Happy Thanksgiving!
We would like to thank all of our participants, volunteers, coaches, and donors for your continued support and wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!
Category: Blog
Keith Dawkins Named CEO Of The First Tee
Mr. Keith Dawkins will be replacing Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. as CEO of The First Tee in 2018. Pictured here with Ryan Guthridge from our Omaha chapter, Mr. Dawkins brings years of positive youth development experience to The First Tee having worked for Nickelodeon prior. Welcome Keith!
Driving Forward In Omaha
Under the theme “Looking Back….Driving Forward,” over 1000 people gathered in Orlando from across the entire The First Tee chapter network. Those attending this year’s event from Omaha included: Ryan Guthridge-Program Director, Carl Bartholomew-Board Chair, and Joel Kock-Executive Director. The First Tee chapter offices carry out the organization’s mission of positively impacting youth in their respective service areas.
Network Meeting Awards And Recognitions
Our Executive Director, Joel Kock was recognized for his leadership and work completed in the area of continuing education and non-profit best practices. Over 1000 people attended an awards luncheon on Friday, 11/10 in Orlando at which numerous Recognized Executive Director awards and other recognitions were handed out. Congrats to all those acknowledged for their efforts and exceptional work!
Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Leads The First Tee | 10 Million Youth Impacted
Chapter Executive Director, Joel Kock is pictured here with The First Tee’s CEO Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. It was announced earlier that Mr. Barrow will be stepping away from his role as CEO after leading the organization through Phase IV initiatives that positively impacted over 10 million youth. Chapter offices from across the US gathered for the organization’s 20 Year Anniversary in Orlando, FL in November to celebrate this historic benchmark.
The First Tee Gathers To Celebrate 20 Years
The First Tee chapter network gathered together in Orlando, FL November 9-11, 2017 to celebrate 20 years of positively impacting youth across the US through Golf and Life Skills programming. The First Tee began as an initiative in 1997 to bring golf and the inherent values that the game teaches to under privileged youth. Today, over 150 chapter offices carry out the The First Tee’s mission!
Omaha Area Schools Partner with The First Tee of Omaha
The First Tee National School Program is a SHAPE certified program utilized by elementary school physical education instructors to introduce the game of golf in schools. Local chapters can sometimes partner with the elementary school staff to create a “Field Trip” learning experience, allowing youth to discover life at the golf course. Pictured here is a school group from Omaha discovering Golf and Life Skills this fall at the Steve Hogan Golf Course Learning Center.
Partners
Steve Hogan Memorial Golf Outing Fundraiser – A Huge Success!
Over 40 groups took part in the 8th Annual Steve Hogan Memorial Golf outing on 9/29/17. During this year’s event, the chapter was able to raise over $25,000 to help support Golf and Life Skills programs in the greater Omaha area. The staff and board of directors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all involved in making this year’s fundraiser a huge success!
Congratulations To Volunteer Of The Year – Amanda Wilms!
Congratulations to Amanda Wilms, our “Volunteer of the Year” for 2017! Amanda served as one of our mainstay volunteer coaches at our Westwood Heights GC programming site. She has done amazing work with some of our youngest participants over the years. This is a well-deserved award that was presented during the Steve Hogan Memorial Golf outing. Thank you Amanda!
Youth “Participant of the Year” Awards Presented
Each year, the coaches from each of The First Tee of Omaha summer programming sites recognize youth as “Participant of the Year” award recipients. These youth are selected as displaying both Golf and Life Skills throughout the programming sessions. This year’s winners include: Reagan Muhlecke (Female-North Omaha), Ivan Yabut (Male-North Omaha), Isabella Saxton (Female-South Omaha), Oscar Yuhas-Vining (Male-South Omaha), Abigail Ridout (Female-West Omaha), and William McTaggart (Male-West Omaha) Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
Board Members Enjoy Steve Hogan Memorial Golf Outing!
Each year, the staff and board of directors host a fall golf fundraiser, the Steve Hogan Memorial Golf Outing! Several of the board members are pictured here with Executive Director, Joel Kock. This year’s event was held at Shoreline GC on 9/29. Golf outing participants played under bright blue skies and enjoyed one of the top 5 summer days in Omaha all year. Special thanks to everyone who made it a great day!