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From her first swing to inspiring the next generation of girls in golf, Caitlyn embodies what it means to grow through the game.

Since stepping onto the course for the first time in 2014, Caitlyn has spent nearly eleven years growing through First Tee—both as a golfer and as a leader. What began as a simple “yes” to her mom’s question about summer golf classes turned into a journey filled with opportunity, friendship, and personal milestones. Now, Caitlyn is preparing to serve as a standard bearer at the Truist Championship. Caitlyn—one of 50 First Tee — Greater Philadelphia participants selected to serve as a standard bearer at the event—will get to walk inside the ropes, alongside the pros, for this one-in-a-lifetime experience.

Want to help Caitlyn experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment? Become a sponsor and support her journey today.

We’re thrilled to introduce Brayden, one of 50 incredible First Tee — Greater Philadelphia participants selected to serve as a standard bearer at the 2025 Truist Championship.

Standard bearers have the unforgettable opportunity to walk inside the ropes alongside professional players, carrying the scores for fans and getting a unique, behind-the-scenes experience of a professional golf event. For our participants, this is more than a moment on the course—it’s a chance to see what’s possible for their futures.

Want to help Brayden experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment? Become a sponsor and support his journey today.

National Volunteer Week Spotlight

At the heart of every great program are individuals who go above and beyond— not for recognition, but because they truly care. This National Volunteer Week, we are proud to celebrate one of our most dedicated and impactful volunteers: Coach Scott Yard.

In 2018, Coach Yard extended his commitment to youth development by volunteering with First Tee — Greater Philadelphia, expanding the chapters’ programming into Chester County at Rossi Driving Range. Since then, he has coached countless participants, ages 7 to 18, across locations like The Golf Zone Family Fun Center, Downingtown Country Club, Ingleside Golf Club, and Honeybrook Golf Club.

Coach Yard’s coaching philosophy goes far beyond perfecting a golf swing. He is deeply committed to shaping young people into well-rounded individuals who live with integrity, respect, and perseverance. Whether it’s a student’s first golf class or a high-stakes tournament, Coach Yard brings the same passion, patience, and encouragement to every interaction.

Coach Yard is more than a volunteer— he’s a mentor, a teacher, and a constant source of support for the next generation of golfers and leaders. We are incredibly grateful for his time, talent, and unwavering dedication to our mission.

Thank you, Coach Yard, for all you do. You are helping shape the game—and the future—one young golfer at a time.

As part of our exciting partnership with the 2025 Truist Championship, 50 of our students have been selected to serve as standard bearers, walking alongside professional golfers and experiencing the game from inside the ropes. It’s an opportunity that recognizes their dedication, leadership, and love for the game—and we’re honored to highlight their stories leading up to the event.

Today, we’re highlighting Jake, a thoughtful and driven participant whose commitment to personal growth and love for golf shine both on and off the course. Jake, age 17, is currently a student at Father Judge High School.

Meet Jake

“A Friend on the Course”

An Opportunity to Represent

Inspired by Greatness

If he had the chance to play a round with any pro, Hideki Matsuyama would be the one—because of his consistency, humility, and mental focus under pressure.

“His ball striking is incredible, and it’s amazing to see how he makes it look so effortless… I love when he hits a great shot and throws his hands in the air like it’s the worst shot ever.”

Life Lessons From the Course

Big Goals, Bright Future

Sponsor Jake and our Student Standard Bearers!

Jake is one of 50 First Tee — Greater Philadelphia participants selected to serve as standard bearers at the 2025 Truist Championship. Your sponsorship of $1,000 supports our participants in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and young people like Jake, who are working hard to grow into the best version of themselves.

“Sponsoring me would support someone who values growth, responsibility, and contributing to the community in meaningful ways.”

At First Tee — Greater Philadelphia, we’re proud to help young people grow through the game of golf—not just as athletes, but as leaders, students, and community members. As part of our exciting partnership with the 2025 Truist Championship, 50 of our students have been selected to serve as standard bearers, walking alongside professional golfers and experiencing the event from inside the ropes.

Today, we’re proud to highlight Emery, a participant whose journey embodies the power of opportunity, hard work, and personal growth.

Meet Emery

Reflecting on her time in the program, Emery shared:

“First Tee has helped me learn important values and life lessons on and off the green. I’ve made friends with other students in my classes and with some of the other caddies I work with.”

Looking Ahead

A Life Influenced by Golf

Support Emery and Her Fellow Standard Bearers

We’re honored to have students like Emery represent First Tee — Greater Philadelphia at the 2025 Truist Championship. Their stories remind us why this work matters—and how far a little opportunity can go.

You can help make this experience possible. With a $1,000 sponsorship, you can support one student’s participation as a standard bearer and continue to fuel the life-changing work we do year-round.

