Brightspot is proud to be sponsoring the 2013 Congressional Pro-Am, on June 24th. In addition to those representing Brightspots, we have an incredible collection of golfers including young people from The First Tee:
Quennie Madrid
Quennie Madrid is a freshman at Wilson High (DCPS). She came to the USA in 2006 from the Philippines with two sisters, one older, one younger, and started playing golf with The First Tee of Washington, D.C. the next year. Her quiet, steady demeanor proved to be suitable for golf, but she excels at drawing and cooking ... yum.
Drew White
Drew White, a rising 9th grade student, has been a member of the First Tee of Washington D.C. for two years and is currently an Eagle level participant. His grandfather started him on golf with a membership at St. Johns Country Club in Florida, helping teach him the character and sport of the game. Ever since, his love for golf and tournaments has increased. Through the First Tee, he volunteers at several golf charity events and has been exposed to many incredible golf opportunities. He has played in the National Hickory Championship as a First Tee Representative in 2012 and 2013. He is currently a member of the VSGA (Virginia State Golf Association) and this summer he will be competing in the First Tee Metro Tour.
Morgan Miner
Morgan F. Miner is a 14-year-old junior golfer from Fort Washington, MD. In August 2013, Morgan will attend Oxon Hill High School as a freshman entering into the Science and Technology Program. Morgan started playing golf at the age of six in Charlotte, NC, and has developed a love and appreciation for the sport. Morgan has a well-defined swing that has been fine-tuned by studying such methods as The Golfing Machine and using an inside approach. Having been a member of The First Tee of Lake Norman and The First Tee of Charlotte; Morgan is very familiar with The First Tee’s core values and mission. Morgan has been a member of The First Tee of Washington, D.C. since January 2013.
Kenny McClusky
16 year old Kenny McClusky was born in San Diego, CA. Currently a resident of Alexandria, VA, Kenny also lived in Monument, CO for nearly eight years. He is a six-year veteran of the First Tee of Washington, D.C. and is currently a Birdie Level Participant. Kenny is a member of West Potomac High School Honor Roll in Fairfax County, VA and is a member of the varsity track and football teams. He has competed in numerous Metro Golf Tour Events and was a TFTDC representative at the North Eastern Regional Championships.
Delester Monk III
Delester Monk III is a 16-year-old high school junior who resides in Washington, D.C. He attends Friendship Collegiate Public Charter School. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Student Award in his Introductions to Engineering Class. He has been involved with The First Tee of Washington, D.C. since 2011 and is a Birdie Level participant. Delester has competed in several events including The Drive, Chip, and Putt Competition in 2013 at TPC Potomac. He has also played in the Optimus Junior Tournament at Langston Golf Course the past two years. He has been a member of the Hain's Pointers Golf Team at East Potomac since 2012. Delester enjoys volunteering and has given his time to Walk for the Homeless, Walk for Water in Sudan, and Meals on Wheels in Maryland.
Clarence Bennett
Clarence Bennett is a 16 year old rising senior at Suitland High School and he has been on his school golf team since the 10th grade. During that time he received the 2012 the Coaches Award. He has also participated with The First Tee for five years and competed in several Metro Tour Events.
Bryana Nguyen
Bryana Nguyen is a junior at Atholton High School in Columbia, MD, and has been playing golf for nine years. A black belt in Tae Kwon Do, her dad turned her onto golf and she soon became involved with the First Tee of Howard County. She has been involved with the First Tee for about six years and serves on the Junior Advisory Board. The highlight of her golf career was playing in the 2011 Pebble Beach First Tee Open with Fred Funk. This past year, she won the Maryland High School State Championship and was named First Team All-Met by The Washington Post. She has verbally committed to play golf at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Hannah Clark
Hannah Clark recently graduated from high school and will be attending Howard University as a Computer Science major in fall 2013. She is an accomplished public speaker and has won numerous oratory competitions as well as performed in several plays. Along with computers, Hannah enjoys golfing, visual arts, crafts, textile arts, and blogging. Hannah has been involved with The First Tee of Washington, D.C. for over five years and is an Eagle level participant.
Christian Dibert
Christian Dibert recently graduated from Christ Chapel Academy in Woodbridge, VA, and plans to attend North Greenville University in South Carolina this fall. He has been a participant, as well as a coach, at The First Tee of Prince William County for 8 years. During that time, he has had the opportunity to attend leadership academies in Kansas, Oregon, and Florida, and was even invited along with 31 other participants to attend the 2013 First Tee Conference held at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Christian played golf for Christ Chapel throughout high school and was MVP his junior and senior year. His senior year, Christian qualified for the Division II Virginia State Championship held in Chesterfield, VA at Lake Chesdon Country Club and finished in sixth place.
Cody Lissner
Cody Lissner, from Ellicott City, MD, is a student at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore. He has been a member of The First Tee Chapter of Howard County, Maryland for nine years. During that time, he has attended the Life Skills and Leadership Academy, played in the Inaugural North vs. South Regional Challenge, and participated in the 2012 Nature Valley First Tee Pebble Beach Open. He was recently named the male recipient of the RBS Achiever of the Year Award, which is annually awarded to a First Tee participant who has overcome a difficult life obstacle. He has won three junior events and helped his high school win the 2012 MIAA Team Championship. He plans to study business in college and continue to play golf.
J.T. Moore
J.T. Moore is a rising sophomore at Fairfax High School in Fairfax, VA. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, this is his first season with the First Tee of Washington, DC. He was previously a member of The First Tee of Augusta, Georgia for five years where he participated in numerous golf events and tournaments. This year he has competed in the USA Kids Golf, Plantation Jr. Golf, Optimistic Tournament, Langston Heritage, and State Tournament in Ashland, VA. He is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Professional Golf Association (MAPGA) and participated in golf clinics at the Virginia Golf Academy. He recently tied for second place in the Langston Heritage event. He won first place in the First Tee drive, chip, and putt contest for the boys 13-15 age group.
James Saratis
James Saratis is a rising senior at Richard Montgomery High School. Starting at the age of 8, his parents got him involved with the First Tee of Montgomery County, which proved to be a life-changing experience. Whether improving his golf game or learning how to meet and interact with people, the First Tee has been an integral part of his life. Being with the First Tee for almost 10 years, he has had the opportunity to do many amazing things. In the summers of 2009 and 2010, the First Tee of Montgomery County sent James to the Life Skills and Leadership Academy in Eugene, Oregon, and Manhattan, Kansas. Since his freshman year, he has been the No. 1 starter on his high school team and this past season, he helped lead the team to the Division 3 championship and an undefeated season.