For the first time, this year’s tournament will be streamed on Gamekast with live scoring available on Golf Genius.
Clemson, South Carolina – (June 21, 2024) – The Walker Course at Clemson Universitywill host the First Tee National Championship next week, June 25-27, 2024, bringing together 48 of the organization’s top golfers for a 54-hole event designed to showcase how the program has helped them build the skills, positive attitude and perseverance needed to play collegiate golf.
The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Fourteen players in the field have already committed to college golf teams. First Tee held its inaugural National Championship at Clemson in 2021 and all six of the past winners are members of college golf teams. That includes 2023 winner Megan Meng of First Tee – Greater Trenton, who’s in the Top 10 in the AJGA Rankings and will begin her collegiate career at Northwestern this fall.
In advance of this year’s competition, the event will feature a keynote address by First Tee – Greater Richmond alumnus Gavin Parker, PGA, who shares his love for the sport on his popular social media channels. Participants will also attend a careers in golf panel to learn more about working in the industry.
“First Tee continues to play an important role in the development of teens, both on and off the course,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Our National Championship is an opportunity for participants who want to take their game to the next level to showcase their skills. The week provides them with competition and an enriching opportunity to get them ready for playing in college and beyond.”
For the first time, viewers can stream the First Tee National Championship on Gamekast. Scoring will also be available on Golf Genius.
In addition to crowning a male and female tournament winner, one boy and one girl from the field will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s Pathways to Progression program, a player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.
First Tee – Greater Austin’s Danica Lundgren earned a spot in the Pathways program at last year’s National Championship, held at Stanford University. She’s back in the tournament field this year before joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s golf team this fall.
Two exemptions to this year’s PURE Insurance Championship will also be up for grabs. The PGA TOUR Champions event pairs pro and junior players for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach each September.
The First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. Next year’s event will take place at the University of Notre Dame.
The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org.
Teens from across the U.S. will learn about leadership from executives within the Arthur M. Blank family of businesses.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ATLANTA, GA. (June 17, 2024) – The First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore returns from June 17-22. The weeklong Atlanta event will bring together 48 teens from across the country who will learn about operating successful teams from executives within the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
The event is headlined by basketball legend Maya Moore, a 4-time WNBA, 2-time NCAA and 2-time Olympic champion, who off the court, has been a dedicated advocate of criminal justice reform. Participants will also hear from leaders like Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey, Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles, PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman and CEO Dick Sullivan and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Chief of Staff Kelley Gulley.
It will feature workshops on communication, developing a winning culture and more. Attendees will get a taste of the college experience, with the Georgia Institute of Technology serving as its hub. The group will also visit sites across Atlanta, including the PGA TOUR Superstore Support Center, the Coda building, Atlanta United’s training facility, the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
“Our participants learn valuable skills at the First Tee Leadership Academy and have made friendships they will carry with them well beyond their time in Atlanta,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore for supporting these truly life-changing events.”
PGA TOUR Superstore has been a partner of First Tee for more than a decade, providing financial support and in-kind donations. It provides chapter grants to promote teen retention and supports national events like the Leadership Academy, Leadership Summit and Leadership Series.
The First Tee Leadership Academy is one of ten national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to inspire and empower teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
To be eligible to apply for the Academy, teens were required to participate in a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstores across the country this past spring.
Members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program receive financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – (June 4, 2024) – First Tee is thrilled to welcome 24 new members to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. Entering its fifth year, the program recently celebrated its first graduating class, and now boasts 94 current or former members. Like those who have come before them, each of the new First Tee Scholars has shown dedication to school, extracurriculars, volunteerism and especially First Tee, averaging 9.5 years of involvement with the youth development organization.
The 14 young women and 10 young men who comprise the 2024 Scholar class were selected from a pool of 150 applicants. They boast an average GPA of 4.0 and SAT score of 1350. Ten members of the new class are participants in the Ace Program, First Tee’s capstone experience. Four plan to play collegiate golf, including First Tee – West Virginia’s Argyle Downes, who will play Division I golf at Rutgers.
Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.
