Actors Michael Peña and Kathryn Newton will headline the 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.  

View this year’s Leadership Summit participants.

The U.S. National Development Program Grant is designed to mitigate barriers of cost to promising junior golfers who demonstrate both the financial need and the potential to progress through the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) pathway.

Grants up to $10,000 will be awarded; and will reimburse costs associated with practice fees, competitive tournament fees, tournament travel, instructional fees, and equipment up to a limit that the USGA deems as appropriate for each area.

In 2024, we awarded grants to over 70 talented young golfers nationwide, with a median grant award of $10,000.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31, 2024 

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA THE USNDP GRANT MANAGEMENT CENTER  

Only application materials submitted within the secure application portal – the USNDP Grant Management Center – will be considered for the grant.  Emailed submissions will not be considered for the Grant.  

NEW APPLICANTS  

New applicants must first fill out a pre-screening survey to determine basic eligibility for a potential USNDP Grant. Athletes and their families who meet the basic eligibility to be considered for a USNDP Grant will be emailed a link to the USNDP Grant Management Center to complete an application. 

The 25th Annual Original Tee Golf Classic (OTGC) was a remarkable celebration, bringing together golf enthusiasts, sponsors, and notable honorees to mark this milestone event. Returning True Original honorees, including Beverly Johnson, Anthony Anderson, and Alonzo Mourning, added a touch of prestige and excitement to the festivities. Friends, family, longtime supporters, and new patrons all gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of the OTGC.

Crystal Spring Golf Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey was an enchanting venue where the event began on Saturday, July 20, as guests enjoyed an Invitation Only Cocktails event at the resort’s world-renowned Wine Cellar of Restaurant Latour, holders of some of the world’s best wine collections. Afterward a private dinner and welcome party ensued.

On Sunday, guests experienced a warm welcome and camaraderie at the Starter Tent of the first hole before the tournament, receiving an exclusive swag bag filled with goodies and light appetizers provided by Crystal Springs Golf Resort. Specialty cocktails crafted by Tito’s Handmade Vodka added to the festive atmosphere. The evening featured a private honoree welcome dinner with sponsors, offering fine dining and networking. This dinner, sponsored by Crystal Springs Resort included specialty cocktails and gifts from sponsors like Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses.

A one-day amateur tournament featured a competitive element, allowing three elite-level players to compete for a predetermined purse. The USGA supported the event with volunteer officials, and PGA professionals were invited to participate its execution. Gavin Parker, lead instructor for the youth experience supported by Puma, guided the young participants through their golf activities.

The amateur tournament included 144 players on the Wild Turkey golf course in a two-person team match play format, 40 players on the Crystal Springs course in an individual stroke play format, a skins game, 27 youth participants on the Cascades course, and 50 spectator guests. The competition was fierce, with 72 winners emerging on Wild Turkey and one overall champion on Crystal Springs.

Delta Airlines provided flights for returning honorees and special guests, while PepsiCo supplied soft drinks and snacks throughout the day. Sysco, a major food source provider for the Crystal Springs Resort, sponsored the event. Discover Boating added a unique touch with a boat display at the Sky Pavilion Hospitality Tent. Puma provided 200 backpacks for the tournament’s participants, each containing an OTGC tee, a Puma/OTGC co-branded golf shirt and hat, Puma Free Golf Shoe Certificates, NBA Ballers Capsules, a custom OTGC pin, a ball marker, Pro V1 and Pro V1X golf balls, and a Titleist/OTGC co-branded hat.

Notable competitors included Travon Willis (Virginia Union University), Everett Whiten (Howard University), and Ashley Shaw (15 years old, Litchfield Park, AZ). The event concluded with a spectacular Sunday Awards Dinner, celebrating 25 years of OTGC. True original honorees and sponsors were recognized, and tributes were paid to late OTGC family members and patrons. Guests received awards and prizes for their participation, making the event a memorable conclusion to the weekend’s festivities. Match winners received trophies modeled after George F. Grant’s original wooden golf tee.

Club Car contributed significantly, providing a golf cart for auction and one for the Skins game. Charley Levy from California won the golf cart prize in the Skins game, while Leander LeSure from Atlanta successfully bid on a golf cart during the auction. The OTGC Sky Pavilion Hospitality Tent was the hub of entertainment, music, food, and cocktails throughout the event. It hosted Saturday’s Welcome Party and a slew of activations on Sunday. Highlights included the OTGC Pop-Up Shop featuring Original Tee apparel, Ainsley’s art display, Puma’s Fitting Station, and a Club Car display.

Below: images of the George F. Grand replica golf tee awards.

Reflecting on the event, Haskins remarked, “It was great to celebrate the 25-year milestone of the Original Tee Golf Classic and the 125-year anniversary of George F. Grant’s invention of the golf tee. As we look back on the past 25 years, we are reminded of the countless lives that have been touched and transformed through the charitable endeavors supported by the Original Tee Golf Classic. From providing educational opportunities for underserved youth to supporting vital community initiatives, this event has been a beacon of hope and positivity in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain.”

Haskins further expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am immensely grateful to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey – from the sponsors and volunteers to the participants and supporters. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to making a difference have been the driving force behind the success of the Original Tee Golf Classic, and I am honored to have been able to share this journey with each and every one of you.”

Overall, the 25th Annual Original Tee Golf Classic was a resounding success, celebrating its rich history and profound impact while looking forward to many more years of making a positive difference in the community.

View the Original Tee Golf Classic Sizzle Video HERE.

SACRAMENTO —  A small plane crashed at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento on the afternoon of Sunday, August 5, around 1:15 p.m.  

The FAA confirmed that the pilot was the only person onboard the single-engine Piper PA28 aircraft when it crashed on the golf course just south of McClellan Airfield. 

