Category: Participant Spotlight

Local Teens return from Life Skills and Leadership Academy

Last week Kennedi Whitener-Mason, 15, and Alaina Malcolm, 17, joined 90 juniors from The First Tee chapters across the country in Blaine, Minnesota for the National Life Skills and Leadership Academy. Not only were they provided opportunities to develop and hone their golf skills, they were given tools to become leaders on and off the course. Upon returning home, we asked Kennedi and Alaina to provide us a behind the scenes look into their trip. Kennedi, a rising sophomore at Pine Forest High School, noted she was quickly put to the test, learning the ropes of airport travel on Day 1, spending her morning navigating flight delays and airport directional, alone for the first time. Upon arrival to Minnesota, Kennedi and Alaina were assigned roommates at the National Sports Center and color groups, as they would work in teams for the rest of the week. For a portion of each day, groups worked with The First Tee golf coaches to assess their skills, implement fun activities to aid in improvement and then enjoyed on course team challenges at the White Bear Yacht Club, a top five facility in Minnesota. Alaina, a rising senior at Robeson Early College High School, said she’s really excited to share the newly learned skills drills with fellow participants back here in the Sandhills! Eluding that they are already helping her improve. For Kennedi, the trip to the University of Minnesota was a memorable one – her color group made a wrong turn during their on campus scavenger hunt, sending them over a bridge, by foot – twice! While on campus they also had the opportunity to meet with Price Waterhouse Cooper and learn about the importance of budgeting, how to properly budget and implementation. All ninety teens also had the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the golf business. This included engaging in specialized on course tutorials with Toro Company where they learned about golf course irrigation, how to cut fairways and greens, and the different types of machinery necessary to maintain a golf course facility. Local turf grass specialist put participants to the test, teaching them how to tell the difference between various strands of grass and then asking them to identify grass types from a container garden. No word yet on how many they guessed right! Their last golf tutorial stop was with the marketing division of PGA TOUR Superstore where they learned the ins and outs of marketing in golf retail. Nightly, all participants, The First Tee instructors and staff were able to come together for fun activities including Ice Skating, pick up soccer, board games and other team building activities. Aiding in the foundation of forming new relationships around the country. Overall, Alaina felt the experience to Minnesota, representing The First Tee of the Sandhills, was both humbling and a special honor. It broadened her horizons, motivated her to become a better golfer, and excited her to share what she learned with her hometown in hopes of motivating other young kids to get involved. Our teens soaked in as much knowledge as possible, made tons of new friends from across the network, and positively represented our chapter and their communities on the national stage. We are looking forward to providing these young ladies the stage to share their experiences with fellow participants, encouraging others to apply for national opportunities in the future and inspiring new faces to get involved for the first time. Cheers to a successful 2016 National Life Skills and Leadership Academy!

