Bethesda Academy senior Quentin Brooks recently had the incredible opportunity to play one of the greatest golf courses in America when he was invited to play in the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California.
Brooks was invited by the First Tee to play in the tournament as a collaboration with the PGA Tour Champions. He was the second junior golfer from Savannah to ever play in the Pro-Am tournament.
“I can’t believe I (was out there),” Brooks said. “I really came from Savannah to Pebble Beach…for me, just being out there was a blessing. I don’t expect to be out there [again] anytime soon, so for me to have the opportunity to go out there is pretty cool.”
Not only was Quentin able to play one of the most beautiful courses in the world, he got to play with fellow Savannah golfer Tim O’Neal, who just finished his second season as a member of the PGA Tour Champions.
“Me and (O’Neal), we were just joking around the whole practice round,” Brooks said. “We’re both from Savannah, and I’m trying to play college golf like he did. We went out there and had fun.”
O’Neal won 16 tournaments in his collegiate career at Jackson State University under coach Eddie Payton, brother of the late NFL legend Walter Payton. In addition to playing with O’Neal, Brooks got the unique opportunity to meet and learn from World Golf Hall of Famers Fred Couples and Ernie Els.
“(Couples) and (Els) are a lot smarter than I am about golf, so hearing their stories and what they do in their golf swings helps me learn my swing more,” Brooks said.
Being able to play in such a unique and challenging event like this and learn from legends of the game has helped Quentin find spots of his game that he can improve on. Brooks and O’Neal posted team scores of 3-under par 69 in each of the first two rounds, only missing the cut for the third round by one stroke.
“[Playing in the Pure Insurance Championship] helped me a lot, because I wasn’t ready for it,” Brooks said. “It brought me a lot closer to my game because I see how their misses are not as bad as my misses, and their putts roll truer than my putts. I just have to keep working on my misses and make sure I’m lining up straighter on my putts,” Brooks said. “Next up is just getting better. I’m out here practicing, working on my game, working with my coach, seeing what I can fix up, seeing if I can bounce back from tournaments I play bad in, and trying to build off of tournaments I play well in.”
This opportunity would not have been possible if not for the First Tee and First Tee Savannah CEO John Parker. Parker nominated Brooks for the tournament earlier this year and spoke highly of Brooks’ character.
“His work ethic for sure [was why I nominated him],” Parker said. “The first couple times we met, I was running classes at Bacon Park Golf Course. He was on the range when I was got there at 4 pm and he was still there at 8:30 when I was leaving. (Brooks) is cordial, wants to learn, and I’d say he’s thankful for every opportunity. It’s nice to be able to give a kid an experience that’s a once in a lifetime thing.”
Brooks, who has an offer to play college golf from Savannah State University, remains very involved with the First Tee of Savannah in both a participant and volunteer capacity. He participates in classes in the fall, spring, and summer.
He also plays in the junior golf series, where he won two out of the three Savannah Junior Golf Association tournaments this past summer. He also participates in the mentor golf program. As a volunteer, Quentin helps out with the First Tee’s summer program partnership with the LB3 Foundation, which brings kids from the Savannah city community centers to Savannah Golf Club for clinics. He also spoke on the First Tee’s player panel as a part of their spring ‘Tee Off Party.’
“[Brooks] is about as involved as you can get,” Parker said.
Prep Sports Report golf coverage is generously sponsored by Bacon Park Golf Course, Savannah's only true municipal golf course! Located in the Heart of Midtown and and designed by legendary golf architect Donald Ross in 1926, Bacon Park Golf Course is Savannah's favorite golf destination. It's always a beautiful day to play at Bacon Park!
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy First Tee Savannah
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