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First Tee alumni share the advice they’d give their younger selves 

With graduation in the books, many kids and teens are looking ahead to the future. But we asked First Tee alumni to look back and consider the advice they’d share with their 18-year-old self.

David Singh 
First Tee – Tampa Bay
Recently earned his Master in Healthcare Administration at the University of Pittsburgh

“Life is not always gonna stick to the script you’ve got in your head. Sometimes, it’ll throw you curveballs you never saw coming. Roll with the punches, stay flexible, and remember, there’s always a silver lining in every setback. Keep your chin up, ’cause even when things don’t go as planned, there’s still a world of amazing possibilities out there waiting for you.”

Savannah Mansueti 
First Tee – Florida Gold Coast 
Manager of operations at First Tee – Florida Gold Coast

“If I could advise my 18-year-old self, I’d emphasize embracing failure as a key part of learning and growth, seeing setbacks as opportunities to refine skills. I’d also stress the importance of building strong relationships with family, friends, mentors and colleagues for support and guidance. Lastly, I’d recommend prioritizing financial literacy early on, mastering budgeting, saving and investing for long-term stability and success.”

Haili Moore 
First Tee – Greater Dallas
Student at Texas Christian University and entry-level staff accountant 

“Do not allow yourself to settle in relationships, careers, friendships, education, etc. You are worth what you allow to infiltrate your time, peace and space. The thing is though, is that you are worth more than you’ll ever know.”

Jamie Rush 
First Tee – Pittsburgh 
Methodist University marketing student with a concentration in professional golf management 

“My advice would be to live in the moment. We are always wishing for the next big moment and forget to treasure the times that we are currently in. I’m still trying to learn this lesson today. Enjoy every aspect of the here and now, slow down and don’t wish your life away.”

Spencer McIntosh 
First Tee – Tampa Bay 
Director of business intelligence and analytics at First Tee 

“I would encourage my 18-year-old self to be continuously educating yourself whether that be reading more books, taking additional courses or seeking mentorship. I’d also recommend that he build a strong network and surround himself with supportive and knowledgeable people so you can apply those lessons to his passions. Then finally, I’d tell him to pay those gifts forward to the next generation of game changers!”

Srishti Dhurandhar  
First Tee – Metropolitan New York  
Business and technology management student and collegiate golfer at NYU 

“Some advice for my younger self would be to be less afraid to ask for help and make mistakes. I learned the most when things didn’t go according to plan and wish I had spent less time worrying about doing everything perfectly because everything will work out in the end as long as you surround yourself with people you can lean on. “

Are you a First Tee alumna? Learn more about the First Tee Alumni Network.

Where are they now: First Tee National Championship winners 

First Tee returns to Clemson University this year for its 4th annual National Championship. This year’s field includes 24 boys and 24 girls from First Tee chapters across the country to experience what golf looks like at the next level.

In addition to showcasing their skills and perseverance on the course, players will also attend a golf careers panel and a keynote address from First Tee alumnus Gavin Parker. 

This year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamecast, and you can follow scoring on Golf Genius. 

Before we head to Clemson, we caught up with our past winners to see what they’re up to. 

Ashton Harper  
First Tee — Roanoke Valley 

Ashton won the inaugural First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and is now a member of the golf team at Virginia Tech, where he is majoring in business. Ashton said his experience with First Tee taught him valuable lessons in perseverance. “Golf is not a game of perfect, and there will always be ups and downs when playing this game, but they are magnified in tournaments due to the high stakes. I was able to use perseverance to fight these ups and downs,” he said. 

Ashton aims to become an All-ACC player by the end of his tenure at Virginia Tech before going on to play professionally. 

Symran Shah 
First Tee — Greater Dallas 

Like Ashton, Symran won the First Tee National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and now plays golf at Virginia Tech. She studies business and plans to have a career in healthcare administration. 

Hannah Lydic 
First Tee — Delaware 

Hannah won the 2022 First Tee National Championship held at Notre Dame and is now a member of the golf team at the University of Richmond, majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Her experience in the First Tee National Championship taught her patience and perseverance in both herself and her game, she said. 

