Category: News Releases

Margaret Kerr of First Tee – Greater Houston, Julio Rodas-Rhim of First Tee – Metropolitan New York win pro-junior titles at 2025 PURE Insurance Championship  

Kerr and Rodas-Rhim were paired with pros Steven Alker and David Bransdon respectively 

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2025) – After a week of exciting competition and personal growth, Margaret Kerr of Friendswood, Texas, and Julio Rodas-Rhim of New York City are the junior winners of the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded Sunday at Pebble Beach.  

Both Kerr and Rodas-Rhim sealed their victories Sunday with birdies on Pebble Beach’s iconic par-3 17th hole. Kerr and Alker finished 18-under to win by one stroke. Rodas-Rhim and Bransdon finished 16-under and won in a scorecard playoff. 

For more than 20 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has provided First Tee participants with the unique opportunity to showcase the skills and values they’ve gained through the program. Held at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, the tournament pairs 80 standout teens from First Tee Chapters nationwide with PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business community. The annual event was broadcast internationally on Golf Channel. 

“This week, the 80 young representatives of First Tee demonstrated perseverance, personality and exceptional talent on the course,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We extend our congratulations to Margaret and Julio on their outstanding victory. And we are sincerely grateful to PURE Insurance, Chevron, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PGA TOUR Champions players, Golf Channel and all our generous partners for helping make this an unforgettable experience for our participants.” 

First Tee – Greater Houston’s Margaret Kerr is a 16-year-old junior at Clear Springs High School, who’s been playing golf for 10 years. She referees lacrosse games, fosters dogs and completed Ace, First Tee’s capstone program designed to help teens prepare for the future. 

“I don’t even think I can put it in words; life doesn’t feel real right now,” Kerr said. “I was so supported this week by not only my pro, but his caddie, his family – everybody.” 

First Tee – Metropolitan New York’s Rodas-Rhim is a 17-year-old senior at Fordham Preparatory School. In addition to earning a black belt in martial arts, he has been playing golf for 13 years. He was the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association’s 2025 individual champion, and he plans to attend college somewhere warm so he can play golf all year. 

“I’m very grateful for this experience,” Rodas-Rhim said. “I really wanted to make my grandparents proud because they got me into golf in the first place, and them getting to see me on TV is probably a dream come true of mine.” 

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 Malakai Jazayeri of First Tee – Phoenix and Ashton Washington of First Tee – Tampa Bay with invitations to become the newest members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. 

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.  

To access photos from the event, visit here. For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee and see the full field list, visit FirstTee.org.  

First Tee launches National Alumni Advisory Council to strengthen engagement across its growing Alumni Network 

The First Tee National Alumni Advisory Council held its first in-person meeting in Charlotte 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2025) – First Tee has launched a National Alumni Advisory Council, a group of 20 dynamic alumni who are business and community leaders from across the United States. The council will play a key role in shaping the future of the organization’s growing Alumni Network. 

The Alumni Council’s primary focus will be to guide and direct strategies that engage more alumni in meaningful ways — helping them stay connected to each other and to First Tee’s mission of empowering young people through golf and life skills programming. 

In addition to virtual meetings, the Alumni Council will gather annually, with its first session having taken place Sept. 12-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is sponsored by Gallagher. 

“First Tee alumni are an essential part of our story and our future,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The Alumni Council will help ensure we are creating opportunities for them to continue to grow, give back and lead, while staying connected to the values they developed through First Tee.” 

The Alumni Council is co-chaired by Rayshon Payton of First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City, who works as general counsel for Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt, and Sara Diaz of First Tee – San Antonio, a presenter for ESPN+ and PGA TOUR Live and vice president of recruiting for Capstone Hospitality. 

“I’m thrilled to come full circle with First Tee, an organization that has shaped not only my life but the lives of so many others,” Payton said. “Serving as board chair of the Alumni Council is a special opportunity to give back, support the next generation and help strengthen a community that continues to inspire growth on and off the course.” 

“I’m excited to continue being part of the First Tee, the program where my golf journey began,” Diaz said. “I’m truly honored to be selected as co-chair of the First Tee Alumni Council and look forward to expanding our Alumni Network to foster lasting connections and meaningful opportunities.” 

Council members represent a diverse group of graduates who embody the impact of First Tee programs. They were appointed and will serve terms of two, three or four years. Together, they will guide efforts to recruit alumni, design impactful engagement opportunities and drive alumni reconnection to local chapters. As ambassadors of the program, they will inspire current participants and help grow a powerful, united Alumni Network. 

The First Tee Alumni Network includes thousands of former participants who have carried the organization’s values into their careers, communities and lives. Since its launch in 2020, the First Tee Alumni Network has provided career assistance, professional and personal development opportunities and fun events for former participants. It’s free to join and open to all First Tee Alumni. 

