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Why Girls + Growing through Golf = Empowerment

Did you know more than 80 percent of First Tee chapters offer programming specifically for girls?  

“Growing up playing golf, I never imagined being in the golf industry,” said Rebecca Caimano, assistant executive director at First Tee — Greater Philadelphia, who joined the chapter in 2011 to help grow its girls programming. “It was tough being the only female who played golf.” 

Now, Rebecca is among thousands of leaders/coaches who are involved in First Tee. 

First Tee views golf as a metaphor for life. It’s not the score that counts, but what you learn along the way. The game is a perfect practice ground for learning skills that extend far beyond the course. Let’s face it, digging deep when things get tough is a natural part of our sport – and life – experiences. 

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary (& Women’s Golf Day), First Tee is proud of the role we’re playing in helping more young girls embrace the sport and what they can learn through it. Thanks to many female coaches and leaders throughout our network – like Rebecca – we are a safe place where girls can come, be themselves and learn from coaches and role models on the course and in the business world.  

Also, thanks to organizations like USGA (a Founding Partner), LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and John Deere, sponsor of the Drive Your Future Academy, a national leadership development opportunity for female First Tee teens, we continue to intentionally offer opportunities for girls’ personal growth and development in many ways.  

Empowering girls for a brighter future 

While many First Tee alumnae have gone on to work in golf, others have excelled in different areas, including medicine, journalism and public affairs. And we think that’s great for them, and for the world around us. 

Studies have shown that women leaders are engaging and collaborative, yet it hasn’t always been easy for women to break into many top leadership roles. Golf can help. 

Ninety percent of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf, according to the PGA of America, and more than half of all businesspeople believe golf is a valuable networking tool. Women executives believe that a background in sport was helpful to career advancement because it prepared them to work better in teams, and behaviors and techniques can be applied to the corporate setting (Women’s Sports Foundation).   

First Tee teaches valuable life skills that can help girls as they become leaders. Through our personal growth and junior golf programs, we encourage girls to build self-confidence that they’ll carry with them into their future.  

“I originally stuck with it [golf] because I wanted to beat my brother,” Rebecca continued. “And now, here I am, using a sport that changed my life to change others.”  

Now, that’s girl power.  

Approximately 25% of First Tee’s coaches are women, and we’d love to increase that number! If you are interested or know of a passionate female leader in your life, please point her here to get involved: https://firsttee.org/get-involved/coach-volunteer/  

Three Ways to Help Kids Develop a Positive Self Identity

Experiences are our greatest teachers. They shape how we treat others, how we see the world around us, and how we view ourselves. How we view ourselves is also known as our self identity and is defined as the qualities and potential you possess. It can influence the choices you make, the attitude you have day-to-day, and ultimately, it becomes your inner voice. For youth especially, a positive self identity can have a massive impact on who they become as adults. There are many ways parents can help their kids develop a positive self identity, and at First Tee we pride ourselves in nurturing a positive self identity for youth. Here are three ways you can help your kids develop a positive self identity inspired by our core values. 

Live Your Values

Kids watch and learn from the adults in their lives every day. Studying their actions and responses, they develop their identity based on their guardians and the other mentors in their life. If you live according to the values you want your kids to have, then they are more likely to absorb that into their own independent lives. That being said, having a mentor is a great way to ensure this happens. At First Tee,youth learn from their coaches by:

  • Treating others with respect and honesty 
  • Experiencing the value of teamwork, not just by being told to act as a team but by witnessing their coach lead with teamwork. 
  • Watching their coaches exercise positive self talk and kindness to others around them brings out the best in themselves and their self identity.  

Create a Culture of Acceptance

When there is no room for failure there is no room for growth. Fostering an environment that is not only safe for kids to fail but encourages them to try again, helps kids develop a strong sense of self. Acceptance also transcends just failure; it also means that every person, regardless of their background, is welcome. We work together to actively create a space of belonging for every kid— no matter what walk of life. Through example we encourage youth to accept their team members for who they are, treat each other with kindness, and create that culture of acceptance everywhere, so that when they reflect on themselves and their own identity they treat themselves with the same level of respect and positivity that they give others.

