Hi my name is Ella B. Joseph, and I love to play golf and bake with my mom. I was first introduced to First Tee by my cousin Eddie IV. Tiger Woods once said, ”No matter how good you get you can always get better and that’s the exciting part.” The more I practice golf, the better I get. I’m currently working on getting better at hitting the ball so my mom usually takes me to the driving range every weekend to practice. As much as I enjoy going to the driving range on the weekends, I also love helping my mom with her cake orders. When I grow up I want to be a baker like my mom and have my own bakery.
The more I learn about the Nine Core Values in golf, the more I apply them to my dream of owning a bakery. For instance, in First Tee, I have learned to have confidence and perseverance in myself and my work product while on the golf course as well as in the kitchen. Sometimes I may not get all of my balls to go in the intended place while at the driving range but I still believe in myself and believe that if I continue to work hard, I will be able to hit all of my balls to the furthest target at the driving range. When I started to help my mom in the kitchen I didn’t know how to follow recipes or how to make figures out of fondant but I continued to have confidence in myself and persevered and now I can bake sweet potato pies by myself and make several fondant toppers. I have the confidence that I will be able to make beautiful cakes like my mom when I get a little older.
My name is Cristiano Windham and I’m 7 years old. If you see me around you may think I’m 10 because I’m a big boy who seems to be taking after my dad in height. I have tried a few sports my parents put me in and did not love them. Then as most parents do, they moved on to another sport for me to try. I started golf when I was 5 1/2 and have always enjoyed golf. While I love golf, I have since tried and love basketball and flag football as well. Since I was in nursery, I have always said I wanted to be a builder or inventor when I grew up. I take a strong interest in STEM type activities. At Christian Brothers where I attend school, my favorite class is Project Lead The Way (PLTW). PLTW involves experiments, building, testing and engineering type activities.
Now let’s go back to December of 2018, I was chosen to be the JUDGEMENT core value award winner at the golf banquet; I was absolutely thrilled and claimed it was the best day ever! I am an extremely focused child who works hard and is very goal driven. These core values I learn in golf carry over to my other activities in life. I have set a goal to be the recipient of all the other core value awards as well. Even though I have found other activities I enjoy since starting golf, I still remain focused on keeping golf on my schedule. I love First Tee and the experiences I have had so far. Meeting professional golfers at Zurich Classic and caddying for them was super cool for a kid my age I’d say. I’m sure glad my parents found a good fit for me in golf because it sure has been more than just golf…!
Faces of the First Tee portraits: New Orleans Snapshots by Andrew J. Cohoon
January 7, 2020 – Albert Einstein once said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” In the same way as Albert Einstein, if I were not a golfer, I would probably be a musician. Although I am better known as a golfer, music has been a colossal part of my life, even before I picked up a golf club. Music started to become a very important part of my life and help me grow as a person during my early childhood. Being taught an abundance of Spanish nursery rhymes as a toddler, I took an interest in music. I loved the way music could boost my mood at any moment and could move my feet at ease. I was fortunate enough to be raised bilingual and I was able to be exposed to both American music and Latin American music, with a specific focus on Argentine culture. Later on in life, I moved to Houston, Texas and Barranquilla, Colombia. During this time music was the most positive influence that helped me with learning and adjusting to new territory. Music was always able to take me back in time and be my best friend during difficult times. Music is still my very best friend to this day; it picks me up through rough patches.
Despite the fact that being able to create music gave me life, a few years later, golf, as well as The First Tee, was introduced to me. I use many of the core values from both golf and The First Tee, such as perseverance and judgment. Not only has both golf and The First Tee led me into becoming a better person, golf has led me to amazing opportunities, for example: interacting with professionals such as Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, and Sergio Garcia at the Zurich Classic, achieving high school MVP as a Freshman and attending the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, SC. Both Music and golf have shaped me into being the person I am today and I am forever grateful for both gifts.
Faces of the First Tee portraits: New Orleans Snapshots by Andrew J. Cohoon
December 6, 2019 – My name is Kobe Narcisse. I have been playing golf since I was six. Seeing my father tee off captured my interests and I have been hooked ever since. I have been involved with the First Tee Program for 7 ½ years. I have had many accomplishments in my life but only a few really stand out. I am currently a sophomore in high school and I am maintaining my grades while playing football and golf for my high school teams.