“Spring is an exciting time of the year when we welcome a new group of First Tee Scholars,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The scholarship program has grown significantly since it launched in 2020 thanks to our generous donors and sponsors. We look forward to supporting our Scholars on their path to success.”
Ten First Tee Scholars graduated from college this spring. Several plan to attend graduate or medical school, while others are starting careers with companies like AWS, BNP Paribas Bank, PwC, Proctor & Gamble and the NFL.
Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee
for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement, community service and other criteria.
The below articles by Steve Hemphill were released and published in various newspapers such as The Roanoke Times, Cardinal News and others throughout the weekend.
Thank you once again to Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC for the sponsorship of the tournament and to the generous donors and volunteers to make this world class tournament happen.
All proceeds benefit First Tee – Roanoke Valley and we are so grateful for all of the support!
MANAKIN SABOT — At its Annual Meeting—held Saturday at Hermitage Country Club—the Virginia State Golf Association honored its 2023 Golfers of the Year, 2023 Service Award winners, and welcomed a new member to the Association’s Board of Directors. In addition, one additional Board member was reelected for the Class of 2026 via vote of VSGA membership.
At the VSGA winter Board of Directors meeting, held Friday at Hermitage, the board voted on and approved a new slate of officers for 2024. Brian Maloney (Springfield G&CC) was elected as the association’s 40th President and will serve a two-year term. Craig Groenendaal (VSGA eClub) will serve as the association’s Vice President, and Vern Inge (The Federal Club) will serve as the association’s Secretary/Treasurer. Both will serve one-year terms. Outgoing VSGA President Anne Greever (Willow Oaks CC) will remain on the board through 2025 as Immediate Past President.
BOARD ELECTION
The VSGA Nominating Committee met—and in accordance with Article VII of the Bylaws of the Virginia State Golf Association—selected the following candidates for election to the VSGA Board of Directors, Class of 2026.
• Vern Inge, The Federal Club (second term)
• Bev Lane, Reston National Golf Course (first term)
Gary Beck, who served the VSGA Board from 2008-23 and most recently as Immediate Past President, was the only outgoing member of the board.
2023 VSGA AWARD WINNERS
» The 2023 President’s Award was presented to Gib Palmer of Salisbury Country Club. Palmer has been involved as a volunteer with the VSGA and USGA since 1993. He served three terms on the VSGA Board of Directors, including as President in 2014-15. Palmer played a key role in the integration of the VSGA Women’s Division into the VSGA, ensuring that women were part of the association’s governance structure and were set up to serve in key roles within the association. During his presidency, Palmer spearheaded a long-range strategic plan that included the construction of a dedicated VSGA headquarters. Palmer was the driving force behind the establishment of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, which inducted its Inaugural Class in 2016 and has since grown to 37 members. He has received numerous accolades from peer organizations, including the 2018 Joe Dey Award, the USGA’s highest volunteer honor, and the 2016 VSGA Volunteer of the Year Award.
» The 2023 Service to Golf Award was presented to Mike Cumberpatch, who served as Executive Director of the Washington Metropolitan Golf Association and Middle Atlantic Golf Association from 2015 until his retirement in 2023. His leadership spanned decades, starting in the early 1990s when he began volunteering with the MAGA and USGA. He has served in various capacities with golf organizations through the years, ranging from Rules official to historian to president. Cumberpatch also devotes time to other organizations, including the Special Olympics, Wounded Warriors, and The First Tee—showing the depth of his commitment to serving the game. He has served as official-in-charge of countless USGA qualifiers, including the annual U.S. Open final qualifying at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
» Doug Stover was the recipient of the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award. Stover has volunteered on the VSGA’s Course Rating Team since 1998, making him the longest active course rater in Virginia. He is an expert on the Course Rating System and someone the VSGA staff has come to rely on, not only for his work on the course but as a mentor to new volunteers. In 2023, Stover participated in nine course ratings—almost a third of all ratings conducted by the VSGA—and is often called upon to travel throughout Virginia to assist other course-rating teams. Stover is also a starter at The Country Club of Virginia and a volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum.
