I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to The First Tee for giving me the opportunity to intern with them this summer. Through this internship, I have gained valuable work experience. I was assigned to several different work sites and I was able to learn different skills from each. Whether I was located at the office, Joseph Bartholomew, or at the summer camps, there was a lesson to be learned…
During the time I spent working in The First Tee office, every day was different. There was always something new that had to be accomplished. By being in the office, I began to truly understand how much work goes into running the organization. I have gained a new level of appreciation for the people who make it all possible. Whether it be the social media posts, finding sponsors, making membership bags, or any of the many other tasks that go along behind the scenes, it takes a lot of work to make The First Tee successful.
When I worked with The First Tee coaches at Joseph Bartholomew Golf Course, we partnered with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. I learned the importance of pushing through and endurance. The coaches who work here are outside all day with only a break for lunch. There was never any question that these coaches were giving it their all for the kids.
I also worked at different The First Tee Summer Camp locations. Working with these kids taught me so many things, and most importantly, patience. I was able to realize the importance of celebrating all accomplishments, no matter how small, because every step taken in the right direction should be recognized.
I am so appreciative of The First Tee for affording me the opportunity to work for them this summer. I am grateful to have learned so much not only about working and having a job, but also many lessons that I can take with me going forward. It has been a privilege to work for such a caring organization that honors the message in its mission.
The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy Coaching Experience
by: Kyle J. Albright
Not long ago, I was selected as one of twenty-four The First Tee coaches to attend the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy in Boise, Idaho. I immediately did a little research on the event. I scoured the internet for pictures and articles. I asked participants who’ve attended what it was like. Stories of meeting new people and traveling to new places were plentiful. I was so excited because soon, I would find out for myself.
The Life Skills and Leadership Academy is a weeklong experience attended by 96 The First Tee participants and 24 The First Tee coaches from around the world. The importance of the event was immediately felt at the welcome dinner when the coaches and participants met for the first time. We sat together for dinner while listening to speakers. To see the participant’s smiles and hear them introduce themselves and share their stories was the beginning of an amazing experience.
At the Academy, participants were separated into 24 groups, each identified by a color (the red team was the best color group, in my personal opinion). There were 6 coaches assigned to each color group. The participants had busy schedules with off-course activities as well as practice and play. Throughout the week, every coach meets every participant through practice sessions or on-course activity. You get a chance to get to know more about each person, see how they interact with others, and witness how they exhibit the values of The First Tee. Throughout the week, coaches provided guidance through golf rounds and establish lessons plans for purposeful practice. The participants and coaches worked side-by-side to complete lesson plans and activities. Every day was a learning experience, and the goal of it all was to have as much fun as possible!
I consider myself lucky for having attended the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. The city of Boise, Idaho and the campus of Boise State University were beautiful and provided great accommodations as host locations for the Academy. I met so many great kids with whom I will keep in touch. True to The First Tee moto, I met so many new friends that are good golfers, but even better people.
I urge The First Tee of Greater New Orleans eligible participants to apply for the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. The memories you make, the friendships you explore, and the coaching you receive makes for an unforgettable experience.
About The First Tee National Participant Opportunities
The First Tee doesn’t just get kids on the course, it offers exciting opportunities for growth. With the help of The First Tee national corporate partners, more advanced participants can apply to attend these golf and leadership events. These events often become life-changing experiences. Youth meet new people, play golf, achieve greatness, and show our Nine Core Values in action. Learn more about the individual opportunities here: National Participant Opportunities
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Swim Like a Fish
It’s summertime, so there’s a good chance that July’s Face of The First Tee, 7-year-old Chase Gauthier is in a swimming pool somewhere in the United States. Chase LOVES to swim. He swims competitively for the Ellington Orcas Swim Team in Luling and has also been a member of the Terrytown Storm Swim Team. He enjoys taking vacations with his family and friends to explore new places, and no doubt, swimming pools. We are fortunate that when this fish is out of the pool, he spends his time on land with The First Tee.
Chase has been a member of The First Tee program for 3 years. He was a 5-year-old when his parents learned about The First Tee and decided to enroll him and his then 6-year-old sister Brooklyn. “My husband and I never learned to play golf,” says Chase’s mother Jare Gauthier. “We figured by letting Chase and Brooklyn play golf, it would inspire us to learn to play and golf could be a lifelong family activity.”
Chase lives in Waggaman with his family and attends The First Tee at Bayou Oaks in City Park or TPC Louisiana. “Chase loves exploring the different golf courses and learning from his awesome coaches at The First Tee,” says Jare. More than golf, Chase’s parents appreciate the character development they’ve seen in their child. “My husband and I have seen the Nine Core Values change Chase’s academic performance and relationships with his peers. He is a strong and confident child who is willing to help others whenever he can.”