For more information about the Alumni Network, visit firsttee.org/alumni. 

2025 Alumni Council members 

Rayshon Payton Metropolitan Oklahoma City General Counsel, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester 
Sara Diaz Greater San Antonio VP of Recruiting, Capstone Hospitality 
Anthony Bonales Central Valley Finance Manager, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling 
Grace Kehoe Greater Charlotte Media Logger, PGA TOUR 
Karrington Knight Greater New Orleans Staff Assistant, Rep. Jasmine Crockett 
Steven Outlaw, PGA Hammond (Historical) Director of Sales & Marketing, Troon 
Colm Parrish Pittsburgh Category Manager, Catalent Pharma Solutions 
Hannah Rens Siouxland Systems Engineer, Boeing 
Benjamin Nganga Tennessee Real Estate Valuations Analyst, Baker Tilly 
Ashley Noda Greater Sacramento Director of Outreach & Competitive Activities, First Tee – Greater Sacramento 
Alyssa Ramont Central Valley Executive Administrative Assistant, San Francisco Giants 
David Singh Tampa Bay Program Manager, Cleveland Clinic of Florida 
Blake Christenson Tennessee Designer, Cooper Carry 
Michelle Xie Silicon Valley Software Engineer, Dave 
Mia Bishop Metro Atlanta Psychotherapist 
Brittany Gill Greater Richmond Corporate Partnerships Manager, PGA TOUR 
Derrick Ow Monterey County Communications & Customer Service Coordinator, Northern California Golf Association 
Connor Shooks Benton Harbor Sports Management Student, University of Michigan 
Callen Williams Metropolitan New York Assistant Program Director, First Tee – Metropolitan New York 
Taryn Yee Greater Sacramento Program Manager, Meta 

Class is in Session – From September CH2 Magazine

The life-changing impact of First Tee goes beyond the green and into the classroom.

By Barry Kaufman

The start of the new school year means so many things. For some kids, they’re taking their first classes in a new school, moving up from elementary to middle to high school. For others, the fall means a new world of educational pursuits, moving up the ladder as they pursue their goals. But for all of those kids, at least in the 24 schools in Beaufort and Jasper County where First Tee – The Lowcountry is active, the start of a new school year means another chance to enjoy the game of golf while absorbing important life lessons.

“With the start of the new school year, the students are very excited for our golf unit,” said Stephen Reilly, a PE Teacher at Royal Live Oaks Academy. A public charter school serving K-12 studnets throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties. “I’m looking forward to seeing our kids continue to build their confidence, incorporate their math skills and motivate their classmates to try their best with this program.”

The program First Tee has cooked up for our schools is a multi-dynamic curriculum that incorporates several of the philosophies that have made their after-school, summer camp and in-facility programs such a success with area kids. Going beyond the fundamentals of golf, these lessons integrate life lessons centered on five core commitments: Pursuing Goals, Growing through Challenge, Collaborating with Others, Building Positive Self-Identity, and Using Good Judgment.

Each lesson is designed so that golf skills become a framework for character development. For example, setting targets on the course models how to set and pursue goals in life. Facing difficult shots helps participants embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Team-based activities emphasize collaboration, showing how working with others leads to success both on and off the course. Celebrating small wins and reflecting on strengths nurture a positive self-identity. Finally, learning when to take risks or play it safe highlights the importance of sound judgment.

“It’s really cool to get this program into schools because a lot of these kids are never going to get to play golf this early in their life,” said Ryan Wolfe, Program Manager and Lead Coach for First Tee – The Lowcountry. “It’s a great way to mix in those core values and key commitments we want to teach those kids.”

And while it’s the First Tee’s lesson plans, they trust in each teacher who takes on their curriculum to deliver those lessons in their own way, giving teachers freedom to lead their own classes.

“We actually send them lesson plans, plastic golf clubs and targets that are free for them to use,” said Wolfe. “But then they teach it how they would any other lessons. And a lot of those teachers have been working with us for many years.”

For kids, it’s an enjoyable way to tee off on the new school year. For First Tee, it’s one element in a multi-faceted approach that blends the game of golf with life lessons that enrich, educate and create better students.

Cassandra’s Kitchen Store Supports First Tee – The Lowcountry

Date: October 9, 2025 • 5:00PM – 7:00 
Cassandra’s Kitchen Store — The Promenade, Old Town Bluffton

Raise a glass and shop with purpose! Join us at Cassandra’s Kitchen Store for a special evening where every purchase helps local kids build character, confidence, and life skills through the game of golf with First Tee – The Lowcountry.

✨ 10% of all in-store sales benefit First Tee – The Lowcountry
✨ Enjoy lite bites, refreshing cocktails, and curated kitchen favorites
✨ Can’t make the event window? Show this invite anytime October 9 (10 AM–4 PM) and your purchase still supports the cause!