Empowerment Through Experiences

For kids, experiences shape their inner voice that gives them confidence and character. Not all experiences in life are easy, and when we empower youth to persevere and stay true to themselves, we bring out the best that’s inside of them. First Tee exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. As time goes on, that empowerment creates a strong sense of self, and encourages a positive self identity even in difficult situations. 

Though a positive self identity may seem like something only some people are born with, it is really something that can be cultivated through leading by example, an open culture of acceptance, and consistent empowerment through all experiences. What do you want your child’s inner voice to sound like when they grow up? Nurturing their self identity can make all the difference in that. We guide kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside and put it into action. If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today! 

Building Understanding, Trust and Empathy with Active Listening

Every conversation can be an opportunity to learn something new, build trust with someone, and deepen connections. This happens when we build the skill of active listening and learn to treat listening as an active process – not a passive one. 

What is Active Listening?

Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. It’s about being present, listening to understand (not respond), and showing active interest and engagement in the dialogue.  

Why does it matter? 

Active listening is an important skill for all of us to cultivate. Not only is it an important leadership skill, it has been shown to promote mindful thinking, can reduce anxiety and depression, helps build relationships and can promote empathy.  

How do we practice it?

At First Tee, we use a process called A-L-R to help build connection through active listening. This helps us to deepen conversations, keep them going, and get the most out of them. Here’s how A-L-R works:

  • Asking questions: Asking thoughtful questions is not only a way you can keep the conversation going, but it gives you a deeper understanding of the person or topic you are engaging with. 
    • Helpful Tip: Be curious. Try asking questions that dig a bit deeper: How did they feel in that moment? What was going on in their minds during that experience? What would they do differently the next time? These make the conversation richer, rather than closed-ended questions that are typically answered with a simple Yes or No.  
  • Listening to understand: When you ask a question, it is important to listen carefully to what the person is saying. We can sometimes be fixated on what we are going to say next, or when it’s our turn to jump back into the conversation, but try not to think about what you are going to say next.. Your focus is on them and their perspective rather than your own. 
    • Helpful Tip: Make an effort to try to clear your mind first of any distracting thoughts. It can help to jot down a mental or physical note of things on your mind in order to give your full attention. 
  • Reflect & respond to the reply: Keep the conversation going by responding in a way that connects with what they just said. You can try to restate in your own words what the person said, share what you think or feel about it, or ask another open-ended question that connects with what the person just said.
    • Helpful Tip: Show engagement and interest in what they are saying: look them in the eye when they are talking, use body language like nodding your head.


Active listening requires work, but you’ll be surprised at how much reward there is when you approach conversations and communication with this skill. Active listening is just one of the skills we are supporting kids and teens to build at First Tee. Click here to find out more about our programs.

4 Ways To Encourage Positive Thinking In Kids

We all deal with highs and lows in life. Even as kids, we experience a variety of emotions that have a direct impact on our choices, and the way we think about ourselves. A bad experience can result in negative thinking which can be detrimental to a young person’s self confidence and outlook on life. That’s why positive thinking is so powerful— not just for adults but kids as well. Maintaining a positive attitude can be challenging at times, but through practice and encouragement it becomes a skill that can shape and transform young lives.

Just as you exercise your swing before hitting the ball, it’s important to practice things that can promote positive thinking. Our minds are valuable tools, and maintaining a healthy and positive headspace can improve confidence and drive in all aspects of life.

