Seattle native and 15-time PGA Tour winner Fred Couples on Jan. 12 designated a $20,000 check to The First Tee of Greater Seattle, which operates a chapter at the Crossroads Par 3 Golf Course in Bellevue.

The First Tee formed in 2001 with a mission of impacting the lives of young people with learning facilities and educational programs through golf.

The group operates chapters at Jefferson Park Golf Course in Seattle and the Riverbend Gold Complex in Kent on top of the one at Crossroads Par 3.

The First Tee served over 1,000 youths between ages 8 and 18 last year.

The group also offers introductory classes called Target/New Friends to Golf for children ages 6 and 7.

Couple’s check came from a portion of the charitable proceeds from the 2009 President’s Cup, in which Couples served as captain of the U.S. team.