Your shopping makes a difference. Together, let’s help the next generation of Lowcountry youth tee up for success—on the course and in life.

Join J.McLaughlin Hosts Hello, Fall Sip & Shop for First Tee – The Lowcountry

Date: October 25th
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC 

🍂 Sip, Shop & Support! 🍂

Join J.McLaughlin for our Hello, Fall Sip & Shop event on Saturday, October 25 | 11 AM – 3 PM at our Hilton Head store (1405 Main Street).

✨ Enjoy an afternoon of sips, shopping, and our brand-new Fall collection with First Tee Board Members and hostesses Jackie Lambe & Grace Chu.

💚 Best of all, 10% of sales will benefit First Tee – The Lowcountry!

We can’t wait to see you there!

New $10 million grant from Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation deepens relationship between First Tee, PGA TOUR Superstore

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. 

⛳ FREE GOLF ALERT @ The Sarge ⛳

In celebration of the Arnold Palmer Cup at Congaree, Discover South Carolina and the Congaree Foundation are treating YOU to complimentary rounds of golf at Sergeant Jasper Golf Club! 🎉

📍 Sergeant Jasper Golf Club
📅 June 3–8, 2025
💵 FREE (yes, for everyone)
📞 Call (843) 361-5000 to reserve your tee time!

Junior Golf Tournment Registration

Attention Junior Golfers!
The summer tournament season is here! Get your clubs ready and mark your calendars for the
2025 HHIJGA Tournament Schedule. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills or
compete at the next level, we’ve got you covered!
Registration Now Open! Spots are filling fast—don’t miss your chance to compete!
Divisions:
Boys: 7-9, 10-12, 13-14, 15-18
Girls: 7-9, 10-12, 13-18
Let’s hit the course and show off those skills!
For more information visit our website at https://hhijga.com/home.html

Parents continue to believe investing in youth sports will pay dividends, new study shows

More than nine in 10 parents with adult children aged 18-35 say they’ve seen how youth sports can shape a child’s future

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (May 8, 2025) – Despite an unsteady economy, nearly nine in 10 American parents say they are making room in the budget for extracurricular activities (88%), including sports. Nine in 10 parents say playing sports helps children build character (92%) and teaches them important life skills (90%), according to new research from The Harris Poll and First Tee.

The global consulting and market research firm teamed up with the nonprofit youth development organization to explore the value parents place on youth sports, with a particular focus on the long-term impact of coaches. The Harris Poll surveyed 2,042 U.S. adults in March 2025 and analyzed the data by gender, age, race, education and income, among other characteristics.

While few young athletes ultimately turn professional, parents believe youth sports can have lifelong benefits off the field. Nearly nine in 10 parents strongly recommend youth sports to other parents, believing that coaches can impact a child’s ability to work well with others (89%), respect others (89%) and be resilient in the face of challenges (88%).

“According to this new research, parents with adult children say the confidence their child built through sports continues to shape their success today, a data point that reinforces First Tee’s mission of teaching not only golf skills but also life skills and values that equip kids to face new challenges,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “While we have heard success stories from countless First Tee alumni, we are grateful to Harris Poll for helping us quantify the incredible impact of extracurricular activities.”

Generations of Americans have been shaped by youth sports, with nearly 70% of parents who grew up with coaches saying they wouldn’t be where they are today without those influential adults in their life (67%). First Tee knows its coaches are the key to its success, which is why it’s celebrating them during First Tee Week, May 19-25. The new brand awareness campaign will mark the launch of a PSA titled “Dear Coach” and feature a panel discussion on the impact of coaches at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge.

Other key findings from the survey include:

  • 69% of parents believe there aren’t enough female coaches or mentors in youth sports. That number increases to 74% among parents of color. While parents see the impact of coaches, they believe coaching is significantly more accessible to boys than girls.
  • 92% of parents believe that playing sports helps kids build character. That number jumps to 97% when surveying parents whose children are currently enrolled in sports. Parents see improved mental health and exposure to new things as additional benefits of extracurricular activities.
  • More than half of parents say trustworthy coaches could increase their child’s chances of committing to an activity (51%). Parents cite positive role modeling as their top priority when assessing a coach, followed by skill development and motivation and encouragement. All First Tee coaches are trained and background checked, so they’re prepared to teach golf skills and life lessons that extend beyond the course.

“Even amid economic uncertainty, parents see youth sports as a non-negotiable investment in their child’s future,” said Abbey Lunney, Managing Director of the Trends and Thought Leadership Practice at The Harris Poll. “Nearly 9 in 10 say the experience helped prepare their children for the future. Our data shows they’re not just hoping for athletic success—they’re prioritizing confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills shaped by meaningful coaching.”

This is the third annual research collaboration between The Harris Poll and First Tee.

Download the full 2025 report.

For the results of the 2024 parent survey, click here.