An entering 2nd grader at Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies, where he is an A/B Honor Roll student, Chase also plays basketball and piano and enjoys reading and being a member of the Cub Scouts. He’s learning about STEM related activities and wants to pursue an education in engineering so he can be an engineer or a chemist like his father.
“We are so happy for this program as Chase is not only learning to play but he is also learning lifelong values in sportsmanship and conduct that are applicable to any situation. We are excited about what The First Tee has taught Chase and we look forward to the future!”
In conjunction with the PGA TOUR and the FORE!Kids Foundation, The First Tee selected 3 participants to attend the 2019 Zurich Classic to cover the event as Junior Course Reporters. Armed with PGA TOUR issued media credentials and enthusiasm, the Junior Course Reporters interviewed tournament staff and volunteers to investigate the preparation and planning that goes into hosting a golf tournament of this magnitude. The Junior Course Reporters were asked to pick a topic of coverage on which to collect information via the opportunities provided while on site. The following are the fruits of their investigative journalism…
Matthew Biehl tries first oyster. Ever.
Going to a professional golf tournament is enjoyable. You can enjoy many things from watching the professional golfers play, to relaxing in the warmth of the sun. While you enjoy all this fun, you do not think about who makes each tournament happen, what they did to help, and how they actually helped out. It is what’s on the inside of the tournament that counts.
The people that work the tournaments help in many ways. Peter Dachisen, a rules official, goes around the world to assist players when they need a ruling, and also enforces the rules if someone does not follow them. Most professionals do not need a ruling, but the rules official’s job is a big responsibility. His job is a big responsibility because he makes sure the professionals do the right thing and do not cheat. Another person who helps support PGA tournaments is Mike Rodrigue. He helps set up the tournament including the Acme food tent so people can eat great food during the Zurich golf tournament. It takes about a week to prepare the food. He also gives the PGA money, and in return, he can sell ACME products. Also, there is Wade Stettner, the meteorologist of the PGA Tour. His job is to make sure there is no lightning in a 8 mile radius, so everyone at the PGA tournament is safe. It is a really important job. These are three examples of people who help in major ways.
There are companies that support the PGA through merchandise. Eric Lassiter is a representative of Oakley which is a company that makes detailed glasses that adjust to your surroundings. Justin Phillips is also a company representative like Eric Lassiter, but Justin Phillips represents Levelwear, a company that makes shirts, shorts, belts, and hats. Levelwear, like Oakley, supports the PGA by paying the PGA, so they can sell their products during golf tournaments.
Matthew Biehl being interviewed for radio
There are also larger sponsors of PGA tournaments. For example, David Perlis is the Chairman of the Board of Fore Kids Foundation, which is a big supporter of PGA and the Zurich Classic. Fore Kids Foundation donates a lot of money to PGA to set up tournaments and has partnerships with PGA and Zurich Classic. Additionally, he is the leader of more than 200 Fore Kids Foundation volunteers at the Zurich. Another big supporter of the PGA is Liz Broekman. She is the Director of Power at Fidelity Bank. She helps women get jobs with their abilities. Fidelity Bank supports PGA and in return, gets their own booth during tournaments.
In conclusion, these people are a few of the many people who help out during professional golf tournaments. Thanks to these people and many others, golf tournaments can take place, and you can have fun in the sun. It is about the people on the inside that count.
Can’t keep Piper Hall away from her art
What Goes on Behind the Scenes
By: Piper Hall
When people visit the Zurich Classic, they usually focus on the players. Instead, I got to meet and interview around 20 people in my two days as a Junior Course Reporter for The First Tee of Greater New Orleans. My mission was to find out about more than the players (though they do deserve credit for their impeccable skills). My interviews provided a behind-the-scenes look at all of work that goes into creating such a huge event. I was able to talk to so many incredible people and hear about their contributions to the Zurich Classic. From food to merchandise, supplies, sponsors, and media, there are so many components of hosting a golf tournament.
Media
With my media credentials, I was able to access the Media Center of the Zurich Classic, a homebase for all of the reporters, journalists, photographers, and videographers covering the tournament. Every morning, Zurich Classic Media Director Tom Long would issue our media credentials. Tom works with the PGA TOUR and the Zurich Classic to make sure all tournament questions are answered. He has been a member of The Fore Kids Foundation for 25 years and has directed all Zurich Classic media for 15 years. I also met media New Zealand native Mark Williams, who is the PGA TOUR Director of Communications. Mark has been working with the PGA tour for 11 years, where he coordinates interviews for the PGA TOUR. He has a true love for the game of golf and has played since he was a 4 year old. Local favorite Jeff Duncan, a columnist for Times Picayune and Nola.com, travels all over the world for stories. He finds his job very important because he gets to educate and inform people in the community. Jeff is in his 20th year in New Orleans and has worked as a journalist since 1987.
