It’s with heavy hearts, we share that First Tee – Roanoke Valley’s founding board chairman Tom Robertson passed away on Friday, March 7th. It was his dream to create First Tee – Roanoke Valley so that area children would have an opportunity to learn golf and important life skills. With his unmatched leadership and unwavering support, that dream became a reality in 2004.
We are so grateful for his immeasurable impact on our community as a businessman, friend, philanthropist, and visionary.
Please join us in keeping his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Please find a collection below of articles written about the strong legacy he is leaving:
Parents call coaches the “unsung heroes of youth development.” First Tee will celebrate these mentors during its inaugural network-wide awareness campaign.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (March 11, 2025) – Leading nonprofit youth development organization First Tee is launching a weeklong national awareness campaign to celebrate the impact of its coaches. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build character like inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.
Kicking off at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 19-25, First Tee Week aims to engage communities across the country, encouraging them to celebrate the coaches who make a difference locally. Entitled “Dear Coach,” the campaign will feature a variety of in-person and online activities, including:
First Tee will launch a new creative campaign, including an updated PSAthat speaks to the power of youth sports coaches to instill confidence, values and life skills in the kids they serve.
On Wednesday, May 21, First Tee will host a group of alumni at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge, where they’ll hear from a panel on “The coach effect: The importance of coaches and the stories that shape us.” The panel will feature New Orleans Saints defensive end and First Tee – Phoenix alumnus Cameron Jordan alongside other First Tee alumni.
First Tee chapters across the country will host a variety of activations, including a fundraising tournament at Winged Foot (Metropolitan New York), meet the coach night (San Francisco), golf marathons (Greater Baltimore, West Michigan) and more. Find a First Tee chapter in your area.
First Tee’s corporate partners will celebrate First Tee Week in a variety of ways. “Dear Coach” content will appear at Topgolf and PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, with organizations like Golf Digest, the USGA and Morgan Stanley planning to highlight coach stories on their own channels.
First Tee has launched a digital experience at FirstTee.org/DearCoach and social content featuring stories from participants, alumni and notable supporters like former NFL player Larry Fitzgerald and PGA TOUR professional Wyndham Clark on the incredible relationships between coaches and participants. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to engage.
“Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and parents are looking for character-building programs because they know strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “For nearly 30 years, our dedicated and trained coaches have set First Tee apart because we have developed a training system built on research-proven methods of positive youth development. We are excited to celebrate their contributions and raise awareness for their work during First Tee Week.”
According to research from Harris Poll, 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire their child to excel both on and off the field, and they believe coaches can impact their child’s ability to work well with others and be resilient in the face of challenges.
First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engage more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. First Tee serves more than 3.1 million kids annually.
Parents rely on sports – and trained coaches – to help their children build character and learn life skills, including working with others.
CHICAGO, Ill. & PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2024) – While 93% of parents agree that kids can learn important life skills from playing sports, four out of five parents also believe there is a shortage of high-caliber coaches today.
That is from a new survey by global consulting and market research firm, The Harris Poll, and youth development organization, First Tee. The U.S.-based survey was conducted online in April 2024 with feedback from 2,049 adults.
The survey captured data on youth involvement in extracurricular activities and sports. The data was also analyzed by gender, age, race, education, and income, among other characteristics.
“Since our mission is centered on positive youth development, we think it is important to seek parents’ perspectives as the world around them continues to change and their kids face new challenges,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “It helps us better understand and serve youth, and in the case of this study, it reinforces the importance of our investment in training our coaches.”
First Tee’s network of 150 chapters engages more than 5,000 active, trained coaches who deliver a curriculum designed with input from youth development experts using golf as the platform. The training system is built on research-proven methods of positive youth development, providing coaches with the tools to make kids feel safe, included and empowered. As part of First Tee’s onboarding, each coach is background-checked and completes training from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
The key findings from the survey include:
89% of parents feel character is a lost value that should be more emphasized in today’s society – an increase of +4 percentage points from the 2023survey. Today’s kids and teens are facing new challenges, and strength of character is essential for overcoming obstacles. Parents understand that need, as nine out of 10parents seek opportunities for their kids to build character.
Parents believe sports can help close the character gap. Parents put their kids in extracurricular activities – with sports being most popular – for socialization and to build confidence. According to 93% of parents, children learn important life skills from playing sports.
Parents believe coaches are essential to youth development. Parents turn to coaches to help teach their kids character, self-confidence, determination and leadership. 91% of parents agree that sports coaching should inspire children to excel both on and off the field.
