More Than Golf: First Tee - Greater Sacramento Impacts 58,000 Youth...Annually

Angie Dixon: [00:00:00] If your parents play golf, you have a one in four chance that you're gonna play golf. If your parents don't play golf, it's one in 200. And if, and if you're in underrepresented community, it's even greater. And so we are really breaking down barriers and giving kids the exposure to where they can try it and see if it's something they like.

And then in turn, you know, we're not just teaching golf, we're teaching our core values and our life skills.

Jeff Holden: Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. Our purpose and passion are simple: to highlight the incredible nonprofits that make our communities stronger. Each episode is a chance for these organizations to tell their story in their words, sharing not just what they do, but why it matters to the people they serve, to their supporters, and to all of us who [00:01:00] believe in the power of community.

Through podcasting, we hope to amplify their voices, inspire connection, and give them one more tool to impact the hearts of donors, partners, and neighbors alike. This work is made possible through the generous support of our incredible partners, CapTrust, offering fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations, Western Health Advantage, a local not-for-profit health plan that believes healthcare is more than coverage, it's about caring, Core, executive leadership and comprehensive support services.

They work in it so you can work on it, and Five Star Bank, a local trusted advisor to community nonprofits for over 25 years. This episode is powered by SMUD, Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Shine Awards program benefiting nonprofits for energy efficiency. Apply today. When most people hear the word golf, they think of [00:02:00] a sport.

What they may not realize is that for thousands of young people throughout the Sacramento region, golf is simply the vehicle for something much bigger. I'm joined by Angie Dixon, executive director of First Tee Greater Sacramento. Angie has spent 25 years with the organization after first entering the program as a participant herself.

Today, she leads a team that reaches more than 58,000 young people each year through schools, community partnerships, golf courses, and programs designed to build confidence, character, leadership, and life skills. We'll talk about breaking down barriers to participation, creating opportunities for underserved youth, supporting individuals with disabilities, and helping young people become what First Tee calls game changers.

You'll also hear inspiring stories of former participants who have gone on to become professional golfers, leaders, and future physicians. This conversation isn't really about golf. It's about mentorship, opportunity, and [00:03:00] the lasting impact that can happen when someone believes in a young person's potential.

And if you are a 

SMUD: golfer, it's going to make you appreciate your sport that much more. 

Jeff Holden: Angie Dixon, welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. 

Angie Dixon: Thank you so much for having me today, Jeff. Appreciate it. 

Jeff Holden: This is so fun because I know people who have been involved with the organization from the beginning. You know, back in the day, some of them no longer are even with us, but I never understood it.

Mm-hmm. I, I didn't get Golf for Kids as a nonprofit. You know, I'm, I'm confused, and the irony is i- it's not a new organization. You've been around for over 40 years. 

Angie Dixon: Yes, since 1983. 

Jeff Holden: Which is amazing. 

Angie Dixon: In fact, I was in the program in 1983 as a youngster. 

Jeff Holden: The good news is you were in the program. At least you weren't saying you were an executive- 

Angie Dixon: Right.

Jeff Holden: with the program since- No ... 1983. I was, like, 

Angie Dixon: one year old- 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, right ... 

Angie Dixon: in 1983. 

Jeff Holden: Right. [00:04:00] But you have been with the organization for 25 years. 

Angie Dixon: 25 years, mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: Which is amazing. How did you come through the ranks? 

Angie Dixon: Well, like I said, I started in the program and grew up through it, learning in the Little Linkers program, and- 

Jeff Holden: How, how old were you, were you when 

Angie Dixon: you started?

11. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Angie Dixon: Met Ken Morton Sr., who was our founder, and some wonderful lifelong friends that were in the program as well, and then I started volunteering in high school for the program- Oh, wow ... for our California Eagles program for individuals with disabilities. And then went away and played college golf, played professional golf, came back, and then there were other opportunities to volunteer, and I kept volunteering.

And there was an opportunity, Pat Campbell, who had started our junior tour program, was retiring, and Mr. Morton said to me, you know, "Would you be interested?" And I said, "Absolutely interested," and, and the rest is history. 

Jeff Holden: So really, this is your only job- 

Angie Dixon: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: since 

Angie Dixon: college. Sure, sure. Real 

Jeff Holden: job. 

