Blog Archives - First Tee

Talking to your child about new teachers, classrooms and nerves

New school year, new teachers, new classrooms, new seat assignments, maybe even a new school altogether. For a lot of kids, all that “new” adds up to one familiar feeling: nerves.

As parents, it’s tempting to smooth things over with a quick, “You’ll be fine!” But some of the most valuable conversations happen when we slow down and make space for nervousness instead of rushing past it.

Honesty and respect are two of the lessons First Tee coaches aim to instill on the golf course, and they can be really valuable when it comes to addressing nerves heading into a new school year.

Encourage honest conversations

On the course, coaches encourage kids to be honest about their score, even when nobody’s watching and even when the number is not what they hoped for. That same kind of honesty is useful at the kitchen table in August.

Asking open-ended questions that inspire thoughtfulness can help kids better understand and process their feelings about a new school year. Try questions like:

“What’s one change you’re looking forward to about the new school year?”
“What’s one thing that feels a little uncertain right now?”

Honesty goes both ways in these conversations. Kids pick up when parents are anxious too — about carpool logistics, new schedules, a PTA role. Naming your own small uncertainties shows that nerves are normal and nothing to hide.

One important thing for parents to remember is that change is part of growing up, not a problem to fix. Show respect for your child’s feelings with phrases like:

“It’s normal that this doesn’t feel easy yet. Most things don’t feel easy on the first try.”
“You don’t have to have this figured out by Friday. Give it a few weeks.”
“Feeling a little nervous doesn’t mean something is wrong. It just means it’s new.”

That kind of language takes the pressure off kids to perform confidence they don’t feel and gives them permission to grow into the new situation the same way they grow into a new golf skill: with repetition, not perfection.

It’s important to teach kids that no one gets everything right. At First Tee, we view failure as the First Attempt In Learning. Mistakes happen and help us improve next time.

The bigger picture

Here are some questions to try in the car or at dinner as your child settles into their new routine:

“What’s something your new teacher does differently than last year?”
“Who did you sit with today and what did you learn about them?”
“What’s one thing you handled today that felt a little hard?”
“How can I help you get ready for tomorrow?”

The goal is not to eliminate their nerves but to help them build a habit of being honest about their feelings, a skill that will serve them into adulthood.

Building a positive self-identity provides kids with confidence to navigate challenges, setbacks and social pressures throughout life. When children learn to see themselves as capable, valued and worthy of respect, they’re more likely to form healthy relationships and take on new opportunities.

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Leading with kindness: How Addi Schneider found her strengths

On and off the course, First Tee – West Michigan participant Addi Schneider is a true game changer, always leading others with kindness and empathy.

“Leadership isn’t just about achieving a goal,” Addi said. “It’s about having the grit to stay by someone’s side until they believe in their own potential.” That belief guides everything she does, and this week she is carrying it all the way to the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Montana.

A leader in the making

Addi has been involved with First Tee – West Michigan for five years and now serves as a First Tee volunteer coach. Beyond the course, she volunteers with her school’s Special Olympics program and serves as a peer mentor, supporting students with special needs in the classroom.

This spring, Addi took her leadership to the next level after participating in Leadership Series, a five-week program presented in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstores across the country that helps First Tee participants explore their strengths, values and possible career paths. There, she discovered her core strengths — discipline, focus and achievement. Now, she’s one of 40 participants attending Leadership Summit, where she’ll deepen her leadership skills through outdoor adventures and team-building activities.

A diagnosis that shaped her leadership style

Addi’s leadership style has been forged since first grade, when she was diagnosed with dyslexia.

The diagnosis brought real challenges: the frustration of falling behind her peers and moments when she felt like a burden to classmates and teachers. But as Addi grew older, her perspective shifted. Rather than viewing dyslexia as a weakness, she came to view it as a superpower that gave her a unique ability to empathize with others.

