adidas Archives - First Tee

First Tee – Ontario and adidas help new and returning participants experience golf in exciting ways

ETOBICOKE, Ont. — From first-time golfers to returning participants, 20 youth gathered at Centennial Park Golf Centre on September 15 for two adidas sponsored First Tee – Ontario sessions focused on learning, friendly competition and having fun.

As First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner, adidas supported the sessions by providing chapter-branded T-shirts for participants as they took part in an evening of golf activities led by First Tee coach Graham Turrentine.

The one-hour sessions featured chipping stations where participants learned the short game fundamentals. To conclude the session, participants were divided into three groups for a golf-inspired game of Battleship, using their chipping skills to target boxes on the green.

The evening began with an all-girls session, followed by an open session for youth aged 7 to 13. For some, it was their introduction to the game, while others had been attending Coach Graham’s First Tee sessions for several seasons and continued to develop their skills.

For a group of girls who have attended the program together over several seasons, First Tee has become about more than just golf. Through their participation, they have built lifelong friendships and an eagerness to come back each week to spend time with each other on the course.

Engaging and inclusive golf instruction is also what keeps participants coming back each season. Coach Graham has created small traditions that make his programs memorable, including handing out candy at the end of each session. Along with the golf activities and friendly competition, these moments help make the sessions something the young participants can look forward to each week.

For Coach Graham, seeing the children interacting and excited to participate is what makes coaching worthwhile.

“Seeing the kids energised and engaged sparks my excitement to keep showing up and giving back to the youth,” he said. “The future is bright for golf in Canada.”

With support from adidas, First Tee – Ontario continues to make golf more accessible and inclusive for youth by creating opportunities to learn and experience the game. Through weekly sessions, youth can develop their skills, create lasting memories and feel a sense of belonging in the sport.

Whether a child is attending for the first time or returning for another season, each session offers a chance to take on challenges, try something new and enjoy being part of a strong First Tee community.

Get involved at firstteeontario.ca/get-involved.

First Tee – British Columbia brings Indigenous youth together through golf and community

BOWEN ISLAND, B.C. — Fourteen Indigenous youth from the Musqueam and Squamish Nations came together August 31 for the second annual First Tee – British Columbia Indigenous Youth Summit; a day of golf, personal growth and community connection supported by First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner adidas.

Hosted at The TK Performance Centre at Bowen Island Golf Club, the summit welcomed youth with varying levels of experience, including some picking up a golf club for the first time. Participants took part in warm-ups and stations focused on putting, chipping and full-swing fundamentals, followed by a lunch discussion on First Tee’s life skills curriculum, including confidence, perseverance and respect.

Indigenous coaches Alex Webber of Musqueam Golf & Learning Academy and Lucas Smith, a First Tee assistant coach with SWINGS Indoor Golf in Squamish, led sessions and mentored participants. Webber discovered his passion for coaching through First Tee and is pursuing his PGA of Canada professional status. Smith was inspired to get involved through his daughters’ participation in the program.

In the afternoon, participants put their skills to use on the course at Bowen Island Golf Club before taking part in team activities, including the RBC Community Junior Golf 72’ Putt Challenge. The challenge was inspired by First Tee – Canada ambassador Nick Taylor’s historic putt to win the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

Since naming First Tee – British Columbia a charitable beneficiary of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic in 2024, the tournament has raised more than $100,000 for youth programming across the province. As a thank you, participants at Bowen Island Golf Club signed a First Tee – British Columbia branded adidas shirt that was later presented to the Taylor family at this year’s tournament.

“The Indigenous Youth Summit represents so much of what First Tee – British Columbia strives to achieve through our programming,” said Scott Stefani, program manager with First Tee – British Columbia. “Bringing youth together to learn new skills, build relationships and gain confidence through golf creates experiences that extend far beyond the course. Having Indigenous leaders like Alex and Lucas involved makes those experiences even more meaningful, showing young people pathways to stay connected to the game. We’re grateful to our partners at adidas, Bowen Island Golf Club, Musqueam Nation and Squamish Nation for helping make these opportunities possible.”

