Category: Blog

2018 Pebble Beach Raffle Winners

We’re pleased to announce that this year’s raffle winner of the all-expenses paid trip for four to Pebble Beach is Fred Yoo of Turf Valley! Congrats, Mr. Yoo!
The cash prize winners are:
$400: Mark Giler
$100: Greg Peel  $100: R.L. Gladden $100: Lonnie Robbins 
Special thanks to R.L. Gladden and Lonnie Robbins who generously donated their winnings back to The First Tee of Howard County.
Thank you to everyone who purchased and sold raffle tickets! For the second year in a row, all 400 tickets were sold, which means that approximately $25,000 in proceeds will benefit our youth programs. We are so grateful to each of you for helping keep our programs affordable, high-quality and accessible to children throughout Howard County.

Sponsor Call: New Branded Shirts for Participants

Would your company like to help grow the First Tee of Howard County?
Our participants often play at other golf courses in The First Tee or other organized events (Metro Tour events, MAPGA or other junior tournaments), or in events like Drive, Chip and Putt© Competitions where the appearance of our First Tee logo worn by our best possible advertisements–our participants–has the potential to broaden interest in The First Tee of Howard County. Today, there are still many adults who have no idea what First Tee is, how it differs from other youth sports organizations, or even how it is markedly different from other junior golf programs. The appearance of our participants in brightly colored, neat First Tee polos is likely to capture these adults’ attention, perhaps lead to greater interest, and help us grow the game of golf. As a 501(c)3 organization, we work to keep fees low in order to allow maximum participation in our programs without the expenses that come with other youth sports programs. We also offer tuition relief where needed, unlike most other golf programs. Actually, our registration fees amount to about $7 per hour for the average First Tee participant. Out of that, we purchase needed text books, shirts, hats, and training equipment for our participants, among other costs. To keep costs down, we have been relying on t-shirts, which run around $4-$7 each. We are planning a change in our uniform requirements for the coming year (2019) beginning with the spring session, and we need your help! If you know a company interested in helping us make our participants look and feel great in new shirts, and get our brand out, we would be happy to have your sponsorship!
We would need to place our shirt order by mid-February in order to put our Birdie and higher kids (11-17 year olds) in royal blue collared polo shirts with coordinated hats. We would embroider a sponsor logo on the sleeve of each polo shirt, in addition to The First Tee of Howard County logo on the left breast. This initiative would require approximately 250 shirts per year, at a probable cost of $4,000 to $6,000 per year, depending on shirt and embroidery cost. We plan to continue with cotton t-shirts for the younger participants. While the t-shirts are fine for our younger kids, our older participants should dress appropriately here and at courses where t-shirts are not appropriate attire.  Costs for collared shirts however, even for reasonably priced polos in a modern fabric with embroidered First Tee of Howard County logo will run $20-$30 based on prices we have solicited. Without a sponsor, we will not be able to absorb this cost. So, if you are interested in becoming or know of a potential shirt sponsor, please contact us at [email protected], or call our office at 410-730-1114. We thank you for your consideration.

The First Tee of Howard County Announces Partnership with Golf Galaxy

We are delighted to announce that Golf Galaxy is a new partner supporting our youth development programs. Our chapter looks forward to including the golf experts from Golf Galaxy at future events. Unfamiliar with Golf Galaxy? Our local store is located right in Elkridge at 6650 Marie Curie Drive. There, you can:
  • Shop the Baltimore area’s best selection of golf clubs, apparel, footwear, tech and accessories.
  • Test the latest clubs in one of our hitting bays, or try out new putters on our huge indoor putting green.
  • Schedule a custom club fitting with Certified Fitters — they’ll make sure your new equipment is a perfect match for your swing.
  • Take advantage of expert golf club repair, everything from regripping to shaft replacement.
  • You can also trade in your golf clubs for Golf Galaxy gift cards, or shop a large selection of gently used golf clubs from top brands–each club is cleaned, inspected and graded on condition.

