Finding out I was able to apply for the 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open, I jumped on it immediately.  Being a returning participant, I knew what to expect for what most would call, “a once in a lifetime experience.” Playing at two of the top courses in California, making new friends, learning how to interact with professional golfers, and upholding your composure were all top priorities on my list as I got my mind set for this tournament.

Getting ready for my practice round at Pebble, I realized that I’m one of 78 amazing junior golfer’s, each different in our own unique way. This would be a life changing event for all of us. I think even the professionals get a new prospective on golf and the way The First Tee is teaching young golfers to face the world with a new outlook by using the Nine Core Values and Life Skills. 

As the tournament started, I was paired up with Gary Hallberg. The best trait about him? Even on a bad shot or hole, he would cut up and laugh it off. He never let it bother him that we were a few shots back out of the lead. I learned that week, even if something in my golf game isn’t working out very well that I can still make the best of it and insure that my playing partners are enjoying the round.

Even though we missed the cut by three shots, I still wouldn’t change my experience for the world. I couldn’t have picked a better professional or amateurs to play with, each of them have touched my heart and I can never forget them. This life changing experience has made me grow closer to my “First Tee family”.  I have been truly blessed to have had the opportunities from The First Tee.

During my practice round at Pebble Beach, I had a very magical surprise.  I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and play golf with an outstanding Athlete and outstanding person, Lindsey Vonn.

I not only admire her for her awards, but even more so as a person. Lindsey Vonn was so gracious to everyone in our foursome and supportive of me as a young athlete. I was even more impressed that she played golf with such a positive attitude.

Lindsey Vonn speaks on "confidence" one of The First Tee Nine Core Values during the Legends & Leaders dinner.

She hit some great shots at Pebble!  She was so positive and seemed to enjoy the people, and the day.  After her golf, she presented an awesome speech at the Legends Dinner where she spoke of “confidence.”

It was a very motivating speech to all of us. What I loved the most, was finding out how real and caring she is to all of us young people.  She is a wonderful role model.

I thank Nature Valley for taking the time to coordinate her visit during the First Tee Open. Lindsey Vonn is a perfect example of a phenomenal athlete with true character. Thank you Lindsey Vonn and thank you Nature Valley!

When you ask a junior who has been to the Nature Valley First Tee Open what to expect, the answer you will hear is, “The best week of your life!” This week was more than a golf tournament, more than a learning experience, even more than a perfect event. For myself, it was an eye-opening, life-changing week, mostly because of my good fortune of having Peter Jacobsen as my professional partner.

When I told people who I was paired with the universal response was how much fun we would have and what a nice person he was. Their premonition was spot-on, even though he had reason to not be so gracious. This week he was fighting the flu, and during our first round it was apparent that he was still on his way to recovering. Despite being sick, Mr. Jacobsen was cracking jokes the moment we stepped on the first tee box and continued throughout the round. He also displayed a perfect example of the core value courtesy when he thanked all of the marshals and volunteers he came in contact with for taking time off from their lives to help make the event run so smoothly. This simple action taught me a lesson that will last a lifetime.

Stephanie with Champions Tour partner, Peter Jacobsen

Our second round was at Pebble Beach, which alone is not an easy course, but with Mr. Jacobsen feeling so sick it was particularly difficult. Our score at the end of the day was not what either of us had in mind when we arrived at the course that morning, but I can guarantee we had just as much, if not more, fun than we would have if we had shot a low number. Mr. Jacobsen could have withdrawn from the tournament before it even started but he persevered through Friday and Saturday and provided me with lessons and memories that I will never forget!

Contributing Blogger:

The 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open was the best experience I have ever had.  While I was driving to the tournament, I was sitting in the car thinking about how the tournament was going to play out and if it was going to be everything that I expected.

After the week at Pebble Beach, I am happy to say that the tournament surpassed all the stories I had heard and exceeded my expectations. From the very first night at the Pairings Party to shaking my competitors hands after the final round at Pebble Beach everything was just spectacular.

Every moment spent during the week of the tournament was something never to forget.  One of my many unforgettable moments was sitting down at the pairings party just waiting for my name to be called to see who I was playing with and surprisingly I felt more nervous sitting there waiting, then teeing off in the second to last pairing on Sunday at Pebble Beach. Minute after minute I grew more and more eager to hear my name, but it never came. I was starting to wonder if my name was even going to be called, but the fourth to final name was mine.

As I stood up I felt a shock wave go through me, and I thought to myself, “WOW! I’m really here!” Then my pro was announced and it was Brad Bryant.  At that moment I felt the pure joy and excitement of finally realizing that I get to play golf with a Champions Tour Professional on national television. 

Following the party was the start of the most amazing week I have ever experienced. The golf was memorable, having the chance to play along with Mr. Bryant all weekend and with a couple of amazing amateurs. My goal for the week was just to make the cut and play on Sunday at Pebble.

Brandon with (left to right) Jeff Sluman, 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open Champion; Jon Nudi, VP Snack Division at General Mills, Cassie Cathrea, 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open Junior Champion, Austin Landis, third place junior, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. CEO of The First Tee

However, following play on Saturday I found Brad and I in 2nd place and teeing off in the second to last group on Sunday. Sunday at Pebble was a great experience. We had the Golf Chanel following us the whole round and had our own cheering section.  I felt like a PGA professional! During the tournament I learned much more about proper etiquette and how to handle pressure with help from Mr. Bryant and the amateurs.

