PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DPERMIT #78

ROANOKE, VA

3707 Densmore Road, N.W.Roanoke, Virginia 24017

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A Newsletter from The First Tee of Roanoke Valley Volume 1, Issue 27 - Fall/Winter 2019

INSIDE: ● Making the Turn ● SRM Alumni News ● On the Go ● 2020 Class Schedule

Please send us your email address today to help us keep you informed as well as use our resources wisely.

info@thefirstteeroanokevalley.org

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Pure Insurance Championship in Pebble Beach

Delta Dental State Open Of Virginia July 17–19

Roanoke Valley GivesMarch 18

Scott Robertson MemorialMay 15 – 17

Parent-Child Tournament Sept. 19 – 20

Want to host a unique birthday party for your child? Have a putting contest, compete on the golf simulator, use the bouncy house or just plain run around…plan a birthday party that’s sure to include tons of engaging activities, a safe space for kids, and extra help if you want it – all at The First Tee of Roanoke Valley. Our facility is available for rent (when classes are not in session) for the low rate of $200 for a two-hour party. Contact Bill Rader for details. 540.563.1835.

Our 8th annual First Tee of Roanoke Valley Parent-Child Golf Tournament was a huge success and as always - so much fun! We’ve heard from many parents and children about what a wonderful time they had together. Throughout the weekend we were so pleased to see golfers ranging in age from 5 to 79…all playing a sport they can enjoy together – and for a lifetime! A record total of 97 teams and 194 golfers registered to play in a variety of divisions -

2020 Save the Date

The F

irst Tee of Roanoke Valley

Parent-Child Golf Tournament

Have a Birthday Party Here!

By Harrison Withers In September, I had the honor of representing The First Tee of Roanoke Valley in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee held at Pebble Beach. Nothing could have prepared me for the incredible experience that was about to unfold. As soon as we entered the gates to Pebble Beach, I knew it was going to be something special. The golf course was initially hidden behind trees and homes, but as soon as we made the main turn into Pebble Beach, everything unfolded before us and my family and I were in complete awe. We parked the car and walked down to the 18th green and soaked in the most spectacular views

FAMILIES AND FUN!Biggest turnout yet at The 8th Annual Parent Child Tournament!

Harrison with teammate Tommy Tolles

The First Tee of Roanoke Valley's PGA Junior League won the Roanoke area division; Coach Bill led the Junior League All-Star team to the quarterfinals of the Mid-Atlantic Section Championship

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HONESTY INTEGRITY SPORTSMANSHIP RESPECT CONFIDENCE RESPONSIBILITY PERSEVERANCE COURTESY JUDGMENT

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Making the Turn — Bill Rader, PGA

GOLF IS FUN!!! proclaimed a 5-year old during our recent Parent Child Tournament. As wonderful as it was to hear the story, the best part was HOW it was told to me by an onlooking grandfather, a seasoned player, with the same enthusiasm as the young player. It was if I was there… It made me smile …just like playing the game. It also puts things into perspective. No matter how long it’s been since that magical day when one first stepped onto the course, we all enjoyed something about that first round. There was probably even a laugh or two before packing up and going home. As First Tee coaches, we have a lot of priorities in teaching the game. Whether working with our certification classes, PGA Junior League, or local after-school and summer programs, we are committed to creating a safe and FUN environment for players to learn. Kids want to keep doing things that makes them smile and feel proud. By keeping

it fun, offering encouragement and giving lots of high fives, a young player’s confidence builds quickly. What’s really fun for me as a Coach at The First Tee, along with watching a student improve and enjoy doing it, is teaching life skills that help them to grow as a citizen. It is amazing when our students learn values and lessons of the game and then display them without prompting, such as seeing a young PLAYer initiate a handshake or a compliment. So the next time you’re on the first tee, or you’re watching someone else play, don’t forget the young man’s proclamation or the storyteller’s enthusiastic description. “GOLF IS FUN!”…because it should be.

Since the 36th Scott Robertson Memorial crowned its four champions in May, each has continued to shine in the golf world. Our 2019 Boys 15 -18 Champion, Michael Brennan of Leesburg, VA, is currently ranked 25th in the nation by Junior Golf Scoreboard and 257th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Michael qualified and played in The Amateur Championship in Ireland this June and won the 2019 VSGA Amateur Championship. He finished 17th in the USGA Junior Amateur Championship stroke play division. He was the runner up in the VSGA Junior Stroke Play Championship. The winner of the Junior PGA Championship was our 2019 Scott Robertson Memorial runner up, Jack Heath of Charlotte, NC. He won the event in dramatic fashion, coming back from a 5 shot deficit, birding the final 5 holes to finish 21 under par!