Here are four ways that you can encourage positive thinking in your kids:

  1. Always Give Your Best Effort – Parents and mentors should encourage kids to give their best effort as often as possible. At First Tee, we believe that it is important to help kids show up to the challenge, and develop the resilience and inner strength needed to give their best effort on and off the golf course. If kids can give their best effort in all of their endeavors, they will be able to realize what they are truly capable of. This can directly improve their confidence, and help them develop a positive attitude about the world around them.
  1. Give Back To Your Community – Giving back to your community, or causes that you care about is another great way to maintain a positive mindset. Volunteering can help your family connect with others who hold similar values and beliefs. Even activities as simple as tutoring someone on the weekend, or pulling a neighbor’s weeds can have a tremendous effect on the community you live in. When kids can see that their actions can make a positive difference in the world, they will be more likely to feel positively about themselves, and their community.
  1. Practice Positive Self-Talk – Parents and mentors should show kids the importance of being gentle with themselves and others. A great way to help kids develop this skill is to tell them to talk to themselves as if they are talking to their best friend. If they wouldn’t say something mean to their friend or loved one, they shouldn’t say it to themselves. The way we think directly impacts our behavior and feelings about the world. If kids can think positively about themselves, they will likely feel the same way about the world around them.
  1. Take Ownership & Responsibility For Your Actions – Helping kids realize they have control over the outcomes of the challenges they face can help build confidence and reduce overall anxiety. Reducing anxiety and practicing problem-solving skills at a young age can have a huge effect on how their mindset develops through the rest of their lives. Raising confident kids is one of the best ways to help encourage positive thinking.

First Tee guides kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside them and put it into action. It’s a priority for us to show young people the value of caring for their social and emotional wellness. So when they step up to the next shot, math test, or presentation they have the strength to move forward, aim further, and finish stronger than the last time.

If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today.

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The Impact Of Having A Good Mentor

Having someone that you can look up to and go to for support is one the most important things a kid can have. Mentors give youth (and even adults) the confidence they need to confront challenges and come up with their own solutions. They provide a safe place for kids and teens to be themselves and have fun, while also learning valuable life skills.  

A great mentor has many traits— they can be a role model, cheerleader, policy enforcer, advocate, and friend to the students they work with. First Tee mentors have a sincere desire to be involved with their students, and treat them with respect. They practice active listening skills and empathy, while also seeking solutions and opportunities for those they work with. 

We celebrate each of our coaches, and recognize them for the unique role they play in young lives. In fact, research shows that First Tee participants think of their coaches as more than just teachers and counselors, but real mentors who have made a positive difference in their lives. 

Here are four ways a mentor impacts their mentees that were inspired and created by what our junior golfers have to say about their coaches:

1. Mentors show that you can never stop learning

They are always growing and showcasing that to their mentees who can feel inspired by how they adapt to life’s challenges.

“I constantly heard that sport emulates life, and life emulates sports. I didn’t understand this concept until I started the First Tee program. Through this sport, I learned accountability and responsibility for my actions and how to respond to adversity.  These lessons have affected my thinking about the impact I have on those around me and how important it is for me to strive to be my best self.”  – Quincy Crawford, participant, 2021 Scholar

2. Mentors help inspire students to be game-changers

Not just for themselves, but in their everyday lives and especially with their peers.

“Having an amazing mentor through the First Tee who I have developed a strong relationship with has inspired me to help others find mentors that can help them through their education and career.” – Remi Shendell, participant, First Tee Scholar

3. Mentors teach the importance of active listening

Not only do they offer support, but they show how valuable it can be to listen to someone in both good and bad times.

“Coach Mary Beth McGirr has been a major influence in my life, helping me with golf and with learning critical life skills that will aid me throughout my life. She took me under her wing and has been a shining example for me to follow. Additionally, as a woman, she has been an amazing mentor and example of a strong, confident female for me to look up to and admire. Coach Mary Beth has been one of my biggest fans and encourages me to do my best. She takes time to talk about my golf, life, family and personal struggles. She has been an excellent example of a strong leader and businesswoman who consistently gives back to the game and the community.” –  Alyssa Caraballo, The First Tee of Roanoke Valley

4. Mentors guide students to lead by example

It’s easy to tell someone what to do, but more impactful to give students the tools and examples they need to come to their own solutions.

