The Links at Fluor Field presented by Haas Family Golf Center

The Diamond Meets the Links

This unique pairing of a round of golf played in a baseball stadium is coming to Greenville with The Links at Fluor Field Presented by Haas Family Golf benefiting First Tee — Upstate South Carolina. And you get to be a part of this one-of-a-kind experience. A fundraiser for First Tee — Upstate South Carolina, the Links event will bring golfers and families to Fluor Field to play 18 holes of golf. Players will be hitting from areas set up around the stadium – including hitting off the top of The Green Monster – and an on-field hitting area at home plate. Players will hit to three targets on the field and compete to be the first Links at Fluor Field Champion. They will also have the opportunity to tour The Greenville Drive’s Clubhouse. The event spans two days – Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 – and includes two evening rounds on Friday and Saturday where the field will be lit up for “Glow Golf”. Greens fees are $125 per player with food and a beverage included. Available times are between noon and 7:15 pm on Friday and 10:15 a.m. and 7:15 pm on Saturday. Greens fees for the Glow Golf experience Friday night from 7:45 to 9:30 and Saturday night from 7:45 to 9:00 are $150 and includes an open bar. Players can sign up for tee times online at www.firstteeupstate.org/thelinks. This experience is worth watching, and the gates will be open to general admission at $5 per person for the whole day. This is a family friendly event with food and drinks available for purchase. Sponsorship opportunities are still available (www.firstteeupstate.org/thelinks) and the First Tee — Upstate South Carolina is grateful to Haas Family Golf Center for its title sponsorship, as well as Orange Whip, World Finance Corporation, Delaney’s Irish Pub, JPMorganChase, Corbin Turf and Southern First Bank. All proceeds from The Links at Fluor Field Presented by Haas Family Golf Center will benefit First Tee — Upstate South Carolina, part of an international youth development organization that uses golf to instill healthy habits and core values. The Upstate South Carolina chapter, serving Cherokee, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson counties, is one of the fastest growing chapters in the country. As part of our promotion for this event, we’re excited to invite everyone to join us at First Tee Family Night at the Greenville Drive Game August 27 at 7 p.m. First Tee participant Jonathan Roe, will be singing the National Anthem, and Carolyn Echols, manager of Haas Family Golf Center, will be throwing out the first pitch. There will be plenty of fun activities for the kids – young and old – as well. You do not have to be a First Tee participant or family to join us for this fun evening. Reserve your tickets by using the following link; www.tinyurl.com/2021DriveGame. For additional information, please contact Executive Director Michael Pius at 864-268-3309.

USGA Awards Grant to First Tee — Upstate South Carolina for Local Youth Development Programs

USGA Awards Grant to First Tee — Upstate South Carolina for Local Youth Development Programs

USGA grant is part of a nationwide initiative to provide greater access to golf for youth

Greenville, SC (August 19, 2020) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has awarded a $2,500 grant to First Tee — Upstate South Carolina to further their efforts of introducing young people to game of golf and experiences that empower them to build their strength of character. The grant is one of 51 being awarded nationwide to chapters located in or around USGA Championships and Allied Golf Associations as part of the organization’s strategy to leave a positive impact on its local host communities. Since 1997, the USGA has invested more than $26 million in grants to First Tee to provide greater access to golf for juniors and cultivate a life-long passion for the game. The commitment to expanding participation is part of the USGA’s mission to champion and advance the game. “Year after year we are seeing the positive impact that First Tee and other junior programs are having in breaking down barriers and connecting communities through sports,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “It is vital for golf’s long-term health that we continue to create pathways for all juniors to participate.” First Tee brings kids and teens to the game of golf and leverages it as a catalyst for personal growth through experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience. With USGA’s support, First Tee — Upstate South Carolina reaches more than 600 young people annually at 12 program locations, with support from over 100 volunteers. First Tee — Upstate South Carolina impacts young people through character education and life skills programs at in-school and after-school programs. “Even during these difficult times of dealing with COVID-19, First Tee – Upstate South Carolina has continued to persevere and impact the lives of our young people through our programming,” said Michael Pius, PGA Executive Director. “This support from the USGA will allow us to continue to make a lasting effect and teach the life skills that our young people will carry on for the rest of their lives.” The funding is part of the USGA’s annual $70 million investment back into the game fueled by revenues generated by the U.S. Open. For more information about the First Tee — Upstate South Carolina, visit www.firstteeupstate.org. Visit firsttee.org to see the full list of USGA grant recipients. About the USGA The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org. About First Tee — Upstate South Carolina First Tee – Upstate South Carolina is a nonprofit organization dedicated to impacting the lives of young people in Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Pickens and Spartanburg counties by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Offering programs specifically designed for young people ages 5 to 18, the organization impacts the lives of over 60,000 Upstate area youth each year. For more information, visit www.firstteeupstate.org.

