First Tee Eastern Michigan kid to play in PGA Tour Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach

By Jason Manshum

Ask any golfer to name their bucket list courses. 

Most likely, Pebble Beach Golf Links is on that list. 

Now imagine putting the peg in the ground on its first hole, with hundreds of patrons surrounding the tee and lining the fairway. Camera crews are broadcasting your round to millions more around the world on Golf Channel. Finally, imagine all this while be paired with the likes of Ernie Els, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, Davis Love III, or Jim Furyk. 

Sound too good to be true? Not for junior golfer Lucas Power, a six-year First Tee Eastern Michigan participate. On September 19-24, Power will be one of 80 teens from First Tee chapters around the country to play in the PGA TOUR Champions’ 2023 PURE Insurance Championship.

To be selected, junior golfers are measured on their playing ability as well as their personal growth and life skills learned through First Tee’s programs. 

“Lucas serves as an excellent example of how First Tee is for all participants, regardless of their background or skill level,” said Diane Wojciechowski, Executive Director, First Tee Eastern Michigan. “He has worked extremely hard on his game and on the First Tee life skills that help kids build their own strength of character through the game of golf.”

A senior at Kearsley High School, Power is a member of the boys’ varsity golf team and plays Flint Junior Golf in the summer, placing first in the 18-hole Boys First Flight Division in 2022. He was named Most Improved Player that year. 

“Because of First Tee, I have become a better person on and off the golf course,” Power explains. “The core values and life skills I have learned have helped me face the challenges in my life with a brighter outlook. First Tee has given me the confidence to approach everyday as another opportunity to excel and do everything with a purpose.”

More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play, and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field. Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill on that Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested at Pebble Beach on Sunday, where 24 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament crowns one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.

 “Although I’m still learning, I believe First Tee has improved my attitude for the better,” Power added. “I’m learning to work around the obstacles in my life, whether it’s a bad shot or a bad grade in school and push myself to achieve my goals. I’m very grateful to First Tee and our excellent coaches for looking past my flaws and insecurities and seeing the potential in me these past six years.”

Many Opportunities for Growth

First Tee West Michigan has sent three participants the past two years to the same PURE Insurance Championship, but this summer they sent Bradley Lardie to the Game Changers Academy in Philadelphia – a five-day learning and empowerment academy which provides conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

In addition, the West Michigan Chapter sent participant Maya Fitzgerald to the Participant Advisory Council (PAC) in Florida over the summer. PAC advises First Tee HQ on matters pertinent to all First Tee participants. It is critical for youth to be heard, and the PAC provides an important forum for youth to express themselves, voice their ideas, and provide input for projects or programs that impact the experience of all First Tee participants.

Learn more about the national opportunities First Tee offers to its junior golfers.