Four Players Will Earn Spots in the PGA TOUR’s New Pathways to Progression Program Based on Their Performances at the Tournament
Palo Alto, CA and Washington, D.C. – June 29, 2023 – Josephine “Joey” Nguyen, a rising senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke, VA, has been selected to represent the First Tee-Greater Washington, DC Chapter to compete next week in the First Tee National Championship at Stanford Golf Course July 2-6, 2023.
The 54-hole, stoke play tournament brings together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level. The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience.
“I am so excited to be representing First Tee-Greater Washington DC at the National Championship,” said Nguyen. “I have attended other First Tee National Opportunities that are based on extracurricular activities and community involvement, but this event is different because it is based on golf skill. My goal for the tournament is to have fun, make new memories with my family, and play some great golf. I can’t wait to compete against some of the best junior golfers in the First Tee network.”
Nguyen has been involved in First Tee-Greater Washington, DC for 10 years. She most recently attended First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Atlanta earlier this month, and also competed in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links. She is captain of the Lake Braddock Secondary School varsity golf team and was the only individual to represent her school at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) State Championship where she finished in the Top 20.
In addition, Nguyen has two Top-10 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) finishes, multiple Peggy Kirk Bell Golf Tour (PKBGT) national tournament wins and top finishes in Middle Atlantic PGA (MAPGA) Junior Tour tournaments.
Outside of golf, Nguyen is President of Girls in Roles of Leadership (G.I.R.Ls) at school where she has built the club from the ground up, bringing together 40 young females with aspirations to become better leaders. She is a member of her school’s Athletic Council, National Art Honors Society, Philanthropy Club and National Honors Society. She’s also a volunteer coach with First Tee-Greater Washington, DC and the Girls Golf program.
“We are incredibly proud of Joey being selected to compete in the First Tee National Championship,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “She’s been in our program since she was seven years old and has developed into a tremendous person, leader and golfer. We look forward to following her on the leaderboard during the tournament.”
This year’s tournament brings an exciting new opportunity. Two boys and two girls will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s new Pathways to Progression program, a new player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.
Additionally, the winner of each division will be awarded the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 16-24, 2023.
Nguyen will compete against top players from across the country. Seven players in the field are ranked on the American Junior Golf Association or Junior Golf Scoreboard Top 250, including Megan Meng, from First Tee-Trenton, who won last year’s PURE Insurance Championship. During the week, participants will hear from a panel of coaches with advice on how to advance their game and navigate the collegiate recruiting process.
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. 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.
View the full list of selected participants here.
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About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC
First Tee-Greater Washington, DC 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-Greater Washington, DC impacts nearly 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.
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. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth 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. Learn more at firsttee.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Palmer Moody
Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement
First Tee-Greater Washington, DC
847.804.2721 mobile