First Tee - Savannah has named John Parker as its new CEO. Parker previously served as the organization’s Program Director.

“Our board of directors recognizes the hard work and dedication that John has committed to our organization, and we know that as our new CEO, he will help First Tee - Savannah continue to grow and serve our community,” according to Alex Messinger,  President of First Tee - Savannah’s board of directors. “John has been with our organization for many years, first as a volunteer, where he mentored thousands of area youth while he also worked full time as a school teacher. In June of 2023, he left his teaching job to become our full-time Program Director.”  For two years prior to June of 2023, Parker was the organization’s part-time Program Director while he still taught school full-time.

In his early years as a volunteer coach, Parker mentored Ariel Brown, who went on to become a First Tee-Savannah volunteer and was recently named First Tee’s National Teacher of the Year. Parker nominated Ariel and presented her the award at a special event in Savannah, where he noted that she was the only recipient of this honor out of First Tee’s 150 chapters in the U.S. and several overseas locations

A Pittsburgh, PA native, Parker earned his Bachelor’s Degree as well as his Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University. Prior to joining First Tee – Savannah,, he was a third grade teacher at the Bryan County School System. Parker began volunteering at First Tee – Savannah in 2019 at Richmond Hill Elementary School.

Looking forward, Parker said, “I’m honored to serve as this amazing organization’s CEO. We are looking forward to the new year, and we have several big goals for 2024. One of them is to increase our scholarships for economically disadvantaged students.  Right now, 50% of First Tee – Savannah’s participants receive scholarships.” To make a donation to help First Tee -Savannah, please go to https://firstteesavannah.org/building-the-future-for-our-youth/ .

Parker added that First Tee - Savannah has some events coming up in 2024 that are open to the public to help the organization raise additional funds to achieve its goals. These events include a family-fun night at the Ghost Pirates hockey game on Friday, February 9, where a portion of the ticket sales will go to support First Tee’s youth development programs. For tickets, please go to https://offer.fevo.com/savannah-ghost-pirates-vs-south-carolina-stingrays-osyklwp-c1d14bf?fevoUri=savannah-ghost-pirates-vs-south-carolina-stingrays-osyklwp-c1d14bf%2F

In March, First Tee – Savannah will have its Tee Off Party on Sunday, March 3 and Golf Marathon on Monday, March 4 at The Landings Golf and Athletic Club. Foursomes can sign up now to play a total of 100 holes of golf and support First Tee – Savannah. If interested, please contact [email protected] .

Since launching in 1997, First Tee  has grown into a preeminent youth development organization seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. Its network spans 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. In 2022, First Tee impacted more than 3.4 million kids and teens with more than 10,000 adults - from volunteers, coaches and board members - as well as teachers from schools across the country working tirelessly to help empower participants.