Blog Archives - First Tee - Greater Charleston

Quick 9 with Coach Jordan About Volunteering

April 19, 2024 | Volunteer Spotlight

In 2023, First Tee – Greater Charleston provided character-building golf programs to 19,869 kids. 125 generous volunteer coaches helped make that possible… Volunteers like Jordan Lewis, who helps run On-Course Golf & Life Skills classes at Shadowmoss Golf Club.

1. How long have you been a volunteer for First Tee?

I have been a volunteer for 1 year now, starting spring 2023.

2. What does life outside of First Tee look like?

I live in West Ashley with my wife Emily and golden retriever CJ. I work from home as a Data Engineer and have been in Charleston for 4 years, moving here from Atlanta. I love to golf, I love to cook (especially Greek food), take CJ on walks around the neighborhood and to the beach, and to travel and visit friends, I also love going to see live music.

3. What inspired you to become a volunteer?

I wanted to find a way to volunteer my time, and this felt like a great fit with a game I love.

4. What traits have served you well as a volunteer?

I love to play games, whether it be sports or otherwise. I enjoy teaching people things and seeing them grow… And I love golf! I’ve been playing since I had plastic clubs in the backyard with my Dad.

5. What First Tee games or activities do you enjoy most?

I don’t think there’s any specific game I like best (other than end of session golf baseball), but I love when the kids get excited and invested in what we’re doing and in their own progress.

6. What is your favorite Core Value or Life Skill to teach?

Judgement… Getting the kids, who all want to swing as hard as possible, to slow down and understand that you don’t always have to swing out of your shoes has been so cool to see.

7. Are the kids teaching you anything?

They are teaching me patience (haha) and have helped me learn how to connect and teach people who learn differently than I do.

8. What part of programming do you think is most impactful for the kids?

The part I think is the most impactful is probably when they start to see progress. When they start to understand how making a change in grip or swing or etc, they can see the progress and start to put it all together. That’s when they get really excited.

9. What part of programming is most impactful for you?

Same as the kids… I love seeing it click in their heads and how excited they get. There’s nothing better!

A huge THANK YOU goes to the many volunteers who make First Tee programming possible, and special thanks to Jordan for sharing his experience. Please visit our volunteer page to explore ways in which you can help us positively impact the lives of local youth.

Masters Monday with Aubrey and Kelley

April 11, 2024 | Participant Spotlight

Two of our program participants, who also belong to our Teen Advisory Council and serve as volunteer coaches, got a special treat this week thanks to a long-time supporter. Aubrey and Kelly took their first trip to Augusta National on Monday. The sisters visited the practice range, shopped, ate amazing food, walked about 8 miles, and had an opportunity to follow Rickie Fowler for a while…

“My favorite part was seeing golfers in person that I grew up watching on TV. I knew I wanted to see the famous bridges on the 12th hole, and getting to see players like Rickie Fowler cross it was really special.”

– Kelly, First Tee Program Participant

Aubrey (left) and Kelly (right) visit Augusta National

Masters Monday was made even more memorable because it coincided with the eclipse. Aubrey and Kelly received commemorative glasses to take home. Their keepsake is one-of-a-kind considering this is the first time the Masters has been impacted by an eclipse since 1940.

“Seeing the course in real life was even more beautiful than it looks on tv. It was so perfect it almost didn’t seem real.“

– Aubrey, First Tee Program Participant

These memories will last a lifetime, and we are so glad that Kelly and Aubrey could take part in such a special occasion!

100 Hole Golfathon: Meet Our Alumni Team

April 9, 2024 | Alumni Spotlight

Since 2019, the 100 Hole Golfathon has raised more than $600,000 to Keep Kids On Course. Those funds have played a vital role in increasing golf access, providing transportation to those who need it most, and ensuring our character development programs remain free for 97% of participants.

On May 13, 2024, Friends of First Tee – Greater Charleston will take on the incredible challenge of playing 100 holes of golf in one day yet again at Wescott Golf Club to raise money and awareness for First Tee programs. Among them will be All-Star Alumni Maya Timmons and Jackie Freibert.

