Invited’s Gateway Club with the First Tee

 

Have you heard about the Gateway Club?

The program was announced in 2021 and PGA Golf Professional Kamaiu Johnson was named the ambassador. Invited golf and country clubs in Texas provide young adults who participate in The First Tee with complimentary Junior Memberships that grant them access to great golf courses and extraordinary experiences.

Club Members and Staff serve as mentors to the youth, empowering them to build their strength of character on and off the course. The program was launched in Dallas Fort Worth and is now in three cities.

We are so excited to share that the Gateway Club has already had an incredible impact, with 80 junior golfers participating in the first year. One of the moms shared, “My daughter has benefited tremendously from her honorary membership at Brookhaven Country Club. The most significant benefits that I have noticed are her confidence and an increase in social and emotional skills.” 

We are always looking for mentors to introduce these young adults to ClubLife and invite Members to get involved. See your golf pro for details. 

 

Kamaiu Johnson, ClubLife Gateway Ambassador

In In 2021, Kamaiu Johnson, APGA Tour player and aspiring PGA Tour professional was named the Gateway Club ambassador.

"The biggest disparity when it comes to young minority golfers is access to premier facilities. We have to make golf look more like America and the Gateway Club program will be a catalyst in making this happen."

- Kamaiu Johnson

What Our Gateway Club Participants Are Saying

It’s amazing to be able to go to the golf course and have the access to the balls at the driving range, to have the ability to take what I learn on the range and play on nine or 18 holes...Through the program. I’m able to develop my game on beautiful golf courses. Working with Kamaiu just inspires me as I can see a player who looks like me and comes from a similar background become successful.

Marcus Leonard

Age 16, First Tee Metro Atlanta, Gateway Participant at Clubs of Peachtree City.

I started the Gateway Club in the summer of 2021, and I can already see the results from a networking standpoint,” Harper said. “Having access to equipment, the golf course, the driving range facilities has helped my game. But what I also enjoy is the community at the club and the different people who push me to succeed. Not a lot of black kids in the Atlanta area, or worldwide, have this opportunity. So, I feel very blessed.

Benjamin Harper

Age 16, First Tee Metro Atlanta – Gateway Participant at Eagles Landing Country Club