Our Impact
2025 was a year of growth and expanded impact for First Tee – Pittsburgh. Through strategic partnerships, increased programming opportunities, and community support, we reached more young people than ever before.
1,743
Unique Participants Served College Scholarships
$39K 55%
Teen Retention
at a Glance
Impact Numbers 2025
Community Reach
Expanding Our Reach
CitiSports Partnership
One of the year's most impactful additions was our partnership with CitiSports. This collaboration introduced nearly 100 underserved participants to First Tee programming and strengthened our commitment to expanding access throughout the region. The partnership is expected to increase programming opportunities by an additional 33% in 2026.
Junior Advisory Board
First Tee – Pittsburgh reinstated its Junior Advisory Board (JAB), providing teens ages 13–18 with opportunities to influence programming while developing leadership skills.
Board members help shape chapter initiatives, provide participant feedback, and lead service-oriented projects that strengthen both the organization and the community. Through the support of Titleist, each member received a personalized golf bag recognizing their commitment to leadership and service.
Purposeful Practice
Participants continued to benefit from Purposeful Practice sessions hosted at seven private clubs throughout the Pittsburgh region. Volunteer coaches, board members, and Professional Advisory Council members worked directly with participants both on the course and in practice areas, helping them refine golf skills while reinforcing the life lessons that define the First Tee experience.
Signature Experiences
2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont
The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont provided unforgettable opportunities for First Tee – Pittsburgh participants, coaches, and volunteers. Through the support of sponsors including Cisco, Ally, and Isaly’s, young people experienced one of golf’s most prestigious championships in ways few ever have the chance to experience.
U.S. Open Opportunities Included
• Junior Standard Bearers
• Practice Round Experiences
• FTP hosted USGA Pathways Interns at APLC
• Junior Reporter Program
• FTP Shadows USGA Pathways Interns
• Junior Course Reporter Silas Ryan
• Jessica Korda and Carol Semple Thompson Girls Clinic
• Marshalling Opportunities
• Chris McDonald (Shooter McGavin) Meet & Greet
• First Tee Game Changers Pavilion
• Volunteer Food Concessions Program
By the Numbers
71 youth participated in Practice Round Experiences
12 participants shadowed USGA Pathways Interns for a day at Oakmont
11 participants served as Junior Standard Bearers
34 volunteers engaged fans in the First Tee Game Changers Pavilion
154 volunteers staffed food concession operations
More than $54,000 was raised through concession volunteer efforts
Junior Reporter
Spotlight
Silas Ryan represented First Tee – Pittsburgh as the Sentry First Tee Junior Reporter at the 2025 U.S. Open. Throughout championship week, Silas interviewed professional golfers, participated in media activities, walked inside the ropes, and even asked Bryson DeChambeau a question during a press conference. He also spent time alongside Gary Woodland and Keegan Bradley, gaining unique insight into the game at the highest level.
Teen vs. Coaches Scramble
The second annual Teen vs. Coaches Scramble brought together participants and coaches for a day of friendly competition, teamwork, and connection. Five teams, consisting of 24 participants, competed alongside First Tee coaches who served as mentors and teammates throughout the event.
Special thanks to coaches Mark Bolla, George Gaydosh, Jeff Galak, and Tim Zietak for helping make the experience memorable. The winning team—Coach George Gaydosh, Owen Kampner, Ben Bayar, Manny Vallarta, and Parker Benjamin—finished the nine-hole scramble at an impressive 6-under par.
The event continues to strengthen relationships between participants and coaches while reinforcing the supportive community that makes First Tee unique.
Participant Invitationals
Participation in chapter invitationals reached record levels in 2025. These events provide participants with opportunities to compete, build confidence, and demonstrate the values learned through First Tee programming while connecting with peers from across the region.
Rivers Cup with First Tee – Cleveland
After a six-year hiatus, the Key Commitment Rivers Cup returned in 2025, bringing together participants from First Tee – Pittsburgh and First Tee – Cleveland for a day of friendly competition and collaboration.
Hosted at Washington Golf Course, the event celebrated First Tee’s Key Commitment of “Collaborating with Others.” Ten participants from each chapter competed in mixed-team four-person scrambles, pairing youth from both cities to encourage teamwork, communication, and new friendships.
The winning team finished at 2-under par and included Pittsburgh participants Matthew Prince and Bryce Borkowski alongside Cleveland participants Joey Sroka and Jaden Cole.
More than just a golf competition, the Rivers Cup provided an opportunity for participants to build connections across chapters while demonstrating sportsmanship, teamwork, and the values that define the First Tee experience. We are grateful to First Tee – Cleveland for hosting and look forward to continuing this tradition in 2026.
