About

Executive Director

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext. 007
Email: dfogarty@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Daniel is the Executive Director at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. Prior to joining us at First Tee, he founded Beds for Kids in 2011, establishing a nonprofit organization that grew in impact throughout the Charlotte-Metro area serving over 13,000 kids. Daniel completed the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management at Harvard Business School in 2018. When he is not at First Tee, you can find him hanging out with his family, working on a long list of projects around the house or sneaking out to play a round of golf. Daniel’s favorite core value is: Perseverance. Favorite Quote: “Learning never takes place while you are talking”

Director of Finance & Human Capital

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext. 003
Email: tbriner@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Tanya is the Director of Finance and Human Capital at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. Prior to joining us at First Tee, she spent the most of the last 30 years working as an HR Director and Officer Manager in both the mortgage industry and the environmental industry. When she is not at First Tee, she loves to hike, camp, read and spend time with family. Tanya’s Essential Core Value: “Integrity – It is a personal choice to continuously hold yourself up to the highest moral and ethical values. In my opinion without integrity none of the other core values can possibly be achieved.” Favorite Quote: “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” – Albert Einstein

Director of Organizational Development

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext. 101

Email: aross@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Amanda is the Director of Organizational Development at the First Tee – Greater Charlotte. Prior to joining us at First Tee, she worked at the non-profit organization Beds for Kids for 10 years where she worked alongside the team to provide thousands of beds and essential furniture items to children in need within the city. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Sociology. When she is not at First Tee, you will find her spending time with her husband and two daughters. Amanda’s favorite core value is: “Honesty – it is important to be who you say you are and portray that within your everyday life”. Favorite Quote: “The hardest thing you have to do will often lead to the best thing you’ll ever do”. – Jon Gordon

Director of Golf Operations

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext. 005

Email: ibollinger@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Ian is the Director of Golf Operations at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. He has been a PGA Professional since 2007, and has been in the golf business since the age of 15. Ian attended Brevard Junior College where he also played on the golf team. He then attended East Carolina and studied Business. When Ian is not at First Tee or on the golf course, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, cooking, reading, fishing, and watching sports. Ian’s Essential Core Value: “Judgment. Judgment is about making choices. We make choices every second of every day. These choices can affect our lives in extreme ways.” Favorite Quote: “Golf is like life, you get out of it what you put into it.”

Program Director

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext. 001

Email: bcross@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Brittnay is the Program Director at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. Before joining First Tee – Greater Charlotte, Brittnay spent almost 6 years at the Dana Rader Golf School where she was a junior golf instructor and assistant to Dana Rader. She is a graduate of Pfeiffer University where she received a degree in Sports Management while playing on the golf team. Prior to attending Pfeiffer University, Brittnay spent her youth growing up in Northern California where she eventually became a participant of  First Tee – Greater Sacramento. When Brittnay is not at First Tee or on the golf course, she enjoys watching sports, being outdoors, skateboarding, and spending time with her husband and dachshunds. Brittnay’s Essential Core value: “Perseverance- it’s a direct reflection of one’s inner strength and desire to succeed despite any obstacles that get in the way. Life isn’t always going to be easy, but I think it’s how we handle those situations that define who we are.” Favorite Quote: “All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”-Walt Disney

Program Manager

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext. 100

Email: coachmary@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Mary Kirkman is a Program Manager and has been working with First Tee – Greater Charlotte since June of 2018. Mary graduated from Catawba College in 2016. She was a student-athlete playing soccer and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Sports Management. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree at Wingate University. She has played golf since she was a little girl. Her most enjoyable rounds are the round spent with her dad and brother on Father’s Day. She enjoys working with First Tee because their mission goes beyond learning the game of golf and focuses on instilling the core values into young athletes’ lives. Core values are important in all aspects of life – school, home, community, and sports. Mary’s favorite memories so far are watching young athletes expressions and celebrations when they succeed. Her favorite core value is perseverance, because it is prominent in all aspects of life at all ages. As one grows up, they always want to believe they can achieve any dream and never settle for less. “The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.”

