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First Tee of Greater Houston’s top priority is the health and safety of our participants, volunteers and employees spanning our service area of Harris and the contiguous counties. We have been monitoring all available information related to the continued spread of the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19. We currently do not plan on cancelling any scheduled classes, but did make the decision to cancel the 2020 Champions Challenge scheduled on April 4 at F.M. Law Park. We will continue to monitor local, state and national Departments of Health to determine local risk and plans to help prevent the spread the illness. We do encourage any participant, parent or volunteer that is not feeling well to heed the advice of health officials and avoid contact with others. We also recommend to everyone to follow hygiene precautions from the CDC and other health agencies. We will continue to monitor local, county and CDC information and change our Chapter’s activities as warranted.
First Tee of Of Greater Houston Teens Selected to Compete in PGA TOUR Champions PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee
Madison DeBruin,Alexa Velaand Allyn Stephens head to Pebble Beach this September
Houston, Texas (July 3, 2019)– First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today Madison DeBruin, Alexa Velaand Allyn Stephens will represent the First Tee of Greater Houston when the compete in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event to be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, September 24-29. The 16thannual event, which is hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, will be televised internationally on Golf Channel. “Among the many national opportunities available to our participants via The First Tee HQ the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach by far carries the most prestige.” Says Program Executive Brian Ladet. Participants don’t simply apply for the opportunity according to Ladet. “Selected participants navigate through an in person interview, complete essays on their personal impact of the program, seek reference letters and provide a golf tournament resume. Being selected for this opportunity to represent your chapter is a great honor,” he says. “ Alexa, Allyn & Madison have worked very hard to get to this point and I wish them the best of luck this fall on the Monterey Peninsula.” “We are excited to have participants from The First Tee of Greater Houston selected to compete in the PURE Insurance Championship.” Says Houston Golf Assoication and The First Tee of Greater Houston President/CEO Steve Timms, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these deserving juniors and we know they will represent our chapter well.” The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee is the only event of its kind where 78 First Tee teenagers from across the country are paired up with 78 PGA TOUR Champions players and 156 amateurs during an official PGA TOUR Champions tournament. DeBruin, Vela, and Stephens will compete for the Pro-Junior Team title. They will join 78 other participants from First Tee chapters across the country. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their understanding and application of the values and life skills learned through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. “We are proud to continue our involvement with this prestigious event and help support the great work of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and First Tee,” said Katherine Frattarola, Chief Marketing Officer of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. “The impact this event has on the incredible young men and women from the First Tee makes this sponsorship tremendously rewarding for our entire team.” The full junior fieldwas revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” on July 3, including a video of World Golf Hall of Fame Member Jack Nicklaus surprising one of the First Tee participants. Other surprises by PGA TOUR players and Golf Channel hosts had been recorded over the last month and aired today as part of the PURE Insurance Championship announcement. This year’s field of professionals will include World Golf Hall of Fame Members Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen, as well as defending champion and recent KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship winner Ken Tanigawa. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship. Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course on Friday and Saturday, with the final round contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 23 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday. Nearly 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field. First Tee is a youth development organization dedicated to helping young people build character through the game of golf. First Tee of Greater Houston, a wholy owned subsidiary of the Houston Golf Association, is one of 150 chapters around the world introducing the sport of golf and First Tee’s Core Values to kids, positively impacting their lives. Serving the Greater Houston area since 2004, more than 350,000 kids have been impacted through the First Tee of Greater Houston’s programs. To learn more about First Tee of Greater Houston, visit www.firstteegreaterhouston.org. For more information on the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship, visit www.pureinsurancechampionship.com. For more information on Madison DeBruin, Alexa Vela and Allyn Stephens, to request an interview or photos, contact Melissa DeGrand, [email protected], 281-459-8722 About Houston Golf Assocation. Founded in 1946, Houston Golf Association and its member volunteers make a difference for Houston communities and their youth through golf, outreach programs, events and fundraising. A not-for-profit, tax exempt 501c (3) organization, Houston Golf Association is host organization to the 10th longest running PGA TOUR event on schedule, the Houston Open, which has played a crucial role in raising more than $69 million for local charities. Delivering on its promise to make golf accessible to all, Houston Golf Association operates HGA Junior Golf, hosts amateur golf events, works with the City to restore municipal golf courses and amenities, and holds the charter for The First Tee of Greater Houston providing 