The game of golf is more than just a sport; it’s a powerful vehicle for personal growth, leadership and community. For Meredith Speer, First Tee has been an integral part of her journey, not just to become a skilled golfer but to pursue a career in the industry. Her story highlights the transformative impact of First Tee programs, which have helped shape her path on and off the golf course.
Meredith joined First Tee – Greater El Paso at 6, and when her family later moved to Cedar Park, Texas, she became involved with First Tee – Greater Austin. Female leaders at both chapters became mentors for Meredith, who soon realized she wanted golf to be a big part of her life.
“Kristi Albers started my love for the game by taking me under her wing and giving me lessons after every Saturday class,” Meredith said. “And Jennifer MacCurrach has been a mentor in so many aspects of my life – in and outside of golf.”
Meredith is currently enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University, where she was recently elected president of the PGM Student Association. This summer she’ll intern at Southern Hills Country Club, which has hosted three U.S. Opens and five PGA Championships.
“At this internship, I will be working in the golf performance center learning all about giving lessons and club fittings,” she said. “Along with that, I will get more experience working outside services and inside the golf shop getting more experience with merchandising.”
The First Tee College Scholarship Program is shaping future leaders
Meredith is a member of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. As a Scholar, she receives access to professional development opportunities, a dedicated mentor and financial support.
“The First Tee Scholarship Program has supported me in so many ways academically and socially,” she explained. “It’s given me the confidence I need to pursue a career in golf, and I’ve had the opportunity to hear from women who are already in the industry. Their stories have inspired me and assured me that success is possible.”
The First Tee College Scholarship Program is supported by generous partners like Chevron, which hosted a group of First Tee alumni at The Chevron Championship in Woodlands, Texas, last week. Meredith attended the event and networked with a variety of golf industry professionals.
“The alumni meetup at The Chevron Championship was one of the most amazing experiences,” Meredith said. “Getting to meet up with my fellow First Tee friends and watch the amazing LPGA golfers only solidified my choice of working in this industry.”
The First Tee Alumni Network helps connect past participants, providing networking opportunities, social events and job listings. Join now.
Parents call coaches the “unsung heroes of youth development.” First Tee will celebrate these mentors during its inaugural network-wide awareness campaign.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (March 11, 2025) – Leading nonprofit youth development organization First Tee is launching a weeklong national awareness campaign to celebrate the impact of its coaches. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build character like inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.
Kicking off at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 19-25, First Tee Week aims to engage communities across the country, encouraging them to celebrate the coaches who make a difference locally. Entitled “Dear Coach,” the campaign will feature a variety of in-person and online activities, including:
First Tee will launch a new creative campaign, including an updated PSAthat speaks to the power of youth sports coaches to instill confidence, values and life skills in the kids they serve.
On Wednesday, May 21, First Tee will host a group of alumni at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge, where they’ll hear from a panel on “The coach effect: The importance of coaches and the stories that shape us.” The panel will feature New Orleans Saints defensive end and First Tee – Phoenix alumnus Cameron Jordan alongside other First Tee alumni.
First Tee chapters across the country will host a variety of activations, including a fundraising tournament at Winged Foot (Metropolitan New York), meet the coach night (San Francisco), golf marathons (Greater Baltimore, West Michigan) and more. Find a First Tee chapter in your area.
First Tee’s corporate partners will celebrate First Tee Week in a variety of ways. “Dear Coach” content will appear at Topgolf and PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, with organizations like Golf Digest, the USGA and Morgan Stanley planning to highlight coach stories on their own channels.
First Tee has launched a digital experience at FirstTee.org/DearCoach and social content featuring stories from participants, alumni and notable supporters like former NFL player Larry Fitzgerald and PGA TOUR professional Wyndham Clark on the incredible relationships between coaches and participants. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to engage.
“Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and parents are looking for character-building programs because they know strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “For nearly 30 years, our dedicated and trained coaches have set First Tee apart because we have developed a training system built on research-proven methods of positive youth development. We are excited to celebrate their contributions and raise awareness for their work during First Tee Week.”
According to research from Harris Poll, 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire their child to excel both on and off the field, and they believe coaches can impact their child’s ability to work well with others and be resilient in the face of challenges.
First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engage more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. First Tee serves more than 3.1 million kids annually.
