First Tee-Greater Pasadena Releases New Video Showcasing How Its Youth Life Skills Golf Program

First Tee – Greater Pasadena has released a new promotional video in partnership with East West Bank and Pasadena Police Activities League. The video showcases the organization’s youth development program that combines golf instruction with a life skills curriculum for San Gabriel Valley children aged 4-17.

The nonprofit organization aims to influence the lives of young people positively by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

The program integrates golf fundamentals with essential life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflicts, setting goals, and appreciating diversity.

The video features several key representatives from the organization including Executive Director / Co-Founder of First Tee – Greater Pasadena Bob Baderian, Stephen Im, Coach and former student, Mark Fritz, Director of Programming & Development, and Matt Terry, Outreach Specialist for the Wounded Warrior Program.

Unlike typical junior golf programs, First Tee offers structured progression through different skill levels: target level, player level, par, birdie, and eagle. This approach helps participants develop core values like respect, honesty, confidence, courtesy, sportsmanship, and perseverance both on and off the course.

The organization said it serves more than 5,000 registered youth annually and has reached over 70,000 students in local schools since 2008.

First Tee – Greater Pasadena often makes its programs accessible by often waiving class fees for low-income families and providing necessary equipment so newcomers don’t need their own golf clubs.

First Tee provides mentorship through a network of over 40 trained coaches. The video highlights one participant’s journey who has been with the program for six years after initially trying a class and loving it. Another speaker describes joining at age 11, eventually becoming an alumni, receiving a college scholarship through the program, and now working as a coach.

The video also highlights the organization’s partnership with the Wounded Warriors Project. The program provides opportunities for veterans to learn golf, engage with the community, and enjoy outdoor activities. Veterans receive donated equipment including Under Armor shoes and golf clubs from sources like Calabasas Country Club.

First Tee – Greater Pasadena also said it continues to seek staff with golf experience to become coaches as well as volunteers. The nonprofit is based at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena and emphasizes that golf is a lifelong sport that can be enjoyed from age 4 to 80+.

Those interested in learning more or getting involved can visit the organization’s website at firstteegreaterpasadena.org or contact Bob Baderian at (626) 353-4013.