The 11th Annual First Tee Invitational presented by the Michael M. Peacock Foundation, and hosted by the Canyon Springs Senior Men’s Golf Association, was a record-setting success, raising more than $80,000 in support of First Tee – Greater San Antonio and its mission to empower youth through golf.
Held at Canyon Springs Golf Club as the 9th year serving as an Official Fiesta® event, the sold-out tournament welcomed 144 participants for a day centered on community, philanthropy, and impact. The event continues to be one of First Tee – Greater San Antonio’s signature fundraisers, and over the past eight years, the tournament has netted nearly $310,000 to support programs that help young people build character, confidence, and life skills through the game of golf.
This year’s event featured an exciting day on the course, along with a robust online auction and raffle that generated additional support through unique golf experiences, travel getaways, sports memorabilia, and premium packages. Popular auction items included rounds at premier golf destinations, resort stays, entertainment packages, and exclusive experiences, all contributing to the event’s fundraising success.
The tournament’s continued growth would not be possible without the dedicated support of longtime partners. The Canyon Springs Senior Men’s Golf Association once again played a vital role in hosting and supporting the event, while presenting sponsor Michael M. Peacock Foundation helped drive another successful year. First Tee – Greater San Antonio also recognized the generosity of community partners Carrabba’s Italian Grill, which has donated food for six consecutive years, and Las Palapas, a supporter of the tournament for the past five years.
The success of the First Tee Invitational reflects a community committed to investing in the next generation. Every dollar raised supports First Tee – Greater San Antonio’s efforts to help young people grow through experiences that build resilience, leadership, and character.
As the tournament continues to grow, so does its impact, making this year’s record-setting event another memorable chapter in a tradition of golf and giving.
First Tee coaches feel proud when a new player launches a drive or sinks a putt for the first time. But the true magic of our program happens off the course when a participant overcomes a tough obstacle at school or when an alumnus achieves a big goal.
Those moments highlight how much mentorship matters.
A landmark 30-year study by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America found that young adults with mentors earned 20% more than their peers. The same research determined that mentorship is one of the most cost-effective youth development interventions available.
Drawing on results from over 70 program evaluations, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership has found that mentoring supports improved grades, test scores and educational attainment, while also improving classroom behavior and school attendance.
But accessible mentors aren’t always easy to find
For all of mentorship’s documented benefits, access to mentors isn’t equal — and the gap is widening.
A 2024 report by MENTOR found that today’s 18–21-year-olds are 9% less likely to have had a mentor growing up compared to the Millennial generation. More than one in three young adults say they grew up without the support of any mentor at all.
The research is clear that mentoring relationships promote a strong sense of belonging, an asset that’s essential for healthy youth development. For the young people who most need a caring adult in their corner, that connection is often unavailable. It’s a gap that programs like First Tee are uniquely equipped to fill.
More than a game
According to research from First Tee and The Harris Poll, 88% of parents with coached children say their child has become more likely to speak up for themselves in other areas of life since participating in coached sports. An even larger majority — 94% — believe sports help children grow their confidence and social skills.
First Tee coaches teach participants how to introduce themselves to playing partners, and participants learn the A-L-R method for engaging in conversation:
A: Ask questions to learn about someone. L: Listen to their response. Make sure you’re listening to understand rather than thinking of what to say next. R: Reflect and respond thoughtfully with a follow up question or by sharing your own thoughts or feelings on the topic.
The impact of coaching lasts well into adulthood. Among parents who had coaches in their own youth, 67% say they wouldn’t be where they are today without those adults. They credit their coaches with teaching them to collaborate, lead and overcome challenges.
Most First Tee coaches are not golf professionals and that’s OK – not every First Tee participant aspires to play competitive golf, but we ask our coaches to lead by example as great listeners, cheerleaders and positive role models for the next generation.
Support First Tee’s efforts to provide quality mentors for our future leaders. Become a Donor Ambassador today.
Being shy can come with lots of overlooked benefits. Shy people tend to observe carefully before jumping in, which means they can notice details others miss. They’re often good listeners, empathetic and self-aware.
Still for parents of shy kids, it can be difficult to watch your child struggle to connect with their peers. You want them to experience the joy of friendship, but pushing too hard can backfire. Sports offer a unique environment where shy kids can build friendships at their own pace. In fact, our research with The Harris Poll shows that 94% of parents believe playing sports helps children build confidence and social skills.
Compared to many team sports, golf provides a more measured environment. There’s time between shots for conversation, opportunities to observe others before acting and a shared focus that takes the pressure off constant eye contact or quick responses. At First Tee, we’ve seen countless shy children blossom as they discover that the golf course is a safe space to practice being themselves.
But making friends doesn’t happen automatically. Even in the most welcoming environment, shy kids might benefit from a little coaching on how to connect.
Facilitating connections with A-L-R
At First Tee, we teach a simple framework that can transform how shy kids approach new friendships: Ask, Listen, Respond.
Ask questions: Encourage your child to become curious about others. Asking questions isn’t about filling awkward silence but about discovering who someone really is. Help your child understand that questions about a person’s background, experiences or interests can reveal commonalities they never expected.
Listen to understand: Many shy kids are already good listeners by nature, but in social situations, they may be preoccupied by worrying about how to respond. Introduce the concept of active listening: focusing genuinely on what the other person is saying because you’re interested, not because you’re preparing your reply.
You can practice this at home during dinner conversations or car rides. When your child shares something, model active listening by giving them your full attention, asking follow-up questions and reflecting back what you heard. Then gently encourage them to do the same when others are speaking.
Reflect and respond: The final piece is showing others that you were truly listening. Teach your child that responding doesn’t mean having the perfect comeback or the funniest joke. It means acknowledging what was shared and building on it.
A simple, “That sounds really cool. What was your favorite part?” or “I’ve felt that way too,” can be enough to keep a conversation flowing and signal genuine interest.
The beauty of First Tee is that it provides natural, repeated opportunities to practice these skills. As a parent, you can support this process by encouraging participation in group activities, celebrating small wins and being patient; some friendships develop quickly, while others take a full season to form.
Learning to ask thoughtful questions, listen actively and respond with authenticity can help prepare your child for success in school, future careers and all of life’s relationships. At First Tee, we’re committed to creating an environment where every child can discover their potential both on and off the course, because golf isn’t just about the game; it’s about the friendships formed, the confidence built and the life skills that last forever.
First Tee – Greater San Antonio participants had a memorable week thanks to the Valero Texas Open and PGA TOUR Superstore.
First Tee – Greater San Antonio hosted the Valero Texas Open Kid’s Golf Clinic presented by PGA TOUR Superstore, welcoming more than 200 local kids and their families for an evening at the First Tee Learning Center.
The clinic began with the arrival of PGA TOUR professionals Nick Dunlap, S.H. Kim, and Alejandro Tosti, who landed by helicopter on the driving range. They spent time with participants answering questions, signing autographs, demonstrating trick shots, and offering golf tips. Each child received snacks, a T-shirt, and a Valero Texas Open goody bag as part of the experience.
The clinic was presented by PGA TOUR Superstore, which also presented a $15,000 check to First Tee – Greater San Antonio. The funding is part of a renewed partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which committed $10 million to First Tee chapters over the next five years.
Going into the weekend as part of Valero Texas Open week, First Tee participants and their families also received free admission to attend the final round of the tournament. Attendees were given event T-shirts and hats and had the opportunity to take a photo with now two-time Valero Texas Open champion J.J. Spaun.
First Tee participants ages 14 and older also had the opportunity to volunteer at the tournament practice facilities throughout the week, giving them an up-close look at PGA TOUR professionals and behind-the-scenes access to the event.
First Tee – Greater San Antonio hosted its 2026 First Tee Games: Going for Gold at the First Tee Learning Center, featuring an Olympic themed drive day full of competition and fun. It followed a traditional drive, chip, and putt format with a First Tee twist, testing participants’ golf skills and life skills. It was a cold morning, but that did not stop our participants from showing up ready to compete, support each other, and have fun.
Congratulations to our winners in each age group:
14+ Division Drive: Mykayla Dick Chip: Makayla Harris Putt: Mykayla Dick Life Skills: Hunter Gates Overall
Makayla Harris
Mykala Dick
Tyler Rangel
12–13 Division Drive: Joel Gonzales Jr Chip: Joel Gonzales Jr Putt: Madilynn Perez Life Skills: Andres Esparza Overall
Madilynn Perez
Andres Esparza
Joel Gonzales Jr
10–11 Boys Drive: Noah Gutierrez Chip: Esteban Dimas Jr Putt: Esteban Dimas Jr Life Skills: Zachariah Enriquez Overall
Every golf parent has watched it happen. Your child lines up a putt, swings with confidence and misses. Maybe their shoulders drop. Maybe there’s a frustrated sigh. And in that moment, you might wonder: Is this good for them?