As a Spider, she’s won awards for golf and academics. “What’s cool about the game of golf is that if you play calm and treat your playing partners with kindness, you will ultimately have a better experience on the course which will allow you to play at a higher level,” she said. Because of her experience with First Tee coaches, she fell in love with golf and now has the goal to become a collegiate golf coach. 

Hunter Swanson 
First Tee — Green Valley Ranch 

Hunter won the First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame in 2022 and is now a business student and member of the golf team at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Hunter lost to Ashton in a playoff at the 2021 First Tee National Championship, which inspired him to have the perseverance to come back and win at Notre Dame and taught him how to be more comfortable in high stress situations, he said.  

As a college golfer, Hunter said the most important lesson he learned from First Tee is confidence. “I find I play more relaxed and have a better game when I practice enough to believe in my abilities,” he said. Since winning the First Tee National Championship, Hunter has made the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, been a Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Week and the Nevada State Amateur runner up. 

Megan Meng  
First Tee — Greater Trenton 

Megan won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and is preparing to begin her college golf career at Northwestern, where she’ll study economics. Her experience playing in the First Tee National Championship challenged her to be hardworking and patient. She said she continues to use other First Tee lessons. “I find that it is important to always apply respect, sportsmanship and courtesy to those you are playing with,” said Megan, who also won the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. 

Recently, Megan was a member of Team USA at the 2023 Junior Solheim Cup and a 2023 Rolex Scholastic Junior All-American. She’s currently in the Top 10 of the AJGA Rankings and plans to pursue professional golf. 

Cooper Groshart 
First Tee — Central Coast 

Cooper won the 2023 First Tee National Championship at Stanford and now attends California State East Bay, as a business administration major and a member of the golf team. Confidence is a First Tee lesson that Cooper keeps with him today while playing competitive golf. His experience in the First Tee National Championship was inspiring, as he saw so many people from different places share the same drive to compete and succeed in golf, he said.  

Cooper played in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur in Charleston. As a freshman, he competed in 12 tournaments with his college team and has been on the dean’s list both semesters. He said his goal is to continue to improve as a player and a person. 

Learn more about the First Tee National Championship.

First Tee College Scholarship Program celebrates first graduating class 

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (May 14, 2024) – Four years ago, President George W. Bush had a big surprise for seven exemplary First Tee participants. First Tee’s honorary chair told the teens they were selected as inaugural members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Now the organization is thrilled to celebrate their graduation. 

“Congratulations to the first graduating class of First Tee College Scholarship Program,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are very proud of your hard work and commitment, and we look forward to watching you move into the next stages of your journey. First Tee is proud to have played a role in your development.” 

“First Tee is family,” said Ricky Lam, a First Tee Scholar who is graduating from Harvard University and pursuing a career in insurance. “Ultimately First Tee is a place where you have such a strong support system to be able to pursue your passions, ask for help, expand your horizons and network so you can be the person you strive to be.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is a need- and merit-based scholarship program through which Scholars receive financial support and access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. Each Scholar is paired with an adult mentor to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful in college and beyond. 

“The First Tee College Scholarship Program really helped me find connections, especially with my mentor,” said Malisone Chanthanpanya, now a graduate student and member of the golf team at Texas Wesleyan University. Mali is one of three Scholars who graduated early to bring the total number of graduated First Tee Scholars to 10. “She was a great resource who I could talk to about not just college and my career but about life. I got to meet a lot of people through the scholarship program.” 

The First Tee College Scholarship Program was launched in 2020, and it recognizes First Tee participants who have shown dedication to academics, community service and their First Tee chapters. It has since grown to include 70 Scholars, with the 2024 class slated to be announced next month.  

Meet the graduates: 

Luke Boldt 
First Tee – Coastal Carolina / East Carolina University 
He has accepted a position as a medical missionary for two years and plans to apply to medical school. 

Malisone Chanthanpanya 
First Tee – Fort Worth / Texas Wesleyan University 
She’s in graduate school and prepping for LPGA Q-school in the fall.  

