Kaleb Lester and Marianne Li Break Ground as Inaugural Participants from The First Tee In a Key International Tournament at World Golf Village
(St. Augustine, FL) — Kaleb Lester lists on his self-authored bio not his best tournament performances as his most memorable on-course experience, but a rules issue that called up The First Tee core value of Honesty. Similarly, Marianne Li lists as her favorite value, Courtesy for the game she says is meant to be played with great respect. Now the two players, Lester from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Li from Seattle, are joining an elite field of international players in the World Junior Golf Series’ American Junior at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL.
“Kaleb and Marianne are great examples of the growing number of exceptionally talented and competitive players coming up through The First Tee network,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive of The First Tee. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for them and I wish them both the best of luck. We appreciate World Junior Golf Series providing the invitation for them to play.”
The American Junior is the final leg of the World Junior Golf Series, a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, whose dual mission is to 1) provide world class tournament experiences for the world’s best players and, 2) recognizing that most of these players will not become professional golfers, provide an educational platform that helps them become better world citizens – perhaps civic leaders, doctors or business people. The 54-hole championship will feature 78 players from more than 20 countries competing to become known as the number one boy and girl in the world. The tournament will be held at the World Golf Village on the Slammer & Squire Course from December 20-22, 2012.
In September, organizers announced that two participants from The First Tee, a nonprofit youth development organization that is a division of the World Golf Foundation, would be invited to play, Lester, a junior at Carrboro High School in Chapel Hill, who currently carries a +2.4 handicap index, represents The First Tee of the Triangle. Li, a scratch golfer and sophomore at Newport High School in Bellevue represents The First Tee of Greater Seattle. Both list music and other sports on their bio as other interests, and both credit The First Tee as giving them their passion for the game. Each player fits in well with the mission of The First Tee and the mission of the World Junior Golf Series: to help young golfers become better people, not just better players.
“We have in the World Golf Foundation and the World Junior Golf Foundation very similar missions,” said Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation and tournament Patron. “Each of our initiatives positively impact people’s lives through the game of golf and its values. I am delighted that the world’s finest junior golfers will be coming to play in the shadow of the World Golf Hall of Fame, where the greatest golfers in the world are honored and celebrated.”
In its fourth year, this is the first year the American Junior is being held at World Golf Village, the venue organizers feel will be its permanent home. Said Susanna Rosswag, President of the World Junior Golf Series, “When you think about this global field and the level of competition, it only makes sense that they should play in the shadow of the World Golf Hall of Fame in a place that represents the entire golf world.” She continued, “Our goal is to create a community of players, volunteers, spectators and sponsors that truly care about junior golf and the values the game instills, and our hope is to permanently play the tournament at World Golf Village.”
The tournament is free to spectators. Tee times will begin at 9:00 AM on the first and tenth tees each day. The official practice round on Wednesday, December 19 is also open to the public. Volunteer spots are also available. Those interested can call the tournament office at 904.540.8608.
Contact:
Mark D. Berman
MediaShare Consulting Group
904.838.4962
