First Tour Launched Thanks to Jordan Spieth Family Foundation and The First Tee of Greater Dallas
The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation (JSFF) is proud to introduce a first-of-its-kind tournament system for junior golfers through The First Tee of Greater Dallas, First Tour. The Tour was created to offer youth that might not ordinarily have access to tournaments the opportunity to compete in structured golf events. Geared toward junior golfers ages 7-13, it focuses on the etiquette of tournament play, while continuing to embrace the Nine Core Values that TFTGD works to instill in their youth. First Tour will host 75 young adults in 16 tournaments in 2017 at several courses around the metroplex.
“Tournament experience is really important for kids wanting to play golf, but it also teaches sportsmanship, responsibility and other significant lessons,” Spieth explained. “Tournaments were an integral part of my upbringing, in terms of competition, comfort and experience. I know a lot of kids don’t have access and I’m really excited our Foundation can help create something like this with The First Tee of Greater Dallas.”
The JSFF offers a platform to lend time, awareness and offer financial support for pillars that mean a great deal to Jordan and his family, including Junior Golf. The JSFF and TFTGD are proud to have partnered together on projects since the Foundation’s establishment in 2014. “Jordan’s support of youth golf means a great deal to The First Tee of Greater Dallas. His Foundation’s backing of the First Tour gives our young people that do not necessarily have the means to play in a tournament the ability to compete,” said Reggie Newton, TFTGD Program Manager. “Most of all, though, it gives our youth an incredible role model to look up to, both as a golfer and as a person.”
The inaugural event was held at Cedar Crest Golf Course with 45 deserving participants who were, of course, outfitted in Under Armour. The young people gathered on the first tee to celebrate the start of the exciting partnership between JSFF and TFTGD before hitting their first shots of the tournament. “Our participants could not have been more thrilled to get on the course! Between the excitement to play in a tournament and the amazement of association with Jordan Spieth, the young people were gloating,” said Newton. The next First Tour event, the tournament’s first ‘major’, will be held at Luna Vista Golf Course on April 22.
About The First Tee of Greater Dallas
The First Tee of Greater Dallas is one of 165 chapters around the country and in select international locations. Serving the Dallas Metroplex and surrounding communities, more than 75,000 young people have been impacted through chapter programs and The First Tee National School Program. The golf-based programs are focused on building character through The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.
To learn more about The First Tee of Greater Dallas, visit www.thefirstteedallas.org. For more information on the First Tour, please contact Katherine Helms at khelms@thefirstteedallas.org or (214) 954-4402.