Karla Garcia was born on March 11, 2002, in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico.
She moved to Novillero, Nayarit at the age of 4, where she spent almost eight years with her maternal grandparents. She worked in her grandparents’ vegetable field during those years, planting, picking and selling vegetables. Karla and her older sister immigrated to the Coachella Valley in 2013 where their mother and stepfather lived.
Karla’s stepfather enrolled her in the First Tee in the summer of 2013 when she was 11. It was there that she learned how to play golf for the first time. Karla didn’t speak English and couldn’t understand a word the coaches said to her but she enjoyed striking a small ball with a club.
Karla started working as a lead instructor with the First Tee in 2021, and she enjoys passing on her knowledge to other young children. Karla has recently accepted the position as outreach coordinator, and she is extremely excited to be able to work and grow with First Tee.
Karla is also a student at the College of the Desert where she is pursuing a degree in golf management. Karla intends to continue working with First Tee in order to make a positive impact on the lives of children.
A mantra I live by is when one door closes, it’s because it wasn’t meant for me. When I am redirected, I’m reminded that this is where I’m supposed to be. At 13, if you would have told me I would be playing golf I wouldn’t have believed it. Luckily enough, I was unknowingly signed up for the after-school program at my school by my dad. At first, my reaction was negative, and I told him, “Golf? Only old people play golf! I don’t want to go!” Nonetheless, I went because my dad told me to go and try it for at least two weeks. The classes were only once a week and were located at a small 9-hole course near the school. So, the first day of classes I get on the bus to go to the course and was greeted by Coach Katie and Coach Ron. I remember being shy and nervous about playing since I was one of the few girls in the session. Despite being shy I recall the coaches being welcoming and kind to me.
After the first day, I had changed my mind and wanted to keep coming back to First Tee. My mom kept taking me because one, I enjoyed playing and two, she knew it would help me in the future. Once I was consistent with the after-school class, I started attending Saturday sessions with the program at another nearby course. Here I met different coaches and other participants of the program. Sadly, the course I first started playing at was shut down and I moved to the newer course indefinitely. At the same time, I was also donated my first set of brand new golf clubs from the program because I didn’t have a set of my own. Being left-handed, the courses I played at had far and few between left-handed women golf clubs.
As the years went on, I had gone to several different courses with the program because the sessions would end with those courses. Along the way I met several coaches and other participants in the program. Come to think of it, I think I kept coming back because of the positive atmosphere when it came to learning and growing as a player in golf. Not only that, but I appreciated the kindness every participant had shown me despite being such a reserved person. By moving around different courses I also learned how to make friends which helped me learn how to blossom in new environments.
I mention a positive atmosphere because of one of my earliest memories in the program. I was being taught by Coach Ron and he had told me I had potential to grow as a player, and in that moment that was the first time I was ever told that by a mentor. The memory of that moment is so vivid that I remember I was learning how to putt on the practice green at an old course that no longer exists. Ten years later and I still hold onto that memory to this day, because it made me realize it’s important to instill positivity into mentees and that words have impact. From then on, I learned that having a good mentor, coach, or leader is much more powerful than I had even realized. Eventually, once I graduated high school, I had started my first job with the First Tee. I was a junior coach at a course by my house and this was my first experience with being a mentor for children in the program. I’m grateful for this because it showed me that I enjoy teaching children and like to find different ways to help them understand what they are learning. Today, I’ve been put into positions where I teach my peers and even my superiors.
The same year I graduated high school was the first year I applied for the First Tee – Greater Dallas Scholarship. I didn’t fully understand the importance of the scholarship because I am a first-generation college student within my family. I took it for granted and didn’t realize how much of a privilege it was to even receive the reward from my chapter. All I knew was that it was something I had to do, because it would help me pay for college. Once I received the award the first time, it hit me that this was something serious and shouldn’t be taken for granted. So, every year moving forward I made sure I turned everything in on time and got all my recommendations from mentors and professors I had over the years.
When I first started attending Tarleton State University, I had changed my major from nursing to environmental engineering after my first year. After my first semester, I made the dean’s list for perfect grades. As for the reason I switched from nursing to environmental engineering, I truthfully wanted to change the narrative that there aren’t many Latinas in STEM, and I wanted a different challenge that involved being outside because I love nature.
