Category: Participant Spotlight

Two Teens Headed to Pebble Beach!

Have you ever watched the NCAA Selection Show anxiously waiting to see if you favorite team will be announced? Or better yet, the team you coach or your kiddo plays for? Last Wednesday was our version of the selection show as we watched Golf Channel’s Morning Drive. And, what a morning it was for two kiddos from The First Tee of the Sandhills. After two plus hours of anxiousness, nerves, waiting, walking, more nervous energy, shaky giggles, more waiting, and then… pure joy!     BJ Boyce and Drew Spurlock, saw their names appear on LIVE television. An announcement they will never forget. They had been chosen to participate in this year’s PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee! Moments after the announcement came through, BJ and Drew were beaming from ear to ear. They felt proud, and ecstatic, to see all the hard work pay off in the end with the chance to attend the 2019 Pure Insurance Championship. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field. Branden, BJ, Boyce is a rising 10th Grader who is in a homeschooler program. He lives in Spring Lake and joined The First Tee in 2011. Drew Spurlock is a rising Senior at Union Pines High school. He lives in Whispering Pines and joined our local chapter in 2014 after a family military move from Tampa where he was a participant with The First Tee Tampa.           These young men, will join 76 teens from across the country to play with PGA TOUR Champions Professionals and two amateurs as they compete for the Pro-Junior team title during the Pure Insurance Championship contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf course in Pebble Beach, California, September 24 – 29. Congratulations, BJ and Drew. We look forward to helping you prepare for your trip to California in September! PS: Make sure to follow along as we release more details in the coming months!

July 9 Participant Spotlight: Asher Bragg

Kids join The First Tee for multiple reasons. Some join after being introduced to the game by a family member, a few join with a friend, and others join just to try it out! About five years ago, Asher Bragg, a rising 7th grader at New Century Middle School joined just to give it a try. Since his first season, very few seasons have passed without his name being on the roster. While at The First Tee classes, Asher has made several good friends and enjoyed learning the game of golf. We set down with Asher for a Quick 9 to find out more about him! Hole 1: Why did you decide to join The First Tee five years ago? It was my first time trying golf at my mom’s suggestion. After I tried it out, I enjoyed it, and have been coming ever since. Hole 2: What is your favorite thing about The First Tee? The opportunity to make new friends. I’ve really met some great people I enjoy hanging around. Hole 3: What is your favorite school subject? Science. Biology specifically. I’m excited to start getting to study it in school this year! Hole 4: What is the most interesting thing you can recall from your studies? How complex golf is and how much I’ve learned from it. (Asher first mentioned the complexity of human cells, but I think he thought I was lost in the conversation.) Hole 5: What is your favorite hobby or sport? Probably golf. I’ll classify it as both. Doing golf every week is awesome. Hole 6: What is your dream job? A Lawyer, maybe a defense attorney, but I’m looking more into what other options there are, as well. Hole 7: Who is your hero? My dad. I really look up to him. His opinion really matters to me. Hole 8: Tell us something fun about you people do not know? It’s a talent of mine to keep a really good record and keep good grades in school. I’ve been really good at doing that. Hole 9: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Here. I really love it here. What do you like about here? It’s nice and close to the beach. Really green everywhere you go. A lot of nice people. Really everything about.

