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A birthday at Diamante sparked a dream: How First Tee is changing lives in Los Cabos

A single birthday trip to Diamante’s El Cardonal course in Los Cabos ignited a lifelong passion for Paloma Orozco, who turned 13 during the final round of the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship. After attending the tournament as part of First Tee Diamante’s junior program, Orozco’s curiosity grew into devotion—so much so that she asked her father to let her return the next day.

What began as a weekend outing became a defining moment, as watching PGA Tour professionals in action transformed golf from a recreational activity into a dream. Behind Orozco’s story lies a community-driven initiative: First Tee Diamante, founded by Jim Panoff, a local resident and Dallas-based entrepreneur, who saw the need to provide children of Diamante employees with access to golf during the pandemic.

With seed funding from 25 original club members, the program now serves around 150 kids ages 6 to 18, offering instruction, meals, and transportation to the Oasis Short Course. Participants progress through color-coded divisions, culminating in the elite black division for juniors who excel both on and off the course, blending athletic skill with academic achievement.

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