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On August 11th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted the Girls Golf World Golf Play Day.  Led by Coach Gabby, 25 Girls Golf members played 9 holes of golf where each hole contained a profile of an LPGA golfer and the country she represents.  The event concluded with lunch, art, and LPGA trivia. Thank you to all the participants and volunteers who were able to make the game enjoyable, fast, safe, and courteous! “The girls had an absolutely amazing time.  My youngest one has slept with the dog headcover she won for the past two nights.  What an amazing program, empowering the girls to run their own event – this is more powerful than they know.  Tell the girls who ran the show to keep up the good work!”   – GG Father Girls Golf Play Days are beneficial events where our female participants enjoy an all-female environment.  Our participants experience a day of empowerment, healthy habits, and an outlet to build positive self-esteem.

On Saturday, August 11th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted a free golf Introduction class for any student interested in trying out golf and learning more about TFTSV classes. “We are committed to making our program and golf more accessible for everyone because we believe in what we are coaching, and we know how much fun this game can be.” said Program Manager, Chris Moreno-Hunt. The goal was to expose the group to a typical TFTSV class, mixing a core value with a golf fundamental within the context of multiple games and activities. “It was rewarding for us to see students go from participating in free practice, to learning a golf fundamental and improving their respect towards others,” said Matt Sheppard, Program Manager, while coaching the class. We look forward to providing additional Golf Introduction classes in the future for students that simply want to know if golf and TFTSV is for them!

On August 7th, six TFTSV students attended a golf clinic hosted by Web.com touring professional Maverick McNealy at the TPC Stonebrae. Mr. McNealy shared his thoughts and experiences on competing, leadership, and self-management. Following the group discussion, our participants joined juniors from The First Tee Contra Costa, The First Tee Tri-Valley, and Youth-on-Course in a golf clinic taught by touring professional’s Joseph Bramlett, and Maverick McNealy. “Thank you to Trish Gregovich, Amy Zeller, and the rest of the Ellie Mae Classic staff for extending the opportunity to our participants” said Chris Moreno-Hunt, TFTSV Program Manager.  “Our participants enjoyed and appreciated their time practicing and learning from Mr. McNealy and Mr. Bramlett. We are grateful to both golf professionals for being great role models for our participants.” The McNealy-Bramlett duo was extra special for The First Tee of Silicon Valley. Several years ago, our participants had the opportunity to play with Mr. McNealy when he was at Stanford, and attended a clinic taught by Mr. Bramlett.

On July 25th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley competed in the 2018 The First Tee Northern California Regional Championship at Poppy Ridge Golf Course. Joining Silicon Valley were The First Tee chapters from Monterey County, Contra Costa, Tri-Valley, Sacramento, Central Valley, San Francisco, and San Joaquin. Each team brought 6 players to compete and represent their chapter in an aggregate team competition. Representing The First Tee of Silicon Valley were Franky Sumcad, Haley Hoang, Calton Kong, Rishi Ajjarapu, Howard Wei, and Belinda Sutikto. “Our participants demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and competed while demonstrating the Nine Core Values. We are proud to have them in our chapter.” Said Chris Moreno-Hunt, TFTSV Program Manager.

The First Tee of Silicon Valley and the Boys and Girls Club of Ochoa Migrant Center teamed up to provide a six-week summer DRIVE program to over 50 Ochoa students ages 6 to 17. Located at the Boys and Girls Club facility, each class taught students a core value and a golf skill through a variety of games and activities. During the last week of programming, The First Tee of Silicon Valley hosted a field trip for the Boys and Girls Club students at Gavilan Golf Course in Gilroy, CA. The students were able to apply their newly acquired skills at a golf course, which for many of them was their first on-course experience. Pati Trinh, Site Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Ochoa Migrant Center, said, “The First Tee of Silicon Valley has helped build community during our summer here at the Ochoa Boys & Girls Club in Gilroy. At Ochoa Migrant Center, we service migratory agricultural families by providing a summer and after school program to children ages 6 to 17. TFTSV has given our members an opportunity to explore a sport they’ve never had access to before. Coach Manny has made an impact on our members with lessons on important core values all while having fun playing golf. The personalized instructions worked well with the members and always had them looking forward to the next lesson. Thanks to Coach Manny and the team for an awesome summer.”

The Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and scholarship was presented to Isabel Suizo at The First Tee of Silicon Valley 2018 Invitational Fundraiser on Sunday, July 22nd at CordeValle in San Martin, CA. Isabel was selected based on her good character, academic achievement and life-skill level.  In her speech to the Invitational attendees she stressed that her favorite core value was integrity which has shaped the young woman she has become.  The purpose of the award is to provide a graduate the financial hope of attending college. It has been made possible in large part by a very generous grant by PG&E. Isabel has been a participant of The First Tee of Silicon Valley since 2007 and is Ace Certified.  She is a graduate of Evergreen Valley High School and will attend UC San Diego in the Fall to study Computer Science.  Isabel was a Junior Coach, TFT Scholar Class of 2017-2018, and TFT Life Skills & Leadership Academy 2017 Attendee. Joyce Taylor (1957–2010) was a woman known for her intelligence, warmth, and elegance. She graduated with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman, OK, with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. Joyce became a highly successful and respected business woman and community leader with a long career in telecommunications. In 1997, she was promoted to Regional President, Bay Area, and then Senior Vice President, External Affairs-Northern California, AT&T, where she oversaw legislative, governmental and external affairs activities in Northern California. Joyce worked extensively with Bay Area business and community-based organizations. Her support of the Eagles at Rancho del Pueblo junior golf program was instrumental to its growth and success. In 2005, the program became The First Tee of Silicon Valley to develop the character of youth through golf throughout Santa Clara County. Joyce’s support helped to build a solid program that has reached over 14,500 youth from 2005 to 2013. Past Recipients are: 2011 — Melissa Vicencio 2012 — Ryan Ramboyong 2013 — Richard Espinoza 2014 — Isabelle Castro 2015 — Thai Hoang 2016 — Graciela Lacy 2017 — Juan Herrera 2018 — Isabel Suizo

The Big “D” Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Justin Lam on Friday July 20, 2018 at the annual Big D Memorial Golf Tournament at DeLaveaga Golf Course in Santa Cruz.  The golfers attended to remember Dennis “Big D” Kettmann and their generosity provided the proceeds to underwrite a special scholarship for a The First Tee of Silicon Valley chosen participant. Justin has been a participant of The First Tee of Silicon Valley since 2011 and is currently at the Ace level.  He is attending Mitty High School and will be a Junior in the Fall.  Justin’s excellent life skills made him the top candidate for the award.  This scholarship will provide the financial means for Justin to attend college where he would like to study Engineering. Justin gave a speech to the 120+ people in attendance for dinner at the Big D Memorial Tournament.  He shared that he had to use The First Tee of Silicon Valley’s life skill of Planning for the Future to overcome his fear of public speaking by gaining the courage to deliver his acceptance speech.  He also stressed The First Tee core value of confidence has impacted him the most and pushed him out of his comfort zone. Dennis’s son and co-organizer of the Memorial Tournament, Matt Kettmann, learned the game from Dennis and knows that he must be smiling wherever he is knowing that his memory is now helping young people with The First Tee of Silicon Valley fall in love with golf too. Past Recipients are: 2015 — Clare Brady 2016 —Juan-Pablo Roa and Ralph Kho 2017 —Juan-Pablo Roa and Ralph Kho 2018 —Justin Lam

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.

It was a record breaking Open golf tournament on June 22^nd 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.  

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!  

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.  

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.