FARMINGTON – Matt Ahlgrim, a recent graduate from Piedra Vista High School and a member of the First Tee Four Corners program, will compete this week in the First Tee National Championship at Stanford University Golf Course, which runs through July 6.
The 54-hole event brings together some of the nation’s elite golfers from First Tee programs across the country 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. Alhgrim, who has been a part of the First Tee program for nearly a decade, is a 2023 Piedra Vista High School graduate who plans to attend New Mexico Junior College in the fall where he will study business and play golf for the Thunderbirds.
“(Ahlgrim) exemplifies the Nine Core values we teach here at First Tee, both on and off the course, and we are thrilled that he has earned this opportunity,” said Tina Pacheco-White, Executive Director of First Tee Four Corners.
This year’s tournament brings with it an exciting new opportunity. Two boys and two girls will be awarded spots in the PGA TOUR’s new Pathways to Progression program, a new player development program that aims to achieve greater diversity in golf through an increased focus on developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.
Additionally, the winner of each division will be awarded 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, scheduled for Sept. 16.
Ahlgrim will compete against top players from across the country. Seven players in the field are ranked on the American Junior Golf Association or Junior Golf Scoreboard Top 250, including Megan Meng, from First Tee – Trenton, who won last year’s PURE Insurance Championship.
During the week, participants will hear from a panel of coaches with advice on how to advance their game and navigate the collegiate recruiting process.
“First Tee has helped me persevere through hard times when nothing is going my way. I’ve learned how to stay mentally strong,” Matt Ahlgrim said.
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.
For a list of the selected participants in the National Championship event, check out the link at firsttee.org.
First Tee – Four Corners is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee – Four Corners reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at the six program locations, 21 schools and 4 youth centers across the four corners region. Learn more by visiting their website at firstteefourcorners.org.