The summit reflects First Tee – British Columbia’s commitment to creating welcoming opportunities for Indigenous youth to build confidence, strengthen community connections and discover what is possible through golf.

Interested in bringing First Tee – British Columbia programming to your community? Learn more at firstteebc.ca.

First Tee – Premier départ Québec and Club 24 create new opportunities for Indigenous youth through golf

*Photo credit: Bruno Guérin / IG: bruno_guerin*

KAHNAWAKE, Que. — Over the course of one week, 27 Indigenous youth came together to learn the game of golf, build new skills and forge meaningful connections. What unfolded went well beyond the fundamentals of the sport.

In collaboration with Club 24 Athletics Foundation, a non-profit organization serving Indigenous athletes, First Tee – Premier départ Québec hosted a week-long day camp. Held in Kahnawake, and at no cost to participants, the camp, led by First Tee coach Thunder Lahache, welcomed youth ages 9 to 18. Supported by First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner adidas, each participant was outfitted in a First Tee branded adidas T-shirt.

The week-long event also marked an important step in expanding First Tee programming in Quebec. Thunder is the chapter’s only coach to have completed First Tee Level 3 coach training, making Club 24 the first program location in Quebec to offer First Tee programming for youth ages 14 to 18.

Throughout the week, participants worked through progressive drills, skill-building activities and mini-competitions designed to develop different areas of their game. The camp concluded with a Vegas-style tournament at Patton’s Glen Golf Club, a par-3 course in Kahnawake, giving participants an opportunity to put their skills into practice.

A three-hole putting competition challenged teams of three to work together while applying lessons from earlier sessions, including precision, tempo and reading the green. Participants learned how to walk their putting line, identify slopes and set up their ball before working together to post the lowest score possible.

On the range, targets stretching from 20 to 200 yards encouraged participants to try different clubs and shots, working their way from wedges and irons to drivers. Coaches tailored their instruction to each participant, helping golfers of different experience levels build confidence and challenge themselves.

Even heavy rain could not slow them down. Participants remained on the range, continuing to work on their skills and put their newfound confidence into practice.

For Thunder, seeing young athletes recognize their own potential is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching with First Tee.

“A lot of the kids don’t see the potential they have,” said Thunder. “Some of them never realize that they actually can swing a golf club, and it turns into a passion maybe later on in life. What we’re trying to do is make it happen now.”

That focus on confidence extended beyond the golf course. Throughout the camp, participants and coaches built relationships through a mix of friendly competition, playful teasing and a shared desire to help one another improve.

The camp is also a reminder of what can happen when organizations come together around a shared goal. Through the support of adidas and community partners like Club 24, First Tee – Premier départ Québec is helping Indigenous youth discover golf and the opportunities for growth, confidence and connection that come with it.

By offering programming at no cost and expanding opportunities for older youth, First Tee – Premier départ Québec and its partners are helping more young athletes discover that golf can be a sport where they belong.

First Tee – British Columbia celebrates season with inaugural end-of-summer tournament

SURREY, B.C. — Fifty-three young golfers from across the Lower Mainland came together September 4 for the inaugural First Tee – British Columbia end-of-summer tournament, celebrating a season of learning, development and fun on the golf course.

Hosted at The BackYard Golf’s Clayton Hills Par 3 Golf Course, the event brought together First Tee participants ages 7 to 14, ranging from beginners experiencing golf on the course for the first time to more experienced young players.

The nine-hole tournament gave participants an opportunity to take the skills they developed through their First Tee lessons and put them into practice on the course, creating a natural continuation of their participation in the program.

For First Tee – British Columbia, the event also provided an opportunity to introduce young golfers and their families to the course in a welcoming environment, helping participants see golf as a sport they can continue to enjoy and pursue.

“The end-of-summer tournament is a great way for our participants to apply what they’ve learned in their First Tee lessons to an actual round on the golf course,” said Scott Stefani, program manager with First Tee – British Columbia. “It gives them the opportunity to play, learn and have fun with their families, while showing them that golf can be a sport where they belong and continue to grow.”

