We are continuing on our Fall Participant Spotlight Series with Austin from our program at Seven Lakes Golf Club. Austin was submitted by Coach CJ for his respectful, polite attitude, eagerness to learn, and enthusiasm at every class!
Austin is a first time participant with First Tee – Sandhills this season, but is already making an impact on his coaches and fellow participants. Austin’s favorite activities at class include hitting his driver, making new friends, and broadening his knowledge about the game of golf! Austin has shared his love of golf with his little brother, and enjoys showing him the things he learns at class. Austin spends much of his spare time outside; riding bikes through the neighborhood with his friends, playing football, and running around with his dog, Bojangles.
Let’s take a look at what Coach CJ had to say about our participant, Austin.
“Austin L has caught my eye this season. His skills, along with his willingness to learn is exceptional. He is so attentive to the coaches and able to block out the background activities and focus on the skills training at hand. Austin not only engages in all activities with enthusiasm, he also volunteers to help the coaches after class gathering equipment and leaving our area in great shape for others. He shows a awesome respect for the course and equipment. I, personally, was so impressed with this little gentleman, that I wanted to recognize him as his personality, golf skills and knowledge base and class participation deserves a very bright spotlight, indeed.”
Way to go, Austin! We are so glad you joined us here at First Tee – Sandhills.
Three of four parents worry about their child being bullied. Parents know bullying is a problem, but they might not always know how to recognize its signs or how to address it.
“October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to focus and raise awareness on bullying,” said Kristin Westberg, senior director of curriculum and education at First Tee and author of several books on bullying.
What is bullying?
Bullying is defined as repeated aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Sometimes it can be difficult for parents to differentiate between bullying and bad behavior. Don’t discount your child’s feelings if they’re embarrassed or their feelings are hurt; however, these outcomes might not be the result of bullying.
“For an action to be considered bullying, the behavior must be unwanted by the person experiencing the bullying and intentional on the part of the person who is bullying,” Westberg explained. “There needs to be a power imbalance, making it difficult for the victim to defend themself, and the action must be repeated.”
Bullies intend to intimidate, harm or control their victim, and their actions can take the following forms:
Physical violence
Name calling, making threats or taunting
Spreading rumors or intentionally ruining someone’s reputation
Cyberbullying online or by text
How to prevent bullying
Westberg suggests communicating these messages to your kids to help them understand the potential impact of bullying.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected here.” Reinforce that everyone has the right to be treated with kindness and respect.
“Your words and actions matter. Choose to be kind.” Help your kids understand the power of their behavior and encourage them to think before acting or speaking.
“Everyone has something unique to offer. Let’s celebrate our differences and work together.” Promote inclusivity and appreciation for diversity, helping to prevent bullying that stems from misunderstandings or judgment.
“Let’s build a community where everyone can be themselves and feel accepted for who they are.” Build a supportive and accepting community where everyone feels valued and safe.
“Being a leader means standing up for others and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.” Be a positive role model for your child.
Build your child’s confidence
Low self-esteem may make kids both more susceptible to being bullied and to bullying. A simple way parents can help their child build confidence is by listening to them and supporting their interests.
Encourage your child to try new things in a safe environment to help them learn what they’re capable of and that failure is a natural part of growth.
Many parents believe extracurriculars, including youth sports, can help kids feel more confident. First Tee and Harris Poll collaborated on research that shows that 90% of parents agree that youth sports coaches could impact their child’s ability to respect others.
You can access additional resources on bullying at stopbullying.gov.
We are kicking off our Fall Participant Spotlight Series with Liam from our program at Bayonet at Puppy Creek! Liam was submitted by Coach Sarah for his outstanding sportsmanship, eagerness to learn and a cheerful, friendly demeanor!
Liam joined First Tee – Sandhills in the Spring of 2024 with hopes to learn more about golf while making new friends. For those interested in trying First Tee, Liam would say the program is really fun and to always take the lessons learned at class seriously as they will help your golf game and life beyond the golf course. Liam has twin siblings that he enjoys spending time with along with his three dogs and two cats that he recused. Liam also enjoys reading, playing soccer and helping his mom at their trampoline park!