Jessica Jiao 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Georgetown University  
She has accepted a position with BNP Paribas Bank in its equity capital markets department in New York. 

Ricky Lam 
First Tee–Tri-Valley / Harvard University 
He has accepted a position with Sompo as a commercial underwriter.  

Kelly Low 
First Tee – Fort Worth / University of Texas at Dallas 
She has accepted an offer with Amazon Web Services as an associate solutions architect in Austin. 

Nicole Monsalve 
First Tee – Miami / Duke University 
She has accepted a position with the NFL in its two-year rotation program in New York. 

Sara Rintoul  
First Tee – Central Florida / University of Florida 
She has accepted an offer at Proctor & Gamble as a brand manager in Boston. 

Remi Shendell 
First Tee – Metropolitan New York / Emory University 
She is graduating with a double-major in biology and political science. 

Borina Sutiko  
First Tee – Silicon Valley / Santa Clara University 
She hopes to attend Cal Berkely this fall to earn her master’s in information systems.  

Denise Wei 
First Tee – San Francisco / University of California, Irvine 
She has accepted an offer with PwC in its audit division. 

FORE! the Kids Pro-Am: Register Your Team Today!

Hosted at the fabulous Mira Vista Country Club, this new event will feature teams paired with a local or featured professional and one of our top First Tee teen players in a shamble tournament! Teams will enjoy a fun evening on June 30th featuring a pairings party and unique shopping experience! Then teams will tee it up in the tournament on July 1st!

See the official FORE! the Kids Pro-Am page and register your team today or see our available sponsorship opportunities!

Official Page

Charles Schwab Challenge Opportunities – Sign Ups Available!

The Charles Schwab Challenge is Fort Worth’s biggest golf event of the year and First Tee – Fort Worth gets unique access thanks to our close partnership with Colonial Country Club! Join us for a week of festivities with this annual PGA TOUR event including highlight opportunities like the Youth Festival, Caddie Days, Short Game volunteer signups and more! Check out the opportunities below and sign up fast – space is limited!

Youth Festival – Saturday, May 18 (10AM – 1PM)

Come on out and enjoy our unofficial kick-off to summer with food, live music, various golf activities, booths and more! This is a free event for all families hosted by the Charles Schwab Challenge and First Tee – Fort Worth at Rockwood Park Golf Course. All festival participants will park in the parking lots at Rockwood Park (701 University Dr) and will be shuttled to the course.

Colonial Junior Invitational – Sunday, May 19

This invitation only event features two teams of participants playing in a modified Stableford format around Colonial Country Club’s famous Horrible Horseshoe – Holes #3, #4 & #5. Invited participants will be notified of selections by First Tee staff in the coming weeks.

Caddie Days – Monday, May 20 & Wednesday, May 22

A First Tee – Fort Worth tradition for more than a decade! Participants get the opportunity to “caddie” for a PGA TOUR professional on Hole #4 or Hole #13 during the Pro-Am competition!

Monday Signup
Wednesday Signup

Short Game Area

The short game area is an opportunity for participants and volunteers to gain inside-the-ropes access and firsthand views of PGA Tour pros short game practice sessions. Unique to First Tee – Fort Worth, this opportunity is only available to First Tee participants and volunteers age 13 years and older.

Short Game Signups

Lexus Shuttle Driving

Looking to volunteer to drive the Lexus shuttles? Contact Carlos Guzman at [email protected] to see where you can help!

Samantha Gibbs: Breaking Records

First Tee – Fort Worth alum gave a strong showing at a collegiate event earlier this month! Samantha Gibbs at the recent Vaquero Invitational in McAllen, Texas, March 4-5, where she showed just what girl power means on the golf course!

Samantha, the 2023 FWJGA Girls Champion, dominated with an impressive 12 under total, carding a 68-67-66 for a three round total of 201, finishing 7 strokes ahead of the runner-up. As a freshman, Gibbs broke the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders program record for low round with a 66 and inevitably for 54-hole total with a 201 score. Samantha led the Islanders to a team victory, 9 strokes ahead of second place finishers Abilene Christian University.