Merchandise
In the Merchandise Tent, I spoke with TPC Louisiana Assistant Golf Pro and Merchandise Tent Manager Ben Hutchinson, who explained that the PGA TOUR purchased and shipped over $305,000 worth of merchandise to be sold during the Zurich Classic. I also spoke with Oakley’s Field Manager Eric Lassiter, who was at the Zurich Classic to sell merchandise like the Oakley Prizm Lense – sunglasses made with special lenses for specific sports and environments. The lenses are engineered by studying the eye and are designed to absorb specific colors one would see on a golf course. Justin Phillips has been working with Levelwear for 10 years. Levelwear makes customizable performance golf clothing and currently holds over 100 university merchandise licenses.
SponsorS
We were very fortunate to have been allowed into the Fidelity Bank Champion’s Club, one of the Zurich Classic’s most sought after tickets. I spoke with Liz Broekman, Director of Fidelity Bank’s. P.O.W.E.R. program, which stands for Potential Of Women Entrepreneurs Realized. Liz works with female business owners and entrepreneurs to help them connect and grow their businesses. Fidelity Bank is a proud sponsor of the Zurich Classic.
The Fore!Kids Foundation
The golf tournament is produced by a 3-way partnership between The Fore!Kids Foundation, The Zurich Classic, and The PGA TOUR. The Fore!Kids Foundation Board of Directors gives guidance for donating to children’s organizations with funds raised during the Foundation’s golf events. Our group was lucky to catch Board Chair David Perlis in the Media Center. David has been a member of The Fore!Kids Foundation for 25 years. He said the acting as the Board Chair is a year-round responsibility for which he directs and provides resources for the Fore!Kids CEO and President. He volunteers not because of golf, but to give back to the community. The First Tee is one of the major benefactors that receives a grant from The Fore!Kids Foundation. I send my personal thanks to the Fore!Kids Foundation for making The Zurich Classic Pro-Am Caddie Day and other programs available to The First Tee participants!
Oysters!
I had the pleasure of speaking with restaurant owners Mike Rodrigue, owner of ACME Oyster House, and Tommy Cvitanovich, owner of Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, who both talked about their businesses and how much effort goes into selling food throughout the week. Drago’s has 4 locations and over 500 employees. Tommy is proud to see his father’s (now deceased) name all over the tournament. He said that watching people enjoy food and have a good time is one of his favorite things about the tournament. Zurich patrons eat over 30,000 oysters and 150-200 gallons of sauce during the week of the Zurich Classic! According to ACME’s Mike Rodrigue, he and his team start on site a month before the event and meet again after to discuss any need for improvement. ACME has been at the tournament since 1973 , and every year they try to keep it “fresh.” ACME Oyster House donates it’s food and services to The Fore Kids Foundation as “their way of giving back to the community.” One thing everyone agrees about is that one of the best and most unique part of the Zurich Classic is the abundance of New Orleans style food!
course workers
Piper gets some air time
There are workers on the golf course that help the tournament run smoothly, like Peter Dachisen, a rules official, Wes Gilmore, a First Tee golf coach and worker at the Zurich Classic, CJ Tessitore, a practice range manager, and people like Bobby, Amy, Scott, and Tommy who work on the course to provide help and snacks to the players. Practice Range Manager CJ Tessitore are very passionate about the golf. He is 80 years old still loves to work in golf. He says that “golf gets you out and you can still play as you get older.” CJ thinks the team format is a great part of the Zurich Classic and he believes it is a very hospitable tournament. Wes Gilmore also works at the practice range making sure the players get what they need. He loves the environment and being close to the pros to see what they do. Peter Dachisen is a rules official who has been traveling the world officiating for 5 years. There are 8 strategically placed rules officials on the course during the Zurich Classic. They are generally off to the side and are called upon when needed. Peter has played golf all of his life and getting to work with the best players in the world encourages him. Lastly, no PGA golf tournament is possible without its very own meteorologist! Wade Stettner is one of 7 meteorologists on the PGA TOUR. He travels with the the TOUR to forecast weather for tournaments. His most important role is to look out for lightning. He warns and evacuates about 30 minutes before a storm. When the weather is good, Wade answers questions about wind, moisture in the ground, and other things that can affect a golfer’s game. He has been working 19 years as a meteorologist and 14 years with the PGA TOUR
I hope you enjoyed learning about planning the Zurich Classic from reading my report! I learned so much as a First Tee Junior Course Reporter. It takes a very large team to plan and execute a PGA TOUR tournament. I would love to attend the Zurich Classic next year as a spectator or perhaps for another year as a Junior Course Reporter!