(Left) Maya poses with First Tee friends, Ricky and Kyle, after certifying Ace. (Right) Maya, Kyle and their childhood coach, Perry Green, pictured at the 5th Annual 100 Hole Golfathon.

Maya is a First Tee alum who participated in our On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program for 12 years. She attended Ashley Ridge High School, certified Ace at First Tee in 2015, graduated high school 2017, and now splits time between working at Topgolf and assisting with our Pathfinder Immersion Program. This will be her third Golfathon appearance and second year captaining a team.

(Left) Seven year-old Jackie poses on the First Tee putting green at Patriots Point Links. (Right) Coach Wayne thanks Jackie for her volunteer service.

Jackie has been attending our On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program for 10 years, and she’s also a volunteer coach at Patriots Point Links. She will be graduating from Oceanside Collegiate Academy this spring and entering Coastal Carolina’s PGA Golf Management Program in the fall. This will be her second year playing in our Golfathon fundraiser.

Pledge Your Support

Maya and Jackie will battle it out with other Golfathon-ers for bragging rights in the following categories:

Most funds raised
Most donor support (number of donors)

They will be out at Wescott Golf Club from sun-up to sun-down, walking, running, and riding 20+ miles—taking hundreds of swings along the way. We’re confident that they have what it takes to stay the course, but it’s going to be a long day. Support from you will keep them going, and it will also help us Keep Kids On Course throughout the year! Funds raised will be used to purchase a NEW bus to transport inner city school groups and Immersion Program participants to enrichment activities. Proceeds will also ensure FREE program access for families in need.

Help Maya and Jackie meet their 2,000 fundraising goal (or better yet, top our fundraising leaderboard) by making a per hole pledge or one-time, flat-rate gift.

Pledge Your Support

New Program Location for 5-6 Year Old Participants Effective Summer 2024

April 9, 2024 | Program Update

With the introduction of an age-based curriculum in 2023, we experienced amazing program growth among older participants (teen participation increased 107% from the previous year). To accommodate a growing number of families on our waitlist without over-extending our generous golf course partners, we’ve made the difficult decision to move our 5-6 year-old programming in Mount Pleasant to an off-golf course setting.

Effective summer 2024 (and for all seasons beyond that), our 5-6 year-old classes in Mount Pleasant will move to the lawn adjacent to Dunes West Golf & River Club’s pool on Friday afternoons. The program will continue to be an introduction to First Tee’s Golf & Life Skills curriculum. Instructors and participants will exclusively use SNAG equipment and focus on important fundamental abilities like balance, flexibility, and object control. Click here to learn more about SNAG, which we also use in our In-School Program.

There will be no change to current programming (spring 2024). The Mount Pleasant program location change will go into effect summer 2024 and will be in effect for all future seasons. Additionally, our Summerville area 5-6 year old classes will remain unchanged at The Club at Pine Forest. Our summer registration lottery for all ages and locations of programs will take place April 29-May 5. Click here to learn more about our registration process.

We are extremely grateful to Dunes West Golf & River Club for allowing us to utilize their lawn and look forward to a fun-filled summer season!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Program Director, Meghan Taylor: [email protected].

Charleston Area Elementary Students Demonstrate Golf & Life Skills at Champions Cup

March 27, 2024 | Program Update

Teams from 16 Charleston Area elementary schools traveled to Wescott Golf Club on March 20th to compete in our annual Champions Cup tournament. This event, which is made possible by Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation and generous community support, celebrates In-School Program participation, and it’s one of our favorites because many of the students have never seen or played on a golf course before.

Photos by Banner Photography

Participating students, who were selected by their PE teacher, demonstrated their knowledge of our Golf & Life Skills Curriculum by competing in 9 golf challenges and 9 core value challenges. Touring professional Kyle Westmoreland dropped by to demo our inflatable chipping hippo and cheer on the kids.

Students also had an opportunity to learn about golf course design from course architect Troy Miller, who redesigned Charleston Municipal.

