First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to announce that Israel “Izzy” Garcia and Leo Uresti have been selected to participate in the 2026 First Tee Innovators Forum, taking place November 15-19 in Amelia Island, Florida.
The First Tee Innovators Forum brings together passionate teens from across the First Tee chapter network who share a desire to learn, collaborate and make a positive impact. Through interactive workshops, small-group sessions and conversations with industry leaders, participants explore how innovation and problem-solving can be used to address real challenges in their communities.
Throughout the forum, teens will develop a meaningful community service project focused on education, health, human rights or environmental sustainability. Participants will learn from case studies featuring organizations such as CapTech and Constellation, then use those lessons to develop and pitch their own service project ideas.
The opportunity has already created meaningful impact for First Tee – Greater San Antonio. Last year, teen participant Tim Petter took what he learned through the Innovators Forum and turned inspiration into action by organizing a community blood drive in partnership with the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.
Inspired by a fellow Innovators Forum participant who had organized a successful blood drive, Tim shifted his original project idea and chose to focus on saving lives.
“Knowing my efforts in putting this blood drive together can help save lives really helped inspire me in my choice of my project,” Tim said.
The blood drive marked an important milestone for First Tee – Greater San Antonio, serving as the organization’s first blood drive since December 2020. With 23 community members signed up to donate, the drive exceeded its goal of 18 units by collecting 20 whole blood donations, reaching 111% of its goal. Each whole blood donation can potentially help save up to three lives, meaning Tim’s project had the potential to impact as many as 60 people.
Tim credits First Tee – Greater San Antonio for helping him turn his idea into reality.
“I wouldn’t have a location if Ms. Carrie Kimbell hadn’t graciously let me host it at the First Tee. Coach Steve Lennon has been an amazing encourager, helping me with both minor and major details of the blood drive. The First Tee has helped me be more confident in myself and my skills. I wouldn’t be able to tackle this project without their support.”
The project demonstrated exactly what the Innovators Forum is designed to accomplish: giving teens the tools, support and confidence to identify a need in their community and create a plan to address it.
For Izzy, being selected for this year’s forum represents another meaningful opportunity in his First Tee journey.
“Being selected means a lot to me and my journey because First Tee has offered me so many opportunities to grow as a person and chase my dream of becoming a professional golfer,” Izzy said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to meet my peers and to share ideas, and learn other ways to make a positive impact in our communities.”
Leo is equally excited to connect with fellow participants and learn from their experiences.
“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this Forum, and have the chance to meet new people, and exchange new ideas,” Leo said.
The Innovators Forum focuses on two key commitments: collaborating with others and pursuing goals. Participants will strengthen their ability to communicate the purpose of their community service projects while developing problem-solving skills they can apply both academically and professionally.
The experience also gives teens the opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders and turn ideas into action. Past Innovators Forum projects have included environmental sustainability initiatives, mental health awareness campaigns and inclusive golf programs designed to reach underserved populations.
The impact can continue long after the forum concludes. Teens who develop and execute some of the most impactful projects have the opportunity to earn stipends to support their educational goals after high school. In 2024 alone, more than $25,000 in stipends were awarded to participants.
For Tim, the Innovators Forum became a defining experience of his 2025 First Tee journey.
“Meeting people from across the country from different First Tees was so fun. The Innovators Forum was my highlight of 2025.”
Now, Izzy and Leo will have the opportunity to build on that legacy as they represent First Tee – Greater San Antonio at the 2026 Innovators Forum in Amelia Island, Florida, November 15-19. Their selection is an opportunity to continue developing the leadership, collaboration and problem-solving skills that will serve them both on and off the course while exploring new ways to make a difference in their communities.
First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to see Izzy and Leo take this next step in their First Tee journeys and looks forward to seeing the ideas they bring to life.