Brother Martin graduate Zaire Stevenson on the radio at the Zurich Classic
It’s Hard Work, But It’s Worth It
By: Zaire Stevenson
Before my experience as a First Tee Junior Course Reporter at the Zurich Classic, I thought a PGA TOUR tournament was be simple to put on, and I was very surprised to see how difficult it is. As a Junior Course Reporter, I was given the task of investigating what goes on in the making of a PGA TOUR event.
I met up with The First Tee Coach Wesley Gilmore, who is also on the staff at TPC Louisiana. He said that preparing for the Zurich Classic is very hectic, especially ensuring that the golf course is at its peak. He enjoys being able to be a part of the experience and watching the tournament and thinks the new format is very exciting. During the tournament, Wes works at the practice range with CJ Tessitore. CJ is the practice facility manager. He and his staff are in charge of making sure each pro receives their special practice range golf balls.
With access to the Zurich Classic Media Center, I met Tom Long, the Media Director for the Zurich Classic. He is tasked with promoting events, writing press releases, running and operating the media center, working with title sponsors, and planning the 18th green ceremony for top tournament finishers. He has been a member of the Fore!Kids Foundation for 25 years, and the manager of the Media Center for 15 years. He enjoys working with media and being a part of the Zurich Classic team. Also in the Media Center was Mark Williams, the Director of Communications for the PGA TOUR. He is responsible for coordinating all tournament interviews. He is an 11 year employee of the PGA and he loves his job. Jeff Duncan is a columnist for the Times Picayune and Nola.com. He writes opinions on sports events and believes it is important to inform the community on public affairs. He has been working for the Times Picayune for 20 years and has 32 years of experience in journalism.
Back on the course, I met a variety of different tournament workers and contributors like PGA TOUR Rules Official Peter Dachisen. He travels with the PGA TOUR year-round assisting players with any concerns pertaining to the rules of golf. Mr. Dachisen has been a rules official for five years. Wade Stettner is a 7 year veteran of the meteorologist team of the PGA TOUR. He is in charge of tracking the weather during tournament week to insure safety and proper playing conditions. Mr.Stettner uses technology that can track weather movement and detect lightning strikes at a distance of over eight miles! Wade has 19 years of meteorology experience.
Lastly, I was fortunate to interview tournament sponsor and ACME Oyster House owner, Mike Rodrigue. ACME Oyster House is one of the largest food vendors at the Zurich Classic. Mr. Rodrigue has over 1000 employees who work during the week of the tournament and he donates the proceeds from food sales made at the tournament to charity. Mike is also past President of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans Board of Directors, and remains a major supporter of the chapter.
There are so many more jobs and important people that are involved in the making PGA TOUR events like the Zurich Classic possible. From what I have learned as a First Tee Junior Course Reporter is that it is is hard work, but worth it in the end!
Sunshine and smiles warm hearts at summer camp June’s selection for The Faces of The First Tee is aptly timed as he was a fixture in last year’s The First Tee Summer Camp. Yahya Ayyad spent the better part of 2 months with The First Tee fellow campers, counselors, and coaches at one of last year’s Summer Camp partner locations, Timberlane Country Club. Yahya’s joyful demeanor especially warmed the hearts of his councilors and coaches. “Yahya has the most infectious smile, and he absolutely fell in love with the game of golf this summer. Happy-go-lucky by nature, Yahya is the type of kid you want to have around. He lightens the mood in any room,” says former Director of Education, Perry Faulkner.
Perry is not alone in his feeling about Yahya’s winning attitude. According to Rose Hindi, Yahya’s mother, “Yahya is one of the sweetest boys you can meet! He can be shy sometimes, but once you get to know him, he can be a handful!”
As demonstrated in his “Faces” portrait, Yahya’s passion is playing soccer. He takes his soccer ball everywhere he goes. At Summer Camp, The First Tee coaches and counselors helped him practice his goal shots, and according to mom, his game improved. “This is his first year at this camp and he absolutely loved it! He comes home and tells me how friendly the councilors were and how they would play anything with him. He would rather stay at camp then go on a vacation,” says Rose.
