Participant Of The Week: Graeme P.

Graeme is a 4th-grade student at Ocean Bay Elementary. He enjoys hanging out with friends, watching baseball with his dad, and playing with his Yo-Yo. 

Graeme was in the program during the spring season of 2019. Fortunately, after a couple seasons away, we were excited to welcome Graeme back into the program this past season! His favorite core value is kindness.

During the final session of the season Graeme displayed an extraordinary act of Sportsmanship. Coach Eddie was conducting their putting qualifications for our 2nd annual Drive it, Chip it, Putt it Competition. Graeme went first, and earned a pretty high point total, as did the second participant who went after him. The third participant didn’t do as well as he had hoped, and got upset with himself and the situation. Coach Eddie went over to talk to that participant, and before he could even get a word out, Graeme speaks up and says “Coach Eddie, can I give him some of my points?”

“First Tee helps me with golf and meet new friends” — Graeme P.

Participant Of The Week: Ryan J.

Ryan is a 12th-grade student at West Brunswick High School. He enjoys playing golf and tennis with his friends. 

He has participated in First Tee for 13 years and he enjoys playing in the First Tee Summer Tour because he enjoys the competition. He is an Ace participant and his favorite core value is integrity. 

He just won Player of the Year honors in his 3A Mideastern Conference at West Brunswick HS and led the conference with a 70 stroke average for 18 holes. Ryan also won 3 Junior golf events in 2021-22 including the prestigious George Holiday Junior Tournament. He is a Mentor to our younger First Tee participants and volunteers for us whenever we ask him.

“The First Tee has introduced me to very important people and friends.” – Ryan J.

Participant Of The Week: Jillian F.

Jillian is a 10th-grade student at South Brunswick High School. She enjoys playing golf, volleyball, and lacrosse. She also enjoys baking, playing cards and board games with her family.

Jillian has participated in First Tee since she was 5 years old, but she committed to the First Tee full-time at around 10 years old. Her favorite things about participating in First Tee are meeting new people and making more friends. Jillian also enjoys attending the Teen Council and associated Game Nights! Her favorite core value is respect.

She has just been awarded a spot in the “John Deere Drive Your Future Academy” in San Francisco this June selected as one of 24 First Tee girls from around the country. She is an accomplished player and placed first at the 3A East Regionals and 3rd at the NC state high school tournament this past season.

“The First Tee has impacted my life by teaching me both life and golf skills. Through the First Tee, many different coaches have been very helpful with my golf game and have helped me to become a stronger golfer. I also have learned many life skills through the First Tee including how to set reachable goals, how to become a stronger leader, and how to appreciate diversity. The First Tee is the reason I am given the chance to apply to these academies to learn more about leadership and to meet new people. To me, the First Tee means learning the game of golf while also learning about life skills.” — Jillian F.

Crown Park After School Program

The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas Crown Park After School Program

Supported by the Cedar Branch Baptist Church, Overflow Baptist Church, Fathers Cup Golf Tournament

