Participants Archives - First Tee

A Letter From Our CEO – Carrie Kimbell

As the calendar flipped to 2025, it marks the 25th Anniversary of First Tee – Greater San Antonio’s (FTGSA) impact in the community and five years since joining the organization. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the organization’s growth and impact as well as look to the future.

In 2000, First Tee – Greater San Antonio hosted its first programming class with 25 participants. Since inception, FTGSA has served over 400,000 youth through our life skills programming, and the community and school outreach programs. Our mission is to build character, confidence, and resiliency through the inherent values of the game of golf. Our vision is to provide low or no-cost life skills programming for all young people, especially those who may not have access or the opportunity to experience this great game.

Since 2020, FTGSA’s impact in the community has grown over 28 times through our various program offerings.

Life skills participation has grown by 85% and program locations throughout San Antonio increased by 61%. True to our mission, life skills programming remains subsidized by 60% for all participants, ensuring that no child is turned away due to financial need, and all necessary equipment is provided.
Our Community Program partners with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and school field trips, grew from just 40 students in 2020 to over 1,100 in 2024. These programs are provided at no cost to the students.
Our School Program, which was halted by COVID, was resurrected and now more than 21,000 students at 62 SAISD elementary and middle schools are taught First Tee Life Skills programming during their PE classes.
Through outreach and intentional programming, FTGSA has seen an increase in the number of girls and minority participants, which reflects a more diverse group engaging in the sport. Nearly 89% of our participants are diverse and 37% of our participants are female. According to the National Golf Foundation (2023) 25% of the junior golf population are non-Caucasian, showcasing our commitment to expanding access and inclusivity.

FTGSA success is made possible by the generous support of donors who believe in our mission. Our revenues have almost doubled in the last five years, enabling our programs to expand 28 times. Our dedicated team and nationally trained coaches, now numbering 36 (up from 14 in 2020), deliver over 120 life skills sessions annually, building character and resilience on and off the course. Volunteers, including over 80 individuals and First Tee junior coaches, are the backbone of our organization, creating a safe and fun learning environment. Guided by our board of directors’ leadership and expertise, we continue to grow and adapt. Their leadership, engagement, and passion have helped transform our organization.

There’s no better way to celebrate our 25th year anniversary than our 30-year lease extension. Planning is currently underway to create a Master Plan, including practice facility upgrades, building renovations, and enhanced program offerings. As a proud member of Brackenridge Park, these enhancements will provide an even better experience for our participants and the community.

This year, we celebrate our legacy while looking forward to an exciting future. With the continued support of our incredible team, donors, coaches, volunteers, parents, and participants, we will strengthen the character of our community through golf and make a lasting impact in the lives of youth and their families.

Cheers,

Carrie J. Kimbell

Riley Yount Receives First Tee Career Achievement Award 2023

First Tee Career Achievement award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a significant and long-standing commitment to the First Tee Program. Recipients are recognized for their contributions and accomplishments on and off the course, awards & recognitions, as well as, their efforts to inspire and mentor young people.

Riley Yount is our 2023 Recipient. Riley has been involved with the First Tee for eleven years and is an Ace Participant. He is currently a senior at O’Connor High School with a GPA of 4.3, a member of the National Honors Society, and Spanish National Honors Society He is a four-time Varsity Letterman, captain of the golf team and been recognized as Golf All-District & Academic All District honors each of the last three years.

Giving back is a key pillar of First Tee, and Riley is proof of this. In each of the last five years, Riley has volunteered over 100 hours for First Tee Programs and events. He created a mentorship program with Youth on Course and TaylorMade Drive Club providing over 40 youth golfers multiple 9-hole on-course lessons in course management and etiquette. Riley was nominated in 2021 by KENS5 as one of 10 kids selected at “Champions for Change” for his commitment to improve diversity & representation in golf.

Riley’s impressive journey at First Tee is marked by many accomplishments and recognitions, as seen on the presentation, all culminating last year at Pebble Beach as well where he played in the Champions Tour PURE Insurance Championship Master Champion, Mike Weir.

2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023: Game Changer Shootout vs. Austin – 4 Years

2019 & 2023: First Tee National Tournament – New Orleans

2022: Awarded “Judgment” Award at Core Values Luncheon

2021: Inaugural First Tee National Participant Advisory Council

2022: Game Changers Academy honoring Joe Louis Barrow

2023: First Tee National PURE Insurance Championship – Pebble Beach Golf Links

Riley, your achievements in golf, academics, and community service speak volumes about your character and commitment. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to the First Tee, and congratulations on all your well-deserved successes. We are excited for the next chapter of your journey, confident that you will continue to make a positive impact wherever you go.

