First Tee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the stated goal of improving children's life skills through golf lessons.[1][2] Based in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, the organization claims to teach more than 3.6 million youth annually through programs across the country and internationally.[3][4][5]
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan serves as chairman of the board of governors, which is composed of business leaders.[6] Former President George W. Bush serves as the honorary chair; he succeeded his father, former President George H. W. Bush, who served from 1997 to 2010.[7]
History
editFirst Tee was founded in 1997.[8] Started by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, the organization began as a partnership among the PGA Tour, PGA of America, LPGA, USGA, and the Masters Tournament Foundation.[9]
In 2019, First Tee made the transition to a new nonprofit entity, PGA Tour First Tee Foundation.[10] First Tee has featured in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event played annually in September at the Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Club in California.[11][12]
Demographics
editThe participants of First Tee are children aged five to 18, with participants progressing through the program over time.[13] Although the individual cost of participation is unclear, First Tee offers full scholarships and reduced fee programming for those with financial need.[14]
First Tee School Program
editSince 2004, First Tee claims to have trained educators at more than 10,000 elementary schools to teach physical education courses.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation Inc - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Pga Tour First Tee Foundation | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL | Cause IQ". www.causeiq.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Sharma, Aryan (2024-02-25). "Capital One's The Match 2024: Exploring This Years 'First Tee' Charity Event". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Loberstein, Adam. "80 First Tee teens selected for PGA TOUR Champions' PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach". www.pgatour.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Youth golf classes offered at Blue Heron Golf Course through First Tee Foundation". Snoqualmie Valley Record. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "PGA TOUR About the Commissioner". www.pgatour.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "President George W. Bush: The First Tee's Honorary Chair Talks to Golf Channel". First Tee. 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ "The First Tee: 'There's an opportunity here right now'". GolfDigest.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (1997-11-14). "GOLF; Golf's Leading Groups Start an Ambitious Expansion Project". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Smits, Garry. "Arthur Blank Family Foundation, PGA Tour Superstores make $9.5 million grant to First Tee". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Ferguson, Janice (2023-09-22). "Pebble Beach Is Hosting Another Coveted Pro-Am This Week, With an Eye on Future Stars". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Learning from the pros at the PURE Insurance Open impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach". Golf Advisor. 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "The First Tee". palmergolf. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Team, WLKY Digital (2024-06-09). "Students awarded scholarships at George 'G.G.' Johnson Golf Tournament". WLKY. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Admin. "The First Tee Offers Golf, Life Lessons to Next Generation". Myrtle Beach Golf. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Federal Hill Preparatory Academy". www.baltimorecityschools.org. Retrieved 2024-06-14.