First Tee Sends Bloomfield Teen To Pebble Beach Event

Isabel Gonzalez of Bloomfield is representing The First Tee of Raritan Valley in this weekend’s Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour event that will be televised internationally on Golf Channel beginning on Friday, Sept. 26.

Gonzalez joined 80 other participants from The First Tee chapters for the event, which is in its 11th year.

She is paired with Pro Grant Waite from New Zealand (a newcomer to the Champions Tour as he has just turned 50). Her tee times are Friday at 3:11 p.m. (Eastern) at Pebble Beach and on Saturday at 10:40 a.m. (ET) at Poppy Hills.

Gonzalez, a senior at Bloomfield High School, is joined by Bloomfield golf coach Rob MacNett. The Bloomfield community chipped in to pay for the cost of having MacNett caddie for his student.

“It's a dream come true”, said Gonzalez who also participates in LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark.Isabel thanks mentors and coaches she has had in The First Tee of Raritan Valley, PGA Professional Pete Busch at Galloping Hill, and Beverly Harrison of the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf Program.

“Nature Valley is proud to be associated with this event, and thrilled to see these juniors get the call of a lifetime,” said Joe Ens, vice president of marketing at General Mills. “The First Tee is doing incredible work helping young people learn important life lessons like the Nine Core Values. We look forward to welcoming Isabel and the full junior field at this year’s tournament.”

Gonzalez 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. More than 150 applications were submitted.

Champions Tour players committed to play include two-time Nature Valley First Tee Open winner and defending champion Kirk Triplett, Charles Schwab Cup contenders Jay Haas and Kenny Perry and a number of World Golf Hall of Fame members.

Isabel began playing golf at the age of 8 in the Renaissance Golf Program at Galloping Hill Golf Course. She is currently 17 and an ACE student with The First Tee of Raritan Valley and has been a participant for the past 10 years. Isabel is also a member of the LPGA/ USGA Girls Golf Program at Galloping Hill Golf Course.

“We are very excited to have Isabel selected and representing our chapter on the national level. She is a good student and excellent golfer but an even greater person.” commented Mark McCabe, Program Director.

Gonzalez 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.

The First Tee of Raritan Valley is one of 177 chapters around the country and in select international locations. This year marks the 10th anniversary for The First Tee of Raritan Valley that serves students in six counties of New Jersey. The Learning Center at Galloping Hill Golf Course serves as the home for the chapter that operates at 9 green grass golf facilities and more than 90 elementary schools. The chapter currently has more than 45,000 young people annually engaged in The First Tee National School Program. The programs are focused on building character through The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.

To learn more about The First Tee of Raritan Valley, visit www.thefirstteerv.org. For more information on the 2014 Nature Valley First Tee Open, visit www.thefirstteeopen.com. For more information about The First Tee of Raritan Valley or to request an interview or photos, please contact Mark McCabe at (732) 247-0819 or email mmccabe@thefirstteerv.org.