» The 2023 Grow The Game Award was presented to Jennifer Blackwood, who completed her 20th year as Executive Director of The First Tee – Roanoke Valley in 2023. Her efforts have helped the VSGA and the First Tee deepen their relationship, particularly during the seven years that Roanoke’s Ballyhack Golf Club hosted the State Open of Virginia. During the tournament’s run at Ballyhack, she helped facilitate youth clinics and donations for youth development in the area, with significant funds going to the First Tee – Roanoke Valley. In 2023, Blackwood and the First Tee – Roanoke Valley partnered with the VSGA in creating the Mike Wise Award, a scholarship that benefits a deserving high-school senior with ties to the First Tee – Roanoke Valley.
» Additionally, two one-time awards were presented as VSGA Women’s Division Legacy awards to Joan Darden (Mentorship) and Barbara Hughes (Leadership).
An accomplished player who won the 1989 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, Darden is being honored for her mentorship of fellow players—primarily women—to whom she patiently taught not just golf skills, but also the Rules of Golf, etiquette, and types of golf competition, especially match play. Darden conducted weekly rules and practice clinics at Hermitage Country Club. She also served the game as President of the Women’s Eastern Golf Association.
Hughes, a lifelong golfer who joined Hermitage in 1962, won two VSGA Women’s Amateur Championships and played for Hermitage in every VSGA Women’s State Team Matches from 1962-2008. She also competed in 21 straight Women’s Virginias-Carolinas Matches and served as captain in 1967 and 1968.
Hughes is being honored for her legacy of distinguished leadership. She was the first woman elected to the Board of Directors at Hermitage in the club’s 100-year history, serving three terms from 2001-11. At the regional level, she served on the governing board of the Richmond Women’s Golf Association. She was also on the VSGA Women’s Division Board of Directors from 1974-81, serving as President from 1980-81.
GOLFER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
» Golfer of the Year—Sam Beach (Hermitage CC): A reinstated amateur, Beach got off to a solid start in 2023, winning a pair of partner events with his brother Ben. They claimed titles at the VSGA MultiFormat Team Championship in April before rallying for a victory a month later at the VSGA Four-Ball Championship at The Piedmont Club. Beach was also a member of Hermitage Country Club’s winning team at the VSGA Club Championship in April. Beach made his mark in individual play as well, reaching the semifinals of the VSGA Amateur before falling to eventual champion Grayson Wood. He recorded a top-10 finish at the State Open of Virginia and shot a three-day, 14-under-par score to claim the title at the prestigious Valentine Invitational at Hermitage.
» Women’s Golfer of the Year—Melanie Walker (Springfield G&CC): Walker had a breakthrough season in 2023, beginning the year by partnering with sister Raquel to win the VSGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship in May. In July, she was medalist at the VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship and advanced to the final match before falling to a Makayla Grubb birdie on the 18th hole. This past fall, Walker, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, became the first Mizzou golfer—male or female—to earn Southeastern Conference player of the week honors. She also participated in two USGA championships in 2023, the U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. At the latter, she partnered with Sydney Hackett to reach the quarterfinals.
» Junior Boys’ Golfer of the Year—Jake Albert (Blacksburg CC): At age 16, Albert became one of the youngest players ever to reach the championship match at the VSGA Amateur in June, where he lost a hotly contested match on the 36th hole to champion Grayson Wood. A year prior, Wood defeated Albert in the final match of the VSGA Junior Match Play Championship. Albert competed in the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2023 and racked up four top-10 finishes in AJGA events, including a win at the Jack Burke Jr. Invitational in August. He tied for second at the VHSL Class 4 Championship and was part of Blacksburg High School’s winning team in the event.
» Junior Girls’ Golfer of the Year—Kathryn Ha (Roanoke CC): Ha made noise on the local, national, and international stages in 2023. In Virginia, she reached match play at the VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship before falling to eventual champion Makayla Grubb in the round of 16. She finished in the top 20 at the inaugural Women’s Open of Virginia. She earned points in both matches representing Virginia at the Junior Girls’ Mid-Atlantic Challenge, helping the Virginia/Maryland team to its first win over the Carolinas in eight years. In April, Ha won the AJGA’s Justin Thomas Junior Championship, her second title in an AJGA event. That play helped her earn a selection to Team USA at the Junior Solheim Cup, contested in Spain, where she won two of a three possible points.
