National Participant Opportunities

Each year, First Tee – Greater Houston is invited to nominate a limited number of participants to apply for First Tee National Opportunities. These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences designed to support personal growth, leadership, and life skills development through golf. Our National Opportunities Selection Process begins at the end of January and will run until the end of February.

Because First Tee chapters across the network are limited in the number of applicants we can submit, FTGH has a selection process to help us identify the most eligible and prepared candidates.

Step 1: Initial Candidate Identification & Video Interview

Eligible participants will receive an initial email by late January outlining the full selection process and instructions to complete Step 1.

Step 2: Advanced Video Interview

Following Step 1, FTGH staff will review all submissions and select the top 40 candidates to move forward. Selected candidates will complete a second video interview using the same platform format from Step 1.

Step 3: Final Selection

Following Step 2, FTGH staff will review all submissions and select the top 24 candidates to move forward. These candidates will be invited to participate in FTGH National Opportunity Week, a required in-person evaluation period.

Step 4: FTGH National Opportunity Week Overview

During National Opportunity Week, candidates will participate in opportunity-specific interviews and evaluations scheduled throughout the week. Each National Opportunity follows its own format and timeline.

Final Notes

We understand this may be your first time hearing about this process, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. The National Opportunities are highly competitive and valuable experiences that offer personal growth, leadership development, and the chance to represent First Tee – Greater Houston on a national stage.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Coach Nick at [email protected].

National Opportunities are selective, once-in-a-lifetime experiences offered through First Tee that focus on leadership, personal growth, life skills, and golf. Opportunities include leadership summits, championships, career exploration experiences, and more.

• Participants must be at least 14 years old by the date of the National Opportunity and have been active in our chapter for at least 2 years by the application deadline.
• Participants may only apply to a maximum of two (2) National Opportunities, even if they originally selected three (3) as their top choices.
• If a participant has previously attended a specific National Opportunity, they are not eligible to attend the same one again.
• Final candidates are selected based on a combination of their video questionnaire, interview performance, and involvement in First Tee (class attendance, session history, junior mentoring, etc.).

Each First Tee chapter is limited in the number of participants it can nominate. FTGH uses a structured, fair selection process to identify students who are most prepared and aligned with these opportunities.

FTGH selection allows a student to move forward in the nomination process. Final acceptance is determined by First Tee National, based on their own criteria.

• Attendance is required. If a student cannot attend (outside of an emergency), they will forfeit their selection, and the opportunity will be offered to the next eligible candidate.
• Make-ups are offered only for emergencies and are limited to Tuesday or Thursday during National Opportunity Week.

Eligibility for National Opportunities requires that participants meet both requirements listed above. If your student does not meet both criteria at this time, we ask that they sit out this year and plan to apply in a future cycle. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow with First Tee – Greater Houston and apply when eligible.