Category: PURE Insurance Championship

The Power of the PURE Insurance Championship: First Tee Alumni Success Stories

For the last 19 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has welcomed teens from First Tee chapters nationwide to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Throughout the week the teens apply the life and leadership skills learned from First Tee programs during an event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world.

For many of the teens who are selected for the tournament, the experience opens their eyes to the possibilities in golf and beyond as they are contemplating post-secondary education and careers, and in some cases, managing fears and emotions. This week, we take a look at several alumni who played in this tournament and how they’ve applied the lessons they learned from First Tee and this experience to reaching for their dreams.

Michelle Xie, First Tee — Silicon Valley

Played in 2013 with Kirk Triplett

Michelle recalls her participation in the PURE Insurance Championship as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She played and won the tournament in 2013 alongside Kirk Triplett. The two established an immediate connection, which led to coachable moments on how to manage the mental and physical demands of the game – both on and off the course.

Nothing compared to the exhilaration, nerves and pressure Michelle felt walking down the fairway with Triplett as their pro-junior team was in contention. Those moments of mentorship provided Michelle great perspective to deal with the rigorous schedule of being a student-athlete at Harvard University.

Michelle graduated from Harvard in 2019 with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. She played on the women’s golf team, receiving numerous accolades including being named the 2018 Ivy League Individual Champion and was voted as team captain her senior year.

In 2019, Michelle moved back to the Silicon Valley and is working as a software engineer. Although she is not spending as much time at the golf course as she once did, Michelle still uses the many time management and problem-solving skills she learned from competitive golf and First Tee. Now that Michelle is back home, she has become a volunteer coach at the First Tee — Silicon Valley to mentor the next generation of participants.

Rayshon Payton, First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City

Played in 2005 with Gil Morgan

An alumus from First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City, Rayshon remembers watching the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on TV in 2000. From that point on, he dreamed of playing on the course one day himself. This dream became a reality in 2005 when he was selected for the PURE Insurance Championship, paired with PGA TOUR Champions player Gil Morgan. They found themselves in the final pairing on Sunday at Pebble Beach where Rayshon ended up holing out from the 12th bunker on national television.

Rayshon has continued to pursue his dreams off the course. He interned at The White House, working in the office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs where he had the opportunity to work with Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. Today, he is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, College of Law, and has since held positions with the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and Representatives Kendra Horn (D-Oklahoma) and Mike McIntyre (D-North Carolina).

Rayshon currently works as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the US Department of Justice.

Sara Scarlett, First Tee — Greater Sacramento

Played in 2011 with Jerry Pate

Being selected for the PURE Insurance Championship is a goal for many First Tee participants. That was definitely the case for alumna Sara Scarlett.

She joined First Tee around the same time that she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. Sara’s confidence was low, and she was struggling to balance her medical needs with the desire to have an active and social childhood. First Tee became her sanctuary – a place where she learned the life skills and core values that would ultimately shape her into a confident teenager who always looked on the “bright side.”

In 2011, she played in the PURE Insurance Championship with Jerry Pate. Some of Sara’s favorite memories include chipping in on the 10th hole at Pebble Beach and the motivational talks with her partner. Sara went on to play on the women’s golf team at University of Texas, graduating in 2017.

Sara has grown the last few years in her career and is currently working as a Digital Director . Sara says she is lucky to have been taught the value of diversity at a young age from First Tee.

Taryn Yee, First Tee — Greater Sacramento

Played in 2009 with Jim Thorpe

For alumna Taryn Yee, playing in the PURE Insurance Championship was the first major goal she set for herself and accomplished on her own merit. Yee claims that she felt like a star when she first arrived at the 2009 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Taryn played with Jim Thorpe, and she says the biggest takeaway was how confident she was at the end of the tournament. The PURE Insurance Championship and the lessons she learned there have provided her self-confidence that she carried with her through college and now into her successful career.

Taryn was a student-athlete at University of California, Irvine. As a freshman, she was selected to attend the PwC Executive Forum at THE PLAYERS Championship as an alumni opportunity with First Tee. At the event, she met PwC executives, spoke with clients and was introduced to the business industry and public accounting. This experience led to a new goal for Taryn, which was to graduate with an accounting degree and become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She accomplished that goal, which ultimately led her to career opportunities at PwC, The Gap, and her current position at Facebook headquarters.

Through setting goals and perseverance, Taryn has been able to stay positive and work through challenges to achieve her goals.