Angie Dixon: Well, I, I coached Loretto High School [00:05:00] as well.

Oh, wow. Um, I taught. I was a teaching professional and a director of instruction at Whitney Oaks and Woodcreek and played some professional golf a little bit along the way as well. But yes, this has been my job, my calling. 

Jeff Holden: So Little Linkers was a good introduction and orientation for you. Look where it's gotten you.

Angie Dixon: Absolutely. Golf has been so good for me- Did you get a- ... my whole life ... 

Jeff Holden: scholarship, too, for college? 

Angie Dixon: Yes, full-paid scholarship. Oh 

Jeff Holden: my 

Angie Dixon: gosh. Got a business degree at University of Washington. 

Jeff Holden: How neat. Mm-hmm. How neat. You know, one of the things that I think it's easy to do when we think of nonprofits and we think of who they serve and then we think of golf and who the perception of golf is- 

Angie Dixon: Sure

Jeff Holden: it's somewhat pigeonholed into almost an elitist category because of the, the, the money and the athletes and everything else, and I don't think people really see the day-to-day elements of golf. How is it that the organization orients itself? Because that's ... It could be [00:06:00] nothing further than- Right

elitist in terms of what you do, and I think that's part of the excitement in having this story get told, is that is not at all- 

Angie Dixon: Right ... 

Jeff Holden: what First Tee is about. 

Angie Dixon: Absolutely. In fact, it's one of the things we're most passionate about. We reach young people ages three to 19, and- 

Jeff Holden: Three 

Angie Dixon: Three. Three to ei- yeah, 19.

19, once they turn 19, they aren't in the program anymore, but, um- But 

Jeff Holden: I'm looking 

Angie Dixon: at a 

Jeff Holden: toddler. Like- 

Angie Dixon: Yes, Tots on the Tee. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, that's- Um ... gotta be a blast. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. And for us, we just feel that all kids are at risk. So it, it really is our, our passion and our mission to get this program to everyone, and it is so true.

There are many who, especially in the underrepresented community, they're feeling like, "Golf? That's not a sport that, for me, that's not something that I would play." Right. But for us, we are super intentional about breaking down the barriers, building equity in our programs, doing all the things that we need to do to help these young people feel [00:07:00] comfortable to be out at the golf course, understand that this is a game that they can play, and we have had such success.

It's actually one of the things that our staff and our board are most passionate about. We have a program called RISE, which stands for Reach, Inspire, Support, and Empower, and we partner with Kappa Alpha Psi, which is a Black fraternity in town, and several community centers, and bring young people out who did not think golf was something for them.

And boy, once they hit the ball, it's, you know, the rest is history. They realize, "I like this." 

Jeff Holden: I can imagine some of the people that you turn on to the sport who have never thought that they could even possibly play it- 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm ... 

Jeff Holden: could turn out to be pretty significant players as well. 

Angie Dixon: Oh, absolutely. We see that all the time.

Jeff Holden: I would imagine. Yeah. Tell me about the, the people you serve. Who is it that you see most often? 

Angie Dixon: Well, it's a really large program. Mm-hmm. So we reach over 58,000 young people every year in [00:08:00] Sacramento alone. Wow. 56,000 of which participate free of charge in our programs. So we're in several, over 120 schools in town.

So a lot of the children are getting our core value education in their PE program through the golf curriculum. Mm-hmm. We also have young people that are coming to us through our Rise Golf program, like I mentioned, and our Girls Golf, that's another thing we're super passionate about, is having a, a program that's girls only.

It's also taught by girls that are in our program, so they can see, look up to some older peers and mentors, and a full lady coaching staff, and that's something that has been super popular for us. We actually have quite a few programs for individuals with disabilities as well, and that's something that we love.

You know, golf is a game where the ball is not moving, no one is charging toward you, and it is something that becomes a lot more accessible to folks. We have a program for individuals with Down [00:09:00] syndrome and varying different disabilities. We have an Els for Autism program, a swing club for the blind, an adaptive PE program.

Quite a few things. Very wide variety, I would say. Like I said, three, three to 19. However, I will say our programs for individuals with disabilities, no one ever ages out. Okay. And that is something that we're super proud of. We have individuals, athletes that are in the program that were with us in 1985 that are still in the program.