Breaking records isn’t unfamiliar to the freshman; she frequently filled the record books in high school at Timber Creek in Keller ISD. With a list of achievements in golf and the classroom, Samantha continues her hard work and dedication to the game and her school work in college.

As a former Junior Advisory Committee President and ACE student, Samantha is a great example of the amazing participants that come out of our First Tee – Fort Worth chapter every year. We wish her luck as she finishes out her first year of college! Shakas up!

Robyn Battles: Outstanding Then and Now

We’re celebrating 20 years of impact in Fort Worth and our surrounding communities! After two decades, we’ve served over 20,000 kids and young adults, and that means lots of amazing stories! Check out this story from our alum Robyn who graduated the program in 2015!

If you were around our Rockwood Park Program Location in the 2010s, your probably heard Robyn’s name! Always a determined and hard-working individual, Robyn’s commitment to everything she did was evident even from her earliest classes with First Tee. As a teen, Robyn joined the Junior Advisory Committee and eventually served as President where she honed her leadership and communication skills. In 2015, Robyn was awarded First Tee’s Outstanding Participant of the Year award which included a $20,000 scholarship towards her college education. It could be said that this was simply an early recognition of her potential that has blossomed into an even more impressive resume during and after her time in college.

Robyn first attended Texas A&M University Galveston where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Maritime Public Policy and Communication, followed by a Masters Degree in International Affairs from The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. During her education, Robyn dedicated herself to learning more about her passions for foreign affairs through various internships and fellowships, expanding her knowledge and experience.

Since her days at First Tee, she has always had a believed in the importance of giving back and selfless service. Robyn certainly exemplifies those beliefs every day as she continues her pursuit of a career in foreign affairs, now with the United States Air Force. Ultimately, Robyn hopes to one day work in a United States embassy oversees and we have no doubt that her goal is well within reach!

We love hearing about our alum success stories and enjoy catching up! Visit our Alumni Page or re-connect with us by emailing [email protected]!

Alumni of First Tee – Fort Worth

Brendan O’Connell: From the Learning Center to the Corporate Office

We’re celebrating 20 years of impact in Fort Worth and surrounding communities! After two decades, we’ve served over 20,000 kids and young adults, and that means lots of amazing stories! We recently caught up with one of our alumni who graduated from college this past year.

Brendan O’Connell was a First Tee – Fort Worth regular and skilled player during his time with our chapter! Taking advantage of the opportunities offered, Brendan was highly involved with our chapter’s Junior Advisory Committee and was voted in as President in his later high school years. Leading a group of your peers is a whole new experience for most teens, but Brendan was able to take those skills and apply them to life later on in college.

Brendan attended the esteemed Cornell University and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management. During his time at Cornell, Brendan was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as President during the 2021-22 school year. Brendan attributes many of the skills he utilized as President of his fraternity as being first developed during his time as President of the JAC at First Tee – Fort Worth.

These days, Brendan works as an investment analyst with CornerStone Partners, and while he doesn’t have as much time for golf as he used to, he stills enjoys the game and playing when he can. Most recently, Brendan scored a 77 on the challenging TPC Harding Park in San Francisco during an outing with clients – proving that he’s still got it!

Our own Coach Chuck connected with Brendan to ask him a few questions about his experience with First Tee – Fort Worth.

Chuck: What was your most memorable experience as a participant?

Brendan: Playing in the 2017 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach.

C: Is there anything you learned while at First Tee that you still use now, golf or life skills related?

B: Goal setting; how to set goals and tackle them one step at a time. More broadly, with each passing year, I realize how much learning to navigate the game of golf can teach us about how to navigate life.

C: How has golf continued to be a part of your life and what Core Value has helped you navigate golf the best?

B: I continue to play golf with friends when I can. Being confident on the course has helped me continue to navigate the game despite not having the time to play as much as I once did.

C: When you think back on your time with First Tee, what stands out the most as something that you looked forward to each time you were in class?

B: I looked forward to challenging myself and improving week after week.

C: If you could give a piece of advice to a participant in our program just getting started or early in their journey with First Tee, what would it be?

