First Tee – Sarasota/Manatee Announces Taste of First Tee Golf Outing

October 12, 2022 – Sarasota

First Tee – Sarasota/Manatee (FTSM), a youth development organization empowering kids to build their strength of character through the game of golf, announces open online registration for Taste of First Tee Wine/Food/Live Band celebration and Annual Golf Outing. This year’s event will occur at Laurel Oak CC on Sunday, February 5, and Monday, February 6. Register at www.FirstTeeSarasotaManatee.org A Jr. League exists to bring friends, families, and communities together.

First Tee – Sarasota/Manatee Celebration is the Chapter’s primary fundraiser. The foursome registration fee is $1,600 and includes the two-day event plus four guests to Sunday’s Celebration. Event sponsorships are also available.  

Lexi McKenney, Executive Director of First Tee – Sarasota/Manatee, says, “With support from  Laurel Oak CC, First Tee has a golf facility to enable us to grow our fabulous event.  We utilize both golf courses and clubhouse both days.” McKenney went on to say, “Community support of First Tee’s year-round opportunities to serve a diverse group of kids from Wee Ones (ages 4-6) to weekly classes (ages 7-17), summer camps, and the new Teen Retention Program is crucial. Support of the 2023 Taste of First Tee Celebration makes everyone a “Game Changer” in the lives of young people.”

David McIntyre, Director of Golf at Laurel Oak CC, echoed McKenney’s comments, “Our Board sees First Tee as an integral part of the golf industry’s Growth of the Game initiative and of our desire to support the Greater Sarasota community. First Tee, with its Nine Core Values and Life Skills curriculum, is making a difference in the lives of young people, and Laurel Oak CC wants to support its mission.”

Andy Mears, Development Director for First Tee – Sarasota/Manatee, adds, “Our annual celebration and golf outing is vital to raising funds to support our programs and attract caring adult mentors to coach First Tee participants. With Laurel Oak CC’s continued support of this event, we will be able to reach more young people and introduce the inherently great values of golf.”

For over 20 years, First Tee — Sarasota/Manatee has created experiences that build character to empower kids through a lifetime of new challenges and continuous personal growth. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee — Sarasota/Manatee creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at several area golf courses, schools, and youth centers in the community.

For more information about Taste of First Tee Golf Outing, contact Andy Mears at andy@firstteesm.org.

Contact Andy Mears, Development Director, andy@FirstTeeSM.org, to learn more about supporting The First Tee or The First Tee Signature Events.