“I have the confidence that I can accomplish anything. There is no such thing as an intangible goal!”

Justin Potwora, First Tee — Greater Portland

Played in 2017 with Bernhard Langer

It wasn’t too long ago that alumnus Justin Potwora was holding up the PURE Insurance Championship trophy with his partner, Bernhard Langer. Meeting First Tee participants from across the country and hearing about their experiences and perspectives left a lasting impact on Justin.

Justin graduated this spring from Southern Methodist University where he majored in finance. During his time in college, he was the Philanthropy Chair for his fraternity which raised more than $50,000 for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Just is currently working as an Investment Banking Analyst for UBS in their Americas Energy Transition Group. He credits First Tee with teaching him how to act professionally, selflessly and never compromise his character and values in whatever he sets out to accomplish.

John Louie, First Tee — Monterey County

Played in 2009 with Donnie Hammond
Played in 2010 with Bobby Clampett

John joined First Tee — Monterey County not long after its inception in September 2004. John attended Salinas High School, but had visions of achieving more. One day he told his father that by using “Goal Setting,” a life skill he had learned at First Tee, he had set a goal to attend Stevenson High School. John applied himself and with his parents’ support, John became a Stevenson “Pirate.”

John competed on the golf team for Stevenson and represented First tee — Monterey County in the 2009 and 2010 tournaments at Pebble Beach.

John was accepted to Middlebury College in Vermont, playing on the men’s golf team for three years. He was tempted to stay on the East Coast and work in finance in New York City like many of his fellow Panthers. However, his heart was in Salinas and the agricultural town where he grew up. He was offered a position with Tanimura & Antle, one of the top agricultural companies in Salinas.

He has since worked his way up the company and now leads one of the firm’s recent acquisitions, PlantTape. John serves on the Board Committee for Taylor Farms Center For Learning. In 2018, he was nominated as a member of the Board of Directors of First Tee — Monterey County, where he continues to give back by mentoring teens in the program.

Learn more about how we provide access to the game and new opportunities through our character-building programs.

PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee Brings Surprises for High School Seniors and Meaningful Donation

Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PURE Insurance and others unite to donate $500,000 to First Tee

ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (Sept. 21, 2020) – While the 2020 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions event, was played at Pebble Beach this past week without First Tee juniors in the field due to COVID-19, the positive impact will be felt for years to come thanks to several surprises and a generous $500,000 donation from supportive partners.

Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the entity that operates the PURE Insurance Championship, PURE Insurance, and Chevron came together in support of First Tee’s mission through a generous $500,000 pledge that will fund much-needed technology projects for the nonprofit youth development organization.

All 70 high school seniors from First Tee chapters who applied to participate in the 2020 PURE Insurance Championship were surprised with a one-time contribution toward college and their names donned on PGA TOUR Champions caddy bibs. All First Tee applicants were invited to virtual experiences that included a video presentation on character values from influencers including professional athletes, actors and politicians, as well as a private concert performance from Train and Pat Monahan.

“The donations to support First Tee’s technology efforts are deeply appreciated and will make a foundational impact in our ability to reach and connect with young people from all backgrounds,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “It will truly have a lasting effect and a shining outcome from what has been a challenging year on many fronts. We are grateful to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PURE Insurance and PGA TOUR Champions players who went above and beyond to make the First Tee applicants feel included in this year’s event.”

The donation will be used to help First Tee build important digital infrastructure that improves kids’ experience and provides 24/7 access to the program, as well as improve virtual education and training for adults, which is critical for expansion and reaching more kids and teens. In addition, funding from Chevron will go toward supporting select alumni with a financial contribution toward their higher education.

“First Tee participants were missed dearly at this year’s PURE Insurance Championship,” said Steve John, tournament director and CEO for Monterey Peninsula Foundation. “The teens have shown resilience in a year of adversity, which reinforces why we support organizations like First Tee that help lift up young people and empower them to build their strength of character.”

For the last 17 years, PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee has provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for First Tee teen participants to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business world. Due to the global pandemic, the First Tee teens did not play in this year’s event but were still recognized for their hard work and efforts to qualify for the application process.

“We are proud to continue our involvement with this wonderful event and to help support the important work of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and First Tee,” said Katie Krum, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “Supporting these incredible young men and women from the First Tee through this sponsorship is tremendously rewarding for our entire team.”