B: Push yourself to spend time outside of your comfort zone. In particular, take advantage of leadership opportunities.

C: Which Core Value from First Tee do you see yourself use the most in your everyday life?

B: Responsibility

C: Looking back on your journey through First Tee, what is one thing you wish you would have done more of or better?

B: I always enjoyed getting to volunteer as a coach – learning how to teach young people is a joy and a privilege and there’s no such thing as too much of it.

We love hearing about our alum success stories and enjoy catching up! Visit our Alumni Page or re-connect with us by emailing [email protected]!

Alumni of First Tee – Fort Worth

The importance of embracing differences and different experiences 

February is Black History Month, an important time to recognize the contributions and remember the hardships endured by generations of African Americans. Appreciating diversity and what makes us each unique remains an integral part of First Tee’s DNA year-round.  

“When you bring together people with different perspectives and different experiences, the whole becomes stronger than the sum of its parts,” said Pepper Peete, whose career in golf began more than two decades ago when she established the men’s team at Edward Waters College, an HBCU in Jacksonville, Florida. Peete now helps lead culture and inclusion efforts at First Tee headquarters. 

Access for All 

First Tee has always been committed to reaching kids from all backgrounds and making sure they feel included in our programming. At First Tee we commit to: 

  • Appreciating what makes us different. 
  • Providing everyone ​with what they need ​to succeed, knowing that our needs and challenges may differ. 
  • Creating space that makes every individual feel like they belong and can see themselves reflected.​ 

Collaborating with others – including those who are different from you – is a Key Commitment at First Tee, and it means showing respect, kindness and care for everyone. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation or lived experience, we’re all unique.  

Here are some ways kids can get more comfortable learning about and from others. 

A-L-R is a tool for learning about others 

First Tee coaches introduce the concept of appreciating diversity by explaining that people differ in many ways and are similar in other ways, and we all have strengths and weaknesses. It is important for kids and teens to understand, accept and appreciate their own strengths and weaknesses, but it is equally important they do the same with others. 

Engaging others in conversation doesn’t always come naturally to children, but it can be one of the best ways to form meaningful connections across perceived barriers. A-L-R is a strategy we teach at First Tee. 

  • Ask questions: Invite your child to ask questions to discover more about a person’s background and past experiences, which might provide insight into who they are today and the commonalities they share. 
  • Listen to understand: Introduce active listening by encouraging your child to focus on what others are saying rather than thinking about what to say next. 
  • Reflect and respond: Invite your child to show how they were listening by responding with a thoughtful question or sharing your own thoughts or feelings on the topic at hand.  

Through this exercise, kids might learn they share common interests with someone who looks or sounds different to them. 

Don’t forget that in addition to learning about others, preteens are often grappling with and discovering their own identities. If your family positions diversity as an asset, your child might feel more comfortable being themself.  

Exposing your child to food, music or books from other cultures can help them see the commonalities we share and appreciate that our differences make the world a richer place. You can also discuss the diversity that exists within your own family or community to show that diversity is everywhere, including the golf space. 

“Golf has given me an opportunity to go places I never would have been able to go and meet people I never would have been able to meet,” said Peete, who was married to Calvin Peete, one of the most successful Black professional golfers in history. “I think golf can open up unexpected doors.” 

A lifelong golfer and mother to two daughters who played golf at HBCUs, Peete has seen the sport become more accessible, especially to women, and she believes the golf course is a perfect place to break down barriers. “You get to meet so many different people through golf,” Peete said. 

NTX Giving Day: Thursday, Sept 21

Give with purpose.

Amazon presents the Communities Foundation of Texas 2023 North Texas Giving Day coming Thursday, September 21!

This is the largest single day of giving in the metroplex and one that supports hundreds of non-profits in our area. We are proud to be partnering with the Communities Foundation of Texas once again for this amazing day of generosity!

Please consider joining us on this day with a gift to our Giving Day page and help us raise funds to support that many competitive and non-competitive opportunities offered to our participants! These opportunities provide valuable experiences that promote self-reliance, confidence, perseverance and judgment. Help us keep these opportunities free or low-cost to our families!

Visit Our Page!