When Mannat Dhillon first picked up a golf club in second grade, she had no idea it would shape the person she would become. Like so many First Tee participants, her journey began during her very first session at First Tee – Greater San Antonio.
Golf quickly became more than just a sport. Mannat loved spending sunny afternoons playing different courses with her brother, turning every round into a friendly competition. Through First Tee, she discovered not only a passion for the game but also a community that made learning fun.
As she entered high school, Mannat competed on her school’s junior varsity golf team during her freshman and sophomore years, earning several medals along the way. Over time, she realized what she loved most about golf was not competition. It was the relationships the game created. Golf became something she enjoyed sharing with family and friends, and that shift led her to become more involved as a volunteer at First Tee.
Coaching younger participants opened a new chapter in her journey. Whether working with Tiny Tigers or helping younger classes, Mannat discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring others. Watching young golfers grow in confidence reminded her of the impact First Tee had on her own life and inspired her to give back to the next generation.
One experience that left a lasting impression came during First Tee’s Speaker Series. As a freshman in high school, Mannat heard from Dr. Schmidt, whose message about hard work resonated deeply with her.
“He told us that he wasn’t the smartest person in the room, but he was willing to outwork everyone else,” Mannat recalls. “That really stuck with me because it reminded me that success isn’t just about being the smartest. It’s about putting in the work.”
The Speaker Series also showed her something unexpected. The game of golf could open doors far beyond the course. Meeting professionals from a wide variety of careers helped her explore possibilities she had never considered and ultimately inspired her to pursue Public Health at The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. Today, she hopes to continue on to medical school and eventually work around the world, helping bridge healthcare equity gaps in underserved communities.
As she prepared her college applications, Mannat found herself reflecting on the experiences that had shaped her most. Her volunteer work with First Tee became a central part of her essays, highlighting how serving others helped her discover both her career path and her commitment to community.
Along the way, she developed skills that will stay with her for life. From connecting with accomplished professionals to encouraging five-year-olds taking their first swings, First Tee taught her how to communicate with people from every background and every stage of life. She also learned leadership, patience, integrity, and the importance of meeting people where they are.
Looking back, Mannat credits the people behind the program as much as the program itself.
“The staff at First Tee is extremely amazing and is a huge reason why I love First Tee,” she says.
From a second grader taking her very first golf lesson to a future physician preparing to make an impact on communities around the world, Mannat’s story is a powerful reminder that First Tee helps young people build confidence, character, and life skills that extend far beyond the golf course.
