This summer, First Tee — Greater Philadelphia participant Jake was selected to attend the 2026 Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore at West Creek Ranch in Montana. Serving as the culmination of PGA TOUR Superstore’s Leadership Series, the Summit brought together selected participants from the series for a week focused on developing leadership skills, building connections and stepping outside their comfort zones. Jake, now a freshman at Penn State, was among those chosen to take part in this opportunity.
For Jake, the most memorable part of the experience came at the end of the week, when participants shared speeches reflecting on their time together. “My most memorable moment from this experience was listening to everybody’s speech at the end of the week and hearing all of the positive things that I have helped them with,” Jake shared. “This really allowed me to see that I was truly making a difference as a leader.” Throughout the week, Jake also embraced new experiences, including trying horseback riding and archery for the first time.
Having previously attended other First Tee National Opportunities, Jake credits those experiences, along with the support of his coaches and mentors, for giving him the confidence to take on a larger leadership role in Montana. One lesson that particularly resonated with him was the idea that “you either win or you learn,” recognizing that setbacks are opportunities to reflect and grow rather than failures. Moving forward, Jake hopes to carry this mindset into college and everyday life, continuing to put himself out there and embrace new challenges.
When asked what advice he would give future participants, Jake emphasized the importance of being open and allowing their voices to be heard. “Be vulnerable! Although it may be hard to share your personal experiences, don’t be afraid to be heard. Everybody at these opportunities is always willing to listen and give you positive feedback.” Jake also expressed his gratitude to First Tee for providing him with the chance to attend multiple National Opportunities and thanked the coaches and mentors who have supported him throughout his journey. We’re proud of Jake for continuing to embrace new opportunities and look forward to seeing how he carries these lessons into his next chapter!