Blog – First Tee – Greater San Antonio

How First Tee – Greater Pasadena found support after the Eaton Fire

First Tee - Greater Pasadena hosted community events for families impacted by wildfires

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena in January 2025, it left a lasting mark on the First Tee – Greater Pasadena community.

More than a year later, recovery is still underway. Some families have had no choice but to sell their homes and relocate. Local estimates suggest some homes in the area will not be rebuilt until 2028, and Altadena Golf Course remains unusable. As First Tee – Greater Pasadena program director Mark Fritz put it, “the community still has need for us as a chapter to provide our services and resources to families.”

Facing the loss of a program site and roughly $30,000 in equipment and supplies stored at Altadena Golf Course, the chapter moved quickly. Programming was paused for just two weeks before relocating to other local courses and parks less affected by the fire, including Brookside Golf Club and Eaton Canyon Golf Course, which returned to full operation by summer 2025. In total, the chapter relocated 70 percent of its programming and added three new sites, expanding its reach in the process.

Community coming together

Support from The Toro Company’s Growing the Game Through Access & Inclusion Grant played a direct role in that response, helping the chapter replace lost equipment and keep programs running for the families who needed them most. “This grant and funding from other golf organizations and supporters allowed us to not miss a beat,” Fritz said.

First Tee - Pasadena provided backpacks of gear to families impacted by wildfires

With support from The Toro Company, the chapter also used existing community touchpoints to reach displaced families. Through backpack giveaway events at the Rose Bowl and National Night Out, First Tee – Greater Pasadena has connected with families affected by the Eaton Fire and those attending Title I schools, promoting its program to more than 3,000 families this summer alone.

Nearby First Tee chapters across Southern California also stepped in to help: First Tee – Los Angeles offered programming space, while First Tee chapters in Orange County, Coachella Valley, San Diego and the Inland Empire organized club drives to help replace equipment for kids who lost gear in the fire. Local country clubs hosted donation days where members brought in used clubs, and Roger Dunn Golf Shops cut them down to fit young players. East West Bank funded a clinic and lunch for families who lost their homes, with more than 100 people attending the free event.

“This event demonstrated a very strong community collaboration involving the First Tee network and chapter supporters,” said First Tee – Greater Pasadena master executive director Bob Baderian.

Looking ahead

First Tee – Greater Pasadena is now planning to extend its reach further into the community it serves. In 2026, the chapter will launch a golf program with the Pasadena Unified School District, piloting at San Rafael Elementary with fifth graders. The program will culminate in a golf clinic at Brookside and a tour of the Rose Bowl. The chapter plans to bring the model to two to three additional PUSD elementary schools in 2026.

None of this recovery happened in isolation. From The Toro Company’s grant support to donated time, space and equipment from nearby chapters, businesses and community organizations across Southern California, First Tee – Greater Pasadena’s response to the Eaton Fire reflects what the chapter’s leaders describe as the strength of the First Tee community. As the Altadena community continues its long rebuild, that network of support remains in place.

Winners of Greater Pasadena's Chapter Cup pose at Brookside Golf Course

Naomi Raymundo of First Tee – Monterey County and Charlie Haney of First Tee – Manhattan win pro-junior titles at 2026 PURE Insurance Championship

Raymundo and Haney were paired with pros Stewart Cink and Rory Sabbatini respectively

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2026) – After a week of exciting competition and personal growth, Naomi Raymundo of Salinas, California, and Charlie Haney of Manhattan, Kansas, are the junior winners of the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, an official PGA Tour Champions event, which concluded Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Both junior winners came from behind to claim victory. Raymundo and Cink recorded a final round 64 to finish 18-under for the tournament. They won the pro-junior girls’ title in a scorecard playoff. Haney and Sabbatini fired a final round 59 to finish 22-under, taking the pro-junior boys’ trophy by one stroke.

For nearly 25 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has provided First Tee participants with the unique opportunity to showcase the golf and life skills 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 with PGA Tour Champions players and amateurs from the business community. The annual event was broadcast internationally on Golf Channel.

“The 80 First Tee juniors who competed this week demonstrated perseverance, character and exceptional talent on the course,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We congratulate Naomi and Charlie on their outstanding victory. We are sincerely grateful to PURE Insurance, Chevron, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PGA Tour Champions, Golf Channel and all of our generous partners for helping make this an unforgettable experience for our participants.”

