Many First Tee participants work for years to earn a spot in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs golf legends and business leaders with First Tee juniors for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
First Tee juniors are selected for the field based on their golf skills and their commitment to First Tee values. Two participants who excel in both areas are Malakai Jazayeri from First Tee – Phoenix and Ashton Washington from First Tee – Tampa Bay.
Malakai is a senior from Gilbert, Arizona, with aspirations to play collegiate golf and experience new cultures after graduation. He’s been involved with First Tee – Phoenix for a decade, and he was named the chapter’s 2024 Player of the Year. He also works at Goodwill.
Ashton will not only graduate from high school this spring, but he’ll also earn his associate’s degree in business administration. He aspires to play professional golf and work in real estate development. He’s a member of National Honor Society and he volunteers with organizations that address food insecurity in his community.
On Thursday, PURE Insurance Championship executives surprised Malakai and Ashton with invitations to join the First Tee College Scholarship Program.
The First Tee College Scholarship Program is building game changers
Launched in 2020, the First Tee College Scholarship Program provides selected alumni with financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities to help them succeed in college and beyond.
Since its inception, more than 125 First Tee Scholars have benefited from this comprehensive support system, designed to prepare them for success both academically and personally.
PURE Insurance has been the title sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship since 2017 and is a dedicated partner of 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. “Golf skills aside, the young men and women of First Tee excel in the classroom, give their time to their communities and lead in their First Tee chapters, their schools and beyond. They’re going to shape the future — and PURE is proud to support them and help share their stories.”
As they prepare to take this next step, Malakai and Ashton join a network of motivated alumni who represent the values and skills learned through First Tee.
Learn more about the First Tee Alumni Network.