It’s no secret that First Tee considers its coaches to be the most important ingredient in its success. All trained and background checked, First Tee coaches connect with participants to ensure each one feels safe and celebrated for the qualities that make them unique.
One coach who exemplifies First Tee’s mission is Emily Ortmeier of First Tee – Southern Colorado, who has been with the chapter for five years. “Emily Ortmeier is more than a coach; she is a mentor and role model,” said First Tee – Southern Colorado board member Jeff Stedman.
A former collegiate golfer, Emily leads by example and inspires participants to do their best on and off the golf course, according to her colleagues at First Tee – Southern Colorado.
“When a participant fails, Coach Emily is always there to console and encourage them to persevere,” said chapter CEO Sandy Johnson. “She uses these moments as learning opportunities that greatly help to develop the character of each participant, reassuring them that we must fail in order to learn how to succeed and get right back to pursuing our goals.”
Eagles for Impact at THE PLAYERS® Championship
As the eyes of the golf world turn to TPC Sawgrass for THE PLAYERS Championship 2025, there’s an extra reason to root for low scores. For every eagle or double eagle carded by the pros during the tournament, Morgan Stanley will donate $5,000 to support First Tee’s coach training efforts.
Last year, Emily was one of 107 coaches to benefit from Morgan Stanley’s generosity. She attended a Level 4 training in Monterey, California, and has advanced to the point where she now leads Level 1 trainings for new coaches. She’s trained 20 coaches in her region.
First Tee – Southern Colorado colleagues agree that Emily’s passion for making golf accessible to all kids is evident in her work. She’s helped 21 new schools and community centers begin offering First Tee programming over the last two years.
In fact, Emily means so much to the community that she was recently recognized with Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest’s 40 Under 40 Award.
Coaches make the difference
According to research from First Tee and Harris Poll, 80% of parents believe there’s a shortage of high caliber coaches today. That’s why First Tee is committed to coach training and youth safety.
Nine out of 10 parents agree that coaches should help their child succeed both on and off the field, and parents view coaching as instrumental for teaching collaboration, resilience and leadership – all qualities that become even more important into adulthood.
Learn more about the importance of youth sports coaches.
When life gets busy with school or as it gets cold outside, it can be harder to find time for fitness and extracurriculars. However, a report from First Tee and The Harris Poll found that 95% of parents say their child’s activities are effective for creating opportunities to learn life skills and build character. First Tee believes in developing experiences that are just as fun as they are meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail and better equipped for whatever comes their way next.
First Tee is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all participants through year-round programming at 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,400 community centers nationwide.
Here are a few benefits of PE programs and playing sports:
1. Improved physical fitness and health
First Tee is an activity-based program and during a class you might see students doing a wide range of activities, like playing tic-tac-toe putting or competing in a relay race. In addition to teaching golf and life skills, the First Tee curriculum is also designed to enhance players’ overall fitness. Each class begins with a set of warmups that improve motor skills through strength, flexibility and mobility, agility and coordination, balance and object control. As participants get older they will continue to improve their physical fitness through golf related activities, such as walking nine or 18 holes.
2. Strengthened interpersonal skills and peer relationships
Physical education and sports can help build a young person’s confidence and social interactions. A report from First Tee and The Harris poll found that among parents whose child plays sports, 92% said their child’s activities had a positive impact on their social health. The First Tee curriculum incorporates life skills into golf programming including the concept A-L-R, which stands for Ask – Listen – Respond, to teach youth about the importance of a greeting and basic communication. Students build an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with the game throughout lessons that buildoff of each other.
3. Improve student performance on and off the course
First Tee values the personal development of the participant. As participants learn more about who they are and what they are capable of, they are encouraged to begin to look towards the future and plan their own paths. First Tee lessons like FAIL, or First Attempt In Learning, help participants to identify their path to success. When youth are taught to embrace failure as a good and crucial step on the path to learning, they can choose to fail forward andrecognize the learning opportunity that exists and the power theyhave to turn any individual failure around, both on the course and in the classroom.
Currently introduced to more than 11,000 elementary schools, the First Tee National School Program creates an environment where young people are introduced to the lifelong sport while learning the basic golf motor skills and the inherent values of the game.
Young people have lots to navigate – not just school and career development, but they’re also building confidence, overcoming challenges and taking on their first leadership roles. These are all areas where a mentor can help.
For many participants, First Tee coaches serve as early mentors, with parents seeing the benefits. According to research from First Tee and Harris Poll, parents turn to coaches to help teach their kids character, perseverance and leadership skills.