One accomplishment that stands out to me was being able to start on the varsity football team as a sophomore playing middle linebacker. I am surrounded by many great players and people on the football field. At the end of the season, I led the team in tackles, which was another big accomplishment for me. With my busy football schedule, I still was able to get out on the golf course.
The First Tee Program is big part of my life. This spring, I applied for a First Tee National Opportunity and I was selected as the winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together contest. For the essay, I wrote about the Nine Core Values (Courtesy, confidence, integrity, judgment, respect, responsibility, perseverance, sportsmanship, honesty) and how I live my life to uphold these ideals, helping my community in anyway I can and what a role models means to a person in life. This contest was a big deal for my because I got a chance to go to North Carolina for free and play 18 holes with a golfer of my choice. When I arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, we were shuttled to our huge hotel and was greeted by many friendly faces. Soon after, we attended a banquet, where I met many famous and courteous people. This was where I was able to select the professional golfer that I would play with in the Pro Am the next day. Before they called me up onto the stage to hear my choice, they played an amazing video of me and my First Tee Chapter. After the video ended, the moment of truth arrived, I chose one of my favorite golfers of all time, Jason Day! The next day my family and I rode to Quail Hollow Club in tinted SUV, where we had a huge buffet breakfast. I felt as if I was an actual professional golfer. Later, I met Jason Day and we walked together to the first tee box. My heart was pounding as I walked up to tee my golf ball up because of the crowd standing behind me. I kept calm and went through my routine and crushed the first drive right down the fairway! After that first shot, my day was much more relaxed and I had such a great time. Jason was such a nice guy and great golfer that gave me tips and tricks as we played our round on a professional level course.
November 7, 2019 – My name is Mallory Noble and I am a junior attending Belle Chasse High School. I have an older and a younger brother that both in the program as well. I started golf when I was 10 years old. This is my 6th year being in The First Tee and I enjoy it so much. I have made so many new friends and have had so many great opportunities through The First Tee. I have played in the Ladies Junior Pro-am twice and both times have been a great experience. I have played in a few tournaments with the First Tee and some outside of it.
I have played high school golf freshman and sophomore year and I am planning on playing for my junior and senior year. There were 3 girls on our team, including me. One of my top accomplishments in my golfing career this far was my score at Regional Tournament my sophomore year in high school. I shot the lowest score in the history of Belle Chasse High School for the girl’s golf team. Even though we did not make it to state, we made some unforgettable memories. My other accomplishments for school and golf; my freshman and sophomore year, I received multiple awards for golf, academics and in both years, I lettered in golf. This school year I am a new member of the Mu Alpha Theta club which is a mathematics honor society.
When I was at Belle Chasse Middle School, I tried out for Talented Visual Arts (TVA) in 6th grade and made it in at 7th grade. I have been in the class ever since and I absolutely love it. TVA is a special class for the talented, like talented music, theater, dancing, and people with an artistic ability. My passion in TVA is having an artistic ability. Over the years I have gathered stacks of art that I have made and my favorite so far is a lion I did. This piece is my favorite because of the technique I used and it’s textured. The lion piece is made out of melted crayon.
Morgan Guepet is a 13 year old that recently started 8th grade. When she was five, she would go watch her dad play golf at Lakewood Golf Club. After going with her dad for a couple of years, she grew a love for the game. At the age of seven, she started practicing and learning the game of golf. It didn’t take long for Morgan to start playing in competitive junior golf tournaments.
Morgan has competed in many different golf tournaments, such as US Kids Golf Tour (local, state, and regional), Kelly Gibson Junior Tour, AJGA, Work Championships, and The First Tee of Greater New Orleans Regional and National Tournaments. Her favorite part about golf is meeting new people and The First Tee allows her to do just that. Morgan says “When you play golf, you can put all your troubles away and just have fun. None of the other sports even come close to how much I love golf – it’s is a great game that can bring you beautiful places and meet great people.”
When Morgan isn’t playing golf, she loves to play basketball, football, volleyball, and any other sport that takes place outdoors. In addition to golf, Morgan is very competitive when it comes to playing sports with her dad. She loves playing basketball games like H.O.R.S.E. or one-on-one games. She also loves football and is an avid New Orleans Saints fan. “When I’m not playing sports, I like to hang out with my friends. Another great thing about golf is it has allowed me go to great schools. For the past 8 years I went to Edward Hynes Charter School, and this year I’m going to St. Martin’s Episcopal School. They have done so much for me to get into that school because of golf and I’m so excited to start. A lot of this wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of The First Tee.”
