The temperature soared over the century mark but it scarcely seemed to register on the young participants in the First Tee – Tulsa’s PGA Jr. League team.
No, it was time to party as the young boys and girls were wrapping up their summer season.
And for the parents seeking shade while watching their sons and daughters celebrate another season, it was a time to reflect on how much their youngsters had grown up before their eyes over the past few months and the impact their enthusiasm for golf was having on each of them.
The First Tee – Tulsa program has its own clubhouse and practice facilities at Mohawk Park in north Tulsa. With great support from Southern Hills Country Club, it is one of the only First Tee programs in the country to offer all of its in-house and external outreach programs free of charge.
PGA Jr. League, supported nationwide by generous donations from the PGA of America REACH Foundation – particularly by Frank and Diane Murphy of Tulsa through the Murphy Family Opportunity Fund – has proven to be wildly successful across the country boasting more than 80,000 registrations each year. Teams from First Tee – Tulsa compete at all levels, but today’s party was for the younger teams with less experienced players often getting their first taste of competition, as well as learning the rules, etiquette and all else involved in competitive golf.
PGA Jr. League is removing barriers for families to create new memories through golf while instilling a meaningful introduction to the game of a lifetime. Through PGA Jr. League, the PGA of America REACH Foundation is committed to opening the game to all by providing wrap-around support to young golfers in high-need communities. Together, these experiences build confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of the game.
“They learn how to use a tee box, what the fairway is, what the green is, how to mark a ball on a green, the etiquette of pulling a flag for the other team, how to not stand in their way or line of sight – just all the things that go into it,” said Lilly Whitley, a program director and coach for the 20 young players in the PGA Jr. League program. “As coaches, we get to be super hands on and teach them a lot. And the parents learn it all, too. We were fortunate that in all of our matches they allowed the parents to take spectator carts to follow along, and a lot of them have really gotten into it.”
That’s also the case for Kayla Buck, whose sons Thomas, 10, and Matthew, 8, are now consumed by golf.
It’s been a great learning experience for them. They’ve learned how to compete, how to prepare for competitions. They learned a lot of the rules and how to represent your team. They are both just in love with golf. It’s their number one sport and anything they can do to be part of it, year-round, they are all in.
The enthusiasm of Thomas and Matthew has Kayla taking lessons as well to make it a family affair.
For Todd Nelson, a 45-year-old former college football player, Army Veteran and current sports performance and strength conditioning coach, golf was an afterthought until son Brecham caught the bug. He joined the First Tee program two years ago and this was his first summer in PGA Jr. League.
“I can tell it’s made a big difference in his life,” Todd said. “He’s more focused. The best thing I’ve seen with Coach Lilly and the other coaches, when the kids ask a question they are very thorough. Then he started asking questions, lining his feet up, taking his practice swing correctly and everything just improved dramatically.”
Now the duo work on the game together, and Brecham had become enamored with watching televised golf as well as playing, so father and son now share both activities.
Kasen Carroll, 9, has been playing golf since he was two years old and this year decided it was his first love – even over baseball. They found out about the First Tee program through Facebook and joined summer classes in 2025 and then the PGA Jr. League team this summer.
“He’s very competitive and loves the competitions they do,” father Shannon said. “The team aspect is different because golf is essentially a one-man game, but it encourages them if they hit a bad shot their partner can pick them up. I love watching the kids interact, talking about whether to hit a driver off the tee, or conversations you might just normally have in your head.”
“I’ve played golf but he’s taught me a lot after going through this with him. What is and what isn’t a penalty, how to drop the ball – things like that. They are great to learn at a young age. And so this program has been really good, teaching the attitude you should have for golf and building a foundation for the game. Anytime I talk to a parent who doesn’t have a kid in golf I tell them they should bring them out to the First Tee and get them going in PGA Jr. League.”
Brian Davis, the Executive Director of the South Central Section of the PGA of America, said the REACH Foundation, First Tee and PGA Jr. League are working together to provide greater pathways to golf and all of its intrinsic benefits – more than ever before.
Through the First Tee of Tulsa and PGA Jr. League, golf has become a bridge to opportunity, mentorship, and personal growth for young people across Tulsa and the surrounding communities.
“Executive Director of First Tee - Tulsa, Janice Gibson and her leadership has made these programs a standard of youth development, instilling values that last a lifetime.
None of this momentum would be possible without the Murphy family and their involvement in the PGA of America REACH Foundation, whose generous support and commitment to Tulsa’s families remove barriers and broaden its reach. It is a privilege to see how this partnership of leaders and initiatives continues to uplift the entire community.”
On this record-hot day in Eastern Oklahoma, it was only natural for the session to end in a classic water balloon fight. After cooling off, it was pizza, some cake, and a quick awards ceremony for the kids to be recognized for their hard work, dedication, and – for some – trying something new. Whether it was a spark that ignited a full-on passion or simply a new activity to do with family – a common thread and wonder of ‘what’s next’ was evident at the end of the day.
For these juniors, it’s clear there is no limit on what’s next.
Across communities, golf continues to lead the way in creating universal participation for people of all backgrounds and generations. With the help of PGA Jr. League and its mission of creating these opportunities, golf will always be a space that delivers a fun and impactful experience so every child can become a golfer, and fall in love with a game that gives so much.
We envision a world where golf is accessible for every child, everywhere – regardless of their background or circumstance. Through PGA Jr. League, the PGA of America REACH Foundation is committed to opening the game to all by providing wrap-around support to young golfers in high-need communities. Learn more →