“Floridian National, owned by First Tee Trustee Jim Crane, has always been welcoming to our Chapter” said Chapter CEO Carl Mistretta Jr. “They have hosted our annual tournament and the 100-Hole Challenge and our annual Rosie Pro-Am, and their General Manager, Morgan Jewell, PGA, serves as a Board Member.”
Located in the beautiful town of Palm City, the inspiring surroundings and expansive property of Floridian create the feeling of a secluded and tranquil retreat. Floridian National Golf Club, designed by Tom Fazio, is situated along the St. Lucie River, a 7-mile-long estuary linked to a coastal river system in St. Lucie and Martin counties.
Kerr and Rodas-Rhim were paired with pros Steven Alker and David Bransdon respectively
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2025) – After a week of exciting competition and personal growth, Margaret Kerr of Friendswood, Texas, and Julio Rodas-Rhim of New York City are the junior winners of the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship impacting First Tee, an official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded Sunday at Pebble Beach.
Both Kerr and Rodas-Rhim sealed their victories Sunday with birdies on Pebble Beach’s iconic par-3 17th hole. Kerr and Alker finished 18-under to win by one stroke. Rodas-Rhim and Bransdon finished 16-under and won in a scorecard playoff.
For more than 20 years, the PURE Insurance Championship has provided First Tee participants with the unique opportunity to showcase the skills and values they’ve gained through the program. Held at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, the tournament pairs 80 standout teens from First Tee Chapters nationwide with PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs from the business community. The annual event was broadcast internationally on Golf Channel.
“This week, the 80 young representatives of First Tee demonstrated perseverance, personality and exceptional talent on the course,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We extend our congratulations to Margaret and Julio on their outstanding victory. And we are sincerely grateful to PURE Insurance, Chevron, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, PGA TOUR Champions players, Golf Channel and all our generous partners for helping make this an unforgettable experience for our participants.”
First Tee – Greater Houston’s Margaret Kerr is a 16-year-old junior at Clear Springs High School, who’s been playing golf for 10 years. She referees lacrosse games, fosters dogs and completed Ace, First Tee’s capstone program designed to help teens prepare for the future.
“I don’t even think I can put it in words; life doesn’t feel real right now,” Kerr said. “I was so supported this week by not only my pro, but his caddie, his family – everybody.”
First Tee – Metropolitan New York’s Rodas-Rhim is a 17-year-old senior at Fordham Preparatory School. In addition to earning a black belt in martial arts, he has been playing golf for 13 years. He was the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association’s 2025 individual champion, and he plans to attend college somewhere warm so he can play golf all year.
“I’m very grateful for this experience,” Rodas-Rhim said. “I really wanted to make my grandparents proud because they got me into golf in the first place, and them getting to see me on TV is probably a dream come true of mine.”
During the week, First Tee partners PURE Insurance and Chevron celebrated their commitment to First Tee’s mission and raised additional funds to support the First Tee College Scholarship Program through special events. The program pairs select First Tee alumni with a mentor and provides professional development workshops and financial assistance throughout their college experience.
This week, leaders from PURE Insurance surprised Malakai Jazayeri of First Tee – Phoenix and Ashton Washington of First Tee – Tampa Bay with invitations to become the newest members of the First Tee College Scholarship Program.
First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
Many First Tee participants work for years to earn a spot in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that pairs golf legends and business leaders with First Tee juniors for a week of competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
First Tee juniors are selected for the field based on their golf skills and their commitment to First Tee values. Two participants who excel in both areas are Malakai Jazayeri from First Tee – Phoenix and Ashton Washington from First Tee – Tampa Bay.
Malakai is a senior from Gilbert, Arizona, with aspirations to play collegiate golf and experience new cultures after graduation. He’s been involved with First Tee – Phoenix for a decade, and he was named the chapter’s 2024 Player of the Year. He also works at Goodwill.
Ashton will not only graduate from high school this spring, but he’ll also earn his associate’s degree in business administration. He aspires to play professional golf and work in real estate development. He’s a member of National Honor Society and he volunteers with organizations that address food insecurity in his community.
On Thursday, PURE Insurance Championship executives surprised Malakai and Ashton with invitations to join the First Tee College Scholarship Program.
The First Tee College Scholarship Program is building game changers
Launched in 2020, the First Tee College Scholarship Program provides selected alumni with financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities to help them succeed in college and beyond.
Since its inception, more than 125 First Tee Scholars have benefited from this comprehensive support system, designed to prepare them for success both academically and personally.
PURE Insurance has been the title sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship since 2017 and is a dedicated partner of the First Tee College Scholarship Program.
“I’m so proud to continue our involvement with, and support of, this incredible organization,” said Martin Leitch, CEO of PURE Insurance. “Golf skills aside, the young men and women of First Tee excel in the classroom, give their time to their communities and lead in their First Tee chapters, their schools and beyond. They’re going to shape the future — and PURE is proud to support them and help share their stories.”
