen Junior Coaches from our program
  • 7 Board Directors  
  • 14 Board Ambassadors

Youth Opportunities

FTSV Teens were selected for various leadership and golf opportunities where many received special recognition through scholarships.

  • Ashley Pang and Isabella Herrera were selected to attend the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy for girls
  • Camille Thai, Norah Yang, and Franky Sumcad competed in the First Tee National Championship
  • Raashika Biswari and Alexandra Varo were selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow
  • Camille Thai, Norah Yang and Josh Jang represented FTSV at the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee
  • Dylan Chan was selected to attend the First Tee Youth Leadership Academy
  • Elise NJ and Li An Panfil were selected to attend the First Tee Youth Leadership Summit
  • Li An Panfil was selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program
  • Katelyn Chan was selected to the First Tee Make Your Mark on the Community $4,000 Scholarship
  • Jonathan Tessmann received the FTSV Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and $5,000 College Scholarship 
  • Salma Rivera received FTSV Dennis Kettmann Memorial $5,000 College Scholarship
  • Shivam Maji and Katelyn Chan achieved First Tee ACE certification
  • 9 Seniors announced their College Admissions
  • 22 Teens joined FTSV’s new Teen Council advisory youth group
  • 7,991 total hours served =  $159,840 equivalency in In-Kind Labor

Financial Snapshot

While it was a year of growth for kids served, it was a challenging year for fundraising after coming off our highest revenue year ever ($1.8M). Fundraising challenges were brought on by donor reluctance due to economic uncertainties, new donor acquisition challenges in a competitive non-profit landscape, and an unexpected cancellation of a Q4 fundraising event. However, FTSV is proud to share that our operations are very stable.

We are optimistic about launching a comprehensive campaign to endow our programs and build facilities that will secure our future growth.

FTSV raised $1.544M. The operating expense distribution of $1.625M was approximately 75% for Programs, 21% for Fundraising, and 4% for Administration.

$651,048 Contributed Income

$313,676     Grants and Foundations

$ 20,168      Corporate Giving

$317,204     Individual Giving

$893,217 Earned Income

$368,781     Participant Class Registration Fees

$501,914     Golf Events:  TopGolf, Open, Invitational, Classic (Includes Foundation, Corporate, Individual donations)

$ 22,522      Miscellaneous

$1,544,265 Total Income

Published: 02-05-2024 EDITED: 04-17-2024

CYGF $16K Grant Supports Our Mission

First Tee – Silicon Valley was the recipient of a generous $16,000 grant from CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation (CVYGF). This will underwrite our 2024 Volunteer and Instructor Uniforms (hats & shirts) and a portion of our paid lead Instructor compensation. We are a growing chapter that relies heavily on golf enthusiasts and youth development foundations like CVYGF to support our mission.

About CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation

The non-profit CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation was founded in 2004. The foundation’s mission is to expand access to the sport of golf for children of all income levels by directly supporting successful youth golf programs throughout the Santa Clara County. The goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to learn the sport, receive lessons and equipment. Additionally, have access to practice space, and compete, and build positive life skills.

The Foundation annually awards approximately $100,000 in grants to deserving programs. This foundation is funded through a $50,000 annual contribution from CordeValle Golf Club. Also, they raise an additional $50,000 per year through CordeValle’s public charity tournaments.

CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation and First Tee – Silicon Valley are equally committed to expanding opportunities for youth of all income levels to access to the game of golf. Through the discipline and challenge of golf, youth in the Santa Clara County are provided a community with a safe environment and positive life alternatives that build confidence and character, ultimately helping them succeed in our community and in life.

CordeValle has been the location for our annual FTSV Invitational since 2005.

PUBLISHED: 02-02-2024

FTSV’s 2024 SAVE the Dates

Please save the dates for First Tee – Silicon Valley events which are designed for our community, participants, supporters, both individual and corporate, and families.

