Stories and Features
2021
First Tee - Fresno had their first ever ACE graduates! Congratulations Analise Aubin, Chase Gallagher, Mimi Merzoian, LeAnn Phongsa!
ACE participant Analise Aubin signed her letter of intent to Bushnell University to play collegiate golf.
Chase Gallagher was selected as a winner of the 2021 John Deere Power for Good Contest. He was awarded a $5000 scholarship and the opportunity to be a VIP guest plus pro-am participant at the John Deere Classic in Silvas, IL. He was 1 of only 3 kids to be chosen in the country for the award.
Eagle participant, Patience Carbajal was one of 24 girls from across the country to be selected into the John Deere Drive your Future Academy.
LeAnn Phongsa and Chase Gallagher was selected to participate in the Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia. Program Director, Megan Parayno, and Alumni Allie Suarez were also selected to attend as a coach and chaperone.
ACE participant, Karis Haltom, was selected to attend the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee! She finished top 10!
Mimi Merzoian and Karis Haltom were two of 28 teens selected to attend the First Tee Innovators Forum in San Jose. This event empowered First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities and focus on raising awareness on issues surrounding volunteerism, health, and environmental sustainability.
2020
ACE participant, Manuel Anguiano, finished top of his class at Bullard High School with a 4.32 GPA. Manuel will be attending UC Davis and majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He was also accepted into Fresno State and UC Merced.
Eagle participant, Makayla Goforth, commits to play at The College of Idaho!
College Scholarship Winners: Josseline Morales Garica and Makayla Goforth
Par participant, Natalia Priolo, received the Fresno County Superintendent of School Superstar award.
2019
Eagle participant, Lauren Parayno, commits to play at Dominican University of California!
Tee It Up Tour participant, Josseline Morales Garcia, commits to play at Masters University!
Brady Barrington qualified for The Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals at Augusta National right before the Masters Tournament in 2020!
Congratulations to our alumni, Claire Wright! She shot three-over par 151 with round of 76 and 75 at the Warrior Fall Invitational. She was the only golfer to shoot six birdies. Click here to read more about her win.
Both Eagle participants, Allie Suarez and Analise Aubin, were two of 96 participants that were selected for the 2019 Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills Academy. The National Opportunity took place in Boise, Idaho. Allie was also nominated for the Renee Powell Outstanding Female Leader award.
Eagle participant, Lauren Parayno, was selected for the 2019 John Deere Drive Your Future National Opportunity that was held in San Francisco, CA.
Eagle participant, Jack Wright, commits to play at Wesmont College!
Eagle participant, Allie Suarez, will attend UC Davis
She has been part of our program for over four years and was chosen by First Tee Home Office for The College Scholars Program in Spring 2019. Allie is also a Junior Coach and helps coach our Girls Only classes on the weekends. We're pleased to announce that Allie will attend UC Davis in Fall 2019, after being accepted into UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, and others.
Eagle participant, Claire Wright, commits to play at Rocky Mountain College. Congratulations!
College Scholarship Winners: Manuel Anguiano and Lauren Parayno
2018
Participant of the Year: ACE participant, Manuel Anguiano!
Jack Wright and playing partner, PGA Robert Gamez
Jack Wright and PGA Robert Gamez, finished tied for 9th at the 2018 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach CA. This is the third best finish by a First Tee of Fresno participant at this event to date.
Eagle participants, Nate Rivera and Autumn Gonzales, were both selected for the 2018 Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills Academy that took place in East, Lansing, Michigan. Program Director, Megan Parayno, was also selected to coach at the National Opportunity.
ACE participant, Patrick Monreal, will attend Stanford University
He has been part of our program for over five years and was chosen to receive national recognition from First Tee Home Office, gaining acceptance into The Life Skills & Leadership Academy in Minnesota Summer 2017 and The College Scholars Program in Fall 2018. We're pleased to announce that Patrick will attend Stanford University in Fall 2018, after being accepted into Duke, Harvard, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Yale, USC, and others.
Claire Wright and Allie Suarez (Left to Right)
Claire received the Cathy Wagner "Most Inspirational Award" and Allie received the Ken Morton, Sr. "Core Value Award" during the 2018 Northern California Leadership Academy in Monterey, CA.
College Scholarship Winners: Autumn Gonzales and Kenneth Robinson
First Tee Fresno Alumni Luke Shrestha created a music video on how First Tee helps youth develop confidence and courage. Check it out! https://youtu.be/dZ0OIoseL04
2017
Claire Oetinger, Caitlin Figura, and Lauren Parayno (Left to Right)
All three young ladies have been selected by First Tee Home Office to play in the 2017 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, CA.
Lauren Parayno at The 2017 National Par-3 Championship in Virginia!
2015
Michael Cliff at The 2015 Nature Valley First Tee Open
Read Michael's blog to relive his tournament week!
View Photos From His Memorable Week
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Katie Horsford 2014 Player of the Year
Katie Horsford follows her trip to The 2014 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach with Player of the Year Honors for Girls Golf in Central California.
Katie Horsford's Pebble Beach Experience Continues!
AT&T's 30th Pebble Beach Tournament features the ultimate Fan Eye's View from First Tee of Fresno's own Katie Horsford!
Watch Fan's Eye View - Katie Horsford
Watch Her Tournament Summary
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Katie Met Her Hero!
Katie Horsford got inside the ropes, met players and celebrities, and got to play Pebble Beach on the day after the tournament, after being one of four fans nationwide selected to receive special VIP treatment the week of the tournament.
Watch Katie Horsford's Dream Week at Pebble
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First Tee of Fresno Made The Paper!
The Madera Tribune covered First Tee of Fresno in their sports section! Click here to read the article.
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Youth on Course Announces Partnership with The First Tee
As part of it's national expansion effort, Northern California Golf Association’s Youth on Course program announced the forming of a partnership with First Tee home office and specific First Tee chapters in Youth on Course markets.
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