First Tee Miami students enjoyed a visit from PGA Tour golfer and former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.
Bradley mingled with the young golf students on April 29 at the recently renovated Miami Lakes Golf Club.
A highlight of his visit was a putting contest with First Tee golfer Petra Compton, 14.
They played a quick match — and tied.
“I’m really proud of you guys for being part of First Tee,” said Bradley, who was in town to compete in the Cadillac Championship at Doral and made a trip to Miami Lakes before that event started.
He told the kids that golf has been great to him and that the game has taken him all over the world as he competes on the PGA Tour.
“I never felt like I had talent to just rely on and had to work extra hard,” said Bradley, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour with more than $57 million in career earnings.
He said that like golf, in life you need to take your shots. And if your ball ends up behind a tree, you keep playing.
Bradley also told the kids he was envious of them getting to play in Florida, because growing up in New England, he couldn’t play all year like the kids in Miami Lakes.
The kids lined up for autographs from Bradley that he obliged, signing golf balls, hats and T-shirts.
The day included a $20,000 donation to First Tee Miami from FICO, the analytics software company.
It will go to the program’s academic assistance fund, which pays for students’ tuition, First Tee Miami said.
The company also provided a free financial literacy workshop for First Tee Miami students.
To learn more about the program visit TheFirstTeeMiami.org.