What happens when you combine strong community leadership with the consistent teaching of golf and The First Tee Nine Core Values?  You develop strong leaders, and some pretty good golfers!  You might observe that the country neighborhoods around Loris SC would be very challenging for youth, and they are, but many challenges are being met and The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas is proud to be a participant in the ongoing success of these great kids.
Crown Park Kids
The First Tee program at Crown Park Golf Club on Highway 9 in Longs started over 12 years ago as a partnership between Shared Care of Myrtle Beach and Cedar Branch Empowerment Center, operated as a community outreach arm of Cedar Branch Missionary Baptist Church.  Being both avid golfers and community leaders, Shared Care’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Joseph Washington teamed with Cedar Branch’s pastor, Andy Anderson to start the program.  The program now continues under the supervision of The Fathers Cup Overflow Ministries of Longs, South Carolina.   Coach Andy Anderson serves as lead pastor. The program was a great addition to the afterschool and health initiatives already launched by the members of the Cedar Branch community, who were working together diligently to reverse some of the oppressive effects of negative social determinates that poverty and lack of access to resources had inflicted upon this tightly knit, family oriented community, positioned just outside the growing wealth of the Grand Strand.  Many of the families that make up the Cedar Branch community could only fathom getting jobs to support others playing golf in the area.  The First Tee and the generosity of the owners and staff of Crown Park changes that reality for approximately 25 young people in the fall and spring programs.
Tavian At Caledonia
The area that was known for violence at liquor houses is now know for excellence in education and supplying Loris High School with four golfers on the school’s girls golf team.  Instead of teenage pregnancy and other challenges, these young people are leading in academics, athletics music and dance as they display the core values and confidence that they have learned from the rigorous but fun lessons and the committed coaches and volunteers. The girls now dream of one day following the footsteps of LPGA member, Mariah Stackhouse, who was a star at Stanford University and has family ties in the Cedar Branch Community.  Because of the generosity of Executive Director, Rich Abraham, and The First Tee of the Costal Carolinas, young people get to work toward dreams that they never would have had the hope to dream before. Coaches & Mentors
  • Tavian, Jalah, Ny’Terriah, Jada
    Andy Anderson
  • Vince Myers (Elder) – IT VP Horry Georgetown Technical College
  • Jarried Jackson – Lead Coach – TFT Level 1 Certified
  • Chris Hemingway
  • Vicki Hemingway
  • Rosa Bolden (Elder)
Rev. Andy has been leading The First Tee Crown Park program for his church and neighborhood youth for over 10 years, dating back to The First Tee of Myrtle Beach.  The Cedar Branch Church Community Center is a center of gravity for the youth in the community and they maintain the buildings and grounds.  TFT Nine Core Values are displayed and emphasized during youth activities. Around 25-30 youth are transported in the church van to Crown Park on TFT Friday evenings for the 8 Spring & Fall After School Programs.  Golf clubs have been provided by The First Tee and kept by the church for the younger kids, the older kids have their own sets. For the past five years, many youth and volunteers from outside of the church have been participated in the Crown Park program providing a very diverse experience for the youth and the volunteers.  Grand Strand Executive Director Rich Abraham was a regular coach and still continues to work with the Friday evening program. Featured youth:
  • All have been to the Carolinas Leadership Adventure over multiple summers.
  • Anthony Anderson – Rev. Andy’s son, now a collegiate golfer and regular intern at the Carolinas Leadership Adventure for several summers. Has participated in 3 Future Generations Tournaments at Caledonia.
Following in Anthony’s footsteps are:
  • Loris HS Girls Golf Team Mya, Jada, Ny’Terriah, Jada
    Ja’Mya Jackson – Mya has participated in 5 FGT’s. She competes on Loris High School Golf, Track, Volleyball and dance teams and is in the marching band.  (Mentor Cup partner – Ed Lapierre)
  • Tavian Simmons – Tavian has participated in 3 FGT’s. He will compete on the Loris HS golf team in the spring and is currently on the football team. (Mentor Cup partner – Rev. Andy Anderson)
  • Jada Hemingway – 2018-19 Loris Middle School Student Council Vice President, Basketball team, track, JV volleyball, Robotics Club. Competes on HS Women’s Golf Team, member of the marching band and All County Chorus.  Currently a Junior in HS, enrolled in the Horry Georgetown Technical College Early College Program. (Mentor Cup partner – Linda Bradley)
  • Jalah Hemingway (Jada’s twin sister) – 2018-19 Loris Middle School Student Council President, Basketball team, track, JV volleyball, Robotics Club. Competes on HS Women’s Golf Team, member of the marching band and All County Chorus. Currently a Junior in HS, enrolled in the Horry Georgetown Technical College Early College Program. (Mentor Cup partner – Lindell Bradley)
  • Ny’Terryiah Hemingway – High School golf, track. (Mentor Cup partner – Jarried Jackson)
   

Golf Channel Video – Luke and Jack Boldt

Watch the video of the Boldt brothers that aired on The Golf Channel from their time at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach.  

Pinehurst Drawing Winners Announced

Winners of the Pinehurst Raffle were announced on September 10th, live at the Emerald Golf Course.
The winners are:
  • Pinehurst vacation – Michael Bowers
  • $500 – Julian Burton
  • $200 – Michael Joynor
You can view the video of the drawing below. Thank you to everyone who supported our area youth by purchasing tickets. Congratulations to our winners!

A Thank You Note from a Former Student

The following thank you note was sent from former student Jackson Cole:
Dear [The] First Tee of Coastal Carolinas, Thank you so much for all you do to provide opportunities for kids to pursue their dreams on and off the golf course. I’m currently in the midst of packing for my sophomore year at Wake Forest University. Over the summer, I’ve worked as a full-time intern at All-Saints Church in Pawleys [Island]. I’ve been constantly reminded of the core values and life skills that were instilled in me through coaches and conversations. Thank you so much for all you’ve done and continue to do for the youth! Sincerely, Jackson Cole

Boldt Brothers to Play in the PURE Insurance Championship

PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

IMPACTING THE FIRST TEE

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee will continue to bring together the legends of the game alongside top juniors from First Tee. The tournament is an official PGA TOUR Champions event. It’s the first of its kind in which junior golfers from First Tee play alongside PGA TOUR Champions players as well as amateurs. They compete for the pro-junior title at legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course. The tournament is televised internationally on Golf Channel.

