First Tee’s commitment to fostering life-long learning and providing continued support for its alumni expanded this year as two First Tee alumni were named to the national Board of Governors. Sydney Burlison, an alumna of First Tee – Monterey County, and Rayshon J. Payton, an alumnus of First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City, were announced as the newest members of the Board of Governors in October.
Sydney Burlison grew up in Salinas, California and participated at First Tee – Monterey County before beginning her collegiate golf career at Stanford University. While at Stanford, Sydney completed a double major in Communication and Film Studies and was a four-time NCAA Academic All-American. When asked her greatest athletic moment, Sydney named winning the First Tee Open with Fuzzy Zoeller (now PURE Insurance Championship) and qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open as her shining moments.
Upon graduation from Stanford University, Sydney spent a year at the University of Cambridge where she received her Master of Philosophy in Management. After bouncing around the world for a few more years working for companies like Nike and Sky Sports, Sydney ultimately made her way back to her home of Monterey County and quickly became involved with the community once again. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors at First Tee – Monterey County and on the Grant Committee of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. On a national level, Sydney mentors a First Tee Scholar and will now serve on the Board of Governors for a two-year term.
Rayshon J. Payton grew up in Oklahoma City and joined First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City when the chapter opened in 2004. Throughout his time as a First Tee participant, he attended many of the national opportunities including the First Tee Open (now PURE Insurance Championship) where he played with fellow Oklahoma native Gil Morgan.
Rayshon went on to play collegiate golf at Oklahoma City University where he studied political science. He then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2013. Shortly after his graduation from law school, Rayshon relocated to the Washington D.C. area, where he now serves as Special Counsel in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Rayshon continues to be active within First Tee through his relationship with First Tee – Greater Washington D.C. and most recently by attending a First Tee Alumni Network meet-up where he had the opportunity to hear from other First Tee alumni. Rayshon describes the experience of joining the Board of Governors as a “full circle moment.”
“Not only has being a part of the Board been a high honor, but it’s always been a goal of mine,” said Rayshon. “I hope to contribute my passion for mentorship and leadership [to First Tee]. I am here today because so many people took the time to mentor me and answer questions when I needed it.”
To learn more about First Tee’s commitment to their alumni, or to join the Alumni Network, visit here.