First Tee Executive Director Bill Hyndman V, Board President Michael Brown, former First Tee National Board Member Michael Sneed, and Oray Boston met @gary.player yesterday. Gary was in the group ahead when Bill had a hole-in-one, witnessed by the Black Knight!! Gary mentioned that he had fond memories of competing with Bill Hyndman III at the Masters and remembered making a long putt on the 18th green while playing with him. Golf is not such a small world!
This time of year, many college students are preparing to head to their school and prepare for the upcoming school year. But this year looks different, especially for many student-athletes like Jakari Harris. Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, some universities have made the difficult decision to cut programs from the athletic department. This can be devastating for students who are also losing their scholarships, which means they are now paying for their education.
First Tee – Metro Atlanta alum, Jakari Harris, is doing something about it. A graduate of Hampton University and a former member of the golf team, Jakari was disheartened to learn that the golf team’s funding had been cut upon her graduation. She and a few other teammates have since started a funding effort to help those who are affected.
“Because of First Tee, I was able to play collegiate golf and would like that opportunity to be available to athletes at Hampton again.”
Jakari’s act of service is directly rooted in the values she learned while a participant at First Tee – Metro Atlanta. We asked her a few questions about her experience, and this is what she had to say.
After being exposed to the game of golf at a young age, my dad started looking for golf programs around our neighborhood. The first chapter I joined was First Tee – Atlanta, but I switched to First Tee – East Lake once I transferred to Charles R. Drew Charter School. The home course was right across from the school, so I could just walk over after classes and practice almost every day.
First Tee emphasizes the fact that participants not only learn golf skills, but also life skills. A lot of the values I hold near and dear to my heart are the very values that were taught in First Tee classes. My personal favorites were integrity and perseverance. Aside from life skills I learned, I also gained a family with First Tee. All of the coaches at my home chapter were extremely supportive to me on and off the course. They went above and beyond, and I consider many of them as my mentors.
First Tee camps always presented me with both new experiences and challenges. I soaked in all the instruction I could from every drill and practice session. Whenever I faced a challenge, I referred back to what I was taught earlier and tried to apply it. When I wasn’t successful, I could always ask one of the coaches for help. This is the same way I take on the new experiences and challenges in life. I take the experience for what it is and try to learn as much as I can. Then, I look at the challenges from every angle possible. Because of First Tee, I have no problem asking for help and learning from my mistakes.
One of my First Tee mentors is Coach Brittny Lott, and I actually still keep in contact with her regularly. She actually does my hair from time to time. Her love for the Lord pushes me to develop a better relationship with God. She was very patient and encouraging when I first met her. Because of my competitiveness, I would sometimes be too hard on myself when I didn’t perform well during competition. She would give me encouraging words and talk me down.
I called her after one of my tournaments in college when I shot a terrible score. I just kept saying “I don’t know why I keep doing this. I know I can do better than this.” She brought up a very good point that will always be in the back of my mind. Things happen in golf that you can’t control. Even professionals have their off days. Instead of reacting to what I scored on the last hole, I can choose to not give up and do my very best from then on. If you can walk away knowing you did your best, that’s all you can ask for.
“My biggest takeaway from First Tee is that family doesn’t have to be blood.”
First Tee coaches have had one of the biggest impacts on my life. They care about each and every participant. Even when I would go to a First Tee camp where I didn’t know anyone, the coaches made me feel so welcome and at home. The relationships I have formed through this organization are priceless.
Looking forward, I eventually want to become a professor at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). After graduating in STEM from an HBCU, I know that there are very good students there who just need better resources. I was able to end up where I am because of resources I came across and relationships I developed. I am now in the Biomedical Engineering PhD program at Georgia Tech and Emory University.
First Tee taught me how to network and keep in contact with the people you meet. Sometimes it’s more about WHO you know than WHAT you know. The core values I learned will help me through grad school and beyond.
