2022 I-45 Cup in Fort Worth

The I-45 Cup was held November 5-6 in Fort Worth at Pecan Valley Golf Course and Rockwood Park Golf Course.  Exactly 24 First Tee Participants from First Tee – Greater Houston and First Tee – Fort Worth were selected to compete in a Ryder Cup style competition.  Saturday, November 5, comprised of morning Four-Ball Matches (9-holes) and afternoon Foursome Matches (9-holes) at Pecan Valley Golf Course.  Both teams earn themselves 3 points in the morning Four-Ball Matches as the get ready to battle in the afternoon Foursomes Matches!  Team Greater Houston rallied late in the day to win their last two matches courtesy of the pairings of Landon Li/Kirtan Patel and Eva Newell/Amanda Yu of the 11-12 Division to put Team Greater Houston ahead for the day 6 ½ to 5 ½ points Team Fort Worth.  Sunday, November 6, was the final day of our I-45 Cup which comprised of Singles Matches (9-holes) and Team Greater Houston fought hard to the bitter end but came up short to retain the I-45 Cup for another year!  Team Fort Worth won the singles matches 8 points to 4 points again Team Greater Houston and won the overall competition.  Team Fort Worth was the better team this year and we tip our hats off to them!  

“Even though we came up short of our goal this weekend, we (both Coach Bob Kerr, Coach Kim and I) couldn’t be prouder of our First Tee Participants that represented First Tee – Greater Houston!  They embodied everything that we taught them in class, showing respect and courtesy towards each and every one they interact with, persevering through all the challenges that were brought ahead of them and last but not least, showing great sportsmanship no matter if they won or lost!  That is what I will remember about this team! They are the true definition of Good Golfers, Better People! It was honor to be their coach and lead them this weekend.”

First Tee – Greater Houston Captain, Tuyen Nguyen. 

Ending result to the I-45 Cup: Fort Worth 13 ½ to Greater Houston 10 ½

We would like to announce the I-45 Cup will be annual event!  See you in Houston in 2023, First Tee – Fort Worth!

Thank you to all the First Tee – Greater Houston participants that traveled all the way to Fort Worth to represent our chapter in the I-45 Cup.  Gabriel Garson-Goroway, Daudi Ndirangu, Mary Kerr, Abi Newell, Gabriela Sison, Larissa Ramirez, Winston Gitua, Ryan Joseph Lopez, Landon Li, Kirtan Patel, Eva Newell, Amanda Yu, Lynette Li. 

Special thanks to Coach Bob Kerr and Kim Janca, Manager of Community Engagement, for all the help you gave the team!