In my second year, the first semester I was the president of a Latina-founded sorority and in several other clubs. Yet, in the spring semester, the COVID-19 pandemic had begun and most of my classes had gone virtual. At this point, none of the clubs were active and I was no longer president. That following fall, all my classes were online, and I failed every single class. With classes being online, I felt as though I didn’t have the self-discipline that I have now that would’ve allowed me to pass those courses – let alone taking math or engineering courses online. I am a student who must be in the classroom to learn efficiently. Failing an entire semester was the lowest point in my college career. Although slowly but surely, with each following semester I finally got to a point where I didn’t fail any classes.
Due to failing that entire semester, my graduation had been pushed back further than I expected. So, I retook all the classes I had failed and had the best semester of my college career in the fall of 2022. The highlight of one of my hardest classes was making a 100 on a midterm for water resources. I mention this because two years prior I would’ve never imagined myself scoring that high in an engineering course. Thankfully, throughout my time in engineering courses, I had made friends who all wanted each other to succeed. I’m more than grateful for the group of friends I made in the engineering program because it was such a positive environment. We all wanted each other to grow in school and in the real world. Honestly, if it wasn’t for my group of friends I made, I wouldn’t have gotten through the engineering program as smoothly. Not to mention, the two professors in the program that taught me throughout my degree. Both have seen me grow as a student and person, as well as seen me fail and succeed. Anytime I had a question they were there for me and always uplifted me when I didn’t feel accomplished.
While in college I had several internships, and my first internship was in a lab on campus. Here, I learned how to test water for bacteria from wells in the nearby area. After this, I got my first engineering internship in Brownwood for the Texas Department of Transportation where I learned how to make maps for the state using a program called ArcGIS Pro. From my time in Brownwood, the next year I decided to intern again through TxDOT but in the Galveston office. In Galveston, I learned how to design projects that would be put out within the next couple years. It was even more interesting because I was working on a project that involved the road I drove on to go to work every day. I say that it’s interesting because I felt like I was working towards something that would impact the community I lived in, in a positive way.
Currently, my adult aspirations include graduating with my bachelor’s in environmental engineering and receiving my licensure to become a professional civil engineer in environmental and water resources. Being a First Tee participant has helped me complete my bachelors by providing the opportunity to receive the First Tee Scholarship of the Greater Dallas chapter. Along with the tools to make long-lasting connections and being able to persevere despite hardship. Playing golf at a young age taught me patience early in my life and that good things truly take time when it comes to my goals and aspirations. I’ve had many mentors in my life and have even come to a point where I’ve become a mentor to people in my life. I know I’m only just starting when it comes to my career, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me. I enjoy being in a state of constant growth because that means I’m where I’m supposed to be.
Bella Villarin has plenty of experience writing the news. But next week, she’ll be making it as a participant in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions event that will air on Golf Channel.
A senior at Coronado High School, Bella is a First Tee – San Diego participant and captain of her school’s golf team. She took up the sport 13 years ago and now boasts a +0.8 handicap. Bella is also an accomplished journalist, having published more than 200 articles as an intern for The Coronado Times.
Now 17, Bella has already traveled the globe and experienced diverse cultures.
She originally joined First Tee – Hampton Roads in Virginia when she was 4, but later her family moved to Singapore where her father was stationed for the military. The four years Bella spent in Singapore were longer than she had ever lived in one spot, and returning to the U.S. was difficult, she said.
“There were vast differences between Singapore and San Diego. The food, the people, the weather – nearly every aspect of our lives were brand new,” she said.
However, one thing carried through: Bella continued to play golf in each of the places she lived.
Bella became involved with First Tee – San Diego when her family moved back to the U.S. through her cousin, Reece, who is a First Tee – San Diego and Harvard alumna. One of the things Bella has enjoyed most about First Tee is getting to meet kids from different backgrounds. She’s met participants from Somalia to Ukraine, and she’s been able to serve as a mentor and mentee.
“I have made countless friendships and lifelong relationships with fellow golfers, coaches and volunteers,” she said.