If you wish to help support Jakari and her fellow Hampton Golf Alumni in their efforts to off-set the lost scholarships and bring the golf program back, visit their GoFundMe page.
By June Ryan, Guest blogger
Last week, First Tee hosted the inaugural First Tee College Scholarship Pre-College Virtual retreat. Our scholarship winners participated in a two-day virtual event where they heard from various speakers on how to tackle the challenges they may face as they step into this next chapter of their life; One of those speakers was Rear Admiral June Ryan. June had a highly successful career in the Coast Guard, achieving many historical firsts for women including the first enlisted woman to rise to the rank of Rear Admiral. She was the first woman to serve as the Military Advisory to the Secretary of Homeland Security and only the third woman in our nation’s history to serve as the Military Aide to the President of the United States. During the pre-college retreat, Rear Admiral June Ryan spoke to the First Tee scholars about “Brain Training for success” and provided tips to retain positive thoughts and how to block out the negative. We loved her session so much that we invited her to share with our readers, some of her tips for success.
June’s Tips for Success
I travel around the country teaching and training more than 64 different success principles, helping individuals navigate from where they are to where they want to be.
One of the most powerful principles is “Act as if…” In other words, act as if… you already have graduated from your favorite college. Act as if… you have already won the big tournament. Act as if… you have already landed your dream job.
At the University of Houston, two college roommates understood the tremendous power of this success principle. One roommate was an aspiring sports announcer, majoring in Broadcasting. The other had his sights set on playing on the PGA TOUR. The two roommates “acted as if” they were both at the Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Tournament. The golfer acted as if he just won. His broadcaster roommate acted as if he was the sports announcer selected to conduct the interview with the newly crowned champion in the historic Butler Cabin at Augusta National. Despite the self-doubt and feelings of “this would never happen” or “what are the chances” that may have crept into their psyche, these two roommates played out their improbable scene in vivid detail. They “acted as if” it was actually happening.
Fast-forward 13 years later, the exact scene came to fruition. At the 1992 Masters, Fred Couples had just won his first Major Championship, and his college roommate, Jim Nantz, was there waiting in Butler Cabin to conduct the interview. Following the interview, the two men embraced, overcome by the realization that they had achieved their most outrageous goal together.
History is filled with other individuals who also “acted as if” with unprecedented results. “Acting as if” is more than visualization. It’s putting into motion every possible muscle in your body and creating the neurological memories in your mind of what that achievement would be. Most importantly, “acting as if” is about creating the feeling you would have by achieving your goals. Couples and Nantz created the feeling by using just two chairs in a University of Houston dorm room.
What are your most outrageous and audacious goals? How can you begin to “act as if”?
Here are some suggestions:
Want to attend a certain college or university? Create an exact replica of the college diploma. Create the replica with as much vivid detail as possible. Include the name and crest of the university. Add your name and the degree you would be awarded. Complete the diploma with mock-up signatures of the College Dean and University President.
Looking to win a tournament? Make a mock-up of the trophy out of cardboard, other craft art material, or print a picture of the trophy. Add your “engraved” name to the trophy along with any other details like your final score. For an added bonus, make a mock-up of the winning check you’d receive if it’s a professional tournament.
What if your goal is to earn a million dollars? Why not create a million-dollar bill? Although there is no such thing in the U.S. Treasury as a million-dollar bill, make a mock-up as if one existed. Place your “million dollars” on a bathroom mirror or somewhere where you would see it every day.
You can accomplish your most outrageous goals if you begin to put into daily practice this powerful success principle – “Act as if.”
Stephen Hoffman and his son, Boston, picked up golf at the same time. Stephen had always been a baseball player, but got into golf later in life; Boston was just 2 years old when he first picked up a club. By the age of 6, Boston began taking lessons with Mike Thomas, Justin Thomas’ dad, and competing in national junior golf tournaments. There was just one problem — junior golf clothes were boring.
Boston had a closet full of polos, but none of them fit just right. Plus, the father-son, caddie-player duo loved to match on the course, so when Boston told his dad he wanted to dress like Justin Thomas, they had an idea — Boston Scott Golf.
