Seventy-eight of the nation’s top junior golfers are making their final preparations for the third annual Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. Fifty-five boys and 23 girls between the ages of 13 and 18 will participate in the tournament alongside 78 Champions Tour players and 156 amateurs, in an official Champions Tour event.
The tournament takes place Sept. 1-3 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course on California’s Monterey Peninsula. The first two rounds will be televised nationally on The Golf Channel, and the final round on NBC.
“At Media Day recently Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach defending champion Hale Irwin said ‘I think there is a pull for us (players) to try and help these kids because we know how difficult it is,’ says Champions Tour president Rick George. “The Champions Tour players really take their mentoring role seriously throughout the week at Pebble Beach. The kids look up to the players and, in turn, the players know their examples of professionalism and sportsmanship and how they carry themselves will have a lasting impression. This is a great week for the 78 Champions Tour players, just as it is for 78 promising boys and girls. We thank Wal-Mart, Pebble Beach, The First Tee and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for partnering to make this one of golf’s really special events.”
Forty juniors earned berths into the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach through The First Tee Participant Selection Process. The selection process was exclusive to participants of The First Tee and focused on life skills comprehension, as well as playing ability. The evaluation included a series of interviews, essays and a 36-hole golf proficiency event. Thirty-one boys and nine girls were selected from Chapters across the country and one participant was selected from The First Tee of Singapore.
“The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach represents the culmination of hours of hard work and dedication for the 78 juniors in the field. Many of these young people have been preparing for this moment since last summer,” says Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., The First Tee executive director. “We would like to thank Wal-Mart, the Champions Tour and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for creating this wonderful opportunity for our participants to interact with and learn from some of the most respected players in the game.”
Thirty juniors qualified through three regional open qualifiers that took place in June and July. These qualifying events were 18-hole, stroke-play competitions open to all junior golfers. Eight juniors were awarded exemptions by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the tournament host organization.
“As the tournament approaches, we, at Wal-Mart, are thrilled to be a part of this once in a lifetime event and honored to be able to provide this opportunity to so many deserving kids. We’re proud of the young golfers and the hard work they have exhibited to qualify for this event.” says Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. executive vice president and chief financial officer Tom Schoewe.
“We look forward to this magical event, which teams legends from the game of golf with remarkable young golfers from all over the country and at one of the best settings in the world, Pebble Beach," says Ollie Nutt, president & c.e.o. of the host Monterey Peninsula Foundation. "You add to the teams a mix of many of today’s business leaders and great sponsorship support, led by Wal-Mart and you have an exciting and life changing experience for all involved.”
Champions Tour player Jim Thorpe and 16-year-old Amit Odaiyar from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento won the pro-junior title last year and will be back to defend their title this year. The complete pairings will be announced on Tuesday, August 29.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., The First Tee and the Champions Tour joined forces to help promote The First Tee’s Life Skills Experience and make a difference in the lives of young people and their communities. Wal-Mart Stores and associates take an active role in supporting The First Tee Chapters in their area through donations, promotional events and volunteerism.
