Category: Blog

In the tough moments, Mahek Acharya wants athletes to know they’re not alone 

Mahek Acharya’s golf journey began when her uncle gifted her a set of pink clubs. “I tried other sports, but golf just stuck with me,” she said. She went on to join First Tee – Greater Chicago and play on her high school team. 

But as all players know, golf doesn’t always cooperate. “One season, things were going really great,” Mahek explained. “I was having fun and playing well, but then all the sudden, I just couldn’t hit the ball. I don’t know what happened, but it was really demotivating. I even told my parents I wanted to quit, but I knew I couldn’t give up the sport I love.” 

It was this experience that inspired Mahek to start her podcast, Insights of the Mental Game. “I knew I needed to find a solution and talking things out has always helped me,” she said. “It’s been a journey, but the podcast has helped me love golf again, and people have told me it’s helped them too, which I think is my biggest accomplishment.” 

Mahek has interviewed First Tee participants from around the country, many of whom she met at national participant events, including the First Tee Leadership Summit supported by PGA TOUR Superstore. That’s where she connected with LPGA player Shasta Averyhardt, who went on to appear on her show too. “Mental strength is so important in golf so to hear from a professional was really cool,” Mahek said.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which was created to help address stigma surrounding the topic, but experiencing mental blocks can still be isolating for athletes, Mahek said. “I remember when Simone Biles had the ‘twisties’ and she wasn’t able to compete during the Tokyo Olympics,” she said. “Even in my own community, a lot of people didn’t take it seriously.” 

While her podcast mostly focuses on golf, Mahek has also covered ice skating, basketball and tennis. She’s learned that each sport brings unique mental challenges. “I think it helps when athletes realize they’re not alone,” she said. “For a while I thought I was the only one struggling, but it makes it easier to know other people have these experiences too.” 

Mahek is preparing to graduate from high school and plans to continue her podcast at Indiana University, where she will study business. Though her competitive golf career is ending, she said she’ll continue playing for fun and stay involved with First Tee. 

“I’m just so happy I could make change with this podcast,” she said. “Making a difference in even one person’s life is such a great feeling.” 

April 2024 Participant Spotlight

Dominic is 11 years old and has been participating with First Tee since the spring of 2023. His favorite part of the program is the unique way the coaches teach new techniques and skills! He suggests others join First Tee if they want to learn about golf in a welcoming, fun environment. Beyond golf, Dominic is extremely passionate about art. He loves to draw and create masterpieces with his dad. Dominic also has two dogs, Vito and Mia that keep him active and life exciting!

“I have had the pleasure of watching Dominic grow throughout multiple seasons. He shows up to every class with a smile on his face and sets a wonderful example for the other participants. Dominic is always offering advice, encouraging words and a helping hand to his many teammates. The positive impact he has on his peers and coaches, does not go unnoticed,” said Coach Jacie.

Where are they now: First Tee National Championship winners 

First Tee returns to Clemson University this year for its 4th annual National Championship. This year’s field includes 24 boys and 24 girls from First Tee chapters across the country to experience what golf looks like at the next level.

In addition to showcasing their skills and perseverance on the course, players will also attend a golf careers panel and a keynote address from First Tee alumnus Gavin Parker. 

This year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamecast, and you can follow scoring on Golf Genius. 

Before we head to Clemson, we caught up with our past winners to see what they’re up to. 

Ashton Harper  
First Tee — Roanoke Valley 

Ashton won the inaugural First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and is now a member of the golf team at Virginia Tech, where he is majoring in business. Ashton said his experience with First Tee taught him valuable lessons in perseverance. “Golf is not a game of perfect, and there will always be ups and downs when playing this game, but they are magnified in tournaments due to the high stakes. I was able to use perseverance to fight these ups and downs,” he said. 

Ashton aims to become an All-ACC player by the end of his tenure at Virginia Tech before going on to play professionally. 

Symran Shah 
First Tee — Greater Dallas 

Like Ashton, Symran won the First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and now plays golf at Virginia Tech. She studies business and plans to have a career in healthcare administration. 