Please join me in congratulating Riley Yount, 2023 First Career Achievement Award Recipient. On behalf of the Kolitz Family Foundation, you will also be receiving a one-time scholarship in the amount of $2,500 towards your college tuition.

Jack Polansky is receiving the Game Changer of the Year Award for 2023

As a sophomore at Churchill High School and the top-ranked golfer on the team, Jack’s dedication to his sport and academics is evident. His 4.1 GPA reflects his commitment to excellence in his studies, while his position as an ACE participant in First Tee showcases his dedication to personal growth.

Jack’s leadership qualities shine through his actions. Despite managing multiple responsibilities including school, golf, and volunteering, he approaches each task with determination, passion, and purpose. In 2023, Jack volunteered over 150 hours not only in summer camps and programming sessions providing mentorship to the younger participants, but also picking range balls in the evenings at the First Tee Driving Range.

Jack was accepted through an application process by First Tee National to attend the Game Changers Academy in Philadelphia, focused on self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. He attended the First Tee National Championship in New Orleans in December. He has played locally in all four Game Changer Shootouts, a Ryder Cup Style Event vs. Austin.

He was recently accepted into the PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership Program) in High school which provides guidance and mentoring for peers and younger children to help develop their self-esteem, drug-awareness and social skills.

Your impact on your peers, community, and the sport of golf is truly commendable, and we look forward to your continued success in the future. Congratulations on winning the 2023 Game Changer of the Year Award. On behalf of the Kolitz Family Foundation, you will also be receiving a one-time scholarship in the amount of $2,500 towards your college tuition.

Wes Helmer: First Tee – Greater San Antonio Ace Participant

Ace participant, Wes Helmer, was selected for three First Tee National opportunities. He speaks about his experience at the First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame and the PGA Superstore Leadership Summit in Montana.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Wes Helmer. I’m a First Tee – Greater San Antonio Ace participant that loves volunteering and working at the First Tee. I’ve been in the First Tee for a little over 8 years now. I got started with one of the summer camps when I was 9. I kept golf as a secondary sport to soccer until I was around 12 and that’s when I went to golf full time. I applied to three events (First Tee National Championship, PGA Superstore Leadership Summit, and the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach) and got accepted into all three.

What was the National Championship like?

It was golf-oriented, and I got to meet a lot of people from around the country and other First Tee chapters with the practice rounds and dinners and the actual rounds. There were around 120 applicants with 24 boys and 24 girls selected.

What did it take to get selected?

They looked at a lot of volunteering outside of golf. A lot of people who apply are good golfers but it’s about what you do off the course; Focusing on volunteer hours and what you do around your community.

What was your favorite part of the National Championship?

My favorite part was definitely the setting being Notre Dame. It was a beautiful campus, and there were a lot of historical things to see; Playing the Warren Golf Course was just a bonus.

What did you learn most from the championship?

I learned about staying in the moment because I had a 10 on the first day and a 9 on the second, so learning from my mistakes and figuring out how to regroup.

After playing in the championship, what was your key takeaway?

After the championship, I really focused on my wedges. Compared to everyone else, I needed to work on them. I also encourage anyone to apply to these national opportunities because they are special.

What was the Leadership Summit like?

The Summit is a camp where a lot of great and highly thought of mentors come together. They instill how they have gotten to where they are and use their leadership skills to instill them to the kids there. It was a lot of journaling and reflecting on the team activities that we did and how those activities and reflecting connect to the real world.

What did you expect?

I expected there were going to be a lot of fun activities, but I did not expect there to be so many team-oriented activities there were and how they would apply to my everyday life.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?

The most valuable thing I learned was through listening to Michael Vick that success comes at different times for people, and it takes hard work and dedication to get there. When you make a mistake, you find a way to improve that and not let it affect you.

Going forward what will you do differently?

I had written when we journaled that I was going to be more involved in my local chapter and try to find a way to possibly work at the PGA Superstore and give back in my free time.

What would you say to someone starting in the First Tee program?

Don’t worry about your golf game as far as results but focus on using those 9 core values in your everyday life because your golf game will eventually come together.

What is the most meaningful core value to you?

My most meaningful core value would be perseverance because I haven’t found success immediately in my life but focusing on being a good person on and off the golf course has helped develop that success even when I had failures.

What are you looking forward most to at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach?

Once again I am looking forward to meeting more people from different chapters of the First Tee and taking in the full experience of Pebble Beach and Spyglass.

Stay tuned to hear all about Wes’ experience at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach.

