First Tee – Roanoke Valley is pleased to announce that in-person programming will resume the week of Monday, June 15 at Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy. Programs are available for kids ages 5-18 and focus on personal growth and building character through the game of golf. Registration is now open for classes and camps at the Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy on Densmore Road ONLY. All other locations are temporarily closed as we determine programming best practices.
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will follow all recommended guidelines from the CDC, state and local officials and will implement additional policies and procedures to responsibly protect all participants, parents, volunteers, and staff. Here’s a
quick video that highlights what your family will see as you return to First Tee. Safety precautions include: reduced class sizes (6- 8 participants), social distancing, hand washing and sanitizer stations, and frequent cleaning. A document outlining all our guidelines for our return to programming are below.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL PARENTS READ THIS DOCUMENT.
The health and safety of First Tee – Roanoke Valley’s participants, parents, staff and volunteers is always our top priority. With that in mind, we are excited to announce that our summer class and camp programs at Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy (SRMJGA) on Densmore Road will continue as scheduled with some minor revisions and implementation of best practices.
To adhere to the
Phase 2 Forward Virginia guidelines for Recreational Sports, the maximum total number in each class is 10 – including a Coach, assistant coach/volunteer, plus 8 students. The revised class schedule has a max capacity of 98 students over 5 days offering 13 classes and can be found
here.
First Tee – Roanoke Valley’s reopening aligns with
Virginia state guidelines and the
Back2Golf playbook, a guide to the responsible return to golf and golf-related programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. First Tee headquarters joined the game’s leading organizations to collaborate and develop the framework which was reviewed by the CDC and medical experts. The golf industry has adopted a three-phase approach for golf’s careful reopening and continuation of programs that focus on prolonged social distancing and enhanced sanitation practices.
For more information about First Tee – Roanoke Valley please call 540.563.1TEE (1833).
First Tee – Roanoke Valley Guidelines
Social Distancing
Per CDC guidelines, First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all participants, parents, coaches, volunteers, and staff to practice social distancing at a distance of at least 10 feet.
Social distancing should always be practiced during First Tee programming and at our facility.
Masks/Face Coverings
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all coaches, volunteers, and staff to wear a protective mask or face covering while indoors. The building is
closed to participants and parents unless there is an emergency.
Participants of First Tee – Roanoke Valley will not be required to wear a mask or face covering while outdoors; it is the parents’ discretion. We ask that that all participants have a mask with them while on property in case we need to go indoors for safety.
Hand Sanitizing and Washing
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all participants, coaches, volunteers, and staff to sanitize and/or wash their hands upon arrival and prior to departure from class.
Hand sanitizing and hand washing stations will be available.
Waiver
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all employees, volunteers, parents/guardians of participants and volunteers to complete and sign
Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19 waiver.
Screening of First Tee Staff & Volunteers:
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all coaches, volunteers, and staff to perform a daily symptoms assessment, as recommended by Forward Virginia Phase 2 guidelines
Per the CDC, symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pains, headaches, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all coaches, volunteers, and staff have their temperature taken upon arrival. Temperature will be taken using a no-touch infrared forehead thermometer. If any individual has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they will be sent home. The individual may not return to First Tee – Roanoke Valley until they are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.
If the individual has had contact with someone confirmed or probable to have COVID-19, he or she must complete isolation or quarantine procedures in coordination with the local health department prior to returning to First Tee programming.
Screening of First Tee Participants:
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all participants have complete a symptoms screening and have their temperature taken upon arrival. Temperature will be taken using a no-touch infrared forehead thermometer. If any individual has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they will not be allowed to participate in First Tee programming and will be sent home. The individual may not return to First Tee – Roanoke Valley programming until they are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.
If the individual has had contact with someone confirmed or probable to have COVID-19, he or she must complete isolation or quarantine procedures in coordination with the local health department prior to returning to First Tee programming.
Cleaning & Disinfecting Procedures:
Tables, supplies, training aids, equipment, golf balls and golf clubs that are property of First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each class.