Three-quarters of adults who were mentored in their youth say their mentor “contributed significantly to their success later in life.”
With its many benefits, mentorship is an essential element of the First Tee College Scholarship Program which extends First Tee’s impact to alumni by providing support throughout their post-graduate career. In addition to receiving financial support and professional development opportunities, each First Tee Scholar is matched with an adult mentor to help support them during their college experience.
“We’ve seen our Scholars buy into their mentorship connections and because of that, they have another layer of support to guide them through any obstacles and challenges they face in college,” said Robbie Lowman, who oversees the First Tee College Scholarship Program. “Our mentors help our Scholars become the best versions of themselves, which benefits them in the job market.”
An alumna of First Tee – Upstate South Carolina, Scholar Nelia Leong is a junior at the University of Florida. As she prepares to apply to dental school, Nelia reflected on her connection with her mentor, Jennifer Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee.
“The most important lesson I’ve learned from Jen is that it’s okay to ask for help,” Nelia. “In fact, it can lead to incredible opportunities.”
Jen helped Nelia connect with a dentist in her network. Nelia has since been shadowing and assisting him for two years, and he’s writing a letter of recommendation for her dental school applications.
“Jen’s mentorship has been one of the most important relationships in my life,” Nelia said. “We’ve built a strong, trusting bond where I feel comfortable sharing all aspects of my life, knowing she’ll listen and offer support.”
Nelia said Jen was there for her during the stressful lead up to her Dental Admissions Test last year, and Jen was the first person she texted to celebrate after receiving an excellent score on the exam.
While having a mentor on your side can be incredibly beneficial, it’s not always easy to build and maintain a relationship in a busy world.
“I built a personal connection with my mentor by keeping her updated on both the big and small events in my life,” Nelia said. “She celebrates my successes and supports me through challenges.”
In addition to texting, Nelia and Jen connect by Google Meet at least once per month. They especially relish opportunities to meet in person.
Jen says she has enjoyed being Nelia’s mentor throughout her college journey. “It has been fun to connect with Nelia virtually, on the golf course and at First Tee scholar events. She is such an impressive young woman and has an incredible future ahead of her.” She added, “I am so proud to have been a very small part of her success in college.”
Nelia’s tips for cultivating a strong mentor-mentee relationship:
Try to connect at least once a month, and don’t be afraid to reach out about the small things.
NORTON, Mass – First Tee of Massachusetts held its inaugural Chapter Championship tournament on Saturday, Aug. 3, as 54 junior golfers from program locations around the state gathered to compete at The Links at Mass Golf. Taunton’s Alex Dias captured the Boys Championship title, defeating Foxboro’s Jack Yucatonis in a playoff, while Springfield’s Briana Rodriguez won the Girls Championship. The team title was won by the squad from The Links.
With more than 100 players, parents, staff and volunteers gathered around the No. 1 tee box, Dias and Yucatonis went to a sudden-death playoff after each shooting a 4-over 58 in the Boys division on the 18-hole par-3 golf course. Trailing by one shot going into his 18th hole, Dias knocked in a 15-foot putt to record his first birdie of the day, ultimately forcing the playoff. Yucatonis had recorded three birdies on the day but a bogey on his final hole dropped him back into a tie. After winning the coin toss, Dias knocked his tee shot on the first playoff hole to about 20 feet, leaving himself an uphill putt. Yucatonis missed the green long and despite a well-played recovery shot, was not able to get up-and-down to save his par. Dias calmly lagged his first putt to inside of two feet, then tapped in to claim the victory.
In the Girls division, Rodriguez bested a field of 17 girls as she made a pair of birdies and didn’t card anything worse than a bogey on her way to a 4-over 58, posting a four-shot victory over runner-up Jenna Saini of Wayland.
In the team competition, nine of First Tee – Massachusetts’ 11 program locations were represented. Each team was made of six individuals who attend First Tee classes at that location, including at least two boys and two girls. The teams were selected by the Lead Coach of each respective location. The top five out of six scores on each hole were counted toward the team score. The Links at Mass Golf posted an overall team score of +61 for the team victory. The winning squad featured Dias, Yucatonis, Sam Goodman (Boston), David Jope (Freetown), Caroline Ullucci (Norfolk) and Emiliana Zamora (Boston). They were coached by Drew Chapman, the head PGA golf professional at The Links.