Luke and Jack Boldt will be representing The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas.
The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas staff members Shannon Parks and Cameryn Smith will be on site for the week and will be doing Facebook Live and posting photos of their time at Pebble Beach. Check in with our Facebook page to stay up to date and cheer on the Boldts.
 

2019 TOURNAMENT: SEPT. 24-29

In the tournament’s 16 years thus far, more than 931 participants from First Tee chapters have benefited from the opportunity to play in the tournament. PURE Insurance Championship is one of 9 national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate young people as they progress through the program and toward high school graduation.

MEET THE PLAYERS

Seventy-eight participants representing 52 chapters will compete in this year’s tournament. In previous years PGA TOUR players like Fred Couples, Jay Haas, Bernhard Langer, and Vijay Singh have competed in the PURE Insurance Championship. 2019 SELECTED KIDS PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS PROFESSIONALS Remember – The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas staff members Shannon Parks and Cameryn Smith will be on site for the week and will be doing Facebook Live and posting photos of their time at Pebble Beach. Check in with our Facebook page to stay up to date and cheer on the Boldts.

A Recap of Recent News Items

Brunswick County Future Generations Tournament a Success!

Our FGT was held on June 15th at Ocean Ridge Plantation honoring Walt Stachura and the Ocean Ridge Mens Golf Association. We used Panther’s Run and Tiger’s Eye and Charlie Rymer was our emcee. We had over 240 golfers in attendance! Big thanks to Ocean Ridge for the beautiful courses and for all who attended to help us raise money for area youth. Mark your calendars, next year’s FGT will be held back at Ocean Ridge on June 6th.

Jack and Luke Boldt are Headed to Pebble Beach!

Jack and Luke Boldt were both selected to play in the Pure Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee at Pebble Beach September 24-29! The boys will be paired with a PGA Champions Tour player and the tournament will be aired on live TV! Be looking for more information as we get closer so you can watch them compete in this incredible opportunity. We are so proud that Jack & Luke will be representing us at Pebble Beach!

Joe Louis Barrow, Jr Life Skills & Leadership Academy

Jack Boldt and Cassidy Lytch just returned from a national opportunity in Boise, Idaho. They joined 94 other The First Tee Participants from across the country in a week-long Life Skills & Leadership Academy where they fine-tuned their leadership and golf skills and got to do some fun activities and sightseeing as well!

Upcoming Fall Girls Golf Program

This session will be different than any of our past girls golf classes we have ever had! Along with fun golf activities and events, we are going to be doing a lot of fun activities! From arts and crafts to Hawaiian Lua water parties! We will also be doing a session long fund raiser to fund an off site trip at the end of the year! All of our programs will be done at our Cinghiale Creek location, however if we are to go offsite or change locations we will be sure to let you know ahead of time. We hope to see you this fall!!

The Future Generations Tournament at Caledonia Another Success

The Future Generations Tournament held annually on the Grand Strand was once again a success. A special THANK YOU to all of our participating teams and Sponsors, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club for hosting and Charlie Rymer and Kelly Tilghman for acting as our emcees and ambassadors for the event. Check out the video below with Charlie, Kelly and Rich Abraham discussing this special event and its impact on area youth along the Coastal Carolinas region.

Thank you St. James!

THANK YOU ST. JAMES! So many people deserve gratitude and appreciation for making The First Tee night at Seaside on Wednesday such a big success! The money we raised will fund college and university scholarships for deserving youth in The First Tee. It will make a difference. First, Mike’s Garage Band. It takes talent to get people out and up on their feet and MGB has talent in abundance. Thank you John Staryak, Chuck Krambuhl, Tony Defilippis, Dave Holly, Mike Horgan and Dave Reed. It was also great to have Mike Haase himself come out of “retirement” for a couple of songs! Troon is such a great partner with The First Tee. Besides donating time and talent, General Manager Kent Silhanek surprised The First Tee with a $500 donation to kick off the show. Thank you to the volunteers who made the event run so smoothly: Cindy Kirwan, Luanne Lunder, Susan Boyer, Cheryl Wilson, Annie Sharples, Holly Kasavana, Jackie Schumacher, Bertie Belvin, Valerie Shephard, Rob Kirwan, Mark Cuppernull, David Turner, Lee Miller and Marge Cusick. Thanks to the masterminds behind the whole event: Jim Belvin, Judy Cuppernull, Chuck Lusk, and Russ Yarrow. Thanks to our two young golfers who are part of The First Tee and shared their stories: Curtis Williams and Cameryn Smith. It was Curtis’s first time speaking in public and he hit it straight down the fairway, long. Most important, thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, came to the event, bid on auction and raffle items and stood up for the youth of Brunswick County. All of you are helping to build a stronger community in this wonderful place we have chosen to be our home!