350,000 local youth with learning facilities and educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Go to www.hga.org to learn more or get involved. About Monterey Peninsula Foundation Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization which donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. www.attpbgolf.com www.pureinsurancechampionship.com About PURE Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is a member-owned reciprocal insurer dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth individuals and families. PURE provides customizable coverage for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal liability, watercraft, flood, fraud and cyber fraud to more than 75,000 responsible, high net worth families throughout the U.S. Inspired by some of the finest policyholder-owned companies, PURE emphasizes alignment of interests and transparency. PURE’s low cost of capital, careful member selection and proactive risk management all contribute to highly competitive rates. In return for a fee, PURE Risk Management, LLC acts as Attorney-in-Fact for PURE. PURE membership is subject to an executed Subscriber’s Agreement & Power of Attorney. For more information or to find a local broker, visit pureinsurance.com. You can follow PURE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. About PGA TOUR Champions PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. In 2019, the PGA TOUR Champions schedule includes 27 tournaments across the United States, Scotland and Canada, with purses totaling more than $56 million. The Charles Schwab Cup, which includes the Regular Season and the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, is used to determine the season-long champion. All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, telecasts air in excess of 190 countries and territories, reaching more than 350 million potential households. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @championstour.“Charles Schwab Challenge Grant” Funds Nine State Chapters
Fort Worth, TX (May 22, 2019) – First Tee, a youth development organization dedicated to helping young people build character through the game of golf, will expand its programs and deepen its impact on young people in Texas thanks to a challenge grant provided by Charles Schwab. The $5 million donation will also support further development of a First Tee College Scholarship program. The announcement was made today by Charles R. Schwab and PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan during the Charles Schwab Challenge, the PGA TOUR’s longstanding tournament at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas. “We’re very proud to be able to help First Tee expand its reach and impact here in Texas – a major home for Schwab,” Mr. Schwab said. “Golf has so much to offer young people: it requires discipline, is a highly social sport, and is a passion you carry with you for a lifetime. Like investing, mastering the game requires patience, strategic thinking, and the flexibility to adjust as circumstances and the lay of the land require.” Through the Charles Schwab Challenge Grant, First Tee’s nine Texas chapters will have the opportunity to further the mission in their communities through a match of funds over the next three years. First Tee currently serves young people through chapters in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Greater Tyler, Houston, Piney Woods, San Antonio and most recently expanding in to West Texas (Midland). “Thanks to sponsors like Charles Schwab, Texas golf fans and those watching around the world are enjoying the continuation of a vibrant and important tournament on the PGA TOUR calendar, the Charles Schwab Challenge,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Furthermore, Mr. Schwab’s investment in First Tee is a shining example of the long-lasting charitable impact of golf as we expand programs that are helping young people become leaders in their communities and future fans of the game.” First Tee’s nine Texas chapters are reaching more than 10,000 young people annually at more than 70 golf program locations, with support from 2,500 volunteers. Additionally, First Tee has been introduced to more than 1,000 schools and youth centers reaching thousands of additional kids throughout the state. “Charles Schwab’s commitment to First Tee in Texas will have a significant impact on our chapters and their ability to reach young people for years to come,” said First Tee President Greg McLaughlin. “This support will allow us to expand our reach and impact, engaging young people in programs that will yield tangible academic and social benefits. We are incredibly grateful for the support.” “We’d like to also acknowledge the compelling work and generosity of contributions of Charles Schwab & Co.’s employees in supporting First Tee of Fort Worth/Dallas. Their support and volunteerism underscored the success of our 2019 Charles Schwab Challenge Youth Festival hosted by First Tee of Fort Worth in partnership with Colonial Country Club, Charles Schwab & Co. and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County,” said First Tee of Fort Worth Executive Director Kevin Long. “Together, we welcomed hundreds of area children for an unforgettable day of golf and financial wellness education.” Since 2003, First Tee has provided more than $10.6 million in scholarships to help fund participants’ education. First Tee is expending the program as a way to help more young people pursue their dreams through higher education. ### About First Tee First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its beginning in 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach millions of young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations. Its headquarters are in St. Augustine, Florida, USA, with programs in all 50 United States and select international locations. About the Charles Schwab Challenge As the Official Investment Firm of the PGA TOUR® and PGA TOUR Champions since 1997, Charles Schwab expanded its golf presence by assuming title sponsorship of the PGA TOUR’s annual tournament at Colonial Country Club beginning in 2019. The four-year agreement will run through 2022. The Charles Schwab Challenge is one of the country’s premier and longest-running PGA TOUR events, serving as a showcase for the game’s best players. The Wall of Champions at Colonial Country Club is populated