First Tee
First Tee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the stated goal of improving children's life skills through golf lessons. Based in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, the organization claims to teach more than 3.6 million youth annually through programs across the country and internationally. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan serves as chairman of the board of governors, which is composed of business leaders. Former President George W. Bush serves as the honorary chair; he succeeded his father, former President George H. W. Bush, who served from 1997 to 2010.
First Tee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the stated goal of improving children's life skills through golf lessons.[1][2] Based in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, the organization claims to teach more than 3.6 million youth annually through programs across the country and internationally.[3][4][5]
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan serves as chairman of the board of governors, which is composed of business leaders.[6] Former President George W. Bush serves as the honorary chair; he succeeded his father, former President George H. W. Bush, who served from 1997 to 2010.[7]
History
[edit]First Tee was founded in 1997.[8] Started by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, the organization began as a partnership among the PGA Tour, PGA of America, LPGA, USGA, and the Masters Tournament Foundation.[9] The goal was to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids.[10]
In 2019, First Tee became a nonprofit corporation, PGA Tour First Tee Foundation.[11] First Tee has featured in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event played annually in September at the Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California.[12][13]
Demographics
[edit]The participants of First Tee are children aged five to 18, with participants progressing through the program over time.[14]
First Tee School Program
[edit]Since 2004, First Tee claims to have trained educators at more than 10,000 elementary schools to teach physical education courses.[15][16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation Inc - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Pga Tour First Tee Foundation | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL | Cause IQ". www.causeiq.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Sharma, Aryan (2024-02-25). "Capital One's The Match 2024: Exploring This Years 'First Tee' Charity Event". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Loberstein, Adam. "80 First Tee teens selected for PGA TOUR Champions' PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach". www.pgatour.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Youth golf classes offered at Blue Heron Golf Course through First Tee Foundation". Snoqualmie Valley Record. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "PGA TOUR About the Commissioner". www.pgatour.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "President George W. Bush: The First Tee's Honorary Chair Talks to Golf Channel". First Tee. 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ "The First Tee: 'There's an opportunity here right now'". GolfDigest.com. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (1997-11-14). "GOLF; Golf's Leading Groups Start an Ambitious Expansion Project". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "About First Tee". First Tee. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ Smits, Garry. "Arthur Blank Family Foundation, PGA Tour Superstores make $9.5 million grant to First Tee". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Ferguson, Janice (2023-09-22). "Pebble Beach Is Hosting Another Coveted Pro-Am This Week, With an Eye on Future Stars". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Learning from the pros at the PURE Insurance Open impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach". Golf Advisor. 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "The First Tee". palmergolf. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Admin. "The First Tee Offers Golf, Life Lessons to Next Generation". Myrtle Beach Golf. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Federal Hill Preparatory Academy". www.baltimorecityschools.org. Retrieved 2024-06-14.