According to the Sacramento Fire Department, the pilot suffered minor injuries and was able to walk away from the scene. They said the plane had an emergency landing and came to a stop against the pro shop on the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex’s property. No one else was injured as a result of the crash.

The cause of the plane crash is under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. 

Scottie Scheffler clinched Olympic gold with a remarkable comeback victory. Entering the final round of men’s Olympic golf at France’s Le Golf National, the world’s No. 1 golfer was four shots behind fellow American Xander Schauffele and Spain’s Jon Rahm.

Scheffler’s fortunes turned dramatically in the final nine holes, where he scored six birdies. His nearly flawless performance propelled him to the top of the Olympic podium, securing gold for the United States. England’s Tommy Fleetwood claimed silver, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama took bronze.

The reigning Masters champion gained early momentum on Sunday, birdying his first hole with a 10-foot putt. Despite several birdies, Scheffler remained four strokes behind Rahm after ten holes. However, Rahm’s lead crumbled with a series of bogeys and a double-bogey on the last few holes. In contrast, Scheffler was unstoppable, climbing the leaderboard with consecutive birdies on holes 14 through 17. His fourth consecutive birdie on the 17th green ultimately secured his victory.

Scheffler’s Olympic triumph caps off an eventful year both professionally and personally. In April, he won his second green jacket at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Shortly afterward, he welcomed his first child, Bennett, with his wife, Meredith. Amid these joyous events, Scheffler faced legal trouble when he was arrested and charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle during the PGA Championship in Louisville. The charges were dropped in late May after Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell deemed the incident “a big misunderstanding.”

On June 18, Scheffler was selected for the USA Olympic golf team, alongside three other golfers. His victory marks the second consecutive Olympic gold for the men’s USA team, following Xander Schauffele’s win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

During the medal ceremony on Sunday, Scheffler was visibly emotional, shedding tears as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.

The Tampa Bay Area Chapter of Spelman College Alumnae (NAASC) will honor three influential community members at the Spelman Blue, Back On The Green: Honoring Women in Sports fundraising event. Clemmie Perry, the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Color Golf, is among the honorees. Perry will be honored with the Blanche Armwood Legacy Award. The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Top Golf Tampa and the fundraiser aims to raise scholarship funds for Spelman College students while recognizing local sports trailblazers.

Andrea N. Thompson, C’97, President of the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of NAASC, highlights the event’s dual purpose of fundraising and celebration. She notes, “The National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Tampa Bay Area Chapter is proud to present our Spelman Blue, Back on the Green event in September. We are raising funds to continue this tradition by providing scholarships to deserving young women attending Spelman College from the Tampa Bay Area.”

“Perry’s organization has significantly advanced opportunities for women of color in golf, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade, said Debert Cook, publisher of African American Golfer’s Digest. Since 2014, Women of Color Golf and its affiliated Girls on the Green Tee have introduced over 2,500 minority women and girls to golf. We’ve brought golf to Fortune 100 companies, sports leagues, and girls in communities, schools, and outreach centers across the globe. One of the organization’s crowning achievements to date has been being named a White House Champion for Change by the Obama Administration.”

Perry has over 25 years’ experience working for three Fortune 500 companies such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, Florida Power & Light Company & Sodexo. She earned her B.S. degree from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida in Retail and Business Management and an M.S. from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in Instructional Technology and E-Learning. A former NFL Cheerleader for two NFL Teams, including 7 years with the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, and 1 year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneer Swashbucklers, Perry knows how to navigate the world of sports and business and her savvy skills have lead to just a few of these many notable accomplishments:

• Trained over 2500 minority women & girls in the basic
  golf fundamentals and developed various beginner golf,
  business golf, careers and mentoring programs for all age
  groups of women and girls.
  
• Established (3) LPGA Girls Golf locations in Tampa at
  under-served Elementary Schools and local Community
  Centers.
  
• Created a Golf College Mentorship Program and
  supported the implementation of a new women’s golf
  team at Edward Waters University with Dr. Paul Bryant
  for the new all Freshman Women’s Golf Team.
  
• Obtained largest partnership in the world with Saudi
  Aramco Oil and the Public Investment Fund for various
  golf strategies and community based programs for
  minority golfers to play in global tournaments with our
  WOCG Business Development Partner, Vasti Amaro.
  
• Secured over $100K in Aramco Oil PRO-AM tournament
  opportunities for Edward Waters University, Howard
  University and (2) Tampa High School minority golfers to
  connect with the world’s top female golfers in the Aramco
  Team Series Global Golf Tournaments (New York &
  Tampa).
  
• Distributed over $70K in Tory Burch designer golf attire to
  HBCU’s, high schools and non-profit golf organizations.
  Secured over $14K for Middleton High School Girls Golf
  Team in equipment.
  
• Serves as a panel speaker for Professional Golf Association of Canada

This year’s fundraiser shifts focus to sports, following last year’s emphasis on education. The event will also honor two additional exceptional women: Tiffany Greene, an ESPN commentator and reporter, will be awarded the True Blue Leadership Award. Kaela Crowell, East Bay High School Varsity Girls Basketball Coach and Spelman Class of 2021, will be recognized with the Rising Star Community Service Award.

Spelman College, a private liberal arts women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. It ranks #1 among HBCUs and 54th nationally for best liberal arts colleges in the United States.

The National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC) is a 501c3 organization that supports Spelman College, a historically Black college for women, through financial gifts, student recruitment, sisterhood, community service, and recognition of Spelman women. The Spelman Blue fundraising events are designed to highlight significant areas concerning Black women, with this year’s focus on sports. Tickets for the event are available on Eventbrite.