October 2025 - First Tee

Creating an inclusive First Tee experience: Partnering with parents to support participants with IEPs and 504 Plans

By Kristin Westberg – Senior Director, Training & Evaluation

At First Tee, we’re committed to helping all young people build character, confidence and life skills through golf. That includes participants with diverse learning needs — some of whom may have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.

These plans are designed to help students succeed in school, but they can also provide valuable insights for our coaches and volunteers. With participants back in school, now is a perfect time to discuss with your chapter how it can meet your child’s needs. By working closely with families, we can create a more inclusive, supportive and empowering experience for every participant.

Why parent partnerships matter

Parents and caregivers are the best source of knowledge about their child’s strengths, challenges and what helps them thrive. When we build trust and open lines of communication, we can better understand how to support each participant in a way that’s respectful, personalized and effective.

What to share during the intake process

You don’t need to provide chapters with the full IEP or 504 Plan — just the essentials that will help them provide a great experience. Here are a few questions to consider:

Does your child have an IEP or 504 Plan?
Are there specific accommodations or strategies that work well for them?
Are there any triggers or challenges we should be aware of?
What are your child’s strengths and interests?
What helps your child feel safe, confident and included?

This information can be summarized into a simple “Participant Snapshot” for coaches to reference, helping them tailor instruction and interactions in a meaningful way.

Program adaptations that make a big impact

Here are a few adaptations our chapters have made that can help participants with IEPs or 504 Plans thrive:

Visual schedules: They may use boards or laminated sheets to show the day’s activities in order.
Instructional cue cards: They may provide visual prompts for golf skills or life skills as reminders.
Color-coded zones: They often use cones or other items to mark areas and support transitions.
Behavior supports: They may offer “break cards” or “feelings charts” to help participants communicate their needs.

These tools support not only students with learning differences but also help all participants feel more confident and engaged.

The Power of Listening and Learning

By listening to families, being flexible and showing a willingness to adapt and learn, First Tee Chapters can create spaces where all kids feel valued and supported.

From course to career: Coach Stuart demonstrates the transformative power of First Tee mentors

Accenture, a global professional services company and First Tee Trustee, hosts a personal development session for staff members at its Atlanta office on the first Friday of each month. Stuart Furlow had no idea one of these workshops would lead to one of the most rewarding experiences of his professional life. While working as a manufacturing and operations consultant, Stuart was also looking for a way to give back, and First Tee – Metro Atlanta provided the perfect opportunity.

Growing up, Stuart learned golf from his father, uncle and cousin. The game had been a part of his life, but he’d never considered becoming a coach. “It was perfect timing,” Stuart said about discovering First Tee. “I just finished a project and heard about the volunteer opportunity. I wanted to be a mentor. I wanted to teach the game of golf and learn about First Tee.” Little did Stuart know, he would create a meaningful relationship with a participant named Ethan, helping to shape his bright future ahead.

A mentorship built on more than golf

Ethan Herndon didn’t take up golf by choice. When his dad first brought him to First Tee – Metro Atlanta at 8 years old, he went “begrudgingly,” following in his older sister’s footsteps. But that day changed everything. While golf can be portrayed as a sport for older and wealthier people, “First Tee is the opposite of that – it’s for everybody,” he said.

For the next decade, Ethan returned to John A. White Golf Course every Saturday. By the time Stuart joined First Tee as a coach three years ago, Ethan was a high school freshman starting to think seriously about his future.

Stuart immediately noticed something special about Ethan. “His work ethic: He was always one of the first kids out there, starting before we even got the chance to begin our actual lesson,” Stuart said. “We started talking and learning more about each other. I learned what he was interested in, what his aspirations were, and I started to add a little bit of feedback and my own perspective.”

For Ethan, Stuart became more than just a golf coach. “He had a lot of advice that was very beneficial to me: looking at majors, programs, scholarships, things I hadn’t heard from other people before,” Ethan said. “He gave me a different outlook.”

What made Stuart’s mentorship particularly meaningful was his genuine concern for Ethan’s overall wellbeing. “While shooting low scores and hitting good shots are important, Coach Stuart always wanted to make sure we were doing good in school, mentally, physically, and that everything was going well,” Ethan said. “He was truly concerned about our wellbeing and how we were as people versus just golfers.”

The power of partnership

Stuart’s commitment to First Tee reflects Accenture’s broader values. “The partnership between Accenture and First Tee is something that Accenture takes great pride in,” Stuart said. “We continuously talk about making an impact in the communities we serve.”

But for Stuart, the impact goes beyond corporate social responsibility; it’s personal. Stuart sees his role as helping participants like Ethan navigate life with the benefit of his own experience.

Through the Hope Tee Shot and other programs, Accenture’s support of First Tee and its Metro Atlanta chapter extend beyond participants’ time in high school. “It doesn’t stop after you leave the program,” Stuart said. “We want to continue supporting current students and alumni through all the avenues of life.”

Today, Ethan has spent 10 years with First Tee – Metro Atlanta, transforming from a reluctant golfer into a young man with clear goals and the confidence to pursue them. Stuart’s mentorship played a crucial role in that journey, not just teaching him about golf, but helping him understand the possibilities ahead.

