What happens when you provide free programs? The results are game-changing.
With support from Southern Hills Country Club, host of this week’s PGA Championship, First Tee – Tulsa provides free character-building programs to everyone who walks through their door. JP Ray is one of many participants impacted by the program.
First Tee-South Dakota and South Dakota Golf Association are excited to announce that Lincoln Trasamar has qualified for the 2022 Drive, Chip, and Putt National Championship to be held at Augusta, Georgia. The event will be held the Sunday prior to the Master’s tournament, April 3rd.
Lincoln has been a participant of First Tee-South Dakota since 2021 and has played on the SDGA Junior Tour for the past three years. He spends his days practicing and playing at the Country Club of Sioux Falls or playing competitively in the SDGA Junior Tournaments.
To qualify, Lincoln went through three qualifying stages, Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, SD, Oxbow Country Club in Oxbow, ND, and Colorado Golf Club in Parker, CO. Participants compete in all three skills (Drive, Chip, and Putt) and hit three shots per skills for a total of nine shots. Points are accumulated per shot at each skill. The overall champion in each division is determined by the participant with the most point accumulated between all three skills. Lincoln is 8 years old and in 2nd grade. His low 9 holes is a 34, which he shot in competition during the 2021 SDGA State Championship for 9-Under boys.
“We are so excited to have him as part of our program and representing our great state of South Dakota at the greatest venue known to golfers, the Augusta National, home to the Masters,” said First Tee-South Dakota’s Executive Director, Julie Jansa. “Having kids like Lincoln in our program just amplifies the great work our staff and coaches do and inspires us to bring the game to more young people who do not have access to golf or its inherent values.”
Lincoln ended up tying for 8th place while at Augusta.
His scores were:
Drive = 1
Chip = 8
Putt = 4
Total = 13
We are all so very proud of Lincoln!
If you’ve ever met Kylie Porter from First Tee – Canton you would never know all that she has overcome. Kylie has been a fighter since the day she was born. As a newborn, Kylie was transported to the Akron Children’s Hospital NICU as a 4-pound twin. Her parents had a priest called to the hospital to give Kylie her last rights, as they were told she wouldn’t survive. And if by some miracle she was to survive, she would never walk and would experience cognitive delays.
Kylie beat the odds.
Despite the doctor’s diagnosis, she has become a remarkable, intelligent young lady who is grateful to play her favorite sport…golf. Kylie has been a part of First Tee – Canton for more than seven years, where she is known for her amazing smile, positive attitude and hard work. Her parents truly thought they would never see the day and credit First Tee for not only teaching Kylie how to play the game of golf but providing a space where she could develop her character and values such as honesty, respect and acceptance.
“First Tee is more than just learning how to golf. At First Tee – Canton, I learned how important core values are to use everywhere. Not just in the sport of golf, but also in utilizing the values to help guide me in my everyday life. My favorite value is perseverance. In order to pursue your goals in life, you have to persevere and work hard towards your goals.”
Kylie has certainly made her mark at First Tee – Canton.
In 2019, the chapter honored Kylie with their first ever “Bill Hayes Perseverance Award.” In an effort to honor Mr. Hayes, a former volunteer who continued to serve despite his health issues, the award was created to recognize participants that also persevere in life. They believed that Kylie was a perfect fit to receive the first award.
Kylie recognizes how blessed she is and shares her story to advocate for other kids dealing with challenges in their life. Now 14 years old, Kylie has been diagnosed with Stickler syndrome, which contributes to severe hearing loss. However, she doesn’t let this stop her. Kylie uses her platform as a means to motivate young people and encourage them to find confidence despite their hearing loss. She uses social media to spread this message and share her story. Because of her efforts, Kylie was recently honored as a HearStrong Champion through the HearStrong Foundation.
She wants to inspire kids and teens with hearing loss and one day be an audiologist to help others like herself.
Kylie, you inspire us to learn and grow from our challenges.
In this season of thankfulness, we are grateful for our donors and supporters who help lift up our mission so we can reach young people like Kylie. This holiday season, when you donate to a First Tee chapter, they’re eligible for matching dollars, up to $1 for every $2 you donate, thanks to a matching grant program from Charles R. Schwab. Find a chapter to donate today and join our mission to empower young people to build their strength of character through golf.
