Puregolf2010 is a unique tale about adventure and the Kiwi philosophy. In 2010 young New Zealand lawyers Jamie Patton and Michael Goldstein have decided to leave the dry world of corporate law behind and to play golf every day of the year, around the world, to raise money for The First Tee New Zealand (www.thefirstteenz.org).

The First Tee Corporate Partner, Constellation Energy, announced that the Constellation Energy Foundation has distributed $400,000 among four Maryland-based charitable organizations using proceeds from the 2009 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship. Donations of $100,000 each went to The First Tee of Baltimore, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Union Memorial Hospital and the Baltimore Community Foundation/BGE Community Assistance Fund.  Click here to read more.

Seattle native Fred Couples, a 15-time PGA TOUR event winner, designated a check in the amount of $20,000 to The First Tee of Greater Seattle. The contribution is a portion of the charitable proceeds generated from the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco, at which Couples served as captain of the U.S. Team.

More than a dozen elementary school physical education teachers got some training to bring golf back to their students, thanks to the First Tee organization. The new The First Tee of Aiken is registering students for its after-school golf program at Houndslake Country Club, which begins Jan. 19. The First Tee National School Program also provides this in-school component.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the HeraldNet about Snohomish County participant Sam Hogenson. In middle school, Sam joined The First Tee of Snohomish County, a program that pairs golf lessons with character-building exercises. He began volunteering with the program the following year and is now in his fifth year as a volunteer coach. He also serves on the board of directors.

To Sam, golf is a game of integrity. He enjoys passing its lessons on to others. “I like being the friend. I can look back and remember looking up to kids who seemed so old and so cool, so I like being that for the little kids.”

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from Golf World about The First Tee National School Program. It isn’t GOLF weather in many parts of the United States,but at a growing number of elementary schools, the climateis better than it has ever been for introducing the game to children who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. From The First Tee’s National School Program, which gives kids a taste of golf—and the values it can teach—during mandatory physical education classes, to after-school group lessons offered by Total Golf Adventures, youngsters are getting to explore the game without leaving campus.

The PGA TOUR announced that $4.2 million, proceeds from The Presidents Cup 2009 and a record-tying amount for this prestigious competition, will be distributed to charitable causes around the world. Since the inception of The Presidents Cup in 1994, nearly $22 million from event proceeds has been raised for charity. In addition, The First Tee of San Francisco received $500,000 as part of the PGA TOUR’s partnership agreement with the city of San Francisco; and in March, the PGA TOUR made a $100,000 donation on behalf of The Presidents Cup to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, a fund organized following devastating fires in Victoria, Australia.

The United States Golf Association announced that it awarded $1.87 million to support the development of 127 golf programs through its "For the Good of the Game" Grants Initiative during 2009. More than 230,000 young people and individuals with disabilities were projected to participate in quality golf programs supported by these grants. The USGA has allocated $65 million to more than 1,000 organizations over the 13-year existence of this broad-reaching initiative, making the game more affordable and accessible to underserved populations. USGA funding helps these programs pay for essential programming components such as: golf instruction, access to golf courses and practice ranges, equipment and transportation.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from WEMV News about the Wyndham Championship making a $50,000 donation to The First Tee of the Triad. The donation makes the PGA TOUR event the presenting sponsor for the youth golf organization.

The First Tee of Atlanta raised more than $150,000 at its annual Charity Golf Classic. The funds raised at this year’s tournament represent a 25 percent increase over last year’s. The sold-out event drew The First Tee of Atlanta supporters to TPC Sugarloaf where they enjoyed a round of golf, silent and live auctions, and rubbing shoulders with Atlanta’s own PGA Tour Professional Golfer Stewart Cink.

As part of the FedEx commitment to environmental sustainability, the company is launching the FedExCup® Fore!Ever campaign with the PGA TOUR, Audubon International and one of golf’s premiere youth charitable organizations, The First Tee. This campaign will teach local participants of The First Tee about sustainable golf practices while facilitating eco-friendly public golf course improvements in communities that host PGA TOUR FedExCup tournaments.

Four participants from the Fresno Chapter pooled their grant money from the Walmart Unilever Leadership Forum at Pebble Beach and started a “Playing for the Children” fundraiser. This fundraiser was designed to help raise money for Children’s Hospital Central California. This is a non-profit facility where kids come from all over California to receive highly specialized care and treatment, regardless of their ability to pay.

Kirsten Keyser, Jordan Keyser, Tyler LeQuia, and Hunter Lassos all play on their respective golf teams at Yosemite High School. They each went out into the community and solicited donations for every par or birdie made during their school matches. $6,200.00 was raised and a check was presented to the hospital on December 10, 2009.

Earlier this fall, PGA TOUR player David Toms held a clinic at New Haven Golf Club, the official home of The First Tee of Greater Texarkana.

Over 200 Greater Texarkana participants were in attendance for the event. Each participant received Chapter t-shirts and goody bags from Wells Fargo. During the clinic Mr. Toms demonstrated how to use several clubs and shared his vast golf knowledge with participants during the Q&A portion of the clinic.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the St. Augustine Record about PGA TOUR player Jim Furyk's visit to The First Tee of St. Johns County. For more than an hour, the 2003 U.S. Open champion and Ponte Vedra Beach resident demonstrated shots, talked about his career and his game, gave some individual instruction and signed autographs for about 75 county youngsters and their parents.

The First Tee of Williams Creek was fortunate to have as guests recently five members of The University of Tennessee Lady Vols golf team. Five Williams Creek participants in the after school program were chosen based on exhibition of life skills and commitment to The First Tee Nine Core Values. Ginny Brown, Lauren Spurlock, Leigh Henderson, Sara Monberg, and Nathalie Mansson of the Lady Vols paired up with the participants for a four-hole scramble. A fun afternoon was enjoyed by all. The young people were given tips while on the golf course and learned that with dedication and hard work, along with keeping your grades up, the dream of playing collegiate golf can come true.

