First Tee — Greater Philadelphia proudly hosted the 11th Annual Mike Quick Celebrity Invitational on May 18, 2026, at Union League Golf Club at Torresdale. The event brought together 140 supporters for an unforgettable day centered around mentorship, community, and creating opportunities for young people.
We are incredibly grateful to Mike Quick, Philadelphia Eagles legend and longtime First Tee — Greater Philadelphia Board member, for his continued leadership and dedication in organizing this special event in support of our mission. Through his commitment, this event continues to help advance First Tee’s work of building character and empowering young people through the game of golf.
The outing featured 28 foursomes, each paired with a celebrity guest—including former Philadelphia athletes and broadcasters—alongside 28 First Tee participants who served as forecaddies throughout the day. More than just a role on the course, the experience provided students with meaningful opportunities to build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and connect with mentors while interacting with some of Philadelphia’s most recognizable sports personalities.
Celebrity participants included Jason Kelce, Merrill Reese, Brian Westbrook, Dickie Noles, Amy Fadool, Matt O’Donnell, John Clark, Seth Joyner, and many others who generously gave their time to support First Tee participants and our mission.
The day concluded with an evening program featuring remarks from Mike Quick and First Tee high school seniors Hank Charlton and Jake Ruppert. Jake recently had the opportunity to serve as a standard bearer during the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, walking inside the ropes with eventual champion Aaron Rai.
Reflecting on his journey with First Tee, Jake shared:
“I will forever be grateful to First Tee for believing in me and setting me up for a successful future.”
Mike Quick also spoke about the unique impact First Tee has on young people:
“I see the pure joy and excitement in our students being around the other kids and interacting with their coaches. You can see our participants are having a good time and enjoying themselves. At the same time, they are growing and do not even realize that our curriculum is enhancing them as people. That is very special to all of us involved.”
Experiences like the Mike Quick Celebrity Invitational help create life-changing opportunities that extend far beyond the golf course. Through mentorship, meaningful relationships, and access to experiences students may not otherwise have, First Tee — Greater Philadelphia continues to help young people build confidence and prepare for their futures.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and participants, this year’s event raised more than $230,000 to support our mission of Building Game Changers—a powerful testament to the impact this community continues to make in the lives of young people throughout our region.
