A student from First Tee - North Florida enjoys a day at The Players Championship. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Thanks to sponsor Optum, The Players Championship is providing 75 tickets for participants and families from First Tee – North Florida for each day of the tournament. First Tee – North Florida is an organization for youth development serving more than 150,000 young people, teaching them life skills through the game of golf. “They teach things about the nine core values, so responsibility, courtesy, confidence. “I’m really grateful for Optum to partner up so we can get tickets,” Mombo said.

The Players Championship and First Tee of North Florida held an open house Monday for a new leadership program for local students called Rising Leaders of Jax. The goal is to teach students leadership skills that will help them succeed. “Not only do they teach us golf skills here, but they also teach us life skills,” McNair said. Ultimately, 30 middle schools students will be selected from schools near Brentwood Golf Course off Golfair Boulevard. First Tee of North Florida aims to change students’ lives through initiatives that help them build character, leadership skills and other tools that will help them get the most out of life.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – Saturday, four young golfers from the First Tee of North Florida got the chance of a lifetime to play a round on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The round was donated by former First Tee volunteer coach Chet Stokes who is now the General Manager of Marsh Landing Country Club. Just getting to play at TPC Sawgrass is cool on its own but they went a step further for these golfers. Playing the Stadium Course can be stressful for professionals golfers, so it is easy to understand why Brandon Fowler said he was a little nervous on the first tee. “I was shaken but I pulled through and hit a good shot on the first shot,” said Fowler.