By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
In a recent issue of PGA General Managers Monthly, Jose Joel Sagal, the Program Director at the First Tee – Raritan Valley in New Jersey, shared a recap of his Bilingual Golf Program with results dating back to its inception in the Fall of 2024. The goal of this initiative was to “create a welcoming environment where participants could experience a First Tee golf program while developing valuable life skills — all in a setting that embraces both English and Spanish.”
Since implementing the program, participants have not only learned various golf fundamentals but have also built confidence communicating in English and Spanish. Sagal was proud to share a few stories that illustrate what makes his program so special and why he and his team are passionate about facilitating it.
Here is his story:
Our first session of the program “teed off” with a lesson on the importance of greeting new people. Participants practiced making eye contact, shaking hands and showing respect — simple yet powerful ways to build connections.
At First Tee, we teach the A–L–R method: Ask–Listen–Respond. While asking open-ended questions may sound simple, it can be challenging when meeting someone for the first time. We encouraged participants to be genuine, to ask questions that find common ground and to appreciate differences.
Larry was a great example of how using A–L–R can be a game-changing skill. During one of our conversations, he learned that my favorite childhood toy was a Transformer. To my surprise, on the last day of class, he brought his favorite robot toy and gifted it to me. “I will never forget what I learned in this class. I hope you keep this robot and never forget me,” he said as we said our goodbyes.
Moments like this remind us that saying goodbye to someone you’ve built a connection with can be harder than meeting them for the first time. Larry’s thoughtful gesture reflected not only his active listening but also his genuine appreciation for others. A life skill that will continue to serve him well beyond the golf course.
The Spring session brought a new wave of energy with 15 participants and the addition of Coach Paola Chan to our team. Ten years old is a magical age — full of curiosity, imagination and the courage to dream big.
In our “Dreams & Goals” lesson, we discussed how to envision what we want for the future and how to turn those dreams into achievable goals. Krisbely was especially inspired by Coach Paola’s kindness and passion for teaching. She shared that she now dreams of becoming a teacher herself.
During our golf activities, we focused on goal setting — keeping goals specific, attainable and tied to personal growth. Krisbely proudly announced that one of her goals was to control her swing speed and take her time setting up before each shot. Her ability to express and pursue her goals in real time was a small yet powerful step toward the teacher she hopes to become one day.
One year later, our bilingual program has now impacted 45 young participants, each learning lessons that extend far beyond golf. While golf is often viewed as an individual sport, we emphasize how collaboration and teamwork can make a lasting difference.
Sophia and Ashley’s friendship is the perfect example. From the start, they were inseparable — partners in every game, during breaks and through every challenge. Their positivity toward each other created a ripple effect of encouragement for their team and throughout the class.
In one putting game, their teamwork shone as they shared game feedback and celebrated each other’s progress. Their support not only helped them win the challenge but also reminded everyone that true success often comes from lifting others.
Just as professional golfers rely on their caddies for perspective, life also teaches us that while we are responsible for our individual actions, we can always lean on others for guidance and support.
In just one year, our Bilingual Golf Program has shown how breaking language barriers can open doors to connection, confidence and character growth. Each story — from Larry’s heartfelt gesture to Krisbely’s dream of teaching to Sophia and Ashley’s teamwork — reflects the lasting impact that golf and mentorship can create when inclusion is at the heart of learning.
This program is more than a golf class; it’s a bridge between cultures, families and opportunities. It empowers young people to communicate with confidence, dream boldly, and treat others with respect — both on and off the course.
These stories are what our First Tee program is all about. I look forward to seeing more children benefit from programs like this one, ensuring that every child, no matter their language, background or gender, has a place to belong, learn and thrive through games like golf.
If you or anyone you know is interested in making an impact by coaching young people, connect with me at jsagal@firstteerv.org. Together, we can continue helping kids build skills that last a lifetime.
