LIFE’S LESSONS IN 9 HOLES BY LAURA NIX The First Tee of Central Arkansas is sending Grayson Martin and Josie Roberson to compete in the 2016 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official PGA TOUR Champions event that will be held September 13-18 and televised internationally on the Golf Channel. Martin and Roberson will join 79 other participants from The First Tee chapters for the event, which is in its 13th 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 Grayson and Josie, have worked hard to prepare for this opportunity, and we are immensely proud to welcome them to this year’s tournament.” Martin and Roberson were 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. “The First Tee of Central Arkansas is ecstatic to send two well deserving participants to represent our chapter in this prestigious event. Not only will they continue to grow as studentathletes, but also learn valuable life lessons,” said Laura Nix, Executive Director. The juniors will be teamed with 81 PGA TOUR Champions players and 162 amateurs
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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. Players committed to compete include two-time major championship winner John Daly, World Golf Hall of Fame member and 28-time PGA TOUR Champions winner Bernhard Langer, and defending champion Esteban Toledo. The First Tee of Central Arkansas is one of 165 chapters around the country and in select international locations. Serving the Central Arkansas area since 2001, more than 20,000 young people have been impacted through chapter programs and The First Tee National School Program, which is in eight local elementary & middle schools. The golf-based programs are focused on building character through The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. For more information on the 2016 Nature Valley First Tee Open, visit www.thefirstteeopen.com ,visit www.thefirstteear.org or call 501.562.4653.
ON THE COURSE Monica Blake, Program Director, sat down with Grayson Martin and his father, Brad Martin, to discuss what The First Tee of Central Arkansas means to them. • How long have you been playing golf? Grayson: Fourteen years; Brad: FortyThree years • What is your favorite thing about golf? Grayson: If you play bad, it can only be one person’s fault; Brad: The challenge and diversity of the game • Who is your favorite golfer? Grayson: Tiger Woods; Brad: Jack Nicklaus • Which of the 9 Core Values do you feel is most important? Grayson: Responsibility; Brad: Perseverance • How do you demonstrate Responsibility and Perseverance in your everyday life? Grayson: I have responsibility around the house and school work. I also have a responsibility to practice golf so that I can support my team.; Brad: I have played at the highest levels of golf and perseverance has helped me to overcome everyday life challenges. • What is your favorite movie? Grayson: 7 Days In Utopia; Brad: Caddie Shack