Stay tuned for more participant spotlights as we lead up to this incredible event!

At First Tee — Greater Philadelphia, we believe in using golf as a tool to build confidence, create opportunities, and inspire our youth on and off the course. At this year’s Truist Championship, 50 of our students have been selected to serve as standard bearers, walking inside the ropes alongside professional golfers in a truly unforgettable experience. 

Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Marek, one of our incredible participants who will take on this special role!

For Marek, golf has been a gateway to personal growth. When asked how First Tee has impacted him, he shared:

“First Tee has helped me feel more confident in my goal-setting skills.”

Beyond the game, golf has opened new doors for Marek, connecting him with people, resources, and opportunities that extend far beyond the fairways. 

Support Marek and Our Standard Bearers!

We’re so proud of Marek and all of our students who will represent First Tee at the Truist Championship this May. You can help support these students by sponsoring a participant! With a $1,000 sponsorship, you’ll support a student’s journey.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the incredible participants who will be part of this experience!

Lisa Longino has over 30 years of experience in education with a focus on health, physical education and wellness. As the physical education specialist for the East Cleveland City School District, she is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive physical education and intramural programs for Pre-K through sixth grade students. 

At the beginning of this school year, Lisa inquired with First Tee about implementing the School Program into the five Title I schools where she teaches. She was first introduced to First Tee through her interest in incorporating diverse programs into her curriculum.  

“First Tee’s focus on integrating life skills into golf education is more than just an innovative approach,” said Lisa. “It’s a transformative opportunity for my students.” 

Through a grant, Lisa was provided with training, golf equipment and lessons plans that integrate life skills and values with the game of golf at no cost to herself or the district. She will now be able to introduce First Tee programming to students at all five schools.  

“I’m truly excited to bring this program into our schools because it goes beyond teaching a sport,” said Lisa. “By providing equipment designed specifically for youth, I can create a safe and engaging environment where students can develop fundamental skills, both in golf and in life.” 

As Lisa begins to integrate First Tee programming into her classes, she will have the support of First Tee – Cleveland as well as an online community for teachers and youth leaders that deliver First Tee programming across the country. She looks forward to seeing how these activities will help students overcome barriers, develop resilience and build social and emotional strength that extends into their academic lives and beyond.  

“For many of our students, this will be their first introduction to golf, and I’m confident that it will open doors to new opportunities, build confidence, and inspire a love for golf that can stay with them throughout their lives,” Lisa said.  

Since 2004, First Tee has been integrating its curriculum into PE classes in schools in the United States and Canada. We’ve trained educators at nearly 12,000 schools to teach our program and in 2024, we reached more than 2.4 million kids at these schools.  

Youth sports participation can be a game changer for kids and families. Sports can help kids develop healthy habits and strong motor skills, but the benefits aren’t just physical.  

Parents agree that sports create opportunities for teamwork, improve children’s mental health and provide supportive adults to strengthen character development, according to research from First Tee and Harris Poll. 

But opportunities to participate in sports can be more limited for girls. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, girls have 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play high school sports compared to boys. 

Enhancing access to sports is one of the aims on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which celebrates the accomplishments of female athletes and highlights the benefits that come with playing sports, both on and off the field. 

Lauren Kyaw manages the coach program at First Tee. As a collegiate athlete now working in youth sports, she’s seen and experienced its benefits firsthand. In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, she shared her thoughts on how sports have changed her life. 

FT: What have you personally gained from playing sports? 

LK: Playing sports has given me the confidence to try new things and fail. I used to feel like I always had to be “perfect” in school and in life. Playing golf, perfection doesn’t exist. 

Playing golf also gave me the opportunity to stay active while doing what I love and connecting with people. I love meeting new people and being able to network, especially with the women in my community.  

Playing golf has developed my self-efficacy and grit, where I feel comfortable setting goals and going after them. It helps me stick to something, even when it gets hard and to fight for what I want to achieve.  

FT: Do girls face additional barriers when it comes to playing golf? 

LK: I have been playing golf for over 10 years and am still intimidated when I’m the only women on the range, practice area or in my group. It sometimes feels like I don’t belong, but I push past that and want to be a role model for other girls who play. 

After playing collegiate golf, I have seen so many of my friends and teammates give up the game entirely. It can be very difficult to make time for golf and the things you love, but I think it’s so important to continue to invest in your happiness.  

FT: The benefits of playing sports extend beyond physical health. What lessons from sports can girls carry into adulthood? 

LK: From my experience, sports help so much with mental health and provide a great way to invest in my overall happiness. I am so grateful when I’m out on the course and love to look at nature, focus on my breathing and disconnect. It gives me the time and space I need to refocus and serves as a restart for me.  