“Liam is always excited to be in class. He shows up with a smile on his face every day, going out of his way to communicate and make new friends! During the activities he is eager to ask for help and is always supportive and encouraging to his fellow participants whether he is on their team or the opposing team,” said Coach Sarah Sontowski.
With an ace on Pebble Beach’s iconic No. 17 Sunday, Iniakov capped off a week of competition and mentorship at the 21st edition of the PURE Insurance Championship.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2024) – After a week of exciting competition and personal growth, Nicole Iniakov and Daniel Ferguson are the junior winners of the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded Sunday at Pebble Beach.
Iniakov, representing First Tee – Monterey County and paired with Ernie Els, and Ferguson, representing First Tee – Greater Dallas and paired with Justin Leonard, claimed the girls’ and boys’ pro-junior titles, respectively. Iniakov and Els finished 23-under, while Ferguson and Leonard finished 19-under.
Els followed Iniakov’s ace on hole 17 with an eagle on hole 18 to finish with a 9-under 63 on Sunday. Ferguson made three birdies on the back nine Sunday, and Leonard also eagled hole 18 to give his team the lead on the pro-junior boys’ side. This is the second consecutive year that Leonard has teamed up with a First Tee – Greater Dallas participant to win this event. Leonard and Alyssa Stewart won the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship pro-junior girls’ title.
For more than two decades, the PURE Insurance Championship has brought First Tee participants to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, where they put into action the skills and values they developed at First Tee chapters across the country as they play alongside PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business world. The annual event was televised internationally on Golf Channel.
“The 80 young people who represented First Tee this week displayed perseverance, positive attitudes and impressive golf skills,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Congratulations to Nicole and Daniel on winning the tournament. Thank you to our partners, PURE Insurance, Chevron, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PGA TOUR Champions players, Golf Channel and all the sponsors, for making this a truly special week for First Tee.”
Iniakov is a high school senior with a 4.09 GPA, and she’s been playing golf for 10 years. She recorded more than 100 community service hours in 2023, volunteering with organizations like First Tee and Youth on Course. She organizes a golf tournament that raises money to help young golfers pay their tournament fees and has won multiple AJGA events.
“There are so many people that came out to support me: my friends, my family and other kids from First Tee – Monterey County,” Iniakov said. “I’m going to remember this moment until I’m 80. I’m so grateful for everyone that made this tournament happen.”
Ferguson is a high school senior with a 4.0 GPA, who’s been playing golf for 11 years. He coaches junior players at First Tee – Greater Dallas and has committed to play golf next year at Dallas Baptist University.
“Just to be here is incredible but to win it just feels amazing,” Ferguson said. “This week has been better than I ever could have dreamed.”
During the week, First Tee partners PURE Insurance and Chevron celebrated their commitment to First Tee’s mission and raised additional funds to support the First Tee College Scholarship Program through special events. The program pairs select First Tee alumni with a mentor and provides professional development workshops and financial assistance throughout their college experience.
This week, leaders from PURE Insurance surprised Hannah Stouder of First Tee – Greater Sacramento with an invitation to become the newest member of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Stouder will play collegiate golf next year at the University of Nevada, Reno. Stouder’s playing partner this week was the legendary Mark O’Meara, who was playing in his final professional tournament.
First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
At Father Keith B. Kenny Elementary School in Sacramento, there’s a resource for students who lack access to basic products like shampoo, detergent and soap. It’s called Hannah’s Care Closet, and it serves about 20 unhoused families.
Hannah Stouder of First Tee – Greater Sacramento worked with a nonprofit called Growing Past Today to launch the endeavor, which has distributed more than $7,500 in hygiene items.