Safety is critically important to parents. They prefer coaches who have been background checked, with 94% of parents citing it as a priority in today’s world and 83% wishing their child had more access to well-trained coaches.
“While every generation confronts their own unique challenges, kids are facing new barriers to character development,” said Harris Poll CEO Will Johnson. “Our research findings make it clear: Parents, when registering your kids for the upcoming school year, don’t forget the critical development that comes outside the classroom.”
This is the second annual research collaboration between The Harris Poll and First Tee.
For the results of the 2023 parent survey, click here.
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About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. 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. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
About The Harris Poll The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.
### MEDIA CONTACTS: Annika Mayers, First Tee [email protected] 904-273-3513
Actors Michael Peña and Kathryn Newton will headlinethe two weeklong retreats focused on sharpening leadership skills.
WEST CREEK RANCH, Mont. (August 5, 2024) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore are set to host 40 teens from across the country at West Creek Ranch, an intimate setting in Montana for leadership development, community building and connection. Owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee board member Arthur M. Blank, the picturesque ranch is the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these teens to explore leadership development, community building and problem solving. Students spend much of the time in outdoor interactions including whitewater rafting, horseback riding and archery, based on the belief that connections made in nature provide benefits that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
Each week will tee off with keynote speakers who will discuss their individual leadership, share life experiences and examine how they have grown through opportunities and challenges. The first week will feature actor Michael Peña, while actor and First Tee alumnus Kathryn Newton will be the featured speaker during the second week.
The First Tee Leadership Summit is designed to help teens grow their leadership skills through hands-on activities that require teamwork and personal strength. Daily leadership themes include pursuing goals, growing through challenges and building positive self-identity.
This is the fourth consecutive year that nonprofit youth development organization First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore will hold this event at West Creek Ranch. This year’s group comes from 25 cities across the country, with 20 teens attending each week. West Creek Ranch is a 6,600-acre working ranch in Emigrant, Montana, that is bordered by the Yellowstone River and Gallatin National Forest.
“We are excited to host these 40 impressive teens for an unforgettable week of personal growth and relationship building,” said Dick Sullivan, Executive Chairman & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “So many lessons from golf can be applied to life, and we truly believe in the positive impact sports can have on kids and teens, which is why we’re proud to support this event and partner with First Tee chapters across the country.”
“Thank you to Arthur Blank and PGA TOUR Superstore for their continued generosity in supporting this event,” added Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “The lessons these young leaders will take away from Montana will shape their futures in remarkable ways.”
At the conclusion of the Summit, four students will be selected for the First Tee College Scholarship Program and will receive financial support as well as access to mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout college.
To be eligible for the Summit, teens completed a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, before completing applications that outlined their leadership experience and goals. For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and Arthur Blank have championed First Tee’s mission through donations and by supporting participant events, including the Leadership Summit and the Leadership Academy, which is held in Atlanta.
The Leadership Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee to expose teens to new challenges and inspire them as they prepare to embark on life after high school.
Clemson, South Carolina (June 27, 2024) – Norah Yang of Los Altos, California, and Trent Mierl of Austin, Texas, won the girls’ and boys’ divisions of the 4th annual First Tee National Championship at the Walker Course at Clemson University. The event brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the confidence, perseverance and skills needed to play at the next level.
Yang finished the tournament 6-under-par and shot a final round 69 to clench the victory on the girls’ side. She is a rising high school senior with a 4.0 GPA. She’s been a volunteer coach at First Tee – Silicon Valley for three years and finished 3rd at the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event that pairs First Tee juniors with professional players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach.
“It has been amazing playing at Clemson this week,” Yang said. “I have met so many amazing players from all the other chapters and had so many great experiences. Getting here and winning would not have been possible without First Tee and all the skills they have taught me.”
Mierl, who will play golf at the University of Missouri next year, shot a blistering 65 in the final round to finish 9-under for the tournament. He’s been a member of First Tee for nine years and is a volunteer coach at his chapter. He’s the only player to compete in all four First Tee National Championships, with the inaugural event taking place in 2021, and said it was special to win in his final attempt.
“I came up one shot short of the playoffs in the first National Championship,” he said. “I’ve met great people here and made so many great memories. This is my favorite junior golf event, and it feels like I came full circle in my final chance to win at the same golf course where I fell just short.”
Both winners were awarded with the Tattersall Cup in honor of event chairman Fred Tattersall.
