Rip One Golf- Golf Instruction, Golf Coaching, Golf Classes and Golf Lessons in Austin, TX: A Great Week in Pebble Beach!

I have many junior golfers I get the opportunity to work with and in this instance, one of my juniors, Zach Slayton, competed on a national stage. Zach was one of 81 junior golfers from around the country invited to compete in the 2017 Pure Insurance Champions TOUR event in Pebble Beach, CA.

The format of the event paired a Champions TOUR player with one junior and two adult amateurs for three days. The juniors remained with their TOUR player for the three days and the amateurs rotated pros.

In his first practice round at Poppy Hills, Zach played a few holes with Champions TOUR player, Kenny Perry.

And breakfast with Champions TOUR players Tom Kite (1992 US Open Winner at Pebble Beach) and Bob Estes, both from Austin, TX.

In the tournament proper, Zach was paired with TOUR veteran Scott Dunlap and he could not have been nicer to Zach. Individually, Scott finished in a tie for 15th place with a score of six under par. There was a cut not only the pro division after two rounds, but for the pro/junior division as well. If Zach wanted to compete in Sunday's final round, he and Scott would have to be in the top 23 teams.

I was fortunate to attend the event and support Zach in any way possible. I arrived on Thursday and watched him play the back nine at Poppy Hills in a practice round. Poppy Hills is a beautiful course and much different than Pebble Beach. It is located well above the Pacific Ocean and is tree lined with many bunkers and waste areas.

After he finished the round, we went to Pebble for some fine tuning before the first round which started Friday.

The work he has put in over the last year paid off in a big way in the first round. Zach shot his lowest tournament round of the year, shooting a two under par 70, at Pebble Beach! I was very proud of the way he handled himself in this large environment.

Zach and I before the first round at Pebble Beach (10th tee)

Zach teeing off on #10 first round at Pebble Beach

Zach and Scott on the 4th green at Pebble Beach

Zach putting on the 4th green at Pebble Beach

In the second round at Poppy Hills, Zach's good play continued and he shot an even par 71. Needless to say, he and Scott easily made the cut as they were tied for 9th going into the final round!

The stage just got bigger as they were in the top ten teams and would more than likely receive more TV attention on the Golf Channel.

18th green at Pebble Beach

When it was all said and done, Zach and Scott finished in a tie for ninth place at fifteen under par!

As predicted, there was some TV time for Zach, especially when he chipped in for a birdie on the 15th hole at Pebble Beach!

And again when he was interviewed near the 18th green after he completed the round.

I have a feeling Zach will be signing more autographs in the future.

What a week to remember for Zach, his parents and of course me too! I was impressed with all the juniors which competed this week. I witnessed some great golf, but I was really pleased with all the positive attitudes, smiles and professionalism of each junior golfer! Golf is in great hands for the future.