Hannah Lydic 
First Tee — Delaware 

Hannah won the 2022 First Tee National Championship held at Notre Dame and is now a member of the golf team at the University of Richmond, majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Her experience in the First Tee National Championship taught her patience and perseverance in both herself and her game, she said. 

As a Spider, she’s won awards for golf and academics. “What’s cool about the game of golf is that if you play calm and treat your playing partners with kindness, you will ultimately have a better experience on the course which will allow you to play at a higher level,” she said. Because of her experience with First Tee coaches, she fell in love with golf and now has the goal to become a collegiate golf coach. 

Hunter Swanson 
First Tee — Green Valley Ranch 

Hunter won the First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame in 2022 and is now a business student and member of the golf team at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Hunter lost to Ashton in a playoff at the 2021 First Tee National Championship, which inspired him to have the perseverance to come back and win at Notre Dame and taught him how to be more comfortable in high stress situations, he said.  

As a college golfer, Hunter said the most important lesson he learned from First Tee is confidence. “I find I play more relaxed and have a better game when I practice enough to believe in my abilities,” he said. Since winning the First Tee National Championship, Hunter has made the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, been a Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Week and the Nevada State Amateur runner up. 

Megan Meng  
First Tee — Greater Trenton 

Megan won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and is preparing to begin her college golf career at Northwestern, where she’ll study economics. Her experience playing in the First Tee National Championship challenged her to be hardworking and patient. She said she continues to use other First Tee lessons. “I find that it is important to always apply respect, sportsmanship and courtesy to those you are playing with,” said Megan, who also won the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. 

Recently, Megan was a member of Team USA at the 2023 Junior Solheim Cup and a 2023 Rolex Scholastic Junior All-American. She’s currently in the Top 10 of the AJGA Rankings and plans to pursue professional golf. 

Cooper Groshart 
First Tee — Central Coast 

Cooper won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and now attends California State East Bay, as a business administration major and a member of the golf team. Confidence is a First Tee lesson that Cooper keeps with him today while playing competitive golf. His experience in the First Tee National Championship was inspiring, as he saw so many people from different places share the same drive to compete and succeed in golf, he said.  

Cooper played in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur in Charleston. As a freshman, he competed in 12 tournaments with his college team and has been on the dean’s list both semesters. He said his goal is to continue to improve as a player and a person. 

Learn more about the First Tee National Championship.

First Tee College Scholarship Program celebrates first graduating class 

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (May 14, 2024) – Four years ago, President George W. Bush had a big surprise for seven exemplary First Tee participants. First Tee’s honorary chair told the teens they were selected as inaugural members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Now the organization is thrilled to celebrate their graduation. 

“Congratulations to the first graduating class of First Tee College Scholarship Program,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are very proud of your hard work and commitment, and we look forward to watching you move into the next stages of your journey. First Tee is proud to have played a role in your development.” 

“First Tee is family,” said Ricky Lam, a First Tee Scholar who is graduating from Harvard University and pursuing a career in insurance. “Ultimately First Tee is a place where you have such a strong support system to be able to pursue your passions, ask for help, expand your horizons and network so you can be the person you strive to be.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is a need- and merit-based scholarship program through which Scholars receive financial support and access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. Each Scholar is paired with an adult mentor to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful in college and beyond. 

“The First Tee College Scholarship Program really helped me find connections, especially with my mentor,” said Malisone Chanthanpanya, now a graduate student and member of the golf team at Texas Wesleyan University. Mali is one of three Scholars who graduated early to bring the total number of graduated First Tee Scholars to 10. “She was a great resource who I could talk to about not just college and my career but about life. I got to meet a lot of people through the scholarship program.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program was launched in 2020, and it recognizes First Tee participants who have shown dedication to academics, community service and their First Tee chapters. It has since grown to include 70 Scholars, with the 2024 class slated to be announced next month.  

Meet the graduates: 

Luke Boldt 
First Tee – Coastal Carolina / East Carolina University 
He has accepted a position as a medical missionary for two years and plans to apply to medical school. 

