First Tee - Greater Dallas

What an incredible journey it has been! As First Tee Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to look back at the amazing stories, memories, and life-changing lessons our community shared over the last seven days.

From learning that "I am capable" with Coach Katie, to finding self-confidence with Coach Joe, discovering leadership with Coach Taylor, and realizing that attitude is everything with Coach Chandler—our participants and alumni have shown us exactly what makes our chapter so special.

We are deeply thankful for all the love, appreciation, and recognition our coaches received this week. Seeing our feed flooded with notes of gratitude from parents, alumni, and participants has been truly inspiring. Our coaches don't just teach the game of golf; they pour their hearts into building game-changers, mentors, and leaders off the course.

While First Tee Week is officially wrapping up, our favorite season is just getting started! We are so excited to see everyone back on the green for our upcoming summer events, programming, and camps. Let's carry this positive energy and commitment to character straight into a fantastic summer ahead!

Thank you again to our coaches, our youth, and our entire Greater Dallas family.

Day seven of First Tee Week reminds us that true success isn't just about what you achieve on the leaderboard—it's about the character and sportsmanship you bring to everything you do. Today, we are wrapping up our participant spotlights with a beautiful story about the power of a positive outlook.

Stepping into a brand new, fast-paced environment like a large university can bring an overwhelming wave of loneliness and anxiety. For this participant, adjusting to a massive lifestyle shift meant navigating stressful days stuck inside their comfort zone. But when the pressure began to mount, they leaned on a core lesson handed down to them from Coach Chandler.

As they shared in their own "Dear Coach" testimonial: "You taught me that my attitude matters. A few years ago, you invited me to participate in the PGA Junior League. Even though I knew I was not the best player, my goal was to at least be the best sport. I always tried my best to maintain a positive attitude and be kind to myself and my fellow players."

That intentional commitment to a good attitude earned them a Character Award, a reminder they carry with them in college every single day. Now, they approach competitive internship markets, leadership roles, and demanding courses with the exact same kindness, integrity, and grace. They've even signed up to become a campus mentor, using their own experiences to give back and uplift others just like their coach did for them.

Day five of First Tee Week is all about how the core values learned through our program help youth conquer major transitions and thrive in the real world. Today, we are sharing an inspiring "Dear Coach" tribute from an alumnus who credits their coach with giving them the ultimate tool for life: the ability to truly be themselves.

Stepping out of a familiar independent routine and transitioning into a busy, structured university setting can be incredibly overwhelming. For this participant, it initially led to heavy overthinking and doubting whether they belonged or were as prepared as everyone else. But when the pressure hit, they fell back on the exact mindset their coach helped build in them.

As they shared in their testimonial: "You taught me the importance of life skills, life lessons, and how to truly be myself. You helped me understand qualities like honesty, respect, confidence, and perseverance. What meant the most to me was how you always encouraged me to stay true to who I am instead of trying to fit into what I thought others expected. That gave me a level of confidence that went beyond the golf course."

Armed with that perseverance and self-belief, they pushed past their comfort zone, moved halfway across the country for college, successfully integrated into a demanding student-athlete schedule, and absolutely excelled.

Our coaches don't just teach the game of golf—they help build the character, discipline, and authenticity that young people need to handle any setback and chart their own path.

Day three of First Tee Week shines a light on how the life lessons learned on the golf course can completely transform how we show up in the world. Today’s testimonial comes from a participant who shares how their mentor, Coach Joe, helped them find their voice.

Growing up as a very shy and introverted kid, this participant often let nervousness and fear get in the way, allowing great experiences and opportunities to pass them by. But Coach Joe stepped in to change that mindset. He slowly instilled the belief that "it doesn't hurt to always try" and constantly pushed them to step right out of their comfort zone.

As the participant shared in their own "Dear Coach" tribute: "He taught me to always give my best, and to be confident in my own abilities both in golf and in life. And I slowly learned that change and doing uncomfortable things can bring positivity and once in a lifetime experiences."

Today, that once-shy middle schooler is thriving as a college sophomore, successfully navigating brand new environments, taking on leadership roles, and conquering internships—all because of that initial spark of self-assuredness.