June 25 Participant Spotlight: Greyson Lowen

He’s a ‘lefty’ full of enthusiasm and big dreams! As he is just getting into golf, he looks to continually improve his skills as he’s hoping to compete and win some tournaments, in the future.  I, Mason Scott (aka. Summer Intern), had the opportunity to speak with Greyson about golf, life and even some out of this world! (Literally!!) career dreams. Check out our Quick 9 below to learn more!  Hole 1: Do you have a nickname? Yes, actually a few. At golf I am called G-Money which is my favorite nickname. Coach John (Wainwright at Longleaf Golf Club) gave me that nickname. Hole 2: When did you first get into golf? I started playing last year! Hole 3: What is your favorite Core Value? I like Sportsmanship. I just like being nice to people after we play and making friends.  Hole 4: Favorite First Tee Activity? I really liked hitting the rubber ducks out of the bunker, and singing I Believe I Can Fly as they flew through the air. (He informed me he’s very confident out of the bunker, but still working on those tricky shots out of wet sand.) Hole 5: Favorite Activity when you’re not playing golf? I really like to play Roblox. You can talk with friends, make new ones and also build things, sometimes. The game has over 100 million players. (His dad, Brian, made it clear that Greyson would play Roblox 24/7 if they let him!)  Hole 6: Do you have a favorite golf course, of the ones you have played? I would say Blackwolf Run Golf Club in Wisconsin was one of my favorites. I also got to play a few holes at Whistling Straits! It was really cold and windy. (The picture shows just how many layers he had to wear!) Hole 7: If you could live or travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably Australia. I really like how they talk over there, and how they say “mate” after everything.  Hole 8: If you could have any superpower what would it be? I would have all of the powers. I would use them to help people around the world. Hole 9: What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be an astronaut! I actually want to be the first person to go to Mars. I am really fascinated with space and have over 30 episodes of How the Universe Works recorded. The Martian is my favorite movie and I have watched it a bunch of times.

June 11 Participant Spotlight: Aubriana Bishop

Ambitious is the perfect word to describe Aubriana Bishop, better knowing as Aubri. She sets her goals high and works hard to reach them, successfully. And, she’s moving her way up the ladder at Union Pines High School. A 16 yr old rising Senior, she is already learning what it takes to be a great leader.  Aubri was accepted to travel to Idaho this summer to attend the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy. Check out the event press release here.  We sat talked with Aubri for a quick 9 and this is what we found! Hole 1: How did you get into golf?  It’s actually a funny story! I played tennis my freshman year of High School and, if we’re being honest, I was not the best player, so I ended up getting pressured off of the team. One day a previous coach mentioned golf to me and suggested I give it a shot. So, I did and I am glad I did because I love golf now! Hole 2: What is your favorite golf course? I love to play at Knollwood Golf Course! It may be a 9 Hole Course, but it’s my favorite to go play at! Hole 3: What do you want to do when you get older? I want to do something with Genomic science, or genetic engineering. (Macey, our interviewer responded: When she told me this I was amazed and could only respond with “wow you must be so smart” and she came back with the best answer “No I’m just more ambitious.”) Hole 4: What is a fun fact about you? I have a twin brother. I’ve had a best friend since birth! Also, I love to make sculptures. It is fun to make and then hand them out to my friends and family. It is a very relaxing process for me. Hole 5: Favorite Core Value from The First Tee? What is your favorite thing about The First Tee? My favorite Core Value has to be Confidence. Freshman year of high school my confidence was extremely low. The First Tee helped me grow as a person and as a golfer and it also made me gain a lot of trust in myself while building my confidence. At The First Tee I love all of my coaches and all of the people I am surrounded by. They help make me better by offering their different opinions that could help and they all just work well together. I have met so many great people throughout The First Tee. I am glad to have made some great friends along the way. Hole 6: What is your favorite hobby? I love Art – it is my outlet!  Hole 7: Do you plan to take your game to the next level? College plans? If possible, yes! I am wanting to start off by playing at a junior college in the area and then when I transfer to a University, have the opportunity to continue playing. If I don’t get to keep playing while I am in school, I plan to always play for fun! Hole 8 : If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I would probably pick California! I have been there once before and the people there were so crazy but they were also so cool. I loved it there and would love to go back! Hole 9 : Are you excited for your National Opportunity? How did you get this? What do you get to do while you are there? Yes!! I am so excited for this opportunity! My coach Matthew had encouraged me to sign up for it. This was the only option that I could have done because of my busy schedule and it sounded so cool. So I went through a long but and not too hard process and finally got accepted for it! I was so happy! We are going to get to golf a lot, and hopefully get to go to the zoo also! We are staying in the university dorms and the zoo is right across the street so my fingers are crossed for that. We will be going through seminars and hands on experiences to learn great leadership skills!  