Raymundo is a 17-year-old high school senior with a 3.91 GPA, and the only girl on her high school golf team. She is active in her community, recording more than 400 service hours in 2025. She is a junior coach for Special Olympics and First Tee – Monterey County, where she has been involved for 10 years. Raymundo is the second Monterey County participant to claim the pro-junior girls’ title in the last three years, after Nicole Iniakov and Ernie Els teamed up for victory in 2024.

Raymundo said she was “on the edge of my seat” while waiting for the final groups to finish. “There were so many thoughts going through my head: Pebble Beach, PURE Insurance,” she said. “This tournament is something I’ve wanted to do for so many years.”

First Tee – Monterey County participants cheered her on Sunday, following the final group up the fairway. “It shows how much of a family we are,” she said. “It shows how much of a connection we have, just how much we support each other at First Tee – Monterey County.”

Haney is a 16-year-old high school junior with an impressive golf resume. Currently No. 32 in the AJGA rankings, he is committed to play collegiate golf at Ole Miss. Haney competed at the Drive, Chip & Putt finals at Augusta in 2023. Haney has a special tie to PGA Tour Champions, having spent time with Manhattan resident Jim Colbert before he passed earlier this year.

“I got to play two amazing golf courses, and this was the best week,” Haney said. “I got to spend time with my dad and all the First Tee participants. I had such a great time with them and met some amazing people.”

Haney has been playing golf for 12 years. “That’s how I grew up through the game was First Tee,” he said. “In summer I’d be up there day until night, and that’s just where I remember being younger and having so much fun. I think that’s why First Tee is so important to me. I’ve had so much fun and learned so many things.”

During the week, First Tee’s 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 Nyah Roccamonte-Clark of First Tee – Metropolitan New York with an invitation to become the newest member 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 camp turned into a lifelong passion for this PURE Insurance Championship junior

Nyah Roccamonte-Clark joined her first First Tee summer camp at 5.

Many First Tee participants work for years to earn a spot in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs golf legends and business leaders with First Tee juniors for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

First Tee juniors are selected for the field based on their golf skills and their commitment to developing life skills through First Tee. One participant who excels in both areas is Nyah Roccamonte-Clark of First Tee – Metropolitan New York.

Nyah’s path to golf began at 5, when her grandparents, who worked at Plainfield West Nine in Edison, New Jersey, enrolled her in the course’s First Tee program so she could spend her summer there while her mother worked. That early exposure sparked a passion that has carried Nyah through every stage of First Tee, from participant to volunteer to junior coach, and now to an internship with the chapter, where she logs 15 to 20 hours per week mentoring younger players.

On the course, Nyah is the top player on her high school team, and she finished 15^th at the 2026 First Tee National Championship at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club. She’s committed to play collegiate golf at Monmouth University, a Division I school in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Off the course, she completed 225 hours of community service last year, while participating in her school’s STEM Connections Club and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She credits First Tee coach Chris Jefferys with teaching her patience and self-trust, lessons she says have reshaped how she competes and carries herself both in golf and in life. She aspires to pursue a career in sports psychology.

On Thursday, PURE Insurance Championship executives surprised Nyah with an invitation to join the First Tee College Scholarship Program during an event at The Hay.

PURE Insurance has been the title sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship since 2017 and is a dedicated partner of the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

“The First Tee juniors are what make this tournament so meaningful for all of us at PURE,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “Nyah is an exceptional young woman who stands out for her character, leadership and commitment to others. We’re excited to support her and watch as she continues to pursue her goals.”

Follow this week’s PURE Insurance Championship online and on Golf Channel.

Nyah Roccamonte-Clark and Martin Leitch of PURE Insurance pose for a photo during the PURE Insurance Championship

First Tee – Greater San Antonio Teens Selected for 2026 Innovators Forum

First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to announce that Israel “Izzy” Garcia and Leo Uresti have been selected to participate in the 2026 First Tee Innovators Forum, taking place November 15-19 in Amelia Island, Florida.

The First Tee Innovators Forum brings together passionate teens from across the First Tee chapter network who share a desire to learn, collaborate and make a positive impact. Through interactive workshops, small-group sessions and conversations with industry leaders, participants explore how innovation and problem-solving can be used to address real challenges in their communities.