That empathy shows up every week during the classes Addi coaches as a volunteer coach, where she connects with participants, understands their struggles and works to instill confidence in each of them.

During one class discussion on positive self-identity, Addi asked participants to share how they live out one of First Tee values in their own lives. One response stuck with her: A participant said it doesn’t matter what others think. It matters what you think of yourself.

That moment reminded Addi of the impact she was making. “My greatest strength is the character I have that allows me to help students find their own voice,” she said. “And with that, the confidence to be themselves.”

She brings that same purpose to her high school’s peer-to-peer program, where she supports students with special needs. Having experienced firsthand what it feels like to struggle and fall behind, Addi understands that not every student learns the same way and leads with a commitment to provide each of them equal opportunities to succeed.

Looking ahead

Her experience with the program has encouraged her to pursue a degree in special education and minor in American Sign Language, working toward a world that values access, empathy and equality. She’s already living that mission today: “My daily goals are to lead with kindness and make a difference in others’ lives,” she said.

Addi’s journey has shaped her into a leader who meets people with patience, empathy, and unshakeable belief in their potential, and that journey is just getting started. In Montana, she will carry the same values that have guided her all along: discipline, focus and a heart for helping others find their voice.

How First Tee connected DJ Belcher to NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson and helped him land his dream internship

A youth development program usually does not come with a connection to seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. But that is exactly what the First Tee gave to Drake “DJ” Belcher: a relationship that helped him land an internship at William Morris Endeavor this summer, one of the top talent agencies in the country.

DJ is a rising junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, majoring in finance. Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, he joined First Tee – Triad at around 7 years old. Since then, his time in the program has shaped both his professional growth and his desire to give back to the next generation of participants.

Growing beyond the fairway

Last summer, DJ interned with First Tee – Triad through its Historically Black College and University Internship Program, which connects student-athletes from HBCUs across the country with professional development opportunities and the chance to lead summer camps in underserved communities. The program is supported in part by an IDEA grant. The USGA has awarded more than $1 million in these grants to First Tee chapters over the last five years.

Determined to leave his mark on the sport, DJ did not just coach; he inspired. He helped participants grow and believe in their full potential. “I want to increase representation and increase diversity in the game,” he said. He put that mission into action by giving participants a firsthand look at the doors golf can open, both on and off the course. Little did he know that the same internship would soon open a door of his own.

An opportunity that changed everything

Always eager to learn from others, DJ used the internship to expand his professional network. After sharing that goal with Ryan Wilson, CEO of First Tee – Triad, he was offered the chance to caddie for Jimmie Johnson at the 2025 Wyndham Championship Pro-Am. He accepted without hesitation.

What began as meeting a well-known name in NASCAR grew into a much more personal relationship. During their time together, DJ shared his aspirations to work in the sports entertainment industry, where he hopes to negotiate contracts, oversee brand deals and develop athletes’ personal brands. Jimmie, in turn, shared that he was represented by WME and expressed that he would love to connect DJ with his representation team so he could gain more insight into opportunities within the agency industry.

“That was our first interaction,” DJ said. “We had only known each other for three hours. Having the ambition, the drive to really just want to do better for myself, want to expose myself to different environments — he recognized that and has been willing to share his experiences with me.”

After connecting with WME, DJ knew he had found a path worth pursuing. He made a point of thanking the employees he met and staying in touch afterward. That persistence paid off when he applied to WME’s internship program and was accepted as a brand partnerships intern in its New York City office.

Jimmie did not just help DJ get his foot in the door — he left him with advice to carry into the role: Take advantage of being young, approach every experience with an open mind and never hesitate to ask questions. DJ has taken that advice to heart, treating the internship less like a job and more like a mentorship experience, one built on curiosity and continuous growth.

A bond built to last

The relationship between DJ and Jimmie has only strengthened since their first encounter. “We have had a lot more time to bond and create more of a personal relationship than a transactional relationship,” DJ said. “We have a genuine bond.”

