About

Wendy joined the First Tee of Orange County at the end of September 2019. Wendy graduated in elementary education and has always had a passion for teaching and coaching others. She started playing golf early in her sales career, so she was able to play in golf tournaments with her clients. Wendy became hooked on golf and has been playing “customer” golf and golf for personal enjoyment ever since.

Prior to coming to the First Tee of Orange County, Wendy led sales teams for consumer packaged goods companies, telecommunications and the for-profit education industries. She served on the board of the non-profit Youth Employment Service (YES) for four years as a member on both the marketing and programming committees.

Wendy is very passionate about the First Tee mission and the ability to lead an organization that impacts the lives of the young people of Orange County by providing educational programs that build character through the game of golf. Her goal is to expand the reach of the program to more golf courses, after school programs and school districts throughout Orange County so more young people have the opportunity to participate in the First Tee program. Wendy’s favorite part of her job is seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of the First Tee players as they make contact with a golf ball and have fun during their class time at the driving range, putting green or out on the course.

Coach Jason was introduced to golf by his dad when he was 10 years old. He was hooked immediately and enjoyed playing whenever he got the opportunity. In 2011 Coach Jason qualified for the US Mid-Armature and his career low round is an exceptional 63! He continued to play golf in high school and college. In 2008, Jason finished his degree in criminal justice, but continued working at a golf course. He met his wife while at a golf course in 2006. Jason loves the way that The First Tee brings together the idea of enhancing a person’s golf skills as well as their life skills via the Nine Core Values. His favorite core value is Integrity. “Being able to consistently do the right thing, even when nobody is watching, is sometimes difficult but extremely impressive,” says Jason. “A person with sound personal integrity is so respected in my mind because they are easy to trust and comfortable to be around. I truly love teaching young people the essential values and skills to make them better people on and off the golf course.”

1. How old were you when you started playing golf? -10
2. Who’s your favorite golfer and why? – Phil Mickelson, has always played Callaway- my favorite brand and is from Rancho Santa Fe, 5 min. from where I grew up. Plus, I love watching him play, willing to try a lot of different shots and he’s great at chipping- my favorite part of golf.
3. What First Tee core value is your favorite and why? –  Integrity, I truly appreciate and admire when people do the right thing. It’s the basis of genuine trust.
4. What is your favorite food to eat while you play golf? – Bananas or sometimes a Peanut Butter-Banana-Honey Sandwich. Bananas are healthy and filling. Easy to pack into a golf bag and you don’t need to worry about it being refrigerated/kept cool while on the course.

Coach Sami loves what the game of golf can do for one’s personal development. She learned how important it was to believe in one’s self and that only you are responsible for your success on and off the golf course. Sami grew up playing golf on the island of Oahu. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in biology at Chaminade University of Honolulu, she attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo to play competitively on the women’s golf team. She competed in both amateur and semi-pro events. Sami later became the assistant coach of Saddleback College’s women’s golf team and was inducted into the Saddleback College Hall of Fame. In 2012, she completed her certification as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) with the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Currently, Sami likes to focus on developing the core energy of the golfer. She believes golf is the ideal sport to help shape individual from the inside out

1. How old were you when you started playing golf? – 16 but I have been around the game since I was 6 years old as my grandfather loved playing, practicing and watching it. I just wasn’t my kind of sport growing up until Tiger Woods made it AMAZING!!
2. Who’s your favorite golfer and why? – Tiger Woods, he made it look fun, easy (which I learned quickly it wasn’t) and exciting! His exhilarating energy and passion for the game was infectious and I loved his dedication to the game. Back then I was all about my sports so it was inspiring to see someone around my age kicking butt and breaking records. I wanted to finally give it a try and then became hooked.
3. What First Tee core value is your favorite and why? – Confidence! I love the positive energy around this word and using it in golf and life. Always telling myself and others to believe that you have what it takes to accomplish anything you want in life.
4. What is your favorite food to eat while you play golf? – I enjoy a good energy/granola bar and a banana with peanut butter sandwich.pe individuals from the inside out.