Of course, The First Tee Summer Camp wouldn’t be complete without a little golf. Yahya learned the basics of the game and was inspired to practice more often. “He is a tremendous asset to The First Tee, and I believe he will be a mentor coming up the pipeline,” Perry.
“I personally want to thank The First Tee for giving my son the best summer,” says Rose.
We couldn’t ask for a better endorsement. Thank you, Yahya and Rose!
ABOUT THE FACES OF THE FIRST TEE
The Faces of The First Tee is a new platform to recognize and award current participants who embody the criteria set forth in the Mission of The First Tee. The Faces of the First Tee demonstrate impeccable character, embody one or more of the Nine Core Values, and faithfully practice one or more of the Nine Healthy Habits. This award is not based on athletic ability, but rather a displayed grasp of The First Tee curriculum. This recognition will be awarded to one participant monthly for a period of 12 months (following the school year calendar, beginning in September). Advantages of being selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee include:
A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition
Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!
Dad Dotes on Deserving Daughter
By: Kenny Chauvin
A few years ago, my wife and I were deciding which sport we wanted to introduce to our daughter, Julieta Rivera Chauvin. We chose golf for several reasons. Our family has a long history playing golf, and we figured it would be another activity that we could do together. We also wanted to pick a sport that reinforces the values of hard work and sportsmanship. We thought that if Julieta liked the game, it would be a sport she could play and enjoy for a lifetime. When we learned about The First Tee, we decided to give it a try. We have not been disappointed!
Julieta is an outgoing person who loves helping others. As a result, she has many friends. She is a 5th grader at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans, a French immersion school, and is now fluent in the language. Julieta can also speak Spanish as learned from her Spanish speaking mother Florecita. She dreams of traveling the world to help children. Her long term-goal is to attend medical school so that she can become a pediatrician to “help children get over their sicknesses like her doctor does for her.” In the meantime, Julieta is a piano lesson veteran of four years. One Saturday a month, she attends NOLA STEM where she enjoys fun, engaging, and hands-on ways of learning. Julieta also enjoys participating on her school’s cross country team.
A New Orleans native, Julieta lives conveniently close to Audubon Golf Course, where she attends the Life Skills Experience. Golf compliments Julieta’s love of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and nature watching. We know the value of achieving athletic goals through dedication, practice, and hard work. These values can be applied to everyday life. Since Julieta has started The First Tee, we have noticed a change in her attitude and her work ethic. We can see her adapting and utilizing the Nine Core Values in other areas of her life, like her school work and the way she interacts with others. We hope this will help lead to success in whatever Julieta has planned for her future.
ABOUT THE FACES OF THE FIRST TEE
The Faces of The First Tee is a new platform to recognize and award current participants who embody the criteria set forth in the Mission of The First Tee. The Faces of the First Tee demonstrate impeccable character, embody one or more of the Nine Core Values, and faithfully practice one or more of the Nine Healthy Habits. This award is not based on athletic ability, but rather a displayed grasp of The First Tee curriculum. This recognition will be awarded to one participant monthly for a period of 12 months (following the school year calendar, beginning in September). Advantages of being selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee include:
A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition
Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!
The First Tee of Greater New Orleans participant Kobe Narcisse was featured in a report by Rachael O’Brien of WGNO on today’s morning newscast, highlighting his selection as Grand Prize Winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together essay contest. Keep an eye out for fellow star participant Logan Batiste, as he rattles of the Nine Core Values with ease. Click on the video to watch!
By: Brian Faucheux, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans Board Secretary
On a wild, wet week last January a group of 12 avid golf friends embarked on a 3-day pilgrimage to the Holy Grail of golfing meccas, the Pebble Beach Golf Resort on the Monterrey Peninsula in California.
Despite weather forecast of 80-100% rain for the duration of the trip excitement ran high with our New Orleans/Baton Rouge contingent as we touched down in San Jose, CA.
Converging at the phenomenal Inn at Spanish Bay in the Pebble Beach Resort that evening from places all around the country – Philadelphia, PA; Neptune Beach, FL, Columbus, OH, to name just a few – our group talked up our upcoming rounds while a Scottish bagpiper played at dawn just outside the plaza overlooking the Pacific in the misty rain…how fitting!
First up was 18 holes the next day at Spyglass Hill, with its beautiful challenging holes overlooking the ocean and deer walking alongside us. After an unexpected, rainless front nine, the back got downright nasty – with wind gusts clocking 45 mph, horizontal blowing rain, and massive pines bending violently. When a tree snapped on Hole 15, blowing an electrical transformer (BOOM!) and sending some of our group running, we knew this was no ordinary round of golf. My foursome barely finished the 18th while winds howled, trees danced and our rain-soaked forecaddies made a frantic dash for the Clubhouse.