“In November 2022, I had the opportunity to attend the First Tee Innovators Forum in Dallas, Texas,” Hannah said. “During the workshop, I learned how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference when it comes to helping others. After my memorable experience in Dallas, I wanted to bring positive change to my community.”
Through Hannah’s Care Closet and other volunteer projects, she logged about 250 community service hours in 2023.
Hannah has been involved with First Tee for more than half her life. In addition to being active in her chapter, she’s also participated in many of First Tee’s national participant opportunities, including the Participant Advisory Council. This year, Hannah is one of eight teens providing feedback to First Tee executives.
In addition to being a leader off the course, Hannah is an exceptional golfer. Captain of the team at Christian Brothers High School, she holds the school’s low-round record of 67.
She’ll tee it up this weekend at the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs First Tee juniors with legends of the game at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Hannah is paired with Mark O’Meara – The Prince of Pebble Beach – in his last professional tournament.
On Thursday, Hannah got a special surprise. Leaders from PURE Insurance surprised her with an invitation to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. The program provides mentorship, professional development opportunities and financial support for select First Tee alumni.
“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with, and support of this incredible organization,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “It’s particularly gratifying to know that we can impact the remarkable young men and women of First Tee, like Hannah, in such a powerful way.”
Hannah earned her spot through her dedication to golf, school and her First Tee chapter. After graduation this spring, Hannah will play golf at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The PURE Insurance Championship will be broadcast on Golf Channel. Learn more.
Steve Felice and his wife, Pat, hail from Upstate New York. After an impressive career as Senior Vice President for one of the largest global mining companies, Steve retired in 2022. To celebrate this new chapter, Steve and Pat embarked on a cross-country road trip. One of their stops was Pinehurst, where they volunteered for the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club.
During their three-week stay, Steve and Pat fell in love with the Sandhills area and made the big decision to relocate. Later that summer, they bought a home in Pinewild. Steve had a strong desire to stay involved in his community and expressed interest in volunteering with First Tee – Sandhills to his realtor, Jennifer Nguyen, who happened to serve on the Board of Directors for First Tee. Through that connection, Steve met with Courtney, and his volunteer journey with First Tee – Sandhills began just a few months later. Steve’s dedication and enthusiasm have made him an invaluable part of the First Tee team. He’s passionate about helping young golfers develop both their game and their character, and we’re so grateful to have him on board!
“The work with First Tee has been a fantastic experience and exactly what I was looking for. The First Tee team and my fellow volunteers, mentors and coaches are wonderful, caring people who live the values and mission of First Tee. Over the past two years supporting First Tee, the picture that comes to mind when I reflect on my time is simply the smiles on the faces of the kiddos — when they show up and when the go home after the sessions!”
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Alex Yang from First Tee – Coachella Valley shared his story of how the chapter has supported him through his diagnosis and treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“I joined First Tee about 3 years ago, right after the COVID-19 pandemic. I played soccer for nine years and never played golf before, but I wanted to try a new sport outside of my comfort zone. As soon as I joined the program, I immediately fell in love with it. Before joining First Tee, I assumed it was just about learning golf and nothing else. I had no idea about the incredible life lessons they taught or the value of them. As a beginner golfer, I was very nervous and anxious about my lack of golf knowledge and was unsure how I would fit in. However, the environment at First Tee – Coachella Valley was astonishing.
It was a place where everybody was welcome, regardless of their background or skill level. All of the coaches and other participants were extremely supportive and encouraging to each other. As we learned about skills to use both on and off the course, it opened my eyes to how golf is more than just the sport. The lessons I learned through the core values and other curriculums helped me grow as a person and became a part of my identity.
As I continued with First Tee, I participated in many of their programs besides just their teen group classes such as the Divots and Diversity class, Evans Scholar Caddie Program, PGA TOUR Superstore Leadership Class, standard bearing at the American Express, giving speeches at First Tee events, and even being selected to go to the PGATSS Leadership Academy in Atlanta in 2023. Throughout all of these experiences, I was exposed to remarkable people as well as countless opportunities. This helped me to build my own self confidence and learn how to pursue the goals that I set for myself. As I expanded my horizons, I looked towards the many national opportunities that First Tee provides over the summer. Unfortunately, there were unexpected developments that prevented me from participating.