Stephen Hoffman, an analytical thinker with a computer science background, took a logical approach to shirt design. He and Boston discussed everything that was wrong with polo shirts — some are too slim, others too big, the sleeves are too long, there isn’t enough room in the armpit, the back ends up looking like a tail when untucked, the collar doesn’t stay up, etc. They ripped apart dozens of shirts, created their own patterns, secured a patent for their designs and, thanks to a connection from a former business endeavor, easily found a manufacturer.
They wore them to a few tournaments and received amazing feedback from other families on the junior golf circuit. The unique patterns were refreshing in the junior golf space, and the men’s shirts sold on consignment at country clubs up and down the east coast.
They even started to generate chatter among mini-tour players, but they wanted to think bigger. Their minds wandered to the PGA Tour. Earlier in 2020, Scott Piercy created some controversy over some social media remarks and consequently lost his clothing sponsorship. Boston Scott, a family-friendly brand, did not take the remarks lightly but decided that everyone deserves a second chance. They got to know Piercy, listened to his apology, vetted his reputation through other PGA Tour friends, and developed a relationship with him and his family. They knew pretty quickly that Piercy was their guy.
Right now, Boston Scott sells a wide variety of patterned shirts and a few accessories, like hats and belts. A proprietary fabric construction method tightens size variance to almost zero, so once you know your size, you can order any color or pattern. Soon, the brand will release pants and shorts using a fabric technology that will help it feel cool to the touch even on the hottest of days. They’re also working on a new golf shoe, which you can expect to see on Piercy in the coming months. A line of women’s clothes, too, are on the horizon.
Learn more about this growing brand at bostonscottgolf.com and scroll down to see a few of our favorite items available today.
First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, Executive Director
Dear Friends,I hope that this message finds you, your family and loved ones healthy and safe. As our community works together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we want to reach out to you, our valued donors and supporters, to provide an update on how the organization has adjusted so that our robust programming schedule continues in the online world we’re now operating in.Following Governor Wolf’s stay at home orders, First Tee of Greater Philadelphia postponed all spring programming, activities and fundraising events. In addition, both Walnut Lane and John F. Byrne Golf Club’s suspended play. Even though we had over 300 participants registered for our Spring programs and thousands more slated to participate in our National School Program initiatives, we had to put everything on hold. We know our students were eager to get started, as were our coaches and volunteers! So, our dedicated staff worked incredibly hard to create engaging and innovative opportunities, with daily ‘virtual’ programming for all participants. Last week we had a total reach of almost 10,000. Over the past few years, the Board of Directors and I have worked hard to build up our Cash Reserve fund as an ‘insurance policy’ for unforeseen circumstances. The current crisis is far worse financially than we could have ever imagined and has dramatically stalled our $1 million annual fundraising efforts. As a result, we have cut all budgeted expenses for the next 90 days by 60%. On the positive side, our cash reserve supplemented with help from the Cares Act legislation will help us continue operations until the environment normalizes. We look forward to keeping you informed about how we are continuing to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices, through the game of golf. Your dedication makes it possible for us to positively influence young people within our community. We remain committed to serving our participants and their families throughout this unprecedented time. I sincerely thank you for making everything we do possible and for helping to make the world a better place.
