Events – Page 4 – First Tee

Overcoming Obstacles: First Tee Teen Going to Pebble Beach

Isabella Lohr was in for a big surprise earlier this year.

She met PGA TOUR player and First Tee alum Austin Smotherman during the AT&T Byron Nelson in May, where he told the 17-year-old from First Tee – Dallas that she was selected to play in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship.

Isabella is one of 78 First Tee participants who will tee off at Pebble Beach during the tournament, which will take place Sept. 23-25, 2022 and airs on Golf Channel.

“It’s the greatest honor anyone could receive, playing at Pebble Beach,” she said.

The welcome news came after a tough time for Isabella. She lost her childhood friend Dylan Dorrell on August 13, 2020, at the age of 17. He collapsed at a cross country practice and died at the hospital from an undetected heart condition. She says it’s the hardest experience she’s had to overcome.

“Grief was an obstacle I was not ready to face in life. It was a tremendous loss for me personally as every fond memory I had as a child included him.”

Shortly after Dylan’s passing, his parents created a foundation, #runforDylan in his memory.

“We were all still grieving but watching his parents turn their grief into a positive helped me gain a different perspective on life’s purpose.”

Isabella decided she too would honor his memory. In addition to nine years with First Tee, Isabella has been involved with Girl Scouts for more than a decade and decided to focus her Gold Award Project on raising funds for the #runforDylan Foundation.

Her project focused on organizing an annual 5K fun run to build awareness and gain funds for the foundation. More than 800 people participated in the inaugural event on the morning of November 6, 2021, raising close to $25,000. The proceeds will help fund AEDs at local parks in the community.

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First Tee is celebrating its 25^th anniversary of teaching life skills through the game of golf. Follow the PURE Insurance Championship at PGATOUR.com.

First Tee – Naples/Collier Awards $97,500 in College Scholarships

Naples, Florida – May 10, 2022: The First Tee – Naples/Collier has selected two outstanding candidates, Isabella Alvarez and Maggie Platten, as their 2022 four-year college scholarship recipients. These two scholarships are renewable on an annual basis for undergraduate studies for up to $10,000 each for four years. Isabella and Maggie have distinguished themselves as dedicated and committed leaders in First Tee through their involvement in First Tee Life Skills program, character development, academic excellence, community service and participation in extra-curricular activities.

“Our Scholarship Committee is extremely proud to award our 2022 college scholarships to Isabella and Maggie well as one-time Grants to six additional Seniors” said Cindy Darland, Executive Director. “We know they will represent our chapter well as they lead the next generation with the values instilled upon them through the First Tee.“

“Receiving the First Tee Scholarship is life changing. I will be the first in my family to attend college in America. This scholarship has opened doors that I had only dreams of” said Isabella Alvarez. “I can’t explain the relief that this has provided to my family and me. Thank you First Tee – Naples/Collier for this amazing opportunity.”

“Receiving the First Tee Scholarship is an absolute honor. I don’t think anyone in my family would have thought, after signing me up for a PLAYer class 6 years ago, that I would be heading to college with such an impactful scholarship” said Maggie Platten. “Through my years at the First Tee I learned what it truly meant to be a golfer, a good sport, and an overall good person. First Tee has been instrumental through my teenage years, and

I was surrounded by amazing coaches and volunteers through it all. This scholarship means the world to my family and to me!”

First Tee – Naples/Collier is also proud to announce one-time scholarship awards in the amount of:

$5,000 to Jack McElrath for becoming ACE Certified and $2,500 each to Kody Horton, Grace Humphrey, Willem Jaron, Ty Kaufman and Aelia Trainer.

On behalf of First Tee – Naples/Collier, CONTRATULATIONS to the First Tee Class of 2022!

The First Tee – Naples/Collier is a positive youth development program that offers opportunities to children ages 7 – 18 years of age to learn/apply its 9 Core Values and positive character traits through the game of golf. The First Tee – Naples/Collier is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 2007.

The First Tee of Naples/Collier’s Inaugural 4 Year College Scholarships

Ashley Cardona and Alexis Davis receive The First Tee of Naples/Collier’s inaugural 4-year College Scholarship.

Naples, Florida – May 1st, 2018: The First Tee of Naples/Collier has selected two outstanding candidates, Ashley Cardona and Alexis Davis, to receive its inaugural 4-year college scholarships, annually renewable for undergraduate studies up to $10,000 each year. These young adults have distinguished themselves as dedicated and committed leaders in The First Tee through their involvement in The First Tee Life Skills Program, character development, academic excellence, community service and participation in extra-curricular activities. “It is truly an honor to represent such a wonderful youth-centric organization as The First Tee of Naples/Collier and participate on its inaugural Scholarship Committee”, said Bob Radunz. “The 4-year scholarship being awarded to these two deserving young ladies will be life changing for them and will broaden the positive impact The First Tee is making on young golfers in Southwest Florida.” “We are proud to award our first two 4-year college scholarships to Ashley and Alexis” said Cindy Darland, Executive Director for The First Tee of Naples/Collier. “We know they will represent our chapter well, as they demonstrate great potential in leading the next generation of young adults with the values instilled upon them through The First Tee.” “I am truly grateful for being able to be part of such a great program such as The First Tee” said Cardona. “I would not be where I am today without all the support they give.” “I am so grateful for the opportunity The First Tee has given men and can not wait for the experiences ahead” said Davis.

The First Tee of Naples/Collier is a positive youth development program that offers opportunities to children ages 7-18 years of age to learn/apply its Nine Core Values and positive character traits through the game of golf. The First Tee of Naples/Collier is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007. Visit their website: www.TheFirstTeeNaplesCollier.org for additional information.