Jeff Holden: And I'll bet they relish every opportunity- Yeah ... to come to the course. Mm-hmm. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, absolutely. It's a wonderful activity to get them out and engaged. It's, it's a healthy lifestyle type of a thing as well, and just a real social connectedness for- Mm-hmm ... for the folks that are in, our California Eagles especially.

Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: So I, I have a question for you before we get to the next question, which is gonna be perfectly aligned with what you just said about- Mm-hmm ... people who've been in the program for a duration, a long time. In terms of the programs that you offer, I- obviously RISE seems to be one of the more attractive.

Are there any programs that [00:10:00] would you say are the most popular, that influence the most kids in the community? 

Angie Dixon: Sure. I would say our school program, for sure. Okay. As that is a huge portion of our young people. And, and to me, that's also just really a wonderful opportunity for kids who weren't really looking for golf.

You know, if, if you, if your parents play golf, you have a one in four chance that you're gonna play golf. If your parents don't play golf, it's one in 200. 

Jeff Holden: Wow. 

Angie Dixon: And if, and if you're in underrepresented community, it's even greater. And so we are really breaking down barriers and giving kids the exposure to where they can try it and see if it's something they like.

And then in turn, you know, we're not just teaching golf, we're teaching our core values and our life skills. So that's a big deal to us. So I would say one of the very popular programs that we have is our junior tour program, which is a competitive program- Hmm ... where kids from the age of 12 to 18 [00:11:00] play in tournaments, 20-plus tournaments a year throughout the year.

Jeff Holden: And these are kids in the program. Do they travel? 

Angie Dixon: We have a radius about 50 miles within this area- Okay ... so that it's affordable and accessible. Always one-day events, so we're not involving hotel stays or anything like that for the families. But yeah, it's a, it's a, it's a big group. We typically have over 300 on our tour every year.

Jeff Holden: And I, I noticed you had said 120 schools you're in? 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: What is the geographic range that you service? 

Angie Dixon: We serve the four county region. So with our schools, we're in all of Elk Grove School Dist- District, but if you head up 50 Corridor, we're in Buckeye, Rescue up, up near Serrano. We're also in Folsom Cordova.

We're in a couple schools in San Juan and out toward Roseville as well. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah. Where does the play take place? 

Angie Dixon: As far 

Jeff Holden: as- Do they play at various courses as the 

Angie Dixon: organization? Oh, with 

Jeff Holden: the tournament 

Angie Dixon: program, or? 

Jeff Holden: Well, just the, the program itself. Oh. So do, do they all come to [00:12:00] Haggin Oaks, or do they- 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. So we have three main delivery 

Jeff Holden: Courses, so to speak

Angie Dixon: channels- Got it ... if, if you will, and those are schools, in schools, or with program partners like Salvation, the Salvation Army or- Mm-hmm ... Boys & Girls Club, different groups where we do outreach. And then we also have our eight program locations. So we have locations, Hagen Oaks is one of them, William Land is one, Empire Ranch is one, Emerald Lakes.

So they're kind of spread out around- Mm-hmm ... town. And young people who are wanting to get interested in the game can sign up at one of those locations and receive First Tee programming within their junior golf experience at those courses. Okay. Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: That's what I figured. I just didn't realize- Mm-hmm

all those courses participated. 

Angie Dixon: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: And you me- mentioned a couple of things, which is the, the next question in terms of collaboration. Mm-hmm. Who do you work with? You said Boys & Girls Clubs. Yes. I can only imagine the list has to be- 

Angie Dixon: It's pretty big. Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Because- And, and you don't have to give them all, obviously- Yeah

but 

Angie Dixon: just- Boys & Girls Clubs- ... give our audience an example ... uh, Salvation, uh, Army at [00:13:00] Oak Park. Uh-huh. La Familia, several community centers in town, El Dorado Hills Park District, Will Robins Golf, Morton Golf Foundation, obviously. Sure. But quite a few. And then Kappa Alpha Psi, like I said, they are a big partner of ours in, in helping us do the great work that we do.

I feel bad if I'm leaving someone out, but there's probably- There's so many ... 20 to 30 that we partner with. And, and part of the reason we do that is this program, we want to get it to every, all the kids that, you know, don't really, wouldn't be the ones that their parents would pick up the phone and say, "I'm gonna call Hagen Oaks and sign up for a golf program."

