September 2025 - First Tee

First Tee honors Pebble Beach Company with prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

The iconic golf destination is being recognized for decades of commitment toyouth development

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2025) – Youth development organization First Tee today announced Pebble Beach Company as the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting First Tee’s mission of building future leaders through golf.

“On behalf of Pebble Beach Company, we are honored to receive First Tee’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Heidi Ueberroth, Co-Chair of Pebble Beach Company. “We have witnessed firsthand how First Tee transforms participants into confident leaders, and we are proud to play a role, including serving as the backdrop for these life-changing moments. This partnership embodies our dedication to youth development and demonstrates how the game of golf can open doors and create opportunities for the next generation.”

Pebble Beach Company has demonstrated dedication to youth development by consistently offering its exceptional venues to First Tee initiatives. More than a thousand First Tee participants have competed in the PURE Insurance Championship, a unique PGA TOUR Champions event hosted at Pebble Beach Golf Links since 2004 with Spyglass Hill Golf Course joining as co-host in 2021. Pebble Beach Company has also played a pivotal role in advancing First Tee’s mission by providing access to its incredible courses, venues and views in support of First Tee events over the years.

“Beyond its status as a world-class golf destination, Pebble Beach Company has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropy and community support, understanding that true greatness extends far beyond the boundaries of even the most famous golf course,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “For more than 20 years, First Tee has been a beneficiary of that commitment.”

Pebble Beach Company’s support of the PURE Insurance Championship has provided invaluable experiences for First Tee participants and alumni, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at an impressionable age to forge mentorships and build confidence.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors Pebble Beach Company’s sustained commitment to helping First Tee grow and succeed over more than two decades.

First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin, legendary quarterback Steve Young, First Tee Honorary Chair Jim Nantz, Pebble Beach co-chairs Heidi Ueberroth, Brian Ferris and Bill Perocchi, and PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan pose with a declaration celebrating Pebble Beach Company’s support of First Tee.

Margaret Kerr of First Tee – Greater Houston, Julio Rodas-Rhim of First Tee – Metropolitan New York win pro-junior titles at 2025 PURE Insurance Championship

Kerr and Rodas-Rhim were paired with pros Steven Alker and David Bransdon respectively

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2025) – After a week of exciting competition and personal growth, Margaret Kerr of Friendswood, Texas, and Julio Rodas-Rhim of New York City are the junior winners of the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Both Kerr and Rodas-Rhim sealed their victories Sunday with birdies on Pebble Beach’s iconic par-3 17^th hole. Kerr and Alker finished 18-under to win by one stroke. Rodas-Rhim and Bransdon finished 16-under and won in a scorecard playoff.

For more than 20 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has provided First Tee participants with the unique opportunity to showcase the skills and values they’ve gained through the program. Held at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, the tournament pairs 80 standout teens from First Tee Chapters nationwide with PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business community. The annual event was broadcast internationally on Golf Channel.

“This week, the 80 young representatives of First Tee demonstrated perseverance, personality and exceptional talent on the course,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We extend our congratulations to Margaret and Julio on their outstanding victory. And we are sincerely grateful to PURE Insurance, Chevron, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PGA TOUR Champions players, Golf Channel and all our generous partners for helping make this an unforgettable experience for our participants.”

First Tee – Greater Houston’s Margaret Kerr is a 16-year-old junior at Clear Springs High School, who’s been playing golf for 10 years. She referees lacrosse games, fosters dogs and completed Ace, First Tee’s capstone program designed to help teens prepare for the future.

“I don’t even think I can put it in words; life doesn’t feel real right now,” Kerr said. “I was so supported this week by not only my pro, but his caddie, his family – everybody.”

First Tee – Metropolitan New York’s Rodas-Rhim is a 17-year-old senior at Fordham Preparatory School. In addition to earning a black belt in martial arts, he has been playing golf for 13 years. He was the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association’s 2025 individual champion, and he plans to attend college somewhere warm so he can play golf all year.