Two players were also awarded exemptions to the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship. As First Tee juniors can only play in the PURE Insurance Championship once, this year’s exemptions went to Gianna Singh from First Tee – Greater Sacramento and Spencer Ives from First Tee – Naples/Collier. The tournament will be broadcast on Golf Channel, Sept. 20-22.
Based on their play at the First Tee National Championship, two players will also earn spots in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, which aims to support talented golfers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the sport. The PGA TOUR will announce the full roster for its Pathways program, including the two players who earned their spots at the First Tee National Championship, in the coming days.
“Congratulations to all of our participants in the field and especially to Trent and Norah for an outstanding performance in becoming the 2024 First Tee National Champions,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This event plays an important role in helping these young people prepare for the next level. We are extremely proud of this event and of the teens who work hard on their game all year preparing. Thank you to Clemson University for hosting for the second time, we look forward to coming back again.”
The First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college golf courses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country. Next year’s event will take place at Notre Dame University.
The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. A full list of results is available here.
The National 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 the first time, this year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamekast with live scoring available on Golf Genius.
Clemson, South Carolina – (June 21, 2024) – The Walker Course at Clemson Universitywill host the First Tee National Championship next week, June 25-27, 2024, bringing together 48 of the organization’s top golfers for a 54-hole event designed to showcase how the program has helped them build the skills, positive attitude and perseverance needed to play collegiate golf.
The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Fourteen players in the field have already committed to college golf teams. First Tee held its inaugural National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and all six of the past winners are members of college golf teams. That includes 2023 winner Megan Meng of First Tee – Greater Trenton, who’s in the Top 10 in the AJGA Rankings and will begin her collegiate career at Northwestern this fall.
In advance of this year’s competition, the event will feature a keynote address by First Tee – Greater Richmond alumnus Gavin Parker, PGA, who shares his love for the sport on his popular social media channels. Participants will also attend a careers in golf panel to learn more about working in the industry.
“First Tee continues to play an important role in the development of teens, both on and off the course,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Our National Championship is an opportunity for participants who want to take their game to the next level to showcase their skills. The week provides them with competition and an enriching opportunity to get them ready for playing in college and beyond.”
For the first time, viewers can stream the First Tee National Championship on Gamekast. Scoring will also be available on Golf Genius.
In addition to crowning a male and female tournament winner, one boy and one girl from the field will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, a player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.
First Tee – Greater Austin’s Danica Lundgren earned a spot in the Pathways program at last year’s National Championship, held at Stanford University. She’s back in the tournament field this year before joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s golf team this fall.
Two exemptions to this year’s PURE Insurance Championship will also be up for grabs. The PGA TOUR Champions event pairs pro and junior players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach each September.
The 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. Next year’s event will take place at the University of Notre Dame.
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.
Teens from across the U.S. will learn about leadership from executives within the Arthur M. Blank family of businesses.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 17, 2024) – The First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore returns from June 17-22. The weeklong Atlanta event will bring together 48 teens from across the country who will learn about operating successful teams from executives within the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
The event is headlined by basketball legend Maya Moore, a 4-time WNBA, 2-time NCAA and 2-time Olympic champion, who off the court, has been a dedicated advocate of criminal justice reform. Participants will also hear from leaders like Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey, Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles, PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman and CEO Dick Sullivan and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Chief of Staff Kelley Gulley.
It will feature workshops on communication, developing a winning culture and more. Attendees will get a taste of the college experience, with the Georgia Institute of Technology serving as its hub. The group will also visit sites across Atlanta, including the PGA TOUR Superstore Support Center, the Coda building, Atlanta United’s training facility, the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
“Our participants learn valuable skills at the First Tee Leadership Academy and have made friendships they will carry with them well beyond their time in Atlanta,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore for supporting these truly life-changing events.”
PGA TOUR Superstore has been a partner of First Tee for more than a decade, providing financial support and in-kind donations. It provides chapter grants to promote teen retention and supports national events like the Leadership Academy, Leadership Summit and Leadership Series.
The First Tee Leadership Academy is one of ten national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to inspire and empower teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
To be eligible to apply for the Academy, teens were required to participate in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country this past spring.
Members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program receive financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (June 4, 2024) – First Tee is thrilled to welcome 24 new members to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Entering its fifth year, the program recently celebrated its first graduating class, and now boasts 94 current or former members. Like those who have come before them, each of the new First Tee Scholars has shown dedication to school, extracurriculars, volunteerism and especially First Tee, averaging 9.5 years of involvement with the youth development organization.