The following schools, all of which belong to our In-School Golf & Life Skills Program network, participated in Champions Cup:

Mt. Zion Elementary School
Charleston Development Academy
Orange Grove Elementary Charter School
Whitesville Elementary School
Lambs Elementary School
Montessori Community School
Charleston Progressive Academy
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Goose Creek Elementary School
Stiles Point Elementary School
Chicora Elementary School
Julian Mitchell Elementary School
St. John’s Catholic School
Sanders Clyde Elementary School
James B. Edwards Elementary School
Oakland Elementary School

All teams had fun, played well, and exhibited First Tee’s Nine Core Values (respect, courtesy, responsibility, honesty, sportsmanship, confidence, judgment, perseverance, and integrity).

Congratulations to Orange Grove Charter School on finishing third, Montessori Community School on finishing second, and this year’s champions Ashley River Creative Arts! The Ashley River Creative Arts team will be recognized at a special awards ceremony at their school and each team member will be presented with a free set of golf clubs.

Many thanks to the donors, coaches, and volunteers who make Champions Cup possible!

About Our In-School Program & Champions Cup

First Tee’s In-School Program is open to any elementary school in Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County. Age-appropriate equipment, curriculum, training, and coach support is all subsidized by generous First Tee donors. First Tee programming is currently offered in 41 schools, and all schools who join the In-School Network qualify for Champions Cup participation, at no cost.

The Champions Cup tournament is an annual event, presented by First Tee – Greater Charleston in partnership with the Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation. It celebrates In-School Golf & Life Skills Program participation. In addition to creating a feel-good field trip experience that exposes children to a new environment, this event is designed to reinforce core values and interpersonal skills that apply to life beyond the golf course.

School administrators and PE teachers who would like to get involved can email [email protected] to learn more.

Carolinas PGA Awards REACH Retired Professional of the Year to Tom Rader

February 21, 2024 | Press Release

Charleston, SC–Longtime Wescott Golf Club volunteer and beloved First Tee Coach Tom Rader has been named REACH Retired Professional of the Year by the Carolinas PGA.

This distinguished honor recognizes retired professionals who have given back to the game in extraordinary ways by supporting the three pillars of the PGA REACH Foundation—youth, military, and diversity.

Rader, who helps administer First Tee – Greater Charleston’s On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program at Wescott, has introduced hundreds of children to the game of golf and core value curriculum. The benefits of that work extend well-beyond the course, and Rader was recognized for his efforts as First Tee’s Volunteer of the Year in 2015. His faithfulness to the mission of positively impacting the lives of young people is as strong as ever nearly 10 years later.

“Coach Tom was one of our very first volunteers and has been with us for 15+ years,” says First Tee Program Director Meghan Taylor. “We are so grateful for him!”

Rader is also a long-time volunteer for two adaptive golf therapy initiatives at Wescott, PGA HOPE events for veterans/active duty military and the HERO Program for first responders.

Most would consider Rader an installation at Wescott. You can find him several days a week with Ziggy, Wescott’s unofficial mascot, in tow. The pair bring a smile to everyone they meet. And when they aren’t on the golf course, they’re making friends through ATD (Alliance of Therapy Dogs). Favorite ATD volunteer appearances include dog therapy days at local colleges during exam weeks.

About First Tee – Greater Charleston

Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. The 501(c)3 offers on-course, in-school, and community outreach programs that teach life-enhancing values and interpersonal skills through the game of golf. The organization reaches thousands of children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties–19,869 young people in 2023 alone.

PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation

The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, the largest of the 41 sections in the United States of America. Carolinas members across North and South Carolina are committed to serving local communities and growing the game of golf through three pillars–Youth, Military, and Diversity/Inclusion.

Meet Our New Philanthropy Director

February 5, 2024 | Press Release

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Conor O’Rourke as our new Philanthropy Director!

Conor has over a decade of fundraising experience in both independent and higher education sectors. He has dedicated his career to supporting advancement opportunities for young people. Most recently, he served as Director of Development at Rocky Hill Country Day School in Rhode Island and has held various development roles at St. George’s School (Newport, RI) and Brown University. The son of a PGA Professional, Conor developed a keen interest in golf at an early age and benefited significantly from lessons learned on the golf course. He is excited to contribute to similar hands-on learning experiences for youth in the Charleston area.

