Recently held at Papago Golf Club by First Tee – Phoenix, the Innovator Circle: Golf, Leadership & Entrepreneurship event provided meaningful opportunities for teens to discover the game of golf while building essential leadership skills, expanding their networks, and exploring future pathways.
Headquartered at the AZ Golf House, First Tee — Phoenix worked closely with the greater golf community to positively impact tomorrow’s leaders. A highlight was “watching members of First Tee’s Thunderbirds ACE Club step into leadership roles, coaching and mentoring their peers,” said Raquel Romero, Outreach Coordinator for First Tee – Phoenix. These young leaders confidently shared golf fundamentals, offered encouragement, and modeled the communication and character skills they’ve gained through First Tee programming — a powerful demonstration of how youth development through golf creates a cycle of giving back.
Participants also learned directly from Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour players Jaime Lopez Rivarola, Alec Martinez, and Troy Stribling, and gained valuable insights from special guest speakers Daryl and Derek Crawford of Papago Golf Club, who shared lessons on leadership, perseverance, and entrepreneurship shaped by their lifelong connection to the game.
We extend our sincere thanks to the APGA Tour for their partnership and generous giveaways, and to Aspiring Youth Academy for helping create these impactful experiences.
By fostering these collaborations, the Arizona Alliance for Golf and First Tee – Phoenix are expanding access, building confidence, and developing the next generation of leaders who will strengthen both our communities and the game of golf.
