Written by Shahbaz Hashmi, First Tee – Greater San Antonio Alumni
Shahbaz Hashmi, a participant at The First Tee of Greater San Antonio and grand prize winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding TogetherSM Essay Contest, shares what it was like playing a round of golf with Tiger Woods at the Wells Fargo Championship Pro‐Am event. The essay contest, created specifically for the 30,000+ teenage participants of The First Tee, celebrates the impact The First Tee has on students across the country and allows participants to express how The First Tee has had a positive effect on their lives. WHAT WAS IT LIKE PLAYING GOLF WITH TIGER WOOD? “I doubt that words can even remotely do justice to how incredible an opportunity this was, but I am going to try nonetheless! Looking back on my experience as this year’s Wells Fargo Succeeding Together grand prize winner, I find myself so thankful for all that has taken place over the past 13 years as a part of The First Tee to shape me into the golfer and individual that I am today. I have truly grown up through the program, and to progress from simply a participant, to a coach and mentor, and now an ambassador for The First Tee truly means the world to me.
Now onto the fun stuff
Every single aspect of my pro-am experience can be summed up into one word – pure.
From the immaculate course conditions at Quail Hollow Club, host of last year’s PGA Championship, to Mr. Woods’ rhythmic, yet powerful swing, to even a handful of shots I hit throughout the day, the round was everything I could have asked for and more. And to be a part of Mr. Woods’ first ever pro-am win is an absolute honor that still hasn’t sunk in yet. One thing worthy of noting is how incredibly warm and welcoming Mr. Woods, his caddie and his manager were. From the moment we were introduced to one another on the range, there was constant chatter (might I say banter?) between Mr. Woods and me about a plethora of topics – from my upcoming AP placement exams to international travel to his junior golf years. Although I got off to a quick start, birdieing both my second and eighth holes, it took a little while to shake off the nerves of playing with the Tiger Woods. With no pars made on my front nine, I didn’t quite steady the ship until the 11th tee, where, as we waited for the fairway to clear, Mr. Woods told me a quick story about what his father instilled in him from a young age: “He would always tell me to swing as hard at the ball as I possibly could, as long as I do two things: one, that I hit the center of the face every time, and two, that I hold my finish every time until the ball drops.” From that drive on, I made it a point to hold my finish, and I quickly returned to my normal ball-striking form, making par on every single hole coming in, including the notoriously difficult Green Mile. The early round nerves seemed to fade away until the eighteenth green, where I was left with a five-foot birdie putt after crushing a drive and flipping a short iron approach. The trepidation of my opening tee shot seemed insignificant to the pressures of knocking in a five-footer amidst a sea of fans – granted they weren’t there to see me. At least I missed it on the high side!
The highlight of our pro-am round (aside from winning the pro-am, of course) came on the seventh-hole, a scenic, reachable par-five with water lining it’s entire left side. Mr. Woods and I were talking about the research and development that went into his new irons, but our conversation soon turned to his putter, famously responsible in part for 13 of his 14 major championship wins. As he lined up his ball with putter in hand, I cheekily asked him, “So what’s the insurance policy on this one?”, which was met with an equally delighted smile. “You wanna roll a few putts with it?” he asked. How could I say no? Not only did I get to use his putter, but he used mine as well!
Thank You
To Mr. Woods, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity, and for making me feel so welcome and so comfortable not only during our round together, but throughout the week. To The First Tee, Wells Fargo and Quail Hollow Club, I cannot thank you enough for affording me the opportunity to play alongside my hero, my idol and my inspiration.” ~ Shahbaz Hashmi
How long have you been golfing?
I have been golfing for one year
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
Playing with my little brother, drawing, swimming, singing, and dancing.
What’s your favorite golf activity?
Red light green light and hitting my irons and putting.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I want to be a Singer or Vet Tech.
What has your First Tee experience been?
Little bit of a challenge. Fun and exciting. Have learned a lot about golf and how to try my best. 
Tell me a little about yourself.
Hi. My name is Stevie Grace Coats and I am 11 years old. I have been in the First Tee program at Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels, Texas since 2018. I just started 6th grade and enjoy being challenged academically. I have a serious love for family, horses, chickens, cats and dogs and would love to grow up to be a farmer. Yes, a farmer! In addition to playing golf, I also compete in a summer swim league and am a proud Schertz Stingray. I also enjoy dance, gymnastics, spending time with my grandparents and playing with my sister and four cousins – Dalton, Julianna, Hazel and Flynn.