DJ credits Jimmie’s willingness to share his time and resources as a reflection of who he truly is: “It really speaks to his character, sharing his resources with people who are willing to put in the work for it.”

From attending Jimmie’s races to playing in Jimmie’s foundation golf tournaments, DJ is looking forward to continuing to strengthen his relationship with Jimmie and learning and growing from him at a personal level.

DJ’s story is proof of what is possible when curiosity meets ambition. With a mentor like Jimmie in his corner and a career only beginning to take shape, this is just the start of the path ahead for DJ.

Learn more about supporting First Tee programs to make opportunities available to participants in your area or around the globe.

First Tee, PGA TOUR Superstore bring 40 teens to Montana for 6th annual Leadership Summit

Actor Michael Peña and golf broadcaster Amanda Balionis headline this year’s guest speaker lineup.

EMIGRANT, Montana (Aug. 3, 2026) – Youth development organization First Tee and longtime partner PGA TOUR Superstore are hosting the 2026 First Tee Leadership Summit at West Creek Ranch, welcoming 40 participants for two weeks of leadership development set against the backdrop of Paradise Valley in Montana.

Now in its sixth year, the Leadership Summit pairs outdoor adventure with intentional reflection to foster personal growth. Participants take on horseback riding, whitewater rafting, a challenge course and archery, while leadership development experts and PGA TOUR Superstore staff guide sessions designed to help teens uncover their values, sharpen their communication and grow through new experiences.

Actor and First Tee Ambassador Michael Peña will serve as guest speaker the first week, and golf broadcaster Amanda Balionis will join the teens during the second week.

Bordered by the Yellowstone River, West Creek Ranch is owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee Board Member Arthur M. Blank.

“First Tee Leadership Summit provides these teens with an incredible opportunity to grow, learn and build meaningful connections,” said Ralph Stokes, vice president of social impact, partnerships and community relations at PGA TOUR Superstore. “It reflects what makes First Tee so impactful: helping young people build character, develop life skills and discover their potential. At PGA TOUR Superstore, we are committed to investing in programs like this that empower the participants to grow into better players and people.”

“Golf is just the starting point for what we do at First Tee,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Leadership Summit pushes teens to explore who they are, who they want to become and how they can lead with purpose. It is one of our most transformative opportunities, and we are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for making it possible.”

Before applying for the Leadership Summit, each participant must complete the First Tee Leadership Series, a five-week program held at PGA TOUR Superstores across the U.S. This year’s group was selected from a competitive applicant pool and represents 31 First Tee chapters from across the country.

In addition to supporting the Leadership Series and Leadership Summit, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation support First Tee chapters through grants and in-kind donations.

Leadership Summit is one of several signature participant opportunities First Tee offers in support of its mission to build game changers through golf. For more information, visit firsttee.org.

From Topgolf to a national stage: How golf helped Sydney find her voice

When Sydney Purdon stepped up to hit balls at a new Topgolf facility near her home in Aledo, Texas, she had no idea she was about to find her sport. She was 8 years old, and her parents had signed her up for summer camp, mostly to see if golf would stick. By the end of her very first day, she had hit more than 300 balls and was hooked.

“I had tried dance, cheer, basketball and soccer when I was younger, but golf turned out to be my favorite sport to play,” Sydney said. That same fall, her parents discovered First Tee – Fort Worth, and she has been an active participant every season since.

Eight years later, Sydney is a junior coach at her chapter, and she’s pursuing Ace, First Tee’s capstone program for teens. She was also selected to attend the 2026 First Tee Game Changers Academy, a national opportunity presented in partnership with AWS, the 3M Open and Topgolf, fittingly the same brand that first put a club in her hands.

