Fifty high school students from across the country will see that golf is more than a game while attending the first-ever Future Leaders Forum, Nov. 1-4 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The forum is in conjunction with the Children’s Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart, the final stop on the 2007 PGA Tour Fall Series.
The Future Leaders Forum is a once-in-a-lifetime, three-day immersion in the sport, business and science of golf. The Toro Company, Walt Disney World Resort and The First Tee joined forces to help prepare high school students for college and the future.
An educational program including topics in and outside of golf, the forum offers students an exclusive opportunity to learn about career opportunities beyond the game. Students will shadow PGA TOUR tournament staff to discover what it takes to run a professional golf tournament. In addition, they will learn first-hand from industry leaders about career opportunities in turf management, entertainment, human relations, marketing, the sport of golf – and beyond. For many students, the forum will provide access to their very first professional golf event, and access to some of the world’s most renowned golfers and golf industry leaders.
“The young people selected represent our future. This is a unique learning platform that will allow The First Tee participants to explore a variety of career opportunities within and outside the golf industry,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., The First Tee executive director. “On behalf of The First Tee, I would like to thank The Toro Company, Walt Disney World Resort and the PGA TOUR for helping us make this new program possible.”
Recognized as a preeminent youth development organization, The First Tee has opened more than 260 golf-learning facilities in 47 states and five international locations and has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 1.5 million participants.
The 50 high school students, from 30 Chapters of The First Tee, were selected through an essay competition and application process. Nominees submitted a 200-word essay about their career aspirations and post-high school plans; a letter from a parent on how this program would impact the student and the family; and a letter from the executive director of their Chapter describing the student’s leadership skills. A complete list of participants is included below.
“We all stand to be inspired by these young individuals’ desire to learn,” said Michael Hoffman, chairman and c.e.o. of The Toro Co.. “A career in the golf business isn’t limited to being a professional golfer. We’re excited to introduce these talented students to many related career opportunities so that, someday, they might be leaders in our industry.”
Future Leaders Forum curriculum
The First Tee, Walt Disney World Resort and The Toro Company worked in collaboration to provide the attendees a unique curriculum in leadership development and career preparedness. Some of the courses include: Disney’s Leadership Excellence – Students will learn Disney’s approach to leadership and how to apply those philosophies to personal goals and leadership styles. Turf Science – Interactive discussion on various aspects of turf, and how new innovations in equipment and irrigation technologies are shaping the golf industry and the landscapes students help maintain at home.
Career Track – Focus on college preparation and exploring career opportunities in and outside the golf industry. Golf Management – Hosted by the PGA of America, the session provides an overview of the golf industry and opportunities in golf through the PGA’s Professional Golf Management program.
“The young people selected for the inaugural Future Leaders Forum already have shown a commitment to incorporating the values they’ve acquired on the golf course – such as integrity, honesty and sportsmanship – into their personal lives,” said Reggie Williams, vice president of Disney Sports Attractions. “We commend them for their achievements and look forward to further inspiring them in this special place where dreams come true every day.”
Future Leaders Forum participants
Jared Andrzejewski, The First Tee of Sharon (Pa.)
Ashley Bogaerts, The First Tee of Phoenix
Dawn Carroll, The First Tee of Modesto (Calif.)
Darius Chappell, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Clay Cooper, The First Tee of Central Coast (Calif.)
Monica Dias, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and The First Tee of Connecticut
Sara Marcela Diaz, The First Tee of San Antonio
Jamison Dye, The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Brent Edelman, The First Tee of Central Coast (Calif.)
Cherly Lynn, Fedmaier The First Tee of Greater Austin
Johnie Freatman, The First Tee of Greater Seattle
Tyler Fricks, The First Tee of Chattanooga
Trust Garcia, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and The First Tee of Connecticut
Caron Garstka, The First Tee of Greater Austin
Katie Gustafson, The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District (Minn.)
Amber Hardeman, The First Tee of Dallas
Nathan Holliday, The First Tee of St. Louis
Randon Holt, The First Tee of Atlanta
Brittany Jackson, The First Tee of Augusta
Natalie Koh, The First Tee of Singapore
Ariel Leigh, The First Tee of Greater Austin
Wesley Levanduski, The First Tee of Central Coast
Sydnee Mack, The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Corey Moran, The First Tee of Pine Mountain (Ky.)
Adam Morrison, The First Tee of Chattanooga
Kristine Moy, The First Tee of San Francisco
Angela Nelson, The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District (Minn.)
Ryan Porter, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Richard Powell, Jr., The First Tee of Chattanooga
Anthony Puello, The First Tee of Beaver Falls (Pa.)
Alyssa Ramont, The First Tee of Modesto (Calif.)
Clarence Roby, III The First Tee of New Orleans
Joshua Sanchez, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Raven Sanders, The First Tee of Houston/Redstone
Sarah Scheidemantel, The First Tee of Beaver Falls (Pa.)
Jennifer Smitheram, The First Tee of Contra Costa (Calif.)
Joseph Sobaski, The First Tee of Southern Nevada
Daniel Stewart, The First Tee of the North Bay (Calif.)
Sara Taylor, The First Tee of Portland
Ryan Thill, The First Tee of Greater Austin
Christine Thrift, The First Tee of Fort Smith (Ark.)
Keller Tomassi, The First Tee of Atlanta
John Toungate, The First Tee of Greater Austin
Jeffrey Tran, The First Tee of Augusta
Brandon Urbano, The First Tee of Greater Sacramento
John Varner, The First Tee of the Children’s Course (Ore.)
Christopher Wall, The First Tee of Connecticut
Priscilla Ward, The First Tee of Washington D.C.
Latish Whyte, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
George Williams, The First Tee of Detroit