First Tee – Greater San Antonio recently welcomed the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour for a powerful week centered around one thing: our kids.
From leading our speaker series to stepping directly into clinics on the range, APGA professionals became part of the experience. Their time, mentorship, and genuine engagement created moments our participants will carry with them well beyond this week.
Creating Access and Opportunity Through Golf
Founded in 2010, the APGA Tour is committed to creating greater access and opportunity in the game of golf. Established by Ken Bentley and Adrian Stills, the organization works to build professional pathways while also prioritizing youth engagement and representation in the sport.
That mission strongly aligns with what we believe at First Tee – Greater San Antonio. Golf is a vehicle for life skills, confidence, and long-term opportunity. When young people see what is possible and are supported along the way, their belief in themselves grows.
Fore Your Future Speaker Series Featuring Michael Bradham
As part of the Fore Your Future Speaker Series presented by Frost Bank, APGA professional Michael Bradham, a San Antonio native, spent the morning with our 14+ participants.
Bradham shared his journey through the game, from competing as a collegiate athlete at Prairie View A&M University to navigating the professional ranks, stepping away from the game to build a career and family, and returning with renewed focus and purpose. He spoke openly about resilience, discipline, and adaptability, values our participants actively develop through First Tee programming.
Following the discussion, Bradham joined participants on the range, providing instruction, answering questions, and connecting one-on-one. For many of our young golfers, learning directly from a professional who grew up in their own city made the experience even more meaningful. It reinforced that big dreams can start right here in San Antonio.
APGA Professionals Join Programming on the Range
In addition to the speaker event, six APGA Tour professionals participated directly in First Tee programming sessions. Rather than making a brief appearance, they integrated into clinics, offering hands-on instruction and personal encouragement to participants of varying skill levels.
The professionals who spent time with our participants included:
- Kci Lindskog
- John Baptiste Hakizimana
- Jonathan Yoshihiro
- Troy Taylor II
- Gregory Odom Jr.
- Olajuwon Ajanaku
For many participants, this was their first opportunity to learn alongside professional golfers. The experience provided not only technical instruction, but representation and visibility, showing young athletes that pathways in golf are attainable.
Meaningful Investment in the Next Generation
Beyond mentorship and instruction, the APGA Tour also provided an array of prizes for participants, including AirPods, televisions, golf equipment, backpacks, water bottles, and towels. The gesture reflected a genuine commitment to investing in the next generation both on and off the course.
Most importantly, the week reinforced a powerful message to our participants. They belong in this game, and there is space for them to grow within it.
First Tee – Greater San Antonio extends sincere appreciation to the APGA Tour, its leadership, staff, and professionals for their time and dedication to our youth.
We also thank Frost Bank for presenting the Fore Your Future Speaker Series and for their continued support of youth development in San Antonio.
To learn more about the APGA Tour and its mission to expand opportunity in golf, visit apgatour.org.