The tournament also gave participants a chance to build on their skills outside of regular lessons. The day featured coaching sessions, a barbecue lunch and a used equipment sale, creating opportunities for youth and families to connect with coaches and the broader First Tee community.

The event was supported by adidas, First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner. Participants received adidas hats and T-shirts, helping create a shared sense of belonging and giving the young golfers an opportunity to feel like part of the sport.

adidas’ support also helped First Tee – British Columbia subsidize registration costs, making the tournament more accessible to participants and their families, with registration available for as little as $25.

For parent Sanyee Wang, the event offered a chance to see the skills her child had developed through First Tee lessons come to life on the course.

“Everything from the check-in, T-shirt, hat and used equipment sale was great,” Wang said. “It was fantastic to see the kids put their lesson skills to the test by playing nine holes. Lots of golf balls were lost, but they definitely had fun. It gives them something now to go back and work on.”

The day also gave families an opportunity to enjoy golf together, with participants walking and playing the course as they gained experience in a setting beyond their regular First Tee lessons.

The inaugural tournament marked the beginning of what First Tee – British Columbia plans to make an annual end-of-summer tradition, giving young golfers a chance to celebrate their progress while looking ahead to the next stage of their development.

First Tee – Alberta and adidas connect youth to golf at the CPKC Women’s Open

EDMONTON, Alta. — For a group of Edmonton-area youth, a Sunday morning at the CPKC Women’s Open offered a chance to experience golf in a new way — both as a player and as a spectator.

With support from First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner adidas, First Tee – Alberta welcomed 24 children from the BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton, the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta and communities across the Edmonton area to a morning of golf, life skills development and fun during the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open.

Held just outside of Royal Mayfair Golf Club on August 23, the clinic gave participants an opportunity to take part in First Tee programming during the final round of Canada’s only LPGA championship event. Youth rotated through stations focused on putting, chipping and full swing, while also participating in activities designed to build life skills through the game.

For First Tee – Alberta coach Katie Learn, the experience was about giving young people an opportunity to see themselves in golf.

“The goal of First Tee is always bigger than golf,” said Learn. “We want kids to leave our programs with skills and experiences that help them become more confident, resilient and capable in whatever they take on.”

With adidas’ support, First Tee – Alberta was able to create an experience that brought together access, sport and inspiration, showing participants that golf can be a welcoming place for them.

The clinic also demonstrated how First Tee uses golf as a vehicle to help young people navigate challenges, build relationships and develop skills that can extend into their everyday lives.

“Having adidas support an opportunity like this means we can give kids an experience they might not otherwise have — and show them that they have a place in golf,” Learn said.

The experience continued beyond the clinic. After enjoying a pizza party, participants headed onto the grounds with their families to watch the CPKC Women’s Open, giving them the opportunity to see professional golfers compete just steps away from where they had spent the morning learning and playing.

For many of the youth, the day offered a unique connection between their own introduction to the game and golf at its highest level.

The event highlighted the impact that partnerships can have in creating meaningful opportunities for young people. Through its support of First Tee – Alberta, adidas helped bring more youth from the Edmonton area into the game while creating an experience that showed them golf can offer much more than what happens on the course.

First Tee – Premier départ Québec and adidas create space for discovery at Caughnawaga girls’ clinic

KAHNAWAKE, Que. — For girls in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce community (Comité Jeunesse NDG), discovering golf can come with barriers that have little to do with learning how to swing a club.

Cost, transportation and access to golf facilities can make it difficult for youth to get started. Through partnerships with adidas and Comité Jeunesse NDG, First Tee – Premier départ Québec is helping remove those barriers and create opportunities for more girls to discover the game.

From August 17-20, First Tee – Premier départ Québec and adidas hosted four consecutive all-girls clinics at Caughnawaga Golf Club, welcoming youth from the community for two-hour sessions at no cost. Transportation to and from the golf course was also provided, creating a more accessible introduction to golf.

