Blog

Raymond James and the Tampa Bay Rays established the Raymond James Community Impact Award back in 2013 to recognize non-profit organizations that have made a positive impact on the Tampa Bay community. As part of the award, Chi Chi’s Foundation received a $5,000 donation, tickets for the Press Box...

  Sonya is a freshman at Palm Harbor University High School and has been participating with The First Tee of Clearwater for over five years. She is one of only four participants who has reached BIRDIE certified level and will begin Eagle level this school year. Throughout her years as a participant...

The First Tee welcomed 267 campers for the Life Skills Experience this summer! Instruction is based on an introduction to the game of golf plus core values and life skills seamlessly incorporated throughout each lesson. Students enjoyed course time at least one day each week, along with driving rang...

Fifteen golfers represented The First Tee of Clearwater throughout the summer in PGA Jr. League Matches. The League is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for children 13 and under to play on a team. Students have competed against Ace Golf, Belleair and Westchase both at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Go...

The Pinellas County Urban League invited The First Tee Program Director Karen Wise and her volunteers to provide a Core Values Workshop for some students in their STYLE program (Summer Training in Youth Leadership & Employment).  This workshop was in conjunction with the Urban League’s Golf T...

 In May, we said goodbye to an amazing 8th grade class as they continue on their Journey to Success with high school.  During graduation, each student spoke about their time at Chi Chi’s and thanked those who supported them.  Academy Executive Committee Member Scott Brown awarded two Higher Lea...

The Foundation is hard at work making capital improvements, with the mission to provide a unique learning environment that’s safe for our students. This May, over 30 volunteers from Nielsen in Oldsmar came to work at Chi Chi’s for Nielsen Global Impact Day!  Projects included painting all Groun...

This spring two members of our team continued their education with The First Tee by attending Level II Coach trainings.  It is important for Coaches to grow their knowledge of best practices within the Network of over 150 chapters across the country.  By sharing knowledge and best practices this p...

Following with the Valspar Championship tradition during The First Tee day, nine students got an up close and personal experience with some of the best golfers in the world as Standard Bearers, including Matt Kucher, Bill Haas and Ian Poulter. Throughout the round, the Pros in their groups spent tim...

During the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort Academy sponsors were paired with a PGA or LPGA Pro on the prestigious South Course. Following play a lunch in the Snake Pit Club overlooking the 17th green of the Copperhead featured a lively auction hosted by News Channel 8’s Jenn...