We are excited to announce a brand-new partnership with the PACE Center for Girls in Fort Lauderdale.
This exciting collaboration brings the life skills and values of golf, such as patience, respect, and perseverance, to the amazing young women at PACE. Through fun, engaging lessons on and off the course, our Coaches will be working alongside PACE to empower these girls with confidence and character that lasts a lifetime.
It’s more than just golf. It’s about creating opportunities, building relationships, and making a positive impact where it matters most.
We are so proud to share a fantastic milestone from Haley Fernandez. She is a dedicated student and competed in her first-ever Junior Golf Association tournament. And she went out and WON FIRST PLACE!
Haley stepped onto the course with confidence, composure, and that signature First Tee spirit, and then absolutely crushed it. With steady swings, cool nerves, and a smile that lit up the fairway, Haley reminded us of all what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
From her very first session with us, Haley stood out, not just because of her talent, but because of her heart, work ethic, and quiet determination. Whether she is helping pick up balls on the range, cheering on fellow students, or asking thoughtful questions to improve her game, Haley leads by example in every way.
Way to go Haley! This is only the beginning, and we cannot wait to see what is next.
We have officially teed off programming at a brand-new location: the Harold Reitman Boys & Girls Club in Fort Lauderdale.
With 20 energetic and curious young golfers ready to roll, we dove right into a mix of team-building exercises and an introduction to putting fundamentals. From forming connections in group challenges to perfecting their putting stances and strokes, these incredible students showed enthusiasm, focus, and lots of laughter along the way.
The Harold Reitman Unit buzzed with excitement as putters rolled, friendships formed, and our values of respect, confidence, and perseverance, began to take root.
Rock Island Elementary School recently invited Coach Luis Damas, our Program Director to come speak with the students for Career Day. Coach Luis spoke about golf, our programs, and the many possibilities for a career in golf.
The fairways are alive with laughter, learning, and a whole lot of camaraderie as our Fore Freedom veterans’ class is underway at AllGolf at C.B. Smith Park.
Every week, veterans come together to sharpen their golf skills, reconnect, recharge, and enjoy the game in a supportive and energizing environment. Whether it is their first time picking up a club or they are seasoned players working on their game, this group proves that golf is more than just a sport, it’s a community.
Camaraderie is abundant, and so is the motivation. With every swing, chip, and putt, there’s encouragement, shared stories, and plenty of laughs. It’s a special kind of magic when veterans bring their discipline, focus, and heart to the course.
We enjoyed a memorable afternoon at our 9th Annual Par 3 Corporate Challenge, hosted at the beautiful Rees Jones Par 3 Course at Coral Ridge Country Club.
The event brought together our entire community—veterans, youth participants, staff, and supporters—for a high-energy day filled with competition and purpose. Every hole featured a youth or veteran participant, offering them a unique opportunity to interact with our corporate foursomes while showcasing their growing confidence and golf skills.
The Challenge teed off with a shotgun start after opening remarks by board member, Erica Bennett and Coral Ridge Director of Golf, Scott Fox. With closest-to-the-hole contests, our guests enjoyed a competitive event with a challenge on every hole.
The true highlight of the day came at Hole 7, where Greg Mingo and his son, a proud participant in our special needs program, sank putts and stole the hearts of everyone playing. It was a powerful reminder of what we are all about—creating spaces where everyone belongs and shines.
After play concluded, guests gathered for hors d’oeuvres, networking, and the announcement of the winners. Team Steady Returns took home the trophy, but every player left the course with a win in community connection. (Pictured above left, Team Steady Returns: Rick Rogers, Chris Burr, Michael Greenwood and Rob Norell)
“This wasn’t just another golf event,” said Development Director Gale Nelson II. “It was a celebration of our mission in action—bringing golfers together and giving our students a platform to demonstrate their golf and life skills.”
Over 90 board members from our 3 chapters and governing board of directors, staff, coaches, students and special guests attended our Spring Social & Meeting at PopStroke. This event is a networking opportunity for everyone involved in our organization to spend time together getting to know one another and sharing ideas.
The event included an impressive and diverse panel of industry leaders discussing how the game and their businesses have changed since Covid. The panel included (above right), Kathy Jorden (Membership Executive Apogee), David Ladd, PGA (General Manager Champions Club), Greg Nathan (CEO National Golf Foundation) and Tim Glita Chief People Officer Popstroke).
Steady Returnsspecializes in managing money for retirees and high net worth investors. They use long-term demographic trends, relative currency valuation, and asset class diversification to guide their investment strategy in managing portfolios their clients can depend on.
They look for significant, long-term trends to guide their investment allocations. For example, the aging of the population in the U.S. They believe this one factor will profoundly impact inflation/deflation, the size of the workforce, consumer spending, and the growth of the healthcare sector.
At Steady Returns, clients:
Can talk with their advisor as much as needed.
Are not going to do any paperwork.
Have online access to a comprehensive view of their investments.
Receive frequent communications from the team about pertinent financial topics.
For more information, please contact Christopher Burr, Director of Client Service, at [email protected]
The Youth on Course membership enables young people 18 and under to gain access to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at thousands of courses and opportunities to succeed off the course through various programs. Financial assistance is available. Please visit the YOC website to register.
All 8 previous tournament champions are currently on collegiate golf team rosters
SOUTH BEND, IND. (June 23, 2025) – National youth development organization First Tee is proud to announce its 2025 National Championship will take place June 23-26 at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course. Now in its fifth year, the First Tee National Championship brings together 48 of the organization’s top male and female players from across the country for a 54-hole stroke play event designed to provide participants with the opportunity to compete at a high level while demonstrating the values they have developed through the First Tee program.