Supported by RBC Community Junior Golf, Caughnawaga Golf Club is a new First Tee – Premier départ Québec partner for 2026, with the clinics providing an opportunity for participants to experience a golf facility and learn the fundamentals of the game in a safe environment.

Led by First Tee coach Simeon Pompey and coaches Amilion Sandy, Omar Bacchus and Brian O’Connell, participants moved through putting, chipping and full-swing stations. Along the way, they explored First Tee’s life skills curriculum, including lessons on respect, perseverance and self-confidence.

The meaning of respect was especially highlighted within the sessions: respect through active listening, being considerate of each other’s time, caring for surrounding nature, and following rules and etiquette. To begin practice, Simeon encouraged participants to greet six of their peers with “it’s nice to meet you” and a handshake.

The sessions also emphasized discovery. Participants were encouraged to try new skills, learn from their coaches and support one another. That support could be heard across the driving range as girls celebrated each other’s successes, including enthusiastic shouts of “I did it!” after connecting with a full swing.

For some participants, the clinic marked their first experience with golf. Shaleena Moore, who picked up a club for the first time during the program, said she enjoyed hitting the ball “high and far.”

The clinic also gave participants the chance to see what they could accomplish themselves. Marie-Michèle Richer, program manager for First Tee – Premier départ Québec, demonstrated her long drive while the coaches encouraged the girls to repeat a simple message: “If she can do it, I can do it.”

For Simeon, creating opportunities for youth who may not otherwise have access to golf is one of the most rewarding parts of being a First Tee coach.

“For most of these children, playing golf is something that they haven’t done before or thought of doing,” he said. “Golf courses are not easily accessible to kids in urban areas. Introducing them to the sport will forever change them because they can share their experiences with others.”

Beyond learning to putt, chip and swing, participants were introduced to a sport they can carry with them throughout their lives. Simeon believes golf is for all ages — an experience that can be shared between generations of a family, passing down the lessons and etiquette of the game.

Through support from partners such as adidas, along with community organizations and golf facilities, First Tee – Premier départ Québec is helping make those opportunities possible.

By lowering barriers and creating positive first experiences, these programs are giving more girls the chance to discover golf and see themselves as part of the game.

First Tee – Ontario and adidas create memorable first swings at Ontario Indigenous Championship

CALEDONIA, Ont. — For nearly 40 Indigenous youth, a Sunday at the Ontario Indigenous Championship offered a chance to pick up a golf club, try something new and see themselves represented on the course.

First Tee – Ontario and adidas, in partnership with Golf Ontario, hosted an introductory golf clinic for youth ages 7 to 14 on Sunday, August 16 at MontHill Golf and Country Club. Held during the championship’s practice round, the clinic was designed to create positive first experiences with golf and show participants that there is a place for them in the game.

Across two one-hour sessions, participants rotated through putting, chipping and full-swing stations, building fundamental skills while taking part in activities that incorporated First Tee’s life skills curriculum.

First Tee coaches Glenmore Brown and Stewart McLeod led the sessions alongside Golf Ontario participation interns, helping create a safe, energetic environment where youth of all experience levels could learn, ask questions and have fun.

For some participants, it was their first time picking up a golf club.

The clinic also offered something beyond learning the fundamentals. With the Ontario Indigenous Championship taking place nearby, participants could watch Indigenous golfers compete at the provincial level and see firsthand the pride that comes with representing their communities on the course.

Between the two clinic sessions, participants gathered for pizza, giving them an opportunity to connect, share laughs and build new friendships.

For Sarah Tattrie, coordinator, First Tee – Ontario, seeing new golfers discover a love for the game was one of the highlights of the day.

“Watching participants who had never picked up a golf club before discover that they genuinely enjoyed the game was one of the most rewarding parts of the clinic,” said Tattrie. “Creating a fun environment where youth can try golf for the first time, while also seeing Indigenous athletes competing at the championship, was really special.”

With adidas’ support, the First Tee – Ontario clinic was more than an introduction to golf. It was an opportunity for youth to build confidence, connect with others and experience the game in a setting that celebrated Indigenous representation.