Throughout the forum, teens will develop a meaningful community service project focused on education, health, human rights or environmental sustainability. Participants will learn from case studies featuring organizations such as CapTech and Constellation, then use those lessons to develop and pitch their own service project ideas.

The opportunity has already created meaningful impact for First Tee – Greater San Antonio. Last year, teen participant Tim Petter took what he learned through the Innovators Forum and turned inspiration into action by organizing a community blood drive in partnership with the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.

Inspired by a fellow Innovators Forum participant who had organized a successful blood drive, Tim shifted his original project idea and chose to focus on saving lives.

“Knowing my efforts in putting this blood drive together can help save lives really helped inspire me in my choice of my project,” Tim said.

The blood drive marked an important milestone for First Tee – Greater San Antonio, serving as the organization’s first blood drive since December 2020. With 23 community members signed up to donate, the drive exceeded its goal of 18 units by collecting 20 whole blood donations, reaching 111% of its goal. Each whole blood donation can potentially help save up to three lives, meaning Tim’s project had the potential to impact as many as 60 people.

Tim credits First Tee – Greater San Antonio for helping him turn his idea into reality.

“I wouldn’t have a location if Ms. Carrie Kimbell hadn’t graciously let me host it at the First Tee. Coach Steve Lennon has been an amazing encourager, helping me with both minor and major details of the blood drive. The First Tee has helped me be more confident in myself and my skills. I wouldn’t be able to tackle this project without their support.”

The project demonstrated exactly what the Innovators Forum is designed to accomplish: giving teens the tools, support and confidence to identify a need in their community and create a plan to address it.

For Izzy, being selected for this year’s forum represents another meaningful opportunity in his First Tee journey.

“Being selected means a lot to me and my journey because First Tee has offered me so many opportunities to grow as a person and chase my dream of becoming a professional golfer,” Izzy said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to meet my peers and to share ideas, and learn other ways to make a positive impact in our communities.”

Leo is equally excited to connect with fellow participants and learn from their experiences.

“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this Forum, and have the chance to meet new people, and exchange new ideas,” Leo said.

The Innovators Forum focuses on two key commitments: collaborating with others and pursuing goals. Participants will strengthen their ability to communicate the purpose of their community service projects while developing problem-solving skills they can apply both academically and professionally.

The experience also gives teens the opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders and turn ideas into action. Past Innovators Forum projects have included environmental sustainability initiatives, mental health awareness campaigns and inclusive golf programs designed to reach underserved populations.

The impact can continue long after the forum concludes. Teens who develop and execute some of the most impactful projects have the opportunity to earn stipends to support their educational goals after high school. In 2024 alone, more than $25,000 in stipends were awarded to participants.

For Tim, the Innovators Forum became a defining experience of his 2025 First Tee journey.

“Meeting people from across the country from different First Tees was so fun. The Innovators Forum was my highlight of 2025.”

Now, Izzy and Leo will have the opportunity to build on that legacy as they represent First Tee – Greater San Antonio at the 2026 Innovators Forum in Amelia Island, Florida, November 15-19. Their selection is an opportunity to continue developing the leadership, collaboration and problem-solving skills that will serve them both on and off the course while exploring new ways to make a difference in their communities.

First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to see Izzy and Leo take this next step in their First Tee journeys and looks forward to seeing the ideas they bring to life.

How Logan Cassidy’s grandfather put him on the path to the PURE Insurance Championship

The box of scorecards Logan received from his grandfather, commemorating their time on the course

Every golfer has a story about how they fell in love with the game. For Logan Cassidy, a participant with First Tee – Greater Philadelphia, that story starts with his grandfather – and it lives on in a shoebox full of scorecards.

Last Christmas, Logan’s grandfather gave him an unexpected gift: a box containing every scorecard from the rounds the two had played together over the years. It wasn’t just a record of scores. Tucked alongside the numbers were his grandfather’s handwritten notes, marking the shots Logan hit that he thought were special.

“It was a really thoughtful gift with a lot of memories,” Logan said.

It’s fitting, because Logan’s grandfather is the reason he found First Tee. He was a close friend of First Tee – Greater Philadelphia’s board president and encouraged Logan to get involved when he was just 7. From there, Logan was hooked, both on the game and on the community of kids he found through the program.

“First Tee has introduced me to great people, who also love to play golf, be around the game and care about people,” said Logan, who aspires to play collegiate golf and study business.