Starting in October of 2023, I noticed some signs that something was out of the ordinary. I experienced extreme fatigue, which caused me to fall asleep in almost every single one of my classes each day, even with eight to nine hours of sleep a day. I had just assumed that schoolwork and my activities were taking a toll on me. In December and January, I got sick very easily and multiple times in a short period of time. Starting in February, I developed a cough that I believed was a seasonal cold. As the coughing got worse, I took three trips to urgent cares, which only provided antibiotics and inhalers as they believed it was just bronchitis or a common cold. My mother requested a chest X-ray each time but was turned down all three times. As the condition worsened, I started to have difficulty breathing. This was when my mother rushed me to the ER on March 1, 2024.
The doctors there immediately noticed my right lung sounded diminished and ordered a chest X-ray. They were surprised that none of the urgent care doctors offered an X-ray to us. The results from the X-ray showed that my right lung collapsed due to excessive amounts of fluid. They immediately took me to the procedure room and drained two liters of fluid. I was then admitted to the hospital for further monitoring of my condition, which at the time they assumed was pneumonia. The doctors scheduled a surgery to drain the rest of the fluid as well as install a chest tube. The night before the surgery, the doctors changed the preliminary scan from an X-ray to a CT scan. With this scan, they found a 12 cm mediastinal mass on top of my heart which was blocking my airways. During the surgery they installed a chest tube and took a biopsy of the mass. A few days later, the results came back which showed that it was positive for blood cancer.
I began chemotherapy treatment to start eliminating the mass. We stayed in the Loma Linda area for six weeks before finally returning home. Once we returned home, we spent the rest of our time going back and forth to the clinic with occasional hospitalizations. I was never aware of the severe side effects that come with chemotherapy and how scary they can be.
As my doctor went over my treatment plan, she recommended that I take a year off of school because of the countless side effects and intensive treatment. However, I did not want to postpone my education and fall behind in my goal of becoming an engineer. I finished my 10th grade year through the online Home and Hospital program. Throughout the summer, I continued my education by completing an online class through my local community college as well as homework for the next year. Although things were extremely tough and painful, I did not want to give up and pushed myself to reach my goals.
Although treatment has not concluded yet, I cannot wait to return to First Tee and continue my journey with them. First Tee – Coachella Valley has continuously reached out to me and checked up on my condition. They try to help me in any way that they can, even starting a lemonade stand to raise funds for my treatments. Without the immense support that I received from coaches and fellow participants, it would’ve been a much harder journey. I had never realized how much support from loved ones and a strong community could make such an impact. It gave me the strength to push through the hardest times of my life.
Going through all of this, I have learned the importance of having a strong and supportive community with people to help you. This is truly one of the most precious gifts that you could ever have. First Tee has created a community unlike any other, and I am honored to be a part of it. Once I am able to, I hope to return the kindness and hope that I have been given back to my community and help others who are going through their own struggles. I am so thankful for everything I learned and have received from First Tee.”
Earlier this year, Coach Riley was accepted into the Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) and we promised a monthly recap of each of his new experiences. If you aren’t caught up, click here to learn about this adventure!
This month, Riley and the MCLI team got to explore all things FirstHealth. After getting to tour the new Cancer Center of FirstHealth, and learning all about the ins and outs of how things run and work, Riley was eager to share his findings when returning back to First Tee – Sandhills. Take a moment to hear what they learned and discovered while visiting and learning all about FirstHealth.
