First Tee - Greater Sacramento

06/03/2026

Golf participation shouldn't be determined by whether your parents play golf.

If your parents play golf, there's about a 1 in 4 chance you'll play too. If they don't, that drops to about 1 in 200. And for young people in underserved communities, the odds are even lower.

At First Tee — Greater Sacramento, we're breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for more than 58,000 young people each year to discover golf. What happens next is even more important: through the game, we're helping kids build confidence, character, leadership skills, and values they can carry for life.

Our CEO, Angie Dixon, recently joined Jeff Holden on The NonProfit Podcast Network to discuss why this work matters and how First Tee is creating opportunities for young people throughout our region.

We'd love for you to take a few minutes to listen, learn more about our mission, and share with others who believe every child deserves the chance to succeed.

https://www.nonprofpod.com/more-than-golf-first-tee-greater-sacramento-impacts-58000-youthannually/

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Golf may be the hook, but life skills are the mission. In this episode, I sit down with…

05/31/2026

On the final day of First Tee week, we are celebrating this Dear Coach letter from PGA Tour player and First Tee - Greater Sacramento alum, Austin Smotherman, to our CEO Angie Dixon. As Angie celebrates 25 years with First Tee, this moment feels especially meaningful, a reminder of the lasting impact she has had on so many lives, and the legacy she continues to build through her dedication and leadership.

05/29/2026

Coach Jim Shields has been with First Tee — Greater Sacramento for nine years. In that time, he has worked with over 1,000 young people, not just teaching them how to grip a club or read a green, but how to handle failure, show up with integrity and believe in themselves when it's hard.

We're sharing Jim’s story this week because it's First Tee Week, a national celebration from May 23–30 honoring the coaches, chapters and communities making this kind of impact possible every day.

National research shows that 90% of parents hope their child will have a coach they consider a role model. However, the research also reveals a challenge: 71% of parents believe there is a shortage of high-caliber coaches, and coaching accessibility is rated six times higher for boys than for girls. Without trusted, trained coaches, young people miss not only sports opportunities but also the guidance and character development coaches provide.

To address these challenges, First Tee — Greater Sacramento created the RISE program, which promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by reaching underserved youth, inspiring them, supporting them through a welcoming environment, and empowering them to achieve their goals.

The long-term benefits of coaching are significant. Among parents whose children played youth sports, 88% say sports prepared their children for leadership and teamwork, while 89% say the confidence gained through sports continues to shape their success. Research also shows that parents who benefited from coaching are more likely to enroll their own children in sports, and 67% say they would not be where they are today without the coaches, they had growing up.

This First Tee Week, we're saying thank you to Jim Shields, his First Tee colleagues and to every coach who shows up, day after day, to build the next generation of character.

05/07/2026

Big Day of Giving is HERE! 🎉

There's no better day to invest in the next generation. Every dollar you give to First Tee — Greater Sacramento goes directly toward building character and creating opportunities for the young people in our community.

Let's make today count! 🫶 Give here: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/Firstteesacramento

05/01/2026

We're thrilled to announce that four of our participants have been selected to play in the 2026 First Tee National Championship! ⛳🏆

The event brings together First Tee's top players from across the country to compete and showcase the strength of character and game they've built through their time in the program. They'll head to Finley Golf Club at UNC Chapel Hill in late June. We couldn't be prouder of these four and can't wait to watch them shine.

Congrats Serene, Sudhaams, Johnny, and Kenny! 🎉

04/23/2026

Big Day of Giving is almost here, and early giving is officially open 💛

Now through May 7, every gift helps us move closer to our goal and expand our impact. If you’ve been thinking about giving, this is a great time to jump in.

Link to give: bigdayofgiving.org/organization/firstteesacramento

04/22/2026

A big thank you to , a longtime supporter and Hole-in-One Shootout sponsor, for helping us raise funds that directly support youth across Greater Sacramento.

Because of partners like you, we’re able to keep growing the next generation of leaders through the game of golf ⛳️

04/21/2026

Last month, our RISE program at launched its 2026 season with our biggest Day 1 yet, welcoming 35+ young golfers ready to get to work. From the very first swing, participants jumped into chipping, pitching, and full-swing drills, bringing focus and excitement to every station.

We wrapped up the day with great food, big smiles, and a community coming together (shoutout to 🙌).

Sacramento

04/13/2026

Proof that the real MVPs aren’t just on the course 👀

Our volunteers show up, step up, and make it all happen, from first swings to big wins. They’re not just helping run events… they’re shaping future leaders right here in Sacramento. And we couldn’t do this without them.

Ready to make an impact (and have a little fun doing it)?

Come volunteer with us ⛳️ https://firstteesacramento.org/volunteer/

04/09/2026

The 2026 Junior Tour season is officially underway! We kicked off the year at with a near perfect day. Our overall champions, Carson Grabisch and Risa Mae Rodriguez, turned in impressive rounds of 76 and 73, respectively.