Conor hails from New England but has strong family ties to Charleston and is eager to be an active member of the community.

Conor enjoys history, cooking, and spending time with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Finley Anne. He also loves to play golf, particularly with pre-1930 hickory clubs that he collects and restores.

Baron and Chandler Win 2nd Annual Mini Mentor Cup

Baron syncs four hole-in-ones to and wins 2nd Annual Mini Mentor Cup at Charleston Fun Park.

January 22, 2024 | Program Update

Thank you to all the mentors, kids, and volunteers who joined us for our 2nd Annual Mini Mentor Cup at Charleston Fun Park yesterday! We hosted 32 mentor/mentee teams who played a best ball format on 36 chilly and challenging holes. Teams submitted their best 18-hole score for a chance to win game cards. 14 year-old Baron, who made four hole-in-ones, and his mentor, Chandler, took home first place with an impressive 18-hole score of 31.

Jack and Trip brought home second place with a competitive score of 37.

All participants played well, and teams topped off the afternoon with complimentary games and go-kart rides, courtesy of Charleston Fun Park and generous donors.

Juan Acevedo Joins First Tee – Greater Charleston Board of Directors

January 16, 2024 | Press Release

We are pleased to welcome local entrepreneur Juan Acevedo to our Board of Directors! He is joining an active group of 19 returning directors, which brings total board membership to 20.

Born in Columbia, South America and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Juan Acevedo developed a passion for athletics at an early age. He was an All-American high school soccer player and went on to play for Ohio State University.

After college, Acevedo ventured to South Florida where he opened several successful businesses. In 1995, he became a McDonald’s owner-operator and was awarded his first store in Ft. Lauderdale. In 1999, he relocated to Charleston, acquiring 7 McDonald’s restaurants and building 3 more stores.

Acevedo recently sold his McDonald’s restaurants but is still involved in the industry as a partner, investing in farm-to-table Mexican restaurants in San Diego (Lola 55).

In addition to serving Charleston Area youth through First Tee, Acevedo has been instrumental in the growth of the Ronald McDonald House Charity Golf Tournament in Charleston, an event that has raised more than $2,500,000 over the last 10 years to help families with children battling cancer.

Outside of work and community service, Juan enjoys spending time with his wife (Lina) and two children (Camille and Lucas).

Game Changers Immersion Program Has a New Name

Pathfinder Immersion Program participants visit College of Charleston for a robotics lesson.

January 1, 2024 | Press Release

First Tee – Greater Charleston is kicking off the New Year with a new name for its golf and STEM enrichment program. The Pathfinder Immersion Program, which launched under the name Game Changers in 2021, will continue providing year-round athletic, academic, and social/emotional support to students grades 6-12. The rebrand, set in motion by a Board of Directors vote in November, simply aims to more clearly communicate program objectives.

“We say it all the time… ‘First Tee – Greater Charleston is Building Game Changers.’ That means all of our programs–immersion, on-course/after-school, in-school, and community outreach–are Building Game Changers,” says Bucky Dudley, Executive Director. “Rebranding the immersion program is just a formality, but we hope the distinction between our tagline and this specific program will help people better understand what we’re trying to accomplish–at an organizational and program level.”

First Tee’s mission is to positively impact the lives of youth by providing structured educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choice through the game of golf. The newly dubbed Pathfinder Immersion Program is merely one tool in First Tee – Greater Charleston’s toolbox.

Dudley says “It’s still the same great program.” That means Pathfinder Immersion Program participants will continue to enjoy a full day of enrichment activities Monday through Friday each summer and Saturday meetups during the school year with all transportation, meals, and equipment provided at no cost thanks to generous donations.