What has your First Tee experience been?
The experience at First Tee has been amazing!!! I feel very blessed to have made a ton of friends and have learned a lot about life through playing golf. My coaches, especially Coach James, have encouraged me to try my hardest and have helped me learn a lot about the game of golf.
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
If I am not playing with my sister Lauren, you will find me sitting at the kitchen table drawing. I mainly focus on drawing people, but lately have been creating my own cartoon animals.
How did you get involved with the First Tee?
My grandfather, who we call Crypa, encouraged us to get involved with golf and told us about First Tee. Then, Meemaw and Pa Jack bought me my first set of clubs.
Between school and your activities how does First Tee aid in your success?
First Tee has taught me the importance of living life with integrity, how to be a good sport when things are not going your way, and that it is important to encourage those around you.
What are your future goals?
In the future, I want to spend more time around horses, become a better golfer and be the type of person that others look up to. 
Tell me a little about yourself.
My name is Carter Gasparovich, and I am 12 years old. I am a 6th grader at Danville Middle School.
What is your First Tee level, and how long have you been with the First Tee?
I’ve been participating in First Tee for 3 years and I am in Par level.
What is your favorite accomplishment in golf so far?
My favorite accomplishment in golf is to drive the ball well and to get on the par 3s with my first shot.
What has your First Tee experience been?
At First Tee, we learned about the rules of golf, how to grip and swing the club, and how to be respectful of others all while having fun playing games. I enjoyed getting together with my friends each week on the golf course during First Tee.
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
This summer, I had fun playing golf with my parents, go-karting, fishing, and visiting my grandparents. I also enjoy playing on a basketball team and participating in Boy Scouts.
How did you get involved with the First Tee?
My mom learned about the program through one of her friends. I decided to try the program because several of my friends were participants, and I thought it would be fun to try a sport that my parents also played.
Between school and your activities how does First Tee aid in your success?
First Tee has taught me about golf and also about how to be supportive of other people.
What are your future goals?
In the future, I would like to play basketball in college. 
What is your age, First Tee level, and how long have you been with the First Tee?
Hi, I’m Amber Veliz. I’m 11 years old and I’m a Birdie participant. I’ve been with the First Tee ever since I moved to San Antonio in 2018.
What is your favorite accomplishment in golf so far?
My favorite accomplishment is starting and finishing tournaments. I’ve been playing on and off since I was three, so the fact that I can show what I’ve learned so far really excites me.
What has your First Tee experience been?
My experience with the First Tee has been amazing! One of my favorite parts about it is I can move up levels because it shows me that I’m improving.
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
Outside of school, I really like going places, whether it’s going to the store or going to Six Flags. But one of my favorite things is practicing golf, because I love seeing myself improve when I work hard.
How did you get involved with the First Tee?
My dad heard about the First Tee on the Golf Channel and he really wanted me to join but we didn’t live in San Antonio. Once we found out we were moving here, he immediately signed me up and I’ve been with it ever since.
Between school and your activities how does First Tee aid in your success?
The First Tee has really helped me improve as a person, to be more outgoing and friendly when I meet new people, and it also has prepared me for real-life situations.
What are your future goals?
For me, like lots of other young golfers, the dream is to go pro. I have no idea what I want to do as a career, but I know that I want to be happy doing it. 
We couldn’t wait to share with you our participant blog this week to highlight one of our favorite Tiny Tigers, Rylie Singleton! You can catch Rylie swinging her clubs out at our Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club location or impressing us at one of our Girls Golf summer tournaments. She has impressed us numerous times over this past year with her golf skills and with her ability to always have fun both during practice and on the course. We love having her in our classes and can’t wait to watch her progress through the First Tee program!
Hey Rylie, tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Rylie Singleton, I’m 6 years old and I started playing golf with my dad! I’ve been with First Tee for almost a year as a Tiny Tiger at Hyatt Hill Country Golf Resort. My experience with First Tee has been great!
What is your favorite accomplishment in golf so far?
I’m most proud of winning the two tournaments I’ve played in so far.
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
Outside of school I love to draw, play golf, and play video games.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’d like to play golf in college while I go to school to become a doctor or video game designer. 
We’re happy to highlight one of our favorite Eagle participants this week, Jules Mahan. Jules is one of our most dedicated and very well accomplished First Tee participants and is such a friendly person to have around. You can often catch her with her brother Kyle hitting balls on our driving range!
