Category: Blog

Recently our program director, chris borrego, Sat down with lincoln high school junior and Eagle participant of the first tee anitra khoth.

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How did you get started with the First Tee?

I was introduced to The First Tee when my dad’s friend had mentioned it to him after fi nding out that my brother and I were starting to play golf.

What core value do you most identify with and why?

Perseverance would identify me the best since I have a strong urge to keep going no matter what obstacle comes my way. Through thick and thin, I will never stop striving for my goals since nothing is impossible to achieve.

What was or is your favorite level in the First Tee Program?

In my opinion, I love all levels of The First Tee Program, but Eagle level is my favorite since we are able to be our leaders and choose our own formats of golf. We are able to take charge of what we want to do, but of course, apply The First Tee life skill that is specifi cally assigned that week. Also, it is diverse because depending on the week, we are on the course or on the range.

Now on to this year, it was quite a year … You won a few times on the JGANC tour and had some good fi nishes on the NCGA junior tour. What was your favorite event on those tours?

For JGANC, I would say the George Maroney Junior Tournament, not because I won overall, but because I was able to persevere throughout the two rounds I played there. I did not know the course and was able to get around tough situations and it played longer than it says since elevation became a huge factor in club selection. For NCGA, it would be the tournament held at Dark Horse GC since I competed with many tough competitors and the course gave no mercy, which allowed me to work harder for the score that I strived to have on each hole.

Does having teammates in the First Tee Program help the team?

I strongly agree that having teammates in The First Tee Program helps the team since we are able to play with one another to see each others’ weaknesses and strengths which helps with giving each other advice. We are able to see what one another needs to work on more and to most defi nitely learn something from one another as we play on the course. Also, we are defi nitely applying the life skills that we have learned throughout the program levels to our golf game at the same time.

What things have coaches told you over the years that have stuck most with you, whether it be about golf or life?

Coaches have always told me to keep striving for my goals and to never allow someone to tell me that I am not capable of doing something. They have told me to always have confi dence in everything that I do and to always be open minded with anything that anyone has to tell me even if it may not be helpful. Also, to never give up golf since they see a lot of potential in me and would hate to see me stop doing something that could be life-changing someday.

What are your plans after high school?

After high school, I want to attend a 4-year college and play on the women’s golf team while studying to become a pharmacist, and hopefully open my own business someday. Afterwards, I would love to become a professional golfer and play on the LPGA Tour until it is time for me to retire!

Story by Debbie Bond, Coach Have you seen a First Tee of San Joaquin coach in action? What you’ll see is a caring, patient, fun and committed person. Our chapter is lucky enough to have over 40 coaches helping more than 600 children at 5 locations this year. Ron Davis from Greenhorn Creek Golf Course and Robert Cleveland from The Reserve were recently honored as Co-Coaches of the year. Golf legend Arnold Palmer said, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.” First Tee coaches like Robert and Ron make it look easy! They set up activities that let the players experiment with different swings, clubs and speeds. They set up games that are disguised as golf that are fun and engaging, all while teaching them the nine core values of The First Tee. Our coaches at other levels use lesson plans laid out by our program director, Chris Borrego. His plans are easy to follow and designed to seamlessly weave life skills with golf skills during a fun activity. Coaching is very rewarding and fun! As 2008 Coach of the Year Tom Hooper will tell you, “We learn more from working with the kids than they learn from us!” Most of us are not low handicappers and it’s certainly not a prerequisite to be a good coach. A good coach sets up a safe environment for the players to experiment and have fun. One of the best feelings is a session where we are in the middle of an activity and an opportunity comes up to use a life skill. The First Tee calls that a “teachable moment.” It makes it all worth the cold, early Saturday mornings! Can you coach? Of course, you can! We begin our Spring Tour in March. You will be so glad you did! Stockton’s youth are searching for mentors to look up to.  

October 16, 2016 • Stockton Golf & Country Club

The Ricky and Suzanne Barnes Foundation has played a tremendous part in my life. Their foundation has kindly donated money to our First Tee Chapter, ensuring that the participants have the best experiences possible. I will forever be grateful for all that they have done in making The First Tee of San Joaquin the best it can be. Every year the Barnes family host a golf tournament to raise money for our local chapter, and for two years I have been given the opportunity to share my surreal experiences through The First Tee and my development as an individual. I was honored to speak in front of such elite people and without a doubt this once in a lifetime experience not only allowed my public speaking skills to grow but my love for those that give up their valued time to better the organization I strongly care about. We definitely need more families like the Barnes family in the world. They are kind, very much respected, and give back to their community. Ricky himself has made me feel as though anything is possible if you just put your mind to it. I will forever believe with all my heart and achieve with all my might. Thanks to the Barnes family I was inspired to dream bigger.