Leslie Guzman’s primary focus is player development at the First Tee Greater Seattle, as well as managing some key programs, including Girls’ Golf, PGA Jr. League, and special events and clinics for advanced participants. Since Leslie joined the team, the chapter’s PGA Jr. League program has consistently been ranked among the top 25 in the country. She is a terrific role model for young golfers and colleagues, lifting people up and helping them reach their potential. Leslie leads with inspiration, and her passion for it leaves a lasting impression on all those involved. Serving youth and families from all backgrounds, Leslie is uniquely skilled at creating programs that can reach and serve everyone in a positive way, and as a result they are more likely to enjoy their experience in the game and want to continue playing for a long time. As a full-time staff member for First Tee Greater Seattle, Leslie is fully engaged in making a difference. Her efforts are geared toward ensuring the chapter reaches youths who need the most support by creating programs, training volunteers and staff, and implementing new strategies to help the chapter be successful. (
firstteeseattle.org)
In Yakima,
Mollie Thola is the program director of First Tee Central Washington. Growing the game of golf is a primary goal for her, at a recreational and competitive level for players of all ages. She also hopes to widely introduce players to the benefits of establishing a GHIN handicap. The programs Thola manages illustrate her efforts. In addition to teaching Rules of Golf classes to high school students, she manages the Pat McCarthy Memorial Junior Invitational, an annual tournament held in honor of one of the founders of the Central Washington chapter. This September, she will manage the First Tee Central Washington Junior Championship, held at Colockum Ridge Golf Course in Quincy, a new tournament designed to bring together players aged 5-18 from Yakima, Wenatchee and Lower Valley communities. Beginning her career in Spokane as a competitive player, Thola is passionate about giving back, as well as allowing players and their families to form lifelong connections around golf, knowing the sport provides a pathway to many valuable life lessons. (
firstteecentralwashington.org)
Director of participant development at First Tee South Puget Sound in Tacoma is
Ben Talbot, a PGA-certified professional. His efforts there are like those of Thola, in that he aims to empower First Tee participants and coach life skills through the game of golf. Throughout the spring and summer, Talbot primarily runs five-week clinics, aiming to teach both character and golf skills, as well as teen and mentor programs. Understanding the meaning of his role, he aims to provide competitive and social opportunities through golf. A First Tee alumnus himself and working in his current role since 2022, Talbot says he’s seen First Tee opportunities and retention numbers continue to grow, which makes him look forward to continuing to provide what he does. (
firstteesouthpugetsound.org)
