Pro Kids | The First Tee of San Diego

The Pro Kids | The First Tee of San Diego mission is to challenge underserved youth to excel in life by promoting character development, life skills, and values through education and the game of golf. We aim to be a leader in providing opportunity and hope through positive life-changing experiences to underserved youth in San Diego County.

The 14-acre, 18-hole, par-3 Colina Park Golf Course serves more than 1,500 children per year. The majority of our new members are recruited through our Partnership in Education with the San Diego Unified School District. In lieu of physical education at their schools, kids from our partner elementary and middle schools choose to be transported to our facility in City Heights to receive an average of six hours of golf and life-skills classes. On course golf instruction is coupled with a life-skills curriculum designed by our nationally affiliated organization, The First Tee. This curriculum seamlessly integrates the instruction of life-skills (interpersonal communication, self-discipline, conflict resolution, recognizing & accepting cultural differences, etc.) and core values (respect, confidence, honesty, integrity, etc.) into basic golf instruction. Pro Kids members who join outside of our school partnership may participate in identical instruction held afterschool, on weekends, and during school vacations.

All Pro Kids members have immediate access to our Homework Club (afterschool tutoring), mentoring, and educational workshops through the Learning Center. After kids pass basic golf and life-skills certification, they gain access to the rest of the Learning Center resources: an adult-monitored computer lab, community service projects, educational, vocational, and social field trips, leadership trainings, college preparation programs, and college scholarships.