So we're trying to- Right ... get the program in front of everyone, and the best way we have found to do that is to partner with other nonprofits. And we have the ability with the equipment that we use to be able to set up on a blacktop, in a gym, out on a grass area, anything like that. So we're very mobile.

And we can do one-day clinics. We can do all kinds of things. 

Jeff Holden: I see. I didn't realize that. Mm-hmm. I didn't realize [00:14:00] you brought the program to the school. Yes. Literally brought the program to the school. 

Angie Dixon: We bring it to them. Okay. Yeah. So with the schools, they all have their own set of equipment that they can use- Okay

um, in the school day, and they've, their teachers are trained to, in the curriculum, uh, to deliver it. 

Jeff Holden: So with the schools having their own equipment- Mm-hmm ... does that equipment come from you? 

Angie Dixon: Yes, 

Jeff Holden: it 

Angie Dixon: does. Or from the 

Jeff Holden: program itself? 

Angie Dixon: It does come, it's a one-time cost to- Uh-huh ... sponsor a school. It's a $5,000 cost to put a program in a school, and the school receives their own equipment.

Their PE teacher gets trained, and they get PE NASPE curriculum that they can use with their kids. And for 

Jeff Holden: the benefit of people who don't know, NASPE is what? 

Angie Dixon: National- National Association ... Association School Education, I think. Okay. I'm not exactly sure, but it's PE standards curriculum- Oh, got it ... that is to where they can just turnkey use it right in their program.

Jeff Holden: So it's a benefit to the teachers. 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. Oh, absolutely. They don't 

Jeff Holden: have to go through all the coursework and everything. You come in and do it for them. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, we teach them. We train them. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, what a, what a super- Mm-hmm ... super way to [00:15:00] go. How does one become involved in the organization from the perspective of a, a participant?

Angie Dixon: Sure. Well, a wide variety of ways. So sometimes they may just have heard about it from a friend, "Hey, I go to this class each week. Would ... Do you wanna come?" Or they may see it at a golf course, like I said, sign up at a course. We love it when the schools and the PE teachers then provide next step opportunities.

So for us, we're always about exposing young people to the program. However, the longer they stay with us, the deeper they get into the life skill curriculum, the more of an impact this is going to have on their lives, um, to where, you know, our, our mission and our, our passion is building game changers.

Mm-hmm. That's our tagline, and that we would have that ability to do that. So first thing, it's just kind of exposing them, and then it's getting them hooked, and then having them move on to our tour- tournament program or becoming a mentor to younger kids and different things that, that would be [00:16:00] available to them.

Jeff Holden: Tell me a little bit about impact. How do you gauge the impact of the program in the community to say, "This is making a difference because it- 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm ... 

Jeff Holden: does what?" 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. There are a lot of ways that, that it does. I think for us- The thing that I'm so passionate about is providing this program for kids who would otherwise never know that golf was something for them.

And so when that happens, and you see those smiles on those kids' faces, and you hear the parents talking about, "Wow, we didn't know, you know, we didn't know we could do this golf thing, and we didn't know that you would provide scholarships for our kids," we, we never turn a child away due to lack of funding, so if they join us in one of those free programs, and then they wanna move on to something else, we help with that.

They can earn equipment to be involved with us, and they can ... They have their equipment, they have the shirts, they have all the things. And that, to me, is one of the things that really shows the impact and the success of the [00:17:00] program. And then on the flip side, the other thing is the product of the kids that have gone through the program on a deeper level and have been with us, our alumni.

So, you know, we are all about not just building better golfers, but, you know, good golfers- Mm ... but better people is what we like to say. And so- Change-makers. Yeah. And, and so Austin Smotherman went through our program as a, just a real young man starting at seven years old, and he's on the tour now. He's actually the first First Tee ambassador nat- on a national level, and he's out there playing tournament golf and doing extremely well.

However, the thing that I see as success is his passion to, at each tour stop, do clinics and things to help the next generation. He has not forgotten kind of where- 

James Beckwith: That's great 

Angie Dixon: to hear ... he came from. And I love seeing the ... We have two young ladies who went through our program who ended up speaking in front of Congress.

They were both so [00:18:00] shy when they first started with us, and by the end of their journey, both of them, about 12 years apart from each other, spoke in front of Congress on National Golf Day. We have another young lady who went through our program starting at age four or five, who is now our director of competitive activities and outreach.