As they prepare to take this next step, Malakai and Ashton join a network of motivated alumni who represent the values and skills learned through First Tee.
Tune in September 19-21 to Golf Channel to watch Chapter student Elisa Hernandez compete in the Pure Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.
80 exceptional First Tee teens have been selected to compete in this life changing tournament. The annual tournament uniquely pairs First Tee participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals and amateurs from the business world for a week of competition and mentorship. The teens, ages 15 to 18, represent 48 First Tee chapters nationwide and will compete for the male and female pro-junior titles.
Elisa was chosen based on her golf skills and personal growth through First Tee’s youth development programs. This year’s class boasts an average GPA of 3.89 and nearly seven years of involvement with First Tee.
Want your kids to play at Pebble, register for First Tee programs!
Our Boys & Girls Club All-Stars hit the range at AllGolf at C.B. Smith Park for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Youth Development Week, proudly sponsored by KemperSports.
From the moment the students picked up their clubs, it was game on. The All-Stars learned fundamentals like grip, stance, and posture, but also tackled teamwork, patience, and goal-setting.
And of course, a massive THANK YOU to KemperSports for making this impactful day possible. Together, we are growing the commitment to the game, and supporting youth development continues to inspire us all.
We held two clinics for the Behavior Works Neurodiverse Summer Camp. We are now a program partner with Behavior Works during the school year!
Behavior Works is a special needs program based in Oakland Park, FL, that runs summer camp in Davie, FL, where students ages 4-15 attend these classes.
Fifteen students attended the golf program at their facility. Coach Robert Ferzoco teaches the classes with the help of their staff and counselors.
Special thank you to Michele Tull, M.S. BCBA, for her assistance in getting the program launched.
We had a blast hosting the fantastic young people from the Boys & Girls Club – Jim & Jan Moran Unit at AllGolf for a day filled with fun, fundamentals, and fairway flair!
This partnership with the Boys & Girls Club is more than just a fun day out; it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and introducing the values of golf to a new generation of leaders.
We are thrilled to kick off what we know will be an impactful and lasting relationship. The Jim & Jan Moran Unit is full of heart, talent, and potential, and we cannot wait to welcome them back for more golf programs and life skills development sessions.
In every sport, there are moments when you witness something special. Something special comes in the form of three incredible young golfers: Simon, Jacob, and Isaac Tuma, also known as The Tuma Trio.
These three rising stars began their golf journey just over a year ago. From day one, Simon, Jacob, and Isaac have been all-in:
– First Tee Programming: Yes sir. – PGA Junior League: You bet. – Summer Camps: They’re regulars — and coach favorites. – PGA Family Golf Champions: That’s right — reigning champs!
Whether they are working on their short game, stepping up in team play, or rocking their color wars gear at camp, the Tuma brothers show up with a love for the game that is impossible to miss. They are First Tee Game Changers.
They push each other to be better, cheer each other on, and make every practice more fun for everyone around them. The Tumas participate and elevate.
The Youth Force crew from the Boys & Girls Club brought their A-game and unlimited energy to AllGolf at CB Smith Park. Great vibes for golf. The day kicked off on the mini-putt course, where they experienced a mix of fierce competition, creative putting techniques, and lots of laughter. There were hole-in-ones made!
We wrapped up the day with high-fives, snacks, and the classic promise: “We HAVE to do this again.” We are already looking forward to the next adventure with the students from the Boys & Girls Club.
One of our favorite nights of the year is our annual college scholarship party held at PGA Tour Superstore. This year we broke a new record awarding over $108,000 to alumni from our Palm Beach, Treasure Coast and Broward Chapters. Seven alumni from the Broward Chapter received scholarships this year.
Audrey Bacic, Brenau University Jahsiah Bowie, American University Haady Elneser, FSU Andres Hernandez, Keiser Mamadou Kone, UCF Isabella Rubio, University of Florida David Sandino, Notre Dame
We’re thrilled to announce that our FORE Freedom veterans’ programs are back in action! Starting Tuesday, October 7th at 9:00 AM, we’ll be back on the range, ready to share the game we love with our nation’s heroes who have served our country.
This program is designed to bring veterans together in a welcoming, supportive environment where they can enjoy the outdoors, learn new golf skills, and build lasting friendships. No matter your experience level—whether you’re swinging a club for the first time or have been playing for years—this program is all about having fun, staying active, and connecting with others.
– When: Every Tuesday at 9:00 AM (starting October 7th) – Where: AllGolf at CB Smith Park – Who: Veterans of all skill levels
Join us each week for camaraderie, fresh air, and a few great shots along the way. We cannot wait to see our veteran community back in action!