“I’m very grateful for this experience,” Rodas-Rhim said. “I really wanted to make my grandparents proud because they got me into golf in the first place, and them getting to see me on TV is probably a dream come true of mine.”

During the week, First Tee partners PURE Insurance and Chevron celebrated their commitment to First Tee’s mission and raised additional funds to support the First Tee College Scholarship Program through special events. The program pairs select First Tee alumni with a mentor and provides professional development workshops and financial assistance throughout their college experience.

This week, leaders from PURE Insurance surprised Malakai Jazayeri of First Tee – Phoenix and Ashton Washington of First Tee – Tampa Bay with invitations to become the newest members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

To access photos from the event, visit here. For more information on the tournament, visit PUREInsuranceChampionship.com. To learn more about First Tee and see the full field list, visit FirstTee.org.

Meet 2 PURE Insurance Championship juniors who are making an impact

Many First Tee participants work for years to earn a spot in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs golf legends and business leaders with First Tee juniors for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

First Tee juniors are selected for the field based on their golf skills and their commitment to First Tee values. Two participants who excel in both areas are Malakai Jazayeri from First Tee – Phoenix and Ashton Washington from First Tee – Tampa Bay.

Malakai is a senior from Gilbert, Arizona, with aspirations to play collegiate golf and experience new cultures after graduation. He’s been involved with First Tee – Phoenix for a decade, and he was named the chapter’s 2024 Player of the Year. He also works at Goodwill.

Ashton will not only graduate from high school this spring, but he’ll also earn his associate’s degree in business administration. He aspires to play professional golf and work in real estate development. He’s a member of National Honor Society and he volunteers with organizations that address food insecurity in his community.

On Thursday, PURE Insurance Championship executives surprised Malakai and Ashton with invitations to join the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

The First Tee College Scholarship Program is building game changers

Launched in 2020, the First Tee College Scholarship Program provides selected alumni with financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities to help them succeed in college and beyond.

Since its inception, more than 125 First Tee Scholars have benefited from this comprehensive support system, designed to prepare them for success both academically and personally.

PURE Insurance has been the title sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship since 2017 and is a dedicated partner of the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with, and support of, this incredible organization,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “Golf skills aside, the young men and women of First Tee excel in the classroom, give their time to their communities and lead in their First Tee chapters, their schools and beyond. They’re going to shape the future — and PURE is proud to support them and help share their stories.”

As they prepare to take this next step, Malakai and Ashton join a network of motivated alumni who represent the values and skills learned through First Tee.

Learn more about the First Tee Alumni Network.

First Tee launches National Alumni Advisory Council to strengthen engagement across its growing Alumni Network

The First Tee National Alumni Advisory Council held its first in-person meeting in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2025) – First Tee has launched a National Alumni Advisory Council, a group of 20 dynamic alumni who are business and community leaders from across the United States. The council will play a key role in shaping the future of the organization’s growing Alumni Network.

The Alumni Council’s primary focus will be to guide and direct strategies that engage more alumni in meaningful ways — helping them stay connected to each other and to First Tee’s mission of empowering young people through golf and life skills programming.

In addition to virtual meetings, the Alumni Council will gather annually, with its first session having taken place Sept. 12-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is sponsored by Gallagher.

“First Tee alumni are an essential part of our story and our future,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The Alumni Council will help ensure we are creating opportunities for them to continue to grow, give back and lead, while staying connected to the values they developed through First Tee.”

The Alumni Council is co-chaired by Rayshon Payton of First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City, who works as general counsel for Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt, and Sara Diaz of First Tee – San Antonio, a presenter for ESPN+ and PGA TOUR Live and vice president of recruiting for Capstone Hospitality.

“I’m thrilled to come full circle with First Tee, an organization that has shaped not only my life but the lives of so many others,” Payton said. “Serving as board chair of the Alumni Council is a special opportunity to give back, support the next generation and help strengthen a community that continues to inspire growth on and off the course.”

“I’m excited to continue being part of the First Tee, the program where my golf journey began,” Diaz said. “I’m truly honored to be selected as co-chair of the First Tee Alumni Council and look forward to expanding our Alumni Network to foster lasting connections and meaningful opportunities.”