First Tee is a youth development organization that empowers kids to build their strength of character through the game of golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to encourage and inspire kids as they progress through the program toward higher education opportunities.

For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. For more information on First Tee, visit firsttee.org.

PURE Insurance Championship Leaves Lasting Impression on 78 Teens

 
PURE Insurance Championship’s Pro-Junior Winners Sam Sommerhauser from First Tee of Greater Sacramento and Ashley Menne from First Tee of Phoenix
  It was the trip of a lifetime for 78 First Tee teens who stepped into the spotlight and showed off the life skills and values learned in First Tee programs as they competed on a national stage for the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee. The teens played with confidence and composure as they persevered on one of the toughest and most iconic golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links, while being mentored by some of the legends of the games – PGA TOUR Champions players. Making it to this unique event was the real prize, but two of these teens are bringing home a little something extra: the Pro-Junior title. Sam Sommerhauser from First Tee of Greater Sacramento, who was paired with Kirk Triplett, finished at 23-under, winning the male Pro-Junior title. “It was a special week playing Pebble Beach and learning from the PGA TOUR Champions professionals,” said Sommerhauser. “Playing so well with Mr. Triplett and watching his determination and composure first-hand has been an experience I’ll never forget.” Ashley Menne from First Tee of Phoenix, paired with Tom Lehman, won the female Pro-Junior title with a score of 18-under. “The life skills I’ve learned through the First Tee helped me persevere this week to keep playing one shot at a time,” said Menne. “I’m so thankful for the outcome and for a great experience playing with Tom Lehman.” It’s evident that these two are destined for greatness. They’ll both continue their golf journeys next year as they play at University of Arizona and Arizona State University, respectively. Beyond that, Sam and Ashley hope to play with the pros on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. We look forward to seeing where the future leads these two young people – and know they will carry their First Tee experience along for the journey. For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com.   Top 5 Tournament Moments: 1. Sportsmanship came to light on the 18th green Sunday afternoon when the First Tee participants stayed to cheer on their fellow competitors who made the cut on Sunday.                                 2. Each of the 42 high school seniors in the field were surprised with a $1,000 college scholarship thanks to Ed and Lisa Vaughn. 3. PGA TOUR Champions pro Woody Austin sunk a hole-in-one on Pebble Beach’s No. 17 – complete with a celebration alongside his teammate and First Tee of San Joaquin participant, Lauren Garces.
  4. Six First Tee juniors and six PGA TOUR Champions pros were paired up for the Chevron Shoot-Out for STEM Scholars on Thursday. The event raised $100,000 for a college scholarship fund for future First Tee participants.                                 5. Scott Schlader from First Tee of Phoenix and defending champion Ken Tanigawa had a little fun before their first round.
  Final Leaderboard & Results

78 First Tee Teens Experience the Week of a Lifetime at PURE Insurance Championship

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2019) – Teens from across the country had the opportunity to learn from the game’s legends during the PURE Insurance Open at Pebble Beach Impacting the First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded today. Sam Sommerhauser from First Tee of Greater Sacramento, paired with Kirk Triplett, and Ashley Menne from First Tee of Phoenix, paired with Tom Lehman, claimed the male and female Pro-Junior titles today, respectively. Sommerhauser and Triplett finished 23-under, while Menne and Lehman capped off the event with a score of 18-under. First Tee is a national youth development program that helps young people build character using the game of golf as a platform. The event, in its 16th year, brings 78 teens from First Tee chapters nationwide to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course. Throughout the week the teens apply the life and leadership skills learned from First Tee programs during an event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, was televised internationally on Golf Channel. “We are proud of all the teens who played with confidence and composure this week at the PURE Insurance Championship,” said Greg McLaughlin, president of First Tee. “These young people exemplify the character and values we instill through the First Tee programs every day. A special congratulations to Sam Sommerhauser and Ashley Menne for winning the Pro-Junior titles. Thank you to our partners – PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel – for making this a special week for 78 First Tee participants.” Sommerhauser is a 17-year-old senior at Whitney High School in Rocklin, Calif. where he has a 3.88 GPA and plays on the boys’ golf team. He has been involved with First Tee of Greater Sacramento for eight years and volunteers as an assistant coach. He credits the program for life skills and values that he will carry into college and adulthood. Sommerhauser holds a 1.9 handicap and is committed to play golf at the University of Arizona next fall. “It was a special week playing Pebble Beach and learning from the PGA TOUR Champions professionals,” said Sommerhauser. “Playing so well with Mr. Triplett and watching his determination and composure first-hand has been an experience I’ll never forget.” Menne is a 17-year-old senior at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, Ariz. where she has a 4.0 GPA and plays on the girls’ golf team. She’s been involved with First Tee of Phoenix for five years and is pursuing her Ace Certification, the highest level in the First Tee program that focuses on goal setting, career exploration and giving back to the community. Menne holds a 1.2 handicap and has committed to play on the women’s golf team at Arizona State University next fall. “The life skills I’ve learned through the First Tee helped me persevere this week to keep playing one shot at a time,” said Menne. “I’m so thankful for the outcome and for a great experience playing with Tom Lehman.” Kirk Triplett won the pro title, defeating Billy Andrade on the first playoff hole to secure his second victory of the season. Triplett became the second player in the history of the PURE Insurance Championship to own three titles at the event (2019, 2013 and 2012). This win moves him to No. 4 in the Charles Schwab Cup rankings. Final Leaderboard & Results

