Jersey Village High graduate benefits from The First Tee

Jersey Village High School

Collegiate-level golfer and Jersey Village High alumni Austin Sarabia spends his time volunteering with The First Tee of Greater Houston.

Sarabia, who has played golf since the second grade, joined the Houston Golf Association's intern staff this past summer. However, it was his work with children that reignited his love for the game. "I had been playing golf competitively for my whole life, and it became just about the score," said Sarabia in a press release. "The fun of the game got lost. But volunteering with The First Tee, I've gained that back. Seeing the kids have fun, whether they win or lose, hit a good shot or a bad one, put the game back into perspective for me."

Sarabia first joined the Houston Golf Association as an intern this past summer. Once a member of the association's junior league himself, Sarabia was able to assist in the the running of junior golf tournaments and events. "I've been blessed with the gift of golf," he said in the release, "and I wanted to give back to my community."

Now as part of The First Tee youth education program, Sarabia teaches the children important lessons about the game of golf while focusing on the program's nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. "I help young kids with their pitching and putting shots," Sarabia commented in the release. "I also teach them the nine core values, and it's amazing to see them really learning."

For this upcoming summer, Sarabia has been promoted to Houston Golf Association official Intern. He will operate as site coordinator for junior golf tournaments and manage a staff of five. Currently a sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University, Sarabia hopes to continue to work in the golf industry after graduation.

"HGA and The First Tee have taught me to take every opportunity I'm given and to give my best 110 percent of the time," Sarabia said.

To learn more about The First Tee youth golf and life skills program, visit thefirstteegreaterhouston.org. For more information on the Houston Golf Association, visit hga.org.