Harry Donahue Jr. is a longtime KYW News-radio anchor and is a First Tee partner and advocate. He hosts Inside Golf and is the voice of Temple University Football/Basketball.The New Polio: What Would Mom and Dad Have Done? By Harry Donahue Jr. I wish my parents were alive right now. So that I could hear all about the decisions they had to make, the fears they experienced and the trust they had in medical professionals when I was diagnosed with Poliomyelitis in 1950. At the time there was no vaccine. The number of cases in Philadelphia that year was the highest in history. There was no explanation as to why I got it but my older brother did not. I still have memories of lying in a bed in Philadelphia’s Municipal Hospital. My parents were allowed brief visitations over the course of the month I was there. They and my brother were under a semi-quarantine in our home as I lay in that hospital room with as many as four other children who had been diagnosed with the virus. I vividly recall when they would bring with them toys and stuffed animals. I even remember them waving goodbye to me when their visits would end. And sometimes one or two of the older children in the room would try to get my attention by calling me a “dumbbell”. Chalk it up as my first experience with bullying.I never got the chance to hear in my parent’s own words what it was like for them. Looking back on it, I‘m amazed at their ability to live that experience and carry on. They did have a lot in their favor. They had supportive family members and friends. They trusted their doctors. And above all, they were people of great faith. Thank goodness they did not have the distractions of “doom day” predictions or prognosis from social media and “talking heads”. Somehow, though, even if they did, Betty and Harry Donahue, would have discreetly dismissed such opinions and stayed the course.When I left the hospital and returned home, I was visited weekly by a physical therapist who put me through a rigorous exercise program while I wore a leg brace that weighed one quarter as much as I did. With the brace removed I did leg pumps on our dining room table trying to restore some muscle mass in my atrophied right calf. With the brace on, the therapist would guide me along a seam in our living room rug trying to maintain balance while walking a straight line. In between visits, my mother would do the same while never displaying a “woe is me” attitude. There wasn’t time for self-pity.Almost two years later, the brace came off. I could almost walk a straight line. My parents knew I’d never be an Olympic sprinter, but that never discouraged them, and in the process, it did not discourage me. On the contrary, I never heard either of them say “ You can’t do that” or “Why don’t you try something else” whenever I wanted to play stickball, touch football or basketball with neighborhood friends. They normalized every bit of my life. They refused to overprotect me. They were survivors in every way. Children of the depression whose own parents had taken on the loss of jobs and businesses and came out those tunnels ready for the next challenge. They had scars and they had feared. But they overcame each and everyone in a silent demonstration of hope, trust, and love. That is the legacy of Betty and Harry Donahue and the legacy of thousands like them. We can only pray that their response 70 years ago can inspire today’s generation of parents.So thanks Mom and Dad for what you did. For guiding me through my Poliovirus experience. Yes, I wish you were here now to share your wisdom and strength. But though you are certainly missed, I have to believe somewhere there are parents just like you. Similar in their own way at being that guiding light to their children, family, and friends.Your loving son,Harry Jr.
Due to the current CoronaVirus (COVID-19) outbreak and in the best interest of public safety, the Walnut Lane and John F. Byrne Golf Clubs will be completely closed until further notice. In addition, all First Tee student programming is suspended until further notice. Because the situation is developing hour by hour, we will be closely monitoring in order to make the best decisions possible going forward.
First Tee of Greater Philadelphia appreciates your support and understanding as we proceed through this challenging time. We can not do the work that we do without your support, as we invest in Good Students, Good Citizens and eventually Good Employees.
The Leaders and Achievers Gala was an amazing night. Thank you all who attended and supported the event.
Hearing the transformational impact The First Tee had on the lives of our students was extraordinary. Thank you, Philadelphia Eagles Coach Pederson, for inspiring each of us to always be the best versions of ourselves and continue to persevere. Many thanks to our host, John Clark who made us laugh while engaging us with The First Tee mission. Finally, Chet Walsh’s heartfelt celebration of his father’s legacy had everyone inspired to continue to give back and to make the world a better place.
Together we are building Good Golfers but even Better People!
We had 4 teams compete over a 3 month period. We had practiced for the first few weeks and matches followed. Thank you to Sean for allowing us to block off the front 7 holes on a few afternoons, we got lucky to play in a few misty days where it wasn’t an issue of public play.
Each team had a captain, who was an older TFT student. They were held responsible for communicating to their team members, organizing who will attend practices and reporting that information with me. The captains did a great job in being on time, and always leading their team whether it was a match or a practice. They also had the responsibility of putting together their team’s “lineups.” Each match they paired there teams of 8 players into twosomes.