“Stories like Sydney’s exemplify why we’re so proud to be a gateway to golf for countless young people,” said Tiffany Brush, senior director of marketing and charitable initiatives at Topgolf. “Whether it’s through our summer academy programs, partnership with First Tee or simply providing a fun, no pressure environment to try something new for family day out, we’re committed to introducing the world to the sport we love. Sydney’s remarkable journey from discovering her passion at Topgolf as an 8-year-old to becoming a Game Changers Academy member and leader in her community is exactly the kind of impact we hope to create every single day.”

Leading by example, on and off the course

Game Changers Academy focuses on inclusive leadership, something Sydney has already demonstrated at her chapter. As a volunteer coach on Saturday mornings, she works directly with younger players, many of them girls just starting their First Tee journey. Since pursuing Ace, Coach Chuck said Sydney “has shown up regularly and faithfully, investing in younger participants and modeling leadership through action.” She’s also volunteered at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge and with LPGA Girls Golf.

Sydney’s commitment to inclusion is not abstract. She lives with primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare genetic condition that affects her lungs and requires frequent medical care, including a hospital stay last year. Rather than let it sideline her, Sydney channeled her experiences into advocacy, raising concerns with her school counselors about attendance policies that unintentionally penalized students managing chronic health needs. Leaning on First Tee’s CARE framework – communicate, actively listen, review options, end with a win-win solution – she worked toward a solution that let her stay eligible for academic rewards while managing her care.

That same resilience carried her back to golf. Starting with putting and short game before working up to full swings again, Sydney returned to competition and continues to improve, currently competing for Aledo High School’s varsity team while maintaining a 4.43 GPA.

Looking ahead

Sydney hopes to graduate near the top of her class, lower her handicap and pursue a career in graphic design, all while continuing to grow First Tee’s reach in her community. As she heads to Minneapolis this July for Game Changers Academy, she carries with her the same curiosity that brought her to that first Topgolf bay nearly a decade ago, now matched with a clear sense of purpose: using her own experience to make sure no one feels left out.

First Tee Game Changers Academy returns to Minneapolis bringing all-star lineup of experiences, including keynote from Olympic medalist Kellie Wells Brinkley

Focused on inclusive leadership, the event brings together 72 teens from across the country, encouraging them to elevate their voices and lead change in their communities.

MINNEAPOLIS (July 17, 2026) – The 2026 First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow Jr. returns to Minneapolis, bringing together 72 teens from across the U.S. for a workshop designed to challenge them to elevate their voices, embrace their differences and become advocates for positive change in their communities.

First Tee’s longest-running participant event takes place July 18–22, 2026, with participants staying on campus at the University of Minnesota while taking part in a week of dynamic workshops, reflective activities and immersive golf experiences, including a round at the storied Interlachen Country Club, host of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open.

Headlining the week’s welcome event at the Target Center will be keynote speaker Kellie Wells Brinkley, an Olympic bronze medalist. The conversation will focus on the impact of coaching and lessons in leadership, covering her experience from athlete to sports business executive.

“Game Changers Academy aims to equip participants with the confidence, character and skills needed to lead in their communities,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are deeply grateful to AWS, 3M Open and Topgolf for their steadfast commitment to this program and to the next generation of leaders.”

The itinerary includes hands-on leadership workshops, as well as trips to Topgolf and the 3M Open, where the teens will participate in a clinic led by First Tee Ambassador Austin Smotherman, an alumnus of First Tee – Greater Sacramento and PGA TOUR player.

AWS, 3M Open and Topgolf are proud partners of the event. In addition to financial support, representatives from the organization will lead activities and facilitate sessions throughout the week.

First Tee is a youth development organization that uses golf as a vehicle to build character and life skills. The Game Changers Academy is open to teens participating in First Tee chapters nationwide, with participants selected through a competitive application process. It’s one of a full slate of First Tee national participant events focusing on topics like competitive golf, community service and leadership.