Alexa Pano, of Fort Worth, FL, our Girls 15-18 Champion, teed it up at the 2019 USGA Women’s Open in Charleston, SC. In June, she won the Rolex Junior Girls Championship. She was selected to participate on the 2019 Wyndham Cup Team and

the Junior Solheim Cup Team. Alexa is ranked 5th in the nation by Junior Golf Scoreboard and 42nd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings….and she just turned 15 in August. Josh Duangmanee of Fairfax, VA, our Boys 14 and under Champion, has been busy as well. Since the SRM, Josh has played in 8 junior events and 3 men’s events, with 6 top 25 finishes, 4 top 15, and 2 wins. Our Girls 14 and under Champion Paris Fieldings of Sulfolk, VA, won the 2019 PKBGT Revo Girls Classic. Paris finished 3rd in the AJGA Junior All-Star event and 5th (out of 48) in the VSGA 50th Junior Girls Championship! Former local SRM participants have also been excelling on the collegiate level. Kristin Hearp of Salem won the 2019 Women’s Roanoke Valley Hall of Fame and is in her senior year at Virginia Tech. Grace Huffman of Fairfield started her sophomore year at Longwood University with a top 30 finish in their first tournament. Jade Dudley of Roanoke started her collegiate career at Radford University with a 4th place finish in their first event and was named “Big South Freshman of the Week” for her fine performance. Ross Funderburke of Roanoke placed 27th in his first event as a freshman at Furman University. Cameron Dillon of Hardy started his collegiate career with Roanoke College with a 4th place finish in the Tom Kinder Invitational. Ben Carroll of Blacksburg began his career at Charleston Southern University. Isaac Simmons of Huddleston will be at Liberty University as a “Redshirt” sophomore. Vince Wheeler of Roanoke is in his junior year at Rhodes College, finishing his sophomore year with a 74.68 scoring average. John Hatcher Ferguson of Rocky Mount began his sophomore year at Hampden-Sydney College with an 11th place finish in the NCAA DIII Fall Preview, earning “ODAC Golfer of the Week” honors.

Board of DirectorsThe Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy

The First Tee of Roanoke Valley is a project of The Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy, a 501c3 not-for-profit organiza-tion. Our federal tax identification number is 20-1237999.

StaffJennifer BlackwoodExecutive DirectorEmail: jblackwood@thefirstteeroanokevalley.org

William C. Rader, PGA (Bill)Lead Instructor, Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf AcademyEmail: brader@thefirstteeroanokevalley.org

Wm. Scott Frasier, PGA Programming CoachMack McClung Programming AssistantEvans Deane Volunteer Programming AssistantMary Beth McGirr Guest Coach

Contact:3707 Densmore Road, Northwest Roanoke, Virginia 24017

Phone: 540.563.1TEE (1833)Fax: 540.563.1837Website: www.thefirstteeroanokevalley.org

To request a schedule, volunteer or make a donation, please call 563.1TEE (1833).

Zach AgeeBriggs Andrews, ChairMiller BaberTim BibeeNick ConteLee FaulknerMike HamlarTommy JoyceChris Pyle

Tom RobertsonDrew SassardMike SassardMeg WiseMichael W. Wise – Director EmeritusWade Whitehead

Stay Informed! Sign up for the monthly email newsletter from The First Tee of Roanoke Valley by either visiting our website www.thefirstteeroanokevalley.org or send an email to jblackwood@thefirstteeroanokevalley.org

Make Your Gift Today!Make your gift today so we can continue to teach

kids golf and life lessons –such as courtesy – that they can use, both on and off the

course. Good golf –Great People!A special thank you to all who support our

programs, mission and kids.

Alexa Pano won the Rolex Junior Girls Championship in June

Michael Brennan won the 2019 VSGA Amateur Championship

GOLF IS FUN!

Learning golf and lifeskills at The First Tee

SRM Alumni in the News!

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HONESTY INTEGRITY SPORTSMANSHIP RESPECT CONFIDENCE RESPONSIBILITY PERSEVERANCE COURTESY JUDGMENT

Just like the weather, it was record breaking summer for The First Tee of Roanoke Valley. From June to October there were more days in the 90’s than ever, but it didn’t slow us down. Our classes and camps at The Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy included nearly 350 different students this year with a large portion taking multiple sessions. We also saw an increase in students in our Outreach program including partnerships with The Boys & Girls Club, YMCA of Blue Ridge, W.E. Skelton 4H Summer Camps, 21st Century, Boy and Girl Scouts of America as well as over 30 schools throughout the Roanoke Valley. Thanks to all of our programs, partners, coaches and volunteers we were able to teach over 9000 children in the Roanoke Valley this year.

