Tag: FTGP

Community, Character, and the Spirit of Giving Shine at the 17th Annual First Tee – Greater Pasadena Golf Invitational

Pasadena, CA – October 29, 2025 – Beneath a crisp autumn sky at Brookside Golf Club, more than 130 golfers from across Southern California came together on Tuesday, October 29th , to tee off in celebration of youth, inclusion, and the life-changing power of golf. The 2025 First Tee – Greater Pasadena Golf Invitational Presented by the Rose Bowl Stadium marked the 17th annual tournament, serving as both a cherished community tradition and a vital fundraiser supporting programs that teach confidence, character, and leadership through the game.

The event came at a meaningful moment for the organization, as First Tee – Greater Pasadena prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in April 2026, two decades of transforming lives across the San Gabriel Valley through the values and lessons inherent in golf.

Brandon Fox, Senior Director of Golf for the Rose Bowl Stadium, shared, “Today is such a wonderful moment for the community to come out, show support, and raise awareness for First Tee – Greater Pasadena. This program was founded right here, and we’re incredibly proud that it continues to thrive after all these years. It’s more than just golf, it’s a life-coaching program that helps participants build integrity, confidence, and purpose. Organizations like First Tee provide opportunities that many kids, and even adults, might not otherwise have, and it’s inspiring to see how the lessons learned on the course shape lives far beyond it.”

This year alone, the chapter reached over 15,900 young people through outreach programs and welcomed more than 1,600 participants into its Life Skills Experience classes. Its footprint spans 11 sites, from Brookside and Eaton Canyon to Rancho Duarte and Arcadia Par 3, with programming extending into community spaces such as Robinson Park, Villa Parke, and Washington Park. The organization also provides special needs and adaptive golf programs in partnership with the Running
Waters Day Program, Wounded Warriors, and the Special Olympics, ensuring that the game is accessible to participants of all backgrounds and abilities.

Ernesto Espinoza added, “Growing up, I always wished there had been an organization like this to help me get into a sport like golf. It’s not just about learning the game, it’s about learning values like honesty and self-discipline. Golf is unique because you call penalties on yourself, and that teaches integrity, something young people need more than ever today. This is my third time coming to the tournament, and it’s such a great way to reconnect with people you might only see once or twice a year. It really brings the community together.”

In 2025, the chapter’s resilience shined brighter than ever. Following the Eaton Canyon Fire, which temporarily displaced classes and destroyed $30,000 in equipment, First Tee – Greater Pasadena restored full programming within a week, aided by over 100 donated junior club sets from national partners. That same spirit of unity and generosity carried through the tournament, where community members rallied around the mission to empower youth through every swing.

While the tournament concluded on the fairways of Brookside, the spirit of giving continues. Supporters can participate in the event’s online auction through Thursday, October 30th at 6:59 p.m.

In recognition of its ongoing service and impact, the City of Pasadena has officially proclaimed October as “First Tee – Greater Pasadena Month,” honoring the chapter’s dedication to youth development, inclusion, and community connection through golf.

As the organization approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Invitational stands as a powerful reminder of how far First Tee – Greater Pasadena has come, and how many more lives it will continue to touch in the years ahead.

Media Contact:
Sierra Kemp
[email protected]
(510) 529-9784

Free Golf Clinic Announced for Families Displaced by Eaton Fire

Event offers equipment, financial literacy, and healing through golf in Pasadena

From Pasadena Now, published Thursday, August 14, 2025

First Tee — Greater Pasadena will host a free family golf clinic to support families affected by the Eaton Fire, which destroyed more than 9,000 buildings and displaced hundreds.

The “Eaton Fire Family Day,” presented by East West Bank, takes place Saturday, August 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Brookside Golf Club, 1133 Rosemont Avenue in Pasadena. Families will receive golf equipment, apparel, access to First Tee programs, and financial literacy education. Raffle prizes will be available to those attending the financial session.

“This generous donation means everything to our youth. Beyond the financial help, it sends a powerful message: that their community believes in them and is here to support them through tough times,” said Mark Fritz, director of programs and operations for First Tee — Greater Pasadena.

The clinic is part of a recovery effort following the January 7 blaze that destroyed First Tee’s Altadena facility and $30,000 in equipment. The APGA Foundation responded with a $30,400 donation to First Tee and the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena.

“This donation reflects the APGA’s commitment to using golf as a platform for change,” said Ken Bentley, APGA co-founder and board chair. “We’re proud to stand with these outstanding youth organizations.”

Founded in 2006, First Tee — Greater Pasadena is a nonprofit youth development organization serving more than 5,000 children annually. Its curriculum blends golf instruction with life skills and character development, reaching over 200,000 youth since inception.

