A new feature. An organization that changes kids' lives. And a game changer you've got to meet.
All in one newsletter. Go get it.
Happy Thursday!
Today’s newsletter is going to be a bit different than past Thursday issues. Instead of starting out with What I’d Rather Be Talking About, I’m starting a summer series called Who I’d Rather Be Talking About.
Because the fact is… we all have amazing stories.
And even though our personal stories might feel just like everyday life to ourselves, the things we do each day have the power to inspire someone else.
That’s just how life tends to work.
So… to highlight the many fascinating people I encounter, I’ve created:
For our first installment, I’m happy to introduce Wanda Brewer Ickes, the Executive Director for First Tee - Central Florida. I met Wanda this past January while I was attending the PGA Golf Show in Orlando. I was immediately impressed by her positive attitude and enthusiasm as she explained to me how First Tee positively impacts young golfers - offering them golf and life skills for future success. Â
Even if you’re not a golfer, I think you’ll want to read this interview… because Wanda’s job, and her life story, are pretty inspirational.
I’m sharing Wanda’s story with you for two reasons:
1. I always think it’s interesting to see how a person’s life and career ebbs and flows, and how every single thing we do impacts our futures. Wanda’s story is an inspiring example of how resilience and a positive outlook can help us recover when life throws us curve balls, and also positively impact others.
2. Since like attracts like, it makes perfect sense that a wonderful person like Wanda would be part of a fabulous organization like First Tee.
Let’s find out more about Wanda and First Tee!
Abbey: Can you tell us a bit about your childhood and early adulthood?
Wanda: I was born on the island of O’ahu. While growing up, I spent most of my time consumed with junior tennis - I played all but five days in a year and competed in both junior and adult tournaments.Â
In addition, I loved school. It was my safe place away from the daily child abuse I was enduring at home. I’m the youngest of three, and once my older siblings ran away from home, school saved my life when I confided in my principal. She drove me to child protection services; my parents were arrested, and I entered the foster care system. After two years with my high school diploma in hand, I aged out and was on my own at 18.
The lessons I learned from playing a sport - mental toughness regardless of life’s circumstances - remain with me and are why I’m a huge advocate of kids getting into the game—whatever sport of choice. (Of course, I’m biased toward golf.)
In addition, I like to remind people that you never know what is going on in a child’s life.
Abbey: How did you get from Hawaii to Florida?
Wanda: I lived in Hawaii until I fell in love with a pro golfer who was moving to Orlando to open up Isleworth Country Club back in the 80s. I packed up and followed him.
Abbey: Can you talk about how you became involved with golf?
Wanda: I learned the game backward by caddying for my husband Brad on a secondary tour one summer. I knew the rules, etiquette, and when to pull out which club for what shot, but I had never played a round myself. However, those days were short-lived, as making it on tour and raising a family is not for the faint of heart. I returned to work, and my husband returned to work for Arnold Palmer.
Later, Brad and I worked together at the Brad Brewer Golf Academy for nearly 19 years. I loved the clients we served – golfers are very special people. Our students were smart, disciplined, and deep-thinking. Our work was so rewarding. Whether helping a teenager make their high school team, a senior receive a golf scholarship, a player earn their tour card, or a CEO reduce their stress level by having fun playing better golf, there was so much joy in helping someone make their dream come true – through golf.
Then, in late 2020, Brad didn’t feel well; a few months later, he was gone. That was a cruel year, as seven weeks later, our 33-year-old daughter was killed by a hit-and-run driver, and two months after that, I was told my lease was not being renewed at the academy. I woke up on July 2, 2022, at my usual 5 am time, instinctively grabbed my cell phone to see who was looking to book a lesson, and realized for the first time in 31 years that I did not own a business.
I lacked the mental wherewithal to start something new or decide on another franchise, so I began looking for something meaningful. I was offered a position with an organization I was very high on, but while waiting to negotiate my contract, a friend told me First Tee – Central Florida’s executive director was retiring. I looked at the job posting and felt my years running the academy and my love for our juniors truly set the stage for my role as First Tee – Central Florida’s new executive director. On a personal note, I also remarried.
Abbey: Let’s talk about First Tee… what it’s all about?
