For Michelle Lee, representing First Tee – Greater San Antonio at the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach was the culmination of nine years of dedication to the organization, both on and off the course.
Michelle was selected to represent First Tee – Greater San Antonio at the prestigious event after years of involvement as a participant and volunteer. She has been part of First Tee – Greater San Antonio for nine years and has spent more than a year giving back as a Junior Coach. Each Saturday morning, Michelle volunteers with the chapter’s Tiny Tigers classes at the Learning Center, helping introduce younger participants to golf and the life skills that come with the game.
A sophomore at Alamo Heights High School, Michelle maintains a 4.0 GPA and competes on the school’s varsity golf team. Her dedication to golf has also taken her to some of the biggest junior events in the country. Earlier this summer, she competed in her first U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina. After advancing through stroke play, Michelle earned a spot in match play and advanced to the Round of 32 in her championship debut.
Those experiences, along with her commitment to First Tee, helped lead Michelle to Pebble Beach, where she joined First Tee participants from chapters across the country for the 2026 PURE Insurance Championship.
The PURE Insurance Championship gives First Tee teens an opportunity to showcase the skills and values they have developed through their local chapters while connecting with peers, PGA TOUR Champions players and business leaders. Each participant is paired with a golf professional who provides mentorship throughout the competition as they compete for the pro-junior title.
For Michelle, that professional was Australian golfer Greg Chalmers. A two-time Australian Open champion, Chalmers also earned his first PGA TOUR victory at the 2016 Barracuda Championship during a professional career spanning the PGA TOUR and PGA Tour of Australasia.
Playing alongside a professional with Chalmers’ experience gave Michelle an opportunity to learn firsthand from someone who has competed at the highest levels of the game.
“My favorite part when playing at the PURE Insurance at Pebble Beach was all the people there!” Michelle said. “When I got accepted into the pro-am, I was so excited partly because I knew some of my friends from Congaree, a week long camp, were going to be there. I hadn’t seen them in a year, so I missed them so much!”
Michelle was one of participants selected from First Tee chapters across the country for the 2026 event. Golf experience, personal growth through First Tee and socioeconomic need are among the considerations used in selecting the field, with First Tee and title sponsor PURE Insurance committed to making the experience accessible to teens from underserved communities.
For Michelle, being surrounded by other First Tee participants made the week especially meaningful. She was able to reconnect with friends she had met through Congaree, a weeklong First Tee camp, while also cheering them on throughout the competition.
“It was so fun to be able to reunite with some of them and it was also so exciting to be able to cheer them on throughout the week,” she said.
The experience also gave Michelle the chance to build relationships with the amateurs and professionals participating in the event.
“I also had so much fun getting to know my pro and the amateurs, they gave me a lot of great advice and I am so appreciative of them,” Michelle said.
Playing alongside Chalmers gave Michelle a firsthand look at professional golf and provided lessons she could take back to her own game.
“My pro, Greg Chalmers, taught me a lot through his golf game,” she said. “After I played with him on the first day I realized how consistent and accurate he was and how I still had a long way to go.”
Michelle also received swing tips from Chalmers and his caddie, adding another layer to the mentorship that made the experience about more than simply competing.
Her time at Pebble Beach also challenged Michelle to put into practice several of the values emphasized through First Tee, including growing through challenges, pursuing goals and using good judgment. The event’s learning objectives also emphasize positive risk-taking, networking and communication, as well as recognizing the benefits of setting and achieving goals.
Michelle put those lessons into action on the course, finishing seventh at 15-under par. She opened with a 66, followed with a 68 in the second round and closed with a 67 to finish at 15-under for the tournament.
While the competition provided plenty of memorable moments, Michelle said the scenery was another highlight.
“The most memorable part of the trip was seeing the amazing views that people see on TV and being able to win $2,000 for my First Tee chapter,” she said.
Michelle earned the $2,000 for First Tee – Greater San Antonio by winning the Chevron Closest-To-The-Pin Challenge. Her accomplishment turned an individual achievement into an opportunity to give back to the chapter she represented.
Beyond the competition, Michelle’s week included many of the experiences that make the PURE Insurance Championship unique, from seeing the iconic courses at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill to connecting with other young golfers and hearing from leaders in the golf and business communities.
For Michelle, though, the most lasting part of the experience was the combination of competition, friendships and mentorship.
“It was such an unforgettable week and I am so grateful for the First Tee for this experience,” she said.
Michelle’s experience at the PURE Insurance Championship is a reflection of the opportunities available through First Tee. What began as an opportunity to represent First Tee – Greater San Antonio became a week of competition, new friendships, professional mentorship and personal growth, all while giving Michelle the chance to represent her home chapter on a national stage.
We are proud of Michelle for representing First Tee – Greater San Antonio at Pebble Beach and grateful to PURE Insurance, Chevron and everyone who helped make this unforgettable experience possible.
