First Tee – Greater New Orleans recognizes 2020 award recipients

Twelve Youth and Teens Receive Awards

METAIRIE — First Tee-Greater New Orleans recognized its top participants from 2020 at its annual End of Year Awards ceremony that took place on Wednesday evening at Loft18 in Metairie.

For the organization’s top honor, there was a tie for Participant of the Year between teens Mallory Noble and Matthew Bui. Noble, 17, from Belle Chasse, has been in the First Tee program for six years and is currently completing her Ace certification in the program. Bui, 17, from Harvey, has been in the First Tee’s program since he was seven, and is also currently working towards his Ace certification. Less than 1% of First Tee students across the country achieve Ace certification.

First Tee recognized ten additional participants for their demonstration of First Tee’s Nine Core Values. The winners included: Kruz Dilosa (Target), Sophie Crisler (Respect), Brandon Fuselier (Judgment), Landon O’Neal (Responsibility), Claudia Guenther (Integrity), Gavin McDermott (Sportsmanship), Gabrielle Guient (Honesty), Ariana Blagrove (Confidence), Piper Hall (Perseverance) and Presleigh Stewart (Courtesy).

The awards ceremony also highlighted some of the adult contributions to First Tee Greater New Orleans in 2020. Mike Garin was recognized as the Volunteer of The Year. Garin, also a member of First Tee’s board of directors, is a member of Chateau Golf & Country Club and has volunteered with First Tee for several years, assisting with numerous tournaments and events.

Kyle Albright was recognized as First Tee’s Coach of The Year. Albright, who played golf collegiately at Florida A&M, is a certified First Tee Coach through First Tee’s Coach Training Program and has been with the Chapter since 2012. He has positively impacted the lives of thousands of First Tee youth over the past decade.

First Tee provides out-of-school time programs for youth ages 5-18 that teach character education, life skills and healthy habits, through the game of golf. First Tee’s program is open to any youth and financial aid is available for families who qualify to participate at no cost. For more information about First Tee – Greater New Orleans, visit firstteenola.org.

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About First Tee — Greater New Orleans

First Tee – Greater New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission 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. Operating its afterschool and outreach programs at over 70 locations, First Tee Greater New Orleans reaches over 40,000 young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving agencies throughout the region.

Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 15 million young people that spans 150 chapters across the U.S. and select international chapters. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.