The afternoon round made for some interesting stories at our group dinner that night at The Tap Room in The Lodge, where a bronze trophy from the PURE Insurance PGA Champions Tournament benefiting The First Tee was on display.
We arrived early the next morning at the Pebble Beach Golf Links pro shop for some required shopping and photos. Inquiring inside, I was happy to learn that Norman Blanco, one of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ true success stories (and Pebble Beach Assistant Pro), was working as starter on “the first tee”…how appropriate! I was able to catch up with Norman before we teed off. Norman shared his love and appreciation for The First Tee of Greater New Orleans (and says “Hi” to everyone!), how he enjoys his dream job at Pebble and how proud his mother is back home in NOLA. Photos were taken with our First Tee New Orleans group – Christian Generes and Brad Reese (100 Friends Members), Ron Britsch (whose son is in TFTGNO at City Park) and me (Board Secretary). And, in case you’re wondering, Norman DOES get to play the Pebble course quite often – his low round…a 73! Norman and his amazing success represent the epitome of the values and mission that The First Tee organization is all about. It was an honor to meet him.
With rain expected mid-morning, we teed off early hoping to be able to play the course’s signature, scenic front nine ocean holes before donning our rain gear. It was not to be! As we turned towards the ocean the skies opened up, and like Bill Murray in the storm scene from Caddyshack, we braved the elements while experiencing the most spectacular golf holes in the USA…albeit under the most challenging conditions! It just made the experience all the more memorable.
The bad weather finally let up on the back but the angry ocean surf raged… producing 15-20 foot waves according to our seasoned caddie. We ended our round on the most famous finishing hole in golf – a stunning, 543 yard Par 5 that sweeps along the rugged rocky coast of the Pacific. Depositing a few balls in the rocks (for good luck) we made our way down the long fairway to the lush green. Walking off the 18th green after playing Pebble with good friends has to qualify as one of any golfer’s “bucket list” items.
The shared friendship, sense of adventure and love of golf PLUS the association of The First Tee with Pebble Beach made this special trip one to remember.
And if you haven’t already…definitely add Pebble to your bucket
It is with extreme pride that we share participant Kobe Narcisse of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans has been selected the Grand Prize Winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together essay competition. Kobe will travel to Charlotte, NC for the Wells Fargo Championship in May, where he will participate in exclusive behind-the-ropes activities, including playing in the Pro-Am with the PGA TOUR tournament player of his choice.
This year, the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together contest encouraged teenage participants of The First Tee to showcase how The First Tee Nine Core Values have helped them on their personal journey to become better students, better citizens, better golfers, and better prepared for life. A panel of judges selected ten finalists and then ultimately four winners, each of whom won a trip to the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship.
As the grand-prize winner of the Succeeding Together, Kobe receives a 4-day/3-night trip for two to Charlotte, North Carolina to play in the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am with a PGA TOUR pro of his choice as a guest of Wells Fargo. He will attend the pro-am draw party and have the opportunity to meet PGA TOUR pros, golf TV personalities, as well as attend the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together Golf Clinic.
Congratulations to Kobe, and many thanks to Wells Fargo and The First Tee Home Office for awarding Kobe with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Many thanks to Wells Fargo and The First Tee Home Office for recognizing Kobe with this prestigious award!
My name is Matthew Bui and I am a sophomore at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy. I love learning about the world and different cultures. I would have to say geography and history are my favorite subjects. I am involved in the Key Club at my school because I believe that it is important to be active in my community and give back as much as I can. I am also a member of St. John Bosco’s youth group and participate in various volunteer activities and spiritual retreats. I believe my faith and my family will help me achieve my goals of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
My father is the person who has been most influential in my playing golf. He is the one who introduced me to golf at the age of 7, and I couldn’t be any happier that he did. I have grown and learned so much over the last couple of years because of the game. What I love most about golf is the competitive nature and getting to meet so many diverse people at tournaments. The First Tee is a big part of my life because it has taught me more than just how to play golf. It has also taught me about patience and discipline.
When I am not playing golf, I enjoy playing baseball and soccer. Being outdoors is my comfort zone. On the weekend I enjoy hanging out with my friends and spending some quality time with my family. I would not have made it this far in my golf career without the support of my family and friends.
“Matt is a driven young man He is a talented golfer and a workhorse. He devotes many hours to perfecting his game and does it all with a smile on his face. Matthew’s love for the game is clear, and he will continue to enjoy it wherever it may take him,” former Director of Education Perry Faulkner.
