From Simulators to the Naples Sun — First Tee Champions Challenge Participants Kickstart Round 1 of the Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club
By Zoe Waltzer
NAPLES, Fla. – After a winter spent grinding in indoor simulators, ten standout student-athletes from First Tee chapters in Philadelphia, New York, Massachusetts, Chicago and Minnesota officially traded the cold for the coast today. Round one of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge kicked off at the Chubb Classic, marking the first time many of these players have stepped onto real grass this year.
For players like Olivia Jatczak (First Tee Massachusetts), the simple joy of being outdoors outweighed any competitive nerves. "I've been stuck in the sims all winter," Jatczak noted. "Although I'm very grateful for the simulators, like, it's nice to play outside again... In terms of prep, I've just been able to feel grateful for the fact that I'm here."
Elizabeth Fong (First Tee Minnesota) shared that sentiment, noting the shift from digital to physical play. "I’m just kinda more excited that I was going to be able to hit outside... I’ve been in sims a lot… I’m really excited and I think it’s going to be a really great learning experience, and just like being able to see how they play and how they kinda like think under when they’re playing golf.”
Following yesterday’s intimate clinic with PGA TOUR Champions professional Brett Quigley, the participants kicked off their Friday by visiting Naples Botanical Gardens. At the Gardens, they participated in several beautification projects – including planting flowers around the outside perimeter of the gardens – all part of the overall First Tee’s vision of developing life lessons both on and off the golf course.
In the afternoon, the First tee participants hit the links for their first round at the Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club, heading into round one with a "less is more" mindset. Coaches echoed Quigley’s advice to simplify the game, especially given the "bonus golf" nature of the trip.
"I stole some things that Brett Quigley shared with us yesterday," said Tom Graham (Coach, First Tee Metropolitan New York). “Just trying to be present instead of getting too analytical… Back home, you know, we still have a lot of snow on the ground… So, this is, like, such a bonus… just being here, being around the PGA champions, players, and so forth, and being able to play on the tournament course during the tournament, is just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Jim Triggs (Coach, First Tee Minnesota) noted that while the northern kids share a "natural disadvantage" of being out of practice, the playing field is leveled by their shared experience. “My only advice is that this is a rare opportunity, and just make sure you don’t stress, just enjoy every minute of it.”
As the shamble format got underway—allowing players to select the best tee shot before playing their own ball into the hole—the focus shifted to the mental game.
Erika Shavers (Coach, First Tee Greater Chicago): "The word for today is flow… Flow and rhythm. Find your flow, find your rhythm…” When asked what she does to talk her players through stress and nerves, Shavers responded: “Breathe. Just breathe. Like, celebrate the small victories. Hit an air shot, let it go as quickly as you can, and move on to the next one. One task at a time, one shot at a time. One swing at a time.”
Kennedy White (Player, First Tee Greater Chicago): "I’ve never played in a shamble before... I think just playing with a partner my age is really cool, and so I'm ready to just take away from the experience itself, and just learn a few things about other people… that I can apply to my game.”
Andi Jones (Player, First Tee Philly): "I mentally prepared for this tournament by focusing on my shots... I think it's pretty cool being able to play with pros and seeing how they swing and how they are mentally able to, like, keep going, um, throughout this whole tournament."
Rory Jones (Player, First Tee Philly): Focused on the fundamentals of "stretching and practicing" while simply "experiencing a really great course."
Beyond the birdies and bogeys, the weekend is a masterclass in character. The quiet nervousness of arrival has been replaced by a bustling social atmosphere as players from different chapters bond over shared shots and the Florida sun.
As round one concludes and we head into the weekend, the message from the coaches remains clear: the result on the leaderboard matters far less than the lessons learned inside the ropes.