Golf has also helped me so much with my body confidence, which is especially important for girls, who can feel pressure to look a certain way. I feel strong when wearing golf attire, especially hot pink! 

And on top of that, playing sports has helped so much with my time management. I play a lot of golf, and it takes a lot of time. To be able to do this, I must maximize my time at work and home so I can do what I love. This is so important as a student-athlete, as playing sports can feel like a full-time job. Our college coaches always said, “Good Human- Good Student- Good Athlete,” and it is something I live by.  

FT: How do sports serve as a platform for girls to challenge stereotypes and break through societal expectations? 

LK: When I play golf, I have often faced pressure to play the “women’s tee” or get looks on the first tee. It takes a lot of courage for me to stand up for myself and ability. I hope new golfers feel the confidence to do the same. 

As girls play sports, they showcase their strength and talent. It is amazing to see what our bodies and minds can do and overcome what people think we should be able to do. I always go back to you “swing like a girl”, “hit like a girl”, or “throw like a girl”. From the athletes I know, I would love to play like a girl and win as much as they do. 

FT: What role do sports play in promoting gender equality, both on and off the field? 

LK: In golf specifically, there are important conversations happening during rounds surrounding business, relationship building and networking. When women feel confident and empowered to play, it brings them into these important conversations and positions them as leaders and decision makers.  

When more women play sports, it grows representation and shows girls that they can do it to. I think of women like Ilona Maher, Caitlin Clark and Simone Biles who showcase their strength and ability and are advocates for women in sports. They spark tough conversations, stand up for what is right and push societal expectations so that women are equally recognized in their accomplishments. 

First Tee’s commitment to fostering life-long learning and providing continued support for its alumni expanded this year as two First Tee alumni were named to the national Board of Governors. Sydney Burlison, an alumna of First Tee – Monterey County, and Rayshon J. Payton, an alumnus of First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City, were announced as the newest members of the Board of Governors in October.

Sydney Burlison grew up in Salinas, California and participated at First Tee – Monterey County before beginning her collegiate golf career at Stanford University. While at Stanford, Sydney completed a double major in Communication and Film Studies and was a four-time NCAA Academic All-American. When asked her greatest athletic moment, Sydney named winning the First Tee Open with Fuzzy Zoeller (now PURE Insurance Championship) and qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open as her shining moments.

Upon graduation from Stanford University, Sydney spent a year at the University of Cambridge where she received her Master of Philosophy in Management. After bouncing around the world for a few more years working for companies like Nike and Sky Sports, Sydney ultimately made her way back to her home of Monterey County and quickly became involved with the community once again. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors at First Tee – Monterey County and on the Grant Committee of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. On a national level, Sydney mentors a First Tee Scholar and will now serve on the Board of Governors for a two-year term.

Rayshon J. Payton grew up in Oklahoma City and joined First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City when the chapter opened in 2004. Throughout his time as a First Tee participant, he attended many of the national opportunities including the First Tee Open (now PURE Insurance Championship) where he played with fellow Oklahoma native Gil Morgan.

Rayshon went on to play collegiate golf at Oklahoma City University where he studied political science. He then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2013. Shortly after his graduation from law school, Rayshon relocated to the Washington D.C. area, where he now serves as Special Counsel in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Rayshon continues to be active within First Tee through his relationship with First Tee – Greater Washington D.C. and most recently by attending a First Tee Alumni Network meet-up where he had the opportunity to hear from other First Tee alumni. Rayshon describes the experience of joining the Board of Governors as a “full circle moment.”

“Not only has being a part of the Board been a high honor, but it’s always been a goal of mine,” said Rayshon. “I hope to contribute my passion for mentorship and leadership [to First Tee]. I am here today because so many people took the time to mentor me and answer questions when I needed it.”

To learn more about First Tee’s commitment to their alumni, or to join the Alumni Network, visit here.

With nearly half of First Tee chapters celebrating more than 20 years of service in their communities, First Tee continues to pride itself on the stability of the network.

 “Our network is strong because of the incredible leaders who serve on our chapter boards and the staff and coaches who are the face of First Tee in their communities. We are grateful for each of them,” said Jennifer Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee.

As 2024 comes to a close, we take the time to recognize the chapters that celebrated their 25^th anniversaries this year.

First Tee – Connecticut serves the state of Connecticut. First Tee – Connecticut continues to expand its reach in the underserved and underrepresented communities through its school programs, specifically in Bridgeport schools where it’s delivered golf-based life lessons for almost 15 years. In 2024 it gave out 33 continuing education scholarships to participants including to Selam Olson, who was also a recipient of the national First Tee College Scholarship.

