First Tee – Met New York | Building Game Changers
Our Mission
We enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. We enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.
Through strong community partnerships, we are expanding access and participation for kids. Our Life Skills and Path to College Programs, delivered by certified PGA coaches and educators, leverage the game of golf to build character, confidence, and goal-driven success. Our scholarship and workforce opportunities further support lasting long-term impact.
Our Met New York Chapter created and developed the proven Path to College program, providing all First Tee – Met New York teens with the opportunity to receive the critical tools and skills they need to prepare for college and build for the future. Through personalized educational resources such as tutoring, peer-to-peer workshops, and college/high school visits, the objective is to provide our most dedicated participants and their parents with the access and resources they need to successfully navigate both the college/high school application process and life after college. The positive results are overwhelming and they become better golfers along their Path…….to College. Programs include:
Individual Tutoring – Taught by certified teachers, students have gone to attend prestigious universities including Yale, NYU, Stanford, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and more.
ACE Scholars – The ACE Scholars Program is aimed specifically at middle school students who show commitment to First Tee and their academics, and are interested in gaining admission to NYC’s top high schools
STEM Camp – A summer academic and golf program that provides participants with a fun and immersive way to study golf through the perspective of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Our student base is growing and so are we! We continue to pursue capital investments in targeted communities that provide safe facilities for youth to grow, learn, and lead healthy lives. Our Chapter continues to meet the needs of our kids across New York and New Jersey. We bring our youth development programs to the most in-need communities in New York City, The Bronx, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Essex County, NJ, Plainfield, NJ and multiple affiliate campuses.
First Tee – Metropolitan New York was founded in 2001 at Mosholu Golf Course in The Bronx and 20 years later has Campuses throughout the New York and New Jersey. First Tee – Met New York was formed through a partnership that includes the MGA Foundation, the Met Section PGA and the Rudin Family to teach young people that have traditionally been denied access to the game, valuable Life Skills through the game of golf.
First Tee Mission: 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, with a focus of serving minority and under-privileged youth.