Orty's Outing & Auction

Founders Level Donors

(Donations of $25,000 and up)

• John B. and Jane McCoy, National Trustee ($1M Donor)
• Tod and Betsy Ortlip
• Jim and Amy Chapman
• Ric and Marina Dillon
• Jerry Jurgenson
• Gerry Kakos
• Mark and Deborah Thresher
• John Easton
• William and Nancy Boardman
• Nancy and Bobby Wibbelsman

Organization Partners

Proceeds benefit First Tee — Central Ohio

The Mission of First Tee — Central Ohio 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.

At First Tee, kids and teens are learning to play golf along with life lessons and leadership skills. And it’s making a difference. Our programs are positively impacting youth, their families and their communities.

Learn More

Why you should consider giving to First Tee

First Tee — Central Ohio Chapter Updates

Source: First Tee HQ - Each chapter across the entire network can nominate a select number of participants (typically 2-4), to submit an application, then a national review committee reads the applications and nominates them. This is a very selective process with hundreds of applicants per event.

Summer 2024

Summer 2024 marked the second year of partnership with LiFEsports at The Ohio State University, allowing FTCO to deliver golf clinics at Columbus community rec centers. This initiative reached many kids who would not otherwise have access to the sport.

In June, Girls Golf participant Bella competed in the inaugural LPGA-USGA Girls Golf National Championship at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, where she was one of 144 girls from across the country showcasing their skills.

The summer also brought an energetic team of 11 high school and college interns who gained leadership skills and served as positive examples for younger participants.

Fall of 2023

FTCO alum Stephen distinguished himself as the chapter's inaugural First Tee College Scholar, earning mentorship, professional development workshops, and scholarship funds. Also in 2023, FTCO hosted a training day for Columbus City Schools, where staff equipped educators with tools and techniques for teaching First Tee programming in their PE classes.

First Tee National Championship

Date: June 28 - July 1, 2022

Location: Notre Dame University - South Bend, Indiana

Description: The First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s elite players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level. The winners of each male/female division will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup named after First Tee Trustee, Fred Tattersall. Each winner will earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links. First Tee National Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play event featuring a Girls and Boys division for high school participants ages 14-18.

Our First Tee – Central Ohio Participant: Kyle Smetiouk

• 17 years old
• FT participant since 2021 and also a volunteer

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.

Date: July 19-23, 2022

Location: Villanova University - Philadelphia, PA

Description: Participants selected to attend this five-day learning and empowerment academy will participate in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations, will facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. The Academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in collaboration with DE&I leadership in the local host community. Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., First Tee’s CEO who retired in 2017 after 17 years of leadership, has always been an advocate for social justice and believes that First Tee has and always will be more than a game to young people. First Tee Game Changers Academy is the ultimate tribute to Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.

Our First Tee – Central Ohio Participant: Grace O’Grady

• 16 years old
• FT participant since 2015, FT summer intern, a volunteer

First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA Tour Superstore

Date: August 1st-5th, 2022

Location: West Creek Ranch in Emigrant, Montana

Description: The First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore is designed to strengthen the participants' leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities, preparing them to transfer those skills to other scenarios they will face in the future. Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana, the teens will also participate in collaborative workshops in which they will be influenced to challenge their conceptions of transformational leadership. First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence, and resilience will be a part of the experience, combined with a robust curriculum which explores the concepts of relationship building, positive risk-taking, and character evaluation.

Our First Tee – Central Ohio Participant: Isaac Stewart

• 15 years old
• FT participant since 2017, a volunteer, FT Summer Intern

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee

Date: Sept. 20th-25th, 2022

Location: Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California

Description: For many teens, being selected for the PURE Insurance Championship is the pinnacle experience of their First Tee participation. An official PGA TOUR Champions event, the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California pairs one First Tee junior with a PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The tournament is televised nationally on Golf Channel. Although there is a winning score on Sunday, this experience is so much more than a golf event. First Tee participants are provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Legends & Leaders speaker program, which features notables from the business, sports, and entertainment industries. This event also provides the teens a unique mentoring experience on the golf course with their PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The relationships formed during tournament week are genuine and deeply rooted.

Our First Tee – Central Ohio Participant:  Kristina Ma

• 14 years old
• FT participant since 2014, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf E-Leader, a volunteer

LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Leadership Academy

Locations/Dates:

• Saginaw Michigan Academy - June 22-23th,2022 (Caroline)
• Liberty Corner New Jersey Academy - July 13-14, 2022 (Bella)

Description: The LPGA Leadership Academy uses golf as a vehicle to provide a framework for young women to develop their confidence, communication, and leadership skills. Group exercises, expert-led discussions, journaling, and interaction with female executives and mentors help girls discover their unique strengths and leadership style.

Our First Tee – Central Ohio Participants:

•  Caroline Donato
  • ○  14 years old
  • ○  FT participant since 2020
  • ○  LPGA*USGA E-Leader
•  Bella Mitchell
  • ○  12 years old
  • ○  FT participant since 2019

Priya Roy – participant – John Deere Drive Your Future Academy

Round of applause for yet another participant achievement - Priya Roy is headed to the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy with First Tee!

This all-girls event, to be held in September in Detroit, Michigan, will focus on leadership development, remaining active in the game of golf, learning the value/impact of volunteerism, and recognizing the importance of teamwork.

We are so proud of this determined young woman, who exemplifies leadership and positive life skills every day!

Stephen Ma – participant – First Tee National Championship

We are THRILLED to announce that our very own Stephen Ma has been selected to participate in the first ever First Tee National Championship!

The First Tee National Championship will bring together First Tee’s elite players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level. Only 48 players across the country were selected to compete. The winners of each male/female division will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup named after First Tee Trustee, Fred Tattersall. Each winner will earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

First Tee National Championship will be a 54-hole stroke-play event at Clemson University's The Walker Course on June 20 – 25.

First Tee HQ

Orty's Outing & Auction

Monday, September 29, 2025

Itinerary as Follows

• 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM registration, brunch, range and putting green open.
• 11:45 AM gather for announcements.
• 12:00 PM shotgun start.
• 5:00 PM cocktails and d’oeuvres.
• 6:00 PM speakers and awards.

Scioto Country Club

2196 Riverside Dr
Columbus, OH 43221

Directions

(614) 486-4341