Wow. So that to me is a big deal. And I brought a little note that I got this week because I, I wanted to just share. Perfect timing, right? I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna read the whole thing, but this to me, this was completely unprompted, is a thank you note from a, a young man, Ibrahim Sumaharo, who went through our program.

He had ... We paid for him to go through our program. He was on golfership with us. He earned a scholarship. Golfership. Yeah, golfership. We give golferships to be in our program. We also give scholarships to get them started in their, in their journey in college. And we helped this young man through his college journey.

And he has been studying to be a molecular biologist, in molecular biology. He wants to be a physician. He wants [00:19:00] to cure cancer. He sent, he sent this note. I'm just gonna read a couple little sentences from it. He said, "I wanted to update you on what's been going on in my pre-med journey. I've mostly been occupied with my lab research, which, as you may remember, I'm currently studying developmental signaling in Mycoccus xanthus by testing whether the volatile compound geostatin acts as an extracellular signal for sporulation."

"My results so far have been promising. My next steps include determining whether the geosporin defect in the mutants lie within a known developmental pathway." So he, he says all this, and I, I thought, well, I mean, I knew what you were doing, but wow. Wow. And he said he's approaching graduation this June, and he's a- applying for med school, and he just said, "Reflecting on this journey, I'm incredibly grateful for the support and foundation that The First Tee has provided me, and I continue to carry these lessons forward.

Your support has not only helped me successfully prepare for the MCAT but [00:20:00] has also helped me successfully attend college with less stress, knowing I have enough money to pay for tuition and other expenses like books. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me, and I will continue down my path to becoming a physician."

Jeff Holden: Wow. 

Angie Dixon: And, you know, that, those are ... It's really, that's really special. 

Jeff Holden: That works. 

Angie Dixon: And, and- I mean, that, that- Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: that you can feel. 

Angie Dixon: And we do hear from these young people, and we do hear... I, I see people all the time that are 30 or 40 years old that have been through our program. You know, it's like, "Oh, how old are you?"

Right. "How, how long ago was that?" 

Jeff Holden: I remember you when you were- Yeah. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. And just to know that, that they are game changers out there and that they are using this, the life skills and core values they learned here in life. 

Jeff Holden: Well, and for all that language that he just used that we don't understand- 

Angie Dixon: Right

Jeff Holden: we know a lot of doctors play golf. 

Angie Dixon: Right. 

Jeff Holden: And I'm hoping that some of them heard that- 

Angie Dixon: Yes ... 

Jeff Holden: and said that this is a place I need to make an investment. Yes. Because look what it's doing for somebody who is now on their way to- Absolutely ... med school. Mm-hmm. Which is really, really cool. [00:21:00] We'll head into the back nine of this conversation with Angie Dixon of First Tee Greater Sacramento right after our partners show you how they can help improve your game with their support.

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Jeff Holden: Funding. 

Angie Dixon: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: How is the organization funded?

Because obviously it doesn't come from- 

Angie Dixon: Right ... 

Jeff Holden: you know, the participants. 

Angie Dixon: No. All of our funding is, is local. We raise all of our money here, and it all stays local. We have 33 board members who are outstanding. 

Jeff Holden: I would say lucky you, but- ... [00:25:00] with some semblance of facetiousness- Yes ... right? 

Angie Dixon: Yes. '

Jeff Holden: Cause a large board like that can be a handful to manage.

Angie Dixon: It is a large board, but it's, it's a wonderful board, and they work so hard to engage with others in our community. 

Jeff Holden: If they're not watching on YouTube and they're just listening to it, I will share that- ... you are beaming talking about your board, which isn't- Yeah ... always the case for- Yeah ... a nonprofit. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, absolutely.

I experience that when I'm, when I'm with others. But our board is very engaged, and I'm thrilled about that, and just the great work that they're doing to raise the funds. It... We have the support of several individuals in our community as well as organizations that... Can I mention a couple or- Sure. I think, you know, one of our largest partners is U.S.

Bank. They, they support us. Tri Counties Bank, Teichert, Mor- Great 

Jeff Holden: organizations. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. The Morton Golf Foundation. Demmen Partners is a huge sponsor for us, so we have several. There's... You know, we receive probably close to 1,000 total donations from- Mm-hmm ... [00:26:00] individuals. Really, 80% of the gifts that we get are from individuals to, to support this 

Jeff Holden: program.

