When 80 privileged Initial Tee individuals reached the PURE Insurance Championship, they actually possessed plenty to expect.
Four cycles throughout Marble Seaside as well as Spyglass Hillside. The possibility to participate in together with PGA Excursion Champions specialists. And also an encounter very most youthful golf players can merely fantasize concerning.
Then Chevron located a technique to create the full week much more unforgettable.
On Tuesday, individuals moved to The Grass at Marble Seaside for Play Time at The Grass, where juniors acquired the possibility to participate in the popular quick training course—as well as contend in Chevron’s closest to the pin competitors to gain an additional $2,000 for their nearby First Tee section.
As teams created their method around the nine-hole transmitting, they ultimately reached the 2nd opening—imitated Marble Seaside’s legendary 7th opening.
The hole was actually merely participating in concerning one hundred gardens, yet these quick gos possessed the prospective to go a lot even farther, along with the 10 closest gos—the best 5 children as well as best 5 women—getting $2,000 for their corresponding Initial Tee sections.
With $2,000 on the line, the pressure was real. So was the opportunity.
More than $5 Million behind the First Tee’s next generation
Later that evening at the PURE Insurance Championship pairings party, Chevron announced a $125,000 donation to the First Tee.
The closest-to-the-pin winners were also recognized. The top five boys and top five girls were originally set to earn $2,000 for their respective First Tee chapters, but when the girls’ competition ended in a tie for fifth, Chevron matched the additional prize.
What started as a fun afternoon at The Hay generated $22,000 in donations to First Tee chapters across the country.
Chevron’s support is part of a relationship with First Tee that stretches back 16 years and over 5 million dollars in total donations—including contributions to the organization’s College Scholarship Program, which began in 2020.
That sustained commitment, along with support from other First Tee partners, has helped more than 143 young adults receive ongoing mentorship, professional development and financial assistance as they transition to and through college.
And stories from scholarship recipients illustrate just how meaningful that support can be, and the lasting impact it can have on their lives.
One example of the First Tee College Scholarship Program at work is Aarya Shewale of First Tee – Greater Houston, who is beginning his freshman year at Texas A&M University, where he’ll study aerospace engineering. After eight years with the First Tee, Shewale earned Ace certification and founded the Katy Chess Academy, a service project that teaches children life skills through chess.
The scholarship program has also supported Carlie Matengula of First Tee – Greater Austin, who begins studying political science at Baylor University this fall. Matengula spent seven years with First Tee – Greater Austin, most recently serving as a junior coach. She also created Tee Her Up, a golf clinic that introduced the game to 100 minority girls in her community.
For these young golfers, the lessons extend well beyond the course. Along with Chevron’s continued support, players receive opportunities as well as resources that leave a lasting impression, shaping not only the golfers they become, yet individuals they turn into in the process.