First Tee — Southern Colorado

What First Tee — Southern Colorado does

First Tee — Southern Colorado is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization founded in April 2013 and operated by Life Skills Fore the Youth of Colorado Springs. It is a regional chapter of the national First Tee network (governed by PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc.) and serves youth ages 3-18 across El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont counties in Colorado through a curriculum that integrates golf instruction with character education built around the Five Key Commitments (Pursuing Goals, Growing through Challenge, Collaborating with Others, Building Positive Self-Identity, Using Good Judgment) and the CARE conflict-resolution framework. Programmatic delivery is multi-channel: on-course junior golf programs tiered by age group, a School Program integrated into K-8 PE classes, Community Programs delivered through Boys & Girls Club and YMCA partnerships, and The Learning Center indoor training facility in Colorado Springs. Reinforcement technology consists of the national First Tee App (iOS, Android, web) which provides gamified challenges and a badge/point progression system tied to curriculum content.

The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: it recruits and onboards volunteer coaches through a five-step process including background checks and SafeSport certification, and runs an annual calendar of fundraising and engagement events (First Tee Golf Classic, Birdies & Brews, Legacy Golf Tournament, Ladies' Night Out, Match Play). Revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations (including a Champions Circle membership program), corporate and foundation sponsorships, program tuition with scholarships to ensure accessibility, golf league fees ($30 per season), and facility rentals for private events at $250/hour minimum. Participants also gain free access to a short course at Valley Hi and discounted play at partner courses (Elmwood, Hollydot, Four Mile Ranch). Selected teens feed into national opportunities including the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach and the Game Changers Academy, extending the local chapter into a broader institutional pipeline.

Name

First Tee — Southern Colorado

Legal name

Life Skills Fore the Youth of Colorado Springs

Website

https://firstteesoco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

First Tee — Southern Colorado is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development chapter serving children ages 3-18 across El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont counties in Colorado, integrating golf instruction with a research-based life-skills and character-education curriculum delivered through schools, youth centers, partner courses, and a dedicated Learning Center facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Simulators, Nets & Practice Equipment Retail (CRAMAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD), Golf Training Aids & Swing Analytics Retail (CRAMAGAG)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Junior golf instruction
• Character education curriculum
• Nonprofit youth services
• Life skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting youth development mission. Includes Champions Circle membership program and general operating donations.
2. Program Tuition: Registration fees for youth golf programs with financial aid/scholarships available to ensure accessibility regardless of financial situation.
3. Corporate and Foundation Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors and foundation grants including Baker & King Security, BOK Financial, SCHEELS, Sherwin Williams, and foundation partners like Anschutz Foundation and Daniels Fund.
4. Event Hosting and Venue Rental: Revenue from hosting private events including birthday parties ($250/hour minimum 2 hours) and other private gatherings at The Learning Center facility.
5. Golf League and Program Fees: Fees for golf league participation ($30 per season) and additional program offerings at partner golf courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

First Tee — Southern Colorado is a youth development organization that delivers junior golf programs (ages 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14+) integrating golf instruction with a character education curriculum built on the 5 Key Commitments and the CARE conflict resolution framework. Programs are delivered through on-course coaching, the School Program integrated into PE classes, the Community Program at partner youth centers, The Learning Center indoor training facility, and national competitive events, with the First Tee App providing gamified reinforcement between sessions.

Product overview

First Tee — Southern Colorado is a youth development organization that operates as a unified program with multiple delivery channels: on-course junior golf programs organized by age groups (7-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14+), the First Tee App for mobile and web-based gamified learning, School Programs integrated into PE classes, Community Programs at youth centers, The Learning Center indoor facility, and National Opportunities including competitive events. The core offering integrates golf instruction with character education curriculum centered on Five Key Commitments, delivered through a network of trained coaches across El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont counties in Colorado.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior Golf Programs Age-grouped youth development programs for ages 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14+ integrating golf instruction with the Five Key Commitments character-building curriculum (Pursuing Goals, Growing through Challenge, Collaborating with Others, Building Positive Self-Identity, Using Good Judgement).
• School Program A program integrated into elementary and middle school PE classes that provides trained educators with First Tee curriculum, equipment, and lesson plans aligned with national physical education standards (SHAPE), integrating life skills with golf motor skills.
• Community Program A partnership-based program delivered through youth-serving organizations such as Boys and Girls Club and YMCA, providing training, equipment, and lesson plans with flexible adaptation to class size and setting, and online community access for youth leaders.
• The Learning Center A state-of-the-art indoor golf training facility in Colorado Springs offering private lessons, clinics, events, driving range bay reservations, and event hosting capabilities including birthday and private party venues.
• National Opportunities A slate of national events for participant teens including First Tee National Championship, Game Changers Academy, PURE Insurance Championship, Drive Your Future Academy, and Innovators Forum, focused on competitive golf, leadership development, and community service.
• First Tee App A mobile and web application available on iOS, Android, and web browsers that provides games, challenges, and badge-based learning activities to reinforce character education and golf concepts outside of class, with a badge and point earning system that tracks participant progress over time.