Off the golf course, Bella completed more than 100 hours of community service in 2022, and she volunteers with the American Red Cross. She is also president of her school’s Days for Girls Club, which supports women and girls in developing countries by creating reusable feminine hygiene products that allow them to attend school during their menstrual cycles.
Along with the other 79 First Tee participants in the tournament this week, be sure to cheer on Bella as she competes in her first PURE Insurance Championship.
Hello, my name is Nathan Vertes. I was honored to participate in the 2023 First Tee PGA TOUR Superstore Leadership Summit last week at your beautiful West Creek Ranch and felt like I needed to follow up on my thank you note. I have never seen such a beautiful place. I met wonderful people, experienced awe inspiring adventures, took risks and learned many new skills. When I was asked to participate in the Leadership Series at your PGA TOUR Superstore last spring, I had no idea how much it would help me for my volunteer mission with a nonprofit called Project Zawadi. The five-week Leadership Series gave me some answers I was seeking and helped me dig deeper into myself to come up with new ideas that I could implement. After the Montana Leadership Summit, I am even more motivated and realize how I CAN make a better, larger impact now and far into the future.
I became involved with Project Zawadi when I was in 7th grade, about 5 and a half years ago. One day my mom and I stopped at a park and saw a lady named Rhonda Barona getting aluminum cans out of the garbage. With my curiosity piqued, I asked her what she was doing and she said that she was helping build schools in Tanzania. She mentioned that there were 150 boys with only one teacher, writing in the dirt with sticks due to lack of educational material, and that girls didn’t attend because they had to walk for water all day. Project Zawadi made it possible for all the kids to attend school by building classrooms and school facilities and donating supplies. Last year, they installed pipelines in four villages for running water. Many of the kids walk five miles to school each day and are required to pick up two sticks so they can build a fire to cook their one meal for the day. The teachers and students planted gardens so they can feed themselves and provide surplus food to their families.
Since 7th grade, I have been collecting aluminum cans out of recycling bins in the neighborhoods around our house. Along with Rhonda, we take them to the recycling center and get $.50-.60 cents per pound. Last year was our best year yet and we collected 4,000 pounds of cans, which was a little over $2,000.
Originally, I figured collecting cans was a way to make money without asking people for donations, but as I was getting older and busier I realized it is too time consuming with endless hours of gathering, crushing and delivering cans for little return. To be successful in my school work, sports and other philanthropy ventures, I needed to work smarter. My tactics evolved throughout the years, and I was always looking for ways to do better. For instance, last year I spoke to the manager of Madison Green Golf course, where my high school practiced and they gathered cans for me for a short time until it took too much time from their workers and needed to stop. I was appreciative for the help they gave me.
After the Leadership Series, many of the exercises we did started triggering more ideas for me. I felt more confident and became more vocal in asking for donations. In several instances it led to people giving me donations. In the summers, we spend time in Michigan, a state that has a mandatory $.10 deposit on cans. With this in mind, I created and distributed flyers, and people provided me with cans by the bag full, making significantly more money than in Florida. I turned to social media, and with my posts, more and more people started saving their cans for me. I approached businesses and started writing to foundations. Obtaining a larger donation hasn’t panned out yet, but thanks to the values learned at the Leadership Summit, I know perseverance is key and that I will be successful in these endeavors.
I look forward to one day visiting the schools so I can volunteer in person. I realize how lucky I am to live in America, where education is a basic right. Every child in the world deserves an education and to have all of their basic needs met so they can learn skills to help lift themselves out of poverty. By working hard, going to college, networking on the golf course and having a successful career, I will be able to help a lot more kids. For right now, I will be bold and keep taking action by working hard and doing my best. I really appreciate all that First Tee and your organization has taught me and I will work toward becoming a person who can give back more and more throughout my life. Thank you for being such a blessing to all of us young golfers and to so many people!
Tate Reid started playing golf with his dad when he was just a toddler. Now he’s a high school junior preparing to play with professionals at the PURE Insurance Championship, where 80 First Tee juniors will play alongside PGA TOUR Champions players at Pebble Beach.