“Coach Donnie Caldwell, PGA has given me great advice with my golf but more importantly, in my life. He has told me ‘make choices today that you’ll be proud of tomorrow.’ I used to just make choices that seemed the easiest or most convenient. But now I take time to think about those big decisions and how my choices may also affect others. Without him and his advice, I don’t know where I would be with my life, and that’s scary. He has made me a better person and he has shown me how to make the most of my life.” – Braxton Caldwell, First Tee of Pine Mountain

As you can see, the impact of a great mentor is one of our strongest tools in life. Our mentors work to guarantee students that there is someone who cares about them and who will assure them they are not alone in dealing with challenges. Offered at more than 1,200 locations, our program was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by trained coaches, or as our participants say— mentors! 

Check with your local chapter about how you can become a mentor to a junior golfer in your community.

Quick 9: Denise W

Mentoring

Denise W, First Tee – San Francisco 

1. Why is mentorship important?

It’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed, especially since we now live in an extremely fast-paced world where expectations for us are very high, so having a mentor to guide us through our development process is definitely reassuring.

2. What makes someone a good mentor?

Listening and being able to communicate effectively are qualities that make someone a good mentor. With such qualities, a mentor will be able to offer constructive feedback which will aid in a mentee’s future development.

3. Who has been an impactful mentor to you?

My mom has definitely been the most impactful mentor for me.

4. What have you learned from her/him?

From my mom, I learned that no matter what the circumstances are, hard work pays off. My mom immigrated to the U.S. in hopes to find better future prospects for the family and despite not knowing any English, she still continued to work hard in the U.S. to achieve her goals. In the end, all of her hard work and efforts paid off because she was able to provide the basic necessities for our family and grant my siblings and I access to a higher education.

5. How did/does your mentor help encourage you?

My mom always tells me, “Don’t be afraid of failure. Just go for it!” These are words that I will always remember because they encourage me to try new things, even if I don’t necessarily succeed. It’s a way of telling me that failure is a learning experience and if I fail, I can keep trying.

6. Have you grown as a result of your mentor?

Yes, I have grown as a result of my mom. Her guidance has helped me become more disciplined and more open to new experiences and opportunities. Without her, I don’t think I would be the person I am today.

7. What would it mean to you to become a mentor? Or Do you serve as a mentor at your chapter or any other capacity?

For me, being a mentor is very meaningful and fulfilling because not only am I able to help others, I am also able to develop myself further as a leader.

8. Do you have any advice on how to choose the best mentor in your life?

Find someone who cares about you and is willing to take the time out of their busy day to listen to your needs and help you.

9. What has First Tee taught you about mentorship?

First Tee has taught me that both the mentor and mentee are learners. Both rely on each other as a resource for new perspectives and knowledge. It’s not a one way relationship where only the mentor is helping the mentee.

Quick 9: Ricky L.

Mentoring

Ricky L., First Tee – Tri Valley

1. Why is mentorship important?

Mentorship is important because it allows a chain of knowledge and wisdom from years of experience from mentors to be passed down to mentees, unlocking their potential. Mentorship gives underprivileged students guidance to take control of their own life.

2. What makes someone a good mentor?

A great mentor is someone who has as much common ground with the mentee as possible, such as similar circumstances, college, passions, and career trajectory. More importantly, a great mentor actively listens to the mentee, providing insightful feedback, advice, or opportunities in return.

3. Who has been an impactful mentor to you?

The mentor I have been paired with from the First Tee Scholarship, Jim Smith from Morgan Stanley, has been an amazing mentor, a key guide through all my academic, career, and spiritual difficulties.

4. What have you learned from her/him?

Through our monthly discussions together over the past year, Mr. Smith has given me an abundance of wisdom from his years of experience in becoming a Senior Wealth Portfolio Manager. Also, his advice has helped me get past my choice paralysis in deciding career pathways and majors in college.

5. How did/does your mentor help encourage you?

When I hear about Mr. Smith’s stories of his journey in finding, developing, and maintaining both a loyal client basis and talented team through ups and downs, I am inspired. Additionally, Mr. Smith provides so many life tools, advice, and books/video recommendations to help me stay on a healthy path and achieve career goals.

