The First Tee Chapter of Atlanta conducted its annual Gabrielsen Cup Junior Golf Tournament at John A. White Golf Course July 28 and 29. The tournament honors its founders, James and Bopsy Gabrielsen who created First Tee of Atlanta in May of 2000 and features youth in the First Tee program.

Alexa Anderson, an eighth grade student, and Dorea Dewberry, a 10th grade student, at Peachtree Academy were invited to take part in the cup. Anderson is a member of the Peachtree Middle School golf team and Dewberry is on the varsity team. Only 48 competitors are invited to participate in the event each year.

The two-day tournament features youth between the ages of eight- through 17-years-old in three different age categories. The Atlanta First Tee Program helps young people learn about lessons in everyday life and golf from mentors. It has nine core values, which include courtesy, confidence, good judgement, honesty, integrity, perseverance, respect, responsibility and sportsmanship. Members of the program strive to follow the core values “to a tee.” The values are meant to help participants “follow their dreams” and become a success in life.

Anderson competed in the 11-13 division and finished in third place while Dewberry competed in the 14-17 level. Both girls value the new First Tee friends they made and appreciate the life experiences they have taken part in.

The Gabrielsen Cup Invitational is held every July at the John A. White Golf Course. Thousands of young people have benefitted from this program from chapters both internationally and here in the United States.