Author: mhart

Women’s Equality Day: First Tee – Greater Austin alumna Zayla White is paving the way for women’s golf  

Zayla White joined First Tee – Greater Austin when she was 8 years old at a time when golf was largely male dominated.  

When her parents first enrolled her in camps, she was one of few girls there, but she didn’t let that deter her and took an almost immediate liking to golf.  

“I thought it was so cool that you can be your own boss. All the work you put in is a direct correlation to what you see on the course. You can take ownership of your own success,” said Zayla.  

Many of the people she met in that first camp are still her friends to this day and have supported her from that initial day on the course.  

As she moved through the program, Zayla got to see the growth of girls golf firsthand. According to the National Golf Foundation, the percentage of women golfers has increased by more than 20% since 2000, and girls like Zayla have been paving the way.  

Through golf Zayla found her dream school, Savannah College of Art and Design, where she plays on the collegiate golf team.  

“Getting a scholarship into college [for golf] is one of the biggest things that I don’t think I would’ve been able to do without First Tee. Every area of my life has been touched by First Tee and golf in some way,” said Zayla.  

Zayla is a rising senior this year and continues to pave the way for young golfers following in her footsteps.  

“It’s not uncommon for me to be one of the only girls at the range and definitely one of the only women of color. More and more I’m seeing young girls get into it and more and more girls like me,” said Zayla.  

“Breaking those stereotypes and saying, ‘Yes, I’m a young woman of color in this game and that’s okay.’ We can still succeed and break down these barriers. Being a little bit of representation for some of the younger people who might not know that it’s possible to get into golf is really important.” 

Zayla still volunteers at First Tee – Greater Austin where she grew up whenever she is home in the summers, especially in their programs aimed at young women.  

When asked what advice she has for that next generation of girls pursuing golf she said, “You can be one of the first in your community or one of the first people to break a barrier. Getting into it and knowing you can be comfortable in something new is important.”   

 Zayla is studying industrial design and will start her senior thesis soon. She hopes to incorporate golf into it as she looks towards the end of her college golf career. Her priorities now are enjoying her final year with the girls on her team and making it to nationals, again. 

There’s no doubt in her mind golf will continue to play a large part in her life even after she closes out her final year.  

“When I first showed up to golf camp when I was 8, I was really scared, I didn’t think it would turn out this way. Trust yourself and have the confidence that whatever comes your way you are prepared, and you might find some unexpected surprises in your life,” she said.  

Savannah elementary teacher Ariel Brown recognized as First Tee’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

The international youth development organization recognized Brown for her ability to connect with students and spread her love for golf.

SAVANNAH, Ga. Aug. 24, 2023 – Ariel Brown, an elementary teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy, has been named 2023 Teacher of the Year by First Tee, an international youth development nonprofit that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The award is presented to one teacher each year who has gone above and beyond in delivering the First Tee School Program, which brings First Tee’s character-building curriculum to thousands of school gyms across the country.

Brown has been an elementary teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy since 2014.  The school, located in downtown Savannah, was founded and operated by her parents. The Title 1 school serves 100% minority students, and Brown offers First Tee programming there on Fridays. Brown is also a First Tee alumna and was the first coach at First Tee – Savannah when the chapter relaunched in summer 2021.

“As a coach, Ariel thrived from the beginning,” said First Tee – Savannah program director John Parker. “She began encouraging the students in her elementary school classes to enroll in our off-site program. I can without hesitation say that some of our best kids in programming today are there because of Ariel.” 

“It’s indeed an honor to see a former First Tee – Savannah participant become the National Teacher of the Year,” said First Tee – Savannah Board Member Teia Acker Moore. “This recognition shows Ariel’s deep passion for the sport and her desire to share her knowledge and skills with others. As a teacher, she has inspired and guided new generations of golfers, imparting not only technical expertise but also sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth. This journey and Ariel’s achievement as Teacher of the Year highlights the positive impact that First Tee has on shaping individuals’ lives and fostering a sense of community within the golfing world.”

Brown was surprised with the award in her classroom at Savannah Legacy Academy, where she was presented with balloons, flowers and a video with congratulatory messages from colleagues and loved ones. Her achievement was highlighted by Golf Digest.

Since launching in 1997, First Tee has grown into a preeminent youth development organization seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. Its network spans 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. In 2022, First Tee impacted more than 3.4 million kids and teens with more than 10,000 adults – from volunteers, coaches and board members – as well as teachers from schools across the country working tirelessly to help empower participants. 