First Tee – Greater Akron serves Summit County in Ohio. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the chapter hosted The Game Changers Dinner with keynote speaker Coach Jim Tressel. At the dinner, the chapter presented awards including 25th Anniversary Game Balls to First Tee – Greater Akron co-founders Tom Knoll and Kevin Harris and the Moment of the Year Award to participant Jackson Young for his unforgettable hole-in-one.

First Tee – Greater Dallas serves Dallas, Collin, portions of Denton, Ellis, Rockwall and Kaufman counties. In addition to running programming, First Tee – Greater Dallas also hosts multiple special events including a golf marathon, the Forvis Mazars Golf Invitational and a Festival of Golf.

First Tee – Greater Sacramento serves portions of Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties. In addition to the core First Tee curriculum, the chapter offers Girls Golf, a junior tour and various adaptive golf programs. 

First Tee – Greater Washington, DC serves the District of Columbia and Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland. The chapter currently provides green grass programming at 23 locations and has over 1,000 volunteers. In 2024, First Tee – Greater Washington, DC surpassed two million area youth served through its golf and life skills programming over the last 25 years.

First Tee – Hampton Roads serves the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, as well as Accomack, Northampton, Southampton counties in Virginia and Currituck, Camden and Dare counties in North Carolina. The chapter reaches 1,800 area youth through green-grass programming and an additional 350 families through their Military Voucher Program.  

First Tee – Manhattan serves Clay, Geary, Pottawatomie and Riley counties in Kansas. The chapter serves more than 750 kids and teens annually at their programming location Colbert Hills and an additional 9,000 through partnerships with 25 schools and youth centers.

First Tee – Metro Atlanta serves Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett and Henry counties. The HOPE Tee Shot at the TOUR Championship is one of First Tee – Metro Atlanta’s most cherished traditions, and in 2024, participants Alana Sims and Nigel Youmans were honored during the ceremony.

First Tee – North Florida serves Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties. In 2024 it opened the new Jacksonville Beach Game Changers Clubhouse which will allow the chapter to reach an additional 500 kids each year.

First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin serves Fond du Lac, Washington, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, Jefferson, Kenosha, Waukesha and Sheboygan counties. The chapter continues to grow and evolve through various community partnerships including Golf 101 clinics with Big Brother Big Sisters. In 2024, the chapter increased the number of participants reached by 25%.

First Tee – Tennessee serves the entire state with the five service regions being Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga, Greater Knoxville and Tri Cities. This year they held three fundraising events with PGA TOUR players Peter Malnati (Knoxville), Stephen Jaeger (Chattanooga) and Loren Roberts (Memphis) to help spread awareness and raise funds to support programs in those regions. 

In 2023, First Tee – Oakland identified a need in their local area to provide additional programming for underserved students. Through a partnership with the Oakland Unified School District, they took off running to make a difference in their community.

The Oakland Unified School District is 90% diverse and 77% economically disadvantaged. For many of its students, First Tee – Oakland is their first introduction to golf. Last year the chapter was able to reach 1,100 students at school and an additional 200 students at Metropolitan Golf Links. Thanks in part to a grant from The Toro Company, First Tee – Oakland provided transportation to and from the golf course and introduced green grass golf programming to local students at no cost.

Shelley Hara, the general manager of Metropolitan Golf Links, grew up through OUSD. She understands first-hand the impact that golf and mentorship can have on students.

“The team at Metro and I take great pride in hosting First Tee along with other junior golf programs, creating opportunities for many kids in Oakland and the greater Bay Area to benefit from quality golf programing,” said Shelley. “It was gratifying to see how these programs could positively impact the youth in our community, introducing them to the game of golf in an engaging and supportive environment.”

According to a recent study by First Tee and The Harris Poll, among parents whose kids play sports, 95% said they’re effective for improving children’s mental health, and 94% said youth sports help connect kids with supportive adults to strengthen character development. Through this programming, participants are given the opportunity to benefit from sports and learn golf from trained and background checked coaches without adding additional financial burdens to families.

“It’s particularly meaningful to me, as a former OUSD student, to see this new iteration of First Tee focusing on Oakland Unified School District kids who may not have had an introduction to golf before adulthood,” said Shelley. “I’ve had the privilege of seeing past First Tee – Oakland participants head off to college, which shows how these programs can positively shape lives and open doors for future success.”

Due to “The Toro Company Grow the Game Through Impact and Inclusion” grants, First Tee – Oakland has continued to be able to provide their programming at no cost to participants and expand their reach in 2024. Over the last 25 years, Toro has donated more than $1.7 million to First Tee, making programming like that at First Tee – Oakland possible at First Tee chapters across the country.

“The growth and development we witness through these programs not only enrich the lives of individual participants, but also strengthens our community,” said Shelley.