Plank discovered her life’s calling at First Tee of Tulsa

By Ken MacLeod

At the invite of a neighbor, Reagan Plank first stepped on the grounds of the First Tee of Tulsa facility at Mohawk Park Golf Course at the age of nine, having never picked up a golf club previously.

It was love at first sight.

Now at the age of 17, Plank has progressed through every stage of the First Tee program, blossomed into one of the state’s best high school golfers, earned a scholarship to the University of Central Oklahoma and a spot in the school’s prestigious Professional Golf Management program.

In other words, the Owasso senior was so profoundly affected by her interaction with Janice Gibson, the Executive Director of First Tee of Tulsa, and her staff, that now she wants to make a career in the game.

Her enthusiasm for the game has made converts of parents Mark and Jennifer and family golf time is now a staple.

“We love it,” Mark said. “We’ve fallen in love with golf because of her and really cherish the time we play and spend together.”

For her contributions back to the organization, Plank was one of three First Tee of Tulsa students to be honored with a leadership award at the organization’s Christmas Party and Awards dinner Saturday. The other two leaders to be recognized were Nathanael Houpe and Abram Smith.

“Reagan is a walking billboard of the core values we strive to instill at the First Tee,” Gibson said. “She has great personal values, an amazing family, a hard worker, goal setter and willing to give back at all times. Anything she sets her mind to she can achieve.”

Plank started to realize she could be pretty good at this game when she played for the First Tee PGA Jr. League team and has since advanced through the ranks of high school, South Central PGA Juniors and Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour competitions. She won for the first time on the OJGT when she captured the Lake Hefner Fall Classic in late September and has a goal of winning the Class 6A state championship this spring for Owasso.

Bailey Ranch Director of Golf Corey Burd, who oversees the boys and girls golf programs at Owasso High School, said he couldn’t be more impressed with Plank as a person and golfer.

“She’s so dedicated,” Burd said. “The girls team works out early and she’s there every day leading them. She’s quiet, goes about her work and her game has really jelled in the last year. She’s a student of the game and just a really great kid. A great example of what the First Tee of Tulsa program can do, I’m a huge believer in that program and what Janice has done.”

Michael Bond, coach of the Division II powerhouse UCO program, said Plank came on his radar through her play in high school and OJGT events and says she could be an impact player for the Lady Bronchos in the fall of 2025.

“We’re very excited to have her,” said Bond, who called in from a vacation in Aruba to make sure he was on the record. “We fell in love with her family and she fell in love with UCO. She can come in and make an immediate impact and help us right off the bat.”

With Plank, Bond will have five of his players in the PGM program in 2025, which would have been regarded as highly unusual prior to the golf boom during the pandemic.

“They are realizing they can choose their own paths in so many aspects of the game, whether it’s being a club professional, managerial, food and beverage,” Bond said. “There’s a strong need for quality individuals and it’s a great draw for someone who loves the game and the industry side of it.”

Whether it’s learning how to sign a check or studying for the ACT, Plank credited both Gibson and First Tee of Tulsa co-founder Nick Sidorakis with kindling her interest in the game, learning a multitude of life lessons and starting her down a path that could turn into her life’s work.

“Janice was the person who really encouraged me to get out on the course more and practice and take it seriously,” she said. “And Nick Sidorakis is so amazing for providing the First Tee for free.”

First Tee of Tulsa is the only First Tee facility that provides all of its programs at no charge to the students. And that of course requires the generosity of so many Tulsans who have contributed to make this possible. To learn more, register your child or to donate, please go to www.firstteetulsa.org.

– Photos and video by James MacLeod and Erikah Davis