Wanda: First Tee is a nonprofit youth development organization that teaches life skills, strengthens character, and deepens core values all through learning and playing the game of golf. For example, kids learn that reading the green to set up a putt is so much more than strategy. It’s about respecting the course by repairing their ball mark and maybe a couple others on behalf of golfers who did not respect it, being mindful of how one must tread lightly to avoid making indentations. It is about courtesy and etiquette by avoiding walking in someone’s line, allowing those furthest from the hole to putt first, staying still and quiet so as not to become a distraction to whomever is putting.  Â
First Tee is about access to the game of golf and learning to play the game affordably or without any cost for families in need. At our Central Florida chapter, we go one step further by providing kids and teens with sets of appropriately sized clubs so they can arrive at their classes ready to participate, and have the tools they need to practice and enjoy the game in between classes. Â
Abbey: What are some of your chapter’s activities?Â
Wanda: We have so many! When parents think of First Tee, they probably have visions of 7- 10 year old girls and boys on the range. While those classes max out on the first day of registration, the kids who stay with us and become the teen faces of First Tee are the ones I am most excited about.Â
Statistics reveal kids 10 – 14 years of age are our most vulnerable.  We know if we can keep a participant in First Tee till age 14, we will most likely keep them connected through high school graduation.Â
Abbey: How do you keep kids interested in First Tee?
Wanda: We do this by inviting our participants to join our Teen Advisory Board and related activities when they enter high school. If there are officer positions open, we encourage them to serve to strengthen organization skills and further develop leadership skills. There are quarterly events that involve speakers who share about their golf and non-golf related careers, there are social activities on the golf course and in other settings such as bowling, and there are numerous invitations for our teens to play in organized events. These help our teens deepen their social skills.
We have a Mentee – Mentor program that got its start thanks to a grant from the Jordan Spieth Family & Friends Foundation where matched adults and teens meet up as a group to share a meal, play 9-holes and enjoy conversations about school, home life, their futures, and other topics prompted by our Program Coordinator.Â
First Tee teens who have been in our program for a period of at least one year can be hired as Youth Coaches. Â
Each year the General Manager of a PGA TOUR Superstore in our program territory conducts a free Leadership Series. At the end of the series each teen conducts a presentation to their peers based on an interest they may want to pursue in college. This helps them with their public speaking and presentation skills.Â
The teens who complete this Leadership Series are then nominated for experiences held across the nation to meet up with other First Tee teens to further develop their leadership skills. All of this is provided by the Arthur Blank Family Foundation.Â
But wait – there’s more!Â
The teens who attend these opportunities can be identified by First Tee HQ as exceptional youth leaders and be awarded four-year college scholarships. One of our teens received this honor last year.Â
In addition, thanks to a partnership with the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, our chapter began awarding college scholarships in 2023. A graduating senior is eligible to receive a 4-year scholarship. This is reassuring to families to know as long as their student maintains a 3.0 or higher GPA the funds continue to help offset the cost of tuition. The scholarship applies to trade and technical school programs as well. Â
Abbey: If someone has a child who may be interested in joining First Tee, what should they do? Â And, how can adults help First Tee?
Wanda: Enroll your child, teen, grandchild as soon as possible! The sooner a child and teen gets connected with the life skills curriculum the better. Parents most often report a noticeable increase in their child’s self-esteem and confidence. Other parents report how their children love the program and their coach compared to other activities where they grew bored and lost interest.Â
At First Tee - Central Florida, we break down barriers of entry… the cost of our chapter’s program is $85 for an 8-week program, and if a family is experiencing hardship we provide financial assistance. If a child or teen doesn’t have the proper equipment, we provide it free of charge. We also provide a Welcome Bag that includes a collared shirt so a child can learn the dress code for going onto a golf course, tools that will be used during play, and a hat and sunglasses to keep them comfortable.Â
There are many ways to become involved with First Tee - as a volunteer, participant, or financial supporter. Go to firsttee.org today to find out how you can help change the lives of kids and teens through golf.
Abbey: That was so interesting and inspiring learning about your life and First Tee. Now… let’s switch gears a bit for a round of What Would You Rather Be Talking About?
Wanda:
Hobby: Â I truly do not have a green thumb but thoroughly enjoy buying new plants for my garden and hoping for the best!
Vacation spot: Anywhere with an ocean breeze and sand between my toes.
Golf ball preference?  One that stays dry! Preferably pink.Â
Netflix/streaming/podcast rec: I am a fixer upper addict – it never gets old watching transformations and how colors, textures and patterns are coordinated.   Â
Favorite meal:  Anything my husband cooks! I appreciate the thought and work that goes into every meal. I could eat Tex-Mex, sushi and Mediterranean on the regular!
Pets: I am intrigued by cats but my allergies do not allow me to have one as a pet. I love birds and at one time had society and zebra finches. Now I have bird feeders in the backyard and ten-pound bags of seed on auto ship. Â
Floridian for life? I truly cannot imagine living anywhere else. We have so much to enjoy here, you cannot be bored in Central Florida.Â
Thank you, Wanda for giving us a glimpse at your inspiring life and all the good things First Tee does for young golfers!Â
And, that’s a wrap! If you’re missing the regular podcast, streaming, and other lifestyle links normally featured in Thursday’s newsletter… tune in Saturday! I’m wrangling up a bunch of fun recommendations, plus filling you in on my latest travels.
See you Saturday,
Abbey