First Tee – Tampa Bay

First Tee – Tampa Bay offers golf, junior golf programs, and golf-based personal growth programs for children. The program includes introductory programs in Hillsborough County public schools, afterschool programs at local courses, and week-long summer camp experiences that all use the game of golf as the main activity. Participants are introduced to The First Tee’s Nine Core Values and take part in hands-on, interactive golf experiences.

• Schedule: Introductory programs in Hillsborough County public schools, with additional afterschool programs at several local courses and week-long summer camp options

The origin of First Tee – Tampa Bay dates back to 1991, when it began as Urban Junior Golf at Rogers Park Golf Course in Tampa. Urban Junior Golf became an official program of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA in January 1998, and First Tee – Tampa Bay was officially formed in 1999. The concept originated to offer affordable and accessible golf opportunities to children from moderate socio-economic backgrounds and to use the social and recreational values of golf to shape participants’ lives. First Tee – Tampa Bay is a program branch of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and partners with community members such as the Tampa Sports Authority and the City of Tampa.

First Tee – Tampa Bay provides more than 70,000 children each year with hands-on, interactive golf experiences and teaches life skills such as goal setting, how to meet new people, and staying healthy. Its 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. In 2021, First Tee – Tampa Bay was the top chapter in the First Tee network in the number of certifying participants (10,790 children) and was in the top 10 percent in the number of outreach participants (61,550 children).

Last updated June 1, 2026.