Programs target ages five to 17, with tiered levels and specialized classes for teens and girls. The organization also offers tournament leagues, mentorship, and outreach to schools, veterans, and underserved communities. Fees are modest, and scholarships and equipment are provided to families in need.

Brookside Golf Club, First Tee’s headquarters, is a historic 36-hole municipal facility adjacent to the Rose Bowl. Designed by William P. Bell, its courses date back to 1928 and 1938.

First Tee — Greater Pasadena was honored by the Pasadena City Council, which declared October “First Tee — Greater Pasadena Month.” The chapter also partners with First Tee — Korea to promote cultural exchange and global youth development.

Brookside Golf Club, 1133 Rosemont Avenue, Pasadena. For more call (626) 353-4013 or visit https://firstteegreaterpasadena.org. Free.

Golf Advocates Donate $30,000 to Pasadena-Area Youth Programs

Golf organization partners with Boys & Girls Club and First Tee to support community recovery following January wildfires

From Pasadena Now, published Friday, May 2, 2025

The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Foundation has donated $30,400 to support fire relief efforts in Altadena following January’s devastating wildfires that struck the community. The donation, announced during an event held at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena on Thursday, May 1, will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena and First Tee – Greater Pasadena.

“This donation reflects the APGA’s commitment to using golf as a platform for change,” said Ken Bentley, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder of the APGA. “Our hearts go out to the families impacted by the Altadena fires, and we’re proud to stand with these outstanding youth organizations that are making a difference.”

The donation originated from $9,300 raised through birdies and eagles made during the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational in January. Matching contributions from Farmers Insurance and Bentley, along with additional support, brought the total to $30,400. The funds will help replace equipment lost in the fires, expand youth programming and support families facing hardships.

Leaders from the recipient organizations emphasized the deeper meaning of the donation — not just in dollars, but in the message of resilience and community it brings.

“This generous donation means everything to our youth,” said Mark Fritz of First Tee – Greater Pasadena. “Beyond the financial help, it sends a powerful message: that their community believes in them and is here to support them through tough times.”

The event included appearances by Bentley, APGA Tour players Andrew Fernandez, Jonathan Yoshihiro and Rovonta Young, as well as youth and staff from both recipient organizations.

The event concluded with a surprise check presentation, group photo opportunity and interviews with representatives from the APGA, the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena and First Tee – Greater Pasadena.

Farmers Insurance, a longtime APGA sponsor focused on expanding access and opportunity in golf and beyond, provided critical support for the donation effort.

The APGA Tour, established in 2010 as a nonprofit organization, works to inspire an inclusive future through golf by hosting professional tournaments, operating player development programs, and introducing the game to inner city youth. The organization conducts 18 tournaments annually with more than $1 million in prize and bonus money and has organized a Player Development Program specifically to aid young minority golfers as they work to chase their professional golf goals.

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena has been a cornerstone of the community since 1937, providing a safe and structured environment for young people ages 5-18 after school, during holidays, and on summer vacation.

First Tee – Greater Pasadena helps children ages 5-17 develop not only their golf swing but also their inner strength and character, with a specific target for 5th through 8th graders. Beyond Brookside, they operate programs at eight additional golf facilities throughout the area including Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Arroyo Seco, Eaton Canyon, Marshall Canyon, Mountain Meadows, and Santa Anita Golf Courses.

Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger meets with First Tee — Greater Pasadena at Brookside Golf Club

(September 21, 2023) Yesterday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with youth participants and executive leadership of First Tee – Greater Pasadena (FTGP), a community-based program whose mission is to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. October 24, 2023 will be FTGP’s annual invitational golf tournament at Brookside golf course presented by the Rose Bowl Operating Company. This tournament raises funds to provide life enhancing
values and teach golf to thousands of youths.

For more than 16 years, First Tee – Greater Pasadena has served thousands of members from cities and communities in their San Gabriel Valley service area. Within the structure of the youth program, members are introduced to core values and life-skills that are inherent in the game of golf. Its primary members aged 5-18 experience activity-based learning that seamlessly integrate the game of golf with a life skills curriculum that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

In addition, as a community service organization, First Tee – Greater Pasadena partners with programs including Special Olympics Southern California, Wounded Warrior Project, Latina Golfers Association, as well as other recreational youth programs such as Pasadena Police Acti9vies League, the Boys and Girls Club, and Pasadena’s Parks and Recreation. These partnerships have flourished over the years with many of these groups experiencing the game of golf for the first time and introduced to our program curriculum.

Supervisor Barger’s commitment, support, and advocacy for recreational and after-school programs that serve local communities has been paramount for programs like First Tee – Greater Pasadena’s and their success. Thank you, Supervisor Barger for your dedication to your communities, its members, and the programs that support them.

This meeting took place at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena, home site of First Tee – Greater Pasadena.