SRMJGA clubhouse and bathrooms are disinfected throughout the day and nightly before closing.
Golf Clubs & Equipment:
First Tee – Roanoke Valley requires participants to bring their own golf clubs and equipment.
If you do not have your own golf clubs or equipment, First Tee – Roanoke Valley will provide clubs and equipment for you to use for the summer session.
Participants will not share equipment.
Clubs and equipment provided by First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.
Participant Drop Off/Check-In & Pick Up/Checkout:
First Tee – Roanoke Valley strongly suggests parents adhere to a school style drop-off and pick up.
Please wait in the car until the coach/volunteer is ready to receive and screen the participant.
After check-in, participants will be assigned designated areas to wait until class begins.
These areas will be at least 10 feet apart and participants can warmup and stretch while waiting for the class to begin.
A coach/volunteer will check the kids out and walk them to their car.
Parents are asked to stay in their cars awaiting their child.
Parent Observation:
Parents are welcome to observe classes from designated parent areas– as long as they are screened upon arrival, sign a waiver, and comply with social distancing standards. Cleaning supplies will be available for parents to wipe seating surfaces before/after use.
Coach & Participant Interaction:
First Tee – Roanoke Valley coaches, volunteers and staff are not allowed to touch a participant’s golf club, golf ball, and golf bag or make contact with the participant.
Coaches, volunteers, and staff will give thumbs up and a tip of the hat to participants – no high fives, fist bumps or handshakes.
While giving instruction, coaches, volunteers, and staff will use their words and demonstrate activities while practicing social distancing.
No physical contact.
Food & Beverage
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will not provide food, beverages, or water for participants.
Participants should bring their own filled water bottles or bottles of water.
Indoor water fountain will
not be accessible.
No sharing with other participants.
Bathrooms
SRMJGA clubhouse/office is closed to the public.
Please plan ahead.
Inclement Weather
In case of inclement weather, the covered tee line and classroom will be used for shelter.
Social distancing will be followed.
Masks must be worn indoors.
Make Up Classes
Due to limited class size and high interest, it is very unlikely First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be able to provide make- up classes.
Confirmed Cases
Anyone who shows symptoms while at First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be isolated immediately and instructed to seek medical care.
Per the CDC, symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pains, headaches, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
First Tee – Roanoke Valley will inform all parents, participants, staff, coaches, and volunteers should a participant or staff member test positive for COVID-19 or show symptoms of COVID-19.
If your participant or anyone in immediate contact of the participants begins to show symptoms, please contact the First Tee – Roanoke Valley office immediately.
Classes may have to be cancelled if a participant develops symptoms after being on-site.
First Tee – Roanoke Valley Contacts
Office 540.563.1TEE (1833)
Jennifer Blackwood, Executive Director
[email protected]
Bill Rader, PGA
[email protected]
Like our participants, what makes our chapters so special is that each one is unique in its own way. We celebrate their diverse perspectives because it makes our work even more powerful. Yet one thing that remains consistent at every chapter is their passion for supporting the next generation and the communities they live in.
One way our chapters are doing this is by creating a space that makes every individual feel like they belong. A culture of acceptance is deeply rooted in our values as an organization as we seek to understand walks of life that are different from our own.
Two of our chapters, First Tee — Greater Pasadena and First Tee — Korea, have brought this to life in a meaningful new way. In 2019, the two chapters became official sister chapters in an effort for participants to share cultural experiences and explore opportunities beyond their community.
Recently, participants and coaches from the two chapters were able to meet virtually to discuss a trending topic in communities across the globe: returning to school during a pandemic.
During the video call, participants shared how they’re feeling and handling the return to school.
Gloria from First Tee — Korea shared, “I think I should take responsibility for myself because if I don’t follow the rules, I could put my friends and family at risk.”
Through the meeting, the participants realized that they have quite a bit in common despite growing up thousands of miles apart. They’re all adjusting to the “new normal,” and are leaning on the character strengths they’ve developed through First Tee to help conquer these challenges.
