If you know me, you know that I love golf. I love to play it, watch it, talk about it. In short, golf is in my DNA. And now I’ve taken my passion in a new direction.
Last fall I joined First Tee Silicon Valley (FTSV) as a board member, and not too long after, I began volunteering as an instructor. First Tee is a national organization with local chapters. Each one teaches kids and teens not just how to golf but how to live by the values the sport embodies: honesty, integrity, perseverance, and respect. For more than 25 years, they have been committed to helping kids build character and learn life skills with programs on the course, in physical education, and after school programs.
The Advantages of Golf
I can personally attest to the positive effects golf brings. Sports build confidence and interpersonal skills, encourages a healthy lifestyle, and can even support your career.
You can expand your professional network, make important B2B connections, and improve your chance of finding your next job, all by the conversations you have from hole to hole.
As a CEO and a golfer, I know these benefits first hand. I have made connections on the golf course that led to business for our company. As a Latina woman, I also know how challenging it can be to join the game and I was lucky – access to a course and lessons were not a barrier for me.
Now I didn’t learn to play until I was in college. I struggled for a while to feel confident, even though I had a pretty good swing. That’s one of the reasons I love working with First Tee. I want others to learn to love the game as much as I do, and to benefit from it sooner (and plus, playing golf with my dad is something we enjoy doing together).
First Tee of Silicon Valley
FTSV offers eight-week sessions for students in second to twelfth grade, and my first experience as an instructor was with an adorable group of eager second through fourth grade golfers. A few had played before, but they were all enthusiastic learners and really committed. And let me tell you, we had a blast together.
More than that, I want to do my part with each session and invest in their lives; I want to be someone who builds them up. There was only one girl in my group, which underscores the importance of women golfers. However, the more encouragement girls receive, the more we can change that. I am already looking forward to our next lesson together.
It might be tempting to see all of this as just fun and games then, not really work, but that’s not how I look at it. I understand I have responsibilities, and teaching the next generation is a significant part of that.
I believe deeply in the work of the First Tee organization, enriching the lives of the young people who participate in the golf community, which is why I am so excited to share a few details with you about an upcoming event!
Upcoming First Tee Fundraiser
On March 20, the 2nd Annual Battle of the Bays is happening at Top Golf from 6-9 pm. The funds raised will help First Tee Silicon Valley will allow them to continue to make a difference in our community. I’ll be there with my team, and I already know of several friends who are sponsoring their own bays. I hope you can enjoy us, whether in support or playing along with us!