This week, Pebble Beach is hosting one of the coolest events in golf – and most people don’t even know it’s happening.
The PURE Insurance Championship kicks off at one of golf’s most iconic venues on Friday, bringing together one of the most unique courses you’ll see all season. Here’s what you need to know about it.
80 teenagers, 52 chapters – years of preparation
This week, 80 First Tee participants, 80 PGA Tour Champions professionals and 160 amateurs join forces to compete in a 54-hole format for the best shot for the pro-junior title.
For most of the non-professionals, it will be their first time playing at Pebble Beach, and they will come from all over the state – 52 First Tee chapters from across the country have sent players to compete.
“These 80 teenagers have put in years of work in their chapters to earn this incredible opportunity,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee, in a interview with PURE Insurance. “We are proud to have you represent First Tee.”
The 80 participants representing First Tee’s 52 chapters averaged 7.5 years in the program, 3.8 years of community service and 60 hours of community service. They also carry a collective 3.8 GPA, which highlights the program’s emphasis on youth development on and off the golf course.
How First Tee participants are selected
Selection for the event is based on more than playing ability. Each participant must also demonstrate growth through First Tee’s youth development program, which focuses on five key commitments: pursuing goals, growing through challenges, collaborating with others, building a positive identity and using good judgment.
Those commitments are reflected in a group of young players who have spent years building their games, pursuing their education and giving back to their communities — all core qualities that help players like reigning girls champion Margaret Kerr, for example, who will continue her golf career at West Texas A&M University next fall.
“Having experienced firsthand the lasting impact of youth sports,” said Katie Krum, CMO of PURE Insurance, “I am proud to support such a worthy cause and help create opportunities for these remarkable young people to build relationships and confidence that will stay with them long after tournament week.”
While most of the 80 First Tee participants were selected to compete, two exemptions earned by finishing in the top five at the National First Tee Championship at the University of North Carolina’s Finley Golf Club in June.
Nakul Shrivastava of First Tee – Tri-Valley won the boys division, while Sadie Goodman of First Tee – Central Florida finished fourth in the girls division. Goodman was the tallest girl who had not played before in the PURE Insurance Championship, earning a spot in this week’s field.
The PURE Insurance Championship begins on Friday, with the first two rounds taking place at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill. After Saturday’s second round, the top 24 juniors will advance to Sunday’s final round at Pebble Beach, where a men’s and women’s division champion will be crowned.