Meet & Greet with Kassie Zamora
This month, we’re catching up with Kassie Zamora, an Eagle-level player with The First Tee of Howard County who has been part of our program for the last six years, along with her two sisters, Karlie and Kara.
Q: Why did you first get involved with The First Tee of Howard County?
A: My younger sister, Karlie, wanted to try The First Tee so I decided to go along with her.
Kassie with her sister, Karlie
Q: Did playing with The First Tee motivate you to get involved with your school’s golf team? 
A: I joined the golf team at North County High School this year as a sophomore to play on the team with my sister. We were two of three girls on the golf team.
Q: What has been your favorite experience with The First Tee?
A: The extra Girls Golf events and special events like Mother-Daughter and Father-Daughter Golf have been the most memorable to me. Night Golf is a good time, too!
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from participating in The First Tee?
A: Learning to play golf with different people.
Q: How do you see your experience with The First Tee impacting your future?
A: I think The First Tee will give me a better chance of being able to play college golf.
Q: What would you tell other students who are considering getting involved?
A: Make sure you know all of the mandatory requirements and be sure that it fits in your schedule. There are also weekly homework and playing tests, as well as tests on the rules and core values at the end.
Thank you, Kassie, for sharing your experience with us!
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Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) Scholarship Applications Due August 31, 2018

The Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) Scholarship was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including to award educational scholarships to students having completed junior year of high school with a bonafide connection to golf.
Awards/Announcements: The MSGA will award scholarships in the order and in the amount recommended by the Scholarship Selection Committee, although the MSGA has the discretion to decrease the number of scholarships to be awarded. The MSGA will publicly announce the scholarship recipients at the year-end annual banquet. The MSGA will be identified clearly as the grantor of the awards. Each scholarship recipient will be notified of his or her award pursuant to a letter from the MSGA. Eligibility: The scholarship program will be open to those individuals who have provided services as employees and/or their children to MSGA member clubs/courses for a minimum of two (2) years, and/or students who have completed their junior year of high school with a bonafide connection to golf. Scholarship applicants will be evaluated on uniform objective standards. The same application form and evaluation system will be used for all applicants. All applicants must meet the minimum admissions standards of an educational institution (college, university, junior college, or vocational school) and must reasonably be expected to attend such an educational institution. All eligible applicants must be considered without regard to race, sex, religion, or national origin. Selection: The scholarship recipients will be selected by the Scholarship Selection Committee based solely on objective standards related to the purposes of the scholarships. Each applicant must submit a completed application form. Forms must also be completed by the applicant’s school principal, if applicable. The applicants should be evaluated on objective standards such as past academic performance, performance on tests designed to measure ability and aptitude for higher education, the candidate’s class rank, and financial need. Recommendations from instructors or other persons unrelated to the candidate, extra-curricular activities, and leadership contributions should also be considered. The school principal will submit the completed applications (other than the Candidate’s Statement, which will be submitted by the applicant) directly to the Scholarship Selection Committee in care of the MSGA. The MSGA will determine the amount of funds available in the aggregate for scholarships on an annual basis and will notify the Scholarship Selection Committee of the aggregate available amount prior to the Scholarship Selection Committee’s deliberations. The Scholarship Selection Committee will determine the dollar amount to be awarded to each recipient.
For more information regarding the scholarship and to download the application, visit https://msga.org/learn/scholarship-program/. 
We hope that any and all eligible participants of The First Tee of Howard County will apply for this incredible opportunity for college scholarships! Please note that the deadline is approaching — all applications must be received by August 31, 2018.

Delegate Frank Turner Confirmed to Board of Directors

                      Del. Frank Turner
The First Tee of Howard County is honored to have Maryland State Delegate Frank Turner join our Board of Directors. A resident of Columbia, Delegate Turner has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 1994, and currently serves as vice chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees legislation relating to education, elections and taxation. Delegate Turner made history when he was elected, becoming the first African American to represent Howard County in the general assembly. He also spent 41 years as a professor of business law at Morgan State University. An avid golfer and champion of children, Delegate Turner will be a tremendous asset to our Board of Directors.

Meet & Greet with Karlie Zamora
 This month, we’re catching up with Karlie Zamora, an Ace-level player with The First Tee of Howard County who has been part of our program for
Karlie (right) with her older sister, Kassie
the last six years, along with her two sisters, Kassie and Kara.
Q: Why did you first get involved with The First Tee of Howard County?
A:I started taking golf lessons when I was 6 and then learned about First Tee from a new friend when I was 8.
Q: Did playing with The First Tee motivate you to get involved with your school’s golf team? 
A: First Tee has been fun. I have made friends there who like golf.  I wanted to play golf since my 6th birthday. First Tee helped me to be ready to play golf in high school. This year as a 9th grader at North County High School I was on the golf team.  I finished 3rd for the girls county championships.
Q: What has been your favorite experience with The First Tee?
A: Playing in the summer Metro Tours has been the most fun part for me.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from participating in The First Tee?
A: Course management.
Q: How do you see your experience with The First Tee impacting your future?
A: It will help me to prepare for college golf. I know that I will always play golf.
Q: What would you tell other students who are considering getting involved?
A: First Tee is fun. You learn a lot and meet other friends who like to play golf too.  I recommend taking the girls only classes like I did.
Thank you, Karlie, for sharing your experience with us!
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Meet & Greet with Kara Zamora
This month, we’re catching up with Kara Zamora, a rising Birdie-level player with The First Tee of Howard County who has been part of our program for the last five years, along with her two sisters, Kassie and Karlie.
Q: Why did you first get involved with The First Tee of Howard County?
A: I wanted to be a better golfer. I also wanted to play golf with my sisters.
Q: Did playing with The First Tee motivate you to get involved with your school’s golf team? 
A: I am only going into middle school but I want to be on the golf team in high school. Being in The First Tee will help me.
Q: What has been your favorite experience with The First Tee?
A: My favorite part has been going out to play golf, and the extra clinics and fun events.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from participating in The First Tee?
A: Learning about golf etiquette has been the biggest lesson I’ve taken away.
Q: How do you see your experience with The First Tee impacting your future?
A: It makes me a better golfer. One day I might be a professional golfer.
Q: What would you tell other students who are considering getting involved?
A: I would say “it’s a great experience. You should join. You would love it!”
Thank you, Kara, for sharing your experience with us!