The 14 young women and 10 young men who comprise the 2024 Scholar class were selected from a pool of 150 applicants. They boast an average GPA of 4.0 and SAT score of 1350. Ten members of the new class are participants in the Ace Program, First Tee’s capstone experience. Four plan to play collegiate golf, including First Tee – West Virginia’s Argyle Downes, who will play Division I golf at Rutgers.
Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.
“Spring is an exciting time of the year when we welcome a new group of First Tee Scholars,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The scholarship program has grown significantly since it launched in 2020 thanks to our generous donors and sponsors. We look forward to supporting our Scholars on their path to success.”
Ten First Tee Scholars graduated from college this spring. Several plan to attend graduate or medical school, while others are starting careers with companies like AWS, BNP Paribas Bank, PwC, Proctor & Gamble and the NFL.
Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee
for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, community service and other criteria.
The below articles by Steve Hemphill were released and published in various newspapers such as The Roanoke Times, Cardinal News and others throughout the weekend.
Thank you once again to Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC for the sponsorship of the tournament and to the generous donors and volunteers to make this world class tournament happen.
All proceeds benefit First Tee – Roanoke Valley and we are so grateful for all of the support!
MANAKIN SABOT — At its Annual Meeting—held Saturday at Hermitage Country Club—the Virginia State Golf Association honored its 2023 Golfers of the Year, 2023 Service Award winners, and welcomed a new member to the Association’s Board of Directors. In addition, one additional Board member was reelected for the Class of 2026 via vote of VSGA membership.
At the VSGA winter Board of Directors meeting, held Friday at Hermitage, the board voted on and approved a new slate of officers for 2024. Brian Maloney (Springfield G&CC) was elected as the association’s 40th President and will serve a two-year term. Craig Groenendaal (VSGA eClub) will serve as the association’s Vice President, and Vern Inge (The Federal Club) will serve as the association’s Secretary/Treasurer. Both will serve one-year terms. Outgoing VSGA President Anne Greever (Willow Oaks CC) will remain on the board through 2025 as Immediate Past President.
BOARD ELECTION
The VSGA Nominating Committee met—and in accordance with Article VII of the Bylaws of the Virginia State Golf Association—selected the following candidates for election to the VSGA Board of Directors, Class of 2026.
• Vern Inge, The Federal Club (second term)
• Bev Lane, Reston National Golf Course (first term)
Gary Beck, who served the VSGA Board from 2008-23 and most recently as Immediate Past President, was the only outgoing member of the board.
2023 VSGA AWARD WINNERS
» The 2023 President’s Award was presented to Gib Palmer of Salisbury Country Club. Palmer has been involved as a volunteer with the VSGA and USGA since 1993. He served three terms on the VSGA Board of Directors, including as President in 2014-15. Palmer played a key role in the integration of the VSGA Women’s Division into the VSGA, ensuring that women were part of the association’s governance structure and were set up to serve in key roles within the association. During his presidency, Palmer spearheaded a long-range strategic plan that included the construction of a dedicated VSGA headquarters. Palmer was the driving force behind the establishment of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, which inducted its Inaugural Class in 2016 and has since grown to 37 members. He has received numerous accolades from peer organizations, including the 2018 Joe Dey Award, the USGA’s highest volunteer honor, and the 2016 VSGA Volunteer of the Year Award.
» The 2023 Service to Golf Award was presented to Mike Cumberpatch, who served as Executive Director of the Washington Metropolitan Golf Association and Middle Atlantic Golf Association from 2015 until his retirement in 2023. His leadership spanned decades, starting in the early 1990s when he began volunteering with the MAGA and USGA. He has served in various capacities with golf organizations through the years, ranging from Rules official to historian to president. Cumberpatch also devotes time to other organizations, including the Special Olympics, Wounded Warriors, and The First Tee—showing the depth of his commitment to serving the game. He has served as official-in-charge of countless USGA qualifiers, including the annual U.S. Open final qualifying at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
» Doug Stover was the recipient of the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award. Stover has volunteered on the VSGA’s Course Rating Team since 1998, making him the longest active course rater in Virginia. He is an expert on the Course Rating System and someone the VSGA staff has come to rely on, not only for his work on the course but as a mentor to new volunteers. In 2023, Stover participated in nine course ratings—almost a third of all ratings conducted by the VSGA—and is often called upon to travel throughout Virginia to assist other course-rating teams. Stover is also a starter at The Country Club of Virginia and a volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum.