Which is, is great because you're not at, at risk of a federal piece of budgeting- Right ... going away or- Yeah ... even a state piece of budgeting going away, and all of a sudden the program's decimated. 

Angie Dixon: Absolutely. 

Jeff Holden: No. Because that tends to be sustainable. Yeah. You know, the people tend to continue to give, and they like the program, and if they're engaged- Yeah

that's, that's a win-win. And when you have 33 board members, that's some depth of contact in the community for them to outreach. 

Angie Dixon: Right. 

Jeff Holden: To say, "Hey, look what we're doing. You're my friend. You can give a little bit too." 

Angie Dixon: Absolutely, and they do that. Yeah. And it's wonderful. And you know, it's just, it's such a great program that at the end of the day, I think my hope for them when they're sharing with others and, and what I always when I'm sharing is that I'm just letting you be involved in this.

Like, this is your- Mm-hmm ... chance to feel good, to be able to feel great about that letter that I just read- Right ... that you took part in that. So yeah, wonderful board. We actually just started an ambassador program as well for individuals who maybe [00:27:00] don't have the time to be on the board- Mm-hmm ... but would like to be an ambassador of the organization.

So we just signed on a handful of those folks as well, so takes a village. 

Jeff Holden: Great idea. Great idea. Angie, if somebody's out there, maybe always wanted to play golf, just, it just wasn't their thing or for whatever reason, now they've matured, they've got this wealth. They say, "I love the program. I wanna give you a blank check."

What would it look like? What would it look like if somebody said, "Here, do whatever you need to do- Mm-hmm ... with the program, and I'll make sure it gets taken care of"? 

Angie Dixon: I think, you know, as a nonprofit, we, we have five full-time staff, three of which work on our programs. Mm-hmm. So I think, um, having the capacity to have a Rise program as many days of the month as we would like to, having girls' golf offered re- as regular as possible.

I think for me, a check like that would probably also involve a facility for us- Mm-hmm ... and having a [00:28:00] space where we could have a classroom and an offices right there on site, and the ability for the kids to be able to drop in. You know, we have a wonderful office right now. 

Jeff Holden: And that may be just a drop-in- Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm ... where somebody maybe is experiencing something in a community that they wanna get away from- 

Angie Dixon: Yes ... 

Jeff Holden: and they know that they have a place to go to. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, yeah. 

Jeff Holden: We were just at another organization who has a similar situation, different crisis that they're- Uh-huh ... they're working on, but I was blown away at how many people come in on a daily basis.

I said- That's great ... "You've got to be kidding me," because that's that many- That's available. Mm-hmm ... every single day that they're supporting and, and nurturing and getting out of the environment that we don't want them in. 

Angie Dixon: Right, right. I mean, we're, we're all about getting kids off of their devices and- Yeah

socially engaged with others in this active learning environment, you know, outside in golf- Right ... in nature. And I think for me, you know, yes, the funding is so important, and we would be able to just do- So much more. I think what it would look like- Yeah ... is lots [00:29:00] more programming, more staff being able to do that, and like I say, a facility.

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Well, and you mentioned something we, we don't talk about enough really, is getting kids out into nature. We had the American River Parkway on- Oh ... a while ago. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, I'm familiar with 

Jeff Holden: them. Had Diane Pagetto. Mm-hmm. And she was saying only 10% of the community, 10% of Sacramento knows it exists. 

Angie Dixon: Wow.

Jeff Holden: And they get kids for tours to come and walk the parkway and see what's on the river and that this thing is there, who have never seen it. 

Angie Dixon: Right. 

Jeff Holden: Don't know what that nature is like. And a golf course is a beautiful natural habitat. Oh, yeah. It's just, it, it's, it's spectacular in many cases because it's so pristine- Mm-hmm

and so well-manicured- 

Angie Dixon: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: to where these kids just would never see anything like that in their neighborhoods typically. 

Angie Dixon: Absolutely. And, and it gets them off of their devices. Yes. You know, you can't be on your phone out on the golf course, and you really can't play great golf unless you spend some time practicing.

Yeah. So- There's a 

Jeff Holden: mental 

Angie Dixon: discipline ... you know. Yeah, the mental discipline, [00:30:00] yeah. The, it, it is, it is really just a great experience for kids, and also to learn how to connect with others. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah. 