By creating positive first experiences and removing barriers to participation, First Tee – Ontario and its partners are helping more youth discover golf and see themselves as part of its future.

First Tee – Alberta celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day with youth golf clinic

CALGARY, Alta. — In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, First Tee – Alberta collaborated with 7 Generations Golf Association to host an introductory golf clinic for youth from Tsuut’ina First Nation.

A community partner of First Tee – Alberta since 2023, 7 Generations Golf Association is committed to making golf more accessible for First Nations youth by removing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for personal growth through the game.

Led by Indigenous First Tee coaches Andrew and Staven Fox at Red Meadows Golf Course, participants learned the fundamentals of chipping and the full swing before putting their new skills into practice on a golf hole. Along the way, they were introduced to golf etiquette, how to tee up a ball and the purpose of each club.

While some participants arrived with previous golf experience, others picked up a club for the first time. Coaches Andrew and Staven tailored instruction to each participant’s skill level, creating a welcoming environment where beginners received additional support and encouragement.

With support from First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner adidas, each participant received a First Tee – Alberta T-shirt and hat, helping foster a sense of belonging. Participants who did not have their own equipment also received a golf club to keep, courtesy of Sport Central.

“Working alongside 7 Generations Golf Association allows us to create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth to experience everything golf has to offer,” said Michael Steele, program manager for First Tee – Alberta. “Support from partners like adidas and Sport Central helps ensure participants not only have the equipment they need, but also feel welcomed, included and confident from the moment they arrive.”

For one participant, the clinic marked a noticeable boost in confidence. She progressed from simply making contact with the ball to celebrating each shot and eagerly attempting to hole out on the green. She left excited to continue playing golf alongside her father.

The clinic concluded with a pizza lunch in the clubhouse, with participants leaving more confident, connected and inspired to continue exploring opportunities in the game.

Learn more at firstteealberta.ca.

YMCA of Saskatoon youth discover golf through First Tee – Prairies program

SASKATOON, Sask. — Twenty-four youth from the YMCA of Saskatoon recently discovered the game of golf through a four-week First Tee – Prairies program at Riverside Country Club, made possible through the generosity of donor David Dube and support from First Tee – Canada’s national apparel partner, adidas.

For many participants, the program marked their first introduction to golf. Hosted on Riverside Country Club’s short course, youth learned fundamental skills such as putting, chipping, pitching and full swings while also exploring key lessons in golf etiquette, respect and teamwork.

Thanks to Dube’s support, the program was offered at no cost to participants, removing financial barriers and creating opportunities for more youth to experience the sport. Riverside Country Club also contributed by donating access to its facilities, helping create a welcoming environment where participants could learn and grow.

In addition, adidas outfitted participants in First Tee – Prairies branded apparel, helping foster a sense of belonging and confidence as they took their first swings in a sport that was new to all of them.

“Cost, transportation and access can prevent many young people from experiencing golf,” said Bella Veloso, program manager of First Tee – Prairies. “Thanks to David Dube’s support, Riverside Country Club’s generosity and adidas’ commitment to our participants, those barriers were removed, allowing youth to focus on learning a new sport in a fun, inclusive environment — that’s what First Tee is all about.”

The program was delivered by First Tee – Prairies coach and Riverside member Laura Small, with support from Carole Picklyk and Monique Devine. Small, who has been part of the First Tee – Prairies coaching team for two seasons, said the program’s emphasis on life skills is what initially inspired her to get involved.

“I have always thought that First Tee was a great program, so it seemed like a good avenue for me to volunteer,” said Small. “I’m an avid golfer who believes it’s a game you can play for life. What resonated with me most was the focus on developing life skills that go beyond the sport and can last forever; confidence, perseverance, integrity, honesty, goal setting, teamwork and respect.”

Participants showed significant progress throughout the four weeks and left the program with new skills, greater confidence and a lasting connection to the game. Along with their adidas apparel, each participant received a First Tee welcome kit to commemorate their experience and continue their journey in golf.

