Thank You to Our Annual Partners
First Tee — Athens is proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to empowering youth through character-building programs and the game of golf. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of our Founding Partners, Community Partners, and Affiliate Partners who help us make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in our community. Below, you’ll find a list of our valued partners, each playing a vital role in helping us grow the game and grow great kids.
Interested in becoming a partner? Please reach out to Rich Alvarez at [email protected] to learn more about partnership opportunities and how your organization can get involved.
Founding Partners
Winning Fore The Kids (WFTK) aims to introduce kids, who may never have the opportunity, to the wonderful game of golf. Unlike any other sport, we believe golf is a game that mirrors life. The game has the ability to teach valuable life skills that can open doors and expose people to opportunities beyond their imaginations for the rest of a person’s life. There are many barriers to entry into this amazing sport that not everyone may be able to overcome and WFTK is striving to alleviate those hurdles.
As one of our Founding Partners, the Middlebrooks Automotive Foundation has played a vital role in launching First Tee — Athens. Their generous support and commitment to youth development have helped lay the foundation for our programs, empowering local kids with life skills and character education through the game of golf. We are proud to partner with a foundation so deeply rooted in the Athens community and grateful for their belief in our mission from day one.
University of Georgia
We are deeply grateful to the University of Georgia Office of the President for serving as a Founding Partner of First Tee — Athens. Their leadership and support were instrumental in bringing our chapter to life. By facilitating access to the UGA Golf Course for programming, the Office of the President has opened the door for young people in our community to experience the game of golf in a world-class setting. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to youth development, education, and community impact.
The Coca-Cola Company has been a proud partner and supporter of First Tee since 2005 and is honored to serve as a Founding Partner of First Tee — Athens.
Deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves, The Coca-Cola Company supports First Tee through a number of meaningful initiatives—helping to expand access to character-building programs for young people and empowering the next generation of leaders through the game of golf.
We are grateful for their continued leadership and longstanding investment in the mission of First Tee
PGA TOUR Superstore has been a proud partner of First Tee’s mission since 2008. Their support extends to several different initiatives, including a leadership summit in Montana, the First Tee Scholarship program, teen retention initiatives and the First Tee School Program. In addition to supporting our national efforts, the PGA TOUR Superstore supports over 31 local communities in which they serve, including a PGA TOUR Superstore leadership Series.

“I believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. That’s why I am investing in First Tee. I believe in this organization’s mission and the power of the First Tee Chapters to continue changing the game for young people for years to come.” – Charles R. Schwab
As part of a transformational commitment to First Tee’s growth and impact, Charles R. Schwab established the Charles Schwab Challenge Grant—a $25 million national matching initiative that runs through 2026. This grant provides a $1 match for every $2 donated to First Tee Chapters by individuals, corporations, and foundations, helping to amplify local fundraising efforts and expand programming across the country.
We are honored to recognize Charles R. Schwab as an Annual Partner and grateful for his visionary support, which continues to strengthen our ability to serve more young people through the game of golf.
A family-owned and operated company since 1974, Stiles Services is built on trust, hard work, and long-term commitment — to both their customers and their team. With deep Georgia roots and a dedication to doing every job right, they bring the same values to their partnership with First Tee – Athens that they bring to their HVAC clients: integrity, care, and community focus.
For more than 30 years, CEI Cable East has been connecting communities across the Southeast with a commitment to excellence, safety, and integrity. What began as a family-rooted vision has grown into an industry-leading telecommunications and utility construction company—powered by more than 200 dedicated team members and a values-driven approach to doing business.
As a proud Annual Partner of First Tee — Athens, CEI Cable East brings that same commitment to community enrichment to the next generation. We’re grateful for their belief in our mission and their investment in helping young people build confidence, character, and resilience through the game of golf.
Community Partners
Nurturing Minds, Cultivating Excellence
In its first decade of operations, Downtown Ministries diligently built relationships with families in the Athens community through sports and afterschool programs. This work illuminated the crucial need for high-quality education, and the disheartening fact that for many of the families in our community, that type of educational opportunity was out of reach.
In addition to investing in students’ academic success, Downtown Academy committed to growing them spiritually through Christ-centered teaching and leadership development, involving parents and families each step of the way.
Affiliate Partners
The Georgia PGA is one of the 41 Sections of The PGA of America. Its membership includes over 970 PGA Professionals working at over 260 golf courses, clubs, and ranges throughout the state. Additionally, more than 35 Georgia PGA members compete on one of the PGA Tours. In keeping with the fundamental objectives laid down by its founders, one of the Georgia PGA’s primary goals is promoting the game of golf through clinics, junior and minority golf programs, consumer programs, and print and television media.
The Georgia State Golf Association, founded in 1916, is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to serving the game of golf and its membership of nearly 350 Member Clubs and over 100,000 individual members.
The mission of the Georgia State Golf Association is to promote and preserve the traditions and integrity of golf in Georgia and to enhance its enjoyment.