We’ve accepted the challenge to make your gift go further.
The Charles Schwab Challenge Grant is happening right now at First Tee — Howard County. Our chapter’s ability to receive this match will be tied directly to your support!
Your donation will help us make a bigger impact in our community, reaching more kids and teens like Jonathan Kim, whose mother recently told us:
“Jonathan started golf because he wanted to play with his grandparents. We didn’t realize the life-long values that First Tee has taught him over the past seven years were so valuable until he started competitive golf three years ago. The First Tee core values, course etiquette and game play have been the basis for his growth.“
Congratulations are in order for Clare Bowen, an ACE-level participant with First Tee-Howard County, on her acceptance to this year’s First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia this month. Clare was selected through a competitive application process to participate in this opportunity that includes 47 other First Tee participants from chapters across the country.
Clare Bowen
“For a few years now I have known players that have gone to academies so when the oppurtunity arose for me to apply to Game Changers I jumped at it. The idea of going away to meet other First Tee kids from around the country and bring back new ideas that will only improve our chapter and local community was something I couldn’t pass up, especially when I found out the main focus was going to be diversity and inclusion.”
First Tee teens attending this five-day learning and empowerment academy will participate in critical conversations around issues of identity, racism, equity and empathy. The event will feature engaging and interactive workshops facilitated by RISE, a national nonprofit and leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations. The workshops will be paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches and keynote speakers from the sports industry including Philadelphia native and PGA TOUR Chief Legal Officer, Len Brown. First Tee – Greater Philadelphia will host the teens for golf outings at John F. Byrne Golf Course where they will continue to build upon their connections with other participants from around the country and hear different perspectives from their peers. The Academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in Philadelphia.Clare (center) with First Tee-Howard County coaches and staff Jim Cavanaugh, Don Van Deusen, Karin Van Slyke and Coach Rich
“Clare has been a model participant in our program, and it comes as no surprise that she took the initiative to apply for this opportunity where she’ll explore critical topics like diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Don Van Deusen, First Tee-Howard County executive director.
The Game Changers Academy recognizes retired First Tee CEO Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., carrying his passion for social justice through an event to empower participants to be game changers in their community.
A rising senior at Wilde Lake High School, Clare has been involved with First Tee for nearly ten years, and currently mentors younger participants at the chapter as part of her ACE level experience. We look forward to catching up with Clare after she returns from the Game Changers Academy!
PURCHASE YOUR GAMECARD HERE
First Tee-Howard County is once again selling Charity Mania golf sweepstakes tickets for 2021 — a great opportunity to sharpen your focus on the four golf majors, support our area’s premier youth development organization, and have the chance to win cash prizes!
The Masters: April 5-11, 2021
PGA Championship: May 20-23, 2021
U.S. Open: June 17-20, 2021
British Open: July 15-18, 2021
This is “Fantasy Golf” without the work and commitment, for a great cause!
Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling us at 410-730-1114 or emailing [email protected]. We had about 15 winners last year from $25 to $200. Still not sure how it works?This quick video explains it!
These tickets also come with absolutely free music downloads for up and coming artists.
So jump on in! And yes, if you delay until after the PGA Championship cutoff (days before the tournament) your $20 ticket will be good for the next majors, so greatest value goes to the early purchasers!
Our Board of Directors is comprised of a group of committed volunteers from the community who lead our fundraising efforts. We’re pleased to welcome Dan Schrider, President and CEO of Sandy Spring Bank, to our board. A resident of western Howard County, Dan has been married to his wife Dedi for 33 years, and is a proud father of three and grandfather to two, soon to be three, grandchildren. For the past 31 years, he has worked for Sandy Spring Bank, serving as CEO for the past 12 years. In his free time, Dan enjoys golfing, hunting, playing basketball and traveling. We caught up with Dan recently to learn more about what brought him to become involved with First Tee.
Dan Schrider
Q: Thinking back to your youth, were there any programs or mentors that helped shape you as a leader?
A: When I was 14, I began working at a local butcher shop where I remained for 7 years. The other employees happened to be men who were much older and had served in WWII. Listening to their stories of commitment and sacrifice coupled with the way in which they served the many weekly customers of the shop demonstrated, by example, how to treat people with humility. Those examples stuck with me.
Q: In your role leading Sandy Spring Bank, what one or two characteristics do you notice consistently in your most successful entry-level employees?
A: There are many characteristics that I would look for, but I really notice when a new employee brings the combination of a strong work ethic and willingness to be a part of a team player. Those tend to be the employees who have the great potential to advance in their career, whether that is in banking or in other areas where they are lead to pursue.
Q: What aspects of First Tee’s mission do you believe make it stand out among the many youth development programs in our region?
I really believe that the focus on the 9 core values and life skills set the First Tee apart from many other programs targeting young people and the results speak for themselves. For many years and throughout many chapters, the lives of young people have been impacted positively while enjoying the fun offered through the game of golf. Additionally, the care offered by the First Tee’s coaches can make a lasting impact in a young person.
Thank you, Dan, for sharing your experience and commitment with us!
USGA grant is part of a nationwide initiative to provide greater access to
golf for youth
Columbia, MD (September 15, 2020) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has awarded a $2,500 grant to First Tee of Howard County to further their efforts of introducing young people to game of golf and experiences that empower them to build their strength of character. The grant is one of 51 being awarded nationwide to chapters located in or around USGA Championships and Allied Golf Associations as part of the organization’s strategy to leave a positive impact on its local host communities.