Program Coach & Social Media Coordinator

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext: 004

Email: coachdavid@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

David Jones is a Program Coach, Social Media Coordinator and Site Director at Emerald Lake Golf Club, and has been with First Tee – Greater Charlotte since March of 2019. David graduated from Metropolitan State University in Denver, CO in 2018 and received a degree in English Literature. He grew up in First Tee – Denver and spent time in the program at various levels, from participant to Lead Instructor. He has been a part of First Tee since he was 6 years old. Outside of golf, he enjoys spending time with his niece and nephew, watching sports, doing Tae Kwon Do and reading. Favorite Core Value: “Integrity- Your true character is shown through what you do when no one else is looking. If you make good choices when no one is around, then it is easier to be trusted when they are”. Favorite Quote: “Respect for right conduct is felt by everybody” -Jane Austen

Program Coach & Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 704-348-2515 ext: 002

Email: mcrowe@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Maurice is a Program Coach & Volunteer Coordinator at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. Maurice is a former participant and recent graduate of Montreat College with a degree in Sports Management and Marketing. He grew up playing various sports, but decided to pursue golf and play for his college. Outside of golf, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing other sports, and fashion Favorite Core Value: Perseverance- “to persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles. To succeed, players must continue through bad breaks and their own mistakes, while learning from past experiences”.  Favorite Quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”. -Coach Carter Movie

Assistant Coach

Jessie is an assistant coach at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. She is currently a student at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is majoring in Communication Studies. Jessie became involved with First Tee – Greater Charlotte in 2015 as a participant. Since then she has enjoyed volunteering in the summers and serving as a programming intern this past year. Jessie became interested in golf when she got her first set of clubs when she was six and went on to play for her high school varsity golf team. Outside of golf, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the mountains and photography. Her favorite core value is Confidence- “First Tee helps participants gain confidence in all aspects of their lives. Building confidence is essential to facing all of life’s challenges and new situations.” Jessie’s favorite part about working at First Tee is getting to know the participants and seeing them succeed on and off the golf course. Her favorite quote is by Arnold Palmer, “The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.”

Assistant Coach

Site Director

Email: coachsarah@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Sarah Wozniak is the Site Director at Springfield Golf Club and has been working with First Tee – Greater Charlotte since 2016. Sarah began playing golf at the age of nine years old and began to seriously pursue golf the summer before she began high school. After four years of playing high school golf at Dorman High School, Sarah was able to get a college golf scholarship and play at Anderson University. In 2015, she graduated with a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology. “For most of my life, I have tried to embody the core values that First Tee teaches. I now feel very blessed that I get to teach these core values of  First Tee to the younger generations, and I could not be happier to do it,” Sarah said. Sarah’s favorite golf memory is not her lowest score ever or best tournament finish, but those rounds she has spent with close friends and family enjoying time with one another over the love of the game. Sarah remembers one of her favorite memories at First Tee with a young participant. “I remember one girl in my 5 to 6 year old class was very frustrated because she was having a difficult time making contact with the ball. Everyone else that day was hitting the ball well and she was feeling discouraged. We talked about First Tee core value of Perseverance and she told me that she was not going to give up. It took her longer than everyone else but she managed to persevere through her struggles, and hit a great golf shot. Overcome with emotion, she gave me the biggest smile and the gleam in her eyes was priceless and brought so much joy to my heart. This is just one great memory among many that I have had through watching the growth of my participants during their time with First Tee.” Sarah’s favorite core value is perseverance. “I learned perseverance by being on the golf course and playing in many tournaments. By being the competitor on the golf course, you are the only one that can decide to finish the round strong when you are not playing well. This concept applies to your regular life as well, because no matter what season of life you are in there will always be obstacles and trials to be had. It is through perseverance that we find the strength to overcome our obstacle or endure our struggles until they subside. Just like in golf, you are the only person to tell yourself to not give up when you had a bad hole. The same must be applied when there are tough times in life. I believe that perseverance is one of the most predominant keys to success in life.”