He’s excited and a little nervous, he said. “Getting to experience playing with PGA TOUR Champions pros on these amazing courses, that’s what I’m looking forward to,” said Tate.
Tate is a junior coach at First Tee – Manhattan, where he shares his love for the sport with younger participants.
“I think I just enjoy the desire to get better and improve yourself,” he said. “When you hit good shots, it’s fun. You just keep coming back for that feeling.”
Golf helped Tate get through a difficult time when he was younger. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 8, just a month after moving to Manhattan, Kansas. He went through over three years of chemotherapy but is now in remission. “Golf just made me feel like a normal kid again,” he said.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which was created to highlight the importance of investing in lifesaving research and supporting those families who’ve been touched by the disease. Acknowledging his own experience is important to Tate because he believes it might help children in the future.
Tate’s mom said First Tee – Manhattan was a safe place for her son during his illness. “It’s such a great program,” Amy Reid said. “It doesn’t matter your level as far as skills, everyone is so encouraging. When Tate was in treatment, we had to be careful with him being exposed to germs and his coaches were fantastic about keeping an extra eye on him.”
She’s proud of how Tate has overcome challenges but not let them define him, she said. “He’s kind of a quiet old soul, super responsible guy who doesn’t like to have the spotlight on him but works hard and excels at what he does,” she said.
In addition to golf – Tate has an +0.1 handicap and works at a local golf course – he also plays trumpet as section leader in the pep band.
You can watch Tate and the full field of 80 juniors competing in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship on Golf Channel, Sept. 22-24.
Esther Etherington is a First Tee Scholar, a collegiate golfer at Franklin College and an inspiration for athletes everywhere.
She was born prematurely at 26 weeks, weighing less than 2 pounds and blind in her right eye. Esther spent the first two months of her life in the NICU, where she survived heart surgery at just three weeks old.
She spent much of her early years in that hospital, and a tumor was found in her bronchial tube when she was 5 years old. As a result, a third of her right lung was removed and Esther would spend the next five years of her life returning to the hospital for check-ups.
Despite all odds, Esther joined First Tee – Indiana when she was 12 years old and not only fell in love with golf but thrived in it.
She overcame obstacles many golfers never have to think about, like needing a range finder for every shot due to limited depth perception, but quickly rose through the ranks and held the No. 1 spot on the Richmond Bowie High School team for three years. Her determination brought her to state twice, in addition to four sectional team championship wins and three all-conference selections. She set her mind to her goals, and nothing could stop her from achieving them.
Esther’s success both on and off the golf course is undeniable.
In 2021 she was recognized by the Indiana High School Golf Coaches Association and awarded the Mitchel J. Winger Courage Award. This award recognizes an individual each year who has contributed to the success of their high school golf program and overcame a physical impairment or medical condition. Esther was the first recipient in her high school’s history. Although the award recognizes her accomplishments in golf, all anyone could talk about was how incredible she was as a teammate and person.
After making waves in her high school golf community Esther still wasn’t finished.
She recently finished her first year of collegiate golf at Franklin College where she was awarded WGCA (Women’s Golf Coaches Association) All-American Scholar Honors. At a tournament in April, she scored a new career-low round and topped the Franklin College leaderboard.
For Esther, the sky is the limit.
Esther was chosen as a member of the 2022 First Tee Scholar class where she is awarded up to $5,000 per year towards tuition and paired with a mentor to help guide her through college. Esther is using this to pursue an undergraduate degree in elementary education with the eventual goal of receiving a graduate degree in special education.
Esther has been overcoming challenges since she was born and has done so with grace and resilience.
As a mentor in her community and First Tee Scholar, she continues to inspire all those who encounter her. First Tee is proud to recognize all that Esther has accomplished thus far and celebrate everything she will accomplish in her future.
Zayla White joined First Tee – Greater Austin when she was 8 years old at a time when golf was largely male dominated.
When her parents first enrolled her in camps, she was one of few girls there, but she didn’t let that deter her and took an almost immediate liking to golf.
“I thought it was so cool that you can be your own boss. All the work you put in is a direct correlation to what you see on the course. You can take ownership of your own success,” said Zayla.