Nearly a decade later, Logan is one of First Tee – Greater Philadelphia’s most active participants. A senior at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, he splits his time between a rigorous course load, a competitive golf schedule and deep involvement at his chapter, where he works at John F. Byrne Golf Course and coaches younger players.

That combination of commitment and character caught the attention of his chapter, which nominated him for one of First Tee’s most prestigious opportunities: a spot in the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, September 18-20 at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

A scorecard from one of their golf outings, that notes not only their scores, but also a shot whereLogan birdied from the bunker

As he prepares to represent First Tee – Greater Philadelphia on a national stage, Logan carries with him the life skills and values the program has instilled over the last decade. Three holes-in-one, countless practice sessions in every kind of weather and a shoebox of scorecards later, the game that started with his grandfather is now taking Logan to the Pebble Beach.

The PURE Insurance Championship pairs First Tee juniors with PGA TOUR Champions legends and leaders from the business world for a week of competition and mentorship. The tournament is broadcast on Golf Channel.

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Jack Polansky Completes First Tee ACE Program with a Perfect Score

First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to celebrate participant Jack Polansky for completing the First Tee ACE Program, the organization’s highest level of achievement, with a perfect score.

Jack’s accomplishment represents more than three years of dedication, hard work, reflection and personal growth. Throughout the ACE Program, participants complete a series of projects and requirements designed to help them develop important life skills and prepare for success both on and off the golf course.

“I am so proud of myself for completing my ACE project!” Jack said. “This was a goal that I set for myself when I first started in the First Tee program and represents over three years worth of work. I learned a lot about myself through all the different projects, reflections and requirements.”

Jack said one of the most meaningful parts of his ACE journey was the relationships he developed along the way.

“My favorite part of working on the ACE project was developing relationships with my ACE mentors, Gabby Rangel-Moreno and Maija Tanberg,” he said. “They really helped me become the best version of myself these past three years, and I know we will be in each other’s lives for a long time.”

Throughout all four of his ACE projects, Jack demonstrated the determination and attention to detail that ultimately helped him achieve a perfect score.

“Throughout his ACE Project, he faced challenges across all four projects, but his attention to detail and perseverance never wavered,” said Maija Tanberg. “He worked hard to make sure everything was just right before submitting, and that dedication paid off with a PERFECT score! What an incredible accomplishment!”

Tanberg added that Jack’s determination and commitment have been evident throughout his time with First Tee – Greater San Antonio.

“We are so proud of Jack here at First Tee – Greater San Antonio, and anyone who knows Jack knows just how awesome and determined he is,” she said. “We know he will do amazing things during his first year of college and in all the years to come!”

In recognition of his accomplishment, First Tee – Greater San Antonio awarded Jack a $3,000 scholarship check for completing the ACE Program.

“I would also like to thank First Tee – Greater San Antonio for the generous scholarship money for completing my ACE project!” Jack said. “First Tee really set me up for success in college and in life.”

Congratulations to Jack on this incredible accomplishment and on completing the First Tee ACE Program with a perfect score. We are proud to have been part of his journey and look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes in college and beyond.

Talking to your child about new teachers, classrooms and nerves

New school year, new teachers, new classrooms, new seat assignments, maybe even a new school altogether. For a lot of kids, all that “new” adds up to one familiar feeling: nerves.

As parents, it’s tempting to smooth things over with a quick, “You’ll be fine!” But some of the most valuable conversations happen when we slow down and make space for nervousness instead of rushing past it.

Honesty and respect are two of the lessons First Tee coaches aim to instill on the golf course, and they can be really valuable when it comes to addressing nerves heading into a new school year.

Encourage honest conversations

On the course, coaches encourage kids to be honest about their score, even when nobody’s watching and even when the number is not what they hoped for. That same kind of honesty is useful at the kitchen table in August.

Asking open-ended questions that inspire thoughtfulness can help kids better understand and process their feelings about a new school year. Try questions like:

“What’s one change you’re looking forward to about the new school year?”
“What’s one thing that feels a little uncertain right now?”

Honesty goes both ways in these conversations. Kids pick up when parents are anxious too — about carpool logistics, new schedules, a PTA role. Naming your own small uncertainties shows that nerves are normal and nothing to hide.