Angie Dixon: You know, that's a big thing for us. One of our life skills that we teach, one of the very first ones, is how to introduce yourself, giving a firm handshake, looking them in the eye, asking a question, you know, stating your name clearly, you know, all of these things and, and just how to engage with people.

In fact, one of our young ladies who spoke in front of Congress, she, she shared at Congress, she said, "I, that, that life skill meant so much to me because I didn't even know how to do that. And when they gave me that, you know, it just helped me have a framework to how, how to speak with others." Mm-hmm. And I do think because kids are on their devices so much these days, that we really need to be intentional about that.

Jeff Holden: Totally agree. Totally agree. Mm-hmm. I, I digressed a bit 'cause we're on the funding. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: So we come out of that beautiful dream- 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm ... 

Jeff Holden: of the check- But reality- 

Angie Dixon: Yes ... 

Jeff Holden: today, what is the greatest need of the [00:31:00] organization? 

Angie Dixon: I think, I think for us it is just sustainability with our staffing. You know, making sure we have the funds in the organization to be able to do the work that we do each, each year.

And I think also, just word of mouth of the organization, folks knowing the great work we do, which is why I was so thrilled when you asked me to, uh, join you today. Um, I, I think a lot of people may think of us as just a golf organization, or they may have never heard of First Tee, and they not, may not realize the great work we're doing with young people.

And so I think for us, you know, the need is to always have enough funding to be able to do our Rise program. Mm-hmm. Like I said, we're 56,000 people are- That's an amazing number ... are participating free of charge every year. So, so when we put a school program in for $5,000 16 years ago, we still need to be having that relationship, and we're, and we're doing all the work to make sure that, you know, everything's good.

Do you need more equipment? What do you need? And so that takes [00:32:00] funding to be able to do that. 

Jeff Holden: And I would imagine once you're in a school, you don't wanna have it fail. You wanna stay in- 

Angie Dixon: Absolutely ... 

Jeff Holden: perpetuity. 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. Absolutely. 

Jeff Holden: What's the budget? What do you work 

Angie Dixon: with roughly? Uh, one, we are, our budget for fundraising is $1 million.

Jeff Holden: Yep. And I would imagine that goes in and out every year. 

Angie Dixon: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: So you start from zero. 

Angie Dixon: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, we, we have a reserve that we've raised- Sure, sure ... over the last several years. We're, you know, we're doing a g- good job with that, being good stewards and, and having some funds. I, I think the pandemic really, you know, made us be very aware of being good stewards- Mm-hmm

and making sure. I was so thankful to be able to keep our staff engaged in all the things we did through that, and golf was a great game. 

Jeff Holden: Obviously, because you're outside. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. Yeah. Golf was... We were able to get kids out and, and in the program. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, I remember 

Angie Dixon: so many friends- So very quickly ... 

Jeff Holden: that we're, we're going golfing.

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: We're g- We can do that. 

Angie Dixon: So many people got the golf bug- 

Jeff Holden: Yeah ... 

Angie Dixon: during, during 2020 and 2021. Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: That's not a bad thing. 

Angie Dixon: No, not at all. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, 'cause it engages them in a different way than- 

Angie Dixon: Yes ... 

Jeff Holden: a- and it's an opportunity to get [00:33:00] out and meet and share. 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: As a nonprofit leader- 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm ... 

Jeff Holden: and 25 years with an organization, you've seen it through an awful lot of- 

Angie Dixon: Yes

Jeff Holden: up and down, and- 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm ... 

Jeff Holden: if you stayed, which you have, that means you're extremely committed, which, which also means you feel, you know, every little nuance with that organization. 

Angie Dixon: Oh, yes. 

Jeff Holden: And sometimes that's stressful. It can be, it can be difficult. Let's, let's take a step sideways to learn a little bit about Angie.

This is our Beyond the Mission segment, where, you know, we talk about just some of the things that help people kn- people know who you are. And so I'm, I'm gonna ask you some questions. Okay, great. You just answer. They'll be fast. Great. It's, it's quick and- ... usually easy. 

Angie Dixon: Sounds good. 

Jeff Holden: So- Night owl or early bird?