“We began our day by meeting with the CEO and COO of FirstHealth, where I discovered some intriguing facts about the organization that I hadn’t known before. FirstHealth operates independently and is a not-for-profit organization, meaning that all revenue is reinvested directly into patient care. I was particularly moved by learning about their Foundation, which exists solely to provide financial assistance to those struggling with medical bills.They also shared details about the new Cancer Center in Moore County, which represents a significant advancement by bringing all aspects of treatment and rehabilitation together under one roof, rather than being spread across different buildings. The conversation also highlighted FirstHealth’s expansion plans, not just in Moore County but across all the counties they serve. Key projects include an upgraded energy supply building in Moore, which is critical for their expansion efforts, as they’ve already reached full capacity, and a new Women and Children’s building. Interestingly, FirstHealth is the only provider of women’s services in the region. The COO also discussed several safety improvements he’s implemented to enhance hospital security. Every day, department heads across the network participate in a Safety Huddle, where they review a comprehensive report from the previous day to track near misses and implement changes proactively to prevent any harmful incidents.”
“Following that, they introduced their Tele-Health program, which was developed post-COVID to reduce the need for in-person contact. This program allows patients to consult with doctors over the phone, from simply discussing symptoms to enabling daily check-ins for patients who have been discharged but still require monitoring. A significant advantage of this system for FirstHealth is that one provider can manage all at-home observations each day, even if the patients are spread across different locations. This approach, coupled with a notable reduction in 30-day readmissions—which hospitals cannot charge for—has resulted in substantial cost savings for the organization. Next, we toured the new Cancer Center, where each floor is dedicated to a specific aspect of cancer treatment. The passion and care of the employees were immediately evident, and the environment felt far from a typical hospital setting. With vibrant colors and a welcoming atmosphere, the center stood out as a place of hope. However, one sobering statistic caught my attention: they see approximately 260 patients daily.”
“We concluded our day at the Pinehurst Medical Clinic, focusing on the evolving landscape of behavioral health and the rise in mental health challenges post-COVID. Since the pandemic, there has been a marked increase in extreme social anxiety, depression, and a decline in reading skills among younger age groups. We also learned about the surge in distress among high school seniors and college freshmen, many of whom felt their lives had been derailed by the pandemic.”
“Several insights stood out to me. First, the startling realization that around 80% of our daily thoughts are negative—a figure that, on reflection, seems accurate. Additionally, it was intriguing to note the higher number of female patients seeking mental health support compared to males. The discussion brought up interesting perspectives on why this might be, with some suggesting that societal norms discourage men from seeking help, while others felt that men tend to address issues superficially, whereas women engage more deeply. Overall, the experience was eye-opening, shedding light on the profound impact these issues have on our community.”
Riley’s next journey through MCLI will be September 18th.
This September two participants from First Tee – San Joaquin will make their way to Pebble Beach, California, to play in the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship, and they happen to be siblings.
Julian and Elle Gianelli have been First Tee participants for six years. After being introduced to golf 11 years ago by their grandpa, they both found a love for the sport: getting to learn from him, spend quality time together and even show off a little bit.
Julian is a junior in high school and is involved with Model UN, Key Club, Campus Ministry, Link Crew, the California Scholarship Federation, the varsity golf team and completed over 200 hours of community service in 2023. He’s also a 3rd degree blackbelt in Taekwondo, with the curriculum of First Tee reminding him of the curriculum taught in Taekwondo.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey with First Tee has been the opportunity to give back to the community by coaching and mentoring younger participants,” he said. “Serving as a positive role model for these children has been an honor, allowing me to share the values and lessons instilled in me by First Tee and inspire the next generation of leaders.”
Another way Julian gives back to his community is through his passion project “Crop Kindness Connect,” where he collects excess fruits and vegetables from local growers and provides them to those in need and local lower income schools of Stockton.
His older sister, Elle, is a senior in high school and is involved in the chess club, Kids Connect Global and has earned the President’s Service Award with over 250 hours of community service in 2023. She is also a 3rd degree blackbelt in taekwondo and has been involved in several First Tee national opportunities, including the First Tee Innovators Forum, where teens develop a community service project to implement in their hometown.
