What First Tee does

First Tee is a U.S. 501(c)(3) youth development organization that integrates golf instruction with a proprietary life-skills curriculum (PLAYer through Ace certification levels) to serve approximately 2.2 million young people annually across a national network of 150 chapters, with delivery through on-course programming at partner golf facilities, the SHAPE-aligned School Program embedded in elementary and middle school PE classes, and Community Programs delivered via YMCA and Boys & Girls Club partnerships. The platform extends to specialized programs including Game Changers (free year-round programming with academic enrichment, transportation, meals, and golf instruction), the Middle School Golf League, summer camps, the Jr. Tour tournament circuit, the First Tee App (iOS/Android/web via Docebo LMS with gamified badges and points), and the College Scholarship Program (120 scholars since 2020). National showcase events include the First Tee National Championship (54-hole stroke play for 48 top players ages 14-18) and the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach pairing participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: (1) session-based program registration fees (e.g., $100 Middle School Golf League, Life Skills Program sessions, summer camps, Jr. Tour), (2) charitable contributions and donations from individuals processed through Bloomerang, (3) corporate sponsorships across Founding and strategic tiers with major partners including Arthrex, Charles Schwab, PGA TOUR Superstore, FICO, and Simmons Bank, (4) major-donor Ambassador Program ($5,000/year for 5 years with annual invitational access), and (5) multi-year capital campaigns with naming rights ($25,000-$1,000,000+) for facility construction. Major foundation funding includes a $7.6M three-year Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation grant (January 2026) supporting youth and Veterans programming. Operational backbone is conventional SaaS (Salesforce for registration, Golf Genius for live tournament scoring, Bloomerang for donations, Docebo for learning delivery); no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Governance is decentralized: PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc. (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) serves as the national headquarters, while local chapters such as First Tee – Naples/Collier (legally Gulf Coast Junior Golf Tour Inc.) operate as separate nonprofit entities with their own boards (Chairman Ann Bain; CEO Cindy Darland) and revenue streams. Recent strategic activity centers on facility expansion (The Gate Golf Club and First Tee Academy groundbreaking February 2025), cross-sector ecosystem commitments (Aspen Institute's Project Play 63X30 with PGA of America and Youth on Course), and curriculum broadening into financial literacy through the FICO partnership.

Name

First Tee

Legal name

Gulf Coast Junior Golf Tour Inc. doing business as First Tee – Naples/Collier

Website

https://firstteenaplescollier.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

First Tee is a U.S. nonprofit youth development organization operating 150 chapters that integrate a proprietary life-skills curriculum with golf instruction to serve 2.2 million young people annually, delivered through partner golf courses, schools, and community organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Intramural Sports & Recreational Leagues (EDALAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Golf instruction services
• Life skills education
• Character development programs
• Youth sports training

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Fees charged for participation in Life Skills Programs, Summer Camps, Jr. Tour, and Middle School Golf League. Session costs vary by duration and program type.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, families, and organizations supporting youth development. Organization is a 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 65-0477835 for Naples/Collier chapter).
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial support, in-kind donations (equipment, facilities), and program integration. Founding and strategic partner tiers with multi-year commitments.
4. Ambassador Program: Major donor program requiring $5,000 annual commitment for 5 years, providing access to exclusive events including annual invitational at Calusa Pines Golf Club.
5. Capital Campaign: Capital campaign funding for facility construction (The Academy) with naming opportunities at various investment levels from $25,000 to $1,000,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First Tee delivers youth development programs that integrate golf instruction with a proprietary life skills curriculum for kids and teens ages 7-18. Programs are delivered on-course at partner golf facilities, through elementary and middle school PE integration, and via community centers (YMCA, Boys & Girls Club). The curriculum teaches nine core values across five certification levels and is supported by a mobile app, tournament play, summer camps, and a college scholarship pathway.

Product overview

First Tee is a youth development organization that operates as a multi-channel platform offering golf-based personal growth programs for kids and teens ages 7-18. The core offering is the Life Skills Program, which uses golf to teach life skills and core values. This is delivered through multiple channels: on-course programs at golf courses, the School Program integrated into PE classes, and the Community Program in partnership with organizations like YMCA and Boys and Girls Club. Specialized programs include the Game Changers Program for middle school through high school students, the Middle School Golf League for competitive players, Summer Camps, and Jr. Tour for tournament play. The First Tee App serves as a digital learning companion accessible across iOS, Android, and web. National opportunities include the First Tee National Championship, PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, Leadership Series, Drive Your Future Academy, and Game Changers Academy. The organization also operates a College Scholarship Program providing financial support and mentorship for alumni. Together, these offerings create a comprehensive pathway from initial golf introduction through college and career preparation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First Tee National Championship: Annual national championship bringing together 48 of the organization's top male and female players ages 14-18 for a 54-hole stroke play event.
• First Tee College Scholarship Program
• Game Changers
• First Tee Jr. Tour
• Ace Program
• PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee

Products and services

• Life Skills Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of parents report children more likely to speak up for themselves after participating in coached sports
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• FICOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Expanded partnership providing credit education resources to First Tee chapters, participants, and alumni nationwide. FICO hosts credit education events at chapter locations, including activations at tournaments. Recently launched at Cadillac Championship in Miami where nearly 100 First Tee participants joined professional golfer Keegan Bradley for a FICO-led workshop. FICO makes its Score a Better Future Fundamentals program and Banzai platform available to First Tee chapters and alumni.
• Rosie Pro-AmminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 20263rd annual Rosie Pro-Am golf tournament seeking to raise $250,000 for college scholarships for First Tee Florida Gold Coast, Evans Caddie Scholars Foundation, and University of Rhode Island. Builds on $400,000 already awarded to 11 scholars over two years.
• Highland Village and EK HomeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 March 2026Partnering with First Tee – Central Mississippi for Mini Masters youth golf event. EK Home donates 20% of sales on event day to support First Tee's youth programs serving Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties.
• PGA of AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2026Three golf organizations (PGA of America, First Tee, and Youth on Course) joined Project Play 63X30, an Aspen Institute initiative targeting 63% youth sports participation by 2030. Collaboration focuses on facility access, promoting Children's Bill of Rights in Sports, and coordinating barrier removal to expand youth golf access. Organizations committed to publicly track progress metrics toward 2030 target.
• Youth on CoursecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2026Partnership with PGA of America and First Tee joining Project Play 63X30 initiative. Youth on Course provides affordable access to golf for young people as part of cross-sector effort to reverse youth sports participation decline.
• Project Play 63X30 (Aspen Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2026Aspen Institute initiative targeting 63% youth sports participation by 2030 (up from 54% in 2022). First Tee committed to facility access improvement, promoting Children's Bill of Rights in Sports, and coordinating barrier removal efforts nationwide.
• ArthrexflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive Founding Partner of First Tee – Naples/Collier. Reinhold Schmieding, Arthrex President and Founder, serves on Honorary Board. Arthrex Global Headquarters hosted The Gate Fundraiser in February 2025.
• PGA TOUR SuperstoreflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing support for youth golf programming. Partners with Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation on $7.6M grant funding. Hosts First Tee Leadership Series events at local stores (February-April 2026) and First Tee Leadership Summit. Commitment to removing participation barriers for underserved youth.
• Golf Courses (Naples/Collier Partners)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultiple golf courses in Collier County serve as program venues: Royal Poinciana Golf Club, Cypress Woods Golf & Country Club, Golf Club of the Everglades, Valencia Golf & Country Club, Hide Out Golf Club, Vineyards Country Club, The Moorings Country Club, The Club at Mediterra, Royal Palm Country Club, Quail Village Golf Club, Coral Isle Golf Center, The Rookery at Marco, Kensington Golf & Country Club, Calusa Pines Golf Club.
• YMCA and Boys & Girls ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partners for delivering First Tee programs to youth through existing youth development infrastructure. Programs adapt to various settings, class times, and sizes with flexible delivery.
• Charles SchwabcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharles Schwab Challenge Grant supporting First Tee – Naples/Collier. First Tee Week aligned with Charles Schwab Challenge event (May 23-30, 2026) featuring alumni event in Fort Worth.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PGA of America REACH Foundation: The charitable arm of the PGA of America, which jointly received the $7.6M Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation grant with First Tee. Comparable mission around youth golf access, PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE for Veterans, and PGA Opportunity Leagues, often co-delivered with First Tee chapters.
• U.S. Kids Golf Foundation: Operates the largest junior golf tour in the world (U.S. Kids Golf Tour) and runs a family-centered junior golf ecosystem with age-appropriate equipment. Comparable to First Tee in targeting ages 5-18, providing structured competition, and partnering with local courses.
• Youth on Course: National nonprofit providing subsidized golf access to youth under 18. Directly comparable to First Tee as a co-signatory on Project Play 63X30 and as a parallel on-ramp for young people into golf; overlapping donor and chapter ecosystems.
• LPGA Foundation (LPGA*USGA Girls Golf): Runs girls-only junior golf programming and curriculum in partnership with USGA. Comparable mission and demographic overlap with First Tee's Drive Your Future Academy and Game Changers Program; both compete for girls-golf participation and the same corporate sponsors.
• American Junior Golf Association (AJGA): National organization running competitive junior golf tournaments, college-exposure events, and PBE (Performance Based Entry) status. Comparable because it serves the same 12-18 age competitive golfer pipeline that First Tee feeds via its Ace Certification and National Championship.

Emerging players

• 4-H (National 4-H Council): National youth-development organization with a similar character-education curriculum and chapter-based model. Comparable for donor and parent mindshare around after-school youth programming, though 4-H is broader in scope and not sport-specific.
• i9 Sports: National provider of youth sports leagues and instruction (soccer, basketball, flag football, etc.). Comparable as a multi-channel youth-sports instruction operator targeting parents of ages 3-14, the same family demographic First Tee recruits from.
• Boys & Girls Club of America: Large national youth-development nonprofit that is both a First Tee delivery partner (community center programs) and a comparable organization in terms of youth-development outcomes, scale, and corporate fundraising dynamics.

Others

• National Golf Foundation: Industry association that tracks and publishes the junior golf participation data (4M youth on-course, 58% growth since 2019) that underpins First Tee's market-sizing. Closely adjacent as a data and advocacy partner rather than a direct competitor.
• The First Tee National Office (PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc.): National parent entity of the 150-chapter network. Included because the subject (Naples/Collier) operates as a chapter under this umbrella; relevant for understanding how national programming, IP, and brand strategy flow to the local chapter.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FirstTeeNaples
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbIeqiFqgQaaSbeYyWNOfmQ?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/FirstTeeNaples
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-tee-naples-collier
• Instagraminstagram.com/firstteenaplescollier

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries27 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Tee