Get involved at firstteeprairies.ca.

First Tee – Canada makes an impact at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open

First Tee – Canada engaged more than 700 young people during an impactful week at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, creating opportunities for youth to experience golf in new and exciting ways.

On Wednesday, 52 First Tee – Canada participants took part in Walk With a Pro at the iconic Rink hole, enjoying an inside-the-ropes experience and taking their pro’s first putt.

Nearly 70 youth also participated in an introductory First Tee clinic presented by adidas, highlighted by a surprise appearance from Canadian PGA TOUR professional Nick Taylor.

Taylor later joined five RBC Community Junior Golf participants to recreate his historic 72-foot putt from the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. Throughout tournament week, the RBC Community Junior Golf 72’ Putt activation raised nearly $45,000, while Golf Canada’s 50/50 Raffle generated nearly $63,000 for First Tee – Canada, as the tournament’s charitable beneficiary.

First Tee – Canada thanks the participants, schools, community organizations, volunteers, coaches and chapter staff who helped make the week a success.

Follow @rbccanadianopen on Instagram and Facebook to see more of First Tee – Canada’s initiatives during tournament week:

Nick Taylor at the First Tee – Canada clinic presented by adidas

Tommy Fleetwood caddies a junior golfer during First Tee – Canada’s Walk With a Pro

Nick Taylor at the RBC Community Junior Golf 72′ Putt activation

First Tee participants represent Team Canada at the 2026 Ernie Els #GameON Autism® International 4Ball Tournament

HUMBER VALLEY, N.L. — Eight First Tee participants proudly represented Team Canada at the 2026 Ernie Els #GameON Autism® International 4Ball Tournament at Humber Valley Resort on May 21, joining young golfers from around the world in a celebration of sport, inclusion and community.

The international satellite tournament brought together participants from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Competing in a six-hole, two-person scramble format, the Canadian team included four pairs of participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who have taken part in First Tee programming over the past three years, under the guidance of coaches Wayne, Rosie and Paige Allen and Taylor Cormier.

The day began with participants receiving their Team Canada uniforms from First Tee – Canada’s apparel partner adidas, before heading to the course. Throughout the tournament, teammates and coaches celebrated one another’s successes with high-fives and words of encouragement, creating an atmosphere that reflected the values of confidence, sportsmanship and respect fostered through First Tee programming.

For many families, the event represented a unique opportunity for their children to participate in an international sporting competition.

“Kids with disabilities don’t always get opportunities to be involved in a lot of sports tournaments,” said parent Jim Pink, whose son Jackson has participated in First Tee programming for four years. “Through golf, Jackson gets to enjoy the camaraderie, sportsmanship and cheering each other on. This tournament is one of a kind for us, and we look forward to it every year.”

Following the round, participants, families, coaches and supporters gathered at the Humber Valley Resort clubhouse for a dinner and reception, bringing the day to a memorable close.

For participant Joseph Tobin, 10, the experience was as much about friendship as it was about golf.

“My favourite part about golf is putting and the friends that I’ve made in the program,” he said. “My favourite part of the tournament today was when I made a big swing.”

*First Tee – Atlantic participant taking his tee shot with his coaches, fellow participants and their fathers watching.*

The tournament marked the second time a group from Humber Valley has represented Canada at the Ernie Els #GameON Autism® International 4Ball Tournament. Four participants competed in 2024, while this year’s team doubled in size, reflecting the continued growth of First Tee programming in the region.

The event was supported by Humber Valley Resort, First Tee – Atlantic, adidas, Kruger and local sponsors, whose contributions helped create an unforgettable experience for participants and their families.

*First Tee – Atlantic participant in a golf polo and hat, provided by adidas.*

While the tournament offered the chance to compete on an international stage, the lasting impact extended beyond the scorecard. For the eight participants representing Canada, it was an opportunity to build friendships, celebrate personal achievements and experience the game they love alongside a supportive community.

To learn more about how you can support youth development and life-enhancing opportunities through golf, visit firstteeatlantic.ca/get-involved.

Category: adidas