Quantifiable outcome

• Each year, First Tee reaches 2.2 million youth through its network of chapters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting First Tee Game Changers Academy national event with financial contributions and activity facilitation.
• 3M OpencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPGA TOUR tournament partner supporting First Tee national events and participant opportunities.
• TopgolfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner supporting First Tee through summer academy programs, Game Changers Academy sponsorship, and gateway programs introducing youth to golf. Topgolf facilities serve as entry points for participants like Sydney Purdon.
• Valley Hi Golf CoursecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner course offering Short Course access FREE for First Tee participants ($5 for public). Part of participant benefits package.
• Four Mile Ranch Golf ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner golf course in Cañon City offering membership perks to First Tee participants.
• Hollydot Golf ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner golf course in Colorado City offering membership perks and summer camp programming for First Tee participants.
• Elmwood Golf CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner golf course in Pueblo offering membership perks to First Tee participants.
• Boys and Girls ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity Program partnership bringing golf experiences to youth center locations using First Tee curriculum and training.
• YMCAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity Program partnership delivering golf-based youth development at YMCA locations.
• Colorado Section PGAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional golf association sponsor supporting First Tee - Southern Colorado.
• SCHEELSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support for First Tee - Southern Colorado programs.
• PURE InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions event at Pebble Beach that pairs First Tee teens with golf professionals.
• PGA TOUR ChampionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGA TOUR Champions tour hosts PURE Insurance Championship pairing First Tee teens with professional players.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Drive, Chip & Putt: Joint USGA/PGA of America junior skills competition held at Augusta National. Comparable audience of youth golfers and a parallel pathway for emerging junior players.
• PGA Jr. League: National PGA-affiliated team-based junior golf program for kids 13 and under. Direct competitor for youth golf participants and a parallel entry point into the sport.
• LPGA-USGA Girls Golf: Joint LPGA/USGA initiative introducing girls to golf through non-competitive, welcoming environments. Comparable target audience (youth/beginners) and similar life-skills-adjacent programming.
• First Tee of Greater Dallas: Sibling regional chapter offering the same First Tee curriculum and programs in the Dallas metro. Closest functional peer — same mission, similar delivery model, different geography.
• First Tee of Phoenix: Another regional First Tee chapter delivering identical youth-development-through-golf programming. Directly comparable in operations, funding model, and program structure.

Emerging players

• TGR Foundation: Tiger Woods' youth development nonprofit that uses golf, education, and college access to reach underserved youth. Comparable mission structure but deeper educational services component.
• U.S. Kids Golf Foundation: Family-focused junior golf tour and equipment company running local tours and a learning curriculum for kids 5-18. Closely comparable audience and learning-stage orientation.

Regional players

• YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region: Partner of First Tee — Southern Colorado in the Community Program, but also a regional competitor for youth development programming and parent mindshare in the same Colorado service area.
• Boys & Girls Club of Southern Colorado: Partner of First Tee — Southern Colorado in the Community Program, but also a regional peer competing for youth program enrollment, donor dollars, and after-school attention in the same Colorado service area.

Broad incumbents

• First Tee (National HQ): Parent organization of First Tee — Southern Colorado; operates the national network of 150+ chapters and provides curriculum, brand, and national events. Most directly comparable as the apex of the same chapter system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ftsoco
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4CMZOWjlLh5UPMqj_-_c6A
• Facebookfacebook.com/ftsoco
• Instagraminstagram.com/firstteesoco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ftsoco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 — Southern Colorado