From First Swing to Future Leader | Oyin Opawuyi
Oyin Opawuyi’s journey with First Tee – Met NY didn’t begin with a love for golf — it began with an opportunity. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and moving to the United States at a young age, Oyin attended a small charter school with limited access to sports. It was not until First Tee – Met NY partnered with her school that she was introduced to golf for the very first time — stepping onto the course in third grade with no prior experience and no expectation of what the game would become in her life. What started as something new quickly became something meaningful. Through First Tee, Oyin found more than just a sport. She found a community, a support system, and a space where she could grow — not only as a player, but as a person. During some of the most pivotal moments in her life, including the isolation of COVID and the pressures of applying to high school, golf became a constant — a place of stability, connection, and confidence.
With the support of her coaches and the Path to College program, Oyin was able to attend Gill St. Bernard’s School, where she discovered a love for learning and unlocked opportunities she once thought were out of reach. Now, as a graduating senior and aspiring neuroscience major, Oyin’s relationship with the game has evolved. While she does not necessarily see golf as a career, she sees it as something even more powerful — a lifelong tool for connection, growth, and opportunity. And perhaps most importantly, she’s come full circle.
From participant to coach, Oyin now spends her time mentoring younger students, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and find joy in the game — just as she once did. Because for her, First Tee is not just where she learned golf. It is where she learned how to grow, how to persevere, and how to give back.