My name is Jules Mahan and I am 13 years old. I will be an 8th grader at Alamo Heights Junior School this year. I am starting my 5th year in the First Tee and I am an Eagle level participant.
My favorite accomplishment in golf so far is winning the STPGA Tour Championship twice and qualifying both times for the Texas Junior Cup Team, where I helped the Southern Texas section defeat the Northern Texas team on both occasions. When I won the Tour Championship the second time, I shot 3-under for the two day tournament and won in a playoff.
I love being a part of the First Tee. I have made some great friends in my time there. I have also gotten to learn from some awesome coaches and mentors. I am at First Tee – Greater San Antonio almost every day, either practicing and working on my game or volunteering with the younger classes.
Outside of school, I love to play golf (obviously), hang out with my family and friends, play with my three dogs Bo, Belle and Bridget, and watch TV. My favorite shows are The Office, Parks and Rec, and anything related to Star Wars.
I got involved with the First Tee when we moved to San Antonio five years ago. My older brother Kyle is also in the First Tee, so we joined together. My dad has been a high school golf coach for almost 20 years, so I have been around the game my whole life. I love being able to learn more about this awesome game. First Tee has helped me become a better person on and off the golf course. It has helped me be more of a leader and also more responsible.
My future goals are to win some golf state championships in high school then go on to play college golf. In college I want to study business or film and maybe even be a writer. I know that a big reason for anything I achieve will be the lessons I have learned at the First Tee! 
My name is Zach Petter and I am the oldest of four kids, I have been homeschooled my entire life by my mom who was a teacher and would not give up a minute of it for any other school experience. I love playing/doing anything in the outdoors and have played 5 different sports on a team in my life (golf being my favorite of course).
I am 18 (I just graduated this year from high school), I have made it all the way to the EAGLE level, I have been with the First Tee about eight years.
My favorite accomplishments in golf have been representing team First Tee – Greater San Antonio in the Game Changer Cup and winning my match to get our team a point for out total team victory, I was nominated for Participant of the Year in 2019 and gave a speech about my First Tee experience. Competitive golf was something that came to my life my sophomore year so I haven’t played competitive golf for too long but during this last year of competitive play I have placed top 10 in every STPGA tournament I’ve played in for the 2021 season.
My First Tee experience has been very important to my development of the person I am today, some of the most important things that the First Tee has taught me are self-confidence and perseverance in achieving my goals both small and big, I also act as a volunteering coach on Saturdays as well as a summer intern for the summer camps.
I like to do all things outdoors, I am very active in my church band I play guitar almost every week and I love every minute of it, I’m very much into doing activities with my family and friends and spending time with them playing games and hanging out.
I first got involved with First Tee when my family moved here to San Antonio in 2010, my dad heard about it and signed me up and we haven’t looked back since.
First Tee aids in my success by providing me opportunities such as meeting new people, by teaching me and preparing me for a future job and how to interact with people in professional settings, for teaching me the importance of the nine core values and having a go-to team.
My future goals are to attend a prestigious university and receive a bachelor’s degree (I’m still undecided as to what specifically right now).
I have received my Citation award from the AWANA’s program I was in at my church, it’s the highest award possible to receive and it took 10 years of work to get. 
My name is Riley Yount. I just turned fifteen and I will be a sophomore this fall. I just recently certified to the highest participant level the First Tee offers. I am officially an ACE level participant. I have been with the First Tee for EIGHT years!
What is your favorite accomplishment in golf so far?
There have been so many favorite accomplishments in golf for me but some that really stand out are winning the individual and team middle school district championships in 2019 and winning the individual and team state TCSAAL middle school championships in 2018. More recently, I was excited to letter in Varsity Golf as a freshman and play in every school varsity tournament. In the last week, I posted my three lowest competition golf scores ever- so improving my golf game is definitely my favorite accomplishment!
What has your First Tee experience been?
My First Tee experience has been beyond AMAZING. The First Tee has helped me grow my golf game but it has also helped me in all areas of my life. I have learned to be a better leader and a better student. I have made life-long friends, and it has helped me to truly understand the importance of building a “GO TO TEAM” for my life.