» Senior Golfer of the Year—Buck Brittain (The Virginian GC): Brittain earned this honor for the fourth time thanks to a stellar season that included a third straight win in the VSGA Senior Four-Ball (with Jon Hurst) and a victory at the VSGA Senior Stroke Play Championship in difficult conditions at Winchester Country Club. Brittain’s win there helped him become just the second player to complete the VSGA “Senior Slam,” which includes victories in the Senior Amateur, Senior Open, Senior Stroke Play, and Senior Four-Ball. Only Brittain and Keith Decker have accomplished the feat. Brittain was runner-up and low amateur at the Senior Open of Virginia, reached the semifinals at the Senior Amateur and reached match play at the VSGA Amateur competing against a field loaded with college and high school players. Brittain racked up eight top-10 finishes in VSGA Player Rankings events, including wins at the David King Invitational, Allegheny Amateur (with Hurst) and Willow Oaks Fall Invitational (with Hurst).
» Senior Women’s Golfer of the Year—Andrea Miller (The Club at Glenmore): In a year in which Miller made history by winning her fourth straight VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur title, she also became the first player to win three solo VSGA Senior Women’s Golfer of the Year awards in a row. Shelley Savage won three straight from 2011-13 but shared the spoils in 2011 with Mimi Hoffman. In the final match at the Senior Women’s Amateur, Miller rallied from an early 2-down deficit to best Bev Lane 2 and 1, spurred on by a hole-in-one on the par-3 9th hole. Miller qualified for three USGA championships in 2023, making the cut at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. She also played in the U.S. Women’s MidAmateur and U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
» Super Senior Golfer of the Year: David Partridge (Hermitage CC): A member of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, Partridge becomes the first player in VSGA history to win Golfer of the Year, Senior Golfer of the Year and Super Senior Golfer of the Year honors. In all, he’s won six Golfer of the Year honors. Partridge was near the top of the leaderboard in every VSGA championship he entered. He advanced to the final at the VSGA Super Senior Amateur (65+), falling to Jack Allara in a tight match. With partner Harry Thomas, he was runner-up at both the Super Senior Four-Ball and Super Senior Multi-Format Team Championship. He also finished tied for second at the Super Senior Stroke Play Championship (65+). He advanced to the round of 16 at the Senior Amateur and claimed super senior titles in two VSGA Player Rankings Events—The Signature at the Federal Club and the Two Rivers Invitational.
» Super Senior Women’s Golfer of the Year: Shawn McCullough (Mount Vernon CC): McCullough becomes the second Mount Vernon CC member to win this award, joining Linda DiVall. McCullough was the medalist at the VSGA Super Senior Women’s Amateur and advanced to the championship match before falling to DiVall. She also was runner-up at the VSGA Super Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship, finishing behind Shelley Savage. McCullough qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, was the low senior amateur at the Maryland Women’s Open and finished third at the Women’s Eastern Super Senior Amateur Championship.
Up to $32,000 in scholarships will be awarded to participants whose projects generate the greatest impact
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – (Nov. 9, 2023) – Twenty-eight exemplary teens from across the U.S. will attend the First Tee Innovators Forum in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home of the PGA TOUR, from Nov. 9-12. Each student will spend four days conceptualizing an original community service project with guidance from First Tee and its partners. Participants will then implement the projects when they return home, with the opportunity to earn a share of up to $32,000 to support future educational pursuits.
During the event, participants will hear from seven-time PGA TOUR winner Billy Horschel, who has demonstrated his commitment to growing diversity in golf and supporting his neighbors in northeast Florida through his own philanthropic endeavors. The teens will participate in interactive workshops and small breakout sessions covering a variety of topics including education, healthcare advocacy and programming.
They will also learn about sustainability on an eco-cruise through the estuaries of nearby St. Augustine with support from TruGreen and receive counsel on their projects from technology consulting firm CapTech, both First Tee Trustees.
Parts of the event will take place at PGA TOUR Global Home and TPC Sawgrass. The purpose of the event is to encourage participants to become innovators in their respective communities, culminating with each teen presenting the plans for their project.