Malisone Chanthanpanya 
First Tee – Fort Worth / Texas Wesleyan University 
She’s in graduate school and prepping for LPGA Q-school in the fall.  

Jessica Jiao 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Georgetown University  
She has accepted a position with BNP Paribas Bank in its equity capital markets department in New York. 

Ricky Lam 
First Tee–Tri-Valley / Harvard University 
He has accepted a position with Sompo as a commercial underwriter.  

Kelly Low 
First Tee – Fort Worth / University of Texas at Dallas 
She has accepted an offer with Amazon Web Services as an associate solutions architect in Austin. 

Nicole Monsalve 
First Tee – Miami / Duke University 
She has accepted a position with the NFL in its two-year rotation program in New York. 

Sara Rintoul  
First Tee – Central Florida / University of Florida 
She has accepted an offer at Proctor & Gamble as a brand manager in Boston. 

Remi Shendell 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Emory University 
She is graduating with a double-major in biology and political science. 

Borina Sutiko  
First Tee – Silicon Valley / Santa Clara University 
She hopes to attend Cal Berkely this fall to earn her master’s in information systems.  

Denise Wei 
First Tee – San Francisco / University of California, Irvine 
She has accepted an offer with PwC in its audit division. 

Volunteer Spotlight: Patrick Dean

Patrick Dean, raised in Columbus, GA in a military family, graduated from the University of Georgia. He spent 25 years in the U.S. Air Force in Special Operations and Joint Special Operations. Twelve of those years Patrick served at Fort Bragg. Patrick has been a resident of Southern Pines and the Sandhills for the last 20 years! A lifelong golfer, Patrick’s family experienced first-hand the support youth received through the game in our community, so when the came up, Patrick decided he wanted to give volunteering at First Tee a try for a season. And, today, Patrick is hooked! Six seasons in, he has rarely missed a class of our 5 & 6 yr old program at Campbell House Field. This spring he dipped his toes into supporting the 7 – 9 yr old program at Southern Pines Golf Club. Patrick looks forward to each season as youngsters are introduced to golf, its valuable lessons and the positive learning environment provided at First Tee – Sandhills!

“Working with First Tee – Sandhills is so rewarding. Seeing a five year old arrive for the first time, timidly walking to the table to get their name tag and then years later the experienced golfer excited and ready to go out and play the game. It is truly a privilege. It’s amazing to watch the kids gain confidence, accomplish a goal, and experience all the life lessons that golf has to offer. Then, to get to share smiles and laughter with one another along the way. Nothing is better,” said Patrick.

How to prepare for your family’s first First Tee class 

For kids and adults alike, trying new things is a great way to build self-confidence. But it can also be intimidating. While First Tee chapters aim to create welcoming environments, knowing more about what to expect may help your family feel more comfortable before its first class. 

“First Tee welcomes all ages and skill level of golfers to classes,” said Lexie Milford, senior director of programs technology at First Tee. “Families should feel comfortable arriving to any First Tee location knowing their participant will be met by trained and caring adult coaches that are ready to lead them through a variety of fun activities.” 

In addition to learning golf, First Tee’s curriculum is built around teaching kids to: 

  • Pursue goals. 
  • Grow through challenges. 
  • Collaborate with others. 
  • Build a positive self-identity. 
  • Use good judgment. 

First Tee coaches aim to create fun and colorful, hands-on experiences for kids, Milford said. Here is what parents and kids should know. 

First Tee emphasizes safety and inclusivity 

As a youth development organization, First Tee believes experiences are our greatest teacher and that they should be both fun and meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail and better equipped for whatever comes their way. 

Just like trying a new sport can be scary for kids, deciding to entrust your child to a coach or organization can also be a significant decision for parents. As part of First Tee’s commitment to safety, all employees, coaches and volunteers must complete a background check before working with kids. Plus, all employees, coaches, volunteers and board members are required to complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training program. 