YOUTH GOLFERS ACHIEVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Annually, The First Tee home office is able to offer a variety of educational and leadership opportunities for our network of participants. These events often become life-changing experiences as participants further develop an awareness of possibilities that surround them. Many of these national opportunities have a selection process that includes a multi-part application with national committee review period and minimum baseline requirements such as age and curriculum certification level within The First Tee program.   In 2015, the home office offered twelve national program opportunities plus two additional scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors. This weekend marks the final national event of the year, Auntie Anne’s Leaders & Entrepreneurs Forum in Orlando, Florida where Courtney Jingle and John Rea have spent three days in an interactive environment covering career and community leadership topics and implementation tactics with 48 other participants across the network. Across the board we have had many opportunities to celebrate successes with our participants on a national level. From the 224 participants that achieved and reported A/B Honor Roll to the 6 teenage participants that were selected to represent the Sandhills through national opportunities and 4 graduates that received recognition through the national scholars program. What a wonderful representation of our youth in the Sandhills we were able to share with the country. Our ten chapter representatives included, Elizabeth Nguyen (Outstanding Participant Summit, Nature Valley First Tee Open), Caroline Rea (Par – 3 Championship, Life Skills Academy), John Rea (PLAYer Advanced Academy, Auntie Anne’s), Joshua Hirtle (Life Skills Academy), Jared Robinson (Nature Valley First Tee Open), Courtney Jingle (Auntie Anne’s), Bryan D’Ostroph (Scholars Program, Kasserian Ingera Scholarship Recipient), Bobby Capps (Scholars Program, Whitney Family Foundation Scholarship Recipient), Ben Chrystler (Scholars Program), and Alex Nguyen (Scholars Program). Being one of 175 chapters across the United States we have to pinch ourselves regularly because our participants are truly shining on the national stage. We are so proud of the accomplishments they have made in the classroom, through their goal ladders and with their abilities to carry themselves well while competing on the golf course. Credit must be given to those that have helped make these opportunities possible. The national sponsors of The First Tee who offset the cost to operate and provide these events; our local coaches, volunteers and staff who always carry the ‘never give up attitude’ and can routinely be found spending a few extra minutes encouraging a participant, reviewing their application or helping them prepare for an upcoming event; and our sponsors here in the Sandhills, they know who they are, who provide us resources and avenues to plan, execute and achieve success on many levels each and every day. I would encourage you to check in on Courtney and John as they finish up their trip to Auntie Anne’s through our online blog feature which can be found at www.firstteesandhills.org/auntieannes to hear about their experiences this weekend off the course! Soon the 2016 national participant opportunities schedule will be released and a new wave of local participants will be eligible to apply; it’s an exciting cycle and time as we watch these participants enjoy the healthy competition and experience of vying for a spot in these opportunities.  In a mere 67 days we will be turning the calendar to next year – let’s let a new wave of fun begin!  

Elizabeth Nguyen and Jared Robinson in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach

