January Game Changer Spotlight: Jasmine McGhee

Southside native and high school sophomore, Jasmine McGhee, began her relationship with First Tee when she was only four years old. Her dad was interested in learning golf and signed Jasmine up for lessons so they could enjoy the sport together. She began lessons at Lost Marsh Golf Course with Coach Brandon White, our current VP of Programming & Operations at First Tee — Greater Chicago, and a First Tee alum himself. 

One thing that has kept Jasmine coming back to First Tee year-after-year is the coaches — like Coach Brandon – who foster a caring and nurturing environment. These influential people have taught her not only about the sport, but have helped her realize what type of person she wants to be. 

Jasmine recalled when she was in sixth grade, but was invited to play with the high school group at First Tee: she was terrified at first, but soon found that she was more than welcome to be part of the group. 

“The coaches and other players made sure I never felt alone, encouraged me and helped me through the more difficult exercises, and never treated me as lesser because of my age.” 

It was this experience that helped cultivate Jasmine’s self confidence as a capable and valued member of the team. The relationships Jasmine formed with her coaches inspired her to embody this role for others, and she became a Junior Coach at First Tee — Greater Chicago’s Harborside Youth Learning Center. This role has taught her how to interact with others and form deep bonds even when personalities and backgrounds differ. Jasmine says participating and coaching at First Tee has taught her “how to take everybody for who they are and let them be their own individual selves without fear of judgment.” 

One aspect of the game that has been fulfilling for Jasmine is focusing on consistent, repeatable outcomes. These “CROs,” as Jasmine calls them, involve the practice of trying and learning something new, working on it regularly, and continuing to cultivate the skill once it’s obtained. This persistence and determination has carried through to her life off the course as she seeks to perform consistent, repeatable outcomes in every challenge she takes on. 

Last year, Coach Brandon nominated Jasmine to participate in our teen leadership series and attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy in Philadelphia, an experience designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position our teens to be Game Changers in their current and future communities.

The community Jasmine has found through First Tee is one that she knows will last a lifetime. The program has provided her with a safe space she feels completely comfortable to be herself in. 

“To an extent, it’s a family… everybody is comfortable with each other and celebrates everybody’s accomplishments,” Jasmine says. 

She knows that golf will always be a part of who she is and the lessons she has learned through First Tee will remain with her throughout life’s journeys.