First Tee Orange County

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 are a life skills program and not a junior golf program. We also teach our program in schools and after school programs. What makes our organization special is our trained coaches who educate and mentor our participants with skills and tools they can use on and off the golf course. We currently teach our program to all kids & teens in Orange County at 13 golf facilities throughout the county. Over the last 12 years, the chapter has served over 40,000 kids & teens with our character building program taught through the game of golf at golf courses, after school programs and in-school PE programs with over 69% ethnically diverse and 38% non-male. First Tee - Orange County does not turn any child away because of financial need. First Tee - Orange County is affiliated with the PGA Tour First Tee Foundation, Inc. All chapters must be financially free standing and all monies raised stay and support the youth and teens of Orange County.

In 2025 vs. Prior Year:
1. Increased the number of classes & camps offered from 290-326
2. Increased unique participants from 1,874 to 2,059
3. Launched 13 new school programs
4. Increased our non-male participants from 37-38%

Goals in 2026:
1. Launch 5 additional school programs in under-served, under resourced communities (Target communities include Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, and Garden Grove)
2. Improve our non-male participants to 40%
3. Decrease our net loss to no more than $150,000
4. Improve our teen retention to 48%

Areas of Financial Need Include:
1. Gap of $45/participant in our traditional 9-week sessions vs. what our registration cost is per participant.
2. Financial aid assistance: We offer full and partial financial support for those families who cannot afford our low cost programming.
3. School/After School & Community Program Launches with costs to include special equipment that can be used on blacktop, in gymnasiums, and on grass; staff; and programming supplies.
4. Cost of program supplies and coaches fees for seasonal camps & clinics.
5. 2027-2029 Teens on Greens Program for 20 teen participants who will meet monthly with guest speakers, golf skill classes with golf course play, and ability to socialize with other teens from communities throughout Orange County.

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 as they learn how to play the game of golf. These are skills they will use on the golf course and skills they will use in life. Being a part of the First Tee of Orange County, kids will 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 and teens in Orange County every year that are coached and mentored to learn our life skills program by expanding our reach at more golf courses, at more after school programs and into more PE programs in elementary and middle schools especially in the underserved and under resourced communities where we can teach kids that may never have the opportunity to play the game of golf. We want to be able to bring the program to them in their schools and in their after-school programs, so transportation isn’t an issue. Coaches and teachers will be able to take the time to teach and mentor them with character building skills they'll be able to use throughout their lives. I am proud and honored to be able to help facilitate these types of opportunities for our kids and teens bringing our character-building programming to thousands of kids every year as they grow up and become wonderful individuals in their communities.

As we continue to grow the First Tee of Orange County, the board recognizes we have an opportunity to educate and reach more young people in Orange County who may want to contribute to the future of golf. 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 awareness in the community and fundraising capability while driving impact. 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, confidence and sportsmanship. I continue to be impressed by the impact this program has on the youth of Orange County.