Chevron Shoot-out for STEM Scholars

Pebble Beach Golf Links Thursday, September 26, 2019 Holes 1-2-3-17 and a juniors-only closest to the pin chip shot

Format Modified Scotch alternate-shot format.  Each team plays alternate shot to completion of hole. Final hole (17 ½) is closest to the pin chip shot by the junior golfers only. Scholarship Purse Total purse: $100,000 ($20,000 per hole). Scholarships on behalf of Chevron will be given to First Tee HQ in the name of the First Tee Junior. Participants
Professional Junior The First Tee Chapter
John Cook Shani Waite First Tee of Los Angeles
Bernhard Langer Stephany Barbosa First Tee of Greater Dallas
Esteban Toledo Ashley Menne First Tee of Phoenix
Ken Tanigawa Alexander Iniakov First Tee of Monterey County
Kirk Triplett Anthony Ford II First Tee of Metro Atlanta
Paul Broadhurst Jamozzy Skenandore First Tee of Northeast Wisconsin
Hole-by-Hole Results – Girls
  • Hole 1:  Toledo/Menne (par) – $10,000
  • Hole 2:  Toledo/Menne (birdie) – $10,000
  • Hole 3:  Halved with pars (carry over)
  • Hole 17: Toledo/Menne (par) – $20,000
  • Hole 17 ½:  Menne chipped closest to the pin ($10,000)
Team Toledo/Menne wins $50,000 towards Chevron scholarships for First Tee Hole-by-Hole Results – Boys
  • Hole 1:  Halved with parts (carry over)
  • Hole 2:  Tanigawa/Iniakov (birdie) – $20,000
  • Hole 3:  Halved with bogey 5’s (carry over)
  • Hole 17: Halved with bogey 4’s (carry over)
  • Hole 17 ½:  Skenandore chipped closest to the pin ($30,000)
Team Tanigawa/Iniakov wins $20,000 towards Chevron scholarships for First Tee Team Broadhurst/Skenandore wins $30,000 towards Chevron scholarships for First Tee