About The Faces of the first tee
The Faces of The First Tee is a new platform to recognize and award current participants who embody the criteria set forth in the Mission of The First Tee. The Faces of the First Tee demonstrate impeccable character, embody one or more of the Nine Core Values, and faithfully practice one or more of the Nine Healthy Habits. This award is not based on athletic ability, but rather a displayed grasp of The First Tee curriculum. This recognition will be awarded to one participant monthly for a period of 12 months (following the school year calendar, beginning in September). Advantages of being selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee include:
A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition
Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!
We are not sure if Piper Hall is aware that there are only 24 hours in a day. In fact, we’re not totally convinced that she hasn’t invented a couple of extra hours that she keeps hidden from the rest of us whilst waiting for the patent. Piper’s list of activities and achievements is, in a word, prodigious. Currently an eighth grader in the gifted program at Boyet Junior High School, Piper is a member of:
the National Junior Honor Society
the 4-H Club
the Academic Olympics Team
the MathCounts Team
and is a Cadette Girl Scout
Piper is also a student in the St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Talented Arts Program with a concentration in both Visual Arts and Theater. Affirming her chops, triple threat Piper was cast in the lead role of Slidell Little Theatre’s production of Annie in the fall of 2018.
Piper is a highly decorated competitor in the STEM-driven For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) LEGO League. In a male-dominated field, she was part of an all-female team who took first place at the state level in December 2018. The team also received the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award for inventing a consumable to reduce the effects of radiation on astronauts while in space. She will travel to Houston in April to compete against 70,000 people from around the world – plus 1,300 robots – at the 2019 FIRST Championship.
As a Cadette Girl Scout, Piper earned the Silver Award (with fellow First Tee participant Ariana Blagrove) in April of 2018. The award is the highest a Girl Scout can earn, and is given for completing a multi-step, generative community service project. Piper’s troop collected and distributed donations for several homeless shelters in New Orleans and learned about shelter operations and their dependence on the community. To complete the project, Piper’s troop helped plan and build a vegetable garden at a homeless shelter in Lacombe. I don’t know about you, but I made a delicious smoothie for breakfast this morning and felt accomplished.
And with all of her spare time, Piper plays golf! She is a Birdie Level player beginning her fourth year as a member of The First Tee. “Golf challenges Piper,” says Piper’s mother Jennifer Roth. “She is extremely methodical in just about everything she does and she plays golf no differently.” Her family credits golf with her new-found perseverance and confidence. “Learning golf through the First Tee of Greater New Orleans has really helped Piper’s confidence both on and off of the golf course. If The First Tee had not started programming on the Northshore, Piper would not have started playing golf. We are thankful that The First Tee is a part of her life and for all of the opportunities that they’ve offered her.”
Piper spends much of her free time sketching, creating digital characters on her laptop, and playing Roblox with her friends. Her long-term goal is to earn a scholarship to apply her drawing and math skills toward a degree in architecture or interior design. Last, but not least, Piper LOVES cats and dotes on her 2 furry felines, ChiChi and Marty. A fellow feline fanatic, I believe it is this defining characteristic that qualifies her genius. Meow, Piper.
About The Faces of the first tee
The Faces of The First Tee is a new platform to recognize and award current participants who embody the criteria set forth in the Mission of The First Tee. The Faces of the First Tee demonstrate impeccable character, embody one or more of the Nine Core Values, and faithfully practice one or more of the Nine Healthy Habits. This award is not based on athletic ability, but rather a displayed grasp of The First Tee curriculum. This recognition will be awarded to one participant monthly for a period of 12 months (following the school year calendar, beginning in September). Advantages of being selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee include:
A professional portrait taken by New Orleans Snapshots’ photographer and First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board President Andrew Cohoon
A month-long, dedicated web site feature story including the portrait and a biography describing the criteria for which the participant was selected
A featured headline in our newsletters, Home on the Range and Tuesday’s Talk of The Tee
Social Media promotion on Facebook and Instagram
A certificate of recognition
Congratulations to those of you who have been selected as one of The Faces of The First Tee!