by many of the game’s greatest names, with Fort Worth native and Colonial member Ben Hogan chief among them as the tournament’s only five-time champion. About Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Contact Sara Henika, First Tee (904) 940-4341, [email protected]Will Promote Digital Golf Instruction To Kids, Amateurs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 23, 2017) – Secret Golf Inc., one of golf’s fastest-growing digital media instruction companies, today announced a partnership with the Houston Golf Association (HGA) on a significant youth initiative in the nation’s fourth-largest city. Secret Golf will provide an annual membership to its leading online instructional golf platform to HGA Junior Golf and The First Tee of Greater Houston members as well as the participants in the Houston Golf Association’s two amateur championships — the Greater Houston Men’s City Amateur and the Greater Houston Men’s Senior City Amateur. This joint effort between Secret Golf and the HGA will reach thousands of youth and amateur golfers annually throughout the Greater Houston region and beyond. “As most people know, Houston is home to me and I’m so glad we can partner with the Houston Golf Association on this project. Kids need to get the right message as soon as possible and there’s no better way than learning from TOUR professionals and the Secret Golf platform,” co-founder Steve Elkington said. “All of our players grew up supporting a junior golf program somewhere. This is special for me because when I was young growing up in Australia, I had to take a train for 20 hours from Wagga Wagga to Sydney to spend a weekend learning from the great teacher Alex Mercer. Now, everything is digital and I’m glad we can the ability to reach so many kids and amateurs in our area.” “Partnering with Secret Golf to offer golf instruction is of great benefit to our programs as we aspire to grow the game of golf and make it accessible for all,” said Steve Timms, president and CEO Houston Golf Association. “I know our HGA Junior Golf and The First Tee participants, as well as amateurs, will be excited to learn from TOUR professionals and some of golf’s greats.” The initial program will be for 2018 and will offer access to Secret Golf’s instructional curriculum and exclusive library of video content from PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players. Registration information will be available on both secretgolf.com and HGA.org. About Secret Golf Secret Golf is one of the world’s fastest-growing digital golf media companies and is the industry leader in golf instruction by Tour professionals. Secret Golf is the first company of its kind, owned by Tour professionals who passionately believe in sharing deep insights into the game of golf. Secret Golf is the first to have personalized online video instruction from Tour professionals who play or have played the game at the highest level and features a multi-platform online media distribution strategy — social, smart TV, web, mobile and partner content syndication. In addition to Steve Elkington, Secret Golf’s growing team from the PGA Tour/Web.com Tour includes World Golf Hall of Fame member Jackie Burke, PGA Champion Jason Dufner, Bronson Burgoon, Jason Gore, Brian Harman, Patton Kizzire, Colt Knost, Jason Kokrak, Lee McCoy, Ryan Palmer, Pat Perez, Martin Piller, Chris Stroud and Ethan Tracy. Team Secret Golf’s LPGA staff features, two-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year Stacy Lewis, U.S. Open winner Brittany Lang, Gaby Lopez and Gerina Piller. Former Tour player turned instructor Bradley Hughes of Australia rounds out the group of professionals. For more information about Secret Golf, please visit www.secretgolf.com and join us on Facebook: SecretGolf, Instagram: Secret Golf and on Twitter: @SecretGolf About Houston Golf Association Houston Golf Association (HGA) and its member volunteers make a difference for Houston communities and their youth through golf, outreach programs, events and fundraising. Founded in 1946, HGA is a not-for-profit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization and host organization to the Houston Open. Houston Golf Association operates The First Tee of Greater Houston reaching 350,000 youth annually and HGA Junior Golf hosts amateur golf events and works with the City of Houston to restore municipal golf courses and amenities. For more information go to www.hga.org.Media Contacts:
Phil Stambaugh Director of Communications Secret Golf, Inc. [email protected] 904-610-9261 Amanda Hansen VP of Marketing/Communications Houston Golf Association [email protected] 281-454-7000THE FIRST TEE® OF GREATER HOUSTON RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND IMPACT ON LOCAL YOUTH
Houston Golf Association fuels program’s growth and impact for the City of Houston
HOUSTON (November 14, 2017) – The First Tee of Greater Houston, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach children core values, wellness and life skills through the game of golf, was recognized with several prestigious awards at the annual meeting of The First Tee Network. The local chapter took home the following national awards:
The setting sun, the crashing waves, and then — there was me. Standing amongst other The First Tee participants as we cheered on the final groups walking up to the gorgeous 18th green of the renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links. We were bonded by the unforgettable week we had just experienced.
The week started with my heart pumping with anticipation as we drove by the majestic ocean and through the Del Monte Forest to Poppy Hills, where PURE Insurance Championship’s first event, the Welcome Party and Concert, was held. Our own personalized flags and golf bags greeted us on the putting green, and from there, we anxiously waited for the unveiling of our partner’s names. After what seemed like eternity because we were all shivering from the cold ocean breeze, we finally got to see the names on our bag tags. I felt a frisson of excitement because engraved next to my name was “Mark O’Meara.”
The rest of the night, and the nights after, went by in a blur. From glow-in-the-dark putting and making friends with so many wonderful First Tee players from around the nation to eating awesome food at Player Hospitality and experiencing what it felt like to be a pro, every moment I will cherish forever.
