Category: The First Tee Nine Core Values

Kyle Mahan Game Changers Participant of the Year

Kyle Mahan Participant of the Year

Kyle Mahan is a 2022 graduate of Johnson High School and will attend Western New Mexico University this fall on a golf scholarship. He joined the First Tee – Greater San Antonio as a 7th grader and has gone through the program and is now currently an Ace participant. He enjoys helping as a volunteer and mentor to younger participants. Kyle is thankful for the opportunities he has received through the First Tee, which he credits for giving him guidance and support to develop and improve himself. Kyle represented First Tee – Greater San Antonio at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, where he played with San Antonio resident, Cameron Beckman. He also qualified for the First Tee National Championship at Clemson. Kyle was part of the First Tee Leadership Series presented by the PGA TOUR Superstore; (this program exposes First Tee participants to careers in the golf industry). As Kyle looks to the next chapter of his life, the First Tee – Greater San Antonio is proud to announce him as the 2021 Participant of the year.

Riley Yount: Game Changers Judgment Award Winner

Riley Yount

Riley has been in the First Tee program since the age of 6. Already an Ace participant at 15, Riley is another emerging leader and mentor from our program. Riley was part of the First Tee National Participant Advisory Council in 2021.

In addition to golf, Riley is 3-time Youth Bodyboard National Champion, 3-time Flowboard National Champion, a competitive chess player and aspires to be a golf course architect. Riley is one of our most reliable volunteers and we look forward to his continued dedication to our First Tee Program.

Congratulations Riley! This award was well-deserved! Keep using those Core Values on and off the course!

Hailey Creech: Game Changers Confidence Award Winner

Hailey Creech

Hailey is a well-rounded individual. Along with golf, she has a love for horseback riding and taekwondo. She loves to play with her friends and sing in the school choir. Hailey never gives up, and she is always involved in her class at TopGolf San Antonio. In all of her hobbies, she is confident and always carries a bright smile.

Keep up the great work Hailey and keep exuding our Core Values with everything you do!

Dax Spencer: Game Changers Sportsmanship Award Winner

Dax Spencer

Dax is a charming young man who loves everything First Tee. Dax has been a participant for a year now and has registered for every session since joining the program. Dax has forged relationships with some of our older participants and has already expressed attributes of the kids who have gone on to be leaders and active participants in our program. Dax shows the sportsmanship needed to have success at a higher level. Dax loves to read especially about history. He also enjoys music and Star Wars.

Congratulations Dax! We are looking forward to seeing you develop in our program!

Jack Polansky: Game Changers Responsibility Award Winner

Jack Polansky

Jack joined the First Tee – Greater San Antonio at 6 years old as a Tiny Tiger. At only 14 years old today, he is one of our youngest Eagle participants. In addition to golf, he plays basketball, runs track, and is involved in PALS at Bradley Middle School. “Jack is a responsible young man whom I can trust to lead a group of younger participants,” said coach Vinny. Jack understands the responsibility it takes to mentor younger participants, but also the maturity to participate in programs with kids much older than him.

We look forward to Jack continuing in our program for the next several years.

Michelle Lee: Game Changers Integrity Award Winner

Michelle Lee

Michelle has been a participant in our First Tee program for three years. At 11 years old, she has already won over 50 junior golf tournaments around San Antonio and beyond. With her 2 sisters, the Lee girls are some of the most hardworking participants we have. With aspirations to play professional golf, Michelle knows that hard work, integrity, and dedication are keys to success. Michelle enjoys reading and watching golf when not playing and she credits her sisters for her fierce competitiveness.

Congratulations Michelle! Well deserved! Keep up the great work!

Armond Walker: Game Changer Respect Award Winner

Armond Walker

Armond joined our First Tee program almost 4 years ago, and right away, he was a leader. It was evident he is a young man with a bright future ahead of him. He respects those around him and loves helping younger participants with their golf swing. As a leader, the respect he has earned with the younger participants resonates. He has aspirations to play professional golf but would be happy to end up as a successful coach of the game with a dream to one day own his own golf academy. Armond loves fishing and occasional video games in his spare time.

Congratulations Armond! Keep leading the way and using the life skills you’ve learned in the program!

Zayden Broadnax-DeBerry: Game Changer Perseverance Award Winner

Zayden Broadnax-DeBerry

Zayden has been a participant in our First Tee program for a year. Zayden is a fitting recipient of this award for his determination and all around positive attitude. He has persevered through obstacles many would consider insurmountable for a young boy. Zayden shows up and gives his best at every class. Zayden also enjoys playing soccer, coding and video games and aspires to be a lawyer when he grows up.

Zayden is an amazing young man who deserve this award! He has exemplified what it means to persevere and lives out this Core Value daily! Congratulations Zayden!

Isabella Coronado – Game Changers Courtesy Award Winner

Isabella Coronado

Isabella is 10 years old and is already a Par level participant! She shows courtesy to those around her, including her classmates and coaches. She is passionate about fitness and is always first to volunteer a warmup activity. She is warm and friendly and wants to continue working hard on her golf game. She loves doing crafts with her sisters and enjoys making new friends through the First Tee.

Congratulations Isabella in earning our Game Changers Courtesy Award! Keep working hard and leaving positive impressions on those around you.

Riley Lisenbee – Game Changers Honesty Award Winner

Riley Lisenbee

Riley is a fun young man to have at the First Tee. His creativity is evident, and it is no surprise that he enjoys playing the tuba and piano. He dreams of becoming a chef or inventor. His honest approach to practice and building relationships with his peers makes him a fitting recipient of this award. Riley has been a participant for 2 years now.

We are so proud of Riley and all the fun he brings out in everyone. He truly embodies this Core Value Award with his interactions with peers and coaches on and off the course!

2022 Game Changers Luncheon

The First Tee – Greater San Antonio was excited to host our inaugural Game Changer Luncheon, where we celebrated, in 2021, the over 1000 youth that were impacted by our First Tee programs. We awarded the Nine Core Value awards to 9 participants, as well as an overall Participant of the Year award and $2,500 scholarship to Kyle Mahan. Two corporations were also awarded for their Distinguished Service to the First Tee – Greater San Antonio. Mary Carriker, former executive director of the organization, was also awarded the inaugural Mary Carriker Commitment Award. Jeff Traylor, Head Football Coach at UTSA, was our guest speaker, with former FTSA Board Member Richard Oliver as emcee.

At the First Tee – Greater San Antonio, we empower youth to build character and life skills through the game of golf. The Game Changer Luncheon is our way to recognize our standout participants from the past year! These kids have gone above and beyond just being a participant in our program. They have made friends, been a mentor, volunteered, shown passion, and many other character traits that the First Tee instills. Below are the award winners:

Isabella Coronado – Courtesy

Hailey Creech – Confidence

Michelle Lee – Integrity

Zayden BroadnaxDeBerry – perseverance

Armond Walker – Respect

Jack Polansky – Responsibility

Dax Spencer – Sportsmanship

Honesty – Riley Lisenbee

Judgment – Riley Yount

Participant of the Year – Kyle Mahan

We cannot thank our donors and sponsors enough. Their continued support allows us to keep expanding our programs and allowing more kids than ever to learn about golf, but more importantly the character and life skills that First Tee instills in them. Congratulations to all award winners.