Join Caddie Society
A caddie’s role is defined as one who assists his or her player in succeeding during a round of golf. Every day, First Tee – Greater Charlotte carries out its mission to assist our young people in succeeding in life by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. This is possible thanks to the spirit and loyalty of the people who care for this organization. People like you.
The Caddie Society celebrates the bond that is shared by friends of First Tee – Greater Charlotte. It is a giving society that honors our love of the game of golf, passion for the youth in our area, and our desire to make our community a better place. Gifts at the Caddie Society will ensure that our organization will be able to continue to advance our mission and reach more young people in the years to come.
Your passion and support for First Tee – Greater Charlotte opens a world of possibilities for our participants and the students in the area schools we serve. Thank you for your commitment. Together, we are building game changers!
Your donation of $1,000 or more will grant membership and recognition within the Caddie Society for one year and can be renewed year after year. Make a one time donation of $1,000 or more or set up a recurring monthly donation of $83.33.
If you would like to mail your donation, please address it to PO Box 19469 Charlotte, NC 28219.
First Tee – Greater Charlotte is a 501(c)3 non-profit. EIN 56-2245026.
For questions, please contact Daniel Fogarty at [email protected].
Caddie Society Members Making A Difference
When seven-year old Kaylee Nguyen told her parents she was interested in golf, they were not entirely sure what to do. Neither played golf but it didn’t take them long to discover First Tee – Greater Charlotte. Now a 16-year old 10th grader in the IB program at North Mecklenburg High School, Kaylee has built a large part of her life around golf and credits the First Tee with getting her where she is.
“The support from donors to the Caddie Society has been incredibly important to me. Because of their support, I was able to get into golf in an affordable manner and experience the wonderful things that the First Tee have provided for us. The Caddie Society continues to support low price class rates that continue to help aspiring golfers stay connected with the course and get lessons,” Kaylee said.
After being introduced to golf at Mallard Creek elementary school, Kaylee found her way to the First Tee program at the Charles T. Myers golf course where Jim Skibbens helped guide her path along with the late Cliff Reilly. Kaylee has been named the Queen City Conference womens’ player of the year three consecutive years and was recently one of three nominated for the women’s athlete of the year at the Charlotte Mecklenburg schools athletic gala. She was also on the board that organized the system-wide event. When she’s not in school, Kaylee stays busy playing golf. She plays on the Peggy Kirk Bell tour and she is part of the HV3 Foundation Mentorship program, serving as a mentee.
“I was a pretty reserved kid when I was younger. I do believe through the First Tee I’ve learned to speak up more and engage in activities more because of what they have us doing.”
Through the First Tee, Kaylee won a scholarship to attend a golf academy in Pinehurst. This summer she has been selected to attend the prestigious Congaree Global Golf Initiative in Ridgeland, S.C., which invites a small group of high school students from around the world for an immersive experience with the goal of helping the students prepare for college.
“The assistance from the Caddie Society has made it much easier for me to engage with the First Tee. The contributions from the donors help fund the program’s focus to provide golf support for us participants and make sure that all of us have the chance to fully benefit from their program. This includes fun moments with coaches, low class prices, and event opportunities for all of us to be introduced to and enjoy the game of golf with new experiences and friendships,” Kaylee said. “I do not think that I would still be involved with golf if I was not involved with the First Tee. This was the program that actually got me to take this sport more seriously. The connections I’ve formed with participants and coaches was a big factor that pushed me for my growth and commitment to the game.”
2024 Caddie Society Members
| Clay Adams | John & Kate Beam | Keith Bell |
| Barr Blanton | Sam Bowles | Robert Brownlow |
| Will Caulder | Dallas Chapman | Greg & Donna Cox |
| Bryan Crutcher Jr. | George Dewey IV | Cameron Golden |
| Ike & Deede Grainger | William & Courtney Hyder | Jonathan & Anne Ishee |
| Lee Johnson | Bill Lovett | John & Anna McCoy |
| Lee McEntire | Patrick Melton | Sheila Molino |
| Whitaker Rose | Glenn Sherrill | Jackson Smith |
| Mark Thigpen | Jeff Thomas | Charles Thrift |
| Andrew Tucker | Paul Tucker | John Turner |
| Johnson & Katie Wagner | TJ & Maggie Wagner | Ed Weisiger Jr. & Betsy Fleming |
| Conor Murphy | Ed & Sally McMahan | Zack Sexton |
| Keith Butler | John Hollmeyer | Bill Thompson |
| Shippen Browne | Chandler England | Wes Martin |
| John Scott Sr. | Spence Whitman | William Anderson |
| Michael Smith | Scott Wooster | Shoff Allison |
| Robert Carter | Andrew Trotter | Steven Hinshaw |
| Arthur Roselle | Nicholas Langrall | Millice Ellerbe |
| Mary & Rad von Werssowetz | Jerry Barron | Jay Bilas |
| Art Gallagher | Jennifer & Jamie Doyle | Elizabeth Hobbs |
| Dale Hall | Mac & Andi Everett | Dan Warren |
| Bob Boykin | Brad Hurrell | Liz & Haynes Lea |
| Gayle & Charles Tallardy | Raleigh & Katy Shoemaker | Darius Adamczyk |
| Paige & Tom James | Tommy Hunter | Sean & Andrea Smith |
| Aaron Gillespie | Emily & David Harry | Brian Purcell |
| Jack Purcell | Susan & Strawn Cathcart | Hank & Anne Flint |
| Scott Wilson | Tyler Bankhead | Walker Collier |
| David Carroll | Bill & Susan Tome | Stuart & Katie Hicks |
| Addison & Randall Ayer | David McClure | Ramsay Schrum |
| Brian Bucci | Jason & Blair Hawley | James Olszowy |
| Michael Teague | Richard McGregor | Gregory Wilkerson |
| Kevin Kornegay | Graham Kauffman | Brian Boone |
| Jonathon Wylie | Greg Hackworth | Graham Robinson |
| Kevin McCarthy | Timothy Bell | Stephen & Anna Godwin |
| Kevin Tait | Timothy Casey | Thomas & Amy Sumner |
| John Soffronoff |