Palm Desert teen ties for second at Pebble Beach event
Pebble Beach, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2016) – Justin Potwora from The First Tee of Greater Portland and PGA TOUR Champions professional Bernhard Langer clinched the Pro-Junior title today at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee finishing 21 under.
Langer, a World Golf Hall of Fame member, cruised to a three-shot victory in the pro competition making it his fifth victory of the year and the 34th of his PGA TOUR Champions career.
The PURE Insurance Championship is a unique Champions Tour event that pairs junior golfers with professionals. Eighty-two juniors and pros were in the field for the tournament played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course this weekend. Potwora, from Eugene, OR, was one of 23 junior golfers who made the cut to play the third and final round today at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Dana Condon from The First Tee of Coachella Valley with pro partner Jerry Kelly and Evan Griffith from The First Tee of Fort Smith with pro partner Olin Browne finished 19 under to tie for second.
“It’s great to be out with these kids and teach them a couple things and just be with them, and it’s the future of our country, it’s the future, next generation.” said Langer.
“It [the experience] was almost unexplainable. It was perfect every second,” said Potwora. “You know getting out here to play the most beautiful courses in the world, to play it with some of the best golfers in the world, like Langer, and be surrounded by quality people who all have the same nine core values as me, was something really special.”
A 17-year-old senior at Marist High School, Potwora has been involved with The First Tee of Greater Portland for more than 5 years. He volunteers his time as a junior coach at the chapter and at the Egan Warming Centers for the homeless. His future goals include attending college with a focus in business or law. This past July, Potwora was surprised on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive with the news of his selection from recent NCAA star Wyndham Clark.
Langer had never won at the iconic seaside venue on the Monterey Peninsula. It was also his first win since turning 60 last month. He earned $300,000 to push his season earnings to near $3 million and extend his lead over Scott McCarron on the Charles Schwab Cup money list as he seeks his ninth money title in 10 seasons.
The First Tee of Greater Portland is one of 155 chapters across The First Tee network and reaches more than 16,000 youth annually. They offer programs at area golf facilities, at schools through The First Tee National School Program, and at youth centers through The First Tee DRIVE.
To learn more, visit www.PUREInsuranceChampionship.com , thefirsttee.org and www.thefirstteegreaterportland.org .
About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.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 youth-serving locations.
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has grown its network to deliver programs in all 50 United States. In 2016, The First Tee brought character education through the game of golf to more than 5.3 million young people. 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.
