2009 9 Core Value Award Winners

Our own Elena Warren, a First Tee of Greater Austin student, and now a mentor for other youth, was the subject of a recent feature article in the Austin American Statesman. Elena has qualified as an individual in the UIL Class 5A state golf championships for the fourth consecutive year.

As one of the most insipring event of the year, over 500 dynamic Austinites come together to honor local community members who embody and exemplify The First Tee's Nine Core Values. Individual tickets, tables (of 10) and sponsorships are available at a range of prices. Register today before it sells out!

My name is Cody Ireland and I am 12 years old. I’m in the 7th grade and have been home schooled for the last two years. I joined the First Tee program in November 2007. Currently, I am in the Eagle class. I enjoy playing golf because it can be played year round with my family and friends.

"So I went in to The First Tee of Greater Austin event today not knowing much about the nonprofit. Hung up on the millionaires and celebrities. But talked to staff, volunteers, kids and a mom. WOW. Where do I sign up my kid?" GivingCity Austin | March 1, 2011

Our January Student Spotlight features Zach Clark, a 9-year-old 4th grader at Austin Discovery School.

Ashley is now majoring in Golf Management at Sam Houston State University, plays on the Sam Houston Golf Team and works at Wolfdancer Golf Club.

The First Tee of Greater Austin was featured on local TV station YNN throughout the day on Wednesday, November 2nd: Life in Action: Teaching life lessons through golf - YNN - Your News Now Life in Action: Teaching life lessons through golf.

A mentor for The First Tee of Greater Austin for several years, Warren loves the kids and the kids clearly love him too, often requesting to be in his student group

Congratulations to Stephen Maiello of Austin, TX for winning to The Greater Austin Golf Tour Giveaway

Thanks to Build a Sign, the Harvey Penick Golf Campus and The First Tee of Greater Austin offices have beautiful new state-of-the-art signage.

The Austin American Statesman focuses on Manor ISD and board member and Superintendant Andrew Kim's extraordinary vision.

View our our monthly Newsletter archive. Subscribe to stay informed of upcoming events, student accomplishments, and general updates for the Austin Chapter of The First Tee.

Join us Saturday, October 22nd at 2:00pm for our Fall Golfing Ghouls Tournament at The Harvey Penick Golf Campus. Only 9 teams can ride carts, so register now!

Two new PLAYer six-week sessions are scheduled to begin October 22nd and October 26th at the First Tee of Greater Austin’s Harvey Penick Golf Campus.

Manor ISD Director Lisa Barrett Johnson reports that the district is in “full swing” with seven campuses and over 3000 students involved in the First Tee curriculum, learning the game of golf and engaged in experiencing the 9 Core Values throughout the day.

"The 9 Core Values apply to everything you need to learn in life..." says Tom Johnson, our Mentor Spotlight focus this month.

Emma Cullar’s favorite thing about her time at the First Tee of Greater Austin is “…meeting and getting to know the instructors”, who also enjoy knowing Emma and her family.

We are very excited to announce that one of our members, Andrew Leigh, has been selected to attend the 2011 First Tee National Future Leaders Forum October 20-23 in Orlando, Florida.

“This course can be tougher than many of the city courses”, asserts Rick Hamilton, “...and it’s lots of fun!” Our Harvey Penick Golf Campus member spotlight shines this month on Rick, a member since memberships were first offered, and a frequent visitor prior to that.

We’ve been hearing a lot of positive comments about how great the greens look here at the Harvey Penick Golf Campus, and as we are strictly adhering to the City of Austin’s watering restrictions, our great staff shares a lot of the credit with Ameriturf.

Kim Harkness was initially introduced to the First Tee of Greater Austin by Tina Bradley Mayers at GreyRock.

PAL brings kids interested in learning to golf into First Tee programs accompanied by police department members as mentors. The First Tee curriculum synchs with the moral code PAL teaches...

Social Columnist Michael Barnes profiles our own Vicki Woodcock about her work at The First Tee of Greater Austin.

Check out the LPGA Girls Golf program on a national level!

Major League Baseball player Huston Street returns as Honorary Chair for the 10th annual More Than A Game (MTAG) Celebrity Golf Tournament, November 6 & 7, 2011 at the Lakecliff Golf Club in Spicewood, TX. Other pro/celebrity commitments already include Andy Roddick, Rich Beem, Omar Uresti, and many more.

Join our annual Fall Parent/Child Golf Tournament is back at the Harvey Penick Golf Campus! Join us, Saturday, September 24th at 2:00pm for a fun family day.

Score great deals on branded golf equipment this Saturday, Sept. 10th from 8:30am-12:30pm under the Harvey Penick Golf Campus Pavillion. The sale will include pre-owned golf Callaway, Titelist, Ping and more, as well as new golf shoes and junior club sets. Contact Dan Prodouz, Pro Shop Manager, for more information. dprodouz@firstteeaustin.org or 512-926-1100.

The First Tee of Greater Austin's launch of the National School Program in Central Texas is successful for Manor ISD students

According to Mark Fantacone, a mentor in the First Tee of Greater Austin program, the best thing about his participation “…is the opportunity to interact with the kids, helping them experience golf and learn life skills”.

We would like to introduce you to Sam Greenberg, one of our many terrific members at the First Tee of Greater Austin!

LPGA Girls Golf and The First Tee of Greater Austin participant Tiana Nickerson won the U.S. Kids Golf Austin Summer Tour Championship at Onion Creek on 9/4/2011! Congrats to Tiana!

