By: Dylan Patel, First Tee-Phoenix Member

“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi

Collaborating with others is a key value in today’s society—one that is essential for organizing and executing anything, whether it be a large golf tournament or a small school project. I’m Dylan, and today, I had the honor of being selected by First Tee – Phoenix as one of two Junior Course Reporters at the WM Phoenix Open. First Tee – Phoenix has played a huge role in my development as both a golfer and an individual, teaching me invaluable lessons through its Five Key Commitments—one of which is Collaborating with Others.

The day began with a brief tour of the WM Phoenix Open Media Center led by Ryan Woodcock from Communication Links, where we took a moment to grab a quick snack. For me, that meant a cookie—soft, warm, and just the right amount of sweet. From there, Trey, my fellow junior course reporter, and I spent the next few hours weaving through the course, interviewing people who make the tournament possible.

After meeting Thunderbird members Tim Louis, former “Big Chief” of 2008, at the 10th tee and House and Grounds Chairman Kenny Coakley, we learned about the inner workings of the tournament and the role of the Thunderbirds in making it all happen. They also emphasized the importance of Thunderbirds Charities and their dedication to giving back to the community. Kenny Coakley then guided us to one of the most inspiring interviews of the day with Jason Pritchett, a Thunderbird member responsible for managing The Greenskeeper, a private suite. Our conversation with Mr. Pritchett became the inspiration for this blog, as he emphasized the necessity of teamwork and collaboration in setting up and running an operation of this scale. As I stood in the suite, I could see firsthand how collaborating with others kept everything running smoothly. Despite Mr. Pritchett stepping away for our interview, his team continued working seamlessly—servers restocking the food and drink, and cooks moving swiftly to keep the food coming. It was a well-orchestrated system, proving that success isn’t just about one person’s efforts; it’s about an entire team working toward a common goal.

Next, we had the privilege of speaking with the Scottsdale Canine Police Department near hole 18, where we met Skaut, a highly trained police dog. Skaut was a striking black dog with long floppy ears and deep brown eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. Detective Sarabia, his handler, shared that Skaut’s favorite thing in the world was a simple tennis ball—his ultimate reward for a job well done. Their bond was undeniable. Watching them interact, it became clear that their partnership was built on trust, discipline, and teamwork. In a

high-energy environment like the WM Phoenix Open, where tens of thousands of fans flood the course, their collaboration was essential in maintaining safety and order.

Beyond these experiences, I had the chance to see collaboration in action in other ways throughout the day. During lunch, we stopped by the Home of The Thunderdog, where the staff worked together like a well-oiled machine. One person manned the grill, another focused on assembling the hot dogs, and someone else handled the boiling station. Each person had a specific role, and without one another, the process wouldn’t run nearly as smoothly. This small but effective teamwork reminded me that collaboration is essential to success.

Later, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Harmin, a reporter for African American Golf Digest. He shared valuable insights about the media world and the importance of networking. One key takeaway from our conversation was that to interview professional golfers, communicating with their agents is a good idea. This itself is a form of collaboration—the agent works closely with the golfer, ensuring that media opportunities align with their schedule and brand. It was a great reminder that even in industries that seem independent, teamwork is always at play behind the scenes.

We immediately put Mr. Harmin’s advice into action by speaking with the agent of PGA TOUR Professional, Alex Smalley, who is also a First Tee Ambassador. His agent gave us a better understanding of his role in managing Mr. Smalley’s schedule, handling media requests, and ensuring his player could focus on performing at his best. This conversation was another example of how collaboration is key—not just on the golf course, but in every aspect of a professional golfer’s career. Thanks to this interaction, we were able to schedule an interview with Mr. Smalley himself, which we will conduct tomorrow after his round.

From every interview and interaction, one thing stood out—success is never achieved alone. Whether it was The Thunderbird’s members setting up the tournament, the police department ensuring safety, the restaurant staff working in sync, or the media professionals coordinating with athletes, every role was crucial. My experience at the WM Phoenix Open reinforced a powerful lesson: collaboration isn’t just a Key Commitment—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Working alongside Trey and learning from so many professionals showed me that no matter the setting, teamwork is what makes any event, project, or goal possible.