The First Tee National Par-3 Championship 2016 Winners

 

Madalyn Ardueser from The First Tee of Greater Portland Wins Girls Division and Presley

Mackelberg from The First Tee of Northern Nevada Wins Boys Division of The First Tee’s

National Par-3 Championship 

 

Richmond, VA (June 25, 2016) – Madalyn Ardueser representing The First Tee of Greater Portland and Presley Mackelberg representing The First Tee of Northern Nevada clinched The First Tee’s National Par-3 Championship title today for their respective divisions. The First Tee National Par-3 Championship is a unique event that gathers 32 junior golfers from around the country to participate in a 36-hole individual stroke play competition at an exclusive Par-3 course. The tournament took place this weekend at The Kanawha Club in Mankin-Sabot, Virginia.  Ardueser and Mackelberg both finished +8 over 36-holes. The girls division runner up, Alice Duan +11 (T2), The First Tee of Northern Nevada, faced Mariana Ocano +11 (T2), The First Tee of St. Petersburg, in a play-off for the runnerup trophy. Duan came out on top after two holes of battle. Steven Schnobrich +9, The First Tee of New Hampshire, finished runner-up in the boys division. “[Today] the pin locations were easier and the greens rolled about the same so it made easier to putt,” Ardueser reflects. “It means a lot to win this tournament.t I came from the other side of country, all the way Oregon, and I came to represent my chapter and The First Tee program overall. It was a great test of perseverance and I think anyone who is thinking of considering coming to an event like this should go for it because it teaches you a lot about yourself.” Ardueser is attending Eastern Washington University on golf scholarship in the fall. “I thought the pin locations were a little more scoreable and the greens were slower greens from rain over night,” Mackelberg noted. “It means a lot [to win this tournament] because I can go back to my chapter and tell them about my experience. I hope to inspire others to come here and have fun, too. I always say that people should enjoy the courses you’re playing and the people you’re playing with.” Mackelberg is a rising junior in high school and has goals to play college golf. Full Scores:      

About The First Tee National Par-3 Championship

The First Tee’s National Par–3 Championship is a national opportunity for network participants. To qualify, youth ages 14-17 must go through a thorough application process; girls must have a handicap of 10 or better and boys must have a handicap of 8 or better to be accepted into the event. The playing field is made up of 16 boys and 16 girls representing 26 chapters of The First Tee from 16 different states. Because this is a national opportunity produced by The First Tee, Life Skills and healthy habits are incorporated into daily activities—the overall theme being “the responsibilities of leadership.” On Friday, June 24^th, the participants will compete in an individual stroke play competition on an exclusive Par-3 course, The Kanawha Club in Manakin-Sabot, VA. One boy and one girl will be named The First Tee National Par-3 Champion after 36 total holes of individual stroke play, Saturday, June 25^th.  The University of Richmond will house participants from Wednesday through Sunday.  

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youthserving locations. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to nine million young people in all 50 United States and select international locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair. In 2015, The First Tee of Greater Richmond reached over 22,000 youth through The First Tee Life Skills Experience, collaborative community partnerships, and The First Tee National School Program. At three programming locations, the Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, The Chesterfield Golf Course, and Independence Golf Club, the chapter provides spring, summer, and fall programs, as well as summer camps and a spring break camp. During programs and camps, head coaches and volunteer coaches positively develop young people with a supportive environment.

Media Contacts

Madison Rogers Director of Marketing & Special Events, The First Tee of Greater Richmond [email protected] 804-357-8125   Brent Schneider Executive Director, The First Tee of Greater Richmond [email protected]  804-349-3364