Ian Kelley, a mentor and golf specialist with First Tee–Tallahassee, received the Dougie Jr. Award at the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism’s STARS of the Spectrum Golf League tournament held Tuesday at Harvest Hill Golf Course in Orchard Park, New York.

First Tee–Tallahassee serves youth ages 7 to 13 through a golf‑based curriculum that builds character, confidence and resilience. The STARS league, created in 2023, offers national competition for autistic golfers who hold a USGA handicap; it currently has 17 participants.

The tournament featured 11 players competing in person, including Kelley, several returning STARS golfers and debutants Peyton Mattingly and Liam LaFrance. The Dougie Jr. Award recognizes a player who demonstrates leadership and consistent support for peers. Nick Savarese, executive director of the foundation, presented the award.

Kelley thanked the First Tee–Tallahassee staff, coaches, his family and his brother Joey, who served as his caddie for the first time. He said the trophy belonged to the team and expressed gratitude for their support.

Kelley, also an ambassador for STARS and a participant in the Ernie Els Foundation for Autism, plans to become a certified golf coach and launch the Kelley Golf Academy, a 501(c)(3) aimed at providing hands‑on instruction to young people on the autism spectrum. The league continues to award scholarship prizes that support participants’ golfing goals.