» The 2023 Grow The Game Award was presented to Jennifer Blackwood, who completed her 20th year as Executive Director of The First Tee – Roanoke Valley in 2023. Her efforts have helped the VSGA and the First Tee deepen their relationship, particularly during the seven years that Roanoke’s Ballyhack Golf Club hosted the State Open of Virginia. During the tournament’s run at Ballyhack, she helped facilitate youth clinics and donations for youth development in the area, with significant funds going to the First Tee – Roanoke Valley. In 2023, Blackwood and the First Tee – Roanoke Valley partnered with the VSGA in creating the Mike Wise Award, a scholarship that benefits a deserving high-school senior with ties to the First Tee – Roanoke Valley.
» Additionally, two one-time awards were presented as VSGA Women’s Division Legacy awards to Joan Darden (Mentorship) and Barbara Hughes (Leadership).
An accomplished player who won the 1989 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, Darden is being honored for her mentorship of fellow players—primarily women—to whom she patiently taught not just golf skills, but also the Rules of Golf, etiquette, and types of golf competition, especially match play. Darden conducted weekly rules and practice clinics at Hermitage Country Club. She also served the game as President of the Women’s Eastern Golf Association.
Hughes, a lifelong golfer who joined Hermitage in 1962, won two VSGA Women’s Amateur Championships and played for Hermitage in every VSGA Women’s State Team Matches from 1962-2008. She also competed in 21 straight Women’s Virginias-Carolinas Matches and served as captain in 1967 and 1968.
Hughes is being honored for her legacy of distinguished leadership. She was the first woman elected to the Board of Directors at Hermitage in the club’s 100-year history, serving three terms from 2001-11. At the regional level, she served on the governing board of the Richmond Women’s Golf Association. She was also on the VSGA Women’s Division Board of Directors from 1974-81, serving as President from 1980-81.
GOLFER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
» Golfer of the Year—Sam Beach (Hermitage CC): A reinstated amateur, Beach got off to a solid start in 2023, winning a pair of partner events with his brother Ben. They claimed titles at the VSGA MultiFormat Team Championship in April before rallying for a victory a month later at the VSGA Four-Ball Championship at The Piedmont Club. Beach was also a member of Hermitage Country Club’s winning team at the VSGA Club Championship in April. Beach made his mark in individual play as well, reaching the semifinals of the VSGA Amateur before falling to eventual champion Grayson Wood. He recorded a top-10 finish at the State Open of Virginia and shot a three-day, 14-under-par score to claim the title at the prestigious Valentine Invitational at Hermitage.
» Women’s Golfer of the Year—Melanie Walker (Springfield G&CC): Walker had a breakthrough season in 2023, beginning the year by partnering with sister Raquel to win the VSGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship in May. In July, she was medalist at the VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship and advanced to the final match before falling to a Makayla Grubb birdie on the 18th hole. This past fall, Walker, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, became the first Mizzou golfer—male or female—to earn Southeastern Conference player of the week honors. She also participated in two USGA championships in 2023, the U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. At the latter, she partnered with Sydney Hackett to reach the quarterfinals.
» Junior Boys’ Golfer of the Year—Jake Albert (Blacksburg CC): At age 16, Albert became one of the youngest players ever to reach the championship match at the VSGA Amateur in June, where he lost a hotly contested match on the 36th hole to champion Grayson Wood. A year prior, Wood defeated Albert in the final match of the VSGA Junior Match Play Championship. Albert competed in the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2023 and racked up four top-10 finishes in AJGA events, including a win at the Jack Burke Jr. Invitational in August. He tied for second at the VHSL Class 4 Championship and was part of Blacksburg High School’s winning team in the event.
» Junior Girls’ Golfer of the Year—Kathryn Ha (Roanoke CC): Ha made noise on the local, national, and international stages in 2023. In Virginia, she reached match play at the VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship before falling to eventual champion Makayla Grubb in the round of 16. She finished in the top 20 at the inaugural Women’s Open of Virginia. She earned points in both matches representing Virginia at the Junior Girls’ Mid-Atlantic Challenge, helping the Virginia/Maryland team to its first win over the Carolinas in eight years. In April, Ha won the AJGA’s Justin Thomas Junior Championship, her second title in an AJGA event. That play helped her earn a selection to Team USA at the Junior Solheim Cup, contested in Spain, where she won two of a three possible points.