The kids/parents really enjoyed having the responsibility of running their own team. Every week, they enjoyed competing against each other and they all improved their scoring throughout the season.
Team Platinum took the crown for this year’s Team Champion for the 2019 Fall League. Great job and we look forward to 2020!
TFT Philly participant, Joe Morganti qualified for the Pure Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee. The tournament was held at Poppy Hills Golf Course and legendary Pebble Beach Golf Resort! Joe played with PGA Champions Tour Player Tom Byrum!
“Pebble was too pure… I wanted to thank everyone who made this great opportunity possible and for all the kids for making this truly a once in a lifetime opportunity” – Joe Morganti
Check out all the great highlights below!
Support Our Participants at the 2025 Truist Championship!
Our students have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as standard bearers at the 2025 Truist Championship, walking alongside professional golfers! You can help make this experience possible by sponsoring a participant.
📢 Click HERE to learn more and sponsor a student today!
This time of year, many college students are preparing to head to their school and prepare for the upcoming school year. But this year looks different, especially for many student-athletes like Jakari Harris. Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, some universities have made the difficult decision to cut programs from the athletic department. This can be devastating for students who are also losing their scholarships, which means they are now paying for their education.
First Tee – Metro Atlanta alum, Jakari Harris, is doing something about it. A graduate of Hampton University and a former member of the golf team, Jakari was disheartened to learn that the golf team’s funding had been cut upon her graduation. She and a few other teammates have since started a funding effort to help those who are affected.
First Tee emphasizes the fact that participants not only learn golf skills, but also life skills. A lot of the values I hold near and dear to my heart are the very values that were taught in First Tee classes. My personal favorites were integrity and perseverance. Aside from life skills I learned, I also gained a family with First Tee. All of the coaches at my home chapter were extremely supportive to me on and off the course. They went above and beyond, and I consider many of them as my mentors.
First Tee camps always presented me with both new experiences and challenges. I soaked in all the instruction I could from every drill and practice session. Whenever I faced a challenge, I referred back to what I was taught earlier and tried to apply it. When I wasn’t successful, I could always ask one of the coaches for help. This is the same way I take on the new experiences and challenges in life. I take the experience for what it is and try to learn as much as I can. Then, I look at the challenges from every angle possible. Because of First Tee, I have no problem asking for help and learning from my mistakes.
One of my First Tee mentors is Coach Brittny Lott, and I actually still keep in contact with her regularly. She actually does my hair from time to time. Her love for the Lord pushes me to develop a better relationship with God. She was very patient and encouraging when I first met her. Because of my competitiveness, I would sometimes be too hard on myself when I didn’t perform well during competition. She would give me encouraging words and talk me down.
I called her after one of my tournaments in college when I shot a terrible score. I just kept saying “I don’t know why I keep doing this. I know I can do better than this.” She brought up a very good point that will always be in the back of my mind. Things happen in golf that you can’t control. Even professionals have their off days. Instead of reacting to what I scored on the last hole, I can choose to not give up and do my very best from then on. If you can walk away knowing you did your best, that’s all you can ask for.
First Tee coaches have had one of the biggest impacts on my life. They care about each and every participant. Even when I would go to a First Tee camp where I didn’t know anyone, the coaches made me feel so welcome and at home. The relationships I have formed through this organization are priceless.
Looking forward, I eventually want to become a professor at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). After graduating in STEM from an HBCU, I know that there are very good students there who just need better resources. I was able to end up where I am because of resources I came across and relationships I developed. I am now in the Biomedical Engineering PhD program at Georgia Tech and Emory University.
First Tee taught me how to network and keep in contact with the people you meet. Sometimes it’s more about WHO you know than WHAT you know. The core values I learned will help me through grad school and beyond.
If you wish to help support Jakari and her fellow Hampton Golf Alumni in their efforts to off-set the lost scholarships and bring the golf program back, visit their GoFundMe page. 
