Niagara Falls City Schools Adopt National School Program

The First Tee of Western New York to introduce The First Tee National School Program to the Niagara Falls City School District Niagara Falls, New York (February 6, 2019) – The First Tee of Western New York, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach children core values, wellness and life skills through the game of golf, announces the addition of the Niagara Falls City Schools District in its National School Program (NSP) beginning in 2019. Since 1999, the The First Tee of Western New York has been providing educational programs that build character. The First Tee enables students to develop skills including sportsmanship, respect and confidence while learning the game of golf. Programs take place onsite at schools as well as seven green grass facilities including Brighton Golf Course/Paddock Golf Dome, Elma Meadows, Glen Oak, Grover Cleveland, Harvest Hill, Spruce Ridge, and Niagara County. The First Tee of Western New York will now serve close to 13,000 youth through its National School Program. Current school districts already represented in the program include: Amherst Central Schools, Holland Central Schools, Ken-Ton School District, Lockport City Schools, DeSales, Tapestry Charter and Niagara Charter. “The opportunity to teach students, at a very young age, the wonderful art of golf is something that many will benefit from for the rest of their lives. The Niagara Falls City School District is proud to join this growing organization and bring new skills to a large inner city public school.” – Mark Laurrie, Superintendent of Schools, Niagara Falls City School District Official Press Release 

National School Program – Lockport CSD and DeSales Catholic School

The First Tee of Western New York and The Chris Maloney Legacy Foundation partner to introduce the National School Program to the Lockport City School District and DeSales Catholic School Lockport, New York (November 1st, 2018) – The First Tee of Western New York, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach children core values, wellness and life skills through the game of golf, announces the addition of the Lockport City School District and DeSales Catholic School in its National School Program (NSP) beginning this semester and the addition of a new green grass facility at the Niagara County Golf Course. With this expansion, and funding assistance provided by The Chris Maloney Legacy Foundation, the chapter will serve to impact over 2,000 youth throughout the Lockport area. Read More: Lockport And Desales Schools Press Release    

2018 Kids First Golf Classic

Thank you to everyone that attended this years Kids First Golf Classic event at Park Country Club. Once again the weather was beautiful and we had a fantastic day for golf. Just about everyone I met with during the event said their favorite part of the event was the interaction with all the youth we had on the golf course and at our clinic. The comments ranged from how respectful the kids were, to how they shook hands, and their wonderful golf skills. This event and our programming is all about the impact we can have on the lives of the kids both at the event and throughout our entire program – in schools, afterschool programs and on the golf course. So far in 2018 we have impacted close to 4,000 kids through all our programs and we have exciting opportunities ahead of us as we move towards a goal of doubling our participation. We will have more announcements coming in the next few months which will shed more light on our participation goals and how we are working towards achieving them. Thank you again for all our youth participants, volunteers, coaches, sponsors and attendees. A special thank you to Melissa Holmes for being our Master of Ceremonies. Melissa co-anchors 2 On Your Side’s Daybreak, each weekday from 6:00am to 7:00 a.m. We are already looking forward to next year… Tim Frank Executive Director The First Tee of Western NY
The Kaleida Health Team with our Clinic Participants
Gia and Mom overlooking the Par 3
The Perfect Putting Stroke
Working on range with our coaches
Perfecting the Driver Swing
Mr. John Edholm for the Birdie!!
Sportsmanship and Respect
Another chance for the Birdie on 9
Teamwork
The best Putter on the course!!
 

Erie County Department of Parks, The First Tee of Western New York and the Buffalo District Golf Association Partner on Interclub

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, in conjunction with The First Tee of Western New York and the Buffalo District Golf Association (“BDGA”), has announced the formation of a First Tee interclub team to play in interclub matches being held on July 3rd at Grover Cleveland Golf Course. Teams from over 30 clubs in the BDGA play in “interclub” events throughout the golf season, bringing the area’s top junior golfers together in a round-robin format with the champion teams in each division, as well as the individual league medalists, competing in a season-ending stroke play overall championship. Read More

Dawson Miller – Wells Fargo Succeeding Together Contest

Buffalo-area student golfer wins national contest and trip to PGA Tour

14-year-old The First Tee winner attending Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C. BUFFALO, N.Y. – April 24, 2018 – Wells Fargo and The First Tee® today announced that Dawson Miller, a 14-year-old from East Amherst, was a national winner of the Succeeding TogetherSM essay contest, which celebrates the positive impact The First Tee, a national youth sports organization,  has on students across the country.  Miller, a member of The First Tee of Western New York, is a promising student golfer who mentors and empowers other students living with a rare genetic disorder to succeed in golf competitions.

Full Press Release

 

Dawsons Winning Essay

TFTWNY Holds First Sips ‘N Chips

BUFFALO, N.Y — Putting golf balls and chipping potato chips while taking sips was the motto Thursday evening at the Parkside Lodge. It was The First Tee of Western New York’s first ever Sips and Chips fundraiser. It’s goal is to invest in local girls to create opportunities for girls new to golf. This inclusive event featured both women and men passionate about girls in golf conversing over wine and light appetizers. The First Tee of WNY Director of Coaching and Program design, Patty Jordan-Smith, LPGA, orchestrated the event and created the mini, 9-hole golf course that the attendees took a swing at. “More than a fundraiser,” said Jordan-Smith, “Sips and Chips is an awareness raiser.” The event was designed to promote Keeping Girls on Course, a girls only initiative of The First Tee of Western New York. “How do we keep girls on course? Invest in them,” said Jordan-Smith. “Help young women grow confidence, help them discover their passions and gifts, create opportunities to engage with other women and see active role models willing to invest in relationship.”

TFTWNY Partners with Buffalo PAL

The First Tee of Western New York has partnered with the Buffalo Police Athletic League to present our Life Skills Experience as a part of the Buffalo Public Community Schools Initiative. TFTWNY held it’s first session Saturday March 4 at P.S. 80 Highgate Heights Elementary to teach kids the Nine Core Values and take a swing at golf.             Close to 15 children ranging from 4-16 years of age were able to take a shot at putting and chipping throughout the morning while also learning about a few of our Nine Core Values. Parents with children who were to young to enroll in TFTWNY were given information on the program for when their child became of age.             The next session will be held Saturday, March 18th at P.S. 80 Highgate Heights Elementary at 9 a.m.  

The First Tee of WNY February STEM Camp

The First Tee of Western New York STEM Camp

The First Tee of Western New York is excited to again be offering our February STEM Camp at the Paddock Chevrolet Dome! The camp is designed for participants from ages 9-18 years of that are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Camp activities include: – LEARN golf skills in a safe and fun setting – Hands on activities to EXPLORE basic scientific principles – Opportunities to DISCOVER technology used in golf equipment – Team building exercises to APPLY science and engineering principles Camp Dates Feb 21-23, 2017 Time: 8:30-12:30 Location: Paddock Golf Dome Cost $95 Register here! Download the Flyer here!