College Scholarships Awarded to 1st Tee - Tampa Bay Participants

TAMPA, FL — First Tee – Tampa Bay, a program of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, announced the recipients of its annual scholarship program.

First Tee – Tampa Bay teaches children a series of life skills and Nine Core Values through the game of golf. The organization has made it part of its mission to help participants continue their education and build career skills, enabling them to build a solid foundation for their futures.

For First Tee alumna Azriel Webb, this scholarship will allow her to continue to build on the skills learned during her time at First Tee - Tampa Bay.

“My experience in the First Tee is time that I will cherish," Webb said. "I was able to grow and now see the person I was and the person I will become. This opportunity for growth has given me confidence in myself, which is key to my success. In my experience, I was held to a high standard and I will continue to hold myself to the same standard in all aspects of my life.”

Webb is attending the University of Florida this fall and plans to study business and psychology with a specialization in behavioral analysis.

“Providing scholarship opportunities to our First Tee members is a big priority for our board of directors,” said Gary Koch, First Tee – Tampa Bay board chair and scholarship donor. “Through their generous support, the support of several family foundations and numerous fundraising events, First Tee - Tampa Bay is able to offer up to $100k in scholarship money annually to deserving members.”

These scholarships are made possible through First-Tee supporters, including Gary & Donna Koch. Through their foundation, the Kochs provided $20,000 in scholarships this year, including ongoing scholarships for students who remain enrolled in a college education program.

First Tee – Tampa Bay provides more than 90,000 children each year with a hands-on, interactive golf experiences. Besides being part of the Tampa YMCA, First Tee - Tampa Bay also partners with the Tampa Sports Authority, the city of Tampa, Hillsborough County Public Schools and various golf facilities to offer year-round programming for kids and teens.

The following participants have each been awarded scholarships as part of the class of 2022:

Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarships

Gary Koch has had a distinguished career, both as a PGA Tour professional and national golf announcer. The Kochs, along with their two daughters, established their family foundation to provide educational opportunities to the youth of Tampa Bay. In 2022, the Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarships will provide the recipient with up to $10,000, divided equally over four years ($2,500 per year). The recipients of the 2022 Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarships are Joel Gonzalez and Samantha Stites.

Gonzalez, a graduate of Strawberry Crest High School. Gonzalez has been a part of First Tee – Tampa Bay for the past eight years. He started out with the First Tee program while at Franklin Middle School and would come out to Rogers Park a few times during the week for First Tee programs. Gonzalez has been an integral part of the First Tee program as a participant in numerous events and programs. He has participated in the golf team, summer travel team, junior tournaments, and Player’s Club. He has also been invited to speak at many First Tee – Tampa Bay fundraising events. Gonzalez will start the PGA management program at Florida Gulf Coast University this fall.

Stites has been a member of First Tee – Tampa Bay for the past five years and attended Plant High School. During her time with First Tee – Tampa Bay, Stites participated in almost every program offered including the Player’s Club and summer travel team.

“The First Tee has given me a love for the game," Stites said. "It's helped me go from a girl who just wanted to play for fun to a young woman who wants to play competitive golf in college and would love nothing more than to play professionally. Without my experience with First Tee, I don't think I would be the person and golfer I am today.”

Scholarship Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarships (Four-Year Awards)

The Scholarship Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park is a tournament run by the First Tee - Tampa Bay Advisory Board to provide scholarship money to participants of First Tee - Tampa Bay. In 2022, this tournament provided two recipients each with $10,000 divided equally over four years ($2,500 per year), and 10 one-year scholarships of $1,000 each. The recipients of the 2022 Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarships are Azriel Webb and Julia Giarelli.

Webb has been a participant in First Tee – Tampa Bay for three years. During her time with First Tee – Tampa Bay, she participated in the Player’s Club as well as the Junior Tournament Series. Webb also just started working part-time for First Tee – Tampa Bay as a coach in the summer camp program.

“I’ve gotten to work for First Tee, I’ve gotten to connect with kids, I’ve gotten to learn,” said Webb. “I think people should definitely know that it’s beneficial and that they’re going to grow a really great generation of students every time.”

Giarelli has been a member of First Tee – Tampa Bay for the past four years. During her time in First Tee, Giarelli has participated in many different programs such as Player’s Club, junior tournaments and the travel team. Giarelli has also had the opportunity to be a standard-bearer at the Valspar championship through First Tee.

“My experiences with the First Tee have been life changing," Giarelli said. "They have helped me grow into someone with ambition and determination. They have also given me two of the most important relationships in my life.”

