The First Tee Course Reporters

text size

Editor's note: Raven Clewis, Luke Thomas, Reuben Torres and Said Shaba will be serving as Course Reporters from the Northern Trust Open on Friday and Saturday. The four are all members of California chapters of The First Tee.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A WORTHWHILE TRIP
By Said Shaba

Hello from the Northern Trust Open. I just want to say that it is an honor to be reporting to you, the readers, today. My day was filled with lots of fun and excitement. I woke up at 5'oclock this morning to get ready and prepare myself for the day. It took us two hours to make the trip from San Diego to Los Angeles. I thought this trip was just going to be about seeing golfers but it was much more than that. We got to meet the volunteers who run the tournament. What I didn't realize is how important they are to the success of a PGA TOUR event. Without them the tournament would really be a mess, so I would like to thank them.

Another very important person I met today was David Pillsbury, the TOUR's president of Golf Course Properties and EVP of Championship Management, who helps run the Northern Trust Open. He is a very nice person who is very positive. He is the type of guy who I wouldn't mind sitting down and getting to know. He told me something today that I plan to remember and use in my life which was that "every obstacle presents a chance to learn and grow."

Another very important thing that I learned today watching these athletes is that I shouldn't be so upset at my bad shots because even the best players in the world make bogeys and other scores like I do. I also was happy today to watch my favorite golfer who just happens to also be a lefty from San Diego, Phil Mickelson. Luckily for us we stayed dry. Thanks to the PGA TOUR for this opportunity to be out here. This is a day I will not soon forget.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE WISDOM OF JERRY WEST
By Reuben Torres

The third round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club experienced clearer skies than the previous rounds. I was glad to be a part of the Course Reporters because I was able to gain insight on different aspects of a professional tournament. I was able to meet significant people and icons that all love the game of golf.

One of the first people I met was Sandy Diamond, the director of Sponsorships and Marketing. He was entitled to run all the advertisements and make sure all of the players' sponsors are well taken care of. It can be said that he does an excellent job, seeing that the tournament is heavily-sponsored.

Another behind-the-scenes director was Hall of Famer Jerry West, who is the player in the NBA logo. I had an interesting conversation with him alongside my fellow junior reporter Luke. We talked about life lessons essentially, speaking on manners and etiquette. West emphasized the saying "Life doesn't give us a good lie in the rough all the time" because he wanted to make sure that we knew that life wasn't fair. He also said that "just because life isn't fair, doesn't mean it gives you the right to give up."

On the other side of the spectrum, I met with one of the volunteers, Mike Ortega, to talk about his experiences with a professional tournament. In a nutshell, he said that "volunteering is the greatest feeling because giving back is the greatest feeling."

After discovering all the behind-the-scene aspects, I went out on the course for some live event play from the professionals. I scoped around Nos. 3 to 7 as Phil Mickelson turned that part of the corner with some disappointing missed putts and routine pars. Although I didn't get to see Dustin Johnson play, it was evident that he struggled this round by dropping three strokes. Steve Stricker, on the other hand, is playing exceptionally well, opening with a birdie on No. 1 and two more on Nos. 6 and 8.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
By Luke Thomas

Jerry West, the retired NBA superstar, was here today staying in the clubhouse. He signed my hat. Jerry told me that if you have a goal you should strive for it. He also told me that the best thing in life to do is to give.

The third round wasn't raining too much. It was easier weather to play in than yesterday.

Phil Mickelson had a good shot on No. 6 but missed a 4-foot putt for birdie. Overall, Phil played well, but his putting could use a little work.

Nicholas Thompson and Fredrik Jacobson weren't playing well when I followed them for four holes but the third member of their group, John Rollins, ended up 4 under. I saw Bob Estes hit it left of the fairway at No. 15 but he was able to get his second shot short of the green..

Luke Donald is having a better round than he did yesterday. Steve Stricker is still in the lead and right behind him is Dustin Johnson.

One thing I got to do is speak with the people who oversee the entire operation of the tournament. Tomorrow is going to be a close finish as many players try to catch up with Steve Stricker.

In closing, this experience was the chance of a lifetime, I want to than Brennan, Marci, The First Tee, and all the staff who told us what they do and for showing us what goes on behind the scenes. I will always remember it!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEVE STRICKER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
By Raven Clewis

Being at my first professional golf tournament was an experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately, due to the horrible weather I couldn't see that much of the tournament; for the most part, I stayed inside and did a lot of interviewing and went to Steve Stricker's press conference.