Bob Baderian, Executive Director for First Tee — Greater Pasadena, summed up the experience:
“This very positive partnership between First Tee — Greater Pasadena and First Tee — Korea encourages participants to share their experiences and perspectives and provides opportunities to educate them about the culture and history of their respective countries and communities. These meetings have resulted in increased knowledge and appreciation of cultures and lifestyles between our two chapters.”
Founded in 2006, First Tee — Greater Pasadena has served more than 200,000 kids and teens. First Tee — Korea was founded in conjunction with the 2015 Presidents Cup and is one of six international chapters within the First Tee network.
The sister chapters have a goal to one day provide an in-person experience for their participants to meet.
This pandemic, among other challenges this year, has been more than we could have ever anticipated. It’s stories like these, of coming together to learn, appreciate, and build relationships, that inspire us as we work to empower youth to be game-changers and make this a better world.
First Tee — Metropolitan New York is one of 51 First Tee chapters to receive a grant from the USGA towards their ongoing commitment to making the game more accessible and welcoming for juniors. In addition to the $200,000 that went to chapter grants, the association pledged $125,000 to help First Tee headquarters develop innovative digital tools that enable stronger connections between juniors, parents, chapters and coaches, bringing the USGA’s total investment to $325,000 for 2020.
“Year after year we are seeing the positive impact that First Tee and other junior programs are having in breaking down barriers and connecting communities through sports,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “It is vital for golf’s long-term health that we continue to create pathways for all juniors to participate.”
First Tee brings kids and teens to the game of golf and leverages it as a catalyst for personal growth through experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience. Through chapters in 150 communities and more than 10,000 schools and 1,200 after-school partnerships, First Tee reaches kids ages 5-18 from all backgrounds.
Michelle Xie, First Tee — Silicon Valley
Played in 2013 with Kirk Triplett
Michelle recalls her participation in the PURE Insurance Championship as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She played and won the tournament in 2013 alongside Kirk Triplett. The two established an immediate connection, which led to coachable moments on how to manage the mental and physical demands of the game – both on and off the course.
Nothing compared to the exhilaration, nerves and pressure Michelle felt walking down the fairway with Triplett as their pro-junior team was in contention. Those moments of mentorship provided Michelle great perspective to deal with the rigorous schedule of being a student-athlete at Harvard University.
Michelle graduated from Harvard in 2019 with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. She played on the women’s golf team, receiving numerous accolades including being named the 2018 Ivy League Individual Champion and was voted as team captain her senior year.
Michelle recently moved back to the Silicon Valley to join REX Real Estate as a software engineer. Although she is not spending as much time at the golf course as she once did, Michelle still uses the many time management and problem-solving skills she learned from competitive golf and First Tee. Now that Michelle is back home, she has become a volunteer coach at the First Tee — Silicon Valley to mentor the next generation of participants.
Rayshon Payton, First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City
Played in 2005 with Gil Morgan
An alumus from First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City, Rayshon remembers watching the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on TV in 2000. From that point on, he dreamed of playing on the course one day himself. This dream became a reality in 2005 when he was selected for the PURE Insurance Championship, paired with PGA TOUR Champions player Gil Morgan. They found themselves in the final pairing on Sunday at Pebble Beach where Rayshon ended up holing out from the 12th bunker on national television.
Rayshon has continued to pursue his dreams off the course. He interned at The White House, working in the office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs where he had the opportunity to work with Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. Today, he is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, College of Law, and is currently the Legislative Director for Representative Kendra Horn.
Sara Scarlett, First Tee — Greater Sacramento
Played in 2011 with Jerry Pate
Being selected for the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants. That was definitely the case for alumna Sara Scarlett.
She joined First Tee around the same time that she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. Sara’s confidence was low, and she was struggling to balance her medical needs with the desire to have an active and social childhood. First Tee became her sanctuary – a place where she learned the life skills and core values that would ultimately shape her into a confident teenager who always looked on the “bright side.”