Many of the people she met in that first camp are still her friends to this day and have supported her from that initial day on the course.
As she moved through the program, Zayla got to see the growth of girls golf firsthand. According to the National Golf Foundation, the percentage of women golfers has increased by more than 20% since 2000, and girls like Zayla have been paving the way.
Through golf Zayla found her dream school, Savannah College of Art and Design, where she plays on the collegiate golf team.
“Getting a scholarship into college [for golf] is one of the biggest things that I don’t think I would’ve been able to do without First Tee. Every area of my life has been touched by First Tee and golf in some way,” said Zayla.
Zayla is a rising senior this year and continues to pave the way for young golfers following in her footsteps.
“It’s not uncommon for me to be one of the only girls at the range and definitely one of the only women of color. More and more I’m seeing young girls get into it and more and more girls like me,” said Zayla.
“Breaking those stereotypes and saying, ‘Yes, I’m a young woman of color in this game and that’s okay.’ We can still succeed and break down these barriers. Being a little bit of representation for some of the younger people who might not know that it’s possible to get into golf is really important.”
Zayla still volunteers at First Tee – Greater Austin where she grew up whenever she is home in the summers, especially in their programs aimed at young women.
When asked what advice she has for that next generation of girls pursuing golf she said, “You can be one of the first in your community or one of the first people to break a barrier. Getting into it and knowing you can be comfortable in something new is important.”
Zayla is studying industrial design and will start her senior thesis soon. She hopes to incorporate golf into it as she looks towards the end of her college golf career. Her priorities now are enjoying her final year with the girls on her team and making it to nationals, again.
There’s no doubt in her mind golf will continue to play a large part in her life even after she closes out her final year.
“When I first showed up to golf camp when I was 8, I was really scared, I didn’t think it would turn out this way. Trust yourself and have the confidence that whatever comes your way you are prepared, and you might find some unexpected surprises in your life,” she said.
When he was born, no one would have thought that Lev Abramson would become a golfer. His path to golf was borne out of necessity rather than choice.
Lev was born without a functioning left thumb and with a misshapen hand due to a congenital abnormality called a hypoplastic thumb. His parents consulted numerous pediatric hand surgeons across the country who issued recommendations ranging between four reconstructive surgeries to a single surgery with intensive occupational therapy.
Lev’s parents opted in favor of the least invasive approach when one team of hand surgeons remarked that Lev showed an early level of tenacity, suggesting he could learn how to build connections between his brain and his hand without as many surgeries.
Lev had a single surgery as a toddler and started intensive occupational therapy. As part of the therapy, Lev was handed a plastic golf club in order to teach his brain and hand to communicate. He was enthralled by the club and the ball, and together it was his favorite form of intervention and play.
Occupational therapy sparked his love for the sport even before he could say the word “golf.”
By nine, he had won his first golf tournament.
Some might perceive his birth difference as an obstacle, but Lev indicates that it taught him the most important lesson of all: perseverance.
While he experienced pain and cramping and had to give up his love of playing catcher for his baseball team due to the risk of high velocity pitches jeopardizing his weak hand, he never got discouraged and maintained a devotion to golf.
When he joined First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountain and was introduced to First Tee’s values, he finally had the words and the framework to express how he had been living his life and coping with his differences.
“Having First Tee in my life from a young age allowed me to solidify my commitment to perseverance and understand its key importance to how I play golf and how I live life,” remarked Lev.
Now, as a junior golf coach and Players’ Club assistant coach, he utilizes his experiences to positively impact other students when they are struggling.
While his difference is not as visibly obvious now as it was at birth, it remains at play underneath the surface.
Lev still experiences pain and has to approach every club grip with an extra level of intention and brain-body communication but is proud of his progress emotionally and physically.
“While my life and golf trajectory would have been simpler with a normal hand, I would not have learned the vital importance of perseverance and I appreciate First Tee for providing this framework. When situations get tough, I find a path forward and use frustration as fuel.”
Jordan Hall found her home at First Tee – Triangle during a college internship.
As a sports management student at North Carolina State University, Jordan heard about First Tee through her school’s job board. After interviewing at multiple other places, she said that First Tee was the only place that felt right.