Meet the Field: PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee 2019

By Brittany Wynne, First Tee Seventy-eight First Tee teens are getting ready to tee it up at iconic Pebble Beach for the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee. One thing each of the 78 teens have in common is their proven leadership and demonstration of values on display at their First Tee chapters, at school and in their communities. Beyond that, these teens also represent a wide array of backgrounds, talents and hobbies. We’d like to introduce you to 20 of the juniors in this year’s field. Tune in to Golf Channel Sept. 27-29 to watch these teens and see how they put their life skills and golf skills into action. Neil Babu First Tee of Northern Nevada Hometown: Reno, NV Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 3.9 Fun Fact: I am a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, which I earned this year. It has taught me perseverance, hard word and grit.     Malisone Chanthapanya First Tee of Fort Worth Hometown: Fort Worth, TX Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 0.5 Fun Fact: I am quadrilingual. I can speak fluent English and French (thanks to my father, who speaks the language). I learned Mandarin Chinese for three years and Spanish for 11 years.     Madison DeBruin First Tee of Greater Houston Hometown: Houston, TX Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 4.8 Fun Fact: At a young age, I taught myself how to read hieroglyphs and am obsessed with everything ancient Egyptian. I work at the same museum I have been visiting my whole life and am trained in all sorts of macabre areas.     Sean Dobson First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK Age: 18 Grade: Senior Handicap: 5.9 Fun Fact: I have a fascination with meteorology. The only time I have ever met anyone else my age who shares my love for weather was at a summer weather camp that I traveled hundreds of miles to attend.   Ella Fisher First Tee of Fort Worth Hometown: Aledo, TX Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 2.9 Fun Fact: I’m learning American Sign Language and have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the deaf community and really test out my skills.     Anthony Ford II First Tee of Metro Atlanta Hometown: Atlanta, GA Age: 16 Grade: Senior Handicap: 2.1 Fun Fact: I like to try new things. I picked Harp Ensemble as my elective unlike many of my peers who chose P.E. or weight training.     Lukas Freelove First Tee of Salina Hometown: Salina, KS Age: 18 Grade: Senior Handicap: 1.2 Fun Fact: Before I was born, my parents were struggling to come up with a boy’s name that they liked. One night while watching Star Wars, it hit my mom: Luke. My dad loved it, too; mostly because he would be able to say, “Luke, I am your father.”   Skylar Graham First Tee of Los Angeles Hometown: Rosewood, CA Age: 17 Grade: Senior Handicap: 6.4 Fun Fact: I am a photographer. In 2017, I was awarded two gold medals for Best-In-Grade in photography by the National Scholastic Art & Writing competition. My work was honored in New York at Carnegie Hall, and it toured in other galleries across the nation.   Ryan Guzzo First Tee of Benton Harbor Hometown: Benton Harbor, MI Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 4 Fun Fact: As a third-grader, I was selected to have a golf lesson with Jack Nicklaus as a kickoff celebration to a PGA TOUR Champions event at our local course. I hit balls on the range while Mr. Nicklaus coached my swing. In eighth grade, I completed a video assignment on the impact he had on me. My dad sent the video to Jack Nicklaus through his website, and incredibly he watched it and sent me a letter with a signed picture of us together from that day.     Keiki Hofilena First Tee of Greater Seattle Hometown: Bellevue, WA Age: 17 Grade: Senior Handicap: 5 Fun Fact: I’m restoring a 1984 Volkswagen Mk2 Scirocco Wolfsburg edition into a daily driver/racecar. I drive the car to school and try to keep it in good shape.     Grace Holcomb First Tee of Greater Wilmington Hometown: Wilmington, NC Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 0.9 Fun Fact: I played Baby Jenny on the hit TV series, “One Tree Hill.” During a convention this past February, I signed autographs for fans. Some of the fans – and One Tree Hill actress Hilarie Burton, a.k.a. Peyton – follow my golf career.   Alexander Iniakov First Tee of Monterey County Hometown: Salinas, CA Age: 17 Grade: Junior Handicap: 0.9 Fun Fact: My parents are first-generation immigrants and came from countries where golf is not a popular game. I was raised with four languages spoken daily at our house. Teachers would call my Mom and ask her to translate what I was saying. It turns out, I was simply making my own language, thinking that I had to since everyone at home spoke their own.     Jack Kray First Tee of South Dakota Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD Age: 16 Grade: Junior Handicap: 4.9 Fun Fact: When the weather is nice, I ride my moped around town instead of driving a car. It is orange and white. Four of my friends have mopeds, too! We like to join up and go for rides together.   Stephen Ma First Tee of Central Ohio Hometown: Columbus, OH Age: 14 Grade: Freshman Handicap: 6 Fun Fact: I presented Ohio legislation to increase the number of horse therapy centers as there is a waiting list of more than 5,000 kids. I co-authored a proposal to change the tax code for stables to qualify for discounted property taxes and the handicap access necessary for the level of horse therapy certification for stables. My teammates and I presented the proposal to State Representative Jonathan Dever, who is drafting a bill and presenting it to the House.   Sutton McMillan First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City Hometown: Choctaw, OK Age: 15 Grade: Sophomore Handicap: 0.3 Fun Fact: I’m named after legendary basketball coach, Eddie Sutton. I met Coach Sutton at four months old. He gave me a pair of signed Nike shoes. Six months later, he sent another signed pair and called my parents personally to wish us a Merry Christmas.   Tyler Mistretta First Tee of The Palm Beaches Hometown: North Palm Beach, FL Age: 17 Grade: Junior Handicap: 1.6 Fun Fact: I am very tall, at 6 feet, 8 inches and weigh 220 pounds. People often stare at me, as I am usually the tallest person wherever I go.     Ryan Sauer First Tee of North Florida Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Age: 17 Grade: Senior Handicap: 4.7 Fun Fact: I’ve gained the nickname “Peter Parker” because some people think I look like the Spiderman actor, Tobey Maguire.   Sophie Shrader First Tee of Naples/Collier Hometown: Naples, FL Age: 17 Grade: Senior Handicap: 5 Fun Fact: I’m obsessed with the restaurant Moe’s. I once had Moe’s for lunch nine days in a row, ordering the same meal each time – a chicken stack with cheese, black beans, queso and seasoned rice.   Jamozzy Skenandore First Tee of Northeast Wisconsin Hometown: De Pere, WI Age: 17 Grade: Senior Handicap: 0.9 Fun Fact: Many people do not know how to pronounce my name. My Dad came up with it. It is derived from the rock band Pearl Jam and Ozzy Osbourne, Jam-ozzy. My family and I often drive to golf tournaments on our RV. We will be traveling to Pebble Beach on the RV from Wisconsin, making fun pit stops along the way.     Zayla White First Tee of Greater Austin Hometown: Austin, TX Age: 17 Grade: Senior Handicap: 3.7 Fun Fact: I have a growing record collection, and anyone who knows me knows that I’m almost always listening to music. I pride myself on finding different artists across all genres.    