Attending our events are a great way for all individuals to learn more about us while having fun. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for corporations to sponsor our youth programs while entertaining customers.

The money raised from these events and our private Invitational in July represent 55% of our fundraising budget which sustains our youth development program.

Family Fest

  • at Mexican Heritage Plaza on Sunday, March 3, 2024
  • a fun, social event for the whole FTSV Family and Supporters.
  • Registration Opens January 24th @ 11am FAMILY RESERVATION LINK HERE Sponsorships available Now!

Open

  • at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club on Friday, June 7, 2024
  • a golf tournament, lunch and dinner — our largest event of the year
  • Registration opens February 7th. Sponsorships available Now!

Challenge Cup

  • at Baylands Golf Links in early December, 2024
  • an friendly challenge of champions between country clubs
  • Registration opens early October, 2024

Please contact our Development Director, Judy Dixon Deaton at [email protected] or 408-508-4881, for more information about participating in our events or Sponsorships.

Community Events

Community events occur once every quarter on a Saturdays at 11am. These events bring the local communities we serve together to experience our program in a fun, no pressure environment.

If interested in attending or getting involved with our Community Events, contact Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt [email protected].

  • February 10th
  • May 11th
  • August 10th
  • November 2nd

Girls Golf & Seasonal Tournaments

Girls Golf is an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the game of golf while empowering participants to feel confident, build self-esteem and make new friends in an all-girl environment. Girls Golf seasonal events are open to all FTSV participants. 

Seasonal Tournaments are a great way to gain competitive experience in a fun and supportive environment. Tournaments are open to all FTSV participants.

  • February 24th
  • May 18th
  • August 17th
  • November 9th

Click Here to learn more about tournament opportunities.

PUBLISHED: 01-05-2024

Caddy Club Majors Kicks Off with the Masters

Join the Caddy Club, which kicks off the Majors tournament with the Masters. The Caddy Club as a way to support our Financial Aid Program and meet the needs of providing a nurturing environment for MORE kids!

  • All Caddy Club members receive invitations to our free Donor Appreciation events which includes our Caddy Club Majors Fantasy Golf Competition.  Next up, the PGA Championship May 16-19, US Open June 13-16, and Open Championship July 18-21. 
  • Every $360 cumulative donation you make allows us to cover the registration fee and golf clubs for a low-income participant to attend 8 weeks of classes.
  • Become a Caddy Club member by making a minimum $30 monthly donation for at least 12 months or a one-time donation of a minimum of $360 .Click Here to Join!

Youth Development through Golf

Our unique approach to youth development transforms lives and gives kids and teens a brighter future. We teach life skills and golf skills on-course, in-school, and after-school. Our programs are accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. Golf provides a powerful vehicle to help kids build the strength of character and life skills that they can use both on and off the golf course. Ultimately, strong character leads to success in life.

Our Kids Face Many Challenges

Our kids and teens are facing challenges above and beyond life’s expected growing pains unlike previous generations. They experience pressures within their communities, online, and because of recent dramatic events in the world. Many lack access to safe opportunities that foster a culture of acceptance and provide mentorship. Our youth feel uncertainty, isolation, confusion, and witness conflict more than ever before.

How We Help Kids Overcome Challenges

First Tee – Silicon Valley develops youth through golf. We enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

We believe that ALL youth deserve the chance to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them – we are dedicated to building a youth development program that is accessible, diverse and as impactful as it is fun.

Published: 01-05-2024 EDITED: 04-15-2024

FTSV’s First Junior Council

On December 15th over 25 high school FTSV participants gathered to form our first ever Junior Council. The group is comprised of participants that have been in our program anywhere from 1 to 12 years, and many of whom have also been junior coaches. They know our program better than anyone, and most importantly, they want to be part of group that can leave a legacy and positively impact families, coaches and participants of the future.

