PGA TOUR Superstore Open Sponsorship Check Presentation at Baylands

The PGA TOUR Superstore provides The First Tee chapters with equipment donations, tournament sponsorships, training and clinics and customer fund-raising events. In partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the PGA TOUR Superstore makes grants to chapters where the stores do business. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation promotes positive change in peoples’ lives and builds and enhances the communities in which they live. They seek innovative solutions that enable young people, families and communities to achieve results beyond what seems possible today. The First Tee of Silicon Valley was the recipient of a generous $12,500 donation in support of the 2018 Open and was presented the check at Baylands Golf Course on July 18th.

Record-Breaking Open Golf Tournament

It was a record breaking Open golf tournament on June 22nd thanks to our presenting sponsor EY; additional sponsors PGA Superstore, PwC, Wells Fargo, Hallagan-Huston Family Foundation; and the many hole and foursome supporters.  Beyond the hot temperatures, we had the most players ever (192 paid), raised the most money ($100K more than last year), and had the most fun with Roger Maltbie as our honoree and Mitch Juricich as our emcee.  Check out all the pics in the 2018 Open Album on Facebook #TFTSVOpen. The tournament’s Fund-A-Need announced The First Tee of Silicon Valley’s new initiative that will introduce STEM concepts through golf to all of our participants. We will begin offering these STEM classes this Winter and hold our first 5-day STEM academy next Summer. There’s still time to donate to help us reach our goal of $100K to launch the program. Mark your calendars for next year’s Open on Friday, June 21, 2019.  Please contact Judy Dixon for sponsorship opportunities [email protected] or 408-508-4481.  

The First Tee of Silicon Valley named beneficiary of the 95.3 KRTY Justin Moore Concert

95.3 KRTY sold VIP tickets benefiting The First Tee of Silicon Valley for an amazing opportunity to attend the Justin Moore concert under the stars at Clos La Chance Winery on August 20th.  Tickets went on sale Wed., July 18th at 10am and sold out in 10 minutes.  The VIP ticket price was $130 with $100 being donated to the First Tee of Silicon Valley for a total generous donation of $5,000.  The VIP ticket includes early admission at 5pm, appetizers and wine tasting courtesy of A Catered Affair and Clos La Chance, and a meet and greet with Justin Moore & Opener Tyler Rich.  Thank you 95.3 KRTY and General Manager Nate Deaton for supporting us!  

92nd Ernie Pieper Santa Clara County Championship Partnership

The First Tee of Silicon Valley was pleased to continue our 10+ year partnership with San Jose Country Club and be the beneficiary of the Ernie Pieper Santa Clara County Championship held on June 2nd at San Jose Country Club.  The $1,000 donation will allow us to offer financial assistance to under-served youth so they can experience our educational program while learning the game of golf. Please join us in congratulating the tournament champions! Championship Division       Caleb Shetler   70-67-66 Senior Division                     Casey Boyns    70-75 Super Senior Division          Frank Pieper    77-73 Participants and volunteers from The First Tee of Silicon Valley greeted and cheered on the competitors while helping with live scoring of the event.  

STEM Concepts through Golf

The First Tee of Silicon Valley is excited to announce a new initiative that will introduce STEM concepts through golf to all of our participants. We raised over $40K for this new program at our recent 2018 Open tournament. Please consider making a donation (noting “STEM” in the donation memo section) to help us reach our $100K goal necessary to launch in November 2018.

Girls Golf 2018 Foot Golf

On May 12th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted our seasonal Girls Golf event.  With 17 Girls Golf members, we enjoyed 9-holes of foot golf followed by a Mother’s Day-themed arts and craft station.  Thank you to all our female participants for playing fast, safely, and courteously! Girls Golf Play Days are beneficial events where our female participants may enjoy an all female environment.  Our participants experience a day of empowerment, healthy habits, and an outlet to build positive self-esteem.
Having these Girls Golf events is a great way to empower our girls in a fun and safe way.  – Manny Gallardo, Program Coordinator

