Participants David and Kyndall spent the week of September 20th competing in the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. They were one of 81 teens from across the nation to receive this honor.
The week started off with a paring party where Kyndall and David were matched with their professional golfer for the week. Kyndall was paired with Stephen Ames and David was partnered with Olin Browne. Each of these pro’s played an integral role in the growth of our participants during the week and were instrumental to their success!
On Wednesday and Thursday, Kyndall and David had the opportunity to tee- off during practice rounds at both Pebble Beach and Spyglass. For part of the time, they worked with their pros to better their game. We quite literally could not get them off the course!
Kyndall was one of 6 chapter participants across the First Tee network to compete in the Chevron Challenge. Players were able to compete in a round at the 9-hole par three course, The Hay to win scholarship money that would be donated back to their chapter. While there, Kyndall was selected to interview with the Golf Channel about what First Tee means to her:
“Being interviewed twice was a nerve racking experience and honestly being able to say I was on interviewed Television is a huge accomplishment. I dealt with the adversity by remembering that I’m a great golfer and that I had the support of my family, my chapter and my professional.”
Friday and Saturday, Kyndall and David headed into the Pure Insurance Championship. During the first day, David played Spyglass and Kyndall was at Pebble Beach. They both encountered struggles but persevered through it and were back ready to play the next day. On Saturday, Kyndall teed off at Spyglass and David played Pebble Beach. Each of them came ready to play! David ended up finishing -8 and Kyndall finished -5. They both had amazing pros that helped them through the tournament and reminded them to soak it all in.
“My pro, Olin Browne, was the most influential because he told me everything I needed to know about the course, my swing, and the tournament. The best piece of advice was to always stay positive even after hitting a bad shot.”
Opportunities that First Tee provides their participants, like the Pure Insurance Championship, go beyond the course and develop these young participants into well-rounded individuals. We are SO proud of all David and Kyndall have accomplished and look forward to seeing what they will do next.