Home To First Tee — Greater Austin

The Harvey Penick Golf Campus is owned and operated by First Tee — Greater Austin – a 501(c)3 non-profit youth development organization dedicated to providing young people with educational programs to build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. FTGA is part of the First Tee network – which boasts over 180 chapters nationwide; though, each chapter is locally owned/operated.

Formed in 1999, First Tee — Greater Austin initially delivered its after-school programming on school playgrounds and at municipal courses where it rented space. Only 25% of chapters within the First Tee Network have their own facility – less than 5% own and operate their own golf course.

Having a golf course and practice facility has been integral to FTGA’s ability to provide a consistent and on-going program that has continued to grow. Since the Harvey Penick Golf Campus opened in 2005, First Tee — Greater Austin has vastly grown the size of its afterschool programs and been able to offer more programs programs for youth and their families. More than 1,000 youth venture onsite per year for FTGA’s after-school programs, camps and seasonal offerings. Also, thanks to storage space in the HPGC maintenance barn, FTGA is able to accept club/bag donations and provide equipment to students in the program if needed. To learn more about donations, click here.

FTGA participants and coaches receive discounts to practice and public play at HPGC and any round or bucket of balls purchased supports a program/facility. Although FTGA programs take place on site, HPGC remains open to the public. In most cases, HPGC’s numerous practice areas including its 3-hole short course enable FTGA to run programs with no interruption to course play or range access.

In 2009, First Tee — Greater Austin moved its offices on-site and they remain there today where eventually the organization hopes to build a Learning Center for program and community use. The capital campaign to build a learning center is in full swing! Click here to learn more about The Future.