Seventy-Eight First Tee Teens Selected for PGA TOUR Champions PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee at Pebble Beach

 

Jack Nicklaus, PGA TOUR players and Golf Channel hosts surprise teens on  Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive”

ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (July 3, 2019) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today the 78 First Tee participants selected to play in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee. The 16th annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, will be held September 24-29 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, and will be televised internationally on Golf Channel. The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee is the only event of its kind where 78 First Tee teenagers from across the country are paired up with 78 PGA TOUR Champions players and 156 amateurs during an official PGA TOUR Champions tournament. Ranging in ages from 14 to 18, the First Tee participants compete for the Pro-Junior Team title. Representing 27 states, participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their understanding and application of the values and life skills learned through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” today, including a video of World Golf Hall of Fame Member Jack Nicklaus surprising Stephen Ma from First Tee of Central Ohio. Other surprises by PGA TOUR players and Golf Channel hosts had been recorded over the last month and aired today as part of the PURE Insurance Championship announcement. “We are proud to continue our involvement with this prestigious event and help support the great work of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and First Tee,” said Katherine Frattarola, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “The impact this event has on the incredible young men and women from the First Tee makes this sponsorship tremendously rewarding for our entire team.” This year’s field of professionals will include World Golf Hall of Fame Members Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen, as well as defending champion and recent KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship winner Ken Tanigawa. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship. Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course on Friday and Saturday, with the final round contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 23 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. Nearly 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 in the field. “Congratulations to the 78 participants who have been selected to play and represent First Tee on a national stage,” said First Tee President Greg McLaughlin. “Their hard work and commitment to academic, social and emotional development through our programs has secured this opportunity. Thank you to our partners − PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, Poppy Hills Golf Course, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel − for their commitment to young people and helping us provide this opportunity to these deserving teens.” First Tee is a youth development organization dedicated to helping young people build character through the game of golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to encourage and motivate kids as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee, visit TheFirstTee.org. View First Tee participants selected to play in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship    ***  About First Tee First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a nonprofit youth development organization whose 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 its beginning in 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations. Its headquarters are in St. Augustine, Florida, USA, with programs in all 50 United States and select international locations. About Monterey Peninsula Foundation Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization which donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. www.attpbgolf.com www.pureinsurancechampionship.com About PURE Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is a member-owned reciprocal insurer dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth individuals and families. PURE provides customizable coverage for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal liability, watercraft, flood, fraud and cyber fraud to more than 75,000 responsible, high net worth families throughout the U.S.  Inspired by some of the finest policyholder-owned companies, PURE emphasizes alignment of interests and transparency. PURE’s low cost of capital, careful member selection and proactive risk management all contribute to highly competitive rates. In return for a fee, PURE Risk Management, LLC acts as Attorney-in-Fact for PURE. PURE membership is subject to an executed Subscriber’s Agreement & Power of Attorney. For more information or to find a local broker, visit pureinsurance.com. You can follow PURE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. About PGA TOUR Champions PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 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. In 2019, the PGA TOUR Champions schedule includes 27 tournaments across the United States, Scotland and Canada, with purses totaling more than $56 million. The Charles Schwab Cup, which includes the Regular Season and the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, is used to determine the season-long champion. 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. Internationally, telecasts air in excess of 190 countries and territories, reaching more than 350 million potential households. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @championstour.

