First Tee MASSACHUSETTS Featured At Day 3 Of Mass Amateur Championship At Essex County Club

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 12, 2023

First Tee — Massachusetts once again lent a hand to the operations portion of the Massachusetts Amateur Championship. First Tee, a youth development organization that introduces the game of golf and its inherent values to young people, is partnered with Mass Golf and in past years has brought its youth members to championship events to experience live competition.

During the Round of 32, Kyle Harris, Director of Operations for First Tee Massachusetts, and First Tee members George, Miles, and Kensie all had their eyes on the sky. They were tracking all 32 tee shots on the signature 152-yard, par-3, guarded by bunkers on the left and right sides with a creek running in front.

“Events like this are fantastic,” Harris said. “It’s such a great opportunity to get our kids into a new environment in a place like Essex that they may not have a chance to get to see otherwise to see some amazing golf. They get to see things in action that they’re practicing in class.”

“Opportunities like these are not only beneficial to the First Tee participants but to everyone here that had an interaction with these young “game changers,” Carmignani said. “Everyone walked away with a smile on their face. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with Kensie, Miles and George. Being around the next generation of golfers is super inspiring and reinvigorating.”

“To be able to do this out in an environment with some of the best amateur players in the state is a super neat opportunity,” Harris added. “We’ve done this every year since I’ve been here, and it’s always a fun experience. The kids get a lot out of it and it’s great for the players to see the kids out here as well. We always appreciate the opportunity.”

7th Hole Green Map From The Round of 32

FIRST TEE Q&A WITH THE KIDS

We also made sure to ask George, Miles, and Kensie some hard-hitting questions. Below are the responses to our Q&A with them!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Kensie: Cookie Dough

Miles: Cookie Monster

George: Campfire S’mores

Who is your favorite artist at the moment?

Kensie: Ariana Grande

Miles: Green Day

George: “I don’t have one, I’ll listen to anything.”

Favorite movie snack?

Kensie: Cookie dough bites

Miles: Reeses Pieces or fruit snacks

George: Goldfish

How would you describe First Tee in a couple of words?

Kensie: “Educational and fun”

Miles: “Amazing and awesome”

George: “Fantastic”

Favorite First Tee memory?

Kensie: “Being a junior reporter at the U.S. Open last year.”

Miles: “Coach Nathan getting pied in the face after someone chipped the ball and hit the tin at practice and getting Austin Greaser’s autograph at the US Open.”

George: “Being able to golf with friends.”

“What we are doing at First Tee Massachusetts is something that everyone can get on board with – teaching life skills, providing young people with access and opportunity to new experiences, and of course having them fall in love with the game of golf – who wouldn’t want to be a part of that,” Carmignani said. “We are so proud of Kyle and all of his coaches for being such strong influences on these kids. In fact, they were the center of many of our conversations throughout the day.”

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