The local chapter of a national organization, First Tee Phoenix “is a youth development organization that teaches values and life skills using golf as the catalyst,” according to Executive Director, Erin McDonough.
Coincidentally, she and her team are currently hosting a national gathering – First Tee Alumni Summit Presented by Gallagher. The event provides opportunities for selected alumni to advance career-building skills by learning from business leaders, thought leaders and First Tee partners about networking, personal branding and team dynamics.
The perfect place to host the event, First Tee Phoenix is thriving. It currently includes 14 golf courses across the Phoenix area for after-school and Saturday practices. Anyone can sign up to yearlong memberships, and McDonough affirmed that affordability is “a key tenet to our program, especially those who don’t necessarily see themselves or wouldn’t otherwise have access.”
The perfect place to host the event, First Tee Phoenix is thriving. It currently includes 14 golf courses across the Phoenix area for after-school and Saturday practices. Anyone can sign up to yearlong memberships, and McDonough affirmed that affordability is “a key tenet to our program, especially those who don’t necessarily see themselves or wouldn’t otherwise have access.”
The program is open to anyone age seven up to the time they leave for college. Welcome to “come as you are,” the program is designed and labeled as a “game changer.” Five key commitments create positive momentum: pursuing goals, growing through challenge, collaborating with others, building a positive self-identity and using good judgment.
Program visionaries brought First Tee to life in 1997, and in 2003 it landed in the Valley of the Sun, taken under wing by The Thunderbirds. Now, more than 800 kids fill 55 classes per week at the 14 on-course locations. What’s more, the local in-school First Tee program trains and provides equipment and curricula for 170 physical education programs, serving more than 100,000 students in 17 districts. Each year, 500-600 of them go to WM Phoenix Open’s RS Hoyt Dream Day to hang around with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Wyndham Clark and Phoenix Suns Cheerleaders.
“Golf is such a big part of our culture here,” said McDonough. “We want to make all kids feel like they belong. Give them a positive self-identity and give them the confidence to show up to a local golf course and know they can be comfortable there.”
Thank you, Erin and the whole First Tee Phoenix team, for preparing the next generation of golfers as well as community leaders.