Additionally, while golf can have a reputation as an expensive and exclusive sport, First Tee aims to make it accessible to all families. Contact your local chapter if your child is interested in golf, but finances are a concern. First Tee also provides equipment and requires no special uniforms or shoes. For their first class, your child should wear something comfortable that makes them feel confident and allows them to move.  

Talking to your child about trying new things 

First Tee chapters cater to all kids, whether they are serious golfers, beginners and just play for fun. Even though you’ll find participants of all varying levels at First Tee, many kids are nervous during their first class. But it might be helpful to remind them that every golfer was a beginner once. 

Listening to their concerns and celebrating small successes can go a long way. “In my house, we love a good challenge and make a big deal for my kids when they make it through a new activity or experience, regardless of the outcome,” Milford said. 

With a curriculum that integrates life skills and character education, First Tee is about more than golf – which isn’t an easy sport, even for great players. Helping your child set small goals throughout their golf journey can be a good strategy to help them build confidence and teach them to enjoy a lifelong sport. 

Find a Program Location Near You

March 2024 Participant Spotlight

James started First Tee when he was 7 years old, alongside two of his brothers. James’ favorite part of class is going to the driving range because he gets to hit the ball really far! James also enjoys playing with his three lizards, four snakes, all his cats, and his five brothers. Beyond First Tee, James also participates in Cub Scouts, where he has been a member since the age of five. He also enjoys creating art masterpieces and building things, like derby cars.

“Jamie consistently and accurately answers questions at every class. He is also considerate and coconscious in his decision making. At class, two weeks ago, when taking a restroom break, he jumped ahead of everyone and held the door until all participants had come inside. He then waited patiently for his turn. Jamie is a wonderful student and a friend to all,” said Coach Lisa Harvey.

First Tee – Upstate South Carolina alumna Anna Morgan prepares to tee it up at Augusta 

Playing Augusta National is a dream for many golfers.  

“There are so many things that make the experience special,” Anna Morgan said. “The history that surrounds it and the Masters stories, it’s just exciting to be out there playing the same golf course.” 

Anna is an alumna of First Tee – Upstate South Carolina and a collegiate golfer at Furman University. She’s preparing to play in her third Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which begins Wednesday, April 3.  

“Up until 2019, they only had The Masters, and so to now have the ANWA and be able to say I’ve played tournament golf at Augusta, it’s just so cool to be part of that history,” she said. 

It’s almost a hometown tournament for Anna, who grew up a couple hours from Augusta in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  

Anna has had a storied career at Furman, where she was named 2023 SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. Last month she won the Purdue Puerto Rico Classic. “There have just been so many amazing moments,” she said. “I started playing golf because I thought it was fun, and I’ve been able to keep having fun with my coaches and teammates at Furman.” 

Anna honed that mentality at First Tee, where she still remembers playing golf baseball and other games. “I just have such great memories and made such great friends,” she said. “Especially during rough days on the golf course, I try to remember to always have fun. You need to enjoy it first and foremost.”  

She said First Tee helped her build confidence too. 

Anna’s dad got her into golf when she was young, but she played lots of different sports and actually focused on baseball until she was encouraged to switch to softball when she got older. 

Her advice to young golfers: “I definitely wasn’t the best golfer starting out. You don’t have to be the best player in your town or even the best on your team to have a future in golf,” she said. 

In addition to preparing for Augusta – where Anna says your short game is critical – she’s about to graduate with a double major in communications studies and political science. Anna is aiming to qualify for the Curtis Cup before establishing herself on a professional tour. 

Learn more about playing with First Tee. 

Encourage your child to warmup before exercise this spring 

For many families, the return of spring means outdoor sports are back in play.  

Whether your children play golf or participate in other physical activities, it’s important to keep them safe. Did you know a third of childhood injuries occur during sports?  

One of the best ways to make sure your child is prepared to play this spring is by encouraging them to warm up before exercise. 

“At First Tee we utilize warmups in a couple different ways,” said Ali Miller, senior manager of programs training at First Tee. “If it has been a little while since your child has been active in sports or they are new to sports in general, warmups are a great way to get their body used to being active. Warmups also allow our coaches to build a foundation of movement that helps facilitate better golf technique using exercises and movements that your child may be more used to such as throwing or kicking a ball.” 