Tournament rounds swept in so quickly that we barely had time to fully grasp our dream-turned reality. The night before, at the Legends and Leaders Event, we met and talked to actual legends. Striking up a conversation with golf icon Tom Watson and hearing Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talk about my favorite core value, perseverance, were definitely the highlights of that event. And just moments ago, I had warmed up alongside my pro, Mark, and met my playing partners Jim Carey and Ray Celedinas, both successful businessmen. I still couldn’t believe I was playing with such influential people!
Bringing me back to the present, the tournament official’s booming voice announced my name. I tensely stepped onto the first tee of Poppy Hills and forcefully flashed a smile in an attempt to calm my nervousness. Even though I completely pulled my first tee shot (which hit a tree on the left), Mark encouraged me to remain positive. I had a similar start at the second tournament round at Pebble Beach. However, I persevered through the initial struggles; both days ended up being a blast. The second day, I played with the amateur team: executive Frank Hervdejs and Houston Astros President Jim Crane. The rounds were filled with laughs, and I learned a lot from Mark and the amateurs I played with. Throughout the tournament, Mark and his awesome caddie helped me with aiming, reading greens, and yardages. One advice from Mark that continues to stand out to me was to have confidence on every shot no matter the ball’s lie or the number of shots it took you to get there. With a gorgeous view as my backdrop, I hit golf shots that I will remember for a lifetime. My personal favorite was the chip in on the par 4 15th hole at Pebble Beach.
The gradually setting sun and Bernhard Langer’s winning putt (followed by our cheers) marked the final moments of the closing day. A group selfie and countless more pictures with one another on the 18th green captured our last hurrah for the PURE Insurance Championship. In the end, I was not ready to say goodbye, but I knew I was equipped — with the lessons and experiences I gained from this past week — to embrace any challenge that I may face as I ‘returned to reality.’ I am truly grateful for The First Tee organization and everyone who helped make this event happen, and blessed to have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience this incredible week representing the Greater Houston chapter at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee.
| David Shindeldecker Campus Brian Ladet [email protected] 281-459-8715 | BlackHorse | PGA Super Store Betsy Harris [email protected] 281-459-8738 |
| F.M. Law Park | Gus Wortham | Sharpstown Patrick Kisomanga [email protected] 281-459-8718 | Battleground | Beacon Lakes | Quail Valley Gail Robinson [email protected] 281-459-8717 |
LOCAL TEEN SELECTED TO COMPETE AT NATIONALLY TELEVISED PRO-JUNIOR EVENT,
PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP AT PEBBLE BEACH
Bellaire Junior and The First Tee of Greater Houston Participant, Eunice Bao, joins the 2017 field
HUMBLE, TX (July 7, 2017) – Golf Channel and The First Tee announced the names of the 81 junior players competing in this year’s Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, Sept. 22-24. Eunice Bao, a ten-year participant of The First Tee of Greater Houston, is joining a field of junior golfers from across the country.
Internationally televised on the Golf Channel, the newly-named Pure Insurance Championship, now in its 14th year, will continue to bring together the legends of the game alongside top juniors from The First Tee. The tournament is an official PGA TOUR Champions event, the first of its kind, in which junior golfers from The First Tee play alongside PGA TOUR Champions players as well as amateurs. They compete for the pro-junior title at the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course.
Eunice Bao is 15 and an incoming junior at Bellaire High School. Her family moved to the Houston area from China in 2007. Soon after, Eunice and her sister, Ariel, joined The First Tee local chapter and attended classes at F.M. Law Park. Eunice is her American name; her birth name is Yuliang Bao.
“It is so exciting for Eunice to receive this recognition and have the opportunity to play at Pebble Beach with some of the legends of the game,” said Doug Earle, executive director, The First Tee of Greater Houston. “Her coaches at F.M. Law Park are proud of how hard she has worked to reach her goals and have enjoyed seeing her grow in the sport.”
Houston Golf Association holds the charter for The First Tee of Greater Houston, which is one of 165 chapters around the country. Serving the Houston community since 2004, more than a million local youth have been impacted through chapter programs. The golf-based programs are delivered through elementary schools, nine green grass facilities and other youth organizations like the YMCA. The curriculum is focused on helping participants build character through The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.
To request an interview or photos of Eunice Bao, please contact Amanda Hansen at [email protected] or 281-459-8702.
About The First Tee of Greater Houston
The First Tee of Greater Houston has been operating under the Houston Golf Association since 2004. The Houston chapter has expanded its reach into 461 area elementary schools and nine green grass facilities. More than 300,000 Houston-area youth benefit annually from the organization’s learning facilities and educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Visit www.firstteegreaterhouston.org for more information. 