“Our participants have produced creative and impactful community service projects since this event launched – addressing issues like food insecurity and environmental sustainability – and we look forward to seeing what this group of impressive teens will uncover throughout the event week,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Thank you to Doug MacKenzie for making this event possible, and for our partners CapTech and TruGreen for participating in the experience.”
The 28 teens attending the forum were selected based on academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation.
First Tee is a youth development organization teaching life skills and helping kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The First Tee Innovators Forum is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward high school graduation.
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of kids and teens through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2023) – After a week of competition and mentorship, Alyssa Stewart and Brayden Casolari are the junior winners of the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded Sunday at Pebble Beach.
Alyssa Stewart representing First Tee – Greater Dallas and paired with Justin Leonard, and Brayden Casolari representing First Tee – Pine Mountain and paired with Brian Gay, claimed the female and male Pro-Junior titles, respectively. Stewart and Leonard finished 28-under, while Casolari and Gay capped off the event 21-under, climbing three spots up the leaderboard Sunday to clinch the victory.
Stewart and Leonard took the lead Saturday after recording a 59 at Spyglass Hill and extended their advantage Sunday, shooting a 63 at Pebble Beach. Meanwhile, Casolari and Gay birdied 18 on Sunday to secure their come-from-behind victory in the Pro-Junior competition, shooting an 8-under 64 at Pebble Beach.
In its 20th year, the PURE Insurance Championship brings First Tee participants from chapters across the country to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, where they demonstrate the skills and values they’ve practiced at First Tee to play alongside PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business world. The annual event was televised internationally on Golf Channel.
“The 80 players in the junior field represented First Tee well this week,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Our program aims to instill confidence and perseverance in the young people it serves, and I think those traits were on display during the tournament. A special congratulations to Alyssa and Brayden for winning the Pro-Junior titles. Thank you to our partners – PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Chevron, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel – for making this week an unforgettable experience for our participants.”
Stewart is a 17-year-old high school senior who is committed to play golf next year at Houston Christian University. With a +3.9 handicap, Stewart has set records at two courses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She aspires to play on the LPGA Tour and become a veterinarian.
“I feel amazing right now,” Stewart said after her victory. “Words can’t even describe it. I just have a lot of thanks for my mom, PURE Insurance, First Tee and the PGA TOUR Champions players. Something that I learned this week is that you can’t really dwell on one shot. You have to move forward.”
Casolari is a 15-year-old high school sophomore from Cumberland, Kentucky. He took up golf 8 years ago at Lynch Country Club in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky after borrowing a set of left-handed clubs. Casolari volunteers with the Empty Stocking Fund and Tri-City Little League. He aspires to play collegiate golf and works at a local course. His trip to the PURE Insurance Championship was his first time traveling by airplane.
“This has been a great experience,” said Casolari. “This is my first time out there, and I love this course. My pro and I hit some good shots out there.”
During the week, First Tee partners PURE Insurance and Chevron both celebrated their commitment to First Tee’s mission and raised additional funds to support the First Tee College Scholarship Program through special events. Leaders from PURE Insurance extended a surprise invitation to the scholarship program to 17-year-old Aditi Balakrishna, a high school senior from First Tee – Tri-Valley in Northern California. The program pairs Scholars with a mentor and provides professional development workshops and financial assistance throughout the college experience.
First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
About Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Surpassing $200 million in total donations, Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.
Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company designed exclusively for successful, responsible families. We opened for business more than 15 years ago with the goal of offering something different in the insurance space: a company focused on doing what’s right for our membership (policyholders), one that promotes transparency and alignment of interests, and delivers greater value. Today, after growing at least 15% in each year since we began, we are the most awarded insurer in our category, offer coverage in all 50 states that includes high value homeowners, automobile, collections, watercraft, personal excess liability, fraud & cyber and flood to a membership of more than 100,000 individuals and families.
Pureinsurance.com | 888.813.7873
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.
All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2023) – PURE Insurance continued its ongoing support of the First Tee College Scholarship Program Thursday during the PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee by surprising First Tee – Tri-Valley’s Aditi Balakrishna with an invitation to the program based on her academic record and commitment to helping others.