All First Tee classes start with a warmup, and coaches aim to make them fun, so kids feel excited about the rest of the lesson, Miller said. Not only is warming up healthy before exercise, but it’s also a great way to instill in kids the importance of preparing for a task.  

Miller recommends warmups that combine a few different exercises to focus on different skills and muscles. For example, she’ll combine skiers for balance and agility with lunges for strength and flexibility. 

“Lastly, I always have kids do some kind of throwing, kicking or hitting motion, which covers object control. All these actions mimic golf skills and help me see what kids are capable of movement wise,” Miller said.  

“I also usually organize these exercises into some kind of circuit or obstacle course to keep things fun and keep kids moving for the whole warmup.” 

When it comes to other tips to prepare for spring sports, Miller said kids are generally resilient, but it never hurts to take your child to the doctor for a physical, especially if they’ve been more sedentary over winter.  

“Our coaches place safety as a number one priority but parents can help by making sure kids are wearing golf or athletic shoes and clothing that is easy to move around in,” she said. “As always if your child has any allergies or physical limitations let your local First Tee staff know so they can make sure everything is in order and they’re set up for success.” 

Learn about First Tee programs in your area. 

Volunteer Spotlight: Joe Derosa

Born and raised in The Five Towns area of Long Island, Joe Derosa completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate of advanced study degrees in education and administration at the State University of New York at New Paltz and State University at Albany. From there, he embarked on a 35-year career as a teacher, administrator, and baseball coach in the Arlington Central School district and Dutchess Community College near Poughkeepsie, NY.

Following retirement from teaching and coaching in 2005, Mr. Derosa relocated to Boca Raton, FL, where they assisted family with a new business venture and returned to coaching youth baseball. This eventually led to coaching opportunities with the Federation of Italian Baseball, where they spent six years teaching and coaching in Italy. In 2011, he returned to New York and volunteered as an assistant coach for the New Paltz baseball team until 2013.

Derosa’s journey eventually led to Pinehurst, NC where he learned about the First Tee Program in 2018. And, lucky for us, it was an instant fit! Derosa quickly became involved, volunteering under different coaches and embracing its curriculum focused on life skills through golf.

He first served as a volunteer under the leadership of coach Jim Curley at Pinewild CC, then added the program at Seven Lakes under
coach Bill Baker. From time to time, Joe filled in at Legacy Golf Links and Knollwood Fairways. Derosa embraced the curriculum built around “The Nine Core Values,” using golf as a platform to integrate and convey Life Skills to all participants.

When asked to reflect on any extra special moments at First Tee – Sandhills, Mr. Derosa said, “every session provides unique memories and teachable moments, however there is one that stands out above the rest. My first volunteer assignment was a clinic at Pinehurst No. 6. The lead coach assigned me to work at the chipping and pitching activity. Now, I am a mid-handicap player and this is the weakest part of the game… My hands turn to stone as I get anxious over sending the ball flying across the green or chunking the shot.”

He continued that as part of his ice breaker to encourage the kids to not be hard on themselves he shared this story, “as I was conveying my anxiety to the kiddos by saying I get nervous about hitting a bad shot in front of my playing partners, this one young girl stepped up to me and said she had a solution to my problem.” She stated, “the next time I am faced with that situation, tell the other golfers in my group to turn around and not look while I’m chipping! Precious advice.”

After sharing this sweet story from 2018, Mr. Derosa was quick to provide a kind review of our Chapter’s team. He shared, “The administrative and teaching staff from the Sandhills branch provide an outstanding foundation for delivering a comprehensive curriculum. They encourage sensitive observation, timely intervention, and multi-disciplinary teamwork. The on-site coaches and fellow volunteers engage in positive interaction to mold, shape, and refine their approach that makes it motivating and fun for all involved. Who would not want to be a part of that environment?”

We agree, Joe. And, THANK YOU Coach Derosa for your commitment to Building Game Changers.


