Havertown teen selected to represent the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia in Pebble Beach event
by Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer 9/24/19
Joe Morganti has played golf at the Pebble Beach Golf Links before, but his return trip this week to the famed layout on the shores of the Pacific Ocean has an entirely new meaning for him.
Morganti, a senior at St. Joseph’s Prep who is a member of The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, is one of 78 participants in nationwide programs of the organization who have been selected to participate Friday through Sunday in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event that will pair the youths with tour members.
As for his level of excitement in being involved, Morganti, a Havertown resident who has been with The First Tee for five years, described it as “unbearable.”
“I’m so excited for it,” he said. “The weeks go down — they have a countdown clock on their website and I keep looking at it every day. I’m so happy, I can’t really describe it.”
Contestants will play one day at Pebble Beach and one at nearby Poppy Hills. After a cut, the field will compete on the final day at Pebble Beach.
Morganti earned his spot following an intensive screening process that considers an applicant’s achievements in golf and his or her understanding and application of life skills learned at their First Tee chapters, an organization that helps youths build character through educational programs and uses golf to promote healthy choices.