Jake Griffin and Kayleigh zeman selected to play in the pure insurance open!

The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC is sending Kayleigh Zeman and Jake Griffin to compete in the 2018 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event to be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, September 24-30. The tournament, which is hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, will be televised internationally on Golf Channel September 28-30. The PURE Insurance Championship is the only event of its kind in which 81 junior golfers from The First Tee are teamed with 81 PGA TOUR Champions players and 162 amateurs during an official PGA TOUR Champions tournament. Zeman and Griffin will be competing for the pro-junior title. They will join 79 other participants from The First Tee chapters, selected by a national panel of judges. The participants, which represent 22 states, were selected based on playing ability and application of the Nine Core Values and life skills learned through their involvement with The First Tee’s programs. “We are proud to be a part of such a prestigious event that supports so many deserving young men and women from The First Tee throughout the country,” said Katherine Frattarola, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “They are what make this tournament so special, and it’s humbling to be a part of something that has such a profound impact on their lives both on and off the course.” “We are proud of the junior golfers selected to play at this year’s PURE Insurance Championship,” said Keith Dawkins, Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee. “These 81 teens, and the event, embody The First Tee’s beliefs around the importance of fan engagement, diversity and inclusion and having a sense of civic responsibility that is expressed through our Nine Core Values.” "We are thrilled to have not one, but two of our top participants selected for this incredible experience at Pebble Beach." said Clint Sanchez, The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC Executive Director.  "We could not be happier for Kayleigh and Jake, who both set personal goals of competing in this event.  They are both outstanding young people and we are confident they will continue to represent our Chapter well in all areas."

Learn more about Jake and Kayleigh

Jake Griffin Age: 15 Hometown: Kensington, MD School: Walter Johnson High School

What Core Value represents you the most? Perseverance represents me the most because I have learned to keep trying and always give my best even when I am having a hard time either on or off the golf course. What are you doing to prepare for PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee and what are you looking forward to the most during tournament week? To prepare for this tournament, I am working really hard to perfect my short game and putting. Working on these weaknesses will really strengthen by game and make it the best it can be for tournament week. I am most looking forward to playing both Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills, and the overall experience of being in the PURE Insurance Championship.

Watch Jake on Washington Golf Weekly!

Kayleigh Zeman Age: 16 Hometown: Silver Spring, MDSchool: Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

What Core Value represents you the most? Integrity because my morals are very important to me, and they guide a lot of my decisions. I will always call penalties on myself and take being honest seriously. How were you introduced to golf? How old were you and how did it happen? My dad introduced me to golf when I was very young, around 4 years old. I saw him playing what I called “daddy golf” and I wanted to learn to play it like him.