Beyond the Green: Mentorship Program Helps Girls Golf Team Strengthen Their Own Game

Since January, Ravenscroft Varsity Girls Golf Team members Grace Garney ‘26, Lily Garney ‘28, Violet Garney ‘28, Brianna Krafft ‘26, and Valerie Margraf ‘26 have dedicated one Saturday each month to share their love of golf with local youth in the First Tee program. 

What started as a nudge from their Coach Josh Gallagher has turned into a passion for mentoring the next generation of young golfers—it’s had some benefits on the course as well.

“Pretty quickly, I noticed that my own short game was improving,” said Krafft. “Having to think about instruction and working on drills with my mentee has definitely helped my putting; that’s something I wasn’t expecting.”

Krafft noted that the First Tee participants’ enthusiasm for the game was infectious. She said it has helped her focus on finding joy in the game. “The relationships with my teammates and with the First Tee mentees has made me realize that regardless of my performance on the course, if I’m happy, and I have an opportunity to make those around me happy, I’m having a good time.”

Similarly, Margraf said volunteering with the First Tee has helped her to adopt more patience and positivity when she is on the course competing. “It has helped me find new ways to stay focused throughout the round by treating every shot as a new shot,” she said.

Coach Gallagher knew about the work of the First Tee—Triangle because his daughter Darian Natividad is the program’s senior director of outreach. He said the impact of volunteering with First Tee has been tremendous for the team. “Working with younger golfers has encouraged them to model patience, positivity, and teamwork—qualities that have directly translated into stronger team chemistry and support during practices and matches. I’ve also seen them grow more motivated, taking greater ownership of their own development while inspiring others through their example,” Gallagher said.

The First Tee – Triangle was founded in 2004 and helps kids build strength of character through a curriculum that blends golf and life skills. Participants are immersed in learning experiences designed to build self-confidence and resilience.

Lily Garney said her love of golf and her sisters and fellow teammates – Violet Garney and Grace Garney – made her excited to participate as a mentor. “I was nervous on the first day,” Lily Garney said. “But I found the atmosphere overwhelmingly welcoming, kind, and enthusiastic. It has been a really great bonding experience for all of us.”

Reflecting on their first Saturday morning with First Tee, each of the student-athletes said they were struck by the inviting environment and the speed with which they made genuine connections.

“Within minutes of working with our mentees, we were laughing about saving a worm from getting hit by a ball on the putting green,” Grace Garney said with a smile. “It instantly bonded us.” She said working with the First Tee changed her perspective as a person and a golfer. 

“This experience has reminded me of my unapologetic love for the game,” Grace Garney said. “Seeing the sheer joy of children was a crucial reminder for me ahead of this season. Golf is such a competitive and mental sport.”

The Ravenscroft golfers and their First Tee mentees gathered for their final session on Nov. 8, when they played together on TriGolf’s new Peter Millar Par-3 Golf Course, which opened in late September. TriGolf is the home of First Tee – Triangle.

Violet Garney said she hoped the mentees’ experience and participation in the program would lead them to stick with the sport as they get older. She noted the value of younger girls getting involved in a traditionally male-dominated sport. 

“It would be so cool to see these girls pursue joining their own school’s golf team,” Violet Garney said. “Maybe they could be future Ravenscroft golf team members.”

The Varsity Girls Golf team concluded a successful 2025 season with a strong showing at the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Division I Girls Golf Championship, held Oct. 20–21, at Greensboro National Golf Club. Competing in a 36-hole stroke-play format, the Ravens finished seventh overall in the state.

Grace Garney ’26 led the team with an impressive eighth-place individual finish and a two-day total of 164, earning All-State honors. She was joined at the state tournament by teammates Violet Garney ’28, Lily Garney ’28, and Cao ’31.

Rounding out the season roster were Nanaki Kainth ’28, Krafft ’26, Evelyn Lunardini ’29, Margraf ’26, Emily Roth ’28, and Sais Smith ’27. The team was led by Head Coach Josh Gallagher, who completed his fourth season at the helm.