Austin Cook earned a spot in the Masters with his RSM Classic win last month, but the PGA Tour rookie isn’t the only new name to learn in 2018.
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When Pauline Nocon was growing up in the Philippines, most of what she knew about the United States came from television shows. First, it was “Blue’s Clues,” the animated educational show aimed at preschoolers on Nickelodeon. Later, she got caught up in movies like “Mission Impossible” and “Die Hard” that her parents liked to watch. “And I was like, wow, that’s what America’s like,” Nocon says, laughing at her naivete. “And I do remember thinking like it snowed everywhere year-round.” RELATED: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am host organization, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, will be first to reach a charitable milestone among PGA TOUR tournaments But the America of the silver screen was hardly the reality Nocon found in 2006 when she and her mother came to the United States to join her father, who had immigrated eight years earlier in search of a better job and a path to higher education for his only child. Nocon’s family settled in Salinas, an agricultural hotbed of California known as the “salad bowl of the world.” Her father, who had recently become a U.S. citizen, had a job as a forklift operator for Fresh Express and her mother soon found work at the elementary school her daughter, who was 9 when they left the Philippines, attended. Today, just over 15 years after coming to America, Nocon is a college graduate with a degree from San Jose State in environmental science that includes double minors in sustainability and climate change strategies. She works at Tesla as an environmental health and safety technician. Nocon credits First Tee – Monterey County and her internships at the Monterey Bay Aquarium with helping her acclimate to the United States and grow into a confident, poised 25-year-old with a John Daly-esque backswing and dreams of going to law school. Both organizations are among the many supported by the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which begins Thursday and will be played on three of the most iconic courses on the Monterey Peninsula. And today the tournament’s charitable arm, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, announced it will top $200 million in all-time donations – a first for any event on the PGA TOUR. At the same time, the TOUR is reporting that it garnered more than $173 million in charitable donations for 2021, bringing the organization’s all-time total to a remarkable $3.37 billion. The significance is not lost on Nocon – even if wrapping arms around those numbers is difficult. “It’s certainly an incredible thing to hear,” she says. “But when you really think about what that money translates to it does bring me a lot of joy because maybe there’s another little girl who has a weird overswing living in Salinas, experiencing culture shock who can benefit it from that.” Steve John, who is the tournament director of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, was heartened by the possibilities that are inherent in Nocon’s story. “It really puts a smile on your face, and you feel great about giving and providing for these organizations that do so much for the future leaders of the world,” he says. “And she’s obviously one of them. “And it’s great to share that story because there might be someone else out there that’s thinking, you know, that could be me.” Nocon first was introduced to First Tee – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – when she was in fourth grade, during recess one day. There was an area set up outside the gym with plastic clubs and balls and a Velcro backstop, and one of the coaches was there to help. “I had the time of my life,” she recalls. “… I had seen it in cartoons before in TV shows and read about it, but I’d certainly never seen a golf club in real life. I was like, that sounds really fun.” Soon Nocon was enrolled in the First Tee’s summer program. And she kept coming back – turns out, the First Tee facility was just seven minutes from her house – day after day. She worked on her game, eventually volunteering as a junior coach and later getting her first paying job as an assistant. But it was more than just the game that set the hook, so to speak. Nocon learned to set goals and take responsibility through First Tee’s nine core values and correlating life skills programs. She even remembers filling out college admission applications there. “I mean, where do you want me to start?” Nocon says when asked what the program meant to her. “I don’t know. I feel like it was certainly a transitionary period in my life. Not just, you know, kind of growing from child to preteen to teenager — they saw all of the awkward stages. “But it was a lot of setting me up for success. … They taught me how to use the wonderful, wonderful game of golf, because that’s how they get you. They’re like, look at this fun game; we’re going to learn some life skills with it. So, it’s certainly something that I still think about — those nine core values and life skills — every decision I come to, every teachable moment that I have for my nephews, for my young cousins, for whoever it is I’m mentoring … everything is still applicable. “There’s not a day that passes that I make a decision for myself that I don’t think about those things that I’ve learned from that program.” Nocon’s involvement with the aquarium was equally impactful. As an eighth grader, she joined the Young Women in Science program that introduces teenage girls to marine biology. She went kayaking and scuba diving and later volunteered with the sea otter rescue program. “When I was growing up in the Philippines, I never really realized like, wow, I was really lucky to have that kind of biodiversity in the ocean that was near me,” she says. “I never realized the kind of pollution that was affecting us. I mean, I did, but I didn’t. It was something that we just knew was there and dealt with it, but I never really considered, like, how do we fix this? “So, when I was Young Women in Science, I kind of got an introduction to the aquarium, the work that they do. … And it was just all of this exposure with the most incredible group of passionate people who will just get you to fall in love with this stuff.” Nocon also went through a two-week training program to become a Teen Conservation Leader that was so intense she says it “felt a lot like drinking out of a fire hose.” The TCL candidates learned about the various habitats in the aquarium, and they even had sleepovers at the aquarium. When the training was over, she began working as a guide and mentor. “You walk out of that two-week training, like I’m going to change the world,” she says. “It’s the most amazing, amazing experience.” Nocon is quick to point out that she was able to get her start in the Young Women in Science program – and ultimately her involvement with the aquarium — thanks to a scholarship that