Why Golf?

First Tee College Scholarship Program

• The First Tee College Scholarship Program provides valuable, life-changing opportunities for the youth of First Tee. Helping them prepare for success is at the core of our mission. We believe in encouraging youth to pursue their dreams and further their education. Application period is Jan 16 – March 13. 2024 Class Announced May 31, 2024.

First Tee Future Entrepreneurs Presented by Wells Fargo | May 7-10 | Alumni Opportunity

• The First Tee Future Entrepreneurs presented by Wells Fargo celebrates promising First Tee alumni currently attending or who have graduated from an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and provides them an opportunity for mentorship, networking, and personal and professional development.

First Tee National Championship | June 23-27 | Clemson, SC

• First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s top players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play under pressure at the collegiate and/or next level. First Tee National Championship is played at acclaimed college campuses, including Clemson University, Notre Dame and Stanford University, and is the only national event that is purely tournament golf.

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr | July 9-13 | Minneapolis, MN

• Participants selected to attend will participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. First Tee invites its partner, RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice, to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches.

Participant Advisory Council | July 22-24 | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

• First Tee’s Participant Advisory Council (PAC) advises HQ on matters pertinent to all First Tee participants. It is critical for youth to be heard, and the PAC provides an important forum for youth to express themselves, voice their ideas, and provide input for projects or programs that impact the experience of all First Tee participants.

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee | September 17-22 | Pebble Beach

• An official PGA TOUR Champions event at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the tournament pairs top participants from First Tee with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs. To be selected, juniors are measured in both golf ability and their knowledge of the First Tee life skills curriculum. The tournament is televised on Golf Channel.

First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere | October 10-14 | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

• First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to influence positive impact at their chapters, schools and communities.

First Tee Innovators Forum | November 17-21 | Phoenix, AZ

• The Innovators Forum sets to empower First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focusing on raising awareness on global issues focusing on education, health, and sustainability.

First Tee Alumni Summit presented by Gallagher | November 18-21 | Phoenix, AZ

• The First Tee Alumni Summit presented by Gallagher provides an opportunity for selected alumni to advance their career-building skills while reconnecting with fellow alumni and chapter leaders. Attendees will learn from business leaders, thought leaders and First Tee Partners on topics including networking, personal branding, and team dynamics.

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 25 First Tee seniors who have been awarded this scholarship.

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

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.

New this year – get a free Youth on Course card with your handicap! As members, they’ll benefit from access to local courses and almost 2,000 courses across the country where they can play for $5 or less.

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 2024 handicap season begins March 15th and requests will be activated at that time.

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!

We are excited to partner with Youth on Course to provide 2023 active participants with a Youth on Course membership. As members, they’ll benefit from access to local courses and almost 2,000 courses across the
country where they can play for $5 or less!

How to Sign Up:

• Once you are registered for one of our First Tee or Girls Golf classes in 2023, complete this request form.
• You will receive an email from our staff with directions on how to sign up for FREE through Youth on Course
• Start playing! Your membership will provide affordable golf at local golf courses as well as courses across the US!

First Tee participants, ages 14+, 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]

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

Meadow Links First Tee Fridays…For $5 all First Tee participants may play Meadow Links on Friday afternoons. Take advantage of this and join your kids for a round of golf!

Be sure to check out the 6 area Cincinnati Recreation Commission Golf Courses, 3 of which are First Tee teaching locations. Each course has special rates for juniors. Check out their website here for more information and to book your tee time.

PGA Jr. League is open to both boys and girls, 13 and under, of all abilities! During the course of one game, teams play four 9-hole matches in a popular two-person scramble format, reinforcing the team concept and creating a nurturing environment for learning the game. Coaches can also substitute players every three holes, so that all of the golfers on each team can participate.

Join the PGA Junior League through First Tee at Meadow Links, Neumann, Reeves, and Little Miami. Matches and clinics will begin in May and run through July. All matches and clinics will be at either Meadow Links or Little Miami. Register directly on the PGA Jr League website. First Tee does have a limited number of scholarships available on a first come first serve basis. Contact [email protected] for more information.

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.

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.