From what was said, Stricker didn't let the rain stop him from performing his best. "I know that it was raining hard while you were playing so how many times, if at all, did you have to change your glove?" I asked. It came as a shock when Stricker said, "Well, I went through about four towels, but I didn't have to change my glove."

I also met a man who is the chairman of the Northern Trust Open and contributes to the foundation and charities such as "Birdies for the Brave." His name is Jerry West. Yes, THE Jerry West, former NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer and the most passionate man known to earth. The conversation between me and Mr. West cannot be classified as an interview; it was more of a tutorial on life. He taught me to set goals, strive for them and trust my instincts. My question to that statement was, "How do you know whether your instincts are good or not?" He replied, "Just look back on life and see where you stand, if you're happy with that position then your instincts are good."

Obviously, his instincts told him and are still telling him to have a heart and give back to the community. I wanted to ask why he wants to help so much if in return he gets nothing. Before I could ask, he stated, "What's most important is what's invisible to the eye." I just sat back and pondered, "What an intelligent man."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEETING JERRY WEST
By Luke Thomas

Men and women from the U.S. Army were invited to the Northern Trust Open.

Phil Mickelson, the defending champion, is having a better time in the rain than he did yesterday sunny weather. Barely raining makes it harder for the pros.

Tiger Woods was not able to be here at the Northern Trust Open. He is going to a break from golf for now.

Steve Stricker took the lead at the midway point of the second round. He chipped in for birdie on No. 18. Also, he made a birdie on No. 4. He told us that it was a bad storm and it was hard to play like this in this weather. He also told us one big thing he had do was to have patience.

David Duval was 1 over for the tournament after the second round. Fred Couples shot 1 over on Friday but is 1 under through 36 holes.

Today I had lunch with Jerry West. Jerry played for the Lakers and later coached the Lakers. He is the nicest man I have ever met.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RAVEN CLEWIS

Born in East Texas in 1992 and raised in the South Bay, I never thought I'd make it to this point. Growing up in a single-parent home can be a bit discouraging yet, 17 years later I'm a senior in high school and an AP scholar. As a young child, I began playing different sports like basketball, softball, track and field, soccer and golf (which is my favorite). I joined the Western States Golf Association, which is now a chapter of The First Tee South Los Angeles, in 2001. Although I am interested in athletic activities and determined in academics, I'm also a singer, songwriter and poet. Focused on pursuing a career in acting and music, I am sure to make my name well-known around the world.

LUKE THOMAS

Hi. I'm in the sixth grade and go to South Bay Faith Academy in Redondo Beach, Calif. I enjoy sports and martial arts. I love to play basketball and plan to become a black belt in karate by the time I am 14. I am currently a red belt at the Christian Karate Federation where I have trained for five years. I enjoy Karate because I am a junior leader and I get to help other kids learn how utilize self-defense skills and practice self discipline to protect themselves and help others. I also enjoy going to my Boys Discipleship club where over the last eight years, I've learned that is better to serve than to be served. My ultimate goal is to become a professional golfer and I play every week with my grandfather who has helped mentor me in the rules and etiquette of the game for the past five years. I hope to take my game to the next level in the next few years and secure a college scholarship. If I do not become a professional golfer I will probably start my own golf training business for kids. My favorite hobbies are hunting, playing airsoft, skateboarding and of course, video games.

REUBEN D. TORRES

I am a senior at California Academy of Mathematics and Science where I excel in math and science. The classes that I'm taking are Physics, AP Calculus, AP English & Composition, Government and Economics. I am a member of the Key Club, Black Student Alliance, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Leadership League, Young Black Scholars, Southern California PGA Golf-Junior Member; and The First Tee of South Los Angeles. I also play golf, basketball and tennis, and run cross country. I have completed an internship with Long Beach Unified School District, and received a certificate for exemplary work in developing a student analysis of LEED Design Standards. I also also received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congressman John Boozman upon playing in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, and was selected as a member of The First Tee Scholar Class of 2010. I have applied to eight colleges and plan to major in architecture.

SAID SHABA

I am 14 years old and a freshman at Crawford High School in San Diego. I am a first generation American whose family is from Somalia. I was born in Nashville, Tenn., and have lived in San Diego since I was a year old. I have been playing golf for a year and a half and have enjoyed every moment that I spend practicing at The First Tee of San Diego. I think of myself as a person who is easy to get along with. I can also be funny at times. I am very grateful to be a Course Reporter at the Northern Trust Open and I hope to meet a lot of great people and athletes.