First Tee – Northern Nevada is launching an ambitious campaign that will fund the renovation and modernization of Wildcreek Golf Course. This new facility is our community’s opportunity to make a transformational investment in a permanent home for First Tee to help kids build a better understanding of themselves through introspection, interactive games, and immersive golf exercises. These exercises develop life skills that build self-confidence and empower participants throughout their lives. No other youth sports program in our region incorporates this kind of evidence-based character education into each practice or lesson.
Why Now?
Our youth are facing challenges unseen by previous generations. Many young people lack access to safe opportunities to foster a culture of acceptance and receive mentorship. As Northern Nevada’s population continues to increase, so has the need to expand access for kids and families to First Tee’s character-building youth sport programs. Since 2006, Washoe County has lost 99 holes of public golf, making it increasingly challenging to get adequate First Tee time on local golf courses. In addition, because of our reliance on local courses, our organization has not been able to offer year-round programming, resulting in stagnant annual retention.
Beyond Golf
First Tee goes beyond just the game of golf, this tremendous program supports youth development with a beyond golf philosophy. The beyond golf philosophy leverages and shares resources with and from the community, breaking down barriers to better equip our youth for a lifetime of challenges. First Tee provides a safe space for building game changers.
Offering intern opportunities enabling:
– golf course turf services experience
– maintenance and mechanical services experience
– restaurant services experience
– while supporting programs at Hugh High School
Building a Permanent Home
In an effort to make meaningful progress on the challenges youth face today and ensure that the core values inherent to the game of golf are a part of our community for generations to come, course ownership has become essential. This permanent home will enable First Tee to overcome the current constraints and be able to expand programming and serve many more kids throughout the year. The facility will offer a 1.5 acre putting green, a new state-of-the-art short game area, a new 9-hole championship course, a renovated 9-hole executive course, a year-round multi-level driving range, a new learning center, pro shop, restaurant, and bar. The course will be open to the public.
Project Scope and Timing
PHASE I: Green Grass
Targeted Completion: Summer 2025
New 9-hole championship course
Renovation of the existing 9-hole executive course
New end-to-end driving range
New state-of-the-art short game area
New 1.5 acre putting green
New Golf Course
New 9-hole championship course, renovation of the existing 9-hole executive course, new driving range, new state-of-the-art short game area, and new 1.5-acre putting green
Screenshot 2024-03-20 122208
First Tee SC Chapter Shoot
CLEMSON, SC – JUNE 22: during the Up State S.C. First Tee chapter shoot for the First Tee National Championship at Walker Golf Course Clemson University on June 23, 2021, Clemson, SC.
(Photo by Stan Badz Photo)
Wildcreek Golf Course
PHASE II: Buildings
TargetED Completion: Winter 2025
New innovative learning center for year-round programming
Complete renovation of the clubhouse, including new public restaurant, bar, pro shop, and restrooms
First Tee administrative offices and meeting spaces
New 3 tier driving range, the first and only such facility in Reno
Driving Range
Multiple level hitting stations, open year-round, with access to TrackMan golf driving range technology
Driving Range and Pro Shop
Multi tiered community driving range, new pro shop and retail center
Restaurant and Bar
New public restaurant and bar
Renovated Clubhouse
The existing clubhouse will be totally renovated to include a new First Tee Learning Center and public restaurant and bar
“This program develops kids’ character, teaches them how to deal with people. A great core value and life skills experience is taught through this program.”
-Patty Sheehan LPGA Hall of Fame & Emeritus Board Member
Your donation will directly impact the kids we serve. The skills they develop will last a lifetime. Donate today and help give First Tee a permanent home to serve kids year-round.
Wildcreek Golf Course
Wildcreek Golf Course, located at 3500 Sullivan Lane in Sparks, Nevada, is the new home base for First Tee – Northern Nevada. The Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in the fall of 2021 to transfer ownership of Wildcreek Golf Course to First Tee. The deed was signed in July 2022.