One important thing for parents to remember is that change is part of growing up, not a problem to fix. Show respect for your child’s feelings with phrases like:

“It’s normal that this doesn’t feel easy yet. Most things don’t feel easy on the first try.”
“You don’t have to have this figured out by Friday. Give it a few weeks.”
“Feeling a little nervous doesn’t mean something is wrong. It just means it’s new.”

That kind of language takes the pressure off kids to perform confidence they don’t feel and gives them permission to grow into the new situation the same way they grow into a new golf skill: with repetition, not perfection.

It’s important to teach kids that no one gets everything right. At First Tee, we view failure as the First Attempt In Learning. Mistakes happen and help us improve next time.

The bigger picture

Here are some questions to try in the car or at dinner as your child settles into their new routine:

“What’s something your new teacher does differently than last year?”
“Who did you sit with today and what did you learn about them?”
“What’s one thing you handled today that felt a little hard?”
“How can I help you get ready for tomorrow?”

The goal is not to eliminate their nerves but to help them build a habit of being honest about their feelings, a skill that will serve them into adulthood.

Building a positive self-identity provides kids with confidence to navigate challenges, setbacks and social pressures throughout life. When children learn to see themselves as capable, valued and worthy of respect, they’re more likely to form healthy relationships and take on new opportunities.

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DICK’S House of Sport Supports First Tee – Greater San Antonio with $5,000 Donation

First Tee – Greater San Antonio is grateful to DICK’S House of Sport San Antonio for making a meaningful investment in our mission with a $5,000 donation through The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter program.

The surprise donation was presented to First Tee staff at the end of a free Back-to-School Party hosted by DICK’S House of Sport for our participants and families. The event gave our kids the opportunity to enjoy snacks, music, and activities while experiencing different sports throughout the store, including the batting cages, field, golf simulators, and rock wall. DICK’S also provided our families with coupons during Tax-Free Weekend to help with back-to-school shopping.

The $5,000 gift will help First Tee – Greater San Antonio continue creating opportunities for young people to experience the game of golf while developing character, confidence, and life skills.

The donation is part of Sports Matter, a program created by The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation in 2014 to provide more opportunities for youth to play sports. Since its creation, Sports Matter has helped keep more than 3 million kids in the game and committed more than $100 million to deserving teams and organizations across all 50 states.

We are incredibly thankful to DICK’S House of Sport San Antonio and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation for their generous support and commitment to helping kids stay active, discover new sports, and reach their full potential.

Located at 4100 IKEA-RBFcu Parkway, DICK’S House of Sport San Antonio offers a variety of interactive sports experiences and golf services, including golf club fitting, lessons, simulator rentals, Youth on Course simulator rentals, and $5 Wednesday simulator rentals!

Leading with kindness: How Addi Schneider found her strengths

On and off the course, First Tee – West Michigan participant Addi Schneider is a true game changer, always leading others with kindness and empathy.

“Leadership isn’t just about achieving a goal,” Addi said. “It’s about having the grit to stay by someone’s side until they believe in their own potential.” That belief guides everything she does, and this week she is carrying it all the way to the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Montana.

A leader in the making

Addi has been involved with First Tee – West Michigan for five years and now serves as a First Tee volunteer coach. Beyond the course, she volunteers with her school’s Special Olympics program and serves as a peer mentor, supporting students with special needs in the classroom.

This spring, Addi took her leadership to the next level after participating in Leadership Series, a five-week program presented in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstores across the country that helps First Tee participants explore their strengths, values and possible career paths. There, she discovered her core strengths — discipline, focus and achievement. Now, she’s one of 40 participants attending Leadership Summit, where she’ll deepen her leadership skills through outdoor adventures and team-building activities.

A diagnosis that shaped her leadership style

Addi’s leadership style has been forged since first grade, when she was diagnosed with dyslexia.

The diagnosis brought real challenges: the frustration of falling behind her peers and moments when she felt like a burden to classmates and teachers. But as Addi grew older, her perspective shifted. Rather than viewing dyslexia as a weakness, she came to view it as a superpower that gave her a unique ability to empathize with others.

That empathy shows up every week during the classes Addi coaches as a volunteer coach, where she connects with participants, understands their struggles and works to instill confidence in each of them.

During one class discussion on positive self-identity, Addi asked participants to share how they live out one of First Tee values in their own lives. One response stuck with her: A participant said it doesn’t matter what others think. It matters what you think of yourself.