THE FIRST TEE OF GREENVILLE JOINS FORCES WITH THE FIRST TEE OF SPARTANBURG & CHEROKEE COUNTIES TO FORM THE FIRST TEE OF THE UPSTATE

GREENVILLE, SC – The First Tee of Greenville and The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties announced today that the organizations are joining forces to form The First Tee of the Upstate, to better serve area youth. The First Tee of the Upstate, whose mission it is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf, will begin its new season of programming on March 20^th with 8 area golf course locations conducting 31 classes, spanning Spartanburg, Greenville and Cherokee counties. The combination of the chapters into The First Tee of the Upstate is nearly 12 months in the making, and will now combine The First Tee of Spartanburg’s national award-winning programming with The First Tee of Greenville. The First Tee of the Upstate will utilize a combination of out-of-school and in-school programs to help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf. In fact, The First Tee’s National Schools Program, whereby physical education teachers introduce golf and life skills to elementary students as part of their annual curricula, is now available in 93 of 109 schools in Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Complementing the National Schools Program, The First Tee of the Upstate has established partnerships with the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, STEM Program, Greenville Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Greenville YMCA and Small Impressions Child Development Center to maximize the program’s reach to area youth. “The Upstate of South Carolina continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and as our area continues its population growth, we made the strategic decision that by merging both of our organizations’ resources we are better positioned to serve the youth of the Upstate now and in the future,” said Ron Rasmussen, Board President of The First Tee of the Upstate. “We are thankful to the wonderful board members, programming coordinators, coaches, mentors and volunteers that have made The First Tee chapters in the Upstate a success for a long time. Their contributions have helped get us to this point. We look forward to continuing that legacy by building a staff that can help take The First Tee of the Upstate to the next level.” “While we remain focused on serving children in Spartanburg, Greenville and Cherokee counties at the outset, we do believe that the consolidation of resources will afford us an opportunity to serve additional Upstate communities in the future,” said Todd Whitehead, Board Vice President. “We look forward to being able to instill the values of respect, integrity, and honesty through the game of golf to more Upstate youth than ever before.” The First Tee of the Upstate’s Spring programming will take place at Woodfin Ridge, Willow Creek Golf Club and Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg County; Cherokee National Golf & Recreation Club in Cherokee County; and Carolina Golf Club at Botany Woods, Legacy Pines Golf Club, Carolina Springs Golf Club and Green Valley Country Club in Greenville County. Those interested in enrolling their children in programming at one of these 8 locations can visit www.firstteeupstate.org and click the REGISTER button on the top right of the page. As The First Tee of the Upstate completes its consolidation efforts and expands its reach, building its roster of volunteers is a key priority. Anyone interested in volunteering with The First Tee of the Upstate should visit www.firstteeupstate.org for more information. # # # About The First Tee of the Upstate The First Tee of the Upstate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to impacting the lives of young people in Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Offering programs specifically designed for young people ages 6 to 18, the organization touches the lives of nearly 50,000 Upstate area youth each year. For more information, visit www.firstteeupstate.org.