South Bend, Indiana and Naples, Florida – (June 24, 2022) – Ty Kaufman of First Tee – Naples/Collier will compete next week in the First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, June 27 – July 1. The 54-hole event brings together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.
The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Ty Kaufman graduated from Palmetto Ridge High School this spring. He was the recipient of one the First Tee – Naples/Collier Scholarships and is attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the Fall. He will be working in the PGM (Professional Golf Management) program at FGCU. Ty has been part of the First Tee – Naples/Collier for more than 3 years as a participant and junior coach. Ty is competing in the 105th Florida State Amateur Championship at The Bear’s Club & Lost Tree Club in Jupiter FL prior to traveling to South Bend.
“Congratulations to each of the participants in the field,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We look forward to hosting them at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, a tremendous venue that provides our participants the opportunity to explore what their future may look like as they consider college and potential plans to pursue competitive golf beyond high school. A special thanks to our long-time Trustee Fred Tattersall for his commitment to our mission and for providing meaningful national opportunities like the First Tee National Championship.”
The winners of each girls’ and boys’ divisions will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 20-25, 2022.
Kaufman will compete against top players from across the country. Four players in the field are ranked on the American Junior Golf Association and Junior Golf Scoreboard Top 250.
During the week, participants will have the opportunity to hear from PGA Head Golf Professional Steve Scott on what it means to be a game-changer and how his values intersected with his experience of finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship.
First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.