Their story demonstrates the true mission of First Tee: using golf as a vehicle to build character and teach life skills that extend far beyond the course. And for volunteers like Stuart, it’s proof that giving back can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all.

Learn more about how you can support young people like Ethan.

First Tee celebrates National Coaches Day with launch of video series showcasing coach philosophy

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL (Oct. 6, 2025) – In celebration of National Coaches Day, national youth development organization First Tee is proud to announce the launch of a new video series spotlighting the heart of its program: its coaches.

Titled “Coaching the First Tee Way,” the series offers an inside look at how First Tee coaches across the country create safe, supportive and empowering environments where young people can grow on and off the golf course. The series features real stories, footage and conversations with coaches and parents, highlighting how First Tee’s unique approach goes beyond the game.

“At First Tee, we believe a coach is more than a teacher; they’re a mentor, role model and positive force in a young person’s life,” said Ryan Graff, vice president of programs at First Tee. “This video series honors the thousands of coaches who bring our mission to life every day and showcases the power of intentional coaching.”

Every First Tee class is active, social and fun because kids learn best when they’re engaged and supported. Our multilevel training program ensures that coaches are prepared to bring this philosophy to life through four core building blocks: activity based, empowering youth, continuous learning and mastery driven. This holistic approach doesn’t just make kids better golfers, it helps them thrive in school, at home and in life. The series is designed to inspire current and future coaches, while offering insights into how First Tee integrates life skills and values into every coaching moment.

Research from First Tee and The Harris Poll shows that coaches leave a lasting impact that can extend into adulthood. More than 90% of parents with grown children say they’ve seen firsthand how youth sports can shape a child’s future.

The first installment of “Coaching the First Tee Way” is available now on Instagram and firsttee.org, with additional episodes rolling out weekly through October.

First Tee hosts 2025 Innovators Forum empowering young leaders to drive positive change

The annual event convenes teen leaders from across the country to build community impact projects

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2025) – Youth development organization First Tee is proud to announce the return of its Innovators Forum, an annual workshop that equips and empowers teens from across the country to develop a meaningful service project to implement in their community.

Held from Oct. 2-5 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home of the PGA TOUR, the 2025 First Tee Innovators Forum will bring together a select group of exceptional teen participants selected for their dedication to community service, leadership potential and innovative spirit.

The event provides an immersive experience, where teens will hear case studies from organizations like CapTech and Constellation, focusing on how they have used innovation to drive impact. Ultimately, teens will design and pitch service projects that address real challenges in their communities.

“Innovators Forum exemplifies what First Tee is all about: empowering the next generation to be changemakers on and off the course,” said Jennifer Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee. “These young leaders are not only passionate about golf but also about making a difference, and this event helps give them the tools to do it.”

Past forums have resulted in impactful projects ranging from environmental sustainability initiatives to mental health awareness campaigns and inclusive golf programs for underserved populations. Teens who execute the most impactful projects have the opportunity to earn stipends, with more than $25,000 awarded in 2024 to support their educational endeavors after high school.

In addition to including presentations from leaders in sports, business and social innovation, this year’s Innovators Forum will include an afternoon spent at Constellation Furyk & Friends, where participants will get to see legendary golfers and experience the natural beauty of Timuquana Country Club.

“I want to be the role model others were for me”: Derek Lee’s mission at First Tee – Oakland

Derek Lee of First Tee – Oakland understands the power of service. “For the past two years, I have volunteered as a junior coach and have helped elementary and middle school age kids discover the game of golf,” he said. “I want to be a positive role model and mentor for them, just as others were for me when I was their age.”

Now a high school junior, Derek joined the chapter as a participant when he was 7 years old, but it closed a couple years later. He took a break from golf until the COVID-19 pandemic made it one of the few activities available to kids. Then when First Tee – Oakland relaunched in 2023, Derek eagerly rejoined as a junior coach.

“Knowing I am helping to spark their interest in something that I myself love and am passionate about is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “It reminds me how impactful volunteering can be, and it motivates me to keep giving back to my community.”

Derek’s passion for helping others is a big part of the reason he’ll be the first participant from the re-opened First Tee – Oakland chapter to attend a national participant event. He’s heading across the country to Jacksonville, Florida, to take part in Innovators Forum this week.

At Innovators Forum, each participant develops a plan for a community service project they execute when they return home. Derek aspires to create expanded program offerings for First Tee – Oakland to ensure that younger kids remain engaged with the chapter and see their golf and life skills grow.

During Innovators Forum, Derek and his cohort will hear case studies from leaders at organizations like CapTech and Constellation, and they’ll attend Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS to see legendary golfers like Ernie Els and Vijay Singh.

When he’s back in Oakland, Derek aspires to take his own golf game to new heights. Already a plus-handicap player, he has big goals: “I strive to play in the most challenging tournaments I can, so I can show myself and coaches that I have the skills and can go toe-to-toe with some of the best junior golfers in the world,” he said. Ultimately, he aims to play collegiate golf at a top academic school.

Support First Tee programming for exceptional teens like Derek.