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Keyser prepares to play with pros

-- submitted by The First Tee

(Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 12:00 AM)

Former Badger standout one of 25girls selected world-wide for event

Former Yosemite High School golf standout Kirsten Keyser will miss the start of school at Cal Baptist University in Riverside -- and she has a good excuse. She will be participating in a seniors tournament with professional players such as Tom Watson and Nick Price.

Keyser will join 77 other junior golfers, ranging in age from 15 to 18, of The First Tee golf program who have been selected to play in the Home Care & Hospice First Tee Open at Pebble Beach this weekend.

The event is an official Champions Tour Tournament and televised nationally on the Golf Channel. This unique event features junior golfers and amateurs competing side-by-side with Champions Tour players at both Pebble Beach and Del Monte golf courses.

Keyser's parents are Kent and Shelly Keyser of Ahwahnee. "What a perfect capstone to a fine junior golf career," Kent Keyser said. "She is guaranteed to play The Links at Pebble Beach twice, one practice round and either the first round Friday, or the second round Saturday. If she and her pro make the cut after the second round, she will play Pebble Beach a third time on the final round Sunday."

The 78 juniors were selected from the 258 junior golfers who qualified to apply from world-wide First Tee chapters. The 78 juniors consist of 53 boys and 25 girls who all received invitations in early August.

Keyser was a four-year varsity player for coach Rusty Oetinger on Yosemite High's girls golf team. The team won league championships during Keyser's last three years on the team. As a senior, she advanced to the CIF Southern Section Championship Tournament last year.

She will be playing this year for coach Lane Pace at California Baptist University. The team finished third at National Championships for NAIA competition last year. Following this weekends event, Keyser and Pace will head to southern California, where Keyser will begin the fall semester and her college golf career.

"What a perfect transition from high school to college," said mom, Shelly Keyser. "Kirsten will bid a fond adieu to her high school and her First Tee and Badger coach Rusty Oetinger and start a new adventure with coach Pace and the CBU Lancers."

Both coaches will caddie for her at this event -- Pace for the first round and Oetinger for the second and final rounds.

Junior participants for the tournament were selected for their playing ability and comprehension of the life skills and core lessons learned through involvement with The First Tee.

"This honor for Kirsten is the culmination of over two years of hard work," said Michael Firpo, executive director of The First Tee of Fresno. "The Fresno chapter is dedicated to putting our members in a position to succeed and it is a testament to Kirsten's focus and hard work that she was able to capitalize on her opportunity."

Golf legend Arnold Palmer and George H.W. Bush are the honorary co-chairmen of The First Tee.

The First Tee of Fresno and it's satellite chapter in Oakhurst are nonprofit organizations serving kids, ages 7 to 17, throughout Fresno and Madera counties.Details: thefirstteeopen.com, the firstteefresno.org.