“This was an incredible inaugural event,” said Kyle Harris, Director of Operations for First Tee – Massachusetts. “Not only did we see some great golf, but the kids got to meet and engage with other participants from all over the state. I am so proud of all of our kids who came out to compete, and so thankful to all of the coaches, volunteers, staff, and parents who helped make it happen. This will definitely be an annual event moving forward.”
The tournament marked the first of its kind for the chapter, as it brought First Tee participants from around the state together. For some, it was a chance to prove their mettle on the course, while for others it was a light introduction to competitive golf but still within a learning environment.
Full individual and team results can be found HERE.
First Tee – Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that teaches kids and teens life skills and character values through the game of golf. Our programs enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. First Tee – Massachusetts is operated by Mass Golf.
The chapter is currently comprised of 11 program locations around the state:
Boston (William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park)
HYANNIS, Massachusetts – Long-time First Tee – Massachusetts participant David Jope beamed with pride as he watched a group of younger kids hitting golf shots in front of a newly constructed storage shed at Hyannis Golf Course. David had recently built the shed as his Eagle Scout project, bringing his passions for Scouting and First Tee together to serve the next generation of golfers following behind him.
David began his own First Tee journey in that same spot at Hyannis Golf Course more than seven years earlier. Coming to the program with no golf experience, he developed into a strong high school golfer and was twice invited to represent First Tee – Massachusetts at the Chubb Classic Champions Challenge in Naples, Florida. David was also a key contributor to the winning team at the inaugural First Tee – Massachusetts Chapter Championship earlier this year.
More important than his on-course success, David fully embraces and lives out all of the life skills and character values that First Tee instills in its participants. He is extremely respectful, responsible, and a caring member of his community. He has grown from a shy and reserved participant to a peer leader. David has also developed relationships with mentors and other participants that will benefit him throughout his life. In fact, he credits First Tee alumni Keira Joshi with helping him uncover self-confidence and helping him come further out of his shell as they participated in the Naples event together.
When it came time for David to select a project as he tried to earn his Eagle Scout designation, he knew he wanted to connect it to First Tee – Massachusetts and give back to another organization he cared so much about. Realizing that the existing storage shed at Hyannis Golf Course had fallen into disrepair, he knew that was how he could make an impact. David completed the project with the help of other scouts from his troop and his four brothers, including three older brothers who are Eagle Scouts and a younger brother who is on that same path.
The shed will be an invaluable resource for the First Tee coaches and participants at Hyannis Golf Course, housing equipment, training aids, and other materials will be used to deliver programs on a daily basis.
First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids and teens to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of challenges on and off the golf course.
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About First Tee Massachusetts
In 2003, Mass Golf joined the First Tee national network with the goal of bringing an affordable junior golf program to youth and communities that did not have them.
Since that time, Mass Golf has introduced eight new program locations, bringing the total to ten: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club (Boylston), D.W. Field Golf Course (Brockton), William J. Devine GCat Franklin Park (Boston), Hyannis Golf Course (Cape Cod), Cranberry Valley Golf Course (Harwich), Sagamore Spring Golf Club (Lynnfield), Fenway Golf Center (Springfield), KOHR Golf (Natick), The Links at Mass Golf (Norton), and The Ranch Golf Club (Southwick).
As part of the curriculum, the children progress through a series of golf lessons where they are introduced to the different aspects of a golf course including the green, tee, fairway, rough, bunkers, and water hazards. The participants are also introduced to the basic elements of the game of golf and the swing including distance and accuracy control, course management, how to score, pace of play, honor, and proper, grip, stance, and posture.
In addition to golf, the participants are introduced to the nine core values inherent to the game including honesty, integrity, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, sportsmanship, judgment, respect, and courtesy. The life skills experience was the platform used in getting the participants to become comfortable with introducing themselves to others, meeting new people, learning something new, setting goals, and dealing with conflict. The life skills learned are useful for the participants both on and off the golf course.
Annual Golf Fundraiser At TPC Boston Raises Over $110K For First Tee — Massachusetts
NORTON, Massachusetts (October 31, 2024) — Under crisp fall skies Monday at TPC Boston, First Tee — Massachusetts celebrated its 18th annual fundraiser tournament, where golfers gathered not just to play but to make a difference in young lives through the timeless lessons of golf.
