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Fort Worth, TX – Kevin Long, First Tee – Fort Worth’s first and only Executive Director, is stepping down from that position but will remain with the organization through 2023. Long came to First Tee – Fort Worth in 2006 from Fort Worth Country Day School where he had served as Athletic Director for the previous four years. Prior to that position Long spent 25 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator in private secondary schools.

First Tee – Fort Worth has grown exponentially under Long’s leadership from a few hundred participants to 48,000 annually through its various delivery channels. The chapter’s first programming site was a field at the east end of Rockwood Park. Today First Tee operates at eight programming sites in the area and has built two Ben Hogan Learning Centers, one at Rockwood GC that is First Tee’s primary location and another at Squaw Creek GC in Parker County. First Tee’s location at Briscoe Elementary School in southeast Fort Worth was the only site nationally on a school-owned property when it opened.

“While we are sorry to lose Kevin as our Executive Director, we are delighted that he will remain a part of our chapter as a consultant,” said Graham Marshall, Chair of First Tee – Fort Worth’s board of directors. “Kevin has built our chapter into one of the premier chapters in the First Tee Network, and we are forever indebted to him for his dedication, hard work, and passion for our mission, participants, and families,” stated Marshall.

Long will remain as Executive Director until a replacement is named. Long has accepted a position as Head Men’s Golf Coach at Texas Wesleyan University, returning to his first love of coaching and working with young people on a team.

“It has been a privilege to lead First Tee – Fort Worth over the past 16 years making a positive impact on young people with our character education and life skills development program through the game of golf. Thanks to everyone involved with our chapter for their dedication and commitment. I look forward to being a part of continued growth and impact and to supporting the new leadership,” said Long. “The opportunity to head up the storied Men’s Golf Program at Texas Wesleyan is another unique and exciting professional opportunity, and I look forward to continuing the culture of success with the young men in our program, both on and off the golf course.”

The week of the Charles Schwab Challenge is one of the biggest weeks for First Tee – Fort Worth! With one of the closest relationships on the PGA Tour, our chapter’s access provides our participants a rare opportunity to get inside the ropes with PGA Tour pros!

Our Caddie Day experiences on the Monday and Wednesday Pro-Ams give participants in our chapter the opportunity to “caddie” for a pro on hole #4 or #13. Participants meet their pro on the tee box and get the chance to ask questions and accompany their pro as they play the hole. This year we saw some amazing interactions including pros letting their First Tee caddies hit shots from the tee, sink some putts, and even carry the bag!

One highlight in particular, found one participant, Naomi Phan, showing off her skills on Hole #4. A female amateur in the group gave Naomi, 12, her driver to hit off of #4 tee box, a par 3. With an unfamiliar club, Naomi knocked her shot on the green, pin high! Naomi’s group was so impressed that they invited her not only to finish out the hole with them, but also walk with them on the next hole. To top if off, her group actually offered to fit her with a driver of her own! Wow! Needless to say, Naomi made a big impression and her group will be interested in following her golf career as she grows! Congrats, Naomi!!

New to this year, Colonial added a new flare to the Wednesday Pro-Am on Hole #13 with free-style rapper, Kelly James! While the rapper had fans and players alike laughing and smiling, one participant got the opportunity to free-style herself! Fernanda, a Diamond Hill High School student who started with First Tee this past year, was given the chance to show off her free-style skills and perform during PGA Tour professional Doc Redman’s visit to Hole #13! Check out her performance here!

We’re happy to be back in full swing, including bringing back our on-course reporters! This year we have Victoria Farkas and Connor Myrick on course getting unique stories from the tournament! See Victoria’s unique experience as a caddie for one of Charles Schwab’s VPs in her article here!

Stay tuned for more exciting news as the Charles Schwab Challenge continues through the weekend!

Experiences are our greatest teachers. They shape how we treat others, how we see the world around us, and how we view ourselves. How we view ourselves is also known as our self identity and is defined as the qualities and potential you possess. It can influence the choices you make, the attitude you have day-to-day, and ultimately, it becomes your inner voice. For youth especially, a positive self identity can have a massive impact on who they become as adults. There are many ways parents can help their kids develop a positive self identity, and at First Tee we pride ourselves in nurturing a positive self identity for youth. Here are three ways you can help your kids develop a positive self identity inspired by our core values. 

Live Your Values

Kids watch and learn from the adults in their lives every day. Studying their actions and responses, they develop their identity based on their guardians and the other mentors in their life. If you live according to the values you want your kids to have, then they are more likely to absorb that into their own independent lives. That being said, having a mentor is a great way to ensure this happens. At First Tee,youth learn from their coaches by:

• Treating others with respect and honesty 
• Experiencing the value of teamwork, not just by being told to act as a team but by witnessing their coach lead with teamwork. 
• Watching their coaches exercise positive self talk and kindness to others around them brings out the best in themselves and their self identity.  