6. Have you grown as a result of your mentor?

Because of Mr. Smith, I have learned to prioritize my different goals and face my reality with a clear mind. Although remaining open to life, I truly want to serve the world, my community, and my family while also pursuing my passions in computer science, finance, and fitness.

7. What would it mean to you to become a mentor? Or Do you serve as a mentor at your chapter or any other capacity?

Being a mentor to someone is a true honor to me because I can impact someone’s life so personally. I am in Harvard’s Chinese Student Association, and as a sophomore, I am a mentor to freshmen paired with me. Although it can be worrying wondering if you are providing value to your mentees, remember that simply listening and sharing your experience can help them out.

8. Do you have any advice on how to choose the best mentor in your life?

Be open to all mentors, even if they may not align with you in certain aspects such as passions, hobbies, career path, or academic major. Hearing a different perspective may change your mind and open new pathways that you may have not considered. Listen to what your mentor truly has to say and keep asking questions.

9. What has First Tee taught you about mentorship?

First Tee has taught me that mentorship comes from a genuine care to better the world and your community, and that most often, mentees become mentors to future generations. Mentorship keeps the spirit of the First Tee alive as older students come back to volunteer their time to help their chapters.

Looking Back on the First Tee Leadership Summit

This August, we held our first ever First Tee Leadership Summit in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana. This event took place for two weeks, bringing together 20 teens each week from across the country to develop leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities. Through collaborative workshops, First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence and resilience played a huge part of the experience, to explore the concepts of relationship building, positive risk taking, and character evaluation. We recently caught up with participant Benjamin Parris from First Tee – Denver to hear how this year’s event impacted him.

Benjamin Parris, First Tee – Denver

In Denver, I often hear the amazing experiences fellow participants have when they return from First Tee national events. Until the first week of August 2021, I had never experienced one for myself and I was not quite sure what to expect when I was selected for The First Tee Leadership Summit in Partnership with the PGA TOUR Superstore at Mr. Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana. As soon as I arrived at the airport, I knew it would be a special week as I was immediately greeted by fellow participants and alumni chaperones. When we arrived at West Creek, even more participants were eager to greet us and introduce themselves. I knew I had formed relationships almost immediately, and those only got better as the week went on. At the summit, we got to participate in activities such as horseback riding, archery, white water rafting, and other spectacular outdoor experiences. Also, during our days, we had the opportunities to listen to guest speakers like Dick Sullivan (CEO of the PGA TOUR Superstore), Ralph Stokes (the PGA TOUR Superstore’s Director of Partnership Marketing and former University of Alabama running back), Joe Shepard (a PGA TOUR Superstore Regional Manager), Stacie Monks (a PGA TOUR Superstore District Manager), and our keynote speaker Michael Vick (former NFL quarterback). We learned lessons in values, teamwork, skill sets, representation, and more. Each day at the summit had a different theme. Our themes were: “relationships are the foundation for leadership,” “positive risk taking,” and “my character is me.” While our speakers were able to give us insightful words and stories on these themes, we learned just as much from our outdoor experiences as we did from our speakers. On Tuesday, we focused on relationships and how trust is the foundation of every successful relationship. After hearing from Dick Sullivan and Michael Vick, six participants, including myself, departed for the ropes course while everyone else elected to horseback ride. When we arrived, we immediately had to build a relationship as we picked partners to ascend on a partner climb up a 30-foot wooden ladder. My partner Sam Gibbs from the First Tee of Fort Worth deserves a quick shoutout for putting her trust in me all week from the second we became partners at the ropes course. On Wednesday, we worked on taking positive risks. My first risk of the day was waking up at 6:30 after a late night to go on a sunrise hike. Let me tell you, the views in Montana were spectacular, it was very much worth the risk of not sleeping in. Later that day I took another risk by going on a 3-hour horseback excursion, by far the longest I had ever been near another animal, besides my dog at home. My biggest takeaway from learning about positive risks were to approach people who think differently than you so you can challenge your own thinking and to seek out your own mentorships. On Thursday, our final full day at the summit, we did a lot of self-reflection while thinking about how to own our characters. Stacie Monks began the day after another gorgeous sunrise hike. She posed the following question to all the participants. “What type of leader do you want to be?” She went onto discuss how to create a culture when you are leading others and how to empower them. Later that morning we had perhaps the hardest task of the entire summit, but also to me the most impactful. We were asked to complete this phrase. “This is what I believe about myself as a leader…” This wasn’t a simple sentence to complete, and to really answer the question, it required more than just a few sentences. To complete the thought, I had to reflect upon all the things I had been through that week at West Creek. I had to think about climbing with a partner, taking leaps of faith, the inspiration I had received from our speakers and workshops, and what I had learned from all the people around me. Later that evening, we sat around the fire pit as we listened and shared all 18 of us has discovered about ourselves as leaders. My favorite part of the leadership summit was the comradery all of the participants formed. I got the opportunity to make 17 new friends, who over the course of the week felt like family. I know that I’ll be keeping in touch with them for years and years to come and can’t wait until I can see them again. For me, the week made me feel like a true member of the greater First Tee family. I had never met a fellow participant from outside of Colorado, but now I feel like I’m connected to the First Tee everywhere I go. I can’t wait to stay involved with the program as I go to college and beyond. I want to thank the First Tee, PGA TOUR Superstore and West Creek Ranch staff one final time for giving me what was truly a life changing experience. The programming was phenomenal, and the experiences were irreplicable. I came back home truly knowing what type of leader I am and how I can continue to grow as a leader. I can’t wait to apply what I learned in Montana to our local programs in Denver as well as other extracurriculars I participate in. I feel honored that I was a part of the inaugural summit.

