ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Senior golfer Emily Laskin has been named a 2014 First Tee Scholar as announced by The First Tee. Laskin is one of three local golfers recognized and 102 across the country to garner the distinction.

“It is really special because I have seen so many of my friends get it,” said Laskin. “I have had a lot of older friends go through The First Tee. It is a special honor to be one selected.”

The First Tee Scholars Program recognizes participants for exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, character development and chapter and community involvement. With this designation, participants have the opportunity to apply for any educational scholarship programs offered through The First Tee to attend a participating college or university. More than 20 colleges and universities throughout the United States have partnered with The First Tee to offer merit-based or leadership scholarships that help to offset the cost of attending school.

Laskin, who has a 4.38 GPA, was named Delta River League Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. She helped the Troubadours win the Delta River League title for the second straight season and the Division I North title for the eighth consecutive season. Laskin, who will attend the U.S. Naval Academy to play golf, led the team in scoring average on the season.

“Over the years, The First Tee has really shaped who I am with the life skills and core values that I have learned,” said Laskin. “I could not be the golfer, the friend, student or person without the skills I have learned both on and off the course with them.”

During her career, she led the team to two state championship appearances and three Delta River League titles.

Laskin joined John Burke and Chad Kubes as the recipients from The First Tee of Greater Sacramento.

Since launching The First Tee Scholars Program in 2003, The First Tee has designated 623 participants as The First Tee Scholars.  Through generous donors, The First Tee has funded 112 college scholarships worth more than $1 million since the program began.

“The First Tee emphasizes the importance of transferring life skills and core values learned on the golf course to school and other areas of their life,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. “We’re proud to recognize these teens as they have excelled in academics and leadership skills, and we look forward to watching them flourish in their post-secondary educational efforts.”

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations.
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to nine million young people in all 50 United States and select international locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.