First Tee – the Non-Profit Bridging Golf with Underserved Youth
to Host 20th Anniversary Dinner at Ocean 44 on Monday, September 18th
Media Invited to Festive First Tee-Phoenix Red Carpet Featuring Celebrities Starting at 5pm
 |
Phoenix’s First Tee, a long-standing, nationally rooted non-profit that has been teaching underserved youth and Valley children critical life and social skills via golf lessons is proud to announce its 20th Anniversary Dinner. The 20th Anniversary Dinner will be held on Monday, September 18th, 2023 at Ocean 44 in Scottsdale at 6:00pm. A special and festive red carpet featuring celebrities and some of golf’s biggest names will be held outside Ocean 44 starting 5:00 p.m. that evening.
Guests can choose from tables of 2 to 12 people. Tickets for the evening start at $1500 per plate and can be purchased at www.Firstteephoenix.org/20anniversary.
First Tee-Phoenix teaches more than 120,000 youth annually through programs delivered at on-course program locations, in schools and at youth centers across the Valley. The youth development organization enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee – Phoenix creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.
Longtime supporters and First Tee-Phoenix Board Members Danny Calihan and Robbie Petty are co-hosting the evening.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the 20th Anniversary Dinner for First Tee-Phoenix at Ocean 44,” said Danny Calihan, co-host of the 20th Anniversary evening. “The junior golf programs that have been established through First Tee-Phoenix are game changers for these kids and we must continue to get as many kids in our underserved communities involved with golf as humanely possible.”
“We hope everyone will join the First Tee Phoenix Family as we celebrate two decades of making a difference in the lives of Valley children,” said Robbie Petty, co-host of the evening. “On this special night we will honor our special founders, The Thunderbirds and the local families we serve.”
To help raise even more money for the organization, all food and beverages for the evening will be underwritten by Dennis Mastro, Mike Mastro, Jeff Mastro and Scott Troilo, just as the group has done for many significant Valley charity events over the years.
“We could not be prouder to support First Tee and all that they do here in the Valley and across the country to help kids of all socio-economic backgrounds,” said Jeff Mastro. “The game of golf should be accessible to all kids, and the life skills that are learned from this fantastic game can carry over into so many facets of life.”
More details about the dinner will be announced in the coming weeks regarding VIP Attendees and celebrities.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.Firstteephoenix.org/20anniversary.
About Ocean 44:
 |
Created by the founders of the Valley’s favorite family of steakhouses, Steak 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse, Ocean 44 is the latest seafood creation by owners and brothers Mike and Jeff Mastro, along with their father Dennis and partner Scott Troilo. Designed by Testani Design Troupe with almost 12,000-square-feet, the restaurant opened earlier this month in Scottsdale at the former Harkin’s Camelview space on Goldwater Blvd., across from the new luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square. Ocean 44 features an elaborate glass expo kitchen with nearby seats, a large bar and two dining bars, flexible private dining rooms, the main dining floor, and several other options. With an abundant and varied seafood menu Ocean 44 is seafood reinvented in a vibrant upscale atmosphere specializing in world-class seafood and the great steaks they are known for at Steak 44. Ocean 44 offers its own unique coastal feel, a complete departure in environment and seafood options built on the same foundation of quality and luxury personal service. Ocean 44 dishes include butter and chardonnay steamed mussels, heirloom tomato crab stack, lobster bake, smoked salmon hash brown pizza, and a wide selection of wood-roasted oysters.
About First Tee – Phoenix
Launched in 2003, First Tee-Phoenix is a youth development organization that enables kids ages 4-18 to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. First Tee – Phoenix utilizes two main programs to fulfill its mission – to positively impact the lives of Maricopa County’s youth by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. The On Course program takes place at 14 golf facilities throughout Maricopa County utilizing a curriculum developed by experts in positive youth development through sports and is taught by 50 staff and volunteer coaches. Nearly 2,000 youth members participate each year. The School and Community Program brings First Tee into the school, where educators are trained to teach the curriculum during in-school physical education time in 15 school districts throughout the Valley. Afterschool programs are at sites such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and school district afterschool programs. These programs serve more than 120,000 students each year.
