What is the definition of perseverance? Just ask these 10 participants.

2014 RBS Achievers of the Year (L to R): Tyler Andringa; Gerardo Lugo-Trejo; Kavya Chandra; Tyler Putnam; Cameryn Smith; Nicholas Narcisse; Brittany Ferrante; Will Sallee; Taylor Stroup; Derrick Ow — 2014 RBS Achievers of the Year at Winged Foot Golf Club (L to R): Tyler Andringa; Gerardo Lugo-Trejo; Kavya Chandra; Tyler Putnam; Cameryn Smith; Nicholas Narcisse; Brittany Ferrante; Will Sallee; Taylor Stroup; Derrick Ow

Struggling with learning disabilities, enduring ongoing medical issues, losing their home in Hurricane Katrina and surviving a car accident after being hit by a drunk driver … these are some of the truly amazing stories of perseverance from the 2014 RBS Achievers of the Year Award finalists.

L to R: Bob McKillip, Head of C&IB Americas, Corporate and Institutional Banking at RBS; finalists Tyler Andringa and Cameryn Smith; Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee — L to R: Bob McKillip, Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking for the Americas at RBS; winners Tyler Andringa and Cameryn Smith; Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee

The RBS Achievers of the Year Award, created by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in 2004, offers scholarships to 10 selected participants of The First Tee to be used for education after high school. Unlike other awards, this is not based on academics or golf skills. Instead, this award recognizes those who exemplify one or more of The First Tee Nine Core Values and who also demonstrate leadership, community service and teamwork while persevering through difficult circumstances in their lives. RBS_2013_200px

With a huge thanks to RBS, a long-time supporter of The First Tee, two winners each receive a $15,000 scholarship and the other eight finalists each receive $3,000. “All participants in this exceptional program deserve a standing ovation, and I congratulate each and every one for their tremendous achievements,” said RBS’s Bob McKillip, Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking for the Americas.

The 2014 RBS Achievers of the Year Awards took place in mid-August in conjunction with The Barclays in New York. During the four-day event, participants enjoyed:

The RBS Achievers with Ginger Zee outside of Good Morning America's studios — The RBS Achievers with Ginger Zee outside of Good Morning America’s studios

Exploring the Big Apple on a double-decked bus tour that stopped at the Ground Zero Museum Workshop where they met with an official photographer of the 9/11 recovery efforts
Lessons with the golf pro at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY
An appearance in the crowd at ABC’s Good Morning America and a photo opp with senior meteorologist Ginger Zee (see above)
The RBS Achievers of the Year banquet which was emceed by Golf Channel reporter Rich Lerner, and included a meet-and-greet with PGA TOUR professional Scott Langley (see below) who is not only an alumnus of The First Tee of Greater St. Louis but also the first participant to earn a spot on the PGA TOUR!
Attending The Barclays at The Ridgewood Country Club

The RBS Achievers join in a selfie with Scott Langley, PGA TOUR professional and alumnus of The First Tee

Check out highlights from the event in The First Tee’s Facebook album » Congratulations to the 2014 RBS Achievers of the Year Award finalists!

Tyler Andringa (winner)—The First Tee of Yakima
Kavya Chandra—The First Tee of Silicon Valley
Brittany Ferrante—The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
Gerardo Lugo-Trejo—The First Tee of Naples/Collier
Derrick Ow—The First Tee of Monterey County
Tyler Putnam—The First Tee of Hampton Roads
William Sallee—The First Tee of Lexington
Cameryn Smith (winner)—The First Tee of Brunswick County
Taylor Stroup—The First Tee of Greater Portland
Nicholas Narcisse—The First Tee of Fort Worth

Read more about the incredible stories of perseverance from these junior golfers. »