Council members represent a diverse group of graduates who embody the impact of First Tee programs. They were appointed and will serve terms of two, three or four years. Together, they will guide efforts to recruit alumni, design impactful engagement opportunities and drive alumni reconnection to local chapters. As ambassadors of the program, they will inspire current participants and help grow a powerful, united Alumni Network.

The First Tee Alumni Network includes thousands of former participants who have carried the organization’s values into their careers, communities and lives. Since its launch in 2020, the First Tee Alumni Network has provided career assistance, professional and personal development opportunities and fun events for former participants. It’s free to join and open to all First Tee Alumni.

For more information about the Alumni Network, visit firsttee.org/alumni.

2025 Alumni Council members

Rayshon Payton	Metropolitan Oklahoma City	General Counsel, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester
Sara Diaz	Greater San Antonio	VP of Recruiting, Capstone Hospitality
Anthony Bonales	Central Valley	Finance Manager, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Grace Kehoe	Greater Charlotte	Media Logger, PGA TOUR
Karrington Knight	Greater New Orleans	Staff Assistant, Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Steven Outlaw, PGA	Hammond (Historical)	Director of Sales & Marketing, Troon
Colm Parrish	Pittsburgh	Category Manager, Catalent Pharma Solutions
Hannah Rens	Siouxland	Systems Engineer, Boeing
Benjamin Nganga	Tennessee	Real Estate Valuations Analyst, Baker Tilly
Ashley Noda	Greater Sacramento	Director of Outreach & Competitive Activities, First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Alyssa Ramont	Central Valley	Executive Administrative Assistant, San Francisco Giants
David Singh	Tampa Bay	Program Manager, Cleveland Clinic of Florida
Blake Christenson	Tennessee	Designer, Cooper Carry
Michelle Xie	Silicon Valley	Software Engineer, Dave
Mia Bishop	Metro Atlanta	Psychotherapist
Brittany Gill	Greater Richmond	Corporate Partnerships Manager, PGA TOUR
Derrick Ow	Monterey County	Communications & Customer Service Coordinator, Northern California Golf Association
Connor Shooks	Benton Harbor	Sports Management Student, University of Michigan
Callen Williams	Metropolitan New York	Assistant Program Director, First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Taryn Yee	Greater Sacramento	Program Manager, Meta

Guidance and growth: Inside the bond between a First Tee Scholar, mentor

One of the most impactful aspects of the First Tee College Scholarship Program is mentorship. Each Scholar is matched with a dedicated adult to support them as they enter college and prepare for life after graduation.

First Tee Scholar Esther Etherington is a senior at Franklin College, where she’s majoring in elementary education and nonprofit leadership with plans to enter the golf industry. Last summer, Esther interned with First Tee — Greater Charleston’s Pathfinder Program and served as a USGA Pathways intern at the U.S. Open. This past summer, Esther worked at her former chapter, First Tee — Indiana, as the site director in Richmond. Her team helped to successfully launch three new community partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc. and Townsend Community Center, reaching its highest number of participants since COVID-19, 160 youth.

Esther’s mentor is Hope Oaks, a Ball State University graduate. Hope is a health science systems specialist at Pfizer, Inc., and she currently serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Golf Foundation and the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation.

They shared their experience and tips on building a successful mentor-mentee relationship.

FT: Describe your experience as a Scholar mentor.

HO: I felt honored when asked to be Esther’s mentor because I had already been a witness to her leadership at First Tee when she would speak at our fundraising events while she was in high school. Her confidence, authenticity and desire to share the gifts she was given resonated with me.

FT: How did you build trust with your mentee?

HO: My experience has been that trust is built with time and keeping commitments with one another. My mentors have set a good example for me by creating a safe space to share questions, challenges, goals, disappointments, frustrations and the emotions that go with them. It’s vital to know you can 100% show up and express your true self.

FT: What is one word you’d use to describe your mentoring relationship and why?