Elle created a nonprofit called Socks4Seniors, which has provided over 6,500 pairs of silly socks and notes to over 100 nursing/assisted living facilities nationwide.
“I’ve been able to envision the impossible and am proud of what I have established and achieved through my nonprofit,” she said.
Julian and Elle are just two examples of the impressive 80 participants selected to play in the PURE Insurance Championship from September 17 – 22 This opportunity pairs each First Tee participant with a PGA TOUR Champions’ player and amateurs from the business world.
Good luck to all 80 participants as they continue their preparations for Pebble Beach!
By Kristin Westberg, Senior Director of Curriculum and Education
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”― Theodore Roosevelt
At First Tee, coaching involves far more than just teaching golf skills and life skills in a class; it’s about cultivating relationships that foster growth, build confidence and demonstrate resilience. But how can coaches create a foundation of trust that cultivates legitimate relationships with participants? Empowering Youth, one of the First Tee Coach Building Blocks, focuses on this aspect of development and is one key to building relationships that create impact.
Trust is the foundation
Eighty-three percent of parents wish their child had more access to trustworthy coaches. Trust forms the bedrock of any enduring coach-athlete relationship. It’s the glue that holds everything together, facilitates effective communication, skill development and overall progress. All First Tee coaches are background checked and formally trained to connect with participants, whether they’re passionate golfers or just trying something new. They prioritize building trust early on to establish a strong foundation that can lead to a lasting connection.
Positive role modeling
Ninety-two percent of parents say they hope their child has a coach who they would consider a role model. First Tee coaches serve as mentors and role models for participants. They lead by example and demonstrate the values they expect from participants. Kids are far more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say, and coaches recognize this as an opportunity to positively model both golf skills and life skills that can be applied on and off the course. Coaches are committed to Building Game Changers, work hard to embody the Key Commitments, set a positive example of pursuing goals, grow through challenge, collaborate with others, build positive self-identity and use good judgment. These behaviors help to build trust and foster connections with participants of all ages.
Continuous improvement
Fifty-three percent of parents say having a trustworthy sports coach or mentor would increase their likelihood to commit long-term to the activity. First Tee coaches understand that building meaningful connections with participants is an ongoing process, and the First Tee curriculum exists to support them through that. First Tee offers a variety of eLearning courses and supplemental resources, as well as HQ led trainings to deepen their knowledge and develop new skills, such as understanding the stages of youth development or tips and tricks for tackling skill disparities. These practices improve the learning environment in a class and create opportunities to develop relationships and strengthen connections with participants.
Ninety percent of parents believe that coaches are the unsung heroes of youth development. A coach’s influence extends beyond the course and long after the round ends. Genuine connection matters when building the coach-participant relationship and even more when building game changers. At First Tee, we recognize that when participants know you care, they’ll care what you know and that’s when true learning and growth happens.
The statistics used throughout this story are from a new study between First Tee and Harris Poll. Visit the Character Gap research to learn more.
Q&A with a Coach
Sterling Simmons III is a First Tee alumnus and the player development instructor at First Tee – Greater Richmond. In that role, Sterling leads First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Player Development Academy, First Tee matches and oversees the organizations PGA Jr. League teams.
How did you get involved with First Tee?
My father took me to the First Tee Greater Richmond driving range when I was younger, and I met my first golf coach Craig Wood. I’ve stayed involved ever since.
Why do you continue to coach?
I enjoy being able to be a part of the development process for our participants, both on and off the golf course.
What have you learned from coaching at First Tee?
First Tee has taught me that each participant is unique in their own way and as a coach, you have to be able to adapt how you teach to match the participant.
What do you think new First Tee students should know?
The course of life and the golf course are very similar. You will be presented with obstacles and challenges along the way, but the ability to navigate and overcome adversity will help you in the future on both of these “courses.”
What do you think new/inquiring coaches should know?
You don’t have to be a great golfer to make an impact on a participant’s life.
Parents rely on sports – and trained coaches – to help their children build character and learn life skills, including working with others.