Two Teens Selected for The First Tee’s Life Skills & Leadership Academy

Jaclyn Kenzel, a rising senior at Pinecrest High School, and Aubriana Bishop, a rising senior at Union Pines High School, will join 94 other teens from around the country at The Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy hosted on campus at Boise State University from July 24 to 30. Annually, this week-long Academy provides participants golf and leadership instruction that incorporate The First Tee’s Nine Core Values while enhancing skills that will help teens on and off the golf course. During the academy, participants will have the opportunity to develop and hone skills to become leaders in their chapters, schools and communities while experiencing championship golf, career exploration and dorm living. This will be Kenzel’s third National Participant Opportunity, having been selected in 2018 for the National Par 3 Championship and the PURE Insurance Championship. Once she received acceptance, Kenzel expressed she was, “extremely excited for another wonderful First Tee adventure!” Through previous National Opportunities she has been able to form close friendships and she can’t wait to see a few familiar faces while making new friends in a part of the country she has never traveled to. Kenzel continued by saying, “I am grateful for my First Tee community in helping me achieve my goals.” This will be Bishop’s first National Participant Opportunity, having joined The First Tee in the Fall of 2016 via our PLAYer for Teens program, Aubriana has worked hard to move through PLAYer and Par Level programs and access to Birdie last fall, becoming eligible for application to National Events. Aubriana credits her experiences at The First Tee for her new found Confidence. The Confidence her TFTS Coaches helped her gain through making on course golf improvements has translated off the course, making her more willing to try new activities like skateboarding and sculpting! It’s helped her carry on a personal mantra – I Can! To apply for the Life Skills & Leadership Academy, participants must have reached, at a minimum, Birdie Level status in The First Tee, complete a school and community activities chart, answer four questions in essay format, provide a letter of recommendation from a mentor, teacher or school administrator, and receive recommendation from The First Tee of the Sandhills. As with all National Participant Opportunities, selected participants enjoy the trip free of charge. Elementary age or teen – it’s always the right time to get involved in The First Tee. Make sure to sign up for one of our Week Long Summer Camps in the Sandhills. Visit firstteesandhills.org or call us at 910.255.3035.

May 28 Spotlight: Owen Baker

Have you ever met a kid that is always smiling? If not, go introduce yourself to our participant of the week Owen Baker.
 
Owen is courteous to others, always caught doing the right thing, and quietly competitive. He’s already competed in 2 golf tournaments this year, and is getting geared up to play several TYGA Tots Events this summer.
 
Owen is a yellow belt in karate at Goshin Dojo in Seven Lakes and is an excellent student at West End Elementary School.
 
We sat down for a Quick 9 with Owen. Here what we found out! Hole 1: Do you have a Nickname? Yes, O! Hole 2: What is your favorite thing about The First Tee? I’ve been in The First Tee for two years and my favorite thing is playing the activities the coaches set up for class. Hole 3: Tell Us about your tournament golf experience! I played in my first tournament at seven years old and have now played in 9 tournaments! Hole 4: What do you like most about tournament golf? That it tests your abilities. Hole 5: Is there a favorite golf course you’ve played? Yes! The Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC). Because, my sister and I won our PGA Jr. League match there. The greens are really fast and smooth. Hole 6: What’s your favorite hobby? Watching TABS videos. (Ok, we Google’d this and Google says TABS is an Acronym for Totally Accurate Battle Simulator. Hopefully it’s right!) Hole 7: Do you have a dream career? Yes, I want to be a YouTuber. Hole 8: Tell us something fun people don’t know about you. I’ve lived in The Philippines and Chicago. Hole 9: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Well, I really like our home here in 7 Lakes.