February 2019 Face of The First Tee Angelo Fassbender
We’re sold – Hook, Line, and Sinker
“Mom do you ever dream about fishing?” While Angelo Fassbender’s mother may not have been able to answer her son’s sincere question in the positive, her son emphatically can. Angelo Fassbender is a 12 year old fish enthusiast – and not just the sport, but the food. An Asian cuisine gourmand, the 6th grade amateur angler is a sushi aficionado who also dreams of visiting Japan. Like every other person who would rather be fishing, Angelo regularly watches the daily weather and fishing report. Freezing offshore temps will not deter his ardor. He enjoys watching fishing videos for tips and tricks (somewhere above, Frank Davis smiles). “He would give up anything to go fishing. He goes to bed and wakes up talking about his next fishing adventure,” says mom Raquel. In August, he caught his first Crevalle jack fish off the sea wall in Lake Pontchartrain. Most of the time, Angelo fishes inland with his father. If he can’t go out in the boat, any pier will do.
When is’t not fish, it’s football, school, and golf! Angelo played quarterback for his 5th and 6th grade school team, and recently wrapped up his first year of flag football, where he developed a unique play. “Angelo is very active and loves to compete both athletically and academically. Maintaining a high GPA is very important to Angelo, so we don’t have to push him,” says Raquel. It makes sense that Angelo’s competitive determination caries over to his golf game. Director of Education Perry Faulkner states, “Angelo Fassbender is all business on the golf course. Working with Coach Oscar Pickett at a young age allowed Angelo to develop into a fierce competitor.”
But don’t confuse Angelo’s competitive nature with his character. Raquel attributes Angelo’s compassion towards others and self-discipline to his Christian upbringing, reinforced by the Nine Core Values taught by The First Tee. A Birdie Level player, Angelo has been with The First Tee of Greater New Orleans for 5 years. “Having been taught these values so young has helped Angelo become aware and observant of his character,” says mom. “He is a leader, and we consistently talk about how to handle challenges.”
Angelo is willing to share this insider tip – those that sit at the sushi bar get the best service…
Not long ago, I was selected as one of twenty-four The First Tee coaches to attend the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills & Leadership Academy in Boise, Idaho. I immediately did a little research on the event. I scoured the internet for pictures and articles. I asked participants who’ve attended what it was like. Stories of meeting new people and traveling to new places were plentiful. I was so excited because soon, I would find out for myself.
The Life Skills and Leadership Academy is a weeklong experience attended by 96 The First Tee participants and 24 The First Tee coaches from around the world. The importance of the event was immediately felt at the welcome dinner when the coaches and participants met for the first time. We sat together for dinner while listening to speakers. To see the participant’s smiles and hear them introduce themselves and share their stories was the beginning of an amazing experience.
At the Academy, participants were separated into 24 groups, each identified by a color (the red team was the best color group, in my personal opinion). There were 6 coaches assigned to each color group. The participants had busy schedules with off-course activities as well as practice and play. Throughout the week, every coach meets every participant through practice sessions or on-course activity. You get a chance to get to know more about each person, see how they interact with others, and witness how they exhibit the values of The First Tee. Throughout the week, coaches provided guidance through golf rounds and establish lessons plans for purposeful practice. The participants and coaches worked side-by-side to complete lesson plans and activities. Every day was a learning experience, and the goal of it all was to have as much fun as possible!
I consider myself lucky for having attended the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. The city of Boise, Idaho and the campus of Boise State University were beautiful and provided great accommodations as host locations for the Academy. I met so many great kids with whom I will keep in touch. True to The First Tee moto, I met so many new friends that are good golfers, but even better people.
I urge The First Tee of Greater New Orleans eligible participants to apply for the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. The memories you make, the friendships you explore, and the coaching you receive makes for an unforgettable experience.
Yahya Ayyad
Julieta Chauvin
A Bucket Full of Pebble
It is with extreme pride that we share participant Kobe Narcisse of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans has been selected the Grand Prize Winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together essay competition. Kobe will travel to Charlotte, NC for the Wells Fargo Championship in May, where he will participate in exclusive behind-the-ropes activities, including playing in the Pro-Am with the PGA TOUR tournament player of his choice.
This year, the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together contest encouraged teenage participants of The First Tee to showcase how The First Tee Nine Core Values have helped them on their personal journey to become better students, better citizens, better golfers, and better prepared for life. A panel of judges selected ten finalists and then ultimately four winners, each of whom won a trip to the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship.
As the grand-prize winner of the Succeeding Together, Kobe receives a 4-day/3-night trip for two to Charlotte, North Carolina to play in the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am with a PGA TOUR pro of his choice as a guest of Wells Fargo. He will attend the pro-am draw party and have the opportunity to meet PGA TOUR pros, golf TV personalities, as well as attend the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together Golf Clinic.
Congratulations to Kobe, and many thanks to Wells Fargo and The First Tee Home Office for awarding Kobe with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Many thanks to Wells Fargo and The First Tee Home Office for recognizing Kobe with this prestigious award!
Where To Begin…