CHICAGO, Ill. & PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2024) – While 93% of parents agree that kids can learn important life skills from playing sports, four out of five parents also believe there is a shortage of high-caliber coaches today.
That is from a new survey by global consulting and market research firm, The Harris Poll, and youth development organization, First Tee. The U.S.-based survey was conducted online in April 2024 with feedback from 2,049 adults.
The survey captured data on youth involvement in extracurricular activities and sports. The data was also analyzed by gender, age, race, education, and income, among other characteristics.
“Since our mission is centered on positive youth development, we think it is important to seek parents’ perspectives as the world around them continues to change and their kids face new challenges,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “It helps us better understand and serve youth, and in the case of this study, it reinforces the importance of our investment in training our coaches.”
First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engages more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. The training system is built on research-proven methods of positive youth development, providing coaches with the tools to make kids feel safe, included and empowered. As part of First Tee’s onboarding, each coach is background-checked and completes training from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
The key findings from the survey include:
89% of parents feel character is a lost value that should be more emphasized in today’s society – an increase of +4 percentage points from the 2023survey. Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles. Parents understand that need, as nine out of 10parents seek opportunities for their kids to build character.
Parents believe sports can help close the character gap. Parents put their kids in extracurricular activities – with sports being most popular – for socialization and to build confidence. According to 93% of parents, children learn important life skills from playing sports.
Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development. Parents turn to coaches to help teach their kids character, self-confidence, determination and leadership. 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire children to excel both on and off the field.
Safety is critically important to parents. They prefer coaches who have been background checked, with 94% of parents citing it as a priority in today’s world and 83% wishing their child had more access to well-trained coaches.
“While every generation confronts their own unique challenges, kids are facing new barriers to character development,” said Harris Poll CEO Will Johnson. “Our research findings make it clear: Parents, when registering your kids for the upcoming school year, don’t forget the critical development that comes outside the classroom.”
This is the second annual research collaboration between The Harris Poll and First Tee.
For the results of the 2023 parent survey, click here.
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About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
About The Harris Poll The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.
### MEDIA CONTACTS: Annika Mayers, First Tee [email protected] 904-273-3513
Addison Bidoli, a rising 10th Grader at Jack Britt HS in Fayetteville and a First Tee – Sandhills participant, was selected as one of 72 teens nationwide to attend the Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis this past month. The seventy-two teens from across the country attended the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow Jr. where the teens participated in important conversations on topics like inclusivity and community building facilitated by RISE, a national leader championing social justice in sports.
Here is Addison’s Recap from the experience:
Day 1 Recap
I arrived Tuesday, July 9th. In the airport, I met an amazing group of people who I stayed close with the entire trip. We settled into the dorms, and started to get ready for the welcome reception. Before the reception, I met my roommate who was very sweet and we instantly got along! Between these events I began to meet the other participants and tried to get to know everyone I could.
At the reception after dinner, I sat with 3 other girls who I got to know, one of the coaches, and NFL hall of fame-r John Randle. We then had a few individuals go up and speak at a panel where we learned from people with different experiences and careers about inclusive leadership. We got to experience different perspectives and ultimately learned the importance of being an inclusive leader in the workplace.
Day 2 Recap
The next day we woke up and ate breakfast at the cafeteria on campus, and then left for Highland National Golf Course to play some icebreaker golf activities. My group started off at the chipping station. The intent of the game was to help build our confidence and I really enjoyed it! Our next station was full swing. We were asked to aim for a target out on the range and each target was paired with a unique question that I answered and discussed with my partner. It was exciting to learn more about the other participants and their past experiences. The last activity we attended was putting which was my favorite station of the day. We rotated around the green where we had to complete a different task at each hole.
We then ate a delicious pasta lunch and went back out to the course to play a few holes. I was partnered with three participants I had not had a chance to mingle with yet. I was able to make three new friends while growing my confidence!
