Area Teens to Participate in Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach selection process in New Hamps

SAN ANTONIO – Sara Jane Hughes, 17, Sara Diaz, 15 and Daniel Ortega, 17 from The First Tee of San Antonio will compete for the opportunity to play in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach in August. Hughes and Diaz are two of 36 girls from The First Tee learning facilities worldwide who will take part in The First Tee selection process at Wentworth By The Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire, July 23-27. Ortega is one of 90 boys from The First Tee learning facilities worldwide who will take part in The First Tee selection process at Kansas State University and Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas, July 14-18. 

Of the 78 juniors that will participate in this year’s unique tournament, 70 will be chosen from these two selection events. The fifth-annual Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach presented by Nature Valley, a nationally televised Champions Tour tournament, takes place August 25-31 over Labor Day weekend. 

“It is so rewarding to watch the mission of The First Tee execute itself and come to fruition through Sara, Sara and Daniel. These are exemplary children who are moving along such an admirable path … using the core values they’ve learned in our program. The make us so proud by putting that knowledge to work and earning a chance in this selection process,” said Mary Carriker, Director of The First Tee of San Antonio.

The First Tee selection process recognizes participants who have integrated life skills learned through The First Tee into other aspects of their life. Participants will be evaluated both on and off the golf course, through a series of interviews, essays and a 36-hole golf-proficiency event. A committee of representatives from The First Tee, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and invited guests from the golf industry will judge the participants based on the following criteria:

• Proficiency on the golf course

• Personal interviews

• Life skills curriculum knowledge

• Personal essay describing an obstacle they have overcome

• Involvement and longevity with The First Tee

• Summary of community involvement, awards/recognitions and extracurricular activities

• Decorum
  

The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach presented by Nature Valley will take place on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course, and will be televised on GOLF CHANNEL. Visit www.thefirsttee.org or www.thefirstteeopen.com for more information. 

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, FL at World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.  Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students in 48 states and four international locations – Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. Former President George Bush serves as honorary chairman.

As Founding Corporate Partner of The First Tee, Shell Oil Company has provided financial resources to support the development of this charitable youth initiative aimed at promoting character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Because of Shell’s initial contribution, The First Tee has garnered the support of hundreds of corporations and organizations that have provided financial or promotional support to The First Tee and its Chapters.