June 21-25 | Chapel Hill, NC
Application Deadline: March 18, 2026
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 University of North Carolina, Clemson University, Notre Dame, and Stanford University, and is the only national event that is purely tournament golf.
The 2026 First Tee National Championship is heading to the Finley Golf Club at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 UNC’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 15-20, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Each Chapter may nominate up to five participants
- Participants must be between 14 and 18 years old (applicants must reach 14th birthday by the first day of the event date and not have reached their 19th birthday by the event’s conclusion)
- Classified as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior as of spring semester 2026
- 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
- Participants who have previously attended this opportunity are eligible to reapply
- If selected, the participant must be able to travel with a parent/guardian to Chapel Hill, NC on June 21-26, 2026
Application Process:
Contact your Chapter representative if you have difficulty with the application process. The online application will consist of the following:
Application Tasks | ||
Task | Scored | Not Scored |
Participant General Information | ✔ | |
School & Community Activity Chart | ✔ | |
Golf Resume | ✔ | |
Chapter Participation Survey | ✔ | |
Supplemental Question (1) | ✔ | |
Participant Bio Form | ✔ | |
Participant Headshot | ✔ | |
Social Media, Code of Conduct and Media Waiver Forms | ✔ | |
Release of Liability Form | ✔ | |
Field Size: Up to 48 participants (24 males and 24 females)
Selection Process:
Applicants will be selected based solely on their golf ability and evaluated based on their Golf Resume, Junior Golf Ranking, and GHIN handicap using the prioritized criteria below:
| Golf Resume (40%) | Participant Ranking (40%) | GHIN Handicap (20%) |
Evaluated based on:
| From the following national junior golf ranking systems:
| Note: Handicap MUST be active to receive points |
Selected participants will be notified on April 29, 2026.
Travel & Stipend Information:
Selected participants will be required to travel with a chaperone and will be provided lodging at The Carolina Inn from Sunday, June 21 through Friday, June 26 with the option to depart following the conclusion of play on Thursday, June 25. Breakfast and lunch are provided during practice and tournament rounds. Dinner will be provided during the Welcome Reception on Monday evening, and during the Tournament BBQ the night before the final round. Transportation is NOT provided, and participants/chaperones will be responsible for making rental car arrangements.
First Tee will provide each participant who will be flying with a stipend of up to $600 to assist with the cost of airfare ONLY. Participants who live within 150 miles of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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.
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.
Participant Submission Policy:
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 18, 2026.
Questions:
Nicolette Scalf
Senior Manager, Events
nicolettescalf@firsttee.org
2026 First Tee National Championship
June 21-25 | Chapel Hill, NC
Application Deadline: March 18, 2026
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 University of North Carolina, Clemson University, Notre Dame, and Stanford University, and is the only national event that is purely tournament golf.
The 2026 First Tee National Championship is heading to the Finley Golf Club at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 UNC’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 15-20, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Each Chapter may nominate up to five participants
- Participants must be between 14 and 18 years old (applicants must reach 14th birthday by the first day of the event date and not have reached their 19th birthday by the event’s conclusion)
- Classified as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior as of spring semester 2026
- 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
- Participants who have previously attended this opportunity are eligible to reapply
- If selected, the participant must be able to travel with a parent/guardian to Chapel Hill, NC on June 21-26, 2026
Application Process:
Contact your Chapter representative if you have difficulty with the application process. The online application will consist of the following:
Application Tasks | ||
Task | Scored | Not Scored |
Participant General Information | ✔ | |
School & Community Activity Chart | ✔ | |
Golf Resume | ✔ | |
Chapter Participation Survey | ✔ | |
Supplemental Question (1) | ✔ | |
Participant Bio Form | ✔ | |
Participant Headshot | ✔ | |
Social Media, Code of Conduct and Media Waiver Forms | ✔ | |
Release of Liability Form | ✔ | |
Field Size: Up to 48 participants (24 males and 24 females)
Selection Process:
Applicants will be selected based solely on their golf ability and evaluated based on their Golf Resume, Junior Golf Ranking, and GHIN handicap using the prioritized criteria below:
| Golf Resume (40%) | Participant Ranking (40%) | GHIN Handicap (20%) |
Evaluated based on:
| From the following national junior golf ranking systems:
| Note: Handicap MUST be active to receive points |
Selected participants will be notified on April 29, 2026.
Travel & Stipend Information:
Selected participants will be required to travel with a chaperone and will be provided lodging at The Carolina Inn from Sunday, June 21 through Friday, June 26 with the option to depart following the conclusion of play on Thursday, June 25. Breakfast and lunch are provided during practice and tournament rounds. Dinner will be provided during the Welcome Reception on Monday evening, and during the Tournament BBQ the night before the final round. Transportation is NOT provided, and participants/chaperones will be responsible for making rental car arrangements.
First Tee will provide each participant who will be flying with a stipend of up to $600 to assist with the cost of airfare ONLY. Participants who live within 150 miles of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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.
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.
Participant Submission Policy:
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 18, 2026.
Questions:
Nicolette Scalf
Senior Manager, Events
nicolettescalf@firsttee.org