HO: Joy. Whenever the next thing on the calendar is coming up that we have set, I know that our time together will result in a happy spirit and a positive memory. Esther inspires me and we both have similar humor.

FT: Describe a memorable moment you’ve shared with your mentee.

HO: One of my favorite moments was this summer when I spent the day observing and volunteering at Esther’s First Tee location in Richmond. Her organization and leadership skills are to be coveted. It was so much fun to see it all in action with her coaches, volunteers and students. She was truly sharing her gifts with the world. The parents were happy their kids were in the program, and you could see the kids were delighted to be there and having fun while learning. Esther is a connection and networking queen, and she built a successful program in less than six months from scratch because of her reputation and genuine relationships in her community. She connects with each child at their level: kindness, care, thoughtfulness and fun are all in her bag of superpowers. She continues to inspire me as an example and I’m grateful for the opportunity this program has afforded us.

FT: How has your mentor helped you feel more confident or prepared for life after college?

EE: Hope has helped me feel more prepared for life after college by celebrating and capitalizing on my strengths. Her perspective has provided valuable connections, advice and friendship which has made me a better and more well-rounded person.

FT: How do you feel your relationship with your mentor has changed your college experience?

EE: The relationship that I have with Hope has been a transformative part of my college experience because she is a close member on my “go to” team. Hope is always a phone call or text message away.

FT: Drawing from what you’ve observed in your peers’ mentoring relationships, what advice would you share with someone just starting out as a mentor?

EE: When you are just starting out as a mentor, it is important to remember that the mentor and mentee relationship is a two-way street. Your mentor is there for you in the highs and lows of college and beyond, so effort and transparency are important.

FT: Describe a memorable moment you’ve shared with your mentor.

EE: We have had many memorable moments including going to a Purdue basketball game, the Indy Jazz Kitchen and lots of golf together. At the top of the list includes Hope traveling from Indianapolis when I was the site director at First Tee – Indiana in Richmond to volunteer with the kids.

Inspired by brothers, Henry Seufert is preparing for the PURE Insurance Championship

This September, 80 First Tee participants from across the country will arrive at Pebble Beach for the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. Among them is 16-year-old Henry Seufert from East Grand Rapids, Michigan, who will be following in the footsteps of his two older brothers.

Henry joined First Tee – West Michigan at 7 with his older brothers, Charlie and Jack. At 15 he became a First Tee junior coach like both of his brothers before him.

“I aspire to one day become a lead coach, like Charlie, and one day inspire other young golfers as Charlie influenced me,” Henry said.

Henry comes from a family of golfers, so his parents enrolled him in First Tee for the life skills and youth development aspects of the program. Throughout their time in the program, his brothers forged a reputation of exceptional dedication and leadership, and Henry’s coaches say he has diligently done the same.

In 2022, shortly after he played in the PURE Insurance Championship, Henry’s older brother Charlie received a heart transplant.

“After Charlie’s heart transplant, golf became his inspiration: His goal was to recover to play varsity golf two months later,” said Henry. “He achieved this goal, with the best season of his high school career. His story motivates me throughout life, especially on the golf course, proving to me that anybody can do anything.”

As Henry prepares for Pebble Beach, he carries with him the lessons learned from a decade in First Tee and the inspiration of his older brothers. Watching his brother’s recovery reinforced the lessons of perseverance and goal-setting that Henry has been learning as a First Tee participant.

Now, as Henry prepares for his own championship experience, he carries not just his family’s golfing tradition, but their commitment to First Tee’s mission. As a junior coach, he works with younger participants, sharing the same enthusiasm and dedication that his brothers once brought to their coaching roles.

The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee represents more than just a prestigious golf tournament; it’s a celebration of the young people who embody First Tee’s values both on and off the course. For Henry, earning his spot among the 80 participants nationwide validates years of hard work and growth within the program, he said.

Participants at the championship will engage with PGA Tour Champions professionals and experience one of golf’s most iconic venues.

See more about the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee here and support the work of a First Tee Chapter near you.