Morgan says her goals were to compete in Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta, finish top 5 at Pinehurst, play college golf at Duke University, and then join the LPGA Tour. So far, two of her goals have come true. In 2016, she competed in the Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta National; she finished tied for 2nd. Morgan said, “It was the most fun experience ever.” One year later Morgan went on to finish top 5 out of 106 golfers at the US Kids World Championships in 2017. Morgan’s goals are mostly the same, except she’s recently added that she wants to get the chance to play with Brooke Henderson – her favorite golfer along with Justin Rose and Brooks Koepka.
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!
Hi my name is Ella B. Joseph, and I love to play golf and bake with my mom. I was first introduced to First Tee by my cousin Eddie IV. Tiger Woods once said, ”No matter how good you get you can always get better and that’s the exciting part.” The more I practice golf, the better I get. I’m currently working on getting better at hitting the ball so my mom usually takes me to the driving range every weekend to practice. As much as I enjoy going to the driving range on the weekends, I also love helping my mom with her cake orders. When I grow up I want to be a baker like my mom and have my own bakery.
The more I learn about the Nine Core Values in golf, the more I apply them to my dream of owning a bakery. For instance, in First Tee, I have learned to have confidence and perseverance in myself and my work product while on the golf course as well as in the kitchen. Sometimes I may not get all of my balls to go in the intended place while at the driving range but I still believe in myself and believe that if I continue to work hard, I will be able to hit all of my balls to the furthest target at the driving range. When I started to help my mom in the kitchen I didn’t know how to follow recipes or how to make figures out of fondant but I continued to have confidence in myself and persevered and now I can bake sweet potato pies by myself and make several fondant toppers. I have the confidence that I will be able to make beautiful cakes like my mom when I get a little older. 
My name is Cristiano Windham and I’m 7 years old. If you see me around you may think I’m 10 because I’m a big boy who seems to be taking after my dad in height. I have tried a few sports my parents put me in and did not love them. Then as most parents do, they moved on to another sport for me to try. I started golf when I was 5 1/2 and have always enjoyed golf. While I love golf, I have since tried and love basketball and flag football as well. Since I was in nursery, I have always said I wanted to be a builder or inventor when I grew up. I take a strong interest in STEM type activities. At Christian Brothers where I attend school, my favorite class is Project Lead The Way (PLTW). PLTW involves experiments, building, testing and engineering type activities.
Now let’s go back to December of 2018, I was chosen to be the JUDGEMENT core value award winner at the golf banquet; I was absolutely thrilled and claimed it was the best day ever! I am an extremely focused child who works hard and is very goal driven. These core values I learn in golf carry over to my other activities in life. I have set a goal to be the recipient of all the other core value awards as well. Even though I have found other activities I enjoy since starting golf, I still remain focused on keeping golf on my schedule. I love First Tee and the experiences I have had so far. Meeting professional golfers at Zurich Classic and caddying for them was super cool for a kid my age I’d say. I’m sure glad my parents found a good fit for me in golf because it sure has been more than just golf…!
Faces of the First Tee portraits: 
January 7, 2020 – Albert Einstein once said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” In the same way as Albert Einstein, if I were not a golfer, I would probably be a musician. Although I am better known as a golfer, music has been a colossal part of my life, even before I picked up a golf club. Music started to become a very important part of my life and help me grow as a person during my early childhood. Being taught an abundance of Spanish nursery rhymes as a toddler, I took an interest in music. I loved the way music could boost my mood at any moment and could move my feet at ease. I was fortunate enough to be raised bilingual and I was able to be exposed to both American music and Latin American music, with a specific focus on Argentine culture. Later on in life, I moved to Houston, Texas and Barranquilla, Colombia. During this time music was the most positive influence that helped me with learning and adjusting to new territory. Music was always able to take me back in time and be my best friend during difficult times. Music is still my very best friend to this day; it picks me up through rough patches.