2018 100 Putt-A-Thon Celebration

Pure Insurance & The First Tee of Phoenix 100-Hole Putt-A-Thon Celebration!!

Saturday June 23, 2018

8:30am – 1:00pm

The Legacy Golf Resort – 6808 South 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Contact Mike Tucker at [email protected] or 602-566-7393 for information on how you can participate!

  Pure Insurance is a National Sponsor of The First Tee through the Pure Insurance Championship Impact The First Tee. This incredible tournament is played in September (this year’s event is September 25-30, 2018) at the Pebble Beach Golf Links bringing together players from the PGA Champions Tour and members of The First Tee from across the nation for a golf tournament like no other. The First Tee of Phoenix and the local Pure Insurance office is excited to expand on this national partnership with our own event to impact kids here in Phoenix Area.  The First Tee of Phoenix and Pure Insurance are collaborating with our 1st Annual 100-Hole Putt-A-Thon Celebration!! This fun and worthwhile event will bring participants from both organizations for a day of fun, fellowship, and fundraising. Participants will be playing (putting) 100 holes to raise money for kids participating within The First Tee of Phoenix programs through scholarships and programming support at the golf course level.
Every participant will be playing 100 holes on the putting green. There will be 20 holes set up on the putting green where groups of 3 (two adults and one The First Tee of Phoenix Junior Member) will circulate through 5 times.  Our estimation that this will take between 75-90 minutes to complete.  Each participant will keep their score through the 100 holes. There will be a maximum of 4 putts per hole. Prizes will be awarded for the lowest cumulative score, as well as, the most “Hole-in-Ones”. This event is open to anyone who would like to support The First Tee of Phoenix. All we ask is that you give of your time and play with us on that day and raise some needed funds for the kids within our program. We know initially this may seem to be a challenge, but we hope you will give it your best effort using your own existing network of family and friends to help support your involvement in the 100 Hole Putt-A-Thon. Our previous 100-hole celebrations have been very successful and this year’s plan is to make it the best ever! To register on the site go to www.FirstTeeChallenge.com and click the Player Registration link on the top left corner of the page.

Session 1 Begins January 11th, 2022!!

