Charlie Rymer, Kelly Tilghman Host First Tee Event at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Rymer and Tilghman, two of Golf Channel’s most prominent personalities, grew up playing the junior golf circuit together, often along the Grand Strand. The game instilled lessons that helped them earn college scholarships – Tilghman to Duke, Rymer to Georgia Tech – play professionally, and ultimately succeed in the media business. 

Proving that neither has forgotten their roots, Tilghman and Rymer were at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club for the fourth consecutive year to participate in the Future Generations tournament, the First Tee of the Grand Strand’s most important fundraiser. 

Golf Channel’s camera’s were in tow as the duo filmed segments that will air on Morning Drive, but Tilghman and Rymer’s motivation was at the grass roots level. They were the hosts of the tournament and Tilghman teed off with every group on the ninth hole at Caledonia, a consensus top 100 public course.  

The Future Generations event attracted 25 teams and each had a First Tee participant, which was Tilghman’s idea. 

The Mission of The First Tee of the Grand Strand is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

In 2012, The First Tee of the Grand Strand (TFTTGS) began an alliance with the Carol S. Petrea Youth Golf Foundation, and the high-performing First Tee of Brunswick County chapter, with the overarching goal to reach as many youth as possible in Horry and Georgetown County. The TFTTGS is working from a solid platform to expand its Life Skills Experience programs throughout the Grand Strand in partnership with schools, volunteers, golf industry leaders and the business community at large. 

Along the Grand Strand, the Golf Capital of the World, the golf-driven lodging and entertainment industries employs over 50% of the workforce and touches virtually every business. 

Nowhere are The First Tee’s golf and character-building programs more compelling.