Why Golf?

• Finley Mentzel | Drive Our Future Academy & Innovator’s Forum (2024)
• Henry Mentzel | Participant Advisory Council (2023) & First Tee Scholar (2024)
• Tiernan Mentzel | Game Changers Academy
• Victor Caliguri | PURE Insurance (2022)
• Cameron Martin | PURE Insurance (2018)
• Libby Chamberlin | Drive Your Future Academy (2019)
• Erin Johnson | Game Changers Academy (2021)

First Tee

First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky does not offer private lessons as a part of it’s programs. However, parents and guardians can contact their child’s First Tee Head Coach directly to inquire about a private lesson. Rates and availability will vary.

Partner Locations:

If you are interested in getting a private lesson at one of our program locations, here is a list of PGA and Teaching Professionals that we partner with:

Reeves GC | (513) 651-4653

1. Ben Chandler
2. Trey Weaver

Neumann GC | (513) 574-1320

1. Ethan Bulen

Meadow Links & Golf Academy | (513) 825-3701

1. Matt Starr
2. Bob Winkler
3. Scott Nevius
4. Jeff Steinburg

The Vineyard | (513) 474-3007

1. Sam Arnold
2. Chris Lane
3. Cameron Mucker (First Tee Alum)

Indian Ridge Golf Club | (513) 524-4653

1. Andy Anderson
2. Dean Mullins

Establishing a handicap index allows all golfers to compete fairly and equitably. All First Tee – GCNKY students playing regularly, especially those interested in tournaments and competitions, should establish a handicap index.

Because First Tee-GCNKY is a member club of the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, First Tee participants, alumni, coaches and volunteers are welcome to join. This is free to active coaches and students. Click HERE to sign up! The 2025 handicap season begins March 17th and requests will be activated at that time.

Thanks to the generosity of Taylor Metcalfe (prior board member) and his family, each fall seniors are encouraged to apply for the Rita S. Metcalfe Scholarship benefitting First Tee – GCNKY. Taylor’s late wife, Rita, was an avid golfer and advocate for the youth in our community. Established in 2018, Rita’s memory lives on with the 29 First Tee seniors who have been awarded this scholarship.

First Tee Staff reaches out to qualified seniors at the start of the school year to start the application process.

Previous Recipients:

1. Cameron Martin 2018-19
2. Destin Allen 2018-19
3. Henry Perry 2018-19
4. Darren Takaoka 2018-19
5. Abigail Laake 2019-20
6. Elizabeth Chamberlin 2019-20
7. Ethan Laake 2019-20
8. Suraj Parikh 2019-20
9. Zachary Gardner 2019-20
10. Philip Bachman 2020-21
11. Ariana Fluker 2020-21
12. Vikrant Dave 2020-21
13. Owen Mockabee 2021-22
14. Victor Caliguri 2021-22
15. Henry Laake 2021-22
16. Tigris Dunn 2021-22
17. Evan Osowski 2021-22
18. Erin Johnson 2021-22
19. Nate Palermo 2021-22
20. Kaidyn Sledge 2022-23
21. Will Abel 2022-23
22. Jonah Hendershot 2022-23
23. Gabrielle “Gabby” Green 2022-23
24. Bradan Copeland 2022-23
25. Fejiro Felix-Okpe 2022-23
26. Caroline Zerhusen 2023-24
27. Henry Mentzel 2023-24
28. Larkyn Angell 2023-24
29. Brandon Campling 2023-24

First Tee participants, ages 16+, are encouraged to apply the skills they are learning and assist younger participants and programs at First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. Teens can volunteer in any 7-9 and 10-11 classes. Contact Tyler Sutphin for next steps: [email protected]

First Tee – GCNKY is offering paid internships as an opportunity to help ready students for future employment and allow them to develop and reinforce First Tee life skills and key commitments. The working experience will allow coaching interns to develop workplace skills such as leadership, public speaking, planning/organization and establish connections with chapter head coaches, volunteers, parents, board members and students that may help them build a “go to team.”

Requirements:

To apply, students must be an active First Tee participant and have participated in classes for 3 years. Students must also have a clear understanding of First Tee mission and key commitments, and an ability to communicate comfortably and work with chapter staff, coaches, teaching pros and volunteers. 

Coaching Intern Application:

To apply, click HERE.

Job Description:

For a complete job description, click HERE

For more information, please contact Ben Walker (513) 988-7226 ext 5 | [email protected]

Caddying is a great summer job and a part of golf’s heritage. There are many clubs around the Cincinnati area hiring caddies. Click here for a list of clubs and for more information. We encourage you to check with your preferred club early in the year. Many clubs hire and have orientations early spring.

Becoming a caddie can also be a valuable investment in your future. Since 1930, the Western Golf Association has been awarding men and women scholarships to attend college through the Chick Evans Foundation, named after celebrated amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. The Foundation’s mission is to provide full tuition and college scholarships to caddies with limited financial means. Learn more!

Through the Players Tour and Junior Series, the SOPGA Jr. Tour aims to develop young golfers while providing outstanding competitions on a local level.

The Greater Cincinnati Golf Associations’ 1905 Junior Tour is one of the Midwest’s biggest junior tours. Compete in local tournaments and receive rankings for select events.

PGA Jr. League is shifting the way youth golf is learned and played, including the adoption of league play, team golf and scoring with flags and points.

Benefits: 

• Expert Coaching
• Team with Friends
• League Play

Program Information:

• One-time $99 annual fee
• Two age divisions – 13u and 17u

League Format:

Each team is broken down into two-person pairs (or three if a substitute is included) who play together in games.
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All PGA Jr. League games are played in a two-person scramble format. This means that both players in a pair hit drives. The best shot is selected, then each player plays from the selected spot, and this process continues until the ball is holed.

Time Commitment:

A PGA Jr. League season typically consists of approximately six games, in addition to practices and other events as scheduled by your PGA Coach. Each PGA Jr. League game consists of four, two-player matches – each 9-holes in length – and typically takes place over the course of
2½ hours.

NEW for 2025! More details to follow!

Drive, Chip and Putt is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. Open to girls and boys ages 7-15.