A major component of the program, since its inception, has been and will continue to be professional development and STEM curriculum administered through enrichment partners such as Boeing, Synovus, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, Terracon, Frampton Construction, Main Ocean Logistics, Seafox Boats, and others. Pathfinder Immersion Program Director Lerone Johnson, Sr. says, “Our goal is to expose young people to a variety of educational options and career paths in hopes that they will be prepared to make informed choices as they mature into positive productive adults.”

Pathfinders visit Frampton Construction for a professional enrichment presentation.

The Pathfinder Immersion Program, will continue accepting a new class of rising sixth graders each summer and relies heavily on community support for continued expansion. Individuals who want to explore volunteer or enrichment partner opportunities are encouraged to contact Coach Johnson ([email protected]).

About First Tee – Greater Charleston

About the Pathfinder Immersion Program

The Pathfinder Immersion Program launched in summer 2021 with six students. In 2022, the program earned the Barbara A. Douglass and Dr. William J. Powell Diversity Award from The TORO Foundation and was featured on the Golf Channel. In 2023, program participation increased to 22 students thanks to generous community support and USGA IDEA Grant funding. First Tee – Greater Charleston endeavors to serve more than 50 students through the Pathfinder Immersion Program by summer 2027. Visit FirstTeeCHS.org/pathfinders to learn more.

Join Us for Our 2nd Annual Mini Mentor Cup

Join us for our annual mini golf tournament!

Sunday, January 21
11:30-2:00pm
Charleston Fun Park
3255 N Hwy 17 Mt. Pleasant

Tournament Format: Adult/child pairs will play best ball. Both teammates will play each hole. The team will record the best score. Each team is required to use at least four of the junior participant’s scores.

Teams: A child can team up with any adult (a parent, grandparent, neighbor, friend, coach or mentor). If your child does not have a teammate, please email [email protected]. We have volunteers on stand-by who would love to play!

Cost: Tournament entry is $10 per pair and includes 36 holes. Financial aid is available as needed. Please email Program Director Meghan Taylor to learn more about financial assistance.

Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 12 (Please note that space is limited and openings may fill up before the registration deadline.)

Presented By:

Register Your Team

Thank you for your interest! This event has reached capacity. Click here to join our waitlist.

Keeping Kids Engaged with Proven Teaching Strategies

December 19, 2023 | Coach Spotlight

Our very own Bucky Dudley, who also happens to be a Carolinas PGA Section Youth Player Development Award winner, recently shared some teaching insights with the PGA. Here are his thoughts on the importance of keeping students engaged…

Coaches must ensure their junior golfers are not only taking away an understanding of each lesson but are also enjoying the learning process. I employ a few teaching strategies… The first is ending the activity at the height of enjoyment. While this might sound counterintuitive, kids have a limited attention span. There is a limited amount of time before they get “bored” and their minds wander, creating unengaged participants and an unsafe environment. By only playing for a few minutes before shifting focus, participants will leave the activity with a positive experience and remember how much fun it was to play. They will want more! This also allows for the same games to be played week after week and for participants to see improvement across the weeks. This means that coaches must have at least two games or activities ready for each class. Consider using the change of activity as a water break to help refresh your participants for the next activity.

The second strategy is Play-Practice-Play, especially for older participants or those with more experience. I was introduced to this concept in First Tee Coach Training, and it was an “aha” moment in my professional development. The idea is to create games and activities for participants to quickly start playing after arrival, and to sandwich them around purposeful practice of the intended skill. For example, if the skill is putting, participants may immediately start play of a game where they need to putt the ball into a hole around obstacles. Finding it difficult at first, stopping for instruction and practice, and returning to the game afterwards can allow for improvement and increased enjoyment of the game during the second half.

Finally, the best coaches are master game creators. Drills are boring, but they are a great tool to help learn new techniques or skills. What if you could create games that bundle the skills needed to improve into a game that kids enjoy. Drills become less boring, and your students learn more quickly while having fun. Become a master game creator and your students will reap the rewards.

We may be biased, but we think Bucky’s advice rings true for all educators, regardless of subject matter. Hop over to our programs page to learn more about First Tee curriculum and how we utilize Bucky’s concepts to teach interpersonal skills through the game of golf.