That moment reminded Addi of the impact she was making. “My greatest strength is the character I have that allows me to help students find their own voice,” she said. “And with that, the confidence to be themselves.”

She brings that same purpose to her high school’s peer-to-peer program, where she supports students with special needs. Having experienced firsthand what it feels like to struggle and fall behind, Addi understands that not every student learns the same way and leads with a commitment to provide each of them equal opportunities to succeed.

Looking ahead

Her experience with the program has encouraged her to pursue a degree in special education and minor in American Sign Language, working toward a world that values access, empathy and equality. She’s already living that mission today: “My daily goals are to lead with kindness and make a difference in others’ lives,” she said.

Addi’s journey has shaped her into a leader who meets people with patience, empathy, and unshakeable belief in their potential, and that journey is just getting started. In Montana, she will carry the same values that have guided her all along: discipline, focus and a heart for helping others find their voice.

How First Tee connected DJ Belcher to NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson and helped him land his dream internship

A youth development program usually does not come with a connection to seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. But that is exactly what the First Tee gave to Drake “DJ” Belcher: a relationship that helped him land an internship at William Morris Endeavor this summer, one of the top talent agencies in the country.

DJ is a rising junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, majoring in finance. Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, he joined First Tee – Triad at around 7 years old. Since then, his time in the program has shaped both his professional growth and his desire to give back to the next generation of participants.

Growing beyond the fairway

Last summer, DJ interned with First Tee – Triad through its Historically Black College and University Internship Program, which connects student-athletes from HBCUs across the country with professional development opportunities and the chance to lead summer camps in underserved communities. The program is supported in part by an IDEA grant. The USGA has awarded more than $1 million in these grants to First Tee chapters over the last five years.

Determined to leave his mark on the sport, DJ did not just coach; he inspired. He helped participants grow and believe in their full potential. “I want to increase representation and increase diversity in the game,” he said. He put that mission into action by giving participants a firsthand look at the doors golf can open, both on and off the course. Little did he know that the same internship would soon open a door of his own.

An opportunity that changed everything

Always eager to learn from others, DJ used the internship to expand his professional network. After sharing that goal with Ryan Wilson, CEO of First Tee – Triad, he was offered the chance to caddie for Jimmie Johnson at the 2025 Wyndham Championship Pro-Am. He accepted without hesitation.

What began as meeting a well-known name in NASCAR grew into a much more personal relationship. During their time together, DJ shared his aspirations to work in the sports entertainment industry, where he hopes to negotiate contracts, oversee brand deals and develop athletes’ personal brands. Jimmie, in turn, shared that he was represented by WME and expressed that he would love to connect DJ with his representation team so he could gain more insight into opportunities within the agency industry.

“That was our first interaction,” DJ said. “We had only known each other for three hours. Having the ambition, the drive to really just want to do better for myself, want to expose myself to different environments — he recognized that and has been willing to share his experiences with me.”

After connecting with WME, DJ knew he had found a path worth pursuing. He made a point of thanking the employees he met and staying in touch afterward. That persistence paid off when he applied to WME’s internship program and was accepted as a brand partnerships intern in its New York City office.

Jimmie did not just help DJ get his foot in the door — he left him with advice to carry into the role: Take advantage of being young, approach every experience with an open mind and never hesitate to ask questions. DJ has taken that advice to heart, treating the internship less like a job and more like a mentorship experience, one built on curiosity and continuous growth.

A bond built to last

The relationship between DJ and Jimmie has only strengthened since their first encounter. “We have had a lot more time to bond and create more of a personal relationship than a transactional relationship,” DJ said. “We have a genuine bond.”

DJ credits Jimmie’s willingness to share his time and resources as a reflection of who he truly is: “It really speaks to his character, sharing his resources with people who are willing to put in the work for it.”

From attending Jimmie’s races to playing in Jimmie’s foundation golf tournaments, DJ is looking forward to continuing to strengthen his relationship with Jimmie and learning and growing from him at a personal level.

DJ’s story is proof of what is possible when curiosity meets ambition. With a mentor like Jimmie in his corner and a career only beginning to take shape, this is just the start of the path ahead for DJ.

Learn more about supporting First Tee programs to make opportunities available to participants in your area or around the globe.