It was great experience to be a part of a professional tournament. The Nature Valley First Tee Open is something everyone should strive towards. THANKS NATURE VALLEY!

Contributing Blogger:  Austin Landis, participant, The First Tee of the Children’s Course

At the start of the week winning the golf tournament wasn’t even registered in my brain, being a second time player of this event I knew how hard it is to make the cut and that was my only goal! Playing with a fellow Oregonian Bob Gilder I knew a couple of good ol’ boys like us could easily make the cut we just had to ham and egg it with the best of them!

Shooting 66 the first two rounds landed us at 12 under and T-7th! I knew it would be really hard to catch the lead so I just wanted to go out there and enjoy my last round at pebble beach in this tournament and take it all in! Missing a 4 foot birdie putt on the very first hole left me with a sour taste in my mouth that would quickly be removed with birdies on 6,7, and the 8th holes! With my partner birdying 9 we were only 6 shots back of the lead!

I hit a wedge shot to about two feet on the tough 11th hole and we moved to 18 under par! My partner and I went through a cold spell as we both pared about 5 consecutive holes missing out on many opportunities to make birdies the beautiful 17th comes atlast! With my pro hitting his ball in the hazard left I needed to hit a good shot! I pulled 6 iron and my pro told me to hit 5 so I listened! I might of hit the best 5 iron of my life right at the pin and it flew over the green! We both make bogey and then the 18th hole it is! I hit a drive right in between the two trees in the center of the fairway and find myself blocked by the second! I hit a cut driver off the deck over the ocean and back to the fairway! Hit my short shot on the green and sunk a birdie putt that I will never forget! Tears coming to my eyes and cheers all around I walked off feeling like a winner.

Fifty-six junior participants at the 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open played in the Core Values Cup today at Del Monte Golf Course.

Today was the second round of The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.  It was an amazing experience and one of the best days of my life.  I started the day off by waking up at 8:30 because of my late tee time at 12:33.  When I woke up I got ready for the day and walked out of the hotel and ate breakfast by the beach.   Next I went to the driving range to warm up and try to fix my troubles from yesterday.  I was hitting the ball great and was very excited to start the round.  My caddy, Carlos, who is a local volunteer, met me at the range and I practiced my pitch and chip shots.   After this we went to the practice green at Pebble Beach, where I worked on my stroke next to some of the greatest players in golf. 

I went to the hospitality room to get some lunch where I met some amateurs and talked to them about the amazing views of Pebble Beach.   I practiced putting for a few more minutes then headed off to the tenth tee.  When I watched the groups in front of me go out I began to realize how amazing this experience was.  Standing at the tee looking out at the beach and the ocean is a sight I will remember for the rest of my life.  My round started off well and my pro and I shared stories and talked about our favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.  I am so lucky to have been paired with Mike Reid, who is one of the nicest people I have ever met.  He taught me so much in the past couple days such as how to conduct myself in a tournament round of golf and how to read these Pebble Beach greens.   Finishing my round with a few great holes and watching Mr. Reid make an eagle on #6 was something I will never forget.

The past two days have been unbelievable and I am so grateful that I got a chance to play in this extraordinary tournament.  I want to thank Nature Valley for being the title sponsor of this event and making it possible for the juniors to play.  I am also thankful for the amateurs who played and Pebble Beach for allowing us to play the course.  Without their support I could have never had this life changing opportunity.  This trip has been a dream come true and I am so grateful that I got to play.

This tournament had been awesome! I cannot even explain this tournament in words. It is a very unique tournament, which is the reason it has to be my favorite. Playing at Pebble Beach does not hurt the cause though. It is so breath taking to be able to play this nice of a course.

My professional that I was paired up with was Ronnie Black. He was a very nice man who took the time to make me feel like I belonged. I really am glad I got paired up with him, even though we might not have made the cut.

Playing these two courses was amazing. I could have never dreamed of being able to play on courses this nice and being able to play with some of my professional idols. This experience was unbelievable. I want to thank everyone who helped put this tournament on.

Junior participants were joined by friends and family at the California Dreamin’ Beach party held after the first round of the 2011 Nature Valley First Tee Open.

Contributing Blogger: Megan Conder, participant, The First Tee of Contra Costa

Wow! I just experienced a real “California Beach Party” provided for all of us juniors by  Nature Valley!   It was a night to remember!
 
When I walked into the California Dreamin’ party at the Boathouse on the beach I immediately  could feel the energy! There were games of pool, skeeball and ping-pong to play while everyone arrived.

After everyone arrived, all the juniors were taken out to gather around firepits on the beautiful  Monterey Beach. It was so great to see everyone excited and smiling!  We soon were lined up for a fun waterballoon tossing contest along the beach.  After we watched the winning team finish the contest, we took a wonderful group shot of all of us together on the beach, that will be a very cool photo!  As soon as the picture was taken,  we lined up to enjoy the BBQ chicken dinner that was great!

After dinner, some of us  joined in for a Hula Hoop contest along with a great Limbo dance contest.  But the Beach party would not be complete without us making ‘smores.  We were treated with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers…the perfect  beach party treat. It was great to just sit back and relax around the fire pits with so many of my friends.

Looking around, I felt so lucky to be there and knew that I had friends and memories that I would have forever.

I really appreciate Nature Valley and The First Tee for making  such a special night for all of us.

A night of memories and friends that I will have for a lifetime. Thank you to The First Tee and thank you Nature Valley.