About

How I got involved with The First Tee of WNY…

I have been involved with The First Tee of Western NY as a board member and then as Board President in 2017. I was introduced to the program at the Kids First Golf event 3 years ago as an invited guest. I recently retired from the information technology sector where I was the co-founder and CEO of Inergex (now Crossfuze). It was exciting, but after 32 years in the information technology business I was ready for a career change.

Golf Related

I am extremely passionate about the game. I am an avid reader/listener and certainly love all aspects of the game. If I only received the Golf Channel I am pretty sure that is all I would ever need as far as TV is concerned. I enjoy playing competitive events every year across NY State and I have been playing in the World Amateur in Myrtle Beach for over 10 years. My biggest claim to fame was when I was featured in Golf Magazine in several issues in 2014 as the face of the World Amateur Tournament 🙂 – without my knowing I was on billboards and posters.

I really enjoy analytics and statistics for managing risk and shot percentages, any sort of game improvement technology, bio-mechanics (as it relates to golf), swing analysis, the mental game/strategy and more. I coach High School Varsity golf in Alden in addition to coaching Varsity Tennis. I also volunteer as a rules official for the NYSGA for several state events each year. I believe that learning should be a lifelong venture.

Favorite current golfer: Rickie Fowler

Favorite golf legend: Bobby Jones

On the personal side…

I have been married almost 30 years and have an 19 year old son who is freshmen at the UB School of Architecture. My wife and I also took full custody of my 2 nephews when they were 11 and 12 (in 1999) and raised them through adulthood – both are in their early 30s today. Like most IT professionals I am a science/fantasy fiction nut and I play bass and guitar.

Fun Fact: I still roller disco from time to time…

Back to the First Tee of Western NY…

Having been intimate with The First Tee and the programming, I was excited to have the opportunity to get more engaged and have an impact on our growth and sustainability. I have aspirations to grow and expand The First Tee of Western NY into areas throughout the region so our programs can have a greater and lasting impact on the youth in our communities. I will be relying on our great coaches to do just that!! Our goal is not to produce the best golfers as part of a junior golf program, but to enhance the lives of our youth through the life lessons our programs teach.

Tim Karches also know as Coach Tim has been involved as a coach with the First Tee of Western New York since 2007. Tim took over the Program Director role in the fall of 2019. Along with his duties as The First Tee Program Director he has been a classroom teacher in The Holland Central School District for over 18 years.

Tim is grateful for the The First Tee which allows him to combine his passion for golf and skills as an educator to extend opportunities to young golfers who may otherwise not be introduced to the game.

Tim continues to teach and learn about the game of golf with the help of his Wife Jessica and especially his three kids, Owen, Ethan , Abby who grow their own games through The First Tee of Western New York.

How I got involved with The First Tee of WNY…

I was first introduced to The First Tee of WNY as a PE Teacher in the Amherst Central School District. Out staff was trained in The First Tee National School Program. I retired from Amherst in 2017 and began volunteering with the summer The First Tee of Western NY Life Skills Programs at Brighton and Grover Cleveland Golf Courses. I enjoyed the opportunity to continue working with children and especially bought into the Core Values and Healthy Habit components of The First Tee curriculum. In January of 2018, I was asked to work more extensively in the organization as the Outreach Coordinator. In this capacity I work with area schools and community groups to help grow our program locally. Additionally, I coach Life Skills Classes that run during the year.

Golf Related..

I have enjoyed getting back into golf in recent years. I appreciate the natural setting, panoramic views, the exercise and socialization. I have worked at improving my game by playing more often and focusing on the mental aspects of the game. I believe golf allows you to get a better understanding of yourself, your actions and reactions and your mental approach to situations.

Personal..

I have been married to my husband, Pete, for 35 years. Together we raised three great children and have one grandson and another on the way. In my time at Amherst, I coached many different sports but mainly was involved in Lacrosse at the high school and middle school levels. I have run an area summer girls lacrosse camp at Amherst for 20 years.

I first started golfing when I was about 5 years old and it certainly helps having a twin brother just as competitive (on and off the golf course) motivating me to get better. I attended Pittsford Sutherland HS and played on their Varsity Girls Team 7th – 12th grade. I attended Siena College in Loudonville, NY where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. I was on the Women’s Golf team and we won the MAAC Conference Championship in 2014, earning us an NCAA bid at regionals hosted by Oklahoma State University. I served as the Student Athlete Mentor and Co-Captain my junior and senior year.

Upon graduating, I traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland as part of the Sport Changes Life Foundation for a year. I attended Ulster University and received my Master’s Degree in Sport Coaching and Development; coached junior golf at Holywood Golf Club; and mentored a variety of youth groups in the Belfast community using sport as the outlet.

For the past year, I worked at Brook-Lea Country Club as the Membership & Marketing Director and have also worked for the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic hosted by Brook-Lea since 2015.

I’m excited to be apart of The First Tee of WNY in Rochester where I’m confident we can continue to introduce and grow the game we all love!

A native of Western New York, Patty Jordan-Smith played High school golf at Eden High School and college golf at Wake Forest University. Jordan-Smith qualified for the LPGA Tour and played full time 13 years winning one LPGA Tour event. Her personal highlights include being named the 2000 LPGA Samaritan Award, which acknowledges humanitarian and charitable efforts, by an LPGA player.

In 2004, Jordan-Smith returned to Western New York as Director of Instruction and Programming for The First Tee of Western New York. She progressed through The First Tee coach program and is one of only 9 Master Coaches in The First Tee network. While Jordan-Smith continues to work full time at TFTWNY, she has partnered with The First Tee Home Office on numerous projects including helping to develop the First Tee Golf Skills Curriculum and serving as a National Coach Trainer for the past 7 years.

A 2007 inductee into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, Jordan-Smith currently enjoys coaching the Williamsville Girls High School Golf Team and volunteering as an adaptive ski instructor in the winter-time.

• What is your golf experience?

CERTIFICATIONS: Class A Member of the LPGA, Level 1 Plane Truth Instructor, TFT Master Coach

• Why do you love The First Tee?

The First Tee is a perfect combination of using a sport I love to invest and care for young people. I love working with our participants, their energy.

• What is one life lesson that anyone could learn from golf?

There is no perfect script for life, we all stumble and “play in the rough”.  Part of playing golf well is learning to handle adversity, to accept responsibility for mistakes and chose better “on the next shot”, having a short memory for failure, keeping success in perspective….so many life lessons can be experienced and strengthened through the game of golf.

• If you could play a round of golf with any professional, who would it be?

Bobby Jones, oh, wait, he was an amateur! Mickey Wright, they say her swing was pure poetry!