Kyle Mahan Game Changers Participant of the Year

Kyle Mahan Participant of the Year

Kyle Mahan is a 2022 graduate of Johnson High School and will attend Western New Mexico University this fall on a golf scholarship. He joined the First Tee – Greater San Antonio as a 7th grader and has gone through the program and is now currently an Ace participant. He enjoys helping as a volunteer and mentor to younger participants. Kyle is thankful for the opportunities he has received through the First Tee, which he credits for giving him guidance and support to develop and improve himself. Kyle represented First Tee – Greater San Antonio at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, where he played with San Antonio resident, Cameron Beckman. He also qualified for the First Tee National Championship at Clemson. Kyle was part of the First Tee Leadership Series presented by the PGA TOUR Superstore; (this program exposes First Tee participants to careers in the golf industry). As Kyle looks to the next chapter of his life, the First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to announce him as the 2021 Participant of the year.

Riley Yount: Game Changers Judgment Award Winner

Riley Yount

Riley has been in the First Tee program since the age of 6. Already an Ace participant at 15, Riley is another emerging leader and mentor from our program. Riley was part of the First Tee National Participant Advisory Council in 2021.

In addition to golf, Riley is 3-time Youth Bodyboard National Champion, 3-time Flowboard National Champion, a competitive chess player and aspires to be a golf course architect. Riley is one of our most reliable volunteers and we look forward to his continued dedication to our First Tee Program.

Congratulations Riley! This award was well-deserved! Keep using those Core Values on and off the course!

Dax Spencer: Game Changers Sportsmanship Award Winner

Dax Spencer

Dax is a charming young man who loves everything First Tee. Dax has been a participant for a year now and has registered for every session since joining the program. Dax has forged relationships with some of our older participants and has already expressed attributes of the kids who have gone on to be leaders and active participants in our program. Dax shows the sportsmanship needed to have success at a higher level. Dax loves to read especially about history. He also enjoys music and Star Wars.

Congratulations Dax! We are looking forward to seeing you develop in our program!

Jack Polansky: Game Changers Responsibility Award Winner

Jack Polansky

Jack joined the First Tee – Greater San Antonio at 6 years old as a Tiny Tiger. At only 14 years old today, he is one of our youngest Eagle participants. In addition to golf, he plays basketball, runs track, and is involved in PALS at Bradley Middle School. “Jack is a responsible young man whom I can trust to lead a group of younger participants,” said coach Vinny. Jack understands the responsibility it takes to mentor younger participants, but also the maturity to participate in programs with kids much older than him.

We look forward to Jack continuing in our program for the next several years.

Michelle Lee: Game Changers Integrity Award Winner

Michelle Lee

Michelle has been a participant in our First Tee program for three years. At 11 years old, she has already won over 50 junior golf tournaments around San Antonio and beyond. With her 2 sisters, the Lee girls are some of the most hardworking participants we have. With aspirations to play professional golf, Michelle knows that hard work, integrity, and dedication are keys to success. Michelle enjoys reading and watching golf when not playing and she credits her sisters for her fierce competitiveness.

Congratulations Michelle! Well deserved! Keep up the great work!

Armond Walker: Game Changer Respect Award Winner

Armond Walker

Armond joined our First Tee program almost 4 years ago, and right away, he was a leader. It was evident he is a young man with a bright future ahead of him. He respects those around him and loves helping younger participants with their golf swing. As a leader, the respect he has earned with the younger participants resonates. He has aspirations to play professional golf but would be happy to end up as a successful coach of the game with a dream to one day own his own golf academy. Armond loves fishing and occasional video games in his spare time.

Congratulations Armond! Keep leading the way and using the life skills you’ve learned in the program!

Zayden Broadnax-DeBerry: Game Changer Perseverance Award Winner

Zayden Broadnax-DeBerry

Zayden has been a participant in our First Tee program for a year. Zayden is a fitting recipient of this award for his determination and all around positive attitude. He has persevered through obstacles many would consider insurmountable for a young boy. Zayden shows up and gives his best at every class. Zayden also enjoys playing soccer, coding and video games and aspires to be a lawyer when he grows up.

Zayden is an amazing young man who deserve this award! He has exemplified what it means to persevere and lives out this Core Value daily! Congratulations Zayden!

Riley Lisenbee – Game Changers Honesty Award Winner

Riley Lisenbee

Riley is a fun young man to have at the First Tee. His creativity is evident, and it is no surprise that he enjoys playing the tuba and piano. He dreams of becoming a chef or inventor. His honest approach to practice and building relationships with his peers makes him a fitting recipient of this award. Riley has been a participant for 2 years now.

We are so proud of Riley and all the fun he brings out in everyone. He truly embodies this Core Value Award with his interactions with peers and coaches on and off the course!