The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Fourteen players in the field have already committed to college golf teams. All eight past winners are on collegiate golf rosters, including Megan Meng of First Tee – Greater Trenton, a member of Northwestern’s 2025 NCAA Division I women’s golf championship team.
Before the tournament kicks off, the event will feature a fireside chat with Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who has been a leader in the golf industry through roles with the USGA, the PGA of America and NBC Sports. Participants will also attend a coaches panel, where they will learn more about playing at the next level.
“We’re excited to return to the Warren Course for the 2025 National Championship, and we are grateful to the University of Notre Dame and First Tee Trustee Fred Tattersall, who makes this impactful tournament possible,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This tournament not only highlights the incredible talent of our participants on the course but also the leadership and character they display off the course. It is a celebration of what First Tee is all about.”
In addition to presenting the Tattersall Cup to the male and female tournament winners, one boy and one girl from the field will be awarded playing spots in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, a player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.
First Tee may also award up to two exemptions into the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs professionals and junior players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links each September. Tournament participants are eligible for an exemption into the PURE Insurance Championship if they are in high school, they haven’t previously played at the PURE Insurance Championship and they finish in the Top 5 at the First Tee National Championship.
The First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. Next year’s event will take place at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Course.
The championship is part of First Tee’s full slate of national participant opportunities which are designed to keep teens engaged with the program. In addition to competitive golf opportunities, First Tee headquarters offers leadership programs, a girls empowerment event and a community service workshop.
View the full list of selected participants here. Scoring will be available on Golf Genius.
Since 1999, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to First Tee, supporting youth development across the U.S. through the game of golf
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 20, 2025) – First Tee today announced a landmark $10 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which reaffirms PGA TOUR Superstore’s strong commitment to the youth development organization. The gift marks a milestone in the organizations’ ongoing relationship, which began more than 25 years ago with an investment in First Tee – Metro Atlanta. With the growing popularity of youth golf – 3.7 million juniors hit the links in 2024, according to the National Golf Foundation – this grant helps ensure that youth from all backgrounds have access to the sport and its inherent values.
Arthur M. Blank, owner and chairman of the Blank Family of Businesses and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, joined First Tee as a National Trustee in 2011. Since then, support from Blank’s PGA TOUR Superstore and family foundation has helped fuel the growth of First Tee’s character-building programs across the country, which now reach more than 3 million youth annually on golf courses, schools and community centers. The new grant will help First Tee reach more youth across the U.S. and strengthen First Tee’s curriculum for teenage participants.
“Junior golf is the fastest-growing segment of the sport, and that’s no coincidence. It’s a testament to the power of First Tee, which has made the game more accessible and enjoyable for young people, helping them experience golf in new and fun ways,” said Arthur Blank, owner and chairman, Blank Family of Businesses. “The innovative and engaging experiences that First Tee provides help kids build self-confidence and inner strength, qualities that will serve them throughout their lives. We’re proud of our deep partnership with the First Tee and are committed to the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth.”
“We are grateful to Mr. Blank and his family of businesses for their continued support of First Tee,” said Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR Commissioner and Chair of First Tee Board of Governors. “Arthur’s vision and commitment reflect a deep understanding that investing in First Tee is truly an investment in the future. Through this transformative gift, Arthur is helping open doors for young people nationwide – empowering them to grow as golfers and as people.”
The new grant extends programming established by a $9.5 million grant in 2020 and will support First Tee’s efforts to keep teens engaged with the organization, where they have access to safe spaces, educational opportunities and positive role models during a traditionally challenging time in adolescence. The grant will be deployed in several ways:
Chapter grants: First Tee Chapters in PGA TOUR Superstore markets will receive grants to support youth to develop life and golf skills. To date, grants have impacted 50 First Tee chapters across the country, a number that will grow as PGA TOUR Superstore’s footprint continues to expand.
Leadership Series: PGA TOUR Superstore general managers across the country lead a five-week, in-store leadership series in partnership with First Tee designed to help teens uncover their strengths and personal values and explore potential career opportunities. The program was offered at 44 PGA TOUR Superstore locations in 2024 and plans to expand to 70 by 2029.
Leadership Summit: Each summer since 2021, Arthur Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Emigrant, Montana, has welcomed 40 First Tee teens for an unforgettable experience where they grow as leaders by taking on new challenges – like whitewater rafting, ropes courses and horseback riding – and learn about the power of building authentic relationships.
“This incredible partnership with the Blank Family of Businesses reflects our shared commitment to using golf as a vehicle for positive youth development,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We are grateful to Arthur Blank, who has been a longtime, committed supporter of First Tee. This transformative investment will allow us to introduce more youth to golf, keep them engaged with First Tee and teach them essential life skills like leadership and teamwork.”
This week the Blank Family of Businesses welcomed 48 First Tee teens from across the country to Atlanta where they learned about what it takes to lead a successful organization. The weeklong program included visits to PGA TOUR Superstore headquarters, the Atlanta United training ground, the Atlanta Falcons practice facility and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, where the new grant will be officially celebrated this afternoon with a check presentation and remarks from the foundation’s president, Fay Twersky, and managing director, Youth Development, Daniel Shoy, Jr., PGA TOUR Superstore’s vice president, Partnerships & Community Relations Ralph Stokes and First Tee’s senior director, Philanthropy Amanda Zedrick.
First Tee’s evidence-based program combines golf instruction with a life skills curriculum, reaching youth ages 7-18 at golf courses, schools and community centers across the globe. The organization impacts more than 3 million young people annually.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to First Tee to date. In 2022, First Tee presented Arthur Blank with its Founders Award, for his generous support of the organization.