» Senior Golfer of the Year—Buck Brittain (The Virginian GC): Brittain earned this honor for the fourth time thanks to a stellar season that included a third straight win in the VSGA Senior Four-Ball (with Jon Hurst) and a victory at the VSGA Senior Stroke Play Championship in difficult conditions at Winchester Country Club. Brittain’s win there helped him become just the second player to complete the VSGA “Senior Slam,” which includes victories in the Senior Amateur, Senior Open, Senior Stroke Play, and Senior Four-Ball. Only Brittain and Keith Decker have accomplished the feat. Brittain was runner-up and low amateur at the Senior Open of Virginia, reached the semifinals at the Senior Amateur and reached match play at the VSGA Amateur competing against a field loaded with college and high school players. Brittain racked up eight top-10 finishes in VSGA Player Rankings events, including wins at the David King Invitational, Allegheny Amateur (with Hurst) and Willow Oaks Fall Invitational (with Hurst).
» Senior Women’s Golfer of the Year—Andrea Miller (The Club at Glenmore): In a year in which Miller made history by winning her fourth straight VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur title, she also became the first player to win three solo VSGA Senior Women’s Golfer of the Year awards in a row. Shelley Savage won three straight from 2011-13 but shared the spoils in 2011 with Mimi Hoffman. In the final match at the Senior Women’s Amateur, Miller rallied from an early 2-down deficit to best Bev Lane 2 and 1, spurred on by a hole-in-one on the par-3 9th hole. Miller qualified for three USGA championships in 2023, making the cut at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. She also played in the U.S. Women’s MidAmateur and U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
» Super Senior Golfer of the Year: David Partridge (Hermitage CC): A member of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, Partridge becomes the first player in VSGA history to win Golfer of the Year, Senior Golfer of the Year and Super Senior Golfer of the Year honors. In all, he’s won six Golfer of the Year honors. Partridge was near the top of the leaderboard in every VSGA championship he entered. He advanced to the final at the VSGA Super Senior Amateur (65+), falling to Jack Allara in a tight match. With partner Harry Thomas, he was runner-up at both the Super Senior Four-Ball and Super Senior Multi-Format Team Championship. He also finished tied for second at the Super Senior Stroke Play Championship (65+). He advanced to the round of 16 at the Senior Amateur and claimed super senior titles in two VSGA Player Rankings Events—The Signature at the Federal Club and the Two Rivers Invitational.
» Super Senior Women’s Golfer of the Year: Shawn McCullough (Mount Vernon CC): McCullough becomes the second Mount Vernon CC member to win this award, joining Linda DiVall. McCullough was the medalist at the VSGA Super Senior Women’s Amateur and advanced to the championship match before falling to DiVall. She also was runner-up at the VSGA Super Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship, finishing behind Shelley Savage. McCullough qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, was the low senior amateur at the Maryland Women’s Open and finished third at the Women’s Eastern Super Senior Amateur Championship.
Up to $32,000 in scholarships will be awarded to participants whose projects generate the greatest impact
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – (Nov. 9, 2023) – Twenty-eight exemplary teens from across the U.S. will attend the First Tee Innovators Forum in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home of the PGA TOUR, from Nov. 9-12. Each student will spend four days conceptualizing an original community service project with guidance from First Tee and its partners. Participants will then implement the projects when they return home, with the opportunity to earn a share of up to $32,000 to support future educational pursuits.
During the event, participants will hear from seven-time PGA TOUR winner Billy Horschel, who has demonstrated his commitment to growing diversity in golf and supporting his neighbors in northeast Florida through his own philanthropic endeavors. The teens will participate in interactive workshops and small breakout sessions covering a variety of topics including education, healthcare advocacy and programming.
They will also learn about sustainability on an eco-cruise through the estuaries of nearby St. Augustine with support from TruGreen and receive counsel on their projects from technology consulting firm CapTech, both First Tee Trustees.
Parts of the event will take place at PGA TOUR Global Home and TPC Sawgrass. The purpose of the event is to encourage participants to become innovators in their respective communities, culminating with each teen presenting the plans for their project.
“Our participants have produced creative and impactful community service projects since this event launched – addressing issues like food insecurity and environmental sustainability – and we look forward to seeing what this group of impressive teens will uncover throughout the event week,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Thank you to Doug MacKenzie for making this event possible, and for our partners CapTech and TruGreen for participating in the experience.”
The 28 teens attending the forum were selected based on academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation.
First Tee is a youth development organization teaching life skills and helping kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The First Tee Innovators Forum is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward high school graduation.
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. 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. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of kids and teens through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