Since 1997, the USGA has invested more than $26 million in grants to First Tee to provide greater access to golf for juniors and cultivate a life-long passion for the game. The commitment to expanding participation is part of the USGA’s mission to champion and advance the game.
“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. With USGA’s support, First Tee of Howard County reaches more than 500 young people annually at four program locations, with support from more than 25 volunteer coaches, plus a volunteer board of directors. First Tee of Howard County impacts young people through character education and life skills programs at in-school and after-school programs.
Don Van Deusen, executive director of First Tee of Howard County, expressed his appreciation, “With the unfortunate combination of increased expenses and less revenue this year due to COVID-19, the USGA grant makes it possible for us to offer our 2020 programs with all of the necessary safety measures in place, without having to increase enrollment fees for our participants. Perseverance is one of our core values that we talk about with our junior golfers, and we have learned this year more than ever the importance of it both on and off the golf course. We’re grateful for USGA’s investment in our youth at this critical time.”
The funding is part of the USGA’s annual $70 million investment back into the game fueled by revenues generated by the U.S. Open.
For more information about the First Tee of Howard County, visit www.firstteehowardcounty.org. Visit firsttee.org to see the full list of USGA grant recipients.
About the USGA
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
Welcome to First Tee of Howard County’s Home Resource & Activities hub, which we will be updating regularly! Check back often for ideas to keep your junior golfers engaged while we are all at home.
First Tee is partnering with PGA TOUR to launch Links to Learning, an offering of PGA TOUR family-friendly educational content.
In addition, below are links to First Tee’s character-building lessons and into a one-stop shop for parents, teachers and students. From Art and Math to Science and Fitness, with a little creativity, golf can be applied to just about any subject.
Parents Meeting the Challenge (PMC) is an 8 session educational program that provides parents and primary caregivers the opportunity to learn, share and connect with others who face similar challenges in caring for children/adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders.
The world we face today is so vastly different than what we could have ever imagined 10 years ago (or even 10 months ago!). Aside from the uncertainty and stress stemming from COVID-19, this generation has grown up with technology that can rattle the self-esteem of even the most confident kids. Social pressures are always on, and finding a calm respite can feel impossible — both for children and adults. In these particularly challenging times, it is critical that we encourage our kids and teens to talk through the concerns, fears and anxieties they are feeling, and equip them with the tools to face these challenges head-on.
Our coaches empower kids so they feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next. Through fun and meaningful programs, our coaches introduce participants to a four step decision-making approach we call STAR:
STOP AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
When you face a challenge in life, the first step in deciding how to overcome it is to STOP what you are doing or what you are getting ready to do. This allows you to pause and gives your mind a break.
THINK OF ALL YOUR CHOICES.
The next step in good decision-making is to THINK of your choices. What are some of the choices you have in this situation? Take time to think of as many choices as possible.
ANTICIPATE WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
The third step is to ANTICIPATE the consequences (good or bad) of each choice. When you anticipate the consequences of each choice, think how the choice will affect your ability to reach your goals.
RESPOND BY SELECTING THE BEST CHOICE.
After you have identified all your choices and you have anticipated the consequences of each choice, the final step is to RESPOND by picking the best choice. What makes something the best choice? The best choice is the one that helps you get to your goal. What one person considers the best choice may differ from what another thinks is best.
Empowering kids and teens through a lifetime of new challenges is at the heart of First Tee of Howard County. This unprecedented time in history is scary, but we can also seize the opportunity it allows us to connect with our children and grow our perseverance together.
Dear First Tee of Howard County Families:
We are thinking of you during this challenging time and wishing that we could welcome our participants back to Fairway Hills this spring.
As always, the health and safety of our community is our top priority. Under the current directive from Governor Hogan that all non-essential businesses close and Marylanders practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, Fairway Hills and First Tee of Howard County remain closed.
At this time, we plan to hold the summer session and will automatically move your child’s spring session enrollment into the same class this summer.
>> If you would prefer to withdraw your child and receive a refund for spring tuition, please email [email protected] with the following information: your name, student’s name, class number and home address.
>> If you wish to move your spring registration to the same class this summer, no action is needed.
We will continue to follow the guidance of Governor Hogan and update our plans if needed. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Amidst these uncertain times, we have the opportunity to put the life skills we teach at First Tee of Howard County into practice. Responsibility, judgment and perseverance are especially important right now. We hope you are staying safe and healthy, and look forward to seeing your children when we can re-open.
First Tee’s junior golf program doesn’t just get kids on the course; it offers them exciting opportunities for growth. With the help of corporate partners, First Tee hosts a series of national events for more advanced participants from chapter across the country, allowing them to meet new people, play some golf, achieve greatness, and show off our nine core values in action. See the schedule of this year’s opportunities and application deadlines below.
Our chapter hosted an informative meeting for parents and teens on February 13 at Fairway Hills, led by mother/daughter duo Michelle and Logan Lurie, who offered firsthand insights into these awesome national opportunities. If you missed the meeting,their presentation is available here. >>ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Our coaches empower kids so they feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next. Through fun and meaningful programs, our coaches introduce participants to a four step decision-making approach we call STAR:
