The First Tee announced that it will host a regional open qualifier at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore, Calif. for the fourth annual Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour tournament scheduled for Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The regional qualifier will take place June 27 and determine 10 of the 78 junior spots in the tournament field. The qualifier is a single-day, 18-hole stroke-play competition open to boys and girls, ages 14-18 and not enrolled in college, with a maximum USGA handicap of seven or 13.
“This is an exciting opportunity for these young people to showcase their talent and possibly be a part of a nationally televised event,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., executive director of The First Tee and senior vice president of the World Golf Foundation. “Our partnership with Wal-Mart, the Champions Tour and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation continues to make each year more successful.”
The Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) has been an instrumental partner and is providing assistance by covering a portion of the cost of the event from their foundation. They will also utilize their staff to help run the qualifier.
Sixty remaining junior spots in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach field will be determined by The First Tee Participant Selection Process, which will take place July 17-25 at Kansas State University and Colbert Hills Golf Course. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the tournament host organization, will distribute eight exemptions.
Each team in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach will include two amateurs, one junior golfer and a Champions Tour player. The tournament will be televised nationally on The Golf Channel.
Wal-Mart Stores, the Champions Tour and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation have partnered with The First Tee to promote The First Tee Life Skills Experience, which gives young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as honesty, responsibility and sportsmanship, through golf and character education.
Visit www.thefirsttee.org to download an application and learn more about the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.