Road Map to College Golf

The College Golf Road Map, now in its second edition from The First Tee home office staff, contains useful information for participants who are interested in playing college golf, and their parents as well. 
There are more than 12,000 men and 7,000 women playing college golf today, and a small number of them receive partial to full scholarships while in school. Those figures represent only about 8 percent of male or female high school golfers who successfully compete at the college level, so the road is narrow.
The process to do so, therefore, is a long and difficult one, and requires much advance preparation, training, and playing in competition from a young age. Priority is placed on 18-hole multiple round tournaments with large fields, and placement within the final field is a key factor in a coach’s decision to look at a candidate for scholarship or selection on a team.
Obviously, the participants who are most successful will have been playing for several years by the time they start college, and will have sought out the proper opportunities to play.
In addition, there is of course an academic component to college golf readiness, as schools, at whatever competition level, prize scholar athletes who maintain high grade point averages while playing. It is good to remember that in college, golf is a two season sport, so the number of credits a student can reasonably carry during spring and fall semesters, while earning good grades and keeping up with tournament travel schedules may be limited. Further, the balance among practice time, social and extra-curricular activities may require carrying smaller loads in season and attending summer or inter-sessions to make up the  course work required for graduation. Advanced planning is a requirement.
Whatever the case, this handbook will give parents and participants a solid start toward answering the above questions, and will point out additional resources that should be useful. If your child has any inclination to play varsity golf in college, this is a must read.

Meet & Greet: Coach Khaalis Hall

From left to right: Coach Khalilah Hall, First Tee Master Coach Patty Jordan-Smith, and Coach Khaalis Hall
This month, we’re catching up with Level 1 Coach Khaalis Hall, one of the newest additions to our team here at The First Tee of Howard County, along with his wife and fellow Level 1 Coach, Khalilah.
Q: To start, tell me a bit about your background and family.
A: I’m from NJ, and I moved when I was 22 to join the USAF.  I’m still in the military serving at Fort Meade. I used to live in Alaska, Missouri, England, Germany, and Hawaii. I also did a tour in the Middle East. My favorite hobbies are working out and golf. I have two boys (ages 6 & 8) and have been happily married for 18 years.
Q: When did you first get interested in golf?
A: In 2006, a coworker of mine was an avid golfer and I liked Tiger Woods. He took me to a driving range and I became a fan of the game. The best feeling in the world is hitting with your irons in the sweet spot.
Q: How long have you been coaching?
A: I’ve been coaching for a year at The First Tee of Howard County with the PLAYer/PAR level.
Q: Tell me about some of the most significant lessons you learned from coaching. 
A: Don’t talk so much and let the kids perform. They are here to learn, play, golf and enjoy their peers — not to listen to me give a speech. I’ve learned to teach, demo and get out of the way.
Q: What do you think sets The First Tee apart from other golf programs for kids?
A: Teaching the Nine Core Values and incorporating them life skills puts The First Tee into a league of its own. A kid may not make the LPGA/PGA tour, but they can all learn to better themselves, others who come in contact with them, and their environment wherever they go in life.
Q: What would you tell parents who are considering enrolling their child in the upcoming session?
A: Do it. We are here to make better people through the game of golf, and your child will have the opportunity to mature with his/her social skills. Also, you don’t need to buy clubs — we have plenty your child can use!