March at MCLI: All Things Emergency Services

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!

In this month’s MCLI update, Riley and the MCLI team explored County Services, delving into the intricacies of Emergency Response within our county. Riley was able to learn all about our county’s Emergency Response teams and just how intricate their work is. “One fascinating discovery was the role of property tax in funding these services. Much like a subscription, residents contribute a percentage of their property tax to County Services, granting them access to free ambulance services. This funding mechanism also ensures that Emergency Services can regularly update their equipment and vehicles, ensuring nothing becomes outdated and hindering their ability to assist those in need.”

During this visit, Riley also learned about the vital role of Tele-Communicators in dispatching resources throughout the county. Despite having only 3-4 Tele-Communicators available at any given time, an automated dispatch system efficiently determines the nature of emergencies and sends the nearest unit to the scene. However, one significant challenge faced by these professionals is the misuse of 911 as a directory service (411), which delays the response time for genuine emergencies. Surprisingly, the average working lifespan of a Tele-Communicator is only 18-36 months before they seek employment elsewhere.

Following the visit to County Services, Riley and the MCLI team proceeded to Union Pines to explore their Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. Union Pines provides a diverse array of classes aimed at preparing students for immediate employment upon high school graduation. From agriculture to culinary arts, automotive, carpentry, nursing, and robotics, the school offers a wide range of vocational options.

Of particular interest was Riley’s conversation with the automotive teacher, who highlighted the potential for students to secure employment at shops or dealerships after completing the program’s four steps. They discussed the challenges faced by today’s youth in a technology-driven world, where face-to-face communication skills may be overshadowed by online interactions. Riley noted the dichotomy of students’ struggles to retain knowledge alongside their adeptness at finding answers online.

Next stop in the MCLI program will be in April 17th to explore community services within our county.


First Tee Scholar Alexa Vela is building community through golf

My name is Alexa Vela, a student at Rice University studying business and sport management. 

I am also a proud First Tee alumni and Scholar who has been fortunate enough to grow up playing the game of golf, and as a result have been taught a variety of fundamental lessons and values such as patience, confidence and integrity whether on or off the course. 

All of which have been instilled within me by First Tee and have been fundamental in shaping me into the leader that I am today; dedicated to establishing an environment where everyone feels welcomed. 

This devotion to creating inclusive spaces is the result of the community and friendships that I have been granted through First Tee. 

As a First Tee participant and now alumni and Scholar, I am certain that my accomplishments and ability to effectively serve my community and college campus is the result of the program’s ability to grant me a renewed sense of confidence as well as allow me to discover the power of my voice.

Through the years, I recognized the importance of using this voice as a means to embrace my authenticity and create a space that encouraged others to embrace theirs. 

Such a realization is what not only led me into my current academic areas of interests, sport management and business, with the intent to unite my love for growing the game of golf with my curiosity on how the game can take active strides in becoming more inclusive and accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, but is what recently empowered me to revamp the Club Golf Team here at Rice University. 

Growing golf in Houston has been especially important to me, considering that it is where I learned to love the game, but also where I was able to witness firsthand the impact that having access to the game of golf can have in the lives of many. Whether it be the ability to develop and foster community or be granted a space where you can enjoy yourself in nature, I recognized that very need here on Rice’s campus. 

After a year of researching the process and correct steps to take in order to make this dream a reality, the club team was established in January of this year! 

The team essentially provides all Rice students the opportunity to play golf, whether it be recreationally or competitively by participating in tournaments where students have an opportunity to represent Rice as a team, regardless of previous exposure or experience with the game. 

My vision for the team is to create community on the golf course by allowing all students to have the opportunity to participate in practices or tournaments without having to incur a huge financial undertaking. 

In addition to this, the club golf team’s presence on campus provides an outlet for females at Rice to play golf competitively considering the school does not currently have a women’s golf team. 

With our first golf tournament as a team in the books, I am excited to see the future of Club Golf here at Rice and the impact it will create here on campus. 

Find your local First Tee chapter.