In 2011, she played in the PURE Insurance Championship with Jerry Pate. Some of Sara’s favorite memories include chipping in on the 10th hole at Pebble Beach and the motivational talks with her partner. Sara went on to play on the women’s golf team at University of Texas, graduating in 2017.
Sara now works for Chevron on the Corporate Affairs team where she works with the local community and nonprofits on Chevron-supported initiatives. Sara says she is lucky to have been taught the value of diversity at a young age from First Tee.
Taryn Yee, First Tee — Greater Sacramento
Played in 2009 with Jim Thorpe
For alumna Taryn Yee, playing in the PURE Insurance Championship was the first major goal she set for herself and accomplished on her own merit. Yee claims that she felt like a star when she first arrived at the 2009 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Taryn played with Jim Thorpe, and she says the biggest takeaway was how confident she was at the end of the tournament. The PURE Insurance Championship and the lessons she learned there have provided her self-confidence that she carried with her through college and now into her successful career.
Taryn was a student-athlete at University of California, Irvine. As a freshman, she was selected to attend the PwC Executive Forum at THE PLAYERS Championship as an alumni opportunity with First Tee. At the event, she met PwC executives, spoke with clients and was introduced to the business industry and public accounting. This experience led to a new goal for Taryn, which was to graduate with an accounting degree and become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She accomplished that goal, which ultimately led her to career opportunities at PwC, The Gap, and her current position as a financial analyst at Facebook headquarters.
Through setting goals and perseverance, Taryn has been able to stay positive and work through challenges to achieve her goals.
“I have the confidence that I can accomplish anything. There is no such thing as an intangible goal!”
Justin Potwora, First Tee — Greater Portland
Played in 2017 with Bernhard Langer
It wasn’t too long ago that alumnus Justin Potwora was holding up the PURE Insurance Championship trophy with his partner, Bernhard Langer. Meeting First Tee participants from across the country and hearing about their experiences and perspectives left a lasting impact on Justin.
Currently, Justin is entering his senior year at Southern Methodist University where he is majoring in finance. He was recently promoted to Portfolio Manager with Boulevard Investment Group and is also the Philanthropy Chair for his fraternity which raised more than $50,000 for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. His goal is to eventually work for a private equity firm and continue to be a leader in his community. Justin credits First Tee with teaching him how to act professionally, selflessly and never compromise his character and values in whatever he sets out to accomplish.
John Louie, First Tee — Monterey County
Played in 2009 with Donnie Hammond
Played in 2010 with Bobby Clampett
John joined First Tee — Monterey County not long after its inception in September 2004. John attended Salinas High School, but had visions of achieving more. One day he told his father that by using “Goal Setting,” a life skill he had learned at First Tee, he had set a goal to attend Stevenson High School. John applied himself and with his parents’ support, John became a Stevenson “Pirate.”
John competed on the golf team for Stevenson and represented First tee — Monterey County in the 2009 and 2010 tournaments at Pebble Beach.
John was accepted to Middlebury College in Vermont, playing on the men’s golf team for three years. He was tempted to stay on the East Coast and work in finance in New York City like many of his fellow Panthers. However, his heart was in Salinas and the agricultural town where he grew up. He was offered a position with Tanimura & Antle, one of the top agricultural companies in Salinas.
He has since worked his way up the company and now leads one of the firm’s recent acquisitions, PlantTape. John serves on the Board Committee for Taylor Farms Center For Learning. Last year, he was nominated as a member of the Board of Directors of First Tee — Monterey County, where he continues to give back by mentoring teens in the program.
What an incredible impact the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia has made on our chapter and community! Thank you to all of the sponsors, players and organizations who have supported this event during the six years of competition in Roanoke. First Tee – Roanoke Valley is so very grateful.
Thank you to all of the 2020 sponsors and donors – and congratulations Mark Lawrence, Jr.
First Tee – Roanoke Valley is proud to be a beneficiary of the Dormie Day of Giving. This new event at beautiful Ballyhack Golf Club is set for August 17th.
Both 