Despite the fact that being able to create music gave me life, a few years later, golf, as well as The First Tee, was introduced to me. I use many of the core values from both golf and The First Tee, such as perseverance and judgment. Not only has both golf and The First Tee led me into becoming a better person, golf has led me to amazing opportunities, for example: interacting with professionals such as Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, and Sergio Garcia at the Zurich Classic, achieving high school MVP as a Freshman and attending the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, SC. Both Music and golf have shaped me into being the person I am today and I am forever grateful for both gifts.
Faces of the First Tee portraits: 
December 6, 2019 – My name is Kobe Narcisse. I have been playing golf since I was six. Seeing my father tee off captured my interests and I have been hooked ever since. I have been involved with the First Tee Program for 7 ½ years. I have had many accomplishments in my life but only a few really stand out. I am currently a sophomore in high school and I am maintaining my grades while playing football and golf for my high school teams.
One accomplishment that stands out to me was being able to start on the varsity football team as a sophomore playing middle linebacker. I am surrounded by many great players and people on the football field. At the end of the season, I led the team in tackles, which was another big accomplishment for me. With my busy football schedule, I still was able to get out on the golf course.
The First Tee Program is big part of my life. This spring, I applied for a First Tee National Opportunity and I was selected as the winner of the Wells Fargo Succeeding Together contest. For the essay, I wrote about the Nine Core Values (Courtesy, confidence, integrity, judgment, respect, responsibility, perseverance, sportsmanship, honesty) and how I live my life to uphold these ideals, helping my community in anyway I can and what a role models means to a person in life. This contest was a big deal for my because I got a chance to go to North Carolina for free and play 18 holes with a golfer of my choice. When I arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, we were shuttled to our huge hotel and was greeted by many friendly faces. Soon after, we attended a banquet, where I met many famous and courteous people. This was where I was able to select the professional golfer that I would play with in the Pro Am the next day. Before they called me up onto the stage to hear my choice, they played an amazing video of me and my First Tee Chapter. After the video ended, the moment of truth arrived, I chose one of my favorite golfers of all time, Jason Day! The next day my family and I rode to Quail Hollow Club in tinted SUV, where we had a huge buffet breakfast. I felt as if I was an actual professional golfer. Later, I met Jason Day and we walked together to the first tee box. My heart was pounding as I walked up to tee my golf ball up because of the crowd standing behind me. I kept calm and went through my routine and crushed the first drive right down the fairway! After that first shot, my day was much more relaxed and I had such a great time. Jason was such a nice guy and great golfer that gave me tips and tricks as we played our round on a professional level course. 
Morgan Guepet is a 13 year old that recently started 8th grade. When she was five, she would go watch her dad play golf at Lakewood Golf Club. After going with her dad for a couple of years, she grew a love for the game. At the age of seven, she started practicing and learning the game of golf. It didn’t take long for Morgan to start playing in competitive junior golf tournaments.
Morgan has competed in many different golf tournaments, such as US Kids Golf Tour (local, state, and regional), Kelly Gibson Junior Tour, AJGA, Work Championships, and The First Tee of Greater New Orleans Regional and National Tournaments. Her favorite part about golf is meeting new people and The First Tee allows her to do just that. Morgan says “When you play golf, you can put all your troubles away and just have fun. None of the other sports even come close to how much I love golf – it’s is a great game that can bring you beautiful places and meet great people.”
When Morgan isn’t playing golf, she loves to play basketball, football, volleyball, and any other sport that takes place outdoors. In addition to golf, Morgan is very competitive when it comes to playing sports with her dad. She loves playing basketball games like H.O.R.S.E. or one-on-one games. She also loves football and is an avid New Orleans Saints fan. “When I’m not playing sports, I like to hang out with my friends. Another great thing about golf is it has allowed me go to great schools. For the past 8 years I went to Edward Hynes Charter School, and this year I’m going to St. Martin’s Episcopal School. They have done so much for me to get into that school because of golf and I’m so excited to start. A lot of this wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of The First Tee.”
Morgan says her goals were to compete in Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta, finish top 5 at Pinehurst, play college golf at Duke University, and then join the LPGA Tour. So far, two of her goals have come true. In 2016, she competed in the Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta National; she finished tied for 2nd. Morgan said, “It was the most fun experience ever.” One year later Morgan went on to finish top 5 out of 106 golfers at the US Kids World Championships in 2017. Morgan’s goals are mostly the same, except she’s recently added that she wants to get the chance to play with Brooke Henderson – her favorite golfer along with Justin Rose and Brooks Koepka.