Record Field Highlights Growing Tradition at the Taco Bell Junior Classic

More than 70 junior golfers from across the Four Corners region gathered at Civitan Golf Course
on July 13 for the annual Taco Bell Junior Classic, making this year’s tournament the largest in
the event’s history.

Open to golfers ages 7 to 16, the Taco Bell Junior Classic continues to provide young players
with the opportunity to experience the excitement, challenge, and sportsmanship of tournament
golf in a fun and supportive environment.

This event has become a summer tradition for many families, but its roots stretch back much
further. After a nearly 20-year hiatus, the tournament was revived six years ago thanks to the
enthusiasm and support of Kenny Anderson and the Taco Bell team. Since then, participation
has grown every year, reflecting the increasing interest in junior golf throughout our region.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Kenny Anderson and Taco Bell for believing in this event,” said
First Tee – Four Corners Executive Director Tina Pacheco-White. “Their commitment has helped
create an experience that many young golfers look forward to every summer.”

This year’s Overall Girls Champion was Parker Yazzie, who fired an impressive 33, while Cam
Edminston captured the Overall Boys Championship with an outstanding 27.

While the champions deserve recognition, the true success of the Taco Bell Junior Classic is
measured by every young golfer who stepped onto the first tee. For many participants, this
tournament represents the chance to take the skills they’ve developed through practice and
lessons and apply them in a real tournament setting. Learning to manage nerves, follow the rules
of competition, demonstrate integrity, and support fellow competitors are all valuable
experiences that extend well beyond the scorecard.

Events like the Taco Bell Junior Classic are an important part of the player development pathway
at First Tee – Four Corners. They provide young golfers with meaningful competitive
opportunities while reinforcing the confidence, resilience, and character that the game of golf
helps build.

First Tee – Four Corners extends its sincere appreciation to Taco Bell, Aspen Leaf, Allen
Theatres and the volunteers, staff, families, and Civitan Golf Course for making this year’s
event another tremendous success. With record participation and another year of memorable
competition in the books, the future of the Taco Bell Junior Classic has never looked brighter.

You don’t have to be a golfer to support one: A guide for non-golfing parents

Even if you’ve never held a golf club, or you don’t know a birdie from a bogey, that doesn’t mean you don’t play an important role in your child’s golf career.

Some of the most supportive First Tee parents we’ve ever seen have never set foot on a course themselves. Because what your child needs from you has very little to do with whether you can hit a fairway.

Golf can feel intimidating from the outside. It has its own language, etiquette and a large rulebook. But it’s not your job to master it. Your job is to show up, pay attention and let your child know that what they’re doing matters to you.

Let your child be the expert

One of the unexpected gifts of being a non-golfing parent is that your child gets to teach you something. When they explain the rules, walk you through their swing or describe what they worked on at practice, they’re building confidence and communication skills right alongside their golf game.

Take advantage of your commute home to ask questions and be curious. You might be surprised how much your child lights up when the roles are reversed. This can also be a great time to discuss how the skills your child is learning on the course can translate to growth in the classroom, with friends or at home.

Cheer for the right things

In golf, the scoreboard doesn’t always tell the full story, especially for young players who are still learning the game. Things like staying composed after a tough hole or helping a fellow participant find their ball are both forms of success.

When you pick up your child after a class or round, try asking, “What did you learn?” instead of, “How did you shoot?” Those questions signal that you’re paying attention to who they’re becoming, not just how they’re playing.

There are also ways to support your child’s without being a standout player yourself. For example, if they want to achieve a certain score or make a high school or collegiate golf team, you could help them build a goal ladder, breaking down their dreams into achievable actions.

The values are the point

First Tee uses golf as a vehicle to teach values and life skills. Your child is practicing these every time they step on the course, and you can help reinforce them everywhere else.

When your child is frustrated with a friend, that’s a conversation about courtesy and respect. When they want to give up on something hard, that’s a moment to talk about perseverance. When they make a mistake and own it, that’s integrity in action. You don’t need to know golf to recognize those moments and name them for what they are.

