USGA Awards First Tee IDEA Grants to Chapters Nationwide

Written by NCGA Staff | Nov 24, 2025 4:27:35 PM

To ensure golf and its inherent values continue to inspire future generations, the USGA has directed its latest IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) grant funding to 29 First Tee chapters nationwide.

The USGA has awarded 129 grants to chapters across the country since 2021, totaling over $1 million since the grant program’s inception, all dedicated to supplementing the efforts of First Tee chapters in reaching communities historically underrepresented in golf.

The USGA, in its capacity as a founding partner of First Tee, directs $200,000 annually toward local initiatives aimed at developing the game’s next generation, and mitigating the entry barriers they commonly encounter in golf.

“The USGA’s relationship with First Tee is a foundational commitment to the future of our game,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “IDEA grants are about more than just equipment and lessons. They break down real barriers so that more of America’s youth can step onto a course and benefit from the character-building programs that First Tee provides.”

“We are grateful to the USGA for its continued investment in making First Tee programming accessible to kids from all backgrounds,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “First Tee and our chapters would not be where we are today without the longstanding commitment made by USGA. It continues to be a very meaningful partnership in helping us fulfil our mission.”

Golfers access the game in varying ways from community to community, and USGA IDEA grants allow chapters to direct their funding toward strategic initiatives of their choosing. Notable activities supported by grants throughout 2025 include:  

  • Resources such as facility fees, coaches, registration support and volunteers to chapters in flood-ravaged areas of the country, including First Tee – Pine Mountain and First Tee – Central Carolina, allowing them to restore programming following natural disasters
  • Expansion of adaptive programs offered by First Tee – Rocky Mountains, First Tee – Tri-Valley, First Tee – Southeastern New Mexico and First Tee – Upstate South Carolina
  • Connecting youth from indigenous communities to the game through First Tee – South Dakota’s direct outreach on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, First Tee – Tucson’s partnership with Pasqui Yaqui and Tohono Odham Reservation schools and First Tee – Four Corners’ offering of free field trips to youth on the Navajo Reservation
  • Access to year-round programming for participants of First Tee – Greater Wichita and First Tee – South Dakota thanks to the opening of indoor learning centers
  • First Tee – Metropolitan New York and First Tee – Greater Baltimore covering the cost of bus transportation to help participants in urban areas access green grass facilities
  • Establishment of an LPGA*USGA Girls Golf chapter at First Tee – Southern Colorado and expansion of existing Girls Golf programs offered through First Tee – Upstate South Carolina and First Tee Central Mississippi, empowering more girls through golf
  • Recruiting Spanish-language instructors and volunteers to assist with programming in the predominantly Hispanic communities served by First Tee – Washington D.C. and First Tee – Phoenix

Below is the full list of chapters awarded funding in 2025:

 

 
Chapter Name Location
First Tee – Athens Georgia
First Tee – Minnesota Minnesota
First Tee – Central Carolina North Carolina
First Tee – Monterey County California
First Tee – Central Coast California
First Tee – Phoenix Arizona
First Tee – Central Mississippi Mississippi
First Tee – Pine Mountain Georgia
First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains Colorado
First Tee – San Diego California
First Tee – Connecticut Connecticut
First Tee – South Dakota South Dakota
First Tee – Eastern Michigan Michigan
First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin Wisconsin
First Tee – Four Corners New Mexico
First Tee – Southeastern New Mexico New Mexico
First Tee – Greater Baltimore Maryland
First Tee – Southern Colorado Colorado
First Tee – Greater Dallas Texas
First Tee – Triangle North Carolina
First Tee – Greater Seattle Washington
First Tee – Tri–Valley California
First Tee – Greater Trenton New Jersey
First Tee – Tucson Arizona
First Tee – Greater Washington, DC District of Columbia
First Tee – Upstate South Carolina South Carolina
First Tee – Greater Wichita Kansas
First Tee – West Michigan Michigan
First Tee – Metropolitan New York New York

 

 
Chapter Name Location
First Tee – Athens Georgia
First Tee – Minnesota Minnesota
First Tee – Central Carolina North Carolina
First Tee – Monterey County California
First Tee – Central Coast California
First Tee – Phoenix Arizona
First Tee – Central Mississippi Mississippi
First Tee – Pine Mountain Georgia
First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains Colorado
First Tee – San Diego California
First Tee – Connecticut Connecticut
First Tee – South Dakota South Dakota
First Tee – Eastern Michigan Michigan
First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin Wisconsin
First Tee – Four Corners New Mexico
First Tee – Southeastern New Mexico New Mexico
First Tee – Greater Baltimore Maryland
First Tee – Southern Colorado Colorado
First Tee – Greater Dallas Texas
First Tee – Triangle North Carolina
First Tee – Greater Seattle Washington
First Tee – Tri–Valley California
First Tee – Greater Trenton New Jersey
First Tee – Tucson Arizona
First Tee – Greater Washington, DC District of Columbia
First Tee – Upstate South Carolina South Carolina
First Tee – Greater Wichita Kansas
First Tee – West Michigan Michigan
First Tee – Metropolitan New York New York

 

 

As part of an organizational commitment to ensure the game continues to thrive for generations to come, the USGA annually invests more than $10 million into junior golf programs, including First Tee, LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, Drive, Chip & Putt, and the AJGA, as well as the U.S. National Development Program, which serves as a developmental pipeline for the nation’s most talented youth.
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