During First Tee Week, we celebrate coaches and their impact on our participants and their communities. The incredible coaches and the meaningful relationships they foster have always been the heartbeat of First Tee. In 2026, we'll continue to celebrate our coaches during the PGA TOUR's Charles Schwab Challenge (May 23-30, 2026).
At the heart of First Tee Week is the Dear Coach mission, a celebration of the trusted, trained and caring coaches who show up every day to build meaningful relationships with young people. Our coaches are the unsung heroes of this program, preparing participants for what is next on the course, at school and in life. First Tee Week is our chance to say: dear coach, you taught me, and we are so grateful.
This year, we’re also thrilled to introduce the Game Changer Circle, our brand-new monthly giving program! Becoming a Game Changer means showing up for First Tee all year long, consistent and powerful support that keeps kids in the game no matter the season. We can’t wait to share all the details!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Joe and Christy Meyer Foundation, every donation made during First Tee Week will be matched 100%, up to $25,000. That means every dollar you give becomes two the moment it arrives. This is a once-a-year opportunity to double your impact for the kids in our community, and we don’t want anyone to miss it.
Our team of trusted, trained and caring coaches and staff develop meaningful relationships with participants that prepare them for what’s next – on the course, at school and in daily life. First Tee coaches and mentors set our program apart and change the landscape of their communities every day.
First Tee has 150 chapters across the globe, and they are celebrating First Tee Week with events, storytelling and programming. Find your nearest chapter to learn more about enrolling your child, volunteering as a coach and more!
Dear Coach, you taught me…
Click on the photos below and read the first-hand stories of how coaches have impacted our participants, alumni, staff and supporters.
Dear_Coach__0008_L Fitzgerald
Dear Coach Don,
Thank you for pushing us all to be our best selves. The lessons you’ve taught me have lasted a lifetime.
Larry Fitzgerald Former National Football League Professional
Dear_Coach__0007_W Clark
Dear Coach McGraw,
You taught me that there is more to life than golf. Don’t let golf define you. You are more than your accomplishments.
Wyndham Clark PGA TOUR Professional
Dear_Coach__0001_Brittany Gill
Dear Coach Craig,
You taught me to embrace my true self and to be a confident leader. You have been a constant in my life, and I cannot thank you enough for your mentorship and friendship. You always provided opportunities for me to grow as a person and leader. You trusted me to coach the generations of tomorrow and peers at a very young age. You advocated for me to have a seat at the table, cheered me on during my life highs and knew how to support me during my lows. If I can be half as good of a mentor as you are to me, and pay it forward to someone else, I’m doing something right in life.
Thank you for being my lifelong mentor and friend.
Sincerely, Brittany (Woo) Gill First Tee – Greater Richmond alumna
Dear_Coach__0005_Derrick Ow
Dear Coach Nick & Jessica,
Thank you for giving a kid on the Autism spectrum a chance to be successful at life. I’ll never forget you helping me out on national event applications. You instilled the values of respect and confidence, and I will always remember those lessons.
You changed the arc of my family’s lives forever. You will always have a special place in our family. Thank you for everything, and I hope I can continue to make you proud.
Warm regards, Derrick Ow First Tee – Monterey County alumnus
Dear_Coach__0003_Najae Butler
Dear Coach Jenae,
You taught me to always dream big and go after whatever I dreamed of. No matter the circumstance I was in, you always supported my dreams of becoming an LPGA Tour player. You’ve spoken highly of me to people when I’m not in the room, and you do the same when I am there. I know when I hear “Najae Butler” very loudly that it’s you, one of my biggest supporters. And for that and more, I’m forever grateful and will be your biggest supporter too.
Najae Butler First Tee – Metro Atlanta alumna
Dear_Coach__0000_Samuel Freeman
Dear Coach Brown,
You taught me how to not only keep my cool on the course, but how to apply these values off of the golf course. You created an inclusive and welcoming environment for me prior to my freshman year and provided me with opportunities to gain lifelong friends. I have loved getting to know you these past two years and look forward to the rest of high school golf with you as my coach.
Thank you so much, Samuel Freeman First Tee – Greater Richmond participant
Dear_Coach__0002_Cameryn Smith
Dear Coach Terry,
Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for your countless hours invested in me. Thank you for lighting my spark in my bigger purpose for life. Because of you I became my true self. Because of you I bought into every possibility for my future. Your guidance on and off the course helped transform me into a forever game changer. Because of you I will spend my life giving back to the future of First Tee, the future of golf, the future of the world.
“Put a golf club in a child’s hand and watch them grow.”
Look at me, Coach T. I’m all grown up now, thanks to you.
Cameryn Smith First Tee – Coastal Carolinas alumna
Dear_Coach__0006_Kevin B. Banks Jr.
Dear Coach Harry & Cole,
You taught me how to be an authentic Black man and golfer. Your example shaped my entire life. Not only did you deepen my understanding of the game, you prepared me for life! I wouldn’t be who I am today without you!
Kevin B. Banks Jr. First Tee – Greater Chicago alumnus
Dear_Coach__0004_Kavya Shah
Dear Coach Steve,
You taught me more than just the game of golf but how to face challenges with resilience, patience and determination. Whether it was navigating a tough round or confronting personal obstacles, you have helped me see that every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Thank you for being a coach who mentors not just athletes but the person behind the game.
Kavya Shah First Tee – Howard County participant
Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development
A finding with The Harris Poll shows parents turn to coaches to help teach their kids character, self-confidence, determination and leadership.
Ninety-one percent of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire their child to excel both on and off the field.
