East Brunswick Teen Represents Local First Tee At Pebble Beach
The First Tee of Raritan Valley has sent Sayaka Carpenter of East Brunswick to compete in the 2015 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour event that will be held this werkend, September 25-27, and televised internationally on Golf Channel.
Carpenter will join 80 other participants from The First Tee chapters for the event, which is in its 12th year.
“At Nature Valley we have great admiration for the mission of The First Tee. The program has such a meaningful impact in the lives of young people by strengthening important values like responsibility, judgement and perseverance. The opportunity for these teenagers to be selected as a part of The First Tee has the power to transform lives,” said Carla Vernón at General Mills.
“The teenagers selected to play in the Nature Valley First Tee Open, including Sayaka, have worked hard to prepare for this opportunity, and we are immensely proud to welcome them to this year’s tournament.”
Sayaka was selected by a national panel of judges who evaluated playing ability and comprehension of the life skills and character education learned through their involvement with The First Tee.
Champions Tour players committed to play include last year's Nature Valley First Tee Open winner John Cook, Charles Schwab Cup contender and World Golf Hall of Fame member Colin Montgomerie, as well as twotime U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen. Janzen claimed the pro-junior competition last year when his junior partner, Christopher Meyers from The First Tee of Tucson, holed a 4-iron from the fairway for a finalhole albatross to secure the title.
Carpenter, 17, is a junior at East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick, NJ. Active at her chapter for 6 years, she is an ACE level student and regularly volunteers to help coach the younger kids. She plays cello in her school orchestra and writes for her school newspaper. She is also a volunteer for Care Club which helps middle schools students with homework or anything they are struggling with in life.
Carpenter and the other juniors will be teamed with 81 Champions Tour players and 162 amateurs as they compete for the pro-junior title at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course. Play will be conducted on these courses on Friday and Saturday, and the final round will be played on Pebble Beach Sunday.
“Words cannot describe how honored I am to represent my chapter in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach,” commented Carpenter. “Playing alongside Champions Tour players and playing on one of the world's most famous courses is a dream come true. I am looking forward to meeting all the other First Tee Participants from all over the nation. Even now, I know that sharing this experience with the other students whose lives have been impacted by The First Tee as I have, will be one that will last a lifetime. “
The First Tee of Raritan Valley is one of 175 chapters around the country and in select international locations. Serving the
Central New Jersey community since 2004, more than 52,000 young people have been impacted through chapter programs and
The First Tee National School Program, which is in 104 elementary schools. The golfbased programs are focused on building character through The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.
"Sayaka is a wonderful young lady, that has been an absolute pleasure to coach, and has worked extremely hard for this amazing opportunity,” said Michael Blackwell, Executive Director of The First Tee of Raritan Valley.