Our next session begins the week of January 11th!
To sign up your child to become a The First Tee of Phoenix Member download the application below and bring to your nearest The First Tee of Phoenix Location…..Membership is only $155 per year!!!

Click Here to Download Membership Application

Spring Open House

  Click Here for Flyer SPRING OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION!! The First Tee of Phoenix is hosting a SPRING OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, March 11th at our chapter office at 3837 E. Wier  Avenue, Suite 7, Phoenix, AZ,  85040. If you, or someone you know, is looking for nearly new golf equipment – clubs, balls, shoes, umbrellas, travel covers, etc. – this is a unique opportunity to find some great deals!   We will have the ability to fit and cut down clubs to size.   Plus, there will be food, games, a raffle and fun for the whole family!
  • When: Saturday, March 11th, 2017
  • Where: 3837 E Wier Avenue Suite #7 85040 (See map below)
  • Cost: FREE!!
  • Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
  • Who: This event is open to the whole family, friends and the public
Please contact us at 602-305-7655 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on March 11th!

Course Reporter Blogs

My Experience as a Junior Course Reporter at The Waste Management Phoenix Open

By Jack Breidenbach, The First Tee of Phoenix Day One and Two – Thursday February 2 & Friday February 3, 2017   It was a cool, crisp morning at the TPC Scottsdale. No players on the course, it was barren and empty. Hard at work behind the scenes, people were busy early setting up the spectacle known as the Phoenix Open.   We first met Ted Cash, the mastermind behind turning the TPC Scottsdale cart barn into a media room welcoming golf reporters from around the world. His team starts a week early creating temporary walls that divide the room into sections. The transformation definitely makes a great workplace for reporters during the week.   We next spoke with Wade Stettner, head meteorologist for the PGA Tour. He told us Phoenix is a relatively easy place to predict weather. No fog, little winds, nothing like coastal courses. The only delay during the Phoenix Open experience is the usual frost delay. The Tour’s and Stettner’s main concern for most tournaments is lightning. “Play will be stopped if lightning is within 6 miles – no exceptions.”   Next we visited with Brad Williams, General Manager of the TPC. Brad told us “Our main focus is creating the best experience for our fans. The process of setting up the legendary 16th hole begins in October. The maintenance staff is working around the clock keeping the course in pristine condition.”   Our next stop was with the people from ShotLink, the high-tech tracking system used by the PGA Tour to bring us stats on every tour player’s game. Using a grid system and GPS technology, Shotlink is able to track distances for every player.   We then found ourselves on a journey into the jungle that is the 16th hole. We met the genius behind the Golf Channel’s production, Jeremy Friedman. Jeremy brought us into the box where Tom Lehman, Brandall Chamblee and Steve Sands were live on Golf Central’s Pre-Game show. Brandall stopped to greet us after the show. Later, we went over to the 18th tower and, thanks to Mr. Friedman, met Rich Lerner and David Duval, the announcers for the action out on the course.   We then took a brief detour to visit our friends at CBS Sports. Joel, a producer with CBS, gave us a tour of their four trailers, each responsible for performing different jobs. We watched the audio and video crews in the first trailer. We then met their graphic design team who creates the sleek and creative scoreboard at commercial breaks. Finally we watched the music crew in their trailer as they were in the midst of creating a montage of past Phoenix Opens.   Though we met many people doing different behind the scenes jobs, everyone is here for the same reason: the players. We caught up with a few hometown heroes, like Sun Devil graduates Chez Reavie and Phil Mickelson. “It’s always great to see people you grew up with in the crowd cheering you on,” Reavie told me in our conversation. As for Mickelson, a seasoned veteran and three-time champion at the open, he embraces the crowd. He told me, “there is nothing quite like it on tour. It is definitely an event on the calendar that I look forward to.” We also caught up with Matt Kuchar, who doesn’t focus on his competition. “I am not worried about how the leaders are playing, you can only play your game.” The Georgia native loves his Atlanta Falcons, and likes their chances on Sunday. “I am confident we can get the win.” With two days in the books, and two days remaining, it should be an interesting finish. Expect fireworks.        