Redmond Cup
For the first time, First Tee – Pittsburgh participated in the Redmond Cup hosted by First Tee – Greater Richmond.
Six participants and two coaches traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to compete against youth representing eleven First Tee chapters from across the country. The all-expensespaid experience fostered competition, friendship, sportsmanship, and personal growth.
PURE Insurance Championship
Participant Michael Quallich earned a coveted spot in the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, one of the organization’s premier national opportunities.
Paired with PGA TOUR Champions professional Rocco Mediate, Michael competed at iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links while networking with fellow participants, business leaders, and golf legends. The experience highlighted the leadership, character, and perseverance that define First Tee participants.
Game Changers Academy
Tre Embree represented First Tee – Pittsburgh at the Game Changers Academy, spending five days developing leadership skills alongside participants from across the country. The experience included leadership workshops, team-building activities, golf experiences, and meaningful conversations with professional athletes and community leaders. Most importantly, Tre built lasting friendships and returned home inspired to continue making a positive impact within his community.
Alumni Spotlight Colm Parrish
The impact of First Tee extends far beyond a participant’s final clinic.
The First Tee Alumni Network supports lifelong learning and professional development by connecting former participants with fellow alumni, chapter staff, internships, career opportunities, and networking events. Through this growing network, alumni continue to benefit from the relationships and values established during their time with First Tee.
In 2025, First Tee – Pittsburgh alumnus Colm Parrish was selected to serve on the inaugural First Tee National Alumni Advisory Council. The council is composed of 20 alumni leaders from across the country who help strengthen alumni engagement and provide guidance on the future growth of First Tee’s expanding alumni network.
Colm’s appointment reflects the lasting impact of First Tee programming and the leadership qualities developed through years of participation. As a member of the council, he will help ensure alumni voices continue to shape opportunities for future generations of First Tee participants.
His selection is a proud milestone for First Tee – Pittsburgh and a powerful example of how our alumni continue to lead, serve, and make an impact long after their time in the program.
First Tee Week
2025 marked the inaugural First Tee Week with the national theme, “Dear Coach.”
Throughout the week, participants, families, and alumni shared stories of the coaches and mentors who have positively influenced their lives. These trusted adults play a critical role in helping young people build confidence, develop resilience, and prepare for success both on and off the course.
The campaign highlighted the lasting impact of the meaningful relationships that make First Tee unique.
Golf Classic
July 28, 2025 | Sewickley Heights Golf Club
Our annual Golf Classic brought together supporters for a day of golf, friendly competition, and philanthropy.
Impact
$81,401 raised
85 golfers participated
20 Junior Golf Ambassadors engaged with participants
Tee It Forward
September 6, 2025
Tee It Forward celebrated the accomplishments of participants, coaches, volunteers, and families while raising critical scholarship funding.
Impact
$32,949 raised
250+ attendees
Scholarship recipients recognized
Annual participant awards presented
Pebble Beach raffle winner announced
Pebble Beach Raffle
Community support once again made the Pebble Beach Raffle a tremendous success.
Impact
All 500 tickets sold
$50,000 raised
Carl Gatewood named the 2025 winner
Member for a Day Auction
March 2–9, 2025
The Member for a Day Auction gives supporters access to premier private golf experiences while directly supporting youth development programming.
Impact
$110,359 raised
26 golf experiences sold
The generosity of donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners makes every participant opportunity possible.
Investing in Tomorrow
As we celebrate the impact of 2025, we also recognize the responsibility of preparing for the future. Every participant served, every life changed, and every opportunity created begins at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course—the home of First Tee – Pittsburgh.
While First Tee – Pittsburgh remains financially strong overall, the Bob O’Connor Golf Course requires significant ongoing investment to operate and maintain. As the foundation of our programming and a valued community
asset, ensuring its long-term sustainability is essential to continuing our mission and expanding our impact for future generations.
The financial snapshot below reflects our commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship. We invite you to learn more about our Forging Our Future campaign and how you can help preserve and strengthen the home of First Tee – Pittsburgh for the next generation of game changers.
2025 Financial Snapshot (Unaudited)
Help Us Forge Our Future
The Bob O’Connor Golf Course is where thousands of young people develop confidence, character, and life skills through First Tee – Pittsburgh programming. As we continue to grow our impact, investing in this community asset is essential to ensuring it remains a place where future generations can learn, play, and thrive.
Scan the QR code to learn more about our Forging Our Future campaign and how you can help shape the next chapter of First Tee – Pittsburgh.