National School Program school districts are teaming up with local golf communities to give physical educators unique experiences with golf. In Nebraska, Lincoln Public Schools had the opportunity to partner with Lincoln City Golf Courses to plan a professional development day focused on golf.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the Richmond-Times Dispatch about the Chesterfield school system partnering with The First Tee Richmond & Chesterfield to bring a golf curriculum to 10 elementary schools. The pilot program is free to the schools, paid for in part by a donation from the community. The First Tee National School Program will introduce students to the sport of golf and The First Tee Nine Core Values during regularly scheduled gym classes.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the Explorer about The First Tee National School Program being implemented in Marana Unified School District schools. The Tucson Conquistadores are making it possible for The First Tee implementation in 25 Marana and Vail schools.

The California Wellness Foundation has awarded The First Tee of Oakland (TFTO) $50,000 to be used for The Healthy Greens Project, which will begin January 2010, Executive Director of TFTO Barbara Essig-Jenkins announced.

The First Tee of Oakland became an official Chapter of The First Tee on April 16, 2009 and currently serves 118 youth. The First Tee of Oakland’s aim is to provide educational programs and outreach clinics for children and youth that promote literacy, character development, healthy life skills and core values taught through the game of golf. TFTO is currently recruiting children ages seven through 17 for Spring 2010 sessions regardless of social strata and physical limitations.

Late last year, members of The First Tee of Pasadena coaching staff met to discuss how their participants could give back to the community over the holidays. Pasadena is a very diverse community and the Chapter recognizes there are children in the community who may not be able to receive gifts for Christmas. The staff met with the youth advisory group and a Chapter board member who is the Deputy Fire Chief for the City. An event was planned involving the Pasadena Fire Department who along with other Fire Departments conducting their "Spark of Love" program gathering toys for children less fortunate.

The mood was quite tranquil leading up to The First Tee of Houston/F.M. Law Park's 3:00pm golf clinic at Shadow Hawk Golf Club. The temperature was a bit cool but it did not detour the spirits of the young ladies who were there to meet one of the LPGA's most recognizable and talented players, Paula Creamer. All the chatter amongst the young people slowly ceased as Paula approached the driving range to begin her interaction. As the clinic progressed the girls began to open up and ask questions. Paula was very open and answered all the participants questions.

When Austin Landis was 10, his father was in prison and Austin was put in foster care. He had little direction and was headed for life as a sad statistic. Today, Landis is a kind, respectful, and well-adjusted high-school junior and competitive golfer who wants nothing more than to improve his golf game and help others to do the same. The Children’s Course in Gladstone, Ore., and The First Tee programming at this nine-hole, par-3 facility near Portland, have put him on a positive trajectory and far away from the “at-risk youth” category.

The Southern Methodist University men's and women's golf team got in the giving spirit by giving back to the community and volunteering with The First Tee of Dallas. The event, which was held at Tennison Golf Course in Dallas, allowed the golf teams the chance to demonstrate fundamentals and play a four-hole scramble with the Chapter participants.

"It was a lot fun and we will be doing it throughout the year," said SMU women's coach Todd Selders.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the Statesman about the golf team at St. Edward's University spending one afternoon a week as mentors for The First Tee of Greater Austin. The St. Edward's/The First Tee partnership is only a couple of months old, but it looks to be a success and will continue next year. St. Edward players look forward to The First Tee visits, and they think the participants might respond to the college players because of their youth and expertise.

The First Tee will receive the NGCOA’s Award of Merit, which recognizes significant contributions to golf. The Award of Merit is the NGCOA's longest-running award and is designated for long-term and significant contributions to the game of golf.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from Historic City News about the St. Augustine Amateur golf tournament raising over $13,500 to benefit The First Tee of St. Johns County.

The check was presented by the tournament committee at the awards ceremony following tournament play. The Chapter occupies a three-hole facility and clubhouse, and is open seven days a week for play. Through its junior membership, after-school, and special event programming, the St. Johns County Chapter provides instruction and playing time for over 500 St. Johns County children, ages 6-17.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the Tuscaloosa News about The First Tee National School Program joining forces with the Tuscaloosa City School System. Margaret O'Neal, the Tuscaloosa City School System's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said the program will not only enhance students motor skills, but also their character development.

'This is an opportunity for students to learn the rudiments of a life-long sport that they can play on their own, or as part of a team,' O'Neal said. 'It provides them with an activity that helps them with discipline and time management that can both be translated into the classroom.'

All of the Vermont state golf assocaitions have taken a team approach to growing the game through The First Tee National School Program.

This joint initiative has connected the five statewide organizations (Vermont Golf Association, Vermont Women's Golf Association, Vermont PGA, Vermont Senior Golf Association, and Vermont Scholarship Fund) to more than 50 schools throughout the state. These organizations have developed a strong model that not only brings the program to schools, but connects the schools with individuals in local golf communities.

Click LEARN MORE to read a story from the American Chronicle about The First Tee of West Virigina benefiting from the new PGA TOUR event- The Greenbrier Classic. The purchase of a weekly badge for the tournament will directly impact the lives of young people at the West Virginia Chapter.

The Patterson Club in Fairfield, Conn., joined a growing list of Metro Area clubs that support The First Tee of Metropolitan New York by hosting a popular “The First Tee Day.” A total of 24 members of the club came out to play a nine-hole scramble with youngsters currently enrolled in programming at The First Tee at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Bridgeport, Conn. After golf, the members and kids enjoyed dinner and an awards presentation celebrating the day.