Two (2) Local Teens Selected to Play in Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Elizabeth Nguyen and Jared Robinson head to Pebble Beach week of Sept. 21 Pinehurst, NC (July 1, 2015) – The First Tee of the Sandhills is sending Elizabeth Nguyen and Jared Robinson to compete in the 2015 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour event that will be held September 25-27 and televised internationally on Golf Channel. Nguyen and Robinson will join 79 other participants from The First Tee chapters for the event, which is in its 12th year. “At Nature Valley we have great admiration for the mission of The First Tee. The program has such a meaningful impact in the lives of young people by strengthening important values like responsibility, judgement and perseverance. The opportunity for these teenagers to be selected as a part of The First Tee has the power to transform lives,” said Carla Vernón at General Mills. “The teenagers selected to play in the Nature Valley First Tee Open, including Elizabeth and Jared, have worked hard to prepare for this opportunity, and we are immensely proud to welcome them to this year’s tournament.” Our local participants were selected by a national panel of judges who evaluated playing ability and comprehension of the life skills and character education learned through their involvement with The First Tee. Champions Tour players committed to play include last year’s Nature Valley First Tee Open winner John Cook, Charles Schwab Cup contender and World Golf Hall of Fame member Colin Montgomerie, as well as two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen. Janzen claimed the pro-junior competition last year when his junior partner, Christopher Meyers from The First Tee of Tucson, holed a 4-iron from the fairway for a final-hole albatross to secure the title. Elizabeth Nguyen, a junior at Pinecrest High School joined The First Tee of the Sandhills in 2012 but has been a part of The First Tee network since age 8, having previously attended The First Tee of Tampa Bay. Elizabeth carries a full plate as the President of French Club and Future Business Leaders of America, a member of National Honors Society, Varsity Golf Team member and currently ranked #1 in her class. Elizabeth continues to give back through her dedication to youth opportunities and initiatives as a junior volunteer with The First Tee of the Sandhills. Jared Robinson, also a junior at Pinecrest High School, joined The First Tee of the Sandhills in 2009 after his family moved from Ohio. Jared is very involved in his school as a section lead in the marching band, a National Honors Society member and Varsity Golf Team member. Jared finds time to give back, when not working at the Country Club of North Carolina, through junior coaching with The First Tee, assisting with projects in the Chapter office and supporting our annual special events. In 2013, Jared won The First Tee National Speedgolf tournament at The Foundry Club in Richmond, Virginia. Selected juniors will be teamed with 81 Champions Tour players and 162 amateurs as they compete for the pro-junior title at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course. Play will be conducted on these courses on Friday and Saturday, and the final round will be played on Pebble Beach Sunday. As one of 175 chapters within The First Tee Network, the competition for participant opportunities in very high. Locally, participants are encouraged to apply for every opportunity that they become eligible for. Not only for the opportunity to earn a spot but for the experience of applying and the emotions that must be handled throughout the process. Executive Director, Courtney Stiles, said “Our chapter feels privileged to have received two times the good news this week. It’s a huge tap on the back to our volunteers, coaches, mentors and staff when we see participants excel on and off the course.” “We are excited to see Jared and Elizabeth on TV this fall. We know they will represent us well. Congratulations to our coaches, volunteers and staff who have had such a positive impact on so many of our participants through the years.” said Bob Klug, Board Member and former President. Program Director, Jamie Martin, noted that our participants are ‘on a roll’ having had double exposure at the Nature Valley First Tee Open in 2012, 2014 and now this year. “Elizabeth and Jared went into this year’s application process with an open mind. They looked at this as a great opportunity for practice and knew that being juniors meant if they did not receive a vote in 2015 they still had 2016 to reapply. They are wonderful role models and representatives for The First Tee of the Sandhills. We are so proud of their accomplishments and look forward to celebrating the experience with them later this year.” As part of a special series called “The First Tee Wednesday”, the Golf Channel showcases The First Tee on the first Wednesday of every month during Morning Drive. This year The First Tee home office utilized the partnership to announce the 81 participants LIVE with a ‘selection show’ feel to the broadcast, releasing selected participants names based on their chapter’s region throughout the show. During Wednesday morning’s announcement Elizabeth Nguyen was away from home attending the Future Business Leaders of America National Conference in Chicago, Illinois. How did she find out the exciting news? “My phone started ringing and on the other end was my entire family screaming with excitement and sharing a video of my name appearing on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive.” “Right now it’s hard to come up with the right words to describe how much this opportunity means for my family and me… especially since my dad is home safely from his last military duty. I am ecstatic to be able to share this once in a lifetime experience with my entire family while representing The First Tee of the Sandhills and a community we love so much.” Jared spent the early morning watching Morning Drive at home with his family. His nerves were high as our region was not unveiled until 80 minutes into the broadcast. “I almost couldn’t stand it. When our region appeared I took a final deep breath and just hoped I had gotten in… When my name flashed on the screen I was immediately overcome with excitement. All of my hard work through the application process and additional time put in at the golf course had paid off.” “I am looking forward to experiencing a very special event that I have spent many years watching on TV. Having the opportunity to meet so many wonderful golf professionals in person, hearing their stories and soaking the full experience in. I can’t wait to stand on the 18th Tee at Pebble Beach. To see the iconic golf hole in person will truly be a dream come true.” The First Tee of the Sandhills is one of 175 chapters around the country and in select international locations. Serving the Sandhills since 2003, thousands of young people have been impacted through chapter programs and The First Tee National School Program, which is in 63 Sandhills elementary schools. The golf-based programs are focused on building character through The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. To learn more about The First Tee of the Sandhills, visit www.firstteesandhills.org. For more information on the 2015 Nature Valley First Tee Open, visit www.thefirstteeopen.com. For more information on Elizabeth Nguyen and Jared Robinson, to request an interview or photos, please contact Courtney Stiles, Executive Director of The First Tee of the Sandhills at [email protected] or 910.255.3035. About The First Tee of the Sandhills The First Tee of the Sandhills (www.firstteesandhills.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization established to positively impact the lives of young people by providing structured educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. The Chapter was formed in 2003 to bring the Life and Golf Skills Curriculum to the six (6) counties in the defined service area including, Moore, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Montgomery and Robeson. Since inception, more than 2,300 young people have been exposed to The First Tee curriculum through our registered participant opportunities. These youth are first exposed to The First Tee through the National School Program, which is currently operating in over 60 elementary schools or through outreach programs such as DRIVE and TARGET. Media Contact: Courtney Stiles, Executive Director The First Tee of the Sandhills [email protected] 910.255.3035