By Steve Derderian
sderderian@massgolf.org
NORTON, Massachusetts (November 8, 2024) — Angelina Camacho has never settled for the status quo. Her mission has always been to get young people “in the game” — whether in golf, academics, or community initiatives — believing that this early involvement can pave the way for a brighter future.
For years, Camacho has been a driving force behind First Tee — Massachusetts programs in Boston, helping young people develop a sense of power, purpose, and possibility that transcends golf.
In recognition of her dedication, she has been named the recipient of the 2024 Mass Golf Andrew J. Blau Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was established to honor Andy Blau, a Mass Golf volunteer for nearly 30 years who passed away in 2010. It is meant to recognize volunteers from Mass Golf who demonstrate outstanding service and who help guide, lead, and develop others.
“It’s such an honor. I’m very happy to be in the background on so many things because, for me, it’s about making sure the work happens,” said Camacho when she received the award during the Mass Golf Annual Meeting on October 17 at TPC Boston. “With this award, I have a chance to share how that connects and really makes a difference. It’s important to demonstrate why these initiatives should continue and expand.”
Camacho’s journey with First Tee began as a parent leader when she noticed how few children from Boston’s public schools could access the program at the William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park due to high demand that often left local families without spots. “We were wondering why this golf program that exists in our own backyard was not easily accessible to our kids,” she said.
Determined, she joined forces with another parent to break down these barriers, reaching out to First Tee and eventually partnering with Director of Operations Kyle Harris to better serve underrepresented youth. Even sharing small items, such as First Tee poker chips/ball markers or golf tees, piqued the interest of young people to consider exploring what First Tee was all about.
In recent years, Camacho has also accompanied Boston’s First Tee participants to unique experiences, including Top Golf Live at Fenway Park and the grand opening of Five Iron Golf in Downtown Boston. Her vision took root in a big way this summer when First Tee — Massachusetts launched the Youth Golf Program at Roxbury’s Reggie Lewis Center, featuring a golf simulator to give city kids hands-on golf lessons they might otherwise never experience.
Her work goes beyond making golf accessible; it’s about reshaping how young people see themselves and their potential.
“One of the biggest challenges our young people have is negotiating with power,” she explains. “First Tee challenges you to understand that power within yourself. They have the power within themselves to strategize and strive.”
Harris, who has collaborated with Camacho since he began his role in 2018, praises her not only for supporting her son, Christopher, through the program but for championing all of Boston’s youth.
“Angie’s impact is not only reflected in the work she does but in the attitude of joyful service that she brings to every class, meeting, and phone call,” he said. “I’m very proud to have someone like her believing in our organization and advocating for our mission.”
Camacho also promotes golf as a platform for creating game-changers.
“It’s not about creating the next Tiger Woods…it’s about creating individuals who are chemists, public leaders, or business owners,” she said, emphasizing that First Tee isn’t just training athletes but building a generation of resilient, confident citizens.
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Here’s what others have had to say about Camacho’s contributions to Mass Golf and First Tee:
Angie Camacho has been an amazing volunteer, ambassador and advocate for First Tee -Massachusetts. Having seen the benefits of the program through her own child’s experience, she is always eager to talk to others about it whether they are a new parent, a city official, a participant, or a bystander who wants to learn more. She has invested her own time to help expand in Boston with its new program at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center and has become a coach to help out at some of the classes. She brings positive energy to everything she does. — Sarah Forbes, First Tee – Massachusetts Committee Chair
Since I came into this role in 2018, Angie has given her time and talent to support First Tee – Massachusetts at so many levels. She has been especially influential to our efforts in Boston, both at our Franklin Park and Reggie Lewis Center program locations.. — Kyle Harris, Director Of Operations, First Tee – Massachusetts
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