We are SO THANKFUL!
Throughout the month of November, we shared on social media for 30 days what we are thankful for at First Tee-Roanoke Valley. Below is a recap – we truly do have so much to be thankful for!
Thankful November
Author: jblackwood
Fall 2023 Scorecard Newsletter
Summer 2023 Scorecard Newsletter
Click here to enjoy the latest edition of The Scorecard
Thank you to the 39th Annual Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament donors!
With additional support provided by:
And all who generously donate to the Junior Golf Foundation of Virginia:
Press Coverage of the 39th Annual Scott Robertson includes:
Cardinal News May 17, 2023
WFXR May 18, 2023
WDBJ 7 May 18, 2023
Roanoke Times May 18, 2023
Roanoke Times May 19, 2023
Roanoke Times May 20, 2023
WSLS May 21, 2023
WDBJ 7 May 22, 2023
WSLS Channel 10 May 22, 2023
Fox Live May 22, 2023
Order your 2023 First Tee Golf Shirt now!
Order 2023 First Tee – Roanoke Valley Golf Shirts for your youth today! Shirts are $25 if purchased now during pre-order; retail $35.
Here’s the process.
1. Fill out all sections of this GOOGLE FORM to indicate the size that your child(ren) want. Please make sure to click SUBMIT at the end of the form.
General Puma sizing charts can be found here.
2. PLEASE remember to click SUBMIT at the end of the google order form above.
3. FINAL STEP: PAYMENT: After completing and submitting the Google Form above, pay for your shirts.
You can PAY NOW via credit card using the PayPal tab below. You may also pay by check at the next class. (If paying by check, then you’re done with this process)
4. Shirts will be delivered in classes upon arrival.
Thank you!
Mike Wise Award, a VSGA Scholarship
VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation adds Mike Wise Award to scholarship offerings
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation, in partnership with the Virginia State Golf Association and the
First Tee – Roanoke Valley, has announced the creation of the Mike Wise Award, which will benefit a
deserving high school senior with ties to our First Tee chapter. The inaugural scholarship will be
awarded in 2023.
The award is named for Mike Wise, who spent 20 years as the Chief Financial Officer at Delta Dental of
Virginia and was a longtime member of the VSGA Board of Directors. Wise died in December 2022 at the
age of 72. Wise had a significant philosophical impact on golf in the Roanoke Valley. He was founder of
the Delta Dental Pro-Am for Kids and served on the boards of numerous non-profit entities in the
Roanoke Valley, including First Tee – Roanoke Valley.
“Mike Wise’s impact on First Tee – Roanoke Valley was tremendous,” said Jennifer Blackwood, Executive
Director of First Tee – Roanoke Valley. “We will always be grateful for Mike’s guidance and dedication to
golf, children and improving our community. We are honored that the Mike Wise Award will benefit a
First Tee – Roanoke Valley participant and know this scholarship will be important to their continued
education.”
The Mike Wise Award is the sixth named VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation Award, honoring
contributors to golf in Virginia, including the Spencer-Wilkinson Awards, the C. Dan Keffer Award, the
David A. King Award, the Red Speigle Award and the Richard Smith Award.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1984 that has awarded $2.7 million to
more than 1,000 students with an interest in golf.
“The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is grateful to be in a position to join with the First Tee – Roanoke
Valley and the Wise family in honoring a man who has meant so much to his golf community as well as
to the VSGA,” said Joan Gardner, President of the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors.
“The scholarship application process currently is underway, with awards to be granted this spring to
high school seniors throughout the state. We hope the establishment of this named award will bring
special meaning and encouragement to students in the Roanoke Valley with an interest in golf to pursue
their academic dreams as well.”
Added VSGA Executive Director Matt Smiley: “Mike Wise gave significantly to golf across Virginia
through his service to and support of the VSGA and in the Roanoke Valley through his volunteer efforts
and generosity to several important missions, including The First Tee – Roanoke Valley. We feel this
scholarship continues the work that Mike did during his life by helping put young people in a position to
succeed. We are excited to partner with the First Tee – Roanoke Valley on this scholarship and know that
the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation will put it to good use.”
Initial funding for the scholarship will come from First Tee – Roanoke Valley and the VSGA with the goal
of having the fund endowed by 2027. Donors interested in supporting the fund can donate online at
donate.vsga.org or mail a check to the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation. More information on the
Scholarship Foundation can be found at vsga.org.
Mike Wise Award Recipients
2023 Caroline Gilreath
2024 Nick Crawford
Fall 2022 Scorecard Newsletter
Click here to enjoy the latest edition of The Scorecard!
WIN A TORO 60V MOWER, BLOWER and TRIMMER
Help support First Tee – Roanoke Valley by purchasing a chance to win
a new TORO 60V Flex Force Power System equipment package which includes a mower, blower and trimmer.
The new equipment was shipped to us from TORO and is in it’s original packaging.