The Go-To Team

Building a go-to-team is a lesson in our life skill curriculum. The lesson discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with a support network. One that listens and challenges you by asking questions. These participants are our go-to-team, and they are the go-to team for each other. They are forging a tight-knit community of FTSV high schoolers while applying the skills learned at FTSV to make program improvements. Due to the demand and size of the group, they are splitting into 3 sub-committees focusing on marketing, fundraising, and events. You will hopefully see the fruits of their labor in 2024, so stay tuned.

Interested?

If you are interested in joining our program like these high schoolers, please click here or contact us at [email protected] or 408-508-4880 for more information.

PUBLISHED: 01-05-2024

Coach Spotlight: Meet Coach Ronna

This month’s Coach Spotlight: Meet Coach Ronna! We are so grateful to have Ronna on our team. She has been a volunteer coach with us since the summer of 2021 and has coached just about every season. Before FTSV she volunteered for St Christopher Catholic School as a tutor for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th graders. She also volunteered for Bay Areas Women’s Sports Initiative where she taught girls life lessons through physical activity. She is an avid golfer, so FTSV is a great fit.

“Has been a great attribute to the first tee!” Says Coach Kyle, about Ronna. “Her positive attitude and demeanor keeps her classes fun and engaging. She demonstrates great leadership skills. If any complications or concerns come up, Ronna is the first one to jump into action. We can’t thank her enough for the years of dedication and support.”

“I enjoy being out there with the kids,” says Ronna, “and tying in golf and life skills while finding ways to utilize them away from the golf course. My goal is to help build trusting relationships so I can help participants build their go-to-team.”

Ronna has been fantastic with the participants,” said Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt.  “She meets the students where they are, brings people together, and builds their confidence. Her lead coaches We are grateful to have her as a coach!”

Help Make an Impact through Volunteering!

First Tee — Silicon Valley is looking for high quality, caring people like Ronna that are interested in showing up and guiding others, so they become even better people and leaders of tomorrow. Our volunteer coaches work together to teach our Life and Golf Skill curriculum by finding and using coachable moments and by making the sessions fun and engaging.

Interested in Getting Started like Ronna?

What if I am not an expert coach or golfer?

Our coaches come from all walks of life with different life and golf experiences. We provide life and golf skill training as well training on coach strategies, techniques, and on our coach philosophy. Our goal is to make sure every coach feels supported. Additionally, we have created lesson plans to help everyone work together and support one another in the content and delivery. There will always be a paid, lead coach for each class coordinating the group of coaches.

What is the time requirement?

  • Volunteer coaches can choose from several class options by location, day of the week, and time.
  • Time commitment is 2.5 hours a day, once a week for an 8-week season. The 2.5 hours include a 30-minute pre-class meeting, 1.5-hour class, and a 30-minute post-class debrief.

Join our team, learn/develop coaching skills, make a difference in the youth, and give back to the community! Please help us spread the word. The more positive and dedicated coaches, the better the program, and the more impactful it is for our youth. 

PUBLISHED: 01-05-2024

SAGA Foundation Donates $100,000

First Tee – Silicon Valley owes an enormous thank you to SAGA Foundation led by President, David Bartoshuk for their generous $100,000 donation to further develop FTSV programs in the Palo Alto-Redwood City area including at Baylands Golf Links. Their donations to FTSV now total $610,000 over the last six years. 

What is the SAGA Foundation?

The SAGA Foundation assists nonprofits to work smarter, reach further, and have a lasting impact. They are committed to helping FTSV expand dramatically at Baylands for the benefit of Mid-Peninsula youth and the community. David Bartoshuk, President – SAGA Foundation, says, “At SAGA, we continue to believe in the tremendous power of working together, and we recognize there is no limit to what can be accomplished when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.” Read more about SAGA’s commitment to collaboration in their Fall 2023 Letter – The Power of “WE.”

“We cannot thank David and the SAGA Foundation enough for all of their support of FTSV’s future at Baylands Golf Links and in the lives of youth throughout the Mid-Peninsula.” said FTSV President & CEO, George Maxe.

PUBLISHED: 01-03-2024