Meet & Greet with Logan Lurie

This month, we’re catching up with participant Logan Lurie, a sophomore at Howard High who, in addition to playing at the ACE-level, mentors several First Tee classes, takes part in the LPGA e-Leader program, and chairs the Teen Advisory Board.
Q: How long have you been participating in The First Tee? A: I have been a participant for seven years. Q: Do you play any other sports or participate in other extra-curricular activities? A: I am a second year member of the Women’s Varsity Golf Team at Howard High.  I qualified to play in the County and District Tournament this year.  I am also in the Best Buddies Club, the Jewish Student Union club and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Math Honor Society. In the spring, I will be a mentor for Allied Golf (a program co-sponsored by The First Tee and Howard County School System). Outside of school activities, I am a member of BBG (B’nai Brith Girls), a Jewish youth group.  In the past, I have held a variety of board positions. On the weekend, I work as a Teacher’s Aide at Beth Shalom Congregation Religious School. Q: Tell me about the national opportunities you’ve participated in through The First Tee. A: Last summer I was selected to attend the First Tee National Opportunity: USGA Learning Science through Golf Academy in New Jersey.  During the five days, I worked with USGA engineers and scientists to design, build and test a device to measure green speed, visited the USGA Museum, visited Rutgers University Turf Management program, and had behind-the-ropes access at the LPGA US Womens Open. During the time there, we also met with the USGA interns in accounting, sports management, marketing and advertising to learn all about the different career opportunities in the golf industry.  We also went to Top Golf one evening as an opportunity to interact with the other participants in a fun way.  I met a lot of participants from all over the country and learned about their First Tee chapters. Q: Tell me about your project with The First Tee and Girl Scouts. A: In October, I was selected to attend the Outstanding Participant Leadership Summit (OPLS) in Orlando, FL. When I was accepted as one of the 28 selected, I had also been chosen as one of the top eight finalists for the Outstanding Participant Award.   During my four days, we had sessions with a variety of golf and leadership presenters including the new First Tee CEO, Keith Dawkins; Annika Sorenstam; Steadman Graham; and First Tee alumni who were participating in the First Tee Alumni Summit at the same time.  As a finalist, I was assigned one of the Nine Core Value to speak about at the final night gala.  Former President George Bush gave the opening address and I spoke in front of 1,000+ attendees at the First Tee National Meeting.  As part of the OPLS selection process, a community service project is required. My project is a Girl Scout /First Tee program.  I am developing a golf component to earn the Brownie Girl Scout Fair Play merit badge, which will include a workshop with local Brownie Troops. It will help them complete the steps to earn the badge and expose them to the Life Skills and Nine Core Values of The First Tee. Q: What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned from your experience with The First Tee? A: The greatest lesson The First Tee has taught me is how to have confidence in my actions. I actually spoke about confidence in my OPLS speech because I think The First Tee has helped me to be so much more confident. When I started The First Tee, I was very much like many young girls I see when mentoring: quiet and intimidated by others. However, through my years in The First Tee, I have been taught confidence in every activity. Starting by having to shake each other’s hands, I have been taught how to not be scared of situations even when they are not familiar. This helped a lot when attending these two national opportunities. I did not really know anyone going into either National event, but with the confidence I have gained from The First Tee, I was able to attend and enjoy both of these opportunities no matter how new the situation was. Q: How do you think being a participant in The First Tee may impact your future? A: Being a participant in The First Tee has taught me the value of volunteerism, which I think I will carry with me into the future. Through the Ace program, I have been mentoring younger classes of students. Seeing younger students enjoy the game of golf as much as I do makes me want to continue mentoring. I spend almost every spring day at the course mentoring, volunteering with the National School Program’s Champion Challenges, and Allied Golf.  Volunteering has helped me to pass on my love for the game to different groups of people, which I find very rewarding. I think because the idea of giving back is such a large part of The First Tee that I will continue volunteering  throughout my lifetime. Q: What would you tell other teens (especially girls) about why they should consider participating in The First Tee? A: I would tell any teen, especially any teen girl, to get involved in The First Tee as fast as they can, no matter their golf experience or age. The First Tee has an impact on your life that no other activity can have on you. The First Tee teaches you and makes you live by Life Skills like Confidence, Perseverance, and Integrity that no other program or sport can. You should definitely consider participating because the national opportunities are an incredible way to meet your next best friends who love the same activities you do and you will make connections with people that you would have never meet. I might be a little biased, but joining The First Tee will probably be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Q: Anything else you would like to share? A: The First Tee has given me a community that I know I will be a part of for the rest of my life. I have seen first-hand how many cool opportunities The First Tee has given me, my sister, and my friends and I hope I can stay involved to help give the same opportunities to help children to come.  I am very thankful for all of the experiences, friendships, and lessons I have gained from this amazing organization and I hope I can continue this program.