Through the First Tee Awards in partnership with Golf Digest, First Tee recognizes the dedicated adults and chapters who go above and beyond to bring its mission to life every day.

“The First Tee School Program reached more than 3 million kids last year,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Obviously, it takes a lot of committed adults to make that happen. But our colleagues at First Tee – Savannah told us Brown stands out for her ability to connect with the kids she serves. Congratulations to Ariel on this well-deserved honor.” 

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About First Tee – Savannah 

First Tee — Savannah is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee — Savannah reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at the 5 program locations, 20schools and 4 youth centers. Learn more at www.firstteesavannah.org. 
 

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MEDIA CONTACTS:    

Meri Erickson, First Tee – Savannah 
[email protected]

Dana Whitfield, First Tee – Savannah
[email protected]

First Tee – Upstate South Carolina alumna Anna Morgan prepares to tee it up at Augusta 

Playing Augusta National is a dream for many golfers.  

“There are so many things that make the experience special,” Anna Morgan said. “The history that surrounds it and the Masters stories, it’s just exciting to be out there playing the same golf course.” 

Anna is an alumna of First Tee – Upstate South Carolina and a collegiate golfer at Furman University. She’s preparing to play in her third Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which begins Wednesday, April 3.  

“Up until 2019, they only had The Masters, and so to now have the ANWA and be able to say I’ve played tournament golf at Augusta, it’s just so cool to be part of that history,” she said. 

It’s almost a hometown tournament for Anna, who grew up a couple hours from Augusta in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  

Anna has had a storied career at Furman, where she was named 2023 SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. Last month she won the Purdue Puerto Rico Classic. “There have just been so many amazing moments,” she said. “I started playing golf because I thought it was fun, and I’ve been able to keep having fun with my coaches and teammates at Furman.” 

Anna honed that mentality at First Tee, where she still remembers playing golf baseball and other games. “I just have such great memories and made such great friends,” she said. “Especially during rough days on the golf course, I try to remember to always have fun. You need to enjoy it first and foremost.”  

She said First Tee helped her build confidence too. 

Anna’s dad got her into golf when she was young, but she played lots of different sports and actually focused on baseball until she was encouraged to switch to softball when she got older. 

Her advice to young golfers: “I definitely wasn’t the best golfer starting out. You don’t have to be the best player in your town or even the best on your team to have a future in golf,” she said. 

In addition to preparing for Augusta – where Anna says your short game is critical – she’s about to graduate with a double major in communications studies and political science. Anna is aiming to qualify for the Curtis Cup before establishing herself on a professional tour. 

Learn more about playing with First Tee. 

PURE Insurance Championship: Bella Villarin

Bella Villarin has plenty of experience writing the news. But next week, she’ll be making it as a participant in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions event that will air on Golf Channel. 

A senior at Coronado High School, Bella is a First Tee – San Diego participant and captain of her school’s golf team. She took up the sport 13 years ago and now boasts a +0.8 handicap. Bella is also an accomplished journalist, having published more than 200 articles as an intern for The Coronado Times.

Now 17, Bella has already traveled the globe and experienced diverse cultures. 

She originally joined First Tee – Hampton Roads in Virginia when she was 4, but later her family moved to Singapore where her father was stationed for the military. The four years Bella spent in Singapore were longer than she had ever lived in one spot, and returning to the U.S. was difficult, she said. 

“There were vast differences between Singapore and San Diego. The food, the people, the weather – nearly every aspect of our lives were brand new,” she said. 

However, one thing carried through: Bella continued to play golf in each of the places she lived.

Bella became involved with First Tee – San Diego when her family moved back to the U.S. through her cousin, Reece, who is a First Tee – San Diego and Harvard alumna. One of the things Bella has enjoyed most about First Tee is getting to meet kids from different backgrounds. She’s met participants from Somalia to Ukraine, and she’s been able to serve as a mentor and mentee.

“I have made countless friendships and lifelong relationships with fellow golfers, coaches and volunteers,” she said.

Off the golf course, Bella completed more than 100 hours of community service in 2022, and she volunteers with the American Red Cross. She is also president of her school’s Days for Girls Club, which supports women and girls in developing countries by creating reusable feminine hygiene products that allow them to attend school during their menstrual cycles. 

Along with the other 79 First Tee participants in the tournament this week, be sure to cheer on Bella as she competes in her first PURE Insurance Championship. 

Learn more about the PURE Insurance Championship.