First Tee – The Lowcountry’s Community Leadership Awards Banquet Set for April 15
At the heart of everything First Tee – The Lowcountry does — teaching young people the game of golf while building their character — are their Nine Core Values:
Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy, and Judgment.
Each of these tenets work in concert to lift young golfers up and guide them toward a better life.
Once again this year, First Tee – The Lowcountry will celebrate these values through its annual Community Leadership Awards Banquet, recognizing local leaders who exemplify these core principles in their own lives.
📍 Event Details
🗓 April 15, 2025
📍 Sea Pines Country Club
“Everyone who we recognize exemplifies one, if not more, of the core values of First Tee,” said Lynn King, who will co-chair the event with Bill Fuge. “It’s a win-win because it not only gives us a chance to recognize them, it introduces them to what First Tee does.”
2025 Honorees – Celebrating Core Values
This year’s honorees represent a cross-section of our community — each inspiring in their own leadership:
- Mike Nevil – Honesty
- Brennan Roedig – Sportsmanship
- Eric Boberg – Perseverance
- JR Richardson – Confidence
- Dr. Jane Upshaw – Responsibility
- Mayor Harry Williams – Judgment
- Missy Santorum – Courtesy
- Colonel Neal Pugliese – Integrity
- Molly Hornbeck – Respect
“I’ve known most of our recipients for a while,” said King. “It’s amazing because they’re all leaders in their own right.”
Special Recognition
The evening will also include the presentation of three special awards to those who have gone above and beyond in service to First Tee – The Lowcountry.
- John Bankhead will receive the Jim Ferree Legacy Award. A national trustee for First Tee, Bankhead has played a critical role in building the local scholarship fund. “I don’t know how much bigger of a legacy you can have than that,” said Executive Director Pat Zuk.
- In addition to being honored for Honesty, Mike Nevil will also receive the Mike Davis Award. “Mike is a tremendous volunteer and our lead coach in Beaufort. He’s also helping us secure a more permanent home there,” said Zuk.
- Brennan Roedig will be recognized for Sportsmanship and awarded the Paul Caruso Award. “Watching the transformation of Brennan and his sister has been an absolute joy,” said Zuk.
Get Involved
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available!
Visit 👉 firstteelowcountry.org to learn more and support this impactful event.