If you’ve ever worried that your child is missing something because you can’t teach them the game yourself, let that go. First Tee has coaches for that.

What your child needs is a supporter who asks good questions, celebrates growth over results and makes it clear that who they are matters more than any score. You’ve got that part covered.

First Tee announces 80 teens selected to compete at PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship

The PURE Insurance Championship, held at iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, pairs First Tee teens with PGA TOUR Champions legends for a week of competition and mentorship

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2026) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions today announced the 80 teens selected to compete in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, set for September 15-20, 2026, at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on the Monterey Peninsula.

Hosted by PURE Insurance and Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the tournament is broadcast internationally on Golf Channel and pairs First Tee participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals and business leaders for a week of personal growth. Participants age 15-18 will compete for the boys’ and girls’ pro-junior titles.

Representing 52 chapters, participants were selected based on both their golf ability and their growth through First Tee’s youth development program. Members of the 2026 field have been involved with First Tee for an average of 7.5 years.

“Having experienced firsthand the lasting impact of youth sports, I am proud to support such a worthy cause and help create opportunities for these remarkable young people to build relationships and confidence that will stay with them long after tournament week,” said Katie Krum, Chief Marketing Officer at PURE Insurance.

The junior field was unveiled live on Golf Channel, where reigning girls’ champion Margaret Kerr of First Tee – Greater Houston and her pro partner, Steven Alker, joined the broadcast to discuss their experience competing in the 2025 championship. Kerr will begin her collegiate golf career next fall at West Texas A&M University.

Two members of the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship field earned exemptions into the tournament by finishing Top 5 at the First Tee National Championship, which was held at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club in June. Nakul Shrivastava of First Tee – Tri-Valley won the boys’ division, while Sadie Goodman of First Tee – Central Florida finished 4th, making her the top finisher in the girls’ division who has not previously played the PURE Insurance Championship.

“These 80 teens have put in years of work at their chapters to earn this incredible opportunity, and we are proud to have them represent First Tee,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for their continued investment in these young people and in this extraordinary event.”

Tournament play begins Friday, Sept. 18, on both Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Following Saturday’s rounds, the top 24 juniors will advance to Sunday’s final round at Pebble Beach, where one male and one female First Tee participant will be crowned champions.

The junior field for 2026 PURE Insurance Championshipcan be viewed here.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com.

Junior Golf is off to a great start in Durango at Hillcrest Golf Club!

Hillcrest kicked things off in style with First Tee junior golf camps — and the energy on the
course said it all. Kids showed up ready to laugh, learn, and make new friends, soaking up the
sunshine while discovering just how much fun this game can be.

This program is all about kids getting outside, trying something new, and building confidence.
These are all skills they’ll carry with them on and off the course.

Leading the way are Coach Robby and Coach Kip, both Level 1 certified coaches who bring real
expertise, patience, and a whole lot of energy to every session. Kids at all skill levels feel
encouraged and excited to come back for more.

“We love having these kids out on the course,” said General Manager Michael McCloskey. “They
bring so much energy, and it’s the first step in getting them to love with the game.”

Designed for kids ages 5-12, these camps are all about getting active, having fun, and finding
joy in the game — one swing, one laugh, and one new friend at a time.
Looking forward to a great summer of golf!

First Tee – Four Corners Participant HaydenDan Qualifies for First Tee NationalChampionship

Kirtland, N.M. (June 24, 2026) – First Tee – Four Corners is proud to announce that participant
Hayden Dan has qualified to compete in the 2026 First Tee National Championship, held June
21–25 at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Hayden earned her place among 48 of the nation’s top First Tee participants, selected from chapters across the country based on their competitive golf accomplishments and demonstrated commitment to the values of First Tee. The championship features 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14–18, competing in a 54-hole stroke play event while experiencing collegiate golf and connecting with fellow participants from across the United States.