Balakrishna, who is participating in this week’s PGA TOUR Champions event at Pebble Beach, is a 17-year-old senior at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California, where she is vice president of the Society of Women Engineers and president of the Neurodiversity Club. Balakrishna founded HappyArt, an organization that creates cards for Bay Area seniors, and she volunteers with First Tee – Tri-Valley and Special Olympics.
Launched in 2020, the First Tee College Scholarship Program currently serves 70 First Tee Scholars selected into the program based on their academic performance, involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism.
PURE Insurance has served as title sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee since 2017. Since coming on board as title sponsor, PURE has continued to deepen its relationship with First Tee, including a commitment of $1M over five years to support the First Tee College Scholarship Program.
“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with, and support of, this incredible organization,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “It’s particularly gratifying to know that we can impact the remarkable young men and women of First Tee, like Aditi, in such a powerful way.”
First Tee is a youth development organization that uses golf to teach life skills and values. The First Tee College Scholarship Program extends its impact to alumni by providing support throughout their post-graduate career with Scholars receiving mentorship, professional and personal development workshops and financial support. Select PURE Insurance associates will serve as mentors and the company will contribute to educational sessions, helping share industry knowledge and expertise with scholars who are interested in business and finance.
“Congratulations to Aditi for all her accomplishments in the classroom, on the golf course and in her community,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Thank you to PURE Insurance for its ongoing support of First Tee. By supporting the PURE Insurance Championship and the First Tee College Scholarship Program, PURE Insurance is supporting our efforts to empower youth and prepare them for the future. ”
First Tee College Scholarship Program is made possible by donors and corporate partners, like PURE Insurance, that stand behind the program and First Tee’s mission.
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 11,000 schools and 1,900 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
About PURE Insurance
Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth families, providing customizable coverage for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal liability, watercraft, flood, fraud and cyber fraud. PURE’s low cost of capital, careful member selection and proactive risk management contribute to fair pricing and a Financial Strength Rating of “A (Excellent)” from A.M. Best Company, Inc. PURE has sustained at least 15% annual growth in each year since its inception and now serves more than 100,000 members across the United States.
The international youth development organization recognized Brown for her ability to connect with students and spread her love for golf.
SAVANNAH, Ga. Aug. 24, 2023 – Ariel Brown, an elementary teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy, has been named 2023 Teacher of the Year by First Tee, an international youth development nonprofit that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The award is presented to one teacher each year who has gone above and beyond in delivering the First Tee School Program, which brings First Tee’s character-building curriculum to thousands of school gyms across the country.
Brown has been an elementary teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy since 2014. The school, located in downtown Savannah, was founded and operated by her parents. The Title 1 school serves 100% minority students, and Brown offers First Tee programming there on Fridays. Brown is also a First Tee alumna and was the first coach at First Tee – Savannah when the chapter relaunched in summer 2021.
“As a coach, Ariel thrived from the beginning,” said First Tee – Savannah program director John Parker. “She began encouraging the students in her elementary school classes to enroll in our off-site program. I can without hesitation say that some of our best kids in programming today are there because of Ariel.”
“It’s indeed an honor to see a former First Tee – Savannah participant become the National Teacher of the Year,” said First Tee – Savannah Board Member Teia Acker Moore. “This recognition shows Ariel’s deep passion for the sport and her desire to share her knowledge and skills with others. As a teacher, she has inspired and guided new generations of golfers, imparting not only technical expertise but also sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth. This journey and Ariel’s achievement as Teacher of the Year highlights the positive impact that First Tee has on shaping individuals’ lives and fostering a sense of community within the golfing world.”
Brown was surprised with the award in her classroom at Savannah Legacy Academy, where she was presented with balloons, flowers and a video with congratulatory messages from colleagues and loved ones. Her achievement was highlighted by Golf Digest.
Since launching in 1997, First Tee has grown into a preeminent youth development organization seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. Its network spans 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. In 2022, First Tee impacted more than 3.4 million kids and teens with more than 10,000 adults – from volunteers, coaches and board members – as well as teachers from schools across the country working tirelessly to help empower participants.
