Tell us what you’re doing!
One of our favorite things at First Tee — Tulsa is to hear from our alumni. We’re always so impressed with their stories of ambition, success, and making a difference. Please email a picture and a little about what’s going on with you to [email protected]. We’d like to keep in touch, and invite you to First Tee — Tulsa alumni events.

Alumnus success story: Chris Elledge

Recently, we received a note from one of our most enthusiastic past participants, Chris Elledge. Chris is currently in medical school, but took the time to tell us what his experience at First Tee meant to him. Please read below!

“I just wanted to express my gratitude and thanks. You may not know this, but golf, First Tee, and everything you were able to do for me saved my life. I’m not sure where I would be without it. And for that I cannot thank you enough. I just hope, that in some way, I was able to help some of the individuals I worked with during my time at First Tee, just as you all helped me. I am currently living in Miami, Florida, attending medical school at the University of Miami, working on my PH.D in Biomedical Science with a research specialty in Cancer Biology. I work in the cancer clinic with patients to determine their disease and progression. My lab research consists of designing new therapeutics and treatments for those patients. In my opinion, there is no greater joy than to help others, and I truly believe that this life lesson was instilled in me through my time at the First Tee.”  Chris Elledge, First Tee — Tulsa Alumnus.

We’re extremely proud of Chris and glad to have played a role in helping him become the thoughtful young man he is today.

First Tee — Tulsa’s 2018 college graduates

Austin Crandall graduated from Sperry High School in 2011, and graduated this spring from Pharmaceutical School at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the spring of 2018. Austin was selected by the First Tee — Tulsa scholarship committee as the 2011 recipient of the Jo Bob Hille Scholarship for higher education. Austin loved giving back to our program, serving as a mentor coach during First Tee classes, and carried it forward at college, by helping organize a golf tournament benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Jon Paul Ray was a longtime First Tee student; he graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 2015, represented First Tee — Tulsa, playing in the First Tee Nature’s Valley at Pebble Beach partnering with PGA golf professional Bob Tway. Jon Paul played collegiate golf at Central Christian College in Kansas, and graduated in just three years with a 3.75 GPA with a Business Management degree! Jon Paul has worked in the golf industry each of the last five summers, and is now attending law school at the University of Tulsa. We have great memories of Jon Paul, who was always eager to give back to the community by attending First Tee community service outings. Jon Paul is a hard worker and a natural leader.

First Tee — Tulsa’s 2018 high school graduates

Alesia Gonzales graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School in the spring of 2018. Alesia played the number one spot on the BTW girls golf team for four years, and had much success during her junior year, shooting a 69 during an Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour tournament. She has worked hard to become a student/athlete at the college level, signing to play for Missouri University at St. Louis. We wish her the best of luck!!