In recognition of their character, hard work and commitment to the First Tee and its mission, several of our participants were selected to participate in National Opportunity provided by The First Tee. We are very proud of these well-deserved honors:

• Ross Funderburke & Cameron Dillon / 2019 The First Tee Scholars Program

• Ross Funderburke and Cameron Dillon / Golf To Paradise – The First Tee Champions Challenge at the Chubb Classic / Naples, FL

• Caroline Gilreath & Taylor Davis / The Golf Academy @ The Wintergreen Summer Camp / The Fleming Fund

• Zoey Nichols / Life Skills & Leadership Academy / Boise, ID • Harrison Withers / PURE Insurance Championship

Impacting The First Tee @ Pebble Beach / Pebble Beach, CA

The success of our chapter takes a lot of hard work from a lot of wonderful people. We are truly grateful to all the donors, parents, volunteers, local golf professionals, school faculties, our staff and of course our participants. We thank you so much for all of your support and dedication to helping us build character in young people by teaching them this wonderful game.

On the Go!

Ross and Cameron at Chubb Classic Caroline and Taylor at Wintergreen Girls Golf CampZoey and her new golf friends from around the US

Thanks to the Roanoke College Golf Team for volunteering during the tournament – Go Maroons!

98 participants attended the Joe Louis Barrow Lifeskills and Leadership Academy in Boise

BGC Jr League Team Thanks to a grant from the Middle Atlantic PGA, 22 kids enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club practiced and played on PGA Junior League teams this summer

ranging from 5 holes to 9 holes to 18 holes. Our tournament would not have been such a success without our dedicated sponsors. We greatly appreciate Carilion Children’s for serving as our Ace Tournament Sponsor. In addition, area companies and others helped us raise almost $20,000 for The First Tee of Roanoke Valley. That money will go directly towards helping young people in the Roanoke Valley learn about golf and the valuable life skills that accompany the game. Please save the weekend of September 19-20, 2020 for our 9th annual event!

8th Annual Parent Child Tournament (continued from page 1)

This summer, I applied and was chosen to attend The First Tee Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy at Boise State! My time at the leadership academy was amazing! I also took my first airplane flight and learned A LOT about airports.

While at the Academy, I learned so many new things about leadership and many new tips to help my golf game! I made so many new memories and friends that will last a lifetime! I am so thankful that I was able to attend the academy!

LifeSkills and Leadership Academy

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HONESTY INTEGRITY SPORTSMANSHIP RESPECT CONFIDENCE RESPONSIBILITY PERSEVERANCE COURTESY JUDGMENT

we’ve ever seen. The next day was my sixteenth birthday – which was pretty special as I was able to play Spyglass Hill with my dad! The drive up 17 Mile Drive to the course was like nothing I’d ever seen before. The Pacific Ocean, rocks, and waves were stunning. On Tuesday evening all of The First Tee juniors met each other and their pro partner. I was paired with Tommy Tolles, PGA, who played for University of Georgia and later competed on the PGA Tour. We spent almost an hour getting to know each other and talking about the week ahead. Wednesday and Thursday were my two practice rounds at Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills. I was standing on the first tee of Pebble Beach waiting for my playing partners to arrive when Tom Lehman, his son, and daughter walked up, I couldn’t believe I was about to play a practice round with them! We had a great time together and he actually pulled me up to

their group the next day at Poppy Hills, so I was able to play both of my practice rounds with the Lehmans! Mr. Lehman was extremely nice and helped me understand how to read yardage books and read the slopes of the greens. Wednesday night, I attended Legends and Leaders where professional athletes and celebrities, including Steve Young (NFL quarterback) and Nick Cunningham (U.S. Olympic bobsledder), spoke about the nine core values of The First Tee. It was a great night getting to know other juniors from across the country. Friday was Day 1 of the tournament and my tee time was in the early afternoon at Poppy Hills. I had a really good first round, shooting a 70 (-1) gross and 65 (-6) net and, thanks to my pro, we shot -9 as a team to place us tied for 3rd! That night was the Jake Owen Beach Party concert, one of my favorite events of the entire week! I was on the second row surrounded by all the other players I had met, and we were all singing along with the music and having an awesome time. Saturday, Day 2, was an early morning tee time off hole #10 at Pebble Beach. As my pro and I made the turn, the wind was blowing over 25 mph, which was actually challenging and fun, as I could hit a driver 300 yards with the wind but only hit a 7 iron 120 yards into it! After Saturday’s round, the low 23 juniors made the cut. I was lucky enough to be one of them to advance to play Pebble Beach in the final round. We teed off early Sunday on hole #10 tied for 6th place (2 strokes off the lead). I eagled #11 to get us to -14 and into 5th position. Mr. Tolles and I made a lot of pars, but not enough birdies during the rest of our round, and finished tied for 16th at -14. I was so proud of our three rounds. It was an experience I’ll never forget. It was an amazing event and a trip of a lifetime for my family and me. I was introduced to lots of new people and made many new friends. I’m keeping in touch with some people that I met throughout the week and hope to cross paths with them again soon! Thank you to The First Tee of the Roanoke Valley for this incredible honor and opportunity and I look forward to continuing to support the organization, its mission, and other participants in the years to come!