A strong turnout of 116 golfers participated in the shotgun start event, with proceeds supporting programs and activities of First Tee — Massachusetts, the state’s chapter of the national youth development organization where kids and teens are learning life lessons and leadership skills through golf.
According to Kyle Harris, Director of Operations for First Tee — Massachusetts, contributions have grown annually, driven by unique prizes, on-course contests, and increased awareness of First Tee’s broad impact. In total, this year’s tournament brought it more than $110,000, building off a similar total from the previous year.
“We had another terrific day out there, and I cannot thank the players and our generous sponsors enough,” Harris said. “I look forward to this event every year not just because it’s a critical fundraising mechanism for us but because we always get to see so many returning faces, some of whom have been supporting this event since before I arrived in 2018. Then we also get to welcome many new players and sponsors and introduce them to First Tee and the impact we are able to make through this game we all love.”
For the third consecutive year, Lighthouse Electrical Contracting, Inc., a full-service union electrical contractor based in Rockland, served as the tournament’s presenting sponsor. Herbie Aikens, president of Lighthouse Electrical and an accomplished amateur golfer, is a long-time supporter and member of the First Tee Committee.
“Golf changed my life, so I love what First Tee does,” Aikens said during the tournament Monday. “It brings the game to people that maybe wouldn’t normally have access to it, and it’s a beautiful thing. I’ve seen what it’s done for me, so I want it to hopefully to do the same for others. When you sit down and see the impact iut has and how many sites are out there, I think it opens people’s eyes.”
“Herbie’s support and sponsorship of our event has been absolutely game-changing, and we are so grateful to have him in our corner,” Harris added. “Not only has his financial contributions been impactful, but as a well-known and highly-respected person on and off the golf course, his voice carries a lot of weight. So we greatly appreciate his belief in what we do.”
Aikens played in a foursome with J.P. Norden, who, after losing a leg in the Boston Marathon bombing, launched a charity to support other amputees. Their team included amateur standouts Mark O’Sullivan and Brian Higgins, who posted a low score of 10-under-par 61 in the best-ball format.
Lighthouse Electrical Contracting continues to support the tournament as the Presenting Sponsor. (Mass Golf)
A crowd favorite “beat the pro” contest returned this year on the par-3 8th hole. Aikens’ friend Matt Parziale, the 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, challenged participants to hit their shots closer to the hole than his. For an additional fee, they could use the same club as Parziale — including, in some cases, a putter or driver.
The team of Andrew Godek, John Rolleri, Michael Rolleri, and Roy Dellinger earned the low net score of 19-under-par 53, featuring three net eagles.
Beyond the tournament, there are many ways to support First Tee’s mission, from equipment donations to volunteering and financial contributions. First Tee aims to introduce kids and teens to the game of golf, instilling values like honesty, respect, and confidence.
To learn more about giving back to First Tee – Massachusetts, visit: FirstTeeMass.org
About First Tee – Massachusetts
In 2003, Mass Golf was selected by First Tee to join its national network with the goal of bringing an affordable junior golf program to youth and communities that did not have them.
Since that time, Mass Golf has introduced 11 program locations: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club (Boylston), D.W. Field Golf Course (Brockton), William J. Devine GCat Franklin Park (Boston), Hyannis Golf Course (Cape Cod), Cranberry Valley Golf Course (Harwich), Fenway Golf Center (Springfield), KOHR Golf (Natick), Sagamore Spring Golf Club (Lynnfield), The Links at Mass Golf (Norton), The Ranch Golf Club (Southwick), and The Reggie Lewis Center (West Roxbury).
As part of the curriculum, the children progress through a series of golf lessons where they are introduced to the different aspects of a golf course including the green, tee, fairway, rough, bunkers, and water hazards. The participants are also introduced to the basic elements of the game of golf and the swing including distance and accuracy control, course management, how to score, pace of play, honor, and proper, grip, stance, and posture. As participants grow and improve their golf skills, they will meet new challenges and potentially earn opportunities to play and compete on the local or national level.
In addition to golf, the participants are introduced to the First Tee Program, which is the curriculum of age-appropriate life skills that are interwoven into our golf lessons. Participants develop resilience, grit, and integrity as they experience lessons that fall into one of our five Key Commitment categories, which include Pursuing Goals, Growing through Challenge, Collaborating with Others, Building Positive Self Identity, and Using Good Judgment.
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.
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.
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.”