After our morning golf activities, we went back to campus for our first lecture! It was with the RISE program. This had to be my favorite workshop of the whole trip! Our instructor was very engaging and easy to listen to. At the workshop, we were assigned to write 10 things that describe our identity. We rotated around the room and read our list to another participant, who then ripped off a word from the list that shouldn’t define us. We continued moving around the room and deleting words from our list until only one word was left.
I really enjoyed getting to listen and learn about the other participants and myself as well. The opportunity provided a fresh perspective to how you view yourself and what defines you.
After the workshop, we ate dinner at the cafeteria then started one of my favorite activities, the scavenger hunt. We had a list of items to find around campus, such as finding a building with a prime number or finding a map and taking a picture of our group in front of it looking lost. I loved getting to explore the campus like a student alongside an amazing group of people! Everyone was so kind and fun and we all got along so well. Our chaperone was awesome and added an exciting energy to the group.
Our day was coming to an end, and we made our way back to our sleeping arrangements. We stayed up for a while talking about everything we had done and learned throughout the day, and then said our goodnights to one another. After all the excitement, we were all tired and fell right asleep!
Day 3 Recap
After a good nights rest, we kicked off the morning at the golf course. We were split into groups of five and sent out on course to play a few holes. I was able to meet two new people and continue growing friendships with two other individuals I had already spent time with.
We then rotated around another set of golf activity stations focused on target awareness. I learned to block out the things I can’t control and put more effort into focusing on the end goal.
After an exciting morning of golf, we were surprised with an ice cream break! It was by the far the best ice cream I’ve ever had and one of the best parts of the day.
Later that day, we took a short bus ride over to TopGolf and met with one of the directors of the company. She spoke to us about being an inclusive leader and gave us advice and pointers. I walked away with a new found perspective on being an effective, inclusive leader and how to be open and responsive to others ideas and opinions and how to adapt to their needs in a leadership role.
Another guest speaker, Victoria Arlen, spoke to us about her life and corporate experiences. We were able to interact and ask questions about her experiences. She is an amazing women and a perfect example of what it means to persevere.
After listening to the guest speakers, we were split into groups again and played TopGolf games, in addition to eating some wonderful snacks. It was a fun, relaxing way to end the day!
Day 4 Recap
To round out our last day at Game Changers Academy, we participated in another RISE workshop. We used the SMART acronym to create a theoretical community service project. Each group shared their ideas and received feedback and suggestions on how to bring the service project to fruition. The objective of the workshop was to equip us with the tools to create achievable goals in our personal life.
We then went to a workshop hosted by AWS. Members of the company shared AWS mission statement and values and how they incorporate each one to create an inclusive work environment. We were split into groups and tasked with creating a theoretical leader based on one of AWS values and how that value could be presented by the leader in a workplace. This activity really tied in everything we had learned thus far at the academy and how we could apply it in our daily lives and as leaders in our community.
After a hearty lunch, we headed over to Theodore Wirth Golf Course to play an 18 hole scramble. I was paired with a positive, encouraging group that created a fun, competitive environment. This 18 hole scramble was the most fun I have ever had golfing competitively. The experience was really eye opening. I am usually stuck in a negative mindset and worry more about my performance than having fun. I was able to focus on my golf game with a positive attitude and actually have fun and enjoy my time on the course. This was my favorite part of the entire trip and the best way to round out our time in Minneapolis!
Overall, this trip allowed me the opportunity to meet so many kind, amazing people and see and try new things in a fun, supportive environment. Plus, I got to stay on a college campus and get a feel for what college will be like, as I will be attending soon. I definitely walked away with the skills and knowledge to becoming an inclusive leader. I sharpened my creative skills in finding solutions to create equality, as every person is so different. I look forward to taking everything I learned from my experience and incorporating it into my upcoming school year and daily life. Thank you First Tee for instilling confidence in myself and actions! I am beyond grateful for the experience Game Changers Academy offered me and I can’t wait to share a positive impact with my community.