Pure Insurance Championship (continued from page 1)

The First Tee Roanoke Valley - Winter Schedule 2020Class Day Date Time CostPLAYer/PAR (Girls ONLY!) Monday January 6 – February 17 3 – 4:30 p.m. $100 (no class 1/20)Middle & High School (Girls ONLY!) Monday January 6 – February 17 4:30 – 6 p.m. $100 (no class 1/20)PLAYer/PAR Tuesday January 7– February 11 3 – 4:30 p.m. $100PLAYer/PAR Tuesday January 7– February 11 4:30 – 6 p.m. $100High School Player Development Wednesday January 8 – February 12 3 – 4:30 p.m. $100Middle School Player Development Thursday January 9 – February 13 4:30 – 6 p.m. $100

* Limit to 12 participants per class

The First Tee Roanoke Valley - Spring Schedule 2020Class Day Date Time CostPLAYer (Level 2) Monday March 9 – May 4 3 – 4:15 p.m. $125Par Monday March 9 – May 4 4:30 – 6 p.m. $125PLAYer (Level 1) Tuesday March 10 – May 5 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. $125PLAYer (Level 1 & 2) Tuesday March 10 – May 5 4:45 – 6 p.m. $125Eagle & High School Wednesday March 11– May 6 4:30 – 6 p.m. $125Birdie & Middle School Thursday March 12 – May 7 4 :15 – 5:45 p.m. $125Tuesday Home-school PLAYer/Par Tuesday March 17 – April 28 10 – 11:30 a.m. $100Thursday Home-school PLAYer/Par Thursday March 19 – April 30 10 – 11:30 a.m. $100Tiger Paws Friday March 20 – May 1 3 – 4 p.m. $50Tiger Paws Friday March 20 – May 1 4 – 5 p.m. $50Tiger Paws Friday March 20 – May 1 5 – 6 p.m. $50Drive, Chip & Putt Clinic Saturday April 25 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. $30Drive, Chip & Putt Clinic Saturday May 9 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. $30

*No classes on April 6 – April 10 • Wednesday Skills & Drills - ages 7 – 11 (March 11 – April 29, 3 – 4:15 p.m.)• Tuesday On Course Play Series – Par level & higher (March 31 – May 5)NOTE: (MUST BE IN SPRING SESSION TO ATTEND SKILLS / DRILLS)

The First Tee Roanoke Valley - Summer Schedule 2020Camp Day Date Time CostSummer Golf Camp (ages 7 – 14) Monday – Friday June 1 – June 5 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. $125Drive, Chip & Putt Clinic Saturday June 6 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. $30Summer Golf Camp (ages 7 –14) Monday – Friday June 8 –June 12 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. $125Girls Golf Camp (ages 7 and up) Tuesday – Thursday TBA TBA TBA

Class Day Date Time CostPLAYer Monday June 15 – July 27 9:30 – 11 a.m. $100PLAYer Tuesday June 16 – July 28 5:30 – 7 p.m. $100Par Tuesday June 16 – July 28 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. $125All Levels High School Wednesday June 17 –August 5 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. $125All Levels High School Thursday June 18 – July 30 9:30 –11:30 a.m. $125Tiger Paws (session 1A) Friday June 5 – June 26 9 – 10 a.m. $40Tiger Paws (session 1B) Friday June 5 – June 26 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. $40Tiger Paws (session 2A) Friday July 10 – July 31 9 – 10 a.m. $40Tiger Paws (session 2B) Friday July 10 – July 31 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. $40Family Golf Clinic Series Saturday August 1 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. $30 for 2Family Golf Clinic Series Tuesday August 4 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. $30 for 2Family Golf Clinic Series Thursday August 6 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. $30 for 2Family Golf Clinic Series Saturday August 8 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. $30 for 2Family Golf Clinic Series Tuesday August 11 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. $30 for 2Family Golf Clinic Series Thursday August 13 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. $30 for 2

* No class or Skills & Drills on July 15• Wednesday Skills & Drills – ages 7 and up (June 17 – July 29 / noon – 2 p.m.)• Tuesday On Course Play Series – Par level & higher (June 2 – July 2 – 78)NOTE: (MUST BE IN FALL SESSION TO ATTEND SKILLS / DRILLS)

For more information or to download registration forms, visit: www.thefirstteeroanokevalley.org or call: 563-1TEE (1833).

Harrison Withers in Pebble Beach with his new event bag

Thank you Delta Dental of Virginia, Ballyhack Golf Club, the VSGA and the Middle Atlantic PGA for naming The First Tee of Roanoke Valley as the beneficiary of the 2019 Delta Dental Virginia State Open.