Reese Jansa of First Tee –South Dakota to Compete in First Tee’s National Championship

South Bend, Indiana and Sioux Falls, South Dakota – (June 27th, 2022) – Reese Jansa of First Tee – South Dakota will compete next week in the First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, June 27 – July 1. The 54-hole event brings together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.

The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. Reese is the two-time AA State High School Girls Champion, runner -up for the past 2 years in the SDGA Junior Championships and two-time 2 Woman’s Champion.  Reese also played in the 2021 First Tee PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, her Champions Tour Pro was Jerry Kelly. Reese has been involved with First Tee – South Dakota since she was 5 years old, attending the Little Duffers Program. Reese is paying it forward by sharing her golf and life skills experience as a coach in the Sioux Falls program. Reese will continue her golf career, on a golf scholarship, at University of Toledo, OH. 

“Congratulations to each of the participants in the field,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We look forward to hosting them at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, a tremendous venue that provides our participants the opportunity to explore what their future may look like as they consider college and potential plans to pursue competitive golf beyond high school. A special thanks to our long-time Trustee Fred Tattersall for his commitment to our mission and for providing meaningful national opportunities like the First Tee National Championship.”

The winners of each girls’ and boys’ divisions will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 20-25, 2022.

Jansa will compete against top players from across the country.

During the week, participants will have the opportunity to hear from PGA Head Golf Professional Steve Scott on what it means to be a game-changer and how his values intersected with his experience of finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship.

First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org.