We are only offering 100 chances at $50 each!
Each ticket you purchase will give you a chance to win:
CLICK HERE TO make a donation and get your chances to win!
Only 100 chances are available. There will be a live drawing on November 9th and you do not have to be present to win.
Who knows?!? Your donation to First Tee – Roanoke Valley may just land you a perfect holiday gift!
Help us spread the word – please share this with others you think may be interested.
Junior Rates at area golf courses
pricing as of 7.1.2022.
please call courses to book tee times and confirm rates
Youth On Course |
Play local golf courses for $5 or less per round with a membership ($20/year). Find out which area courses are available here.
Blue Hills Golf Club |2002 Blue Hills Dr NE • Roanoke, VA 24102 • (540) 344-7848
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Brookside Par 3 Golf Course | 6303 Williamson Rd • Roanoke, VA 24019 • (540) 366-6059
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Hanging Rock Golf Club | 1500 Red Lane • Salem, VA 24153 • (540)-389-7275
**rate change is due to day and time of play |
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Salem Municipal Golf Course | 601 Academy St. • Salem, VA 24153 • (540) 354-3542
| Daily | Price |
| 18 & Under | $5 |
| Students | $5 |
Ole Monterey Golf Club |201 Tinker Creek Ln NE • Roanoke, VA 24109 • (540) 563-0400
| Daily | 9-Holes | 18-Holes |
| 17 & Under Walking | $10 | $10 |
| 17& Under Riding | $17 | $22 |
Ashley Plantation | 919 Greenfield St • Daleville, VA 24083 • (540) 600-4653
**rate change is due to day and time of play |
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Botetourt Golf & Swim Club | 2414 Country Club Rd • Troutville, VA 24165 • (540) 992-1451
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Copper Cove Golf Club | 360 Chestnut Creek Dr. • Hardy, VA 24101 • (540) 947-1548
| Daily | 18-Holes |
| 17 & Under Walking | FREE |
| 17& Under Riding | $12 |
Pete Dye River Course | 8400 River Course Dr • Radford, VA 24141 • (540) 633-6732
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Private Clubs offering Junior Golf Memberships
Hidden Valley Country Club | 2500 Romar Rd • Salem, VA 24153 • (540) 389-8146
| Private Course; Please contact Hidden Valley pro shop for more information regarding their junior golf membership |
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Roanoke Country Club | 3360 Country Club Dr NW • Roanoke, VA 24017 • (540) 345-1508
| Private Course; Please contact Roanoke Country Club pro shop for more information regarding their junior golf membership |
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Hunting Hills Country Club | 5220 Hunting Hills Dr • Roanoke, VA 24018 • (540) 774-4435
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Private Course; Please contact Hunting Hills Country Club pro shop for more information regarding their junior golf membership |
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Slade Aliff of First Tee – Roanoke Valley to Compete in First Tee’s National Championship
Winner of Girls’ and Boys’ Divisions earn a spot into PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links in September
South Bend, Indiana and Roanoke, VA – (June 27, 2022) – Slade Aliff ofFirst Tee – Roanoke Valley will compete this week in the First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, June 27 – July 1. The 54-hole event brings together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.
The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Slade has been an active member of First Tee – Roanoke Valley for years and has represented our community at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, Conagree Golf Club and more. Slade is also a recent Hidden Valley High School graduate, a member of the Titans golf team and will play golf for Emory & Henry in the fall.
“Congratulations to each of the participants in the field,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We look forward to hosting them at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, a tremendous venue that provides our participants the opportunity to explore what their future may look like as they consider college and potential plans to pursue competitive golf beyond high school. A special thanks to our long-time Trustee Fred Tattersall for his commitment to our mission and for providing meaningful national opportunities like the First Tee National Championship.”
The winners of each girls’ and boys’ divisions will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 20-25, 2022.
Aliff will compete against top players from across the country. Four players in the field are ranked on the American Junior Golf Association and Junior Golf Scoreboard Top 250 (players listed below).
During the week, participants will have the opportunity to hear from PGA Head Golf Professional Steve Scott on what it means to be a game-changer and how his values intersected with his experience of finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship.
First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org.
Thank you to the 38th Annual Scott Robertson Tournament presenting sponsor:
With additional support provided by:
Press Coverage of the 38th Annual Scott Robertson includes:
WSLS on Wednesday, May 18
WFXR on Thursday, May 19
WDBJ7 Scott Robertson Tourney Returns, May 19
WSLS Round One Underway, May 20
WSLS Competition Heating Up , May 21
WSLS Cranston, Davidova claim SRM, May 22
WSLS Golfers Love Saves him from war in Ukraine, May 22
Oakville News, May 23
Letter to the Editor from Barry Hypes, June 3
Letter to the Editor from Colston Clarke, June 3
Letter to Editor from Tim Bibee and Mack McClung June 8
College Roadmap
Learn more about preparing to play golf in college by reading our College Roadmap