First Tee of Greater Houston helps Cy-Woods student earn scholarship, spot on McMurray University go

Cypress Woods High School senior Arabella Cruz has capitalized on her experience with The First Tee program and has earned two academic scholarships.

She will attend McMurray in the fall and play golf at the school.

Cruz received a four-year Deans Scholarship and the Susan H. Williams Scholarship, which is awarded to one participant from the First Tee Program.

"To keep the First Tee Scholarship, I have to keep a certain GPA, keep in touch with the donors and stay involved with The First Tee, but I intended on doing that anyway," Cruz stated in a release.

Cruz attended a PLAYer Advance Life Skills Academy in Dallas last summer through the First Tee Program and learned about life as a college athlete.

"We worked so hard at the academy," Cruz stated in a release. "We had workout sessions before breakfast and we played or practiced until dinner. I improved my game, but I also learned how to take care of myself, hydrating, eating right, wearing sunscreen. Those are all important things to playing at that level."

Cruz said she plans to major in business and would love to play professional golf one day. She also wouldn't mind designing her own course.

She is also looking forward to her experience as a college golfer.

"I've met the team and they all seem nice and welcoming," Cruz stated in a release. "I think I'm going to have fun and really like it there."

The First Tee Program, one of the chore youth charities of the Shell Houston Open, is designed to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and promote healthy choices. It reaches more than 79,000 young people each year.