My Experience as a Course Reporter at

The Waste Management Phoenix Open

By, Mika Miyata, The First Tee of Phoenix Day One – Thursday February 2, 2017   The Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMPO) is something I look forward to each year, and so far, the 2017 experience has been the best one yet. I have been given the amazing opportunity of being invited as a First Tee course reporter (as one of two, the second being Jack) at the greenest show on grass. Today’s weather provided a prime day to not only watch golf but to see all the behind the scenes work that involves running a tournament of this magnitude.   The day started with us getting a tour of the media center and learning about how interviews are conducted. We talked to Ted Cash, who showed us around the interview room. Watching golf on TV gives you the perception that the interview room is a giant conference room that holds numerous people, but at the WMPO it is quite opposite; it is merely just a small area of the cart barn with a backdrop and few rows of chairs. I found this quite interesting, due to the fact that I, along with many other people, have never known this before.   Afterward, we spoke with Leslie Grabeman from ShotLink (a stat system used by the PGA), Wade Stettner, he is a tournament meteorologist who monitors the weather and determines if it’s fit for play, and Officer Patterson from the Scottsdale Police Department who surveys the entire course with his canine for bomb detection. We also had the opportunity to talk to Brad Williams, the General Manager of TPC Scottsdale. He gave us major insights on how the WMPO operates and functions. He even told us that they started the construction of the grandstands in last October, and they are already talking about tournament planning for 2018. I mean that’s crazy, this year’s tournament has barely begun!   The coolest part of my day was going to the Golf Channel set on the 16th green and getting to talk to Jeremy Friedman. It was crazy trying to talk to him in the midst of the 16-hole madness, the crowd was cheering so loud that we could barely hear! But through all the chaos, he told us behind the scenes information about the show Golf Central. Mr. Friedman also told us information regarding the process it takes to produce the show and setting everything up. He also told us that his favorite part of the job was getting to travel to all the different tournament locations. It was really cool to watch Brandel Chamblee, Steve Sands, and Tom Lehman record their segment and turn around to see the show being broadcasted live.   Today’s all-access, behind the scenes experience, is one I will remember for my entire life. Thank you to the First Tee of Phoenix for this amazing experience.   Day Two – Friday February 3, 2017   This morning we need to be at WPMO early, Jack and I were going to be interviewed by Chanel 3. As I was walking up to the media center I could see that there were already more people there than the day before. You could also hear the loud cheers from the 16th green, and it was only 7:30 am! I thought to myself, it was going to be another fantastic day at the WMPO.   It felt surreal to be standing on the 18th skybox talking to April Warnecke of Chanel 3 about yesterday’s experiences (on live TV!). It felt like the interview took a long time, but it really was only about a couple minutes.   Throughout the day, we flashed our media badges visiting various production trailers. We met Steve from PGA Tour Live who works with film production; matching the audio to what we see on TV. We also met Joel who gave us a tour of the CBS Sports trailers. It was very interesting to learn about the production, mixing, audio, and visual process. There’s so much involved in airing a golf tournament.   Later that morning we bumped into Jeremy Friedman again who took us up to the 18th hole NBC production tower. While up in the tower David Duvall and Rich Lerner was recording their segment, Live from with a Birdseye View of the 18th green. I really enjoyed meeting Mr. Duvall and Mr. Lerner and getting to snap a quick picture! The views of the 18th green was of course, AMAZING!   Afterward, we headed back to the media center to catch the players coming in. Jack and I, along with several professional reporters were trying to get interviews with them. Some of the players rushed through, but Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar were kind enough to answer our questions. I was really happy that we got to talk to the players, especially the ones who are well known, as it was already time to turn in our press badges.   This was my first time being a junior course reporter, it’s an experience I will never forget. I am so appreciative and thankful to everyone who took time out of their busy day in order to show us around and answer questions, especially Coach Jeff Pound of the First Tee, for being with us for the past two days.