Scholarship Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarships (One-Year Awards)

• Lucas Harz-Florida Gulf Coast University
• Tia Walker-University of Tampa
• Chase Hanson-University of Central Florida
• Elijah Ellis-Belhaven University
• Robbie Sulzer-Florida State University
• Scott Atkins-Univerisity of South Florida
• Clayton Nelms-Florida Gulf Coast University
• Jordan Marin-University of South Florida
• Evin Jenkins-Florida International University
• Samuel Smith-University of South Florida

Wayne A. Cook Memorial Scholarship (Four-Year Awards)

Wayne A. “Cookie” Cook was the National Spokesperson for Outback Steakhouse and traveled the country delivering his incredible message of "Inspiration Through Action" to thousands of young people, coaches, corporations, small businesses, non-profits and athletes at every level. Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, Cookie had a special love for the game of golf, and he was loved by all who had the privilege of sharing so many great times with him. In 2022, the Wayne A. Cook Memorial Scholarships will provide the recipients with up to $10,000, divided equally over four years ($2,500/year). The recipients of the 2022 Wayne A. Cook Memorial Scholarships are Robbie Blalock and Priya Sambasivan.

Blalock has been involved with First Tee – Tampa Bay since he was in elementary school. He recently graduated from Robinson High School where he played on the golf team. Blalock was a member of Player’s Club at Rocky Point Golf Course throughout high school and participated in the summer travel team.

“Perseverance is the main reason why I have been able to complete activities and challenges in my life," Blalock said. "Especially on the golf course, perseverance is the reason why I didn’t just quit on the spot after many golf tournaments.”

Sambasivan has been a member of First Tee – Tampa Bay for the past five years. She has participated in many First Tee programs such as Player’s Club, junior tournaments and the summer travel team.

“Through the First Tee, I made new friends from outside school," Sambasivan said. "It became a home away from home where I could be with myself to perfect my short game or just get out and clear my mind as I clear nine holes on a weekend afternoon.”

Ross Hays Family Foundation Scholarship

Ross Hays is the current vice chairman for First Tee – Tampa Bay, and was the former chairman of the annual Dinner Gala. The Ross Hays Family Foundation Scholarship will provide two recipients with an award of $2,500. The recipients of the 2022 Ross Hays Family Foundation Scholarship are Tiffany Parker and Travis Wells.

Parker has been involved with First Tee – Tampa Bay at Rogers Park for the past four years. She attended camp at First Tee - Tampa Bay with her brothers, nieces and nephews and said golf is something that has helped them bond.

“Due to my experiences at First Tee, I will feel confident to play golf with my coworkers and friends," she said. "My brothers, niece and nephew have also experienced golf through First Tee. This is something we could enjoy together as we get older.”

Wells has been a member of First Tee – Tampa Bay for the past 10 years. There is no First Tee program that Wells has not participated in over the years. He has been a mainstay at First Tee – Tampa Bay and credits the program with his overall growth as a golfer and a person.

“First Tee is like a family to me, and some of my best friends in the world today I met at First Tee," Wells said. "I’m very grateful to everyone involved in the program for helping kids like me.”

Wells continues to represent First Tee as a member of the Advocates Professional Golf Tour and playing professional golf, while also studying to be an EMT/firefighter.

Mark & Cynthia Carron Family Foundation Scholarship

With the Carron Family’s involvement in the Tampa Bay community spanning more than 60 years, the focus of the Mark & Cynthia Carron Family Foundation is on fostering education and philanthropy. The Mark & Cynthia Carron Family Foundation will present Geralyn Leath with an award of $2,500.

Leath has been a participant in the First Tee of Tampa Bay for the past eight years. She started with the First Tee back when she attended Ferrell Middle School and would take part in the schools golf program. Currently, Leath continues to stay involved with the chapter, as she works as a part-time coach. She will receive a one-year award of $2,500. Leath currently attends Hillsborough Community College.

Hasselbach Family Scholarship

As a third-generation golfer, First Tee - Tampa Bay board member David Hasselbach credits the game of golf with instilling many life lessons as well as strengthening the bond he had with his dad, grandfather and his family. The family provides a $5,000 college scholarship, payable over four years, to a deserving First Tee participant. This year’s recipient is Tiffany Parker.

Kennie Sims Scholarship

For more than 15 years, Kennie Sims served as the vice president of golf operations for the Tampa Sports Authority, where he was responsible for the executive management, general administration and supervision of three city of Tampa golf courses. Sims was an original board member of Urban Junior Golf, which eventually evolved into what is now First Tee – Tampa Bay. The Kennie Sims Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 goes to a First Tee – Tampa Bay participant who graduated from either the Franklin or Ferrell Middle School Golf Program. This year’s recipient is Joel Gonzalez.

Multiple-Year Scholarship Recipients ($2,500 Each)

Several First Tee – Tampa Bay participants are winners of multi-year scholarship awards. The following participants will each receive $2,500 in 2022 from previous multiple-year scholarships:

• James Morotti – Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarship Class of 2019
• Jacob Gallman – Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarship Class of 2020
• Alexis Castillo – Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarship Class of 2020
• Fabrice Laude – Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarship Class of 2021
• McKenzie Kane – Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarship Class of 2021
• Julianne Lee – Gary & Donna Koch Family Foundation Scholarship Class of 2021
• Emersyn Brown – Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarship Class of 2020
• Marshall Rowe – Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarship Class of 2020
• Cass Amesbury – Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarship Class of 2021
• Helena Noel – Golf Outing at Historic Rogers Park Scholarship Class of 2021