First Tee – Greater San Antonio Participants Make an Impact at 2026 Game Changers Academy

First Tee – Greater San Antonio was proud to be represented by Lead Coach and Program Manager Maija Tanberg and participant Josiah Reyna at the 2026 First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow Jr., held July 17–22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Game Changers Academy is a transformative leadership experience that brings together 72 teens from First Tee chapters across the country for a week focused on self-awareness, inclusive leadership, community building, and personal growth. Through interactive workshops, reflective activities, and immersive golf experiences, participants developed the confidence and skills needed to become leaders and advocates for positive change in their communities.

Throughout the week, participants explored First Tee’s Key Commitments, including collaborating with others, building a positive self-identity, and growing through challenges. The experience included leadership sessions led by First Tee partners, a visit to Topgolf, attendance at the 3M Open, and a memorable round of golf at Interlachen Country Club, host of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open.

As a selected coach participant, Tanberg helped facilitate programming and support teens as they stepped outside their comfort zones, shared their perspectives, and strengthened their leadership skills throughout the week. Her impact was recognized by the participants themselves, as Tanberg was named one of four recipients of the Outstanding Coach of the Week Award, an honor voted on by the teens participating in the Academy.

“My favorite part of the Game Changers Academy was getting to know participants from all over the country and watching how much they grew in just a few days,” said Tanberg. “It was incredible to see their confidence build from the first day to the final day as they stepped outside their comfort zones, shared their ideas, and supported one another. Each of them brought their own unique perspective, and it was inspiring to see how thoughtful, driven, and engaged they were.”

“Throughout the workshops and on the golf course, they truly embodied the First Tee Key Commitments in everything they did. Seeing their growth reminded me of the incredible impact First Tee can have and strengthened my passion for bringing those same lessons back to the participants at the Greater San Antonio chapter.”

The First Tee Game Changers Academy is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders by providing teens with the tools to create meaningful change in their communities. Named in honor of former First Tee CEO Joe Louis Barrow Jr., the event is one of several national participant opportunities focused on leadership, service, and personal development.

First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud of Maija and Josiah for representing the chapter on a national stage and bringing their experiences, lessons, and leadership back to the local First Tee community.

First Tee, PGA TOUR Superstore bring 40 teens to Montana for 6th annual Leadership Summit

Actor Michael Peña and golf broadcaster Amanda Balionis headline this year’s guest speaker lineup.

EMIGRANT, Montana (Aug. 3, 2026) – Youth development organization First Tee and longtime partner PGA TOUR Superstore are hosting the 2026 First Tee Leadership Summit at West Creek Ranch, welcoming 40 participants for two weeks of leadership development set against the backdrop of Paradise Valley in Montana.

Now in its sixth year, the Leadership Summit pairs outdoor adventure with intentional reflection to foster personal growth. Participants take on horseback riding, whitewater rafting, a challenge course and archery, while leadership development experts and PGA TOUR Superstore staff guide sessions designed to help teens uncover their values, sharpen their communication and grow through new experiences.

Actor and First Tee Ambassador Michael Peña will serve as guest speaker the first week, and golf broadcaster Amanda Balionis will join the teens during the second week.

Bordered by the Yellowstone River, West Creek Ranch is owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee Board Member Arthur M. Blank.

“First Tee Leadership Summit provides these teens with an incredible opportunity to grow, learn and build meaningful connections,” said Ralph Stokes, vice president of social impact, partnerships and community relations at PGA TOUR Superstore. “It reflects what makes First Tee so impactful: helping young people build character, develop life skills and discover their potential. At PGA TOUR Superstore, we are committed to investing in programs like this that empower the participants to grow into better players and people.”

“Golf is just the starting point for what we do at First Tee,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Leadership Summit pushes teens to explore who they are, who they want to become and how they can lead with purpose. It is one of our most transformative opportunities, and we are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for making it possible.”

Before applying for the Leadership Summit, each participant must complete the First Tee Leadership Series, a five-week program held at PGA TOUR Superstores across the U.S. This year’s group was selected from a competitive applicant pool and represents 31 First Tee chapters from across the country.

In addition to supporting the Leadership Series and Leadership Summit, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation support First Tee chapters through grants and in-kind donations.

Leadership Summit is one of several signature participant opportunities First Tee offers in support of its mission to build game changers through golf. For more information, visit firsttee.org.