This Thursday will be a very special day for senior Drew White. White has been recognized as one of the top First Tee golfers in the nation by being selected to play in the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.

The First Tee is a golf program for kids 7-18 years of age that teaches both golf and life skills. It focuses on making kids both better kids and better golfers. White has excelled in this program since he was 10.

He now both participates, coaches, and mentors younger kids in the program and can be seen as a role model for many of them.

“My favorite part about working with these kids is remembering when I was in their shoes. It is cool to see the potential of some of them and know that they might be in my shoes one day. Knowing that I am apart of their First Tee career is a really cool feeling.”

The First Tee Open is a golf tournament at Pebble Beach where 81 junior participants from around the United States were selected to particapte in by a panel of national judges. During the tournament, each junior is paired up with a champions tour player.

There are three tournaments going on at the same time: best ball between each pro and junior, stroke play between the juniors, and stroke play between the pros. The tournament will include a tournament round at Pebble Beach, the next day at Poppy Hills, and for the players who make the cut, the final tournament day at Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach is the world’s number one public golf course and holds a PGA tour event every year. All of golf’s greatest have walked and played this course. White will travel to Monterey, California and play on this historic course all expenses paid thanks to The First Tee and its supporters.

The PGA Tour professional Billy Hurrley III broke the news to Drew at the Quicken Loans National, which he went on to win. This video can be seen on The First Tee, Golf Channel, and Morning Drive websites.

“It was completely unexpected when I turned around to cameras and Hurrley telling me that I would be going to California to be playing in The First Tee Open. It was an unbeleivable experiance especially because my family and coaches were all in the stands to see it happen live.”

White has played 3 years of varsity golf and has led the program for two years as a captain.

Now White is trying to play at the next level, whether that be college or going into professional golf management.

“It has been fun playing a great game with great

people these past few  years, especially my coaches who have supported me the whole way. Coach A, Coach Mac, and coach Jennison, they are the best, couldn’t do it without them.”