At First Tee, we’d say yes.
Golf is one of the few sports that puts a young person face-to-face with failure on almost every hole, and that’s exactly what makes it such a powerful teacher. When kids learn to navigate a missed shot, a bad round or a score that didn’t reflect their effort, they’re building something far more important than their game. They’re building resilience.
The scorecard doesn’t lie, and golf’s honesty can be uncomfortable at first. But over time, it teaches kids to take ownership of their performance — a life skill that carries far beyond the course.
At First Tee, our coaches create a safe space where that accountability feels empowering, not defeating. Young people learn that a bad shot isn’t a reflection of who they are. It’s information. It’s an opportunity to adjust, refocus and try again.
What bouncing back looks like
Resilience isn’t about pretending failure doesn’t hurt. It’s about developing the tools to move through it. At First Tee, we view failure as a “First Attempt In Learning,” recognizing there’s always a lesson to be gleaned when things don’t go right.
In First Tee’s curriculum, participants work on skills like emotional regulation, positive self-talk and setting goals, which all come naturally on the course. When a young person learns to take a breath after a bad hole and approach the next tee box with a fresh mindset, they’re practicing exactly the kind of response that will serve them in a tough exam, a difficult friendship or a challenging moment at work someday.
That kind of reflection doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because coaches are asking the right questions, creating space for young people to process their experiences and grow from them.
“We’ve watched Blayze transition from reacting to challenges to strategically managing them,” said Landon and Holly Chapman, parents of First Tee – Indiana participant, Blayze Chapman. “By applying the STAR (Stop, Think, Anticipate, Respond) model, he’s replaced frustration with perseverance and judgment. Whether he’s navigating a double-bogey or a heavy academic week, he no longer lets a single moment define his day. He’s learned to ‘reset’ with a level of composure that most adults struggle to maintain, proving that his character is anchored in something much deeper than a scorecard.”
The role parents play in the process
Here’s something we hear from families all the time: The lessons don’t stay on the course. While First Tee programming is typically delivered in golf settings, the goal is for parents to see their children handling frustration differently at home, in school and in other activities Our aim is for participants to grow in patience and become more articulate about their feelings.
Of course, parents play a big role in that. When your child comes home after a tough round, how you respond matters. Instead of jumping to fix the problem or minimize their frustration, try asking open-ended questions: What was the hardest part today? What would you do differently next time? What’s one thing you’re proud of, even if the score wasn’t what you hoped?
These conversations reinforce what your child is learning at First Tee and help them internalize the idea that struggle is a normal, even necessary, part of growth.
“Golf has given Blayze a quiet, internal confidence rooted in responsibility and integrity,” said the Chapmans. “Through First Tee, he’s developed the social dexterity to engage with mentors and the self-assurance to lead his peers.”
To support First Tee and its efforts to teach life skills and values through golf, consider becoming a Donor Ambassador today!
Tim, a dedicated teen participant of First Tee – Greater San Antonio and the First Tee National Innovators Forum, turned inspiration into action by hosting a life-changing blood drive in partnership with the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.
Through the First Tee Innovators Forum, teens are empowered to develop service projects that create meaningful change in their communities. Inspired by a fellow participant who had organized a successful blood drive, Tim shifted his original project idea and chose to focus on saving lives. As Tim shared, “Knowing my efforts in putting this blood drive together can help save lives really helped inspire me in my choice of my project.”
The blood drive also marked an important milestone for First Tee – Greater San Antonio, serving as the organization’s first blood drive since December 28, 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 goal. Each whole blood donation includes red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, and can save up to three lives, supporting trauma patients, cancer treatments, mothers and newborns, and more. In total, the drive has the potential to impact up to 60 lives.
A key partner in the effort, South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is a nonprofit community blood center that provides blood, plasma, platelets, and other lifesaving components to more than 100 hospitals across 48 South Texas counties. For more than 50 years, the organization has evolved to meet patient and hospital needs with a mission centered on saving and enhancing lives. Tim’s project directly contributed to that mission.
