PLAYer Program:
Aged-based beginner to intermediate skill level programming classes offered to youth from six years old all the way to eighteen years old. We offer these classes at many courses across Louisville, including: Shawnee Golf Course, Long Run Golf Course, Bobby Nichols Golf Course, Seneca Golf Course, Quail Chase Golf Course, and Clear Creek Golf Center. We have 6-9 age classes that focus on group collaboration, 10-13 age classes that focus on self-confidence of the players, and 14-18 age classes that focus on finding your identity as a golfer and a person.
Development Program:
Intermediate skill level programming classes for youth ages ten and up that are designed to help them feel comfortable beginning to play tournament or school golf competitively. These are offered at Shawnee Golf Course and Bobby Nichols Golf Course.
Elite Program:
Intermediate to advanced skill level programming classes for youth ages fourteen and up that can help participants already playing competitive golf take their learning to the next level. These are offered at Shawnee Golf Course.
Golf FORE Girls Program:
Programming classes designed for girls-only and taught by a team of all women instructors. The classes are aged-based just like the PLAYer classes but focus on encouraging young girls to find the benefits golf can provide. These classes are offered at Shawnee Golf Course and Bobby Nichols Golf Course. In 2023 we also started offering a small more advanced group class called EmpowHER for girls ages ten and up.
Meet the Programming Team!
Director of Golf [email protected]
Blake has been with First Tee – Louisville since July 2018. He currently runs all programs and facilitates our golf courses: Shawnee Golf Course and Bobby Nichols Golf Course. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University from the Professional Golf Management Program in 2016 and has been a member of the PGA since 2018. He previously worked at Polo Fields Golf & Country Club as the Assistant Golf Professional and at Wildwood Country Club as an Assistant Golf Professional. He has experience working with junior golfers, running tournaments, and managing golf facilities. Blake is also a First Tee Recognized Coach, US Kids Golf Golf Certified Coach 1, and a Golf Digest Certified Instructor.
Program Coordinator [email protected]
Olivia began at First Tee – Louisville as a volunteer coach in 2018 for our first ever Golf FORE Girls class. She worked part-time then began full-time with us in May 2022. She graduated from Bellarmine University in 2022 where she played on the women’s golf team. Olivia became a Class A PGA Member in June 2024. She is also a First Tee Recognized Coach, Girls Golf Certified, and US Kids Golf Certified Coach 2. Olivia runs our Golf FORE Girls Program, acting as our LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site Director, and is the Lead Coach at Long Run Golf Course, Seneca Golf Course, and the Golf FORE Girls classes. She runs our day-to-day programming operations.
Golf Operations Coordinator [email protected]
Will has been working at First Tee – Louisville since June 2022. He graduated from the University of Louisville in 2022 majoring in sports management. He has played golf recreationally since high school and loves mentoring youth on the benefits sports can provide. Will is a level II First Tee Coach. He coaches many of our PLAYer classes and helps facilitate day-to-day operations at the golf courses First Tee – Louisville runs. He coaches at Shawnee Golf Course, Bobby Nichols Golf Course, Seneca Golf Course, and Quail Chase Golf Course.
Program Specialist [email protected]
Collin began working at First Tee – Louisville after graduating from Ball State University in 2024. Originally from Muncie, Indiana, he played high school golf and tennis, playing recreational golf ever since. Collin previously worked in a variety of roles with the Indiana Golf Association and Delaware Country Club in Muncie. He has experience running golf tournaments and helping with day-to-day golf course operations. He coaches and leads class at Shawnee Golf Course, Bobby Nichols Golf Course, Seneca Golf Course, and Quail Chase Golf Course.