Friday, May 15, 2026
Greenhorn Creek driving range area May 3, 2026. A group of First Tee students take a break from practicing golf skills in the Courtesy photo/Chris Borrego
The regional chapter of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering kids and teens through the game of golf is now recruiting students for its upcoming programs that are free to those in need.
First Tee San Joaquin CEO/Program Director Chris Borrego, a PGA professional who has been in the post since last November, at one point was Greenhorn Creek’s golf pro. He said it was back in 2013 at Greenhorn Creek that he developed a relationship with the prior First Tee head and got involved as a coach.
He talked with the Enterprise about the opportunities open to local youth that meld the game with a life skills curriculum, enabling them to build the strength of character designed to empower them through a lifetime of new challenges.
“We are excited about our upcoming events and tours. We have 150 chapters around the country and are provided with materials and support. But we operate as an independent nonprofit business, have a strategic plan, and are working to reach out and have more impact in San Joaquin and Calaveras counties.”
Lily Davidson plays a hole on La Contenta during a Calaveras High School Golf Team match. Corissa Davidson/Calaveras Enterprise
Lily Davidson plays a hole on La Contenta during a Calaveras High School Golf Team match. Corissa Davidson/Calaveras Enterprise
The nonprofit, which is overseen by a 12-member board of directors and a five-person advisory committee geared to support the business operation, currently has about a dozen trained volunteer coaches that help run the programs. Along with more youth participation, Borrego is looking for more volunteer coaches and mentors.
Youth activities integrate learning and practicing golf and life skills that center around First Tee’s five key commitments: pursuing goals; growing through challenge; collaborating with others; building a positive self-identity; and using good judgment. Programs and events are held at two golf courses in Stockton, one in Lodi and one in Escalon as well as locally at Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp.
PGA roots, support
Nationally, First Tee has been in operation since 1997, when it was formed by the World Golf Foundation to make golf more accessible to children, particularly those from diverse or lower-income backgrounds. Initiated by former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, it garnered and continues to receive support from major golf organizations.
“We also brought coach training to Greenhorn Creek to enhance the junior program we were already doing like our Junior Golf Academy.
“We were doing a lot of golf specific drills, exercises and even some team building,” he continued. “Now First Tee San Joaquin has access to curriculum and its coach training, where you can be trained as a PGA pro…how to teach all aspects of golf.”
Borrego emphasized that the First Tee program offers a better way to communicate to kids and even with adults with teaching in a way that is more through experience. “It’s activity-based with learning by doing versus telling. Let the game be the teacher,” he said. “If the lesson is how to control distance and have target awareness, the coach becomes a mentor as opposed to someone who is telling you what to do. Another First Tee saying is ‘less saying and more doing.’ That is kind of our philosophy.”
June 1 is the deadline to sign up for the First Tee summer camp. Although there is a nominal fee for the programs, financial aid is available. “We don’t turn away kids for costs,” Borrego said.
“Summer camp is four hours a day for four days with PGA pros,” he continued. “Kids generally have more time in the summer and it’s appealing to families who are interested and looking for an exposure to golf, those who are curious about the First Tee program as well as ones where a student might be not only interested in playing at the high school level but perhaps beyond.
“Summer camp entails the First Tee class and life and golf skills stations for the first three days of camp and on the fourth day, they play the course and use the skills they learned–all under the supervision of PGA pros and trained First Tee professionals.”
First Tee focus areas
For ages seven through nine, besides building relationships with other players while exploring the game of golf, emphasis is placed on being active and having fun with peers in a safe, encouraging manner along with building inner strength and self-confidence.
Coaches and mentors work with 10-11 year-olds to help them develop golf skills and enthusiasm for the game while also exploring character concepts and game-changing behaviors in active and collaborative ways that are valuable on and off the course. First Tee supports growth and development of early adolescents ages 12-13 as they explore both golf skills and character commitments while having fun with peers as they are provided with opportunities to demonstrate mastery and growth in golf skills and abilities.
Youth 14 and above develop additional golf skills and abilities as they also learn to evaluate, reflect, and apply their understanding of life and golf skills to new situations on and off the course as well as lLook toward their future and plan their own paths.
Gregg Smith, who lives in the Greenhorn Creek community has been coaching kids in the First Tee program since 2022 at the golf course. “During this time, I have met so many great young people eager to learn the game of golf and gain valuable character building life skills.
“Many kids return each session and it is amazing to see their personal growth in golf and more importantly, their self confidence and respect for fellow classmates and their communities,” he continued. “
Our program teaches them to look up from their phones and look into each other’s eyes to greet and speak to one another with respect and healthy sportsmanship. Golf is an excellent way to teach kids so many life lessons that they will use forever even if they don’t continue golfing. I am constantly humbled by the kids eagerness to learn and how fast they pick up the skills we teach them. We are making a difference in their lives and I know they will carry the life skills they learn to their homes and schools.”
Lily Davidson, who will be a sophomore at Calaveras High in the fall, shared her experience with the First Tee program over one of the winter sessions it offered. She said she learned about it from her grandfather who knew that she was interested in learning the game.
“It didn’t take a very large amount of commitment, just enough to show up because you are invested in actually learning from the people who took time from their lives to teach,” she recounted. “I hadn’t golfed very much prior, only practice on ranges–never a full course. But they taught me how to hold my golf clubs properly; golf course etiquette; how to swing a driver, chipping club, and putter. When the sessions were done for the very last lesson they took us out to do two holes, and we even got to hit over a lake.”
To team play
Davidson now plays on her high school golf team. “I wouldn’t say I’m the best on the team, far from it in fact. But I’m eager to come back next season and hopefully improve on what I had learned last season.
“As far as I’m aware, no one on the Calaveras Girls Golf Team started off with First Tee but I could be incorrect. I feel like it is a fun sport to be in and despite being told it’s a pastime for old men by friends teasing me, it is nice to participate in something that is more about the mind game than physical prowess. I feel like if I keep pushing, I’ll be able to get a better spot on the team next season.”
When asked about her favorite aspects of First Tee, she replied, “Definitely the people. Learning how to do something is fun, and actually doing decently at it is even better; but from my experience, the people at First Tee are honestly just lovely. From the younger bitty kids, to the ones my age, and even the older people teaching, everyone is very nice to be around.
“I think students and parents should know that the people in First Tee are usually eager to learn how to golf and actually pay attention to do so, and the people that teach are actually passionate about the sport.”
She added she would enjoy coming back for a second year if it works out with her family. “Before First Tee, I knew the basics: how to hold the club and that I was supposed to hit the ball because I had taken a lesson or two previously. But, after the program, I felt more confident about my skills going into high school and joining the team than if I hadn’t ever participated.”
Upcoming all age groups summer camps at Greenhorn Creek are June 9-12th and July 21-24 from 8 to 10 a.m.; June 10-13 and July 8-11 from 8 to 11 a.m. Come fall, there are two Saturday sessions; one for ages 7-12 and the other serving ages 13+. For more details about First Tee San Joaquin and its activities, visit firstteesanjoaquin.org
Loading Comments
Enter your e-mail below to join our newsletter mailing list!
Our Hometown DMCA Notices
Newspaper website content management software and services