The First Tee of Greater New Orleans recognizes award winners for 2017

Gretna, LA – The First Tee of Greater New Orleans recognized its top participants from 2017 at their annual End of Year Awards Ceremony that took place on Saturday evening at Timberlane Country Club in Gretna.

Taking home the organization’s top honor was Julia Simon from New Orleans, who won the 2017 Participant of the Year Award. Simon, 17, is a junior at Lusher Charter School. Her highlights in The First Tee program from 2017 included winning the Girls 15-18 division of The First Tee Regional Tournament in December, her team won The First Tee Ladies Jr.-Am Sponsored by Fidelity Bank in November and she was selected to attend the College Golf Prep Academy, which took place in West Palm Beach, Florida at Keiser University in July. Simon has been in The First Tee program for nine years and is currently completing her Ace certification, which includes a community service project and college/career planning.

The First Tee also recognized nine additional participants for their demonstration of The First Tee’s Nine Core Values. The winners included: Jonathan Ashford (Respect Award), Logan Batiste (Judgment Award),

Matt Biehl (Responsibility Award), Hailey Edwards (Integrity Award), Grace Jin (Sportsmanship Award),

Lori Launey (Honesty Award), Hunter McDermott (Confidence Award), Kobe Narcisse (Perseverance Award) and Vicky Stephens (Courtesy Award).

The awards ceremony also highlighted some of the adult contributions to The First Tee of Greater New Orleans in 2017. Susan Cohoon was recognized as the Volunteer of The Year. Chad Radecker was recognized as the Coach of The Year. Perry Faulkner, Director of Education, was highlighted for receiving his Recognized Program Director status within The First Tee network and Coach Kyle Albright was recognized for receiving his The First Tee Coach distinction in 2017 as well.

The First Tee of Greater New Orleans chapter was awarded the Barbara A. Douglas – Dr. William J. Powell Organizational Diversity Award back in November from The First Tee Home Office. The award recognized the local chapter’s efforts towards diversity and inclusion with program participants, staff and board members.

The 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. The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ spring after-school and weekend classes will begin on Saturday, February 24^th, 2018 at several local golf facilities and registration for classes is open at their website www.thefirstteenola.org. The First Tee program is open to any youth between the ages of 5-18 and scholarships are available for families who qualify to participate at no cost.

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About The First Tee of Greater New Orleans:

The First Tee of Greater New Orleans (thefirstteenola.org) 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 80 locations, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving agencies throughout the region.

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 10.5 million young people in all 50 states and select international locations. Locally, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans was founded in 2004 and positively impacts over 28,000 youth participants. 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.