Category: 2018

One of 9 teens selected to attend the inaugural program with Annika Sorenstam at Famed Broadmoor Course in Colorado On June 27, 2018 The First Tee^® announced the winners of the inaugural CoBank PEAK Performers contest, a leadership and performance program for top teens from The First Tee across the United States. The nine winners will take part in a four-day, all-expenses-paid golf academy in August at the renowned Broadmoor course in Colorado led by World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam. Sponsored by Denver-based CoBank, the PEAK Performers contest was open to the more than 30,000 teenage participants from The First Tee chapters nationwide. Applicants went through a rigorous and competitive screening process that included a review of their academic and leadership records by a panel of judges, along with playing resumes and essays about their experience at their chapter and the impact The First Tee program has had on their lives.

“I was very excited when I first learned of this news. It is an honor to be selected to attend the CoBank PEAK Performers event on August 21-24, 2018 in Colorado Springs, CO.  The selection committee recognized the positive impact The First Tee of Silicon Valley has had on me; it recognized my commitment to the Nine Core Values in every aspect of my life; it also recognized my giving back to my local chapter of The First Tee as a junior coach and my volunteering through music outreach to our communities in San Francisco Bay Area.  I will take this opportunity to share my own experience at The First Tee of Silicon Valley with the participants from other regions of The First Tee, and treasure the moments when I play golf with World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, my role model. I greatly appreciate The First Tee of Silicon Valley which always encourages me to perform the best as a person and as a golfer. I will continue doing what I have been doing in The First Tee of Silicon Valley and our communities: contribute my time and efforts to build stronger communities” says Borina Sutitko, The First Tee of Silicon Valley recipient. All nine winners receive a four-day/three-night trip to the Broadmoor Resort to attend the program, which provides participants golf with Annika, tours of Pikes Peak and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and leadership instruction that incorporates The First Tee’s Nine Core Values. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to develop and hone skills to become leaders in their chapters, schools and communities while experiencing championship golf, career exploration and Colorado’s great outdoors with a variety of teens from around the country.

August is the appropriate time to feature one of the The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits*: School. As part of our youth development curriculum, The First Tee of Silicon Valley not only teaches youth how to play golf but we promote healthy, active lifestyles and we stress the emotional and social benefits of golf that can also be incorporated into one’s daily life. School is a place to build healthy relationships by supporting teachers, asking for help and pursuing mentoring opportunities with other students. Our coaches/mentors have our participants specifically discuss and list the different types of relationships that are necessary to have at school. We also ask them to identify ways the support form students and adults in school can contribute to having a healthy heart. Our participants learn that success in school – learning, building relationships and contributing to the school environment – leads to success in other areas of life. The First Tee of Silicon Valley is a safe haven that provides structure, direction and mentorship to many children who never dreamed of playing golf. Our participants are behaving better, are getting better grades and are healthier on the golf course, in the classroom, and in their local communities. Consider registering your child in a class, becoming a volunteer or supporting our non-profit youth development organization. *The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits were created through a collaboration among The First Tee, ANNIKA Foundation and Florida Hospital for Children to promote healthy, active lifestyles for youth.

On Tuesday, August 7th, The First Tee of Silicon Valley participated in the National Night Out event at the Mayfair Community Center. Located in the heart of East San José, NNO is designed to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention, generate support for local anti-crime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships. The First Tee of Silicon Valley participants and volunteers set up games for the students to play, and offered registration assistance (including in Spanish) for interested families and students. “Thank you to the Mayfair Community Center for inviting us to their National Night Out.” said Chris Moreno-Hunt, TFTSV Program Manager. “We are proud to serve and offer programing to students in the Alum Rock/East San Jose community. Community engagement is important to us and we are grateful for the opportunity to give back.

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.