Dates set for Spartanburg County Amateur events and the new First Tee Golf Passport is now available.

By Stan Olenik Editor-Publisher, The Golf Club

Recent stretches of bad weather may have kept kids off golf courses and in front of computers, but it hasn’t slowed interest in First Tee Upstate.

As the youth golf and character development program celebrates its 25th year, spring enrollment has surged.

“It could have been the weather,” said Executive Director Michael Pius. “We’ve had so many kids sign up that a couple of our program sessions already have waiting lists.”

Programs Growing Across the Upstate

First Tee Upstate serves young golfers from age 7 through high school, offering instruction and character education at 12 locations across the Upstate.

Program locations, schedules, and registration information are available at http://www.firstteeupstate.org.

With participation continuing to grow, so does the need for financial support.

“We’re running our most successful fundraising promotion right now, and we have several more this spring that will get our year off to a good, solid financial start,” Pius said.

Pebble Beach Raffle – Limited Chances, Big Reward

One of the signature spring fundraisers is a Pebble Beach golf trip raffle, offering golfers a chance to win an unforgettable experience.

The First Tee Upstate is sponsoring a contest for golfers to win a trip for four to Pebble Beach, The trip includes rounds of golf on the famous Pebble Beach courses. Pebble Beach, SpyGlass and Holden’s Ranch.

The contest is not one with unlimited entries, instead  there are only 500 chances. Each ticket is $100. In addition to golf and accommodation the package includes $2,000 towards air fare to get to Pebble Beach.

“We’ve done this for the last six or seven years. We’ve been to a couple of other great courses, but Pebble Beach is really special and golfers have supported our raffle and with it our First Tee Program,” said Pius.

The drawing for the Pebble Beach trip will take place on March 9th. If a winner decides they buy a ticket to support the First Tee program, but may not want to make the trip to Pebble the first Tee is offering a cash option worth up to $5,000.

What’s included:

• A trip for four golfers
• Rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill.
• Lodging at the Pebble Beach Lodge
• $2,000 airfare allowance

“You get up and you are literally on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach,” Pius said.

Only 500 tickets are available at $100 each.

• Drawing date: March 9
• Cash option: Winners who choose not to travel may select a cash prize of up to $5,000

Tickets are available at:
https://e.givesmart.com/events/MME/

Tournament Dates and Key Events

Spring is traditionally a busy planning period for First Tee staff as they set the calendar for the year.

Spartanburg County Amateur Championships

When the USGA began accepting each state champion as an automatic entrant to the US Amateur the South Carolina Golf Association’s state am annually played on the first weekend in August did not give the Palmetto State champion very much time to get ready for the national championship,

The SCGA Amateur moved up a week and landed on the traditional dates for the Spartanburg County Amateur Championship. Here is this year’s information.

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• Spartanburg County Amateur & Senior Amateur
  • Dates: May 29–31
  • Site: Carolina Country Club
  • (Moved from its traditional late-July date)
• Spartanburg County Senior Championship
  • Dates: September 16–17
  • Site: Three Pines Golf Club
• Spartanburg County Junior Championship
  • Date still to be determined

First Tee Golf Passport

Each year, First Tee Upstate offers a Golf Passport providing special pricing at 13 Upstate golf courses.

• Two passport versions are available, each featuring a different lineup of courses
• Cost: $85
• Value: Golfers who use all available discounts could save nearly $900 during the 2026 season
• Order the passport from golf courses in the program or from the First Tee Upstate at http://www.firstteeupstate.org.

Spring Events Supporting Junior Golf

In addition to tournaments and raffles, several popular fundraising events help support First Tee programs while allowing staff to focus on youth instruction during the summer.

Game Changers Award Dinner

It is the local golf version of the Oscars or Golden Globe Awards. The First Tee honors their top contributors, coaches and outstanding juniors in the program and highlights their achievement in the local program.

• Date: March 6
• Location: Spartanburg Marriott
• Tables and individual tickets available

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party

• Date: May 2
• 11th annual event
• Location: Southern First Bank Headquarters, Greenville

Registration, ticket sales, and fundraising opportunities for all events are available through the First Tee Upstate website.

“We’ve had incredible growth over the last few years and have been able to expand our programs and serve more young golfers,” Pius said. “We appreciate the support we receive from the community—and especially from the golf community.”