Month: October 2024

Bullying Prevention Month: Identifying and addressing bullying 

Three of four parents worry about their child being bullied. Parents know bullying is a problem, but they might not always know how to recognize its signs or how to address it. 

“October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to focus and raise awareness on bullying,” said Kristin Westberg, senior director of curriculum and education at First Tee and author of several books on bullying. 

What is bullying?  

Bullying is defined as repeated aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Sometimes it can be difficult for parents to differentiate between bullying and bad behavior. Don’t discount your child’s feelings if they’re embarrassed or their feelings are hurt; however, these outcomes might not be the result of bullying. 

“For an action to be considered bullying, the behavior must be unwanted by the person experiencing the bullying and intentional on the part of the person who is bullying,” Westberg explained. “There needs to be a power imbalance, making it difficult for the victim to defend themself, and the action must be repeated.” 

Bullies intend to intimidate, harm or control their victim, and their actions can take the following forms:  

  • Physical violence 
  • Name calling, making threats or taunting 
  • Spreading rumors or intentionally ruining someone’s reputation 
  • Cyberbullying online or by text 

How to prevent bullying 

Westberg suggests communicating these messages to your kids to help them understand the potential impact of bullying. 

  • “Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected here.” Reinforce that everyone has the right to be treated with kindness and respect.  
  • “Your words and actions matter. Choose to be kind.” Help your kids understand the power of their behavior and encourage them to think before acting or speaking.  
  • “Everyone has something unique to offer. Let’s celebrate our differences and work together.” Promote inclusivity and appreciation for diversity, helping to prevent bullying that stems from misunderstandings or judgment.  
  • “Let’s build a community where everyone can be themselves and feel accepted for who they are.” Build a supportive and accepting community where everyone feels valued and safe.  
  • “Being a leader means standing up for others and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.” Be a positive role model for your child. 

Build your child’s confidence 

Low self-esteem may make kids both more susceptible to being bullied and to bullying. A simple way parents can help their child build confidence is by listening to them and supporting their interests. 

Encourage your child to try new things in a safe environment to help them learn what they’re capable of and that failure is a natural part of growth. 

Many parents believe extracurriculars, including youth sports, can help kids feel more confident. First Tee and Harris Poll collaborated on research that shows that 90% of parents agree that youth sports coaches could impact their child’s ability to respect others. 

You can access additional resources on bullying at stopbullying.gov. 

Ace participant Allison Brown says First Tee has boosted her confidence

Little did Allison Brown know a life-changing gift awaited her when she traveled to Florida to visit family 12 years ago.

“When we arrived, my uncle pulled out three small golf bags – one for me, and one for each of my brothers,” she said. “I was excited about the gift, but I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with them.”

Her uncle taught her the basics at the driving range and told her parents about a program called First Tee. “I remember my first time walking inside and meeting the coaches and the other kids, and the rest is history,” she said

Now a high school junior, Allison has been involved with First Tee – Greater Philadelphia for more than a decade, and she’s making the most of the opportunities it provides.

Last year, she attended the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore, a leadership development event in Montana, where participants learn from pushing their boundaries and trying new things, like whitewater rafting and horseback riding. This summer, she attended the Game Changers Academy, which brought together 72 teens from across the First Tee network in Minneapolis, encouraging them to celebrate their differences and embrace new perspectives.

Allison is also an Ace participant at First Tee – Greater Philadelphia. As part of First Tee’s capstone program, Ace candidates must complete four projects designed to help them prepare for the future. The projects center around academics, career exploration, community service and golf.

“Being a part of First Tee isn’t only about learning to play the game of golf — it’s about learning to become better people,” Allison said. “The Ace Program is what really focuses on that aspect of First Tee. It has given me the tools to fully think about and prepare for my future and, more importantly, helps me enrich my community through various service projects.”

Allison’s interests extend far beyond golf. She plays volleyball, taught herself French and was even cast to play a titular role in a production of Romeo & Juliet. “First Tee taught me to be confident in myself and my abilities which gave me confidence needed to audition for the role,” she said.

While working toward her high school diploma, she’s also earning an associate’s degree through a dual enrollment program with Liberty University.

Learn more about First Tee’s opportunities for teens.

First Tee honors its founder, Tim Finchem, with Lifetime Achievement Award 

To honor Finchem’s legacy, campaign launched to support 100 additional alumni through First Tee College Scholarship Program

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Oct. 8, 2024 – Former PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem led the launch of First Tee in 1997 and was honored Monday with the youth development organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest recognition. 

