“Representing the Seattle Chapter, Kylie McGrath!” 

Even after warming up, the feeling of excitement mixed with pre-match nerves was coursing through her veins. Stepping up to the teeing ground, her heart racing, junior Kylie McGrath was approaching the tee at Pebble Beach, the number one golf course in the United States. Hours later, Kylie would finish the biggest tournament in her life thus far.

Pebble Beach is the home of many golf tournaments, such as the PURE Insurance Championship, and is located near the Monterey Peninsula in California. The PURE Insurance Championship allows First Tee junior golfers to team with professional golfers while competing against each other. Applying to the PURE Insurance Championship is a lengthy process that includes an endorsement from coaches and advisors, letters of recommendation, and a chapter participation survey about the First Tee junior golfer. On average, 150 applications are submitted and less than half are chosen to play. 

“Playing at Pebble Beach is nothing until you actually get there and play on the course. It’s tough, but it’s a really good experience to be there. Surreal is the perfect word to describe it,” McGrath said.

In late September, McGrath returned from a golf tournament in Pebble Beach, California. She was paired with Professional Golfers’ Association Tour Champion Dicky Pride and played in the PURE Insurance Championship.

“One junior player is paired with one professional. The two are working together to get the lowest score possible. It was a really good format for us to learn more about the pro and ourselves,” McGrath said.

In total, there were 78 junior golfers partnered with golf professionals such as Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Mark O’Meara, and Steven Alker. 

“It’s just a blessing to be a part of this and to play with any of the guys because playing with them is so insightful,” McGrath said. “I want to get better, so I have to look at people who are better than me and adopt some habits or skills that they have.”

Kylie has played golf for over ten years after her dad saw potential and enrolled her in lessons. She found a passion for the sport and continued practicing since.

“To be a contender in the sport, it is all about being consistent, and putting the time in the practice that you need to get better,” McGrath said.