May 14 Spotlight: Addison Bidoli

Have you ever met someone who never leaves the golf course, or at least that’s how it feels? If  not, this young lady will be your first introduction.
 
Addison Bidoli, a Par Level Participant, and 4th Grader at E. Melvin Honeycutt Elementary in Fayetteville, seems to enjoy everything about the golf course! She loves the competition, the fun, the friends, and the challenge of improving. Four years into attending programs at The First Tee of the Sandhills, it shows!
 
While she enjoys The First Tee, Addison has also gotten involved in Junior Tournaments, Drive Chip & Putt, and PGA Junior League. Addison is an example of how a young adult who has gotten ‘the golf bug’ can use multiple avenues within the sport to improve her skills, meet new friends, and foster her love for the game.
 
We sat down for a Quick 9 with Addison. Here what we found out!
 
Hole 1: Do you have a nickname? Yes! Addy.
Hole 2: What is your favorite thing about The First Tee? I like that you don’t just practice golf every week. We work on Integrity, and other Core Values, to help us on and off the golf course.
 
Hole 3: What is your favorite hobby? Golf and Drawing.
 
Hole 4: How old were you when you played in your first golf tournament? And how many have you played in to date? I was 9 Years Old at my first tournament and I’ve played in about 15, now! (Addison is 10 years old!)
 
Hole 5: Do you have a favorite golf course? Yes! Gates Four Golf & CC.
 
Hole 6: Do you have a dream career? I would love to compete as a golfer or be a Zoologist!
 
Hole 7: Who is your hero? My dog, Ted, was. He passed away last year and had been there my whole life.
Hole 8: Tell us something fun people don’t know about you? I participated in the Battle of the Books this year and placed 1st in the first competition and 4th in the second.
 
Hole 9: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? The Great Smokey Mountains. In a cabin with a lake nearby.
 

April 30 Spotlight: The Park Brothers

For our last Month of the Military Child Family, we bring you the Park Brothers. This trio is one of our most dedicated and active families we have. While the boys are all very respectful, willing to learn, and show tremendous sportsmanship, their personalities are about as different as you could get! We hope you enjoy reading about them.
Samuel, or Sam, (Pictured Middle) is the oldest of the group. He is a Sophomore at Union Pines High School and a Birdie Level Participant. Sam not only participates in curriculum classes on Saturday, but volunteers his time with the Par Class that takes place immediately before his class.
Daniel, or Dan, (Pictured Left) is the middle child, and is currently in 8th Grade at New Century Middle School and is also a Birdie Level Participant. Dan also swims competitively and loves participating in anything that is a competition.
David, or Big D, (Pictured Right attempting to be taller), is in 4th Grade at Sandhills Farm Life Elementary and is a Par Level Participant. While David does really well hitting a golf ball, he is a baseball enthusiast that brings all of his baseball tendencies to his golf swing!
We sat down for a Quick 9 with Samuel, Daniel and David. Here what we found out!
Hole 1: What is your favorite thing about The First Tee?
Samuel: My favorite thing about The First Tee, is that it not only teaches you golf skills, but it also teaches you Life Skills.
David: Aiming Practice
Hole 2: What is your favorite hobby?
Samuel: I love to play baseball. Daniel: All team games that involve teams and other people (team sports) David: Baseball Hole 3: What is your favorite thing about growing up in a military family? Samuel: Meeting new people and going to new places Daniel: My favorite this is seeing new places and people David: Get to travel to different places. Hole 4: What was your favorite place you’ve lived? Samuel: My favorite place that I lived was Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas Daniel: Ft. Leavenworth, KS David: Korea Hole 5: What sports do you like other than golf? Samuel: Swimming and running, and used to play baseball Daniel: I also swim competitively David: Basketball and Baseball Hole 6: What is your dream job? Samuel: To be a dentist Daniel: I do not have a dream job yet, but I hope in high school I’ll find one. David: Major League Baseball Star Hole 7: Who is your hero? Samuel: My dad Daniel: My dad because he’s taught me how to prepare for the future. David: My Dad, he sacrifices in war to save people Hole 8: What is your favorite thing about your siblings? Samuel: They’re also active, so we tend to play outside by playing sports such as baseball Daniel: How jokingly we act to each other. David: The play monopoly with me. Hole 9: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Samuel:  If I were to live anywhere in the world it would still be the US, because there is no other country in the world that gives us the right to live freely Daniel: I would want to live in Europe where there is lots of wildlife. David: Nigeria, I would like to explore and meet other people, and have lots of fun!

