Greensboro, NC – What began as an experiment turned into a lifelong passion for Alina Amos. At just 9 years old, she was introduced to golf when her mom signed her up for a First Tee – Central Carolina program to try out different sports. It didn’t take long for Alina to discover that golf was the one that stuck. She was immediately drawn to the challenge of the game, recognizing early on that it’s not something you can perfect, but something you can always get better at. That mindset still motivates her today. Since then, Alina has immersed herself in the junior golf world, participating in programs like Drive, Chip & Putt and PGA Jr. League, both of which she credits for shaping her development on and off the course. “Drive, Chip & Putt helped me get comfortable in pressure situations,” she says. “It pushed me to focus, stay confident, and still perform even when the nerves kicked in.” When it comes to PGA Jr. League, Alina highlights the friendships and camaraderie that made the experience meaningful: “PGA Jr. League really helped me with my confidence and sportsmanship. I made a lot of friends and learned how to support my teammates. We all grew together, and it was fun to cheer each other on.” Her involvement in PGA Jr. League even led to an incredible opportunity at the 2025 PGA Championship, where she represented the Youth pillar of PGA REACH and participated in the trophy ceremony on the 18th green. There, she got to take a photo with 2025 Champion and World No. 1, Scottie Scheffler! Most recently, Alina was selected to compete in the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship benefiting First Tee, a prestigious PGA TOUR Champions event. “I’m excited to play on such beautiful courses, meet new people, and get the chance to play with a pro. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I am so thankful I was chosen, and I am so excited to go.” Throughout her journey, First Tee has remained a central part of her growth. The organization’s Nine Core Values, honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment, have had a lasting impact. Alina strives to live by these values daily, using them both on and off the course to lead by example. She also credits First Tee’s coaches and mentors for helping her grow as both a player and a person. They encouraged her to apply for the PURE Championship, introduced her to volunteering and PGA Jr. League, and helped her find mentors like her swing coach. The First Tee also brought her one of her biggest supporters and PGA Jr. League coaches, Coach Bob Brooks, PGA. Bob is very special to Alina and her family, as he was her former coach, her PGA Jr. League coach, and someone who has given her countless opportunities. That is just a few of the impacts First Tee has had on Alina and her family, but most of all, they made golf fun. Looking ahead, Alina hopes to continue her golf journey into college and beyond. Whether she’s playing, coaching, or working in another part of the industry, she knows golf will always be a part of her life. The PURE Insurance Championship benefiting First Tee is a PGA TOUR Champions event held at Pebble Beach that pairs junior golfers from First Tee chapters with PGA TOUR Champions professionals. More than just a tournament, it offers young players a remarkable opportunity to compete on a world-famous course, learn from the pros, and create lifelong memories and mentorship. The tournament will take place September 19–21, 2025, and will be broadcast on The Golf Channel and Fubo. Click here to learn more about the PURE Insurance Championship! Read here about the First Tee – Central Carolina! ••••••  Carolinas PGA Set to Host 2025 Carolinas PGA Professional Championship at Palmetto Golf Club and The Tree Farm Greensboro, NC (September 2025) – Excitement is building as the Carolinas PGA Section prepares to host the 2025 Carolinas PGA Professional Championship, contested September 9–11, 2025, at two of the most distinctive venues in the region: Palmetto Golf Club and The Tree Farm in Aiken, South Carolina. This year’s championship holds special significance as competitors will compete for eleven (11) qualifying spots and five (5) alternate positions to advance to the 58th PGA Professional Championship, to be held at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, April 26–29, 2026. “This championship is the pinnacle of our Section’s competitive calendar,” said Jeff Abbot, CEO of the Carolinas PGA Section. “Hosting at both Palmetto Golf Club and The Tree Farm provides a rare opportunity to showcase two world-class venues that will test every aspect of a professional’s game. It’s the perfect stage to determine who will represent the Carolinas at Bandon Dunes next spring.” Two Venues, One Championship Experience The event will be split between The Tree Farm, a walking-only golf experience that has quickly earned acclaim for its pure design and rugged challenge, and Palmetto Golf Club, one of the oldest and most storied clubs in the country. Together, they will provide an unmatched backdrop for the Section’s most accomplished professionals. PGA Tour professionals Kevin Kisner and Zac Blair, both closely tied to the host clubs, have voiced excitement for how the courses will showcase the Carolinas’ talent. “I tell people all the time one of the reasons I love Palmetto is you get every club in the bag dirty even though it’s only 6,800 yards long from the tournament tees, it really shows you what kind of golf course it is,” said Kisner. Blair added, “It’s going to be exciting. This will be one of the first events I feel like with a ton of good players, and with coming right out of summer the course should be pretty mint.” Follow the Action We encourage you to follow the action throughout the championship on all Carolinas PGA social media channels (@CarolinasPGA) Event Details at a Glance What: 2025 Carolinas PGA Professional Championship When: September 9–11, 2025 Where: Palmetto Golf Club & The Tree Farm, Aiken, SC Advancement: 11 Qualifiers + 5 Alternates from the Carolinas will advance to the 58th PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (April 26–29, 2026)
| 