Site Director 

Email: Coachsheila@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Sheila Molino is the Site Director for Stonebridge Golf Course.  She began volunteering with First Tee – Greater Charlotte in 2016.  “I was hooked from my first volunteer class helping the Teeny Tees learn to roll putts.  Seeing the participants’ nearly boundless energy and their delighted smiles when they execute a shot well or correctly answer questions about core values and healthy habits fills me with joy.”  Her favorite core value is integrity.  “Integrity is doing the right thing regardless of whether anyone is looking, being truly honest with ourselves and following through on commitments. This core value has great power to positively affect every aspect of our lives.”  Sheila retired from a career in accounting and banking where she honed problem solving and relationship building expertise.  She enjoys playing golf with friends and family as often as possible.  Her favorite golf memories include those rare “perfect shots” when the swing from set up through contact to finish feels effortless and the ball travels exactly as planned.

Assistant Coach

Email: Coachtodd@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

I’m returning to First Tee – Greater Charlotte after a year and a half away. I was the site director at Springfield Golf Club for nearly 5 years, and I look forward to working with the children and volunteers there again! My background is in child care, and I was a stay-at-home dad for over 20 years. My wife and I have 4 wonderful daughters, and we are so proud of the strong, successful women they have become! My favorite Core Value is Integrity, for many of the same reasons that other coaches stated. So, I’ll choose Confidence. I think confidence is so important in most every aspect in a person’s life! In school and in sports, for example, we gain confidence through practice and improvement. I believe that confidence can lead to success in most areas!

Site Director

Email: Coachkell@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Kell Graham is a recent graduate from Guilford College where he played on the golf team all four years and majored in Sports Management. He grew up playing basketball, soccer, and baseball, but decided to stick to golf when he entered high school. He tries to stay outdoors as much as possible and enjoys fishing and being on the lake. His favorite core value is Respect – “Once you are able to respect something or someone, then you are able to go through life in a mature manner. Respecting each person will only better yourself. Respecting golf is very important to improving your game also.” Kell’s favorite part about working with First Tee is seeing the participants grow on the course, but also bettering themselves as individuals off the course.

Assistant Coach

Email: coachstevenson@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

David Stevenson is an Assistant Coach with First Tee – Greater Charlotte. David has been a member of First Tee – Greater Charlotte program since he was 10 years old. During his teen years with the program, he volunteered tirelessly and could always be counted on to help out when we needed him. David has earned several honors from the program such as the Respect Award (2010), the Honesty Award (2013), the Youth Mentor Award (2014), and the John W. Harris Award (2017). He is currently a student at Central Piedmont Community College. When David is not at the First Tee or playing golf, he enjoys gaming with close friends. Favorite Core Value: Confidence – I have matured from a shy, young boy into a confident young man. My confidence has increased every year with every class in which I have participated. Being more confident and trusting my decisions have increased my self-esteem and given me an extra boost when I needed it to complete school assignments, obtain goals or just being a better person. Favorite Quote: “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will still rise.”

Site Director

Email: coachchristian@thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org

Christian Fleetwood is an assistant coach at First Tee – Greater Charlotte. He is from Conway North Carolina. He Graduated from Chowan University with a degree in Sports Management and was a member of the golf team for all four years He loves anything to do with golf, whether that be playing on the weekends, playing in tournaments, or teaching in anyway shape or form, he just loves the game. His dad introduced him to the sport when he was around five years old and he has loved it ever since. In his free time he likes to stay active by playing basketball or playing golf, and he also enjoys playing video games. His favorite part about the First Tee is the look in a participants eyes when they hit a golf shot the way they want to on the driving range. His favorite quote is, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something, but I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan