Golf Fore Life Skills

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.

The First Tee of Orange County chapter started serving kids ages 4-18 in 2013 at the Islands Golf Center in Anaheim. We currently teach our program at three locations in Anaheim including Dad Miller Golf Course, Anaheim Hills Golf Course and the Island Golf Center. We are also teaching our program in the after school program at all 23 schools in the Anaheim Elementary School District. Over the last 11 years, the chapter has served over 35,000 kids throughout the entire county with our character building program taught through the game of golf at golf courses, after school programs and in-school PE programs with over 60% ethnically diverse and 37% female. First Tee - Orange County does not turn any child away because of financial need. First Tee - Orange County is a part of the PGA Tour First Tee Foundation, a national non profit that is 27 years old. All chapters must be financially free standing. That's why we need your help so we can continue to support the youth of Anaheim.

In 2024, we increased the number of kids served at our golf courses by 32% and increased our number of classes by 60. Our community outreach has increased from 3,416 to 10,297 between after-school and in-school program offerings. Our goals in 2025 include golf course expansion reaching 340 more kids YoY. We want to increase our female participation to 40% from 37% and teen participation to 12% from 10%. We plan to fund 100% of the financial aid requests made for those families needing assistance for their child to participate in the program.

We offer our program to all families at a nominal cost for all classes and camps. With the cost of First Tee certified coaches, equipment, range balls, and tee times, we have a gap of $50 for every player who participates in our programs. This cost is incremental to any scholarships or financial assistance we offer our families. That's why we need fundraisers like Impact Anaheim to help us fill that gap. Our goals are to increase the number of participants in our programs with a focus on teen retention and increase of non-male participants in our program. We are focusing our outreach in under-served, under resourced communities who may not have life skills programs that teach the game of golf.

All communities in Orange County.

At the First Tee of Orange County, we want all kids ages 4-18 to have the opportunity to be empowered and learn life skills such as respect, perseverance, and confidence while setting goals for themselves and collaborating with others while learning how to play the game of golf. These are skills they won't only use on the golf course, but skills they will use in life. Being a part of the First Tee of Orange County, kids will have the opportunity to be exposed to local and national leadership, scholarship, and competitive golf events that are life changing. My goal as the CEO is simple. I want to increase the number of kids in Orange County every year that learn our life skills program by expanding our reach at more golf courses, at more after school programs and into more PE programs in schools especially in the under served and under resourced communities that may never have the opportunity to play the game of golf and have coaches taking the time to teach them character building skills they'll be able to use throughout their life. I am proud and honored to be able to help facilitate these type of opportunities for our players and to bring our character building programming to thousands of kids every year as they grow up and become great individuals.

As we continue to grow the First Tee of Orange County, the board recognizes we have a brand awareness problem. We need people in Orange County to know who we are and the value we bring into the communities we serve and the difference we are making in our youth every day with the character building program we teach through the game of golf. We believe our checks and balances with our risk management and governance oversight is solid, we have a plan for financial sustainability, and a strong management team in place to continue to achieve our growth of revenue and participants as outlined in our strategic plan. Our dedicated volunteer board members joined because of their belief in the mission and desires to increase our fundraising capability while driving success. Our donors and sponsors continue to support our annual golf tournament in particular because they come to see the kids on the course and to hear their stories about what the First Tee of Orange County means to them. It just takes one observation of a class to see what these kids learn about respect and sportsmanship. I continue to be impressed by the impact this program has on the youth of Orange County.