Invited’s Gateway Club with the First Tee
Invited Gateway Club Grows Access to Golf for Underrepresented Youth
Invited is dedicated to growing the game by increasing access and opportunities for diverse and underrepresented groups such as girls and people of color.
The Gateway Club program was launched in Texas in 2021 with Golf Professional Kamaiu Johnson announced as the first program Ambassador. Selected First Tee students are awarded complimentary Junior Golf Memberships to their local Invited golf and country club which includes tee times, access to practice and other special experiences.
The Gateway Club program is hosted at select Invited clubs in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix, and Greater Washington DC. Invited has awarded over 134+ Gateway Club memberships to First Tee students to date. The program is expanding to additional markets across the Invited network nationwide.
We are excited to share that the Gateway Club has already had an incredible impact on participants. One of the moms shared, “My daughter has benefited tremendously from her Gateway Club membership at Gleneagles Country Club. The most significant benefits that I have noticed are increased confidence and improvements in her game. The opportunity to practice and play at the Club has been a game changer. She’s currently ranked 80th in the nation and has committed to play golf at the University of Pennsylvania.”
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.
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