Tim credits First Tee – Greater San Antonio for helping bring the project to life. “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.”
Beyond the numbers, the blood drive reflects the leadership, empathy, and service at the heart of First Tee. Through one teen’s vision and the support of an engaged community, this project became more than a blood drive. It became a powerful example of young people creating real impact.
Reflecting on the experience, Tim shared, “Meeting people from across the country from different First Tees was so fun. The Innovators Forum was my highlight of 2025, and I cannot wait to represent First Tee – Greater San Antonio again.”
Izzy Kornmeyer didn’t know how to hold a golf club when she started at First Tee – Indiana in 8th grade. Now, as a high school senior and varsity golfer, she can’t stop thinking about the game that has completely changed her life.
“Golf has changed me for the better, and I am forever grateful for it,” she said.
Izzy’s golf journey started with Sunday mornings watching her dad and grandpa head out to play. When she decided to try high school golf, her mom signed her up for First Tee, hoping the program would give her daughter the foundation she needed.
That first tournament was humbling. After top-slicing her opening drive, Izzy shot 110. But instead of giving up, she leaned into the challenge. Several summer tournaments and countless practice sessions later, she returned to that same course and shot 83, proving what dedication and perseverance could accomplish.
Now Izzy is preparing to play collegiate golf at St. Thomas University in Miami, where she’ll be a first-generation college student.
Finding her voice
The transformation wasn’t just about golf scores. Izzy arrived at First Tee as a quiet, uncertain beginner who felt out of her element. Over four years, she evolved into a confident mentor and leader who now helps launch new First Tee – Indiana initiatives through the Leaders In Training Program.
Her leadership extends far beyond the golf course. Izzy serves on First Tee – Indiana’s Participant Advisory Council and was chosen as a Youth Deacon at Second Presbyterian Church.
Izzy’s approach to leadership is guided by her faith and the values she’s developed through First Tee. She lives by Matthew 20:26: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
“I now understand that true leadership isn’t about being in control,” Izzy said. “It’s about being present, expressing kindness and prioritizing other people before yourself.”
Whether she’s volunteering in the church nursery, creating encouraging TikTok content or being the first to help others at First Tee – Indiana, Izzy leads with kindness and compassion.
Making an impact
When she’s not competing, Izzy is often watching professional golf, practicing and or giving back to others. In 2024, she attended the First Tee Innovators Forum in Phoenix. During the event, participants plan service projects they execute in their communities. Izzy ultimately collected 700 full-sized hygiene products and $500 for the Julian Center, Indiana’s largest organization supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crises.
Her journey from a nervous beginner who couldn’t grip a club to a confident leader who helps others find their own path proves what First Tee has always known: With the right support, young people can achieve remarkable growth.
For Izzy, that growth has been about more than improving her golf game. It’s been about discovering her voice and leading with kindness – one shot, one challenge and one act of service at a time.
The Wash Tub is proud to support the First Tee Invitational hosted by the Canyon Springs Senior Men’s Golf Association with a special fundraiser benefiting First Tee.
Supporters can purchase a $25 Wash Tub gift card for just $20, and $10 from every card sold will go directly to First Tee programs that help teach young people life skills and the game of golf.
In addition to supporting First Tee, buyers will receive a 20% discount that can be used toward a Wash Tub membership (save $80 on a membership renewal), car washes, detailing services, or merchandise.
First Tee – Greater San Antonio brought families together for two days of golf during its annual Parent-Junior Tournament held March 9-10 at Riverside Golf Course. The event gave participants the opportunity to team up with a parent or guardian and compete alongside other First Tee families in a fun and supportive environment.
The tournament featured four age divisions, allowing participants to compete with others in similar age groups. Younger participants played a 9-hole round, while the older divisions took on the full 18-hole course. The format created a great balance of friendly competition and family bonding, with parents and children working together throughout their rounds. Events like the Parent-Junior Tournament help strengthen the connection between participants and their families while giving them the chance to experience the game together.
At the end of the tournament, teams in each division were recognized for their performance.