2018 Chapter Championship

On May 31st, The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted our annual Chapter Championship. Over 30 participants, Par level and above, took part in a 9-hole stroke play tournament at Rancho del Pueblo. Congratulations to all of our participants for competing with integrity and sportsmanship. Top Scorers were: Joey Jang – Par Overall Steven Pan – Birdie Male Chloe Ku/Li An Panfil – Tie for Birdie Female Franky Sumcad – Eagle/Ace Female Thai Hoang – Eagle/Ace Male
Golf tournaments are a valuable tool for students to learn about themselves, and how they can deal with adversity, pressure, and expectations. These tournaments help our students feel more confident and comfortable playing in future tournaments. – Manny Gallardo, Program Coordinator
 

Parent Orientation Held on June 2nd

Last Saturday, June 2nd, The First Tee of Silicon Valley held our Pre-Summer Parent Orientation for over sixty parents at Rancho Del Pueblo. Parents learned about on our curriculum, coaching philosophy, certification requirements, policies and procedures, and participant opportunities. Additionally, for the first time, parents had the opportunity to experience one of our golf fundamentals first-hand at the driving range.
Clear communication with the parent/guardians is important to us as a youth servicing organization. They trust us with their child(ren) and we take that responsibility very seriously. – Matt Sheppard, Program Manager
We were excited to have the parents/guardians try out golf for themselves, and we hope that this experience encourages parents/guardians to take up the game and play with their child(ren). – Chris Moreno-Hunt, Program Manager
 

Instructor Meeting Held June 1st

On June 1st The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted our Instructor Meeting at Rancho Del Pueblo. Our lead instructors experienced additional training on our golf and life skill curriculum and practiced effective tools for delivery aligned with our coaching philosophy.
We are proud to have a group of instructors who are invested in our youth and who are committed to delivering our curriculum in a safe, positive and engaging manner. – Matt Sheppard, Program Manager
Instructors with The First Tee of Silicon Valley are a mix of LPGA & PGA Professionals, adults who join by visiting our employment page, or  by adults who become volunteer mentors. TFTSV Employment TFTSV Volunteer Page  

Mentor Training Held on June 2nd

The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted our volunteer mentor training at Rancho Del Pueblo ahead of our 2018 Summer Session. We had over twenty mentor coaches participate in an interactive training consisting of how to build a supportive and safe environment as well as coaching practices centered around empowering youth.
We are excited to have a committed and engaged group of mentors for the summer session. We are confident our mentors will lead by example and help create a fun and supportive environment for our participants to flourish. – Matt Sheppard, Program Manager
We are always looking for additional mentors, please fill out a ‘Getting Started Survey’ on the volunteer page.

Seventh Annual Alister MacKenzie Tournament

On May 26th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley participated in the Seventh Annual Alister MacKenzie Tournament to Save Sharp Park. TFTSV Eagle players, Franky S, Daniel P, Belinda S, and Kevin K joined Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt, to play and support the beautiful, 86 year-old Alister MacKenzie designed golf course in Pacifica, CA.
On behalf of TFTSV we want to thank the Tournament Coordinators, Richard Harris and Sarah Lau, as well as the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance and their sponsors for inviting The First Tee of Silicon Valley and for organizing the tournament to save and support Sharp Park Golf Course. – Chris Moreno-Hunt, Program Manager
For more information about the efforts to preserve Sharp Park please visit http://www.sfpublicgolf.org/  

Participants Attend Topgolf Groundbreaking in Alviso

Topgolf plans a 3-story driving range with 120 hitting bays in Alviso and The First Tee of Silicon Valley attended the groundbreaking ceremony.  The 72,000-square foot entertainment complex is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2019 and is on the site of the former Pin High Golf Center (4701 N 1st St). The bays will accommodate up to six people and have specialized golf balls that are outfitted with microchips that score golfers on accuracy and distance.  The First Tee of Silicon Valley participants were invited as special guests to test these balls out during the groundbreaking ceremony on June 6th.  Eagle participant (age 13) Belinda Sutikto outscored all the attendees with a low score during their demonstration. The First Tee of Silicon Valley is a partner with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley-Alviso located across the street and both organizations look forward to partnering with Topgolf. www.photographybymarian.com