Angie Dixon: Night owl. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, interesting. So you like it in the summer when it's much longer 

Angie Dixon: and lighter and out. Usually I just don't sleep very much. I kinda do both. 

Jeff Holden: Go-to comfort food. 

Angie Dixon: Oh, ice [00:34:00] cream. 

Jeff Holden: Ooh, okay. Last show you binged or are watching. 

Angie Dixon: I do not have enough time to watch shows. 

Jeff Holden: Good. I like that. Something people would be surprised to learn about you.

Angie Dixon: I'm a huge gardener, master gardener. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, wow. 

Angie Dixon: Um, and I'm super involved in theater. 

Jeff Holden: You, you mentioned you actually perform and coach- 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm ... 

Jeff Holden: at theater in Rocklin? 

Angie Dixon: Rocklin Community Theatre. Okay. I'm the operations manager and, yep, perform a bit as well. 

Jeff Holden: I, I, I wanna presuppose I know the answer to this, but I'm...

Surprise me. What fills your cup up when it's empty? 

Angie Dixon: My family. Just had a, a grandson. 

Jeff Holden: Congratulations. 

Angie Dixon: Love him so much. Six months old. And also, I'm a Christian, strong Christian, and that definitely go to God when it's empty. Oh, 

Jeff Holden: that's awesome. 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: That is awesome. And for you, again, I think I know the answer, but I may not.

Now I may not. I have a couple of ideas it could be. [00:35:00] What's a perfect day off look like? 

Angie Dixon: Oh, definitely out in my garden, for sure. Maybe sleeping in, in the garden, you know, re- reading a book, having some ice cream. 

Jeff Holden: There 

Angie Dixon: you go. For sure. For sure. 

Jeff Holden: Okay, th- so one last one, just because it's one that I ask occasionally.

Coffee or tea, then, with your ice 

Angie Dixon: cream? Oh, I don't drink caffeine. I know. I have so much energy already that I, I can't. So sometimes tea. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Angie Dixon: Or maybe just a chai, chai latte. 

Jeff Holden: Perfect. Perfect. My wife loves them, too. Angie, if somebody's interested in supporting the organization, what's the best way to learn more about it?

Angie Dixon: Our website is great. We have all of the information there. However, also, just give me a call. I'm happy to meet with anyone. We could get coffee. We could get lunch. Really happy to share. Also, have you come out and see one of our programs in action. There's many ways to volunteer and get engaged that way as well, but yeah, our website has quite a bit of information on it.

Jeff Holden: And with such a [00:36:00] geographical swath around the community- Mm-hmm ... with the four counties, really, it's easy to see the program in action someplace at a school near you- 

Angie Dixon: Absolutely ... 

Jeff Holden: or a course near you. 

Angie Dixon: Most likely at a course, um, just being a little more accessible to be able to, to wa- to watch that- Yeah

versus going on the school properties, but, but yeah, absolutely. We, we make those available. We have regular program visits where folks can come out and see, see it in, in motion. 

Jeff Holden: Well, I think you may have changed some minds today as perspective and perception of what we started with to where we are. The letter that you read is just wonderful in giving us an idea of where the course can take somebody.

Angie Dixon: Right. 

Jeff Holden: And that's, course, no pun intended. It, it's just amazing to see what you're doing for kids in the community, the way that they're interacting, a- and even having some names we can start to watch. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: You know? I, I, I think that's gonna be really fun in terms of people knowing that there's a, a y- I was gonna say a kid.

He's not a kid [00:37:00] now. He's a, a young man- He's in his 

Angie Dixon: 30s. ... 

Jeff Holden: who, who is on the tour, who actually originated with First Tee out of Sacramento. 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: And that's a, a, a huge compliment to the organization. Keep up the great work. We love what you're doing, and thank you to you and your team, the mighty team of five, is it you said?

Yes. That's, that's a small group for such a large amount of activity and 52, 53,000 kids. 

Angie Dixon: Yeah, 58,000 every year. 

Jeff Holden: 58,000 passing through. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. I, I mean, it's just amazing. 

Angie Dixon: Huge amount of volunteers as well, over 400 volunteers. 

Jeff Holden: There we go. 

Angie Dixon: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: Well, thank you for what you do, for what they do, and for what you're doing for the community.

Angie Dixon: Thank you. Thanks so much for having me today. My pleasure. 

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