As reported in our August newsletter, Roberto Arguello was selected to attend the National First Tee Leadership Academy in Phoenix August 3-9, representing the First Tee of Greater Austin. We are all very proud of Roberto and proud to share with you his account of the experience.

"Harvey Pinick Golf Campus is sort of like the TV show Cheers", says member Karol Davidson, "... its a place where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came!"

Charles Wirtanen knew about the youth development programs at the First Tee of Greater Austin (TFTGA) and felt they were “very, very worthwhile”, but lacks the time to participate firsthand. He therefore set up a regular $50 per month contribution to TFTGA on PayPal, knowing his contribution would be put to good use. And, as just $500 covers a child’s entire year in our award-winning program, his contribution is, in fact, making a difference.

Garrett Lynch, a sophomore at Westlake High School, is the founder of Play With a Purpose (PWAP), which chose the First Tee of Greater Austin as a beneficiary of their fundrasing efforts this year. Garrett started PWAP four years ago, and has since been joined by Wehman Hopke, Charles Neel White and Andrew DeHennis, members of the Westlake and Lake Travis High School golf teams.

We are pleased to announce the election of Andrew B. Kim, superindendent of Manor Independent School District, to our Board of Directors.

With the successful integration of the First Tee National School Program in Manor I.S.D. schools this year, Mr. Kim had the opportunity to see the First Tee’s award-winning curriculum in practice. The First Tee of Greater Austin directors and staff also had the privelege of witnessing the profound educational progress Mr. Kim is making at Manor I.S.D. and is looking forward to the impact of his vision on TFTGA’s future growth.

The First Tee of Greater Austin is pleased to announce that Jeff Bell, a former three-time All-Conference star of the University of Texas Longhorn Golf Team, has accepted the position of Coach, effective immediately

The Dennis Walters Precision Show and Golf Bazaar held at the Harvey Penick Golf Course on August 13th was a huge success! Thanks to Dennis and all those who came out to see his fun interactive show featuring Super Dog Bucky!  Be sure to check out photos from the whole day on our Facebook Page!

The BIG Give is I LIVE HERE, I GIVE HERE’s annual celebration of the act of giving and receiving and those nonprofit organizations who do it well.

The BIG Prize, $10,000 for excellence in donor relations, is awarded to the registered nonprofit that receives the most votes from Austin donors.

We need your vote by this Monday!  Please select The First Tee of Greater Austin on their website. 

KEYE TV Interviews First Tee graduate Preston Schaub. 

Join us Saturday, August 13th from 8am-12pm for the Dennis Walters Precision Golf Show and Bazaar at the Harvey Penick Golf Campus.

This is a FREE event for Austin-are a families, so be sure to bring a blanket and/or chairs for comfortable viewing. Pick up name brand pre-owned golf equipment at the Bazaar beginning at 8am, and enjoy world renowned handicapped golfer Dennis Walters with co-star Super Dog Bucky, in his highly interactive, precision golf show inspired by courage, perseverance and determination to overcome obstacles in life. Bring the kids! They’ll be amazed and inspired to follow their dreams.  RSVP Today!

The generous $50,000 donation to the First Tee of Greater Austin from Samsung Austin Semiconductor is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of Austin area youth.

Our Member Spotlight this month focuses on 11-year-old David Tiner.

First Tee of Greater Austin member Roberto Arguello has been selected to attend the First Tee National Leadership Academy in Phoenix this year.

Harvey Penick Golf Campus member Ramesh Radhakrishnan credits the facility with improving his game.

This summer marks Dwight Shipp's third year as a First Tee mentor, and hopefully just the beginning of a long relationship! Dwight retired in 2007 from a 30-year career in telecommunications and, far too energetic to stay home, researched organizations he admired that might use his help. His research led him to the First Tee of Greater Austin, and after visiting, he signed up for training to help teach classes in golf and life skills.

Eight kids from Helping Hand Home enjoyed a Summer Camp Program at the First Tee of Greater Austin.

There are so many ways to help us impact the lives of Central Texas youth!

Lamar Johnson, Director of our Board's Executive Committee, brings a lifetime of experience to First Tee kids.

We were pleased to welcome Hunter Ellis of Austin's KEYE TV to the Harvey Penick Golf Campus Tuesday. Mr. Ellis had the opportunity to tour the course, talk with TFTGA graduate and mentor Preston Schaub as well as spending time with some of our terrific Summer Campers.

Here's a link to the two segments that aired July 19th: http://weareaustin.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=162807

Many people might look at a property along the US-183 corridor for its commercial or economic value. The First Tee of Greater Austin (TFTGA), however, saw in this land the opportunity to transform kids and lives. The transformation of an unusable piece of land into the Harvey Penick Golf Campus was more than an investment in a place to play—it was an investment in Central Texas youth.

 

We are pleased to announce the addition of two new community members to the Board of Directors Executive Comnittee – Mr. Larry Harper, General Manager at Great Hills Country Club, and Mr. Nathaniel Peniston, Sales Executive with Humana, Inc.

Twenty Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA) hosted 22 young ladies from The First Tee of Greater Austin LPGA Girls Golf program at Grey Rock Golf Club on Tuesday, June 28th at 6pm.

A scramble format was played with modified tees for the young ladies. After the round of golf, the First Tee provided a pizza dinner.

Many parents were out walking the course along with us and everyone was very appreciative of the support of the girls. Thanks again to everyone for your support of this very successful event!

View photos on Facebook, and be sure to "Like" The First Tee of Greater Austin while you're there!

Allie Agrella selected to play in 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.