Category: Blog

The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation isn’t the only one going through a logo refresh. On September 1st, First Tee Headquarters and chapters around the globe introduced a new look. The mission of impacting young people through golf remains the same, but the logo and tag line have been upgraded. Here’s to many more years of our program Building Game Changers!

Though summer looked a little different on campus this year, it didn’t stop our Coaches from making a big impact. With social distancing and CDC guidelines being followed, sixty five youth in our community enjoyed seven weeks of life skills and golf programs. Plus, our Chi Chi Academy students are back to golf twice a week during their physical education classes. First Tee – Clearwater is one of three Tampa Bay area chapters and serves over 3,600 participants through the on-site classes and in school programs.

Shout out to Florida Junior Golf Council for their loyal and unwavering support of our programs!

 

Click here to see the video featuring our participants! Valspar, First Tee and FootJoy partnered to create a colorful, custom golf shoe pattern for the PGA TOUR Pros to wear at the Valspar Championship. The tournament may have been cancelled, but that doesn’t mean that the shoes had to go back in their boxes. Watch Valspar bring smiles to some pretty special kids’ faces, and visit the link below to purchase your own pair of custom Valspar Championship shoes to benefit The First Tee. You can get a pair of these limited edition shoes, while they last, and benefit The First Tee by clicking here: https://www.footjoy.com/first-tee.html

In February, members of the Valspar Championship team, including Tournament Director Tracy West, volunteered their time and the supplies to refresh some of our office space. While the team was painting, they also provided a unique opportunity for four of our participants to be interviewed by a professional crew for an upcoming segment with Valspar Championship, First Tee and Footjoy. Photos:Left: Tournament Intern James Conner, Tournament Intern Helary Gladstone, Valspar Championship Tournament Director Tracy West, Valspar Brand Manager Sara Hackney, Valspar Associate Creative Director Kelsey Jaglowski, Tournament Intern Eddie Klem; Right: Eddie painting in the conference room Though the tournament was canceled this year due to COVID-19, we are so lucky to have this Championship so involved in the local community and providing unforgettable experiences for our youth. Thank you Valspar Championship for all you due for Tampa Bay year after year! Photos: Left: Eleanor being interviewed; Right: Coach Lizette and Program Director Coach Karen with Eleanor, Mackenzie, Panagioti and Paige

The First Tee welcomed 318 campers for the Life Skills Experience this summer! Students enjoyed course time at least one day each week, along with driving range access and various games designed for fun as well as learning core values and healthy habits. Thanks to grantors like the Florida Junior Golf Council, Pinellas County Business Technology Services, Paradise Golf and the Salvatore Mascari Family Fund, we offered camp at a discounted rate to all families and provided 40 scholarships for youth in need! “The First Tee does such an amazing job at making golf fun and teaching kids in a way that they can understand.” ~ 2019 Scholarship Parent        

In June, the Valspar Championship held their annual Innisbook Charity Breakfast to celebrate the success of the PGA TOUR event and disperse proceeds totaling well over $2 million. Copperhead Charities the 501(c)3 Foundation operating the event proudly announced the tournament was able to support 70 nonprofits this year in our community with these significant funds. The presentation even included a shout out to our very own CEO Cary Stiff congratulating her on her upcoming retirement at the end of the year and her 40 years of service in our community. We are fortunate in having this event in our backyard and honored to take part in the festivities every year: * The First Tee participants act as Standard Bearers on Thursday * Foundation volunteers work at the Michelob ULTRA Club Thursday through Sunday * Birdies for Charities bonus program * Both the Chi Chi Golf Club and Driving Range have event tickets for sale each year    

The First Tee of Clearwater was featured in a 1/2 hour Master’s “Tee It Up” Special the Saturday prior to the Masters Tournament. Filming took place during Saturday classes and featured various students, parents and volunteers, including a feature on participant Panagioti. To watch the Masters special visit: www.wfla.com/sports/golf/junior-golf/first-tee-helps-young-golfers-learn-life-skills/1895147501

Valspar Championship had another great field of players from all over the world! As part of Thursday’s First Tee day, 13 of our participants were Standard Bearers for the late tee times.  Our kids got to meet golfers like Sam Saunders, K.J. Choi, Branden Grace and 2016 Champion Charl Schwartzel! Our participants enjoy the time to talk to the Pros and see the PGA TOUR event from inside the ropes, a place some of them hope to one day be playing. Thank you to Valspar Championship for providing our participants such an amazing experience year-after-year.  It is an unforgettable day and one they will cherish throughout their life.

The 12th annual Chi Chi Pro Am went back to its roots with a shamble at the Feather Sound Country Club.  Sponsors and guests enjoyed a beautiful Florida day on the course with their PGA and LPGA pros, along with Chi Chi Rodriguez visiting each foursome, Long Drive and Trick Shot Artist Trevor Consavage and Dialed In Golf Solutions Trackman technology. Following play a lunch featured Chi Chi Rodriguez, Board Member Scott Curtis and a lively auction hosted by Tampa Bayshore Marketing’s own Jenn Holloway. Co-Chairs Vin Campagnoli and Mark Carron proudly announce the event netted approximately $164,000 to further our mission of hope for community families. The net funds raised will support the annual $909,000 programming budget to educate and assist at-risk children using the golf course as a living classroom. Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Raymond James and Co-Title Sponsor Envestnet!

As one of Valspar Championship’s Community Driver Charities, Chi Chi’s team assembled lots of groups and individuals to support the PGA TOUR event.  This year, over 30 of our supporters volunteered at the Michelob Ultra Club concession just off the 18^th green.  Serving food and beer throughout the week, volunteers earned a percentage of sales plus tips, all to be donated back to the Foundation’s two educational programs: the Chi Chi Academy and The First Tee of Clearwater! A Big shout out to the below businesses and groups for helping throughout the week! Art & Frame Center BKS-Partners Bimbo Bakeries USA Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oldsmar CRUSH Networking Harbor Exchange Club Raymond James