I have also had many wonderful opportunities that I am so grateful for. I filmed a First Tee National PSA with PGA Pro Jimmy Walker (who I see every year at the Valero Texas Open and says “there’s my co-star” every time – so cool). I have also taken a First Tee group picture with the Valero Texas Open Champion for the last four or five years- which has become a very cool tradition for me. I hope to still take a pic with this year’s VTO champion Jordan Spieth (we missed it due to Covid). I also had some national playing opportunities including a National First Tee Tournament in New Orleans in 2019, and the opportunity to play in the First Annual National Youth Hickory Sticks Tournament in Austin Texas earlier in 2021. I also had the privilege of representing our local chapter in the First Annual First Tee Game Changers Cup in late 2020 sponsored by PGA Pro Abraham Ancer. Our team captain was another PGA tour player, Bobby Diaz, who I have kept in touch with and has become a mentor to me. But the greatest opportunity so far I think has been the honor to be selected as a member of the inaugural National First Tee Participant Council. Through this national opportunity, I am able to use my voice to represent San Antonio and Texas with National First Tee leadership! I will be attending our first in person meeting this month in Florida where I will have the opportunity to meet the National First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. I have also been told we will get to play a round of golf at TPC Sawgrass! A dream come true. SO as you can see, my First Tee experience has been phenomenal, and I am truly grateful for all of the opportunities it has given me over the years. I am so appreciative of all the First Tee staff who have impacted my life in so many ways. I am especially grateful for First Tee of Greater San Antonio Executive Director, Carrie Kimbell; program director Greg Klemm and program coordinator Brittany Taylor (I am just getting to know our new program manager MJ Resendis and program ambassador Vincent Kabaso). Their support and guidance have been instrumental in my continued participation and success with The First Tee of Greater San Antonio.
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
My favorite activity outside of school is called FLOWRIDING. I “surf” on an artificial wave on a body board or a flow board and do “tricks.” I compete and travel all over the country with this sport and have won three national championships in youth bodyboard and two in youth flowboard. I also love to play football and soccer. I love traveling with my family (well pre-covid). First Tee has also given me the opportunity to volunteer as a Junior Golf Coach, and it has become one of my favorite activities. I especially love our “Tiny Tigers.”
How did you get involved with the First Tee?
I was lucky to get involved with the First Tee when I was six years old. I had attended my first Valero Texas Open and had become intrigued with the game of golf. We so happened to go ride the zoo train by the First Tee Polo Field shortly after, and we saw all these little kids playing golf. My parents and I immediately knew we had to go check it out! The First Tee Staff said I was too young and had to wait until I was seven… but I think we “snuck” in a little early since they did not check my driver’s license, lol. I was hooked and have been so lucky to have been a participant all these years.
Between school and your activities how does First Tee aid in your success?
I think First Tee has helped me in my overall success by giving me “structure” with some life skills processes. We all know the things to do….be better students, be better community leaders, etc., etc. but the First Tee Life Skills Program- I feel not only gave individual life skills specific names -but provided specific examples to each core value and lesson. By using golf as an example, it helped me solidify the meaning (and importance) of so many life lessons. When you are a little kid, some of these words are just that- words. You think you get it, but now I know sometimes you really don’t understand at first. First Tee helped me by relating life on the golf course (which came easy to me) to life out in the world! It also progressed as the years went by and the lessons built on one another and became even more relevant. I truly feel like the First Tee Core Values are the building blocks of my life now: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy, and Judgment. I draw upon them almost daily and they continue to help shape every aspect of who I am today.
What are your future goals?
My immediate goals are to do well in school, continue to contribute to my community with volunteer work and continue to grow my golf game. I would like to play collegiate golf at a D1 university (maybe LSU or Stanford?) and eventually make the PGA Tour. I am also interested in studying sports management or maybe landscape architecture focusing on golf course design. 
Alexander Brady is one of our Tiny Tigers participants out at our Landa Park Golf Course location in New Braunfels. He is 6 years old and will be going into 2nd grade in the fall. This Spring session was Alexander’s first session in the First Tee – Greater San Antonio program. Alexander is a great kid to have in class who can hit his driver a mile!
How long have you been golfing?
I have been golfing since I was 3 years old.
What has your First Tee experience been?
It was great, and I liked it a lot. I really appreciated my coaches for all of their help, and I can’t wait to learn more from them.
What are some activities you like to do outside of school?
I like to play with my Mom and Dad, especially golf.
How did you get involved with the First Tee?
We were new to the area, and my parents signed me up.
What’s your favorite golf activity?
I really like putting and driving the most.
What’s your favorite lesson you learned in class this session?
I had fun trying to hit the targets.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I want to be a scientist and help people in need and be a professional golfer.