“I walked in, they welcomed me, I felt that same sense of home and I knew that the program, the life skills, and development that kids were receiving as a result of being involved in First Tee was so similar to how I was fortunate to grow up.
The opportunity to be a part of that and think that it could be a career for me was really awesome, and I’ve been here ever since,” said Jordan.
Jordan’s passion is coaching and youth development. She is now the vice president of programs at First Tee – Triangle where she did her first internship seven years ago.
Jordan is currently pursuing a master’s degree in parks, recreation, tourism, and sport management from NC state. She explained how she’s learned to grow through challenges and lean on those around her.
“Starting grad school and balancing a full-time schedule and trying to find the balance between that and my personal life has been difficult.
I’ve been able to lean on my friends and my peers for support, but also finding strength in routine and [using] some of the things I’ve learned through the game [of golf] to help me off the course as well as help me find that right balance,” Jordan said.
Even with her busy schedule, Jordan still prioritizes her time with First Tee. She especially enjoys seeing participants that she taught in middle school go off and play in college or pursue their dreams and come back to the chapter to share all that they’ve accomplished.
“There are so many little moments that over time add up to really big moments. In a lot of cases, it’s the kids you don’t realize you’re impacting,” she said. “You didn’t realize in the moment that you were impacting that child’s life.”
Jordan continues to positively impact the participants at First Tee – Triangle and teach them the same lessons that help her to grow through challenge in her own life.
This week a group of eight participants from across the country joined the staff at First Tee Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, as part of the Participant Advisory Council. This group not only acted as representatives for their respective chapters, but for the thousands of participants in First Tee. The council shared its thoughts with First Tee leaders about various business operations like programming, social media, technology and participant events. First Tee values the opinions and counsel that participants can offer.
“Being able to represent my chapter and my age group and all the participants in this program which I love is so amazing. I totally recommend [applying for PAC],” said Lorelei O’Donnell of First Tee – Fort Worth.
The group was chaperoned by two First Tee alumni, Sara Diaz and David Singh. Sara is an alumna of First Tee – San Antonio and continues to work in golf. She was even a part of the first Spanish-language stream on PGA TOUR Live during the 2023 Mexico Open. David Singh is an alumnus of First Tee – Tampa Bay. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh where he works as a graduate administrative assistant at University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers.
Members of the 2023 Participant Advisory Council:
Maya Fitzgerald, First Tee – West Michigan
Maya has been involved with First Tee for eight years. As a member of the Participant Advisory Council, she wanted to help grow the game of golf and emphasize inclusion.
Cayden Leslie, First Tee – Tennessee
Cayden has been involved with First Tee for five years. He aimed to provide insight into creating an improved teenage curriculum that is clearer and more engaging for participants.
William Liu, First Tee – Greater Seattle
William has been involved with First Tee for six years. During his time as a member of the Participant Advisory Council, he aimed to use his experience as a student and coach to provide a first-person perspective on the participant and coach experience.
Whitley Shields, First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C.
Whitley has been involved with First Tee for six years. She’s passionate about teenage retention at First Tee chapters.
Kaylee Nguyen, First Tee – Gulf Coast
Kaylee has been involved with First Tee for five years. She joined the PAC to increase the focus on promoting diversity, specifically in the availability for participants to offer unique perspectives to overcome problems and spark new ideas.
Lorelei O’Donnell, First Tee – Fort Worth
Lorelei has been involved with First Tee for ten years. Her goal with her time on the Participant Advisory Committee was to update the ACE program – First Tee’s capstone project program – and explore how participants will reach ACE level.
Ethan Selvers, First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Ethan has been involved with First Tee for eight years. His aim as a member of the Council was to help relay First Tee’s message of diversity and equality, and how important it is to the success of First Tee.
Jiali (Bennie) Zhu, First Tee – Orange County
Bennie has been involved with First Tee for five years. He aimed to expand First Tee’s reach to youth across the nation as well as attract and retain student volunteer coaches.
As First Tee continues to grow, we look to participants and alumni for innovative ideas and feedback to ensure we are meeting the evolving needs of today’s kids and teens. First Tee thanks the 2023 Participant Advisory Committee and all who continue to carry on the mission and commitments of First Tee year-round.
