Category: Blog

Back to school: Ohio teacher introduces thousands to golf  

Kent Hamilton is an educator based in Canton, Ohio, where he was named the state’s 2024 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. In this role, he teaches over 800 students at two schools.  

Kent grew up playing golf on his family’s farm, where he would use natural features, like a tree or fence post, as hazards or targets. This creativity has continued to inform the way that he brings physical education to life in the classroom.  

A few years ago, Kent began sharing videos of the creative activities his students were doing on Facebook. These videos showcase activities like bowling, basketball choreography and golf, all with the materials available in an elementary school gym. These videos have amassed millions of views, earning Kent recognition on ABC News, The Today Show and others.  

“As a PE teacher, I am always trying to advocate for my programs,” Kent said. His goal with sharing these activities on social media was to give a window into his classroom and show that each day is filled with activities that are both fun and intentionally designed to promote learning.  

As a member of the First Tee School Program, one of the units that Kent incorporates into his classroom is golf. Throughout this unit, Kent introduces the students to golf in fun and innovative ways, like by creating Topgolf bays or mini golf courses. At the same time, he also introduces them to the life skills that golf can teach. His students learn values like kindness and respect by complimenting each other’s good shots, or the ability to grow through challenge when their shot doesn’t go the way they want it to.  

In addition to the physical education, Kent also makes an effort to incorporate additional learning opportunities that go beyond the time his students spend in the classroom. He invited a local author and parent at First Tee – Canton, Tim Satava, to present at a reading night held at the school. Tim read his book, “You and Me Are on the Tee,” to the students in attendance and then answered any questions they had about both golf and reading. After that, the students had the opportunity to set up a mini golf course in the gym and compete against one another.  

With all of Kent’s innovation, it is no surprise that he’s earned recognition, like being named a Community Playmaker by the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

In the future, Kent hopes to continue to spread learning and joy through physical education and golf, both for the students in his schools and also for the community he has built on social media.  

“The school program is so important to give all students the opportunity to be introduced to golf,” Kent said. “There is so much joy in the game of golf.”    

Click here to learn more about the First Tee School Program or to get involved at your school.  

From SMART goals to bold dreams: Skyler’s leadership journey 

For Skyler Xue, an Ace participant at First Tee – Greater Washington DC, taking part in the First Tee Leadership Series in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore was nothing short of life changing. As a high school junior uncertain about what lay ahead, he found clarity and confidence through the experience, he said.  

The five-week workshop, which is held at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, helped him explore his strengths and values, while envisioning a career that blends his passions for golf and STEM. “The staff at PGA TOUR Superstore shared their insights on leadership and resilience, which had a lasting impact on me,” he said. 

For Skyler, one of the most impactful sessions focused on goal setting and career planning. Learning how to apply the SMART goals framework helped him map out actionable steps toward his dream of working in sports analytics. 

S: Specific 
M: Measurable 
A: Achievable 
R: Relevant 
T: Time bound 

Skyler aspires to use data to help athletes and coaches optimize performance. With a strong foundation in STEM and experience in data science and computational modeling, he’s already developing an AI-powered golf caddie that analyzes course maps and player data to recommend the best shot strategy.  

This project is a perfect example of his passion for applying analytical thinking to solve practical problems. 

Skyler is now heading home from Montana, where he attended the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The weeklong retreat builds on the skills taught during the in-store Leadership Series. 

Participants are encouraged to build confidence and grow through challenge as they try new things, like horseback riding, whitewater rafting and archery. 

Accumulating nearly 200 community service hours in 2024, Skyler is a junior coach at First Tee – Greater Washington DC, founder of his school’s math club and a member of the golf team. There’s no doubt the lessons he learned in Montana will be put to good use by this future leader. 

Learn more about First Tee’s teen participant events, and join PGA TOUR Superstore in supporting participants like Skylar by donating today. 

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 ⛳

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

Junior Golf Tournment Registration

Attention Junior Golfers!
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compete at the next level, we’ve got you covered!
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Divisions:
Boys: 7-9, 10-12, 13-14, 15-18
Girls: 7-9, 10-12, 13-18
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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.

Building confidence and perseverance: A journey from First Tee to cybersecurity

As a participant in First Tee – Delaware, Grace Lombardi said she learned not only the fundamentals of golf but also some of life’s most valuable lessons. Confidence and perseverance are values that have helped Grace overcome obstacles and carve a path into the world of cybersecurity, an industry where women are still a minority.

“Confidence empowered me to take on challenges, whether it was mastering complex security concepts, earning certifications or speaking up in technical discussions,” she said. “At the same time, perseverance kept me moving forward despite obstacles, from overcoming imposter syndrome to pushing through rigorous training and setbacks.”

Grace recently began working in AWS Professional Services, supporting national security as a cloud engineering consultant. In this role, she works with clients in the federal government, helping them leverage AWS solutions to enhance their operations.

Grace said she’s proud to work for an organization that’s a major supporter of First Tee. AWS joined First Tee as a Trustee in 2021. With a dedicated team, AWS supports participants through STEM programming, employee volunteerism and alumni support. In 2024, AWS invited a select First Tee alumni to AWS re:Invent, the world’s largest annual cloud computing conference.

At re:Invent, Grace was able to attend several workshops. “I highly encourage any First Tee alumni to attend re:Invent if they get the chance,” she said. “While it’s a tech conference, the wealth of knowledge, networking opportunities and exposure to innovation make it valuable for professionals in any field.”

Forging a path in cybersecurity

Golf isn’t easy, and resilience is a trait Grace picked up during her seven years as a First Tee participant.

She said it’s important for her to stay involved with the organization because she wants to give back to the next generation. “First Tee gave me the opportunity to have so many amazing experiences across the country, and I learned so much while meeting incredible people,” she said.

Grace always knew she wanted a career that would challenge her. When she was a high school sophomore, she got an invitation that would change her life. A friend asked her to tag along to a cybersecurity conference because he didn’t want to go alone. She participated in a digital capture-the-flag competition, and the rest is history.

“I had no idea what I was doing, but I had an absolute blast and learned so much from the other attendees,” she said. She was struck by how much people seemed to enjoy their work in cybersecurity, and a new career path was on her radar.

Grace enrolled in coding classes at a local community college, before attending Rochester Institute of Technology as an undergrad and graduate student. She spent more than two years working for federal agencies before joining AWS.

“Looking back, what started as an unexpected experience at a conference in high school turned into a fulfilling career built on curiosity, problem solving and a drive to make a real impact,” she said. She felt the same type of excitement at re:Invent. “It opened the door to incredible opportunities, deepened my technical knowledge and ultimately paved the way for my career at AWS,” she said.

“Grace’s story illustrates the powerful impact of relationships like AWS and First Tee in shaping future leaders,” said Ebony Taylor, head of global executive customer engagement at AWS Professional Services. “Her journey from learning golf fundamentals to becoming a cloud engineering consultant demonstrates how confidence and perseverance can drive success in technology fields.”

“At AWS, we value individuals who aren’t afraid to dive deep into new challenges and continuously learn. We’re proud to support organizations like First Tee that help develop well-rounded professionals who can make meaningful contributions to critical fields like cybersecurity, and we’re happy to create pathways for more talented individuals like Grace to thrive in technology careers,” Taylor said.

Learn more about the First Tee Alumni Network, which provides professional development and social opportunities across the country.