April 16 Spotlight: Olivia & Andrew Graham

To continue our spotlight on Military Families, we bring you two (2) of the most social kids we have in programs. They not only have never met a participant they couldn’t talk to, they actively recruit their friends to join them at The First Tee. Olivia and Andrew Graham first exposure to The First Tee was during a Summer STEM Camp at Gates Four Golf and CC. Since then they’ve participated in every session – two years’ worth – show up with smiles on their faces, and are always ready to have fun. When asked their favorite thing about attending programs at The First Tee, Olivia is quick to say she loves the coaches and getting to play with their friends, like her brother, Andrew. The Graham Children, Olivia now in 3rd grade and Andrew 2nd grade, have lived in five (5) different states, meaning they’ve had five (5) chances to make new friends and share their fun-loving personalities.
We sat down for a Quick 9 with Olivia and Andrew. Here’s what we found out… What is your favorite hobby? Olivia: Art Andrew: Putting rocks in my rock tumbler What is your favorite thing about growing up in a military family? Olivia: We have friends in lots of states we can visit Andrew: Moving to new houses and states What sports do you like other than golf? Olivia: Basketball and gymnastics Andrew: Basketball and soccer What is your dream job? Olivia: Veterinarian Andrew: To be an artist Who is your hero? Why? Olivia: My dad.  He helps people by being in the Army. Andrew: My dad What is your favorite thing about your sibling? Olivia: He’s fun to play with and always happy Andrew: She’s really funny and makes me laugh Tell us something fun about you people do not know? Olivia: I have lived in 5 states Andrew: I’m a wolf scout with cub scouts If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Olivia: Hawaii Andrew: Washington, so we could be by our family

April 2 Spotlight: Caleb & Caison Coleman

Caison and Caleb Coleman joined our TFTS family in the Summer of 2018 – making a move from The First Tee of Louisville. While only in Kindergarten and 2nd grade, respectively, the boys have moved several times in their young lives, and they’ve perfected the art of Meeting and Greeting as they were quick to be the first to introduce themselves on the first day of class – including a nice handshake!
These two young gentlemen enjoy having FUN and can be counted on for a good joke before warm-up activities each week. Individually they are able to display Perseverance while always act with Integrity.
When not on the golf course with their older brother, they’re playing soccer or supporting their sister at a volleyball game.
This busy family is always on the move but is happy to have a second home at The First Tee. We sat down for a Quick 9 with Caleb and Caison. Here’s what we found out…
Hole 1: What is your favorite thing about The First Tee? Caleb: That we learn about one thing like Respect and then we execute that topic on the Driving Range, Chipping Green and Putting Green. Caison: I like hitting Full Swing shots! Hole 2: What is your favorite hobby? Caleb: I love playing soccer with my friends at recess. Caison: Playing outside. Hole 3: What is your favorite thing about growing up in a military family? Caleb: I like that we get to watch my dad jump out of airplanes. Caison: I like to watch my dad parachute. Hole 4: What sports do you like other than golf?  Caleb: Soccer, Football, Baseball Caison: Football Hole 5: What is your dream job? Caleb: Engineer Caison: Firefighter Hole 6: Who is your hero? Caleb: My older brother Christian. He is strong! Caison: Daddy. He is strong and protects me! Hole 7: What is the favorite thing about your sibling? Caleb: That they play with me. Caison: That they are my best brothers. Hole 8: Tell us something fun about you that people do not know. Caleb: My favorite food is RICE. Caison: I am a good hitter! (in baseball) Hole 9: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Caleb: Myrtle Beach, SC, because I was born there Caison: Myrtle Beach, SC  