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan and First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin presented Finchem with the award at a First Tee event in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

“Tim worked alongside other leaders in our sport, both with golf organizations and the greats of the game, to help facilitate the establishment of First Tee, which now reaches 3.4 million young people,” Monahan said. 

Finchem led the creation of First Tee, which was originally founded to make golf accessible and affordable to all families. The organization has evolved to teach life skills and strengthen values in young people at 150 chapters, 11,450 schools and 2,000 youth centers across the globe. 

“Tim’s leadership in what this organization has become is immeasurable,” McLaughlin said. “The contributions that he has made to the millions of young people and their families around the country and around the world, as well as to the game of golf, will be felt for decades to come.” 

Finchem received messages of congratulations from Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, USGA CEO Mike Whan and LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, as well as prominent First Tee supporters like Arthur Blank, Charles Schwab and Casey Wasserman. President Bush served as Honorary Chair of First Tee from 2011 to 2024, succeeding his father, President George H.W. Bush, who was the organization’s Honorary Chair from 1997 to 2011, and was present on the day the organization was announced in New York’s Central Park, alongside Finchem. 

First Tee will honor Finchem’s legacy through a $5 million campaign to support an additional 100 First Tee Scholars. First Tee alumni who are selected for the First Tee College Scholarship Program receive financial support, access to professional development opportunities and a dedicated adult mentor throughout up to four years of college. To date the program has served nearly 100 students. 

First Tee is an international youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and build values that they carry to all aspects of their lives.  Finchem is the second recipient of First Tee’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Retired First Tee CEO Joe Louis Barrow Jr. received the honor in 2022.

Chevron’s commitment to First Tee scholarships supports leaders like Alexa Vela

When Alexa Vela began First Tee, her mother hoped that it would help her make friends outside of school. What they didn’t realize at the time is that First Tee would become Alexa’s second home for the next decade.

Alexa found that the community at First Tee – Greater Houston welcomed her immediately with open arms. She quickly made lifelong friends and not only learned how to play golf, but how to become a leader in her community. Throughout her time as a First Tee participant, she served as a mentor and coach to the younger participants at her chapter and attended the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship where she was partnered with Mark O’Meara. In 2022, Alexa was named a First Tee Scholar, a scholarship program that pairs First Tee alumni with dedicated adult mentors and provides professional development opportunities throughout their four years in college.

Alexa’s love for the game of golf and First Tee is clear from her dedication to making it more accessible for kids and families. And there is no clearer example of that than her participation in the panel at The Chevron Championship in 2024 titled Fairway Phenoms: Diversity and Inclusion as Women’s Golf is on the Rise. As part of its support of First Tee, Chevron invited Alexa to speak. Alexa joined Al Williams, the VP of Corporate Affairs at Chevron, and Nellie Borrero, the Managing Director and Sr. Strategic Advisor in Global DE&I at Accenture, to speak on the intersection of innovation, diversity, inclusion and leadership in golf and business.

A proud supporter of First Tee since 2011, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. has worked with First Tee to create a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of many young people – like Alexa – throughout the country. Last month, Chevron continued its support of First Tee during the PURE Insurance Championship through a closest to the pin contest for the First Tee participants, with the ten winners receiving a $2,000 donation each for their local First Tee chapters and providing $100,000 for First Tee scholarships.

“Scholarships are a big part of what we do. We believe it’s important to provide opportunities whether they ultimately pursue golf or not. Having someone like Alexa share her journey with us brings the scholarship dollars to life, showing the impact on the individual and what they accomplish as a result of this opportunity,” said First Tee Trustee and Chevron Vice President and General Counsel Hewitt Pate.

Since first benefiting from the First Tee College Scholarship Program, Alexa has continued to develop her passion for growing the game. She interned with First Tee headquarters as a network relations intern and most recently with the USGA as a member of its merchandise and licensing team on-site for the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst. Now a junior on the club golf team at Rice University in Houston, Alexa has helped provide her teammates with the opportunity to experience the impact that access to the game can have in their life.

“My journey from a shy and timid young girl, uncertain of her place, to a confident leader with a clear vision for her future has been profoundly shaped by the unwavering support and opportunities provided by First Tee and Chevron,” said Alexa.

Applications for the First Tee College Scholarship Program open in early 2025. Learn more.