Why Golf?

First Tee College Scholarship Program

The Scholar Program is designed to provide further support, life skill development and mentorship of our alumni through their journey. Higher education continues to be a critical factor in unlocking opportunities for young people to thrive, and First Tee is committed to their success. Application period is Jan 1 – March 1. 2023 Class Announced May 31, 2023.

First Tee Future Entrepreneurs Presented by Wells Fargo | May 2-5 | Alumni Opportunity

This program celebrates promising First Tee participants/alumni accepted into or from Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), who’s interests are around business or entrepreneurial field of study; providing them with an opportunity for mentorship, networking, personal and professional development.

First Tee Drive Your Future Academy presented by John Deere | October 5-9 | San Francisco, CA
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 National Championship | June 2-6 | Stanford, CA
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.

Participant Advisory Council | July 25-26
First Tee participants will represent their chapter and others at Participant Advisory Council meetings (virtual and in person) and give honest and professional counsel to Headquarters on various agenda topics.

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr | July 18-22 | Philadelphia, PA
Participants selected to attend this five-day learning and empowerment academy will participate in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. The academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in collaboration with DE&I leadership in the local host community.

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee | September 19-24 | 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 Innovators Forum | November 9-12 | Jacksonville, FL
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.

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 2023 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 Jeanne Siegel for next steps: [email protected]

First Tee – GCNKY offers paid internships to current First Tee teens as an opportunity to help ready students for future employment and allow them to develop and reinforce First Tee Life Skills. The working experience will allow teens to develop workplace skills such as leadership, public speaking, planning/organization and establish connections with chapter head coaches, volunteers, parents, board members and students which may help them build a “go to team.”

Requirements: To apply, students must be at least 16 years old and an active First Tee participant. He/she must also have a clear understanding of First Tee mission and values, and an ability to communicate comfortably and work with chapter staff, head coaches, golf instructors and volunteers. Internships are mainly available in the summer.

Interested teens should contact [email protected] to start the application process.

For a complete job description, click here.

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 or 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.