Timmy Dinh was born in a small town close to Aachen, Germany, on July 28, 2001 and at age 13 moved to Orange County.   One of  his biggest achievement in his life was getting awarded a $30,000 scholarship (over 4 years) to attend Long Beach State because of his involvement with The First Tee of Orange County. Timmy’s golf journey started in 2014 when his mom put him in a PLAYer 9 class with TFTOC to learn about golf. He had his doubts about playing the game but soon, he enjoyed playing golf and continued to advance in the program and junior coach along the way. The summer before his senior year in high school, he coached with the program for over 100 service hours! During that summer, Timmy fell in love with coaching our kids. When Timmy turned 18 he became a lead instructor and his former coach became his first boss.  Our chapter is incredibly proud of the young man Timmy is and we are so happy that he has found a passion for coaching while furthering his education..

Coach Scott found the game of golf at the age of 14 after a series of baseball related injuries. Immediately becoming hooked, he tried out and made the high school golf team. Three years later he was the captain of the golf team and helped lead the team to two consecutive undefeated seasons. Then he later returned to his alma matter to be the assistant golf coach. A few years later Coach Scott decided to expand his golf knowledge and enroll at the Golf Academy of America. To this day he continues to grow his knowledge of the game and is currently a level 1 Associate in the PGA program. Although he is very passionate about the game of golf, he is a firm believer that the quality of your character is far more important than the quality of your golf game!

1. How old were you when you started playing golf? – I started playing a few days before my 14th birthday.
2. Who’s your favorite golfer and why? – That’s a tough question! I really like Phil Mickelson because I always tried to mimic his short game when I was younger. But I also really like Ben Hogan
3. What First Tee core value is your favorite and why? – Perseverance, because everyone will face defeat and rejection but staying motivated and always moving forward is an admirable thing.
4. What is your favorite food to eat while you play golf? – Beef Jerky or Frozen grapes (especially on a hot day)

Coach Haley has been playing golf since she was 3 years old. Growing up with her family golf course in her backyard and many top professional golfers as her mentors she fell in love with the game. She played competitively for many years and was consistently placing in the top spots. When she wasn’t competing in golf or tennis tournaments, she was teaching. She started teaching golf at age 16 to share her passion Of the game with others. She served in the United States Marine Corps for many years and still managed to keep up her golf game. She currently plays on the VGA Tour, enjoys playing tennis with her spouse, skiing and playing fetch with their dogs.

1. How old were you when you started playing golf? – I started golfing when I was 3. Playing for 22 years and teaching/Instructing for 10 years.
2. Who’s your favorite golfer and why? – Annika Sörenstam. She stayed humble and professional while playing.
3. What First Tee core value is your favorite and why? – Integrity. You’re responsible for your conduct on the course and in life. Keeping track of your score and following the rules in golf make it unique. There won’t Always be someone to help you. The trust and responsibility is on you.
4. What is your favorite food to eat while you play golf? – Snickers candy bar. It’s been a tradition since I started playing competitively.

Coach Robert Stevens is a PGA of America class “A” professional and has worked in the golf industry for over 20 years as a Head Golf Professional, a Director of Golf and also a Director of Instruction for both private and public golf courses here in the Southern California area. He started playing golf at the age of 5 years old when his grandparents gave him a cut down set of Tommy Ammour “Silver Scotts” steel shafted irons, which he still has to this day. Coach Rob played golf in high school, college and professionally. He has also coached golf in high school and college. But he really enjoys helping young and beginner golfers learn the same skills he did oh so many years ago. Says Coach Rob, “Golf is such a great game because it helps prepare you for the game of life. It teaches you the 9 core values in a environment that is fun and enjoyable. Plus, we are able to meet new people and experience the great outdoors. I call that a WIN/WIN!”

How old were you when you started playing golf? – I first picked up a golf club when I was 5 years old. They were a cut down set of steel shafted Tommy Ammour “Silver Scotts” that my grand parents gave me. And I still have them.
Who is your favorite golfer and why? –  My favorite golfer is Byron Nelson because even though he was a fierce competitor, he always was respectful to himself, his playing partners and his surroundings.
What First Tee core value is your favorite and why? –  My favorite core value is honesty. Because honesty shows how much respect and integrity a person has.
What is your favorite food to eat while you play golf? – Granola and bananas.