NATIONAL EVENTS AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

First Tee doesn’t just get kids on the course, it offers them exciting opportunities for growth. With the help of our corporate partners, we host a series of events to our participants, allowing them to meet new people, play some golf, achieve greatness, and show off our nine core values in action. Descriptions are listed below.

Contact Aaron Wall at [email protected] or (785) 341-1992 to apply for any of the following opportunities.

 

GOLF & LEADERSHIP EVENTS 

Participant Advisory Council | Virtual Meetings TBD, In Person Annual Meeting: July 25-27, 2023 - Jacksonville, FL

The purpose of the Participant Advisory Council (PAC) is to advise First Tee Headquarters’ decision-makers on matters pertinent to First Tee participants. It is critical for youth to be heard, and as such, in this space within the PAC, we will be creating opportunities for youth to express themselves, voice their ideas, and provide input for projects or programs that will impact the experience of all First Tee participants. The PAC will consist of a diverse group of 8 current First Tee participants, along with 2 alumni who will serve as advisors for the program.

The participants will represent their chapter and others at PAC meetings and give honest and professional counsel to Headquarters on various agenda topics.  Participants will communicate effectively, giving accurate information and explanation of details, and allow all members of the group to communicate ideas.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Attend two 2-hour virtual meetings
  • Attend one 3-day in-person annual meeting at First Tee headquarters
  • Complete surveys on an as-needed basis
  • Provide a positive attitude and a supportive presence
  • Assist as needed in pilot programs for curriculum evolution
  • Provide honest feedback to all agenda topics
  • All duties of the position must be performed in a professional and confidential manner

Application Released: February 1, 2023 | Application Deadline: March 29, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: 8

First Tee Future Entrepreneurs Presented by Wells Fargo | May 3-5, 2023 - Charlotte, NC

Wells Fargo is committed to community organizations like First Tee that help to create a brighter future for young people. In its inaugural year, the First Tee Future Entrepreneurs presented by Wells Fargo celebrates promising First Tee alumni going to attend or from Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and provides them an opportunity for mentorship, networking, personal and professional development.

Application Released: January 18, 2022 | Application Deadline: March 8, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: 3

John Deere Drive Your Future Academy | October 5-9, 2023 - San Francisco, CA

This female empowerment event focuses on learning the value and impact of volunteerism, understanding the significance of values and skills learned through playing the game of golf, and recognizing the importance of building a strong network. The academy will take place in the city of San Francisco, where participants will be immersed in both its historic and modern culture, in addition to participating in workshops and playing golf with new mentors.

Application Released: May 17, 2023 | Application Deadline: July 12, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: 24

First Tee National Championship | July 2-6, 2023 - Stanford, CA

The First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s elite players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level. The winners of each  division will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup named after First Tee Trustee, Fred Tattersall. Each winner will earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

First Tee National Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play event featuring a Girls and Boys division for high school participants ages 14-18.

Application Released: February 1, 2023 | Application Deadline: March 29, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: 48

Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr | July 18-22, 2023 - Philadelphia, PA

At First Tee, we help kids discover what’s inside of them, guide them to strengthen it and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do. Using golf as our platform, we believe in creating spaces of belonging for every kid – no matter what walk of life. 

Participants selected to attend this five-day learning and empowerment academy will participate in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations, will facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. The Academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in collaboration with DE&I leadership in the local host community. 

Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., First Tee’s CEO who retired in 2017 after 17 years of leadership, has always been an advocate for social justice and believes that First Tee has and always will be more than a game to young people. First Tee Game Changers Academy is the ultimate tribute to Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change. 

This Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is an evolution of our longest standing participant event, the Life Skills & Leadership Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., to address the challenges and experiences our teens face in their daily lives and better equip them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities.

Application Released: February 1, 2023 | Application Deadline: March 29, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: Up to 72

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee | September 19-24, 2023 - Pebble Beach, CA

For many teens, being selected for the PURE Insurance Championship is the pinnacle experience of their First Tee participation. An official PGA TOUR Champions event, the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California pairs one First Tee junior with a PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The tournament is televised nationally on Golf Channel. Although there is a winning score on Sunday, this experience is so much more than a golf event. First Tee participants are provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Legends & Leaders speaker program, which features notables from the business, sports and entertainment industries. This event also provides the teens a unique mentoring experience on the golf course with their PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The relationships formed during tournament week are genuine and deeply rooted.

Application Released: February 1, 2023 | Application Deadline: March 29, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: Up to 81

First Tee Innovators Forum | November 9-12, 2023 - Jacksonville, FL

In an increasingly interconnected world, the choices we make locally have significant global implications. The First Tee Innovators Forum sets to empower First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focusing on raising awareness on global issues focusing on education, health, and sustainability. Selected participants will have the opportunity to learn from global industry leaders through interactive workshops and small group breakout sessions.

At the end of the forum, a total of $32,000 will be awarded to 8 participants to further their educational pursuits. By bringing together exemplary participants across the chapter network, the First Tee Innovators Forum provides a distinctive educational experience, one geared towards their need for peers who share a similar passion for learning and creating an opportunity for them to create change in their communities.

Application Released: May 17, 2023 | Application Deadline: July 12, 2023 | Number of Participants Selected: Up to 32

 

College Scholarship Program

About the Program

At First Tee, we believe that helping young people build strength of character is fundamental to success in life. Our active learning experiences are all about ensuring young people build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience, so when they face new challenges they are equipped to overcome them.

Going beyond our core programs, the enhanced First Tee College Scholarship Program is designed to provide further support, life skill development and mentorship of our alumni through their journey. Higher education continues to be a critical factor in unlocking opportunities for young people to thrive, and First Tee is committed to their success.

First Tee College Scholarship Program supports selected alumni throughout their college career. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. The program also provides professional development workshops, access to internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. One of the key factors of the program is pairing Scholars with a dedicated adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the four years.

The program is open to graduating high school seniors planning to attend college the following year. Applicants must be active members of First Tee chapters and will be considered based on financial need, academic performance, chapter involvement, volunteerism and other criteria.

Academic Requirements

  • Must be classified as a high school senior as of December 31, 2021
  • Minimum score of 28 on the ACT and/or 1340 on the SAT
    • Test-Optional guidelines will be followed due to implications of COVID-19: If you were able to complete the ACT or SAT, please submit scores and they will be factored into your review. If you were unable to take these tests due to COVID-19, you are still eligible to apply for this program.
  • Minimum 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale
  • Intent to attend a four-year accredited college or university in Fall 2021
  • If selected, the participant must be able to attend the Pre-College Retreat and the annual Winter Workshop

Chapter and Community Participation

  • Registered and active in First Tee headquarters database at the time of application deadline
  • Involved in chapter activities at the time of application submission
    • Participants who have spent a longer amount of time in First Tee programs will receive higher consideration in the selection.
  • Evidence of responsible volunteerism or citizenship through meaningful involvement in community and/or civic activities

Need-Based

  • Dependent upon the financial circumstances of the family (Tax Return, FAFSA/Student Aid Report info required)
  • Dependent upon cost of attendance at college or university

Application Released: January 1, 2022 | Application Deadline: March 1, 2022 | Participants Announced: May 31, 2022