Photo courtesy James River golf
Rising James River High School junior Mason Gilliland has been selected to participate in the PURE Insurance Championship as a First Tee participant in Pebble Beach in September. Only 80 golfers were selected nationwide to compete at the nationally acclaimed course in California.
The PURE Insurance Championship provides First Tee participants a national stage on which to showcase the skills and values they’ve learned at their chapter. Throughout the week, teens can network with peers, PGA TOUR Champions players, and leaders from the business world who are competing in the amateur field, gaining exposure to the opportunities golf can provide both on and off the course.
During the tournament, which is hosted at iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, each teen is paired with a golf legend who provides mentorship as they compete for the pro-junior title. First Tee and title sponsor PURE Insurance are committed to ensuring teens from underserved communities have access to this event. Golf resume, personal growth through First Tee and socioeconomic need are all considerations in determining the field.
For the last 19 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has welcomed teens from First Tee chapters nationwide to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Throughout the week the teens apply the life and leadership skills learned from First Tee programs during an event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player.
For many of the teens who are selected for the tournament, the experience opens their eyes to the possibilities in golf and beyond as they are contemplating post-secondary education and careers and, in some cases, managing fears and emotions.
Last fall as a sophomore, Gilliland shot a 78 in the Region 2C tournament and advanced to the state as an individual, earning All-Region status. At the state tournament at the Great Oaks course in Floyd County he shot an 81 to finish 17th in all of Class C.
Mason will be in California for this event on September 16-21.
