Application Deadline: March 19, 2025

Overview:
First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s top players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play under pressure at the collegiate and/or next level. The First Tee National Championship is played at acclaimed college campuses, including Clemson University, Notre Dame, and Stanford University, and is the only national event that is purely tournament golf.        

The 2025 First Tee National Championship is heading back to the Warren Golf Course at the University of Notre Dame for a 54-hole stroke-play event featuring a Girls and Boys division for up to 48 high school participants ages 14-18. Participants will have the opportunity to experience Notre Dame’s campus and hear from guest speakers throughout the week who will stimulate conversation around First Tee’s values and life skills experiences. The winners of each division will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup named after First Tee Trustee, Fred Tattersall. Each winner will also earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 16-21, 2025.

Participant Selection:
Up to 48 participants, 24 males and 24 females, are eligible to play in the event. First Tee participants will be selected based on their competitive playing ability and online application.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Participants must be between 14 and 18 years old (applicants must reach their 14th birthday by the first day of the event date and not have reached their 19th birthday by the conclusion of the event).
• Classified as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior as of spring semester 2025
• Since this event has male and female divisions, all participants must select one of these divisions during the application process.  For any questions or concerns, please email support@firsttee.org.
• Entered in Salesforce and has been an active participant for a minimum of two years
• Exceptional Playing Ability – Applicants are selected based solely on their golf ability and should be able to shoot below 85 for 18-holes.
• Each chapter may nominate up to five participants
• Participants who have previously attended this opportunity are eligible to reapply.
• If selected, the participant must be able to travel to South Bend, IN 6/22 – 6/26, 2025

Application Process:
Applications will be submitted online at https://firsttee.smapply.org; please follow the instructions in the “Quick Start Guide” on how to complete this process. Please contact your chapter representative if you have difficulty with the application process. The online application will consist of the following:

• Application Code
• Participant General Information
• Golf Resume
• Chapter Participation Survey (to be completed by a chapter representative and uploaded by the participant)
• Supplemental Questions (2)
• Participant Bio Form
• Headshot
• Social Media, Code of Conduct and Model Release Form
• Release of Liability Form

Policy on the Use of AI in Event Applications:
To maintain fairness and uphold the integrity of the application process, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as text generators or automated writing assistance, is strictly prohibited when completing event applications. Applicants are expected to submit original responses that reflect their own thoughts, experiences, and perspectives. Submissions found to include AI-generated content may be disqualified. We value authenticity and encourage all applicants to share their unique voice and genuine enthusiasm in their applications.

Online application must be submitted by the First Tee participant. Applications submitted by a parent, guardian or Chapter Representative will be automatically disqualified. First Tee will not accept paper applications, emails, or correspondence from families of participants. The deadline to apply online is March 19, 2025.

Selection Process:
Applicants will be selected based solely on their golf ability and evaluated based off the prioritized criteria below:

• Golf Resumes: A selection committee will review and judge participants golf resumes with an emphasis on competitive golf experience (national, regional, state, and local tournaments)
• Junior Golf Rankings
  • Rolex AJGA Ranking
  • Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranking
  • Golfweek Junior Ranking
• Applicants Handicaps (Note: the handicap must be active with the USGA GHIN Handicapping system)

Selected participants will be notified on April 29, 2025.

Travel & Stipend Information:
Selected participant will be required to travel with a chaperone and will be provided lodging at the Morris Inn at the University of Notre Dame. Breakfast and lunch are provided during practice and tournament rounds. Dinner will be provided during the Welcome Reception and tournament cook-out the night before the final round. Transportation is not provided.

First Tee will provide each participant who will be flying a stipend of up to $750 to assist with the cost of airfare and rental car arrangements. Participants who live within 150 miles of the University of Notre Dame will be required to drive and are not eligible to receive a travel stipend. Mileage stipends will not be provided to participants who choose to drive to the event. Stipends will be sent directly to the Chapters following the conclusion of the event.

Questions:
Nicolette Scalf
Manager, Events
(904) 940-4290
nicolettescalf@firsttee.org