March 19 Spotlight: Tv’yrian Praylo

Respect, Courtesy, and Sportsmanship all come to mind when Tv’yrian Praylo is mentioned. A 5th Grader at Southern Pines Elementary – every time he speaks to someone, “Yes, Sir” or, “Yes, Ma’am,” are most certain to follow. Tv’yrian somehow finds time to squeeze golf into his schedule that includes, baseball, basketball, and football. More importantly, he manages to excel in the classroom and complete his homework before heading to any of these events. Tv’yrian can also be found at every one of our donor events, chatting away with any adult he can find. He has taken the Life Skills of Meeting and Greeting people and used it to help him become a social butterfly, even though he is naturally quiet and reserved! We sat down for a Quick 9 with Tv’yrian. Here’s what we found out! Hole 1: How many years have you been involved with The First Tee? This is my fourth year. I joined The First Tee in 2016 when I was in 2nd Grade. Hole 2: What is your favorite thing about attending The First Tee? Definitely meeting new friends! A bonus is the coaches are always nice!! Hole 3: What is your favorite subject or class at school? Math! I can do math really fast and usually in my head. I’m in AIG Math Class. It’s really exciting. Hole 4: Who is your hero? Why? All of my teachers. They really are helping me in the world! Hole 5: Do you have any pets? What kind? What are their names? I have a goldfish and a Dog named King. Hole 6: What is your favorite hobby? Sports are my hobbies! In addition to golf, I love playing Baseball, Basketball, and Football. Hole 7: What is your dream job? Does playing football count as a job? (Coach Matt responds, “If they get paid, it’s a job.”) …  Tv’yrian “Then I want to be in the NFL.” Hole 8: Tell us something fun about you people do not know? I think I have a really good personality. If someone needs help, I will help them. If someone is alone, I ask them if they want to be my friend. Hole 9: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Arizona. My uncle lives there and it’s really beautiful.

March 5 Spotlight: Georgia Chivers

Georgia Chivers, aka Blu, is a 5th Grader at Irwin Intermediate School in Fort Bragg, NC. She is a year into her participation with The First Tee of the Sandhills programs at Stryker Golf Course and has officially gotten ‘the bug.’
 
The golfing bug, that is.
 
At the age of 11, Georgia has lived in six (6) states and attended five (5) different schools – but seems to have found footing in Fort Bragg where she is already running a neighborhood dog walking business, and understands that the game of golf could lead her to getting a college scholarship. She seems to already have The First Tee Life Skill of Planning for the Future figured out.
We sat down for a Quick 9 with Georgia. Here’s what else we found out!
Hole 1: What is your favorite thing about The First Tee, so far? I am LOVING learning how to play golf!

Hole 2: What is your favorite hobby?
 Art, Golf and Making $$$

Hole 3: What is your favorite subject/class/club at school? The two M’s… Music and Math.

Hole 4: What sports do you like other than golf? Soccer and Football.

Hole 5: What is your dream job? To be an architect!

Hole 6: Who is your hero and why? My Mom and Dad. They sacrifice everything for me.

Hole 7: Do you have any pets? Yes! I have a Newfoundland named Torque, is is about to turn 2!

Hole 8: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Germany.

Hole 9: Tell us something fun about you people do not know? I want to learn to play the flute now that I’ve mastered the recorder. I belong to the Junior Beta Club at my school. I am hoping my passion for Golf will help me get a scholarship to college when I am older!