John Parker was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has always had a passion for making a difference in the world. He began his career as a 3rd Grade Teacher in the Bryan County School System in 2005 and worked in that role for 17 years. Within the past 7 years, he found golf and quickly realized that all of the core values of the game directly relate to the character education being taught in schools everyday. This prompted him to create a golf themed classroom. From there he gained the attention of The First Tee, which introduced him to their school program where he began teaching this model at his school in 2019.
Two years later, The First Tee-Savannah was launched, and John was hired as the Program Director. He worked in this role part-time and continued teaching until 2023 where he transitioned into the chapter's full-time Program Director.
Seeing the remarkable difference that he has made through this role, John was promoted to CEO of The First Tee-Savannah at the start of 2024, where he will oversee all of the chapter's operations and continue to build this organization to reach as many youth as possible.
The First Tee's Mission statement: We enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we created learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. The First Tee Empowers kids and team by instilling life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The program has grown tremendously in the past few years. They currently have 16 coaches, 50 volunteers. 48% of participants are on full scholarship. This started off as a school program at 26 schools, 19 of which are Title One, reaching 14,000 kids. Success stories include Reshma’s two daughters!
Programming and Charity Partners include Park Place Outreach and the LB3 Foundation, promotes ending gun violence and holds an annual golf camp.
How you can help? Spread the word about The First Tee-Savannah to help them gain exposure via word of mouth You can volunteer, donate new golf equipment, and funding for programs. They are building a mentor program. This enables kids to build character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. They integrate the game of golf with life skills curriculum to create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience. The program also helps kids appreciate diversity and respect others.
They are entering a new phase, that includes an adaptive, girls-only program, and a little “putter’s program.” They are reorganized with a new energy and laser-focused on their mission for inner-city Savannah. 6:1 ratio per class. John is clearly passionate about the relationships formed with the children they work with and they are not numbers to him. They are about changing as many lives as possible and building tomorrow’s leaders!
The Core Values taught include respect, courtesy, honesty, sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility, confidence, judgement, and perseverance. The First Tee only has one full-time intern on staff in addition to John, all others are volunteers. The First Tee relies solely on all of the golf courses that participate in the program as well as their availability, which are all of the courses in the area except Savannah Quarters, Savannah Country Club, and Mary Calder.
Ariel Brown received the First Tee National Teacher of the Year. Her parents run Savannah Legacy Academy.
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We invite you to attend The First Tee's inaugural Tee Off Party on Sunday, March 3, 6-8pm at the Palmetto Terrace at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club. This event will kick off our Golf Marathon on Monday, March 4. The all-inclusive evening includes a full southern table menu, open bar, and live auction. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased here. Contact John Parker or Dana Whitfield for more info. Facebook invite here. Follow us on Facebook here and on Instagram here. Thank you for supporting The First Tee.