Hosted annually at premier college golf facilities, the First Tee National Championship showcases not only outstanding golf talent but also the character, confidence and resilience that participants develop through First Tee programs. The event provides young people with opportunities to compete at a high level while building relationships and experiencing college life firsthand.

“We are incredibly proud of Hayden and all that she has accomplished,” said Tina Pacheco-White, Executive Director of First Tee – Four Corners. “Hayden represents everything First Tee strives to develop in young people. Her dedication, sportsmanship, perseverance, and leadership have earned her this incredible opportunity.

The First Tee National Championship is part of First Tee’s national participant opportunities, which help keep teens engaged through competitive golf, leadership development, and community service.

Hayden’s selection is another example of the opportunities available to young people through First Tee – Four Corners. We congratulate Hayden on this remarkable achievement and wish her the very best as she represents our chapter and the Four Corners region on the national stage.

First Tee – Triangle’s Arianna Beverly reflects on the opportunities she’s earned through golf

When Arianna Beverly was six or seven years old, her dad signed her up for First Tee. She liked the little games well enough, but she wasn’t exactly serious about it. Then the world stopped, and golf became everything.

“COVID hit, and all we could do was play golf,” Arianna said. What started as a casual activity gradually became a lifelong passion.

Now a rising senior and member of the First Tee – Triangle community, Arianna just competed at the 2026 First Tee National Championship at Finley Golf Club in Chapel Hill — the same course where she recently attended a skills session as part of the PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression program. This week, she also stepped into a different kind of spotlight, moderating a conversation with player and golf personality Will Lowery at the championship’s welcome dinner.

A pathway opens

Arianna was invited to join Pathway to Progression at last year’s First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame, where she played a practice round with Kenyatta Ramsey, vice president of player development at the PGA TOUR.

She won a qualifying tournament at Bally’s Golf Links in New York, “a very nice golf course, a different kind of experience,” she said. From there, the program brought her back to familiar ground: Finley Golf Club for sessions with coaches who helped with her swing, offered drills and talked through course management and the more technical aspects of the game. Through the program, she played her first AJGA tournament, a senior showcase in Las Vegas, and competed in a second AJGA event as well.

PURE Insurance Championship and Stewart Cink

If you ask Arianna about her favorite golf memory, there’s no hesitation.

“Playing at Pebble Beach. It was just the best experience of my life,” she said. “When I’m old and gray, I’ll still be reminding myself that I went to Pebble Beach and played with Stewart Cink.”

She competed at the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where she was paired with the PGA TOUR veteran. The experience left a lasting impression. “He still gives me little bits of advice,” she said. “I learned so much from him about course management. I was just pampered by everyone at that tournament.”

More than a golfer

Off the course, Arianna is vice president of her school’s Black Student Association, a National Honor Society member and a jewelry entrepreneur. She started making earrings during COVID as a creative outlet, inspired by a find on Pinterest and encouraged by her crafty family. As her skills improved, her dad convinced her to turn her hobby into a small business. Her Christmas gingerbread men and cupcake designs have been particularly popular.

Before she heads off to Japan on an upcoming school trip, Arianna is also looking ahead to the next chapter: college golf, ideally at an HBCU, and a degree in marketing.

The impact of First Tee

Through new environments and everything that comes with growing up, one thing has remained constant.

“First Tee has been the steadiest thing in my life,” Arianna said. “That’s something you need when you’re changing schools and meeting new people. I always know I have my friends at First Tee.”

She also credits the organization with something she didn’t expect when she first teed it up as a kid: social confidence.

As she prepares to graduate in 2027, Arianna sees golf not just as a sport but as the throughline of her life — past, present and future. “Through First Tee, I’ve fostered my love for the game. Everything I’ve done in the golf world has been because I found that love through First Tee. It’s going to get me into college, into the next chapter of my life, and I’m going to keep it throughout my adulthood because of what happened when I was six.”