Meet Trent! If you’ve met him before you know that the moment he sees you he will stop what he is doing and go say hello, whether he’s playing on the course or practicing at the range he’s sure to greet you with a smile and a firm handshake. If you’ve played with him you’ll see he’s quite good, and a fun golfing partner to have. We are happy to feature him for this spotlight, so read on below for his answers and to know more about him!

When did you start with The First Tee?

Trent: I started with The First Tee in 2015, but I began golfing in 2010 with my first lesson.

In your bag, what is your favorite club? Your least favorite club? Why?

Trent: My favorite club is my 4 hybrid because it gets me out of trouble a lot. My least favorite club is my 4 iron because I have to work on my strike position.

Who would be your dream foursome (what 4 people would you like to play golf with?)

Trent: My dream foursome would be Phil Mickelson because of how he perseveres through his challenges and has the most experience on the PGA Tour. Dustin Johnson because we both play the same brand of clubs and he drives the ball so far, and Rory McIlroy because he is from Ireland and that is my heritage, he is an amazing golfer and he would complete my dream foursome.

What is the best/favorite thing your coach has taught you?

Trent: My favorite thing that Coach Bob Tomasini has taught me is a drill to make my ball flight better to gain yardage and accuracy which involves a club, aliment stick, and a laser. He asked me to get setup to a ball on the concrete line and move my arms straight back then straight forward with the light from the laser following the same path as the safety line on the range, this helped me immediately. This teaches you not to twist your hands as you start your swing.

What would you tell a friend who is interested in The First Tee or golf in general?

Trent: One thing I would tell a friend who was interested in The First Tee of golf is that you get to meet a lot of nice people when you play.

What is your favorite game to play during classes at The First Tee?

Trent: My favorite game in The First Tee class is putting and chipping dodgeball, this is a good game for accuracy and distance control. Chipping/putting dodge ball consist of a big circle around a hole and two teams. The two teams try to make it in the circle. If you make it in the circle you get to call out someone from the opposite team or to call one of your teammates back into play.

Do you play other sports? If so, what do you play?

Trent: Yes, after 8 years of doing martial arts, I earned my black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Do you take part in any extracurricular activities?

Trent: Yes, I play for my school’s golf team, play in tournaments, help with The First Tee of Contra Costa Junior Council and help teach classes at The First Tee. I also have two businesses for example one of them is turning old bottle caps into ball markers, and the other job I have is a neighborhood job like washing cars, mail, dog sitting, and much more.

What is your most memorable experience on the golf course?

Trent: My most memorable golf experience was for the NorCal Academy at Poppy Hills Golf Course when I was a ball away from a hole in one. I was on one of the par threes and hit this incredible 7 iron from 167 yards out and when I got up there my ball was almost a golf ball away from going in (about 2 inches away from the hole.)

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Trent: I would like to say that I am very grateful for the opportunities The First Tee has to offer. Thank you.

Trent is currently an Eagle Participant at Diablo Creek, and another great example of the awesome participants we have in our chapter. Thanks Trent!