Category: News

Empowering young athletes: MPS girls’ golf teams attend special clinic at Noyes Park

At First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin, we believe that golf is more than just a game. It’s a powerful tool to empower youth, build confidence, and teach valuable life skills. This mission was brought to life once again during a special clinic we hosted at Noyes Park Golf Course for five girls’ golf teams from Milwaukee Public Schools’ Milwaukee City Conference. 

This past Wednesday evening, student-athletes and coaches from Rufus King High School, Riverside High School, Vincent High School, Milwaukee School of Languages, and Golda Meir High School gathered to learn from our team and further develop their golf games. The players spent time on the driving range, receiving personalized instruction from our experienced First Tee coaches, while their coaches learned new techniques and strategies from Tom Gerke, our Program Director and PGA Professional.

Tom’s session with the coaches focused on refining their instructional methods, helping them to better support their athletes as they grow in the game. The coaches walked away with fresh insights on how to teach key skills, promote teamwork, and encourage their players with positivity and a growth mindset.

Meanwhile, the girls were fully immersed in practicing their swings on the driving range. From beginners to more experienced players, each athlete had the chance to improve her game while receiving valuable tips from First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin’s expert coaches. Watching the players engage and embrace the learning process was truly inspiring. Their dedication and enthusiasm are a testament to the bright future of girls’ golf in Milwaukee.

By working together with Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee City Conference, we’re opening doors to new opportunities, creating equitable access to the game of golf, and empowering these young athletes to pursue their passion both on and off the course.

At First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin, our work extends beyond teaching the fundamentals of golf. We’re dedicated to building character, instilling core values, and helping youth build the confidence they need to succeed in all aspects of life. We’re proud to play a part in shaping the futures of these young athletes and can’t wait to see where their golf journeys take them next!

About First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin
First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin is a youth development organization that introduces golf and its inherent values to young people. We provide programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. To learn more, visit First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin.

Interested in Getting Involved?
If you’d like to learn more about our programs or volunteer opportunities, reach out to us! Together, we can make a lasting impact in the lives of local youth.

Introducing Dinky Links at the Milwaukee Public Market

Play and support First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin

The Dinky Links Miniature Golf Course has arrived!

The Milwaukee Public Market’s Dinky Rink, known as the area’s smallest ice-skating rink, has been whimsically transformed into Dinky Links, a miniature golf course that retains its charmingly compact size. This new attraction not only provides a unique recreational experience but also directly benefits First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin and our local programs.

The links feature seating, equipment rental, and of course access to food and drink from market vendors.

Participants are required to register in advance due to limited availability. You can reserve the Dinky Links for 60 minutes for only $20, and thanks to the generosity of the Milwaukee Public Market, 100% of the reservation fees will be donated to First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin.

For more information, visit milwaukeepublicmarket.org.

Get a tour of Dinky Links with WISN 12 News here.

Chipping In – Spring 2024

Chipping In, our donor and supporter newsletter, highlights the ways your contributions are making a difference in the lives of kids through the game of golf.

Contents:

  • Partnering for a Purpose
  • President’s Message
  • Swinging Into Summer
  • Empowering Educators and Students Alike
  • Volunteer Spotlight
  • Equipping Students for Success
  • Teacher of the Year
Read Chipping In

Mentors Golf Free at Noyes Park Golf Course

Mentors Golf Free at Noyes Park Golf Course thanks to new partnership with MENTOR Greater Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (July 12, 2023) – First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin and MENTOR Greater Milwaukee are excited to announce that local mentors are invited to play free golf with their mentees at Noyes Park Golf Course during the 2023 golf season. This new program expands First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin’s “Kids Play Free” initiative to welcome mentors to play for free alongside their mentees.

“We are proud to partner with MENTOR Greater Milwaukee to bring mentors and mentees to play at Noyes Park Golf Course,” said David Cohn, First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin executive director. “Our “Kids Play Free” initiative has been extremely well received and this is a great opportunity to invite mentors to join their mentees for a free round of golf. The game of golf teaches important life skills and values. By spending time together on the golf course, mentors can help their mentees build the inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that they can carry to everything else they do.”

“We are excited to be partnering with First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin to get young people and their mentors out on the Noyes Park Golf Course. This is an awesome opportunity that allows mentors and mentees to enjoy the great game of golf at no cost!” said LaNelle Ramey, Executive Director of MENTOR Greater Milwaukee. MGM believes opportunities like this are critical to helping build and strengthen mentoring relationships. We want to make sure that we are helping create opportunities that are inexpensive and fun for mentors and mentees to enjoy.

Mentors can request golf vouchers through MENTOR Greater Milwaukee by emailing [email protected].

Noyes Park Golf Course is a nine-hole par 3 course located within Noyes Park on Milwaukee’s northwest side and home to First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin programs. Holes play between 87 and 110 yards. Noyes is one of three par 3 courses within the Milwaukee County Parks award-winning golf course system and one of 13 total golf courses.

For more information about First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin and Noyes Park Golf Course, visit https://firstteesoutheastwisconsin.org/noyes/.

For more information about MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, visit https://www.milwaukeementor.com/.

Part-Time Coaches Wanted!

Lend a hand and make a difference

Without caring mentors, positive youth development just doesn’t happen. At First Tee, we take coaching seriously. We believe that a meaningful, quality relationship between coach and participant is vital to our program. We are looking for outstanding individuals to serve in a variety of part-time coaching roles throughout our chapter programs. You don’t have to be a golf pro or even a good golfer. With First Tee Coach Program, we provide the training you need. Developed with input from leading experts in the field of positive youth development, our program focuses on empowering participants through decision-making and exploring options. This helps foster positive relationships between coaches and young people, inspiring the golfers of tomorrow to look to the future, set goals, and unlock their potential. If you, or someone you know, would make a great First Tee Coach, we want to hear from you! Click here to view our Coach job description. Click here to view our Coach job description. For more information or to apply, please contact chapter program director Tom Gerke, PGA at [email protected]. Coach Job Description Interested in volunteer opportunities? Click here to learn more.  

New partnership with WSGA provides free Youth on Course memberships

First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin is excited to partner with the Wisconsin State Golf Association to offer free Youth on Course memberships to all of our 2021 Birdie Level participants.  Belonging to the Youth on Course community gives members access to play golf at over 30 participating courses in Wisconsin and over 1,400 golf courses nationwide for $5 or less, giving them opportunities to learn lessons that can be taught in a way only a golf course can.  Whether it’s early morning, after school or twilight hours, golf course partners offer up blocks of tee times throughout the week for Youth on Course members. Youth on Course subsidizes the cost of the rounds to keep the price tag affordable for young golfers. Youth on Course is available in all 50 states and parts of Canada. This partnership supports our shared vision that every child deserves access to life-changing opportunities. Benefits of Youth on Course memberships include: 
  • Play golf for $5 or less at YOC Clubs in Wisconsin and nationwide
  • Membership in the Wisconsin State Golf Association so you can keep track of your handicap and participate in local events
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Access to more courses plus online tee time booking through GolfNow
  • Coming Soon: A free 1-year subscription to GolfPass Video with golf instruction and exclusive content
  • Handicap Index through the WSGA service
  • Subscription to the Wisconsin Golfer digital magazine
  • Score posting using the WSGA Mobile App or online
  • Eligibility to play in WSGA tournaments, championships, tours, and events
A complete list of participating courses is available here. A map of participating courses is available here. View Frequently Asked Questions

10 Amazing Things Donors Made Possible in 2020

As 2020 comes to a close, we at First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin have been reflecting back on the events of the past year. While it goes without saying that this year has had the world facing challenges no one could have anticipated, we have chosen to focus on the positive. With the support of our generous donors, we were able to continue to reach out to the kids in our community while at the same time adapting to our community’s changing needs. Whether it was creating online programming content to keep kids engaged with First Tee curriculum while at home or providing summer programming at our Noyes and Lake Park sites at free and reduced rates, donor support made this possible. First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. The events of 2020 have reinforced the need for programs like First Tee that lift up, support and encourage kids to stand strong and grow during challenging situations.

As we look ahead to 2021, please consider a year-end donation to First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin. Your gift allows us to provide more opportunities where young people feel supported, safe and better prepared for anything that comes their way. Together, we are Building Game Changers! Donate Online – Give the gift of golf to more kids today!  

Chipping In – Fall 2020

Chipping In, our donor and supporter newsletter, highlights the ways your contributions are making a difference in the lives of kids through the game of golf. Contents:
  • Keeping kids on course
  • President’s message
  • Same mission, new look
  • An everlasting impact
  • Volunteer spotlight
  • New Community Program partners
  • Game Changers Circle
View Chipping In – Spring 2020  

Same Mission, New Look for First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin

First Tee —­­ Southeast Wisconsin, a youth development organization empowering kids to build their strength of character through the game of golf, has updated its brand to better serve kids and address the growing pressures they face. First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin is part of a network of 150 chapters and is undergoing a brand refresh for the first time in the organization’s 23-year history. “First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin has always been about helping kids navigate challenges, and to grow stronger as they move through them,” said David Cohn, Executive Director. “We still believe the game of golf is the perfect platform for personal growth. We are excited to bring forward a powerful mission and a modern look and feel to everything we do.” The brand evolution is grounded in research and insights from key stakeholders and is an updated reflection of First Tee’s promise to help empower kids to build their strength of character. The brand evolution includes a new logo, which is a metaphor for the growth guidance at the heart of First Tee. The changes include removing “The” from the organization’s name, updated colors and patterns, and a refreshed brand story. First Tee will release a new PSA on Sept. 4, which brings to life the new brand and reignites interest in its mission. For over 20 years, First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin has been creating experiences that build character to empower kids through a lifetime of new challenges and continuous personal growth. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at seven golf courses, 46 schools and nine youth centers in Southeast Wisconsin community.

Chipping In – Spring 2020

Chipping In, our new donor and supporter newsletter, highlights the ways your contributions are making a difference in the lives of kids through the game of golf. Contents:
  • Sharing the game with Neighborhood House
  • President’s message
  • Core Value corner
  • Game growers
  • 2020 summer programs
  • Alumni spotlight
  • New school partners
  • You’re invited – 2020 signature events
View Chipping In – Spring 2020