RICHMOND, Va. (May 6, 2025) – First Tee – Greater Richmond is joining in the celebration of First Tee’s weeklong national awareness campaign taking place May 19-25, 2025, to celebrate the impact of its coaches. This campaign aims to spotlight the powerful impact coaches have on the lives of young people and their seamless integration of the life skills curriculum with the game of golf. Coaches create active learning experiences that build character traits like inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience which kids and teens can carry into everything they do.
At the heart of First Tee Week Is coach appreciation, a central theme recognizing the dedicated mentors who deliver high-quality and engaging programs throughout the year.
“Our coaches are more than golf instructors, they are role models who inspire, motivate, and help our participants grow on and off the course,” said Brent Schneider, CEO of First Tee – Greater Richmond. “First Tee Week is not just a one-week celebration; every day we are proud to celebrate our coaches’ commitment, dedication and impact they have on shaping the next generation of leaders.”
As part of the celebration, First Tee – Greater Richmond is launching the “Dear Coach” campaign along with a new PSA, inviting participants, parents, and alumni to share notes of appreciation and stories about the coaches who have made a difference in their lives. These messages will be shared across the organization’s social media channels, newsletters, and on-site at its facilities throughout the week.
In addition, First Tee – Greater Richmond is teaming up with Next Round for a golf club donation drive, running simultaneously May 19-25 at all local First Tee locations. The community is encouraged to donate new or gently used golf clubs, golf balls, and golf bags, with proceeds directly benefiting First Tee – Greater Richmond’s youth programs.
How to Get Involved:
- Submit a “Dear Coach” message at https://firstteegreaterrichmond.org/dearcoach/
- Donate golf clubs at The Tattersall Youth Development Center at the First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course, Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, or Belmont Golf Course
- Attend a coffee and breakfast Networking Event on Wednesday, May 21st at 8:00am. Click here to register to attend and join fellow professionals, community leaders, and golf enthusiasts to learn more about how First Tee – Greater Richmond is impacting the local community and empowering young people through the game of golf.
- Follow the celebration on social media @FirstTeeRVA
About First Tee – Greater Richmond
First Tee – Greater Richmond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Through three major programming areas, First Tee Programs, School Program and Community Program, First Tee – Greater Richmond reached 70,756 youth in 2024. Learn more at www.FirstTeeRVA.org.