Through the First Tee Awards in partnership with Golf Digest, First Tee recognizes the dedicated adults and chapters who go above and beyond to bring its mission to life every day.
“The First Tee School Program reached more than 3 million kids last year,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Obviously, it takes a lot of committed adults to make that happen. But our colleagues at First Tee – Savannah told us Brown stands out for her ability to connect with the kids she serves. Congratulations to Ariel on this well-deserved honor.”
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About First Tee – Savannah
First Tee — Savannah is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee — Savannah reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at the 5 program locations, 20schools and 4 youth centers. Learn more at www.firstteesavannah.org.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Youth development organization First Tee is excited to announce that it has expanded its School Program to 50 additional Title I schools thanks to $100,000 in matching grants from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program. First Tee golf equipment has already been shipped to 30 of the schools. The Title 1 schools selected serve a high percentage of kids from low-income families and 40% of students receive a free or reduced-price lunch.
First Tee’s School Program gives physical educators all the tools to begin implementing its curriculum, including training, equipment and lesson plans that integrate life skills with the game of golf. The curriculum is also designed to help children improve their motor skills through golf instruction. First Tee has been offering its programming in physical education classes in the United States and Canada since 2004, reaching more than 3 million kids last year.
“We created the School Program almost 20 years ago to make First Tee programming accessible to more kids,” said Jen Weiler, senior vice president of network relations at First Tee. “We are grateful to The DICK’S Foundation for helping us reach more students. Recent research shows that nearly 80 percent of parents believe golf can teach life skills and character. Now more kids have access to those lessons.”
Grants have been awarded to schools in California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
DICK’S and The DICK’S Foundation are longtime partners of First Tee, providing more than $1.9 million to support First Tee’s character-building programs since 2008.
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About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of kids annually through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
About The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK’S Sporting Goods as a private corporate foundation to support DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities. Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, The DICK’S Foundation champions youth sports and provides grants and support to under-resourced teams and athletes through its Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about The DICK’S Foundation can be found on sportsmatter.org.
Golf Channel announced the full field of teens with help from PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal, Rod Pampling and defending PURE Insurance Championship winner Steve Flesch.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 10, 2023)– First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today the 80 First Tee participants selected to play in the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event will bring teens from First Tee chapters to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 19-24. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised internationally on Golf Channel.
This unique event pairs each First Tee participant with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. Ranging in ages from 14 to 18, the First Tee players compete for the pro-junior team title. The teens represent 44 First Tee chapters from across the country and for the third year in a row, a participant from First Tee — Morocco will be in the field. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. On average, participants have been involved with First Tee for more than seven years, have a 3.95 GPA and have recorded a 1.5 handicap.
“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with this incredible event,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “Being selected to play in this tournament speaks volumes about the character of each of these 80 participants and I’m so excited to see this unforgettable experience play out for them.”
The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today,” featuring surprises that the network recorded at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. Additionally, several players helped surprise select participants leading up to the full field announcement, including PGA TOUR player JoelDahmen, and PGA TOUR Champions players Tim O’Neal,Rod Pampling and the tournament’s defending champion, Steve Flesch.
Each year two juniors receive exemptions into the PURE Insurance Championship based on their play at the First Tee National Championship, which took place at Stanford Golf Course in July. This year, Alaythia Hinds of First Tee – Greater Sacramento, who
finished second among the girls, and Sean Kwok of First Tee – Tri Valley, who finished in a fourth-place tie, earned those spots.
“Earning the opportunity to play at the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Congratulations to the 80 teens who will represent First Tee at this year’s event. This marks the 20th anniversary of the tournament, and we are grateful to our partners at PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel for their ongoing commitment to First Tee. Our alumni who have played at the PURE Insurance Championship have told us it is a life-changing opportunity, and we are so excited for the 80 First Tee teens who will get to experience it in September.”
This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature legends including Ernie Els, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Jim Furyk, as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winner Kirk Triplett and Steve Flesch, who will defend his title. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.
Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.
More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs.
First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
The junior field for 2023 PURE Insurance Championship can be viewed here.