“PAC can only be described as innovating, enthralling and empowering.” said Kaylee Nguyen.
More information on the Participant Advisory Council can be found here.
Marlo Zamora, a participant from First Tee – Greater San Antonio, is one of 24 exceptional high school seniors who will join First Tee’s Scholar program in 2023.
Marlo has been playing golf for 12 years, and 10 of those have been spent at First Tee – Greater San Antonio.
“I really love the First Tee program because I feel like it’s one of the only programs out there where the program actually grows with you instead of you outgrowing the program,” said Marlo.
Marlo credits First Tee for introducing her to some of her lifelong friends, teaching her how to set and accomplish her goals, and establishing many of the values and morals she lives by today.
One of her biggest goals was to find a college where she could balance academics and sports. Trinity University in San Antonio was the perfect fit for her.
Marlo loved Trinity, but was hesitant in getting her hopes up about attending there. Like many high school seniors, she was worried about its high academic standards and expensive tuition, she said. On top of that, she was hoping to play collegiate golf.
After speaking with an alumna of the women’s golf team at Trinity and hearing about her great experience, Marlo’s mother encouraged her to pursue it.
Shelby DeVore, the head women’s golf coach at Trinity University, watched Marlo play at the Texas Junior Golf Tour’s Swing for the Cure.
“I ended up shooting lights out good, and right afterwards she ended up offering me the spot [on the team]. It was nice to see my years of hard work in golf pay off,” said Marlo.
On her signing day in February, all the people she was close with from First Tee – Greater San Antonio surprised her at the signing to celebrate her accomplishments.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.
In May, members of the 2023 First Tee Scholar Class were invited to join an online meeting under the impression that they would be completing a final group interview. Instead, they were met by First Tee ambassador and current PGA TOUR player, Austin Smotherman. He surprised all of them with the news that it was not a real interview, and they were all chosen as Scholars.
“It was the day before my birthday, and it was the best present I could have had. This scholarship means a lot to me because it will help me achieve my academic goals and pursue my dreams of being a computer scientist,” said Marlo.
Marlo hopes to one day be a cyber-security engineer. Through the First Tee Scholar program, she will be paired with a dedicated adult mentor who will help to encourage and guide her throughout the next four years and beyond.
“What’s so special about this scholarship is they provide a lot of mentorship, and you can’t really find that with many other scholarships. Being able to talk to someone and ask for advice is something that money can’t buy,” she said.
“I’ve been working with First Tee for over 10 years now!”
Position with First Tee: First Tee Tennessee Program Coordinator
How long with First Tee: I have been with First Tee – Tennessee since I was 15 years old (became a level one coach at 17 years old); 10 years over all!
Why you joined the First Tee: I joined First Tee to learn about the game of golf! My dad really wanted me to try another sport other than softball and golf was next on my list. My dad found First Tee and I have been here ever since!
Your favorite memory so far with First Tee: I personally do not have one favorite memory with First Tee. My favorite memories include all the relationships that I have built over the years with the participants and their families. The love and support I have received from each of them has made my time with this program unforgettable. I hope to continue making these memories in the future!
If no one had heard of First Tee before, what would you say? First Tee is an incredible organization to get your kids involved in golf! Golf can be a hard sport to learn, but First Tee makes learning golf knowledge and skills fun by incorporating games and activities that are essential and engaging. First Tee is a great environment for young children to get out of their comfort zone and make new friends, while enjoying the game of golf. Not only does First Tee offer golf, but we also incorporate life skills in our curriculum that the participants can take on and off the course!
What would be your 3 tips of having Fun with Intention/examples of how:
1) Create fun, engaging, and age-appropriate activities; for example, “Hungry Hungry Hippos” for putting, “Frogger” for chipping, and Golf Baseball for pitching and full swing. All these games are somewhat familiar and can be played individually, groups, and in teams.
2) Have incentives or rewards to provide motivation to participants!
3) Socializing; for example, giving participants the opportunity to socialize with each other and coaches to build relationships. This leads to participants to be more comfortable, allowing them to be open and engaged throughout their classes.
