Forging Our Future
The Next Step Forward for First Tee - Pittsburgh and The Bob O’Connor Golf Course
The Next Step Forward for First Tee - Pittsburgh & The Bob O’Connor Golf Course
Since 2000, First Tee–Pittsburgh (FTP) has been a vital force in shaping the lives of more than 40,000 young people across the greater Pittsburgh region. Through low-cost, accessible golf programs designed for youth ages 5 to 18, FTP helps children build confidence, develop character, and learn essential life skills in a safe, supportive environment. In 2025 alone, FTP served 1,743 participants throughout 6 counties in Western PA.
Based at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, FTP uses an ageappropriate curriculum that seamlessly integrates fun and challenging activities, drills, and games. This unique approach helps ensure program participants return each season, feeling excited to grow, safe to fail, and prepared to overcome adversity.
Opportunity
With the opening of the Arnold Palmer Learning Center in April 2021, FTP completed the first phase of its long-term vision. The modern facility enables weather-proof delivery of youth development programs, provides state-of-the-art technology for area golfers, and offers program and event space for the community.
FTP is now poised to invest in the next phase of its vision called Forging Our Future. This project is designed to complement FTP’s new learning center and programming capabilities, while further strengthening its community outreach. The design team consists of Dave Delsandro, former Superintendent with Oakmont Country Club and Co-Owner of Agronomics Advisors, and Pittsburghbased golf course architect Jason Sloan of Strategic Golf. Jason led many significant projects locally at St. Clair Country Club, Laurel Valley Golf Club, and Southpointe Golf Club, while recently finishing a complete build of the Wee Course at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, MI, another First Tee facility. Gil Hanse, one of the world’s leading golf course architects, who just completed a restoration project at Oakmont, has agreed to act as an advisor.
The team will transform the historic Bob O’Connor Golf Course, expanding accessibility and year-round use of the course, thereby ensuring FTP’s long-term financial and environmental sustainability, while fulfilling its commitment to serve the community long into the future.
Goals
FTP leadership has identified three primary goals for the Forging Our Future project:
Create
The
Schenley Park Forge
A superior outdoor classroom designed to improve FTP’s youth development program for the diverse group of children and teens it serves. A new 9-hole, par 3 course, and new short-game practice areas will be located adjacent to the Arnold Palmer Learning Center. These course enhancements will boost FTP programming and expand outdoor programs for FTP youth, while incorporating adult instruction and attracting broader community use of the facilities.
Establish a Financially Sustainable Business Model 1 2 3
Transform “The Bob” into a Best-in-Class, 9-Hole Golf Course
As steward of one of the city’s most revered community assets, the proposed new 9-hole design will include improved greens, tees, and fairways, an eco-friendly irrigation system and enhanced stormwater management, and the installation of cart paths. In addition, The Bob will introduce its first-ever electric golf cart fleet to improve access, enhance the player experience, and support FTP’s financial health, all while connecting the course to existing trails to serve the local community year-round.
First Tee - Pittsburgh projects it will significantly increase earned revenues with the introduction of new golf carts and a full-swing practice area. With strengthened financial footing, our chapter will be positioned to invest back into the golf course. More importantly, utilize donor-generated funds to increase scholarships, overall capacity, and programmatic impact.
Post Secondary Scholarships Given $36,000 $100,000
Financial Projection
2025 2035*
Engagement: % of youth (12+) registered for 2+ First Tee sessions in a calendar year.
Tenure: % of youth active in First Tee for 3, 4, 5, or 6+ years during the calendar year.
Diverse: Difference between chapter diversity % and market diversity %.
Underserved: % of participants living in ZIP codes with a Distressed Communities Index (DCI) score of 4–5.
*These figures are projections based on current assumptions and are subject to change.
Benefits
By moving forward with the Forging Our Future project at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course, FTP will expand its capacity to offer high-quality, year-round youth programming that builds character, teaches life skills, and promotes healthy choices through golf and enhancing the community.
Additionally, the upgraded facility will improve access for younger participants, individuals with special needs, and entry-level golfers, while creating more advanced opportunities for older youth. Enriched programming will include mentorship, educational training, and job readiness through initiatives like the “Ready FORE Work” program, which introduces young people to careers in the golf industry.
Beyond benefiting First Tee participants, the project will enhance the playing experience for all golfers by maintaining affordable access, improving course quality, and incorporating inclusive features such as shorter tees, adaptive golf options, and accessible pathways. The renovated course will also support regional school programs and broaden community use for years to come.
FTP further anticipates additional community benefits and enhancements, including:
Expanded partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, the Parks Conservancy, and others will support sustainable maintenance, stormwater management, and conservation efforts, reinforcing the course’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary status.
An updated infrastructure featuring the latest technology, including irrigation systems, turf management, and clubhouse facilities—will improve operational efficiency and provide an enhanced experience for FTP participants, staff, golfers, and the community.
Increased options and access for area schools, universities, partner nonprofits, and faith-based groups will promote greater accessibility and inclusion.
Planned upgrades will drive increased economic impact through job training opportunities, added maintenance needs, higher golf shop sales, new tax revenue, and more rounds played each year.
Conclusion
To sustain First Tee–Pittsburgh’s growth and provide a superior outdoor classroom for its youth development programs, a reimagined design that incorporates a sustainable, long-term vision for the historic golf course is needed. Forging Our Future: The Next Step Forward and The Bob O’Connor Golf Course is designed to meet increasing public demand, improve access, and incorporate environmentally sustainable practices and course management by FTP.
A renovated Bob O’Connor Golf Course is not just for golfers. It will serve as a welcoming venue, making a public facility better and more functional, as well as an attractive space for community events and gatherings long into the future.
We look forward to following up with more information as needed.