Create a Culture of Acceptance

When there is no room for failure there is no room for growth. Fostering an environment that is not only safe for kids to fail but encourages them to try again, helps kids develop a strong sense of self. Acceptance also transcends just failure; it also means that every person, regardless of their background, is welcome. We work together to actively create a space of belonging for every kid— no matter what walk of life. Through example we encourage youth to accept their team members for who they are, treat each other with kindness, and create that culture of acceptance everywhere, so that when they reflect on themselves and their own identity they treat themselves with the same level of respect and positivity that they give others.

Empowerment Through Experiences

For kids, experiences shape their inner voice that gives them confidence and character. Not all experiences in life are easy, and when we empower youth to persevere and stay true to themselves, we bring out the best that’s inside of them. First Tee exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. As time goes on, that empowerment creates a strong sense of self, and encourages a positive self identity even in difficult situations. 

Though a positive self identity may seem like something only some people are born with, it is really something that can be cultivated through leading by example, an open culture of acceptance, and consistent empowerment through all experiences. What do you want your child’s inner voice to sound like when they grow up? Nurturing their self identity can make all the difference in that. We guide kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action. If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today! 

On Thursday, April 28, World Golf Hall of Famer Dennis Walters and his famed show will perform for the fourth and fifth graders at Edward J. Briscoe Elementary!

The Dennis Walters Show is one of great inspiration filled with amazing trick shots, a dog named Gussie, and a message that when life throws a wrench in your dreams…get a new dream!

We’re grateful to welcome this amazing man and his message to our Briscoe Program Location! This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who has not yet visited the site to come and see the impact our program in the Morningside Community and the huge potential for growth!

Start Time: 1:30PM on Thursday, April 28

Location: 1513 E Morningside Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76104

Each year, a deserving First Tee – Fort Worth participant is chosen to receive this scholarship in honor of a man who loved the game of golf and exemplified the Core Values and life lessons that we teach in our program! This scholarship provides a new set of Ben Hogan clubs to a young man or young woman each year in hopes that David J. Holley’s selflessness and love of the game will continue to be passed on in his memory. This year we were proud to name Victoria Farkas as our participant for 2022! Congrats!

Congratulations to participant Alyssa S. who committed to The University of Texas at Tyler this February to continue her golf and academic career! Aly has had an impressive high school golf career so far and even attended First Tee’s national opportunity: the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach! She has been a tremendous example for our younger participants of what it means to live out First Tee’s core values and how perseverance can help you achieve your goals.

Way to go, Aly! We can’t wait to see your success at UT Tyler in the near future!

February 8, 2022

One year ago, Anay joined First Tee – Fort Worth through her high school golf team. Since then, we’ve seen immense improvement in her golf game but what’s been more impressive is watching her grow as an accomplished and incredible young lady! Anay has been a shining representative of what it means to be a “game changer”. She’s shown perseverance, respect, courtesy and been a go-to person for many existing friends and new ones she has made in this past trip around the sun. Anay made a huge impact in spreading the game of golf throughout her high school as well as to the youth in our community as a First Tee summer coach.

So what did Anay have to say about her year with First Tee?

“I can’t believe it’s been a year and want to thank my First Tee coaches, Trimble Tech coaches, and everyone who has helped me.” Anay

So here’s to you, Anay! Keep on showing us what it means to be a true #gamechanger!

Our very own Samantha Gibbs attended the inaugural First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore! This amazing opportunity included horseback riding, challenge courses, archery, and other outdoor activities and of course…honing in their leadership skills! See if you can spot her in this video from our national First Tee home office which explores the Leadership Summit and the impacts of First Tee!

National registration will open soon but get a head start and complete the first step of registration by registering with us now!

It’s a mystery…it’s a match…it’s First Tee – Fort Worth’s Mystery Match! In this first-of-its-kind event, participants team up with adults in this adult-junior, 9-hole match. What is the format of play? It’s a mystery! All players will find out the format of the match once they arrive on site for the event.

This event will become a new annual tradition where the format of the event will change every year so you’re sure to stay on your toes!

Registration is now open!

When: Saturday, February 12th 2022

Where: Texas Golf Center

Cost: $10 per player

Registration for Spring Classes Opens Monday, January 31st

Yep! Believe it or not its time to plan for Spring! See our schedule of classes and locations at the link below and mark your calendars to get online and register for classes on Monday, January 31st!

Classes fill up fast so signup early to get the class you want!