Tournament Winners
Age 7-9: Junior: Wesley Griffin Parent: Will Griffin
Age 10-11: Junior: Isaac Garcia Parent: Raul Garcia
Age 12-13: Junior: Kaleb Christ Parent: Tim Christ
Age 14+: Junior: Israel Garcia Parent: Raul Garcia
First Tee – Greater San Antonio would like to thank all the families who participated and helped make the tournament a memorable experience. The chapter also extends its appreciation to Riverside Golf Course for hosting the event and supporting opportunities for young people to grow through the game of golf.
If you missed out for this tournament, keep an eye out for our Thanksgiving Break Parent-Junior event coming up November 23-24. We look forward to seeing even more families join us for this fun and meaningful experience!
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.
Some people find golf. Golf found Coach Shayna before she could even see over the top of the flagstick. Growing up in Unionville, Missouri, Shayna was just 3 when her grandparents cut down a putter and packed her into their three-wheel Harley-Davidson golf cart, heading to their nine-hole course with sand greens.
“My grandparents were intentional about teaching me the game the right way,” she said. “They made sure I understood both the mechanics and the integrity behind golf.”
By 11, Coach Shayna was playing on real grass greens for the first time. By 13, she shot a 79 at the Timber Ridge Junior Golf Tournament in Memphis, Missouri — the best score of the day — with her Grandpa Gary, affectionately known as “Schoonie,” walking every hole beside her.
Blazing her own trail
Golf wasn’t always easy to access, especially for a girl growing up in rural America in that era. There were no First Tee programs nearby, no girls’ golf team at her school and no shortage of moments that tested her resolve. When she was excluded from a Father’s Day tournament because organizers believed there should be “no girls,” she didn’t walk away from the game. She found another way in.
Shayna earned a spot on her high school boys’ varsity golf team — and held her own in the top five all four years, competing weekly for the number one position. Golf was just one chapter in a standout athletic career that earned her 16 varsity letters across golf, softball, basketball and track. Her softball team was later inducted into the Missouri State Hall of Fame.
Finding her way back to golf
Coach Shayna stuck with softball through college, where she earned a degree in psychology before becoming a cosmetologist. Golf took a backseat as she moved to Florida and became a mom of five, but the love of the game never left.
“For years, I mostly daydreamed about it and occasionally hit balls in the yard,” she said. “But the desire to compete and be part of the golf community never left me.”
When Shayna began working with Dixon Golf, a tournament consulting company, the golf world started pulling her back in. The more she played, the more one organization kept coming to mind: First Tee.
“I knew firsthand how transformative starting young in golf could be,” she said.
About three years ago, she met First Tee – Gulf Coast executive director Marty Stanovich and signed on as a volunteer. In the fall of 2025, she achieved her goal of becoming head coach at Fort Walton Beach Golf Club.
The joy of coaching
Coach Shayna’s background is uniquely suited for the work. Her degree in developmental psychology, combined with raising five kids of her own, gives her a nuanced lens when working with young people.
“I know they are constantly growing,” she said. “They are resilient, perceptive and capable of more than they realize.”
With support from First Tee partner, Morgan Stanley, Coach Shayna recently reached another milestone – she attended First Tee’s Level 2 coach training in Tampa, where she learned more about the youth development organization’s Coach Philosophy.
“Being surrounded by others who care deeply about youth development and the game itself was energizing,” she said. “Learning together reinforced that coaching doesn’t have to be done alone.”
A message to future coaches
“My favorite part of coaching is all of it,” Coach Shayna said. “I love showing up, maximizing our time and creating an environment that is both fun and challenging. I see kids as intelligent, capable and full of possibility. My goal is to draw that potential out of them and empower them.”
For anyone on the fence about getting involved with First Tee, her advice is direct: Don’t wait.
It’s rewarding to impact not only children, but the broader community, she said. Almost every class, an older club member stops her or another First Tee coach to thank them for introducing the next generation to the sport they love.
“And that is what First Tee is really about — building the future of the game and the character of the kids who will carry it forward,” she said.
First Tee coaches shape character, build confidence and create supportive environments where every participant feels inspired to grow.
In collaboration with The Harris Poll, our research shows parents believe trained coaches are better equipped to teach new skills, demonstrate a dedication to safety and adapt to the needs of individual children.
Morgan Stanley donates $5,000 for each Eagle recorded at THE PLAYERS Championship to support First Tee’s coach training efforts. Over the last five years, First Tee has been able to send hundreds of coaches to valuable, in-person trainings, where they learn to teach golf and serve as crucial mentors for the next generation.