MATTHEW SUTHERLAND OF THE FIRST TEE OF GREATER SACRAMENTO WINS AT PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING ALONGSIDE HIS UNCLE

Matthew Sutherland and Kevin Sutherland Claim the Pro-Junior Title during the PGA TOUR Champions Event; Ken Tanigawa clinches Pro Title
Pebble Beach, Calif – Sept. 30, 2018 – Matthew Sutherland from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento and his uncle, PGA TOUR Champions professional Kevin Sutherland, clinched the Pro-Junior title today at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee finishing 16-under. The Sutherlands won the tournament in a three-way scorecard playoff with Caroline Wales from The First Tee of Coachella Valley (Calif.) and pro partner Stephen Ames, and Yena Jang from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento and pro partner Duffy Waldorf. Making his PURE Insurance Championship debut, Ken Tanigawa earned his first win on the PGA TOUR Champions with an eagle on the 18th hole to finish 10-under. Tanigawa was a medalist at PGA TOUR Champions Q-School in December 2017 and earned fully-exempt status for this season. This was his 18th start on PGA TOUR Champions this season. This win moved him to No. 20 in the Charles Schwab Cup. The PURE Insurance Championship is a unique event that pairs junior golfers with PGA TOUR Champions professionals. Eighty-one juniors and pros were in the field for the tournament played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course this weekend. Matthew Sutherland, from Carmichael, Calif., was one of 23 junior golfers who made the cut to play the third and final round today at Pebble Beach Golf Links. “Before the week I was thinking of all the players who have played competitive golf at Pebble Beach, and it’s a short list,” said The First Tee participant Matthew Sutherland. “To put yourself in a category of people who have won at Pebble Beach is on another level and I’m just happy to be a part of that.” “Congratulations to all 81 of our junior golfers and especially Matthew Sutherland for their outstanding performance at this week’s tournament,” said Keith Dawkins, Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee. “These teens demonstrate how The First Tee’s Nine Core Values positively impact kids’ lives and can be used every day on and off the course.  A special thanks to PURE Insurance and Monterey Peninsula Foundation for helping make their dreams come true.” “We are proud of all the juniors who competed this week; it was an absolute honor to get to know each and every one of these incredible young men and women who will undoubtedly go on to do great things,” said Katherine Frattarola, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “A special congratulations to Matthew Sutherland on the accomplishment of winning the PURE Insurance Championship.” Matthew Sutherland, a 17-year-old senior at Rio Americano High School, has been involved with The First Tee for 11 years. He volunteers weekly at The First Tee of Greater Sacramento as an assistant coach. Matthew holds a +1.0 handicap and recently committed to play golf at Fresno State in California. The nephew of PGA TOUR Champions player Kevin Sutherland, Matthew grew up around golf but says it’s The First Tee where he learned how to act on and off the golf course, and learned how to be a leader. The First Tee of Greater Sacramento is one of 150 chapters across The First Tee network and reaches more than 50,000 youth annually. They offer programs at area golf facilities, at schools through The First Tee National School Program, and at youth centers through The First Tee DRIVE. To learn more, visit www.PUREInsuranceChampionship.com, firsttee.org, and www.firstteesacramento.org. About The First Tee The First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth sports organization whose mission is to grow the game of golf by transforming the experience that kids (and families) have with the sport. The First Tee is engaging the next generation of fans through unique golf experiences, signature events and strategic partnerships. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the sport of golf and The First Tee’s Nine Core Values to more than 15 million kids, positively impacting their lives along the way. The First Tee offers programs in all 50 states, reaching more than 5 million kids annually through: The National School Program in more than 10,000 elementary schools, 150 chapters at more than 1,200 golf courses and The First Tee DRIVE at 1,300 youth centers. The First Tee is expanding globally and currently offers programs at six international locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Golf Channel is The First Tee’s proud media partner and former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair. ### Contacts: Jodi Davis (201) 927-6171 [email protected] Sara Henika (904) 881-7398 [email protected]