TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A local nonprofit is building game-changers by empowering kids, teens and the underserved through golf in the Big Bend. <\/p>\n
First Tee Tallahassee impacts the lives of young people in Leon and Jefferson counties by providing learning opportunities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values. <\/p>\n
People like Harper Kuzel, a first-grade student at AcadeME! in Tallahassee.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve learned great sportsmanship. I feel like people can be who they want to be and I feel like it\u2019s the best learning experience that you can do.<\/p>\n
The Tallahassee chapter of First Tee was started in 2022, but First Tee began in 1997 shortly after Tiger Woods\u2019 historic victory at the Masters Tournament. <\/p>\n
Through a partnership among the LPGA, the Masters Tournament and others, they were able to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids.<\/p>\n
Tracy Marple is the organization\u2019s Executive Director. Most of her career has been focused on children\u2019s advocacy, starting in Ohio as an elementary music teacher and on various non-profit boards. <\/p>\n
Another part of the children advocacy piece of it is that I am adopted, so I look at life from that perspective. How lucky I am and I really like to help children.<\/p>\n
First Tee began on golf courses, then expanded by bringing its programs to schools across the country through in-school and after-school programs. There are now 150 chapters worldwide, but each stands on its own and is self-funded.<\/p>\n
First Tee Tallahassee is available to young people in Leon and Jefferson counties. Now in 18 area schools with a focus on elementary and middle schools. The curriculum focuses on grades K-8. The nonprofit offers seven programs of outreach.<\/p>\n
John Stichfield was a school teacher for 27 years and also a golf coach. He says he fell in love with the game and uses it to interact with young golfers. He pivoted from that to help bring First Tee to Tallahassee as the organization\u2019s Program Director.<\/p>\n
Golf can teach people a lot of things but particularly in children it really shows them how to collaborate with others, to grow through challenge, to pursue goals and to build a positive self identity. Those are the 5 key principles that we really focus on as we use golf to help build their character.<\/p>\n
Important skills learned on the golf course transformed into life lessons.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re teaching strength, self confidence and resilience and what\u2019s great about it is that it\u2019s something they can do their entire life. <\/p>\n
The nonprofit says it wouldn\u2019t exist if it weren\u2019t for the coaches who volunteer their time and energy to help support the children and that the grant money would go a long way when it comes to helping more kids.<\/p>\n
Our goal is always to reach more children in our community when we first started 2022 we were only impacting 400 kids. At the end of this year we are projected to impact 13,500. If we could grow it past 14,000 this year that would be wonderful. The more kids we get in front of this game of golf, the more opportunities these coaches get to mentor them, the more impact we are going to have on the Tallahassee community.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re trying to create game changers. We can change their life and they can go out and change someone\u2019s life as well.<\/p>\n
To learn more about volunteer opportunities with First Tee Tallahassee or to donate, go to firstteetallahassee.org.<\/a><\/p>\n how is your program having a positive impact on participants, their families and their communities…?<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n