First Tee of Tulsa celebrates quarter century anniversary; Sidorakis praises founder Johnson, director Gibson

By Ken MacLeod

The First Tee of Tulsa celebrated 25 years with a huge party Saturday.
Founder John Johnson, who passed away in 2015, was praised and honored by Nick Sidorakis, former general manager at Southern Hills where Johnson was an influential member and past president.

The two worked together in the early years to establish a unique support level for this chapter in that it has never had to charge a student. Bryan Johnson, his son and also a past president at Southern Hills, was there with his wife Jill to accept the award from Sidorakis and said it meant a tremendous amount to the family.

Sidorakis himself deserves a tremendous amount of thanks and respect for his tireless efforts on behalf of First Tee. But this was a day for him to be passing out the plaudits and he kept returning to the amazing leadership of Janice Gibson, who has been the chapter’s executive director since 2001.

Gibson was coming off a 13-year career on the LPGA Tour and working for George Glenn, who was then the director of the city of Tulsa golf courses at Page Belcher and Mohawk Park.

“George is the one who told me ‘I think I have just the right person to run that,’ “ Sidorakis said. “And that’s how we got hooked up and lo and behold, look where she is today.

“We wouldn’t be here today celebrating without her. She puts her life and soul into this. She’s passionate about the kids. I just thank my lucky stars and try to support her in every way I can.”

Between all of its programs at its home at Mohawk Park and its outreach programs with schools and other facilities, Sidorakis estimates Gibson has impacted the lives of more than 170,000 children in those 25 years. And of course many have gone on to become not just golfers but successful in myriad endeavors. Many of the former students were on hand Saturday.

“She doesn’t realize how many lives she’s changed,” Sidorakis said. “I’m just grateful and thankful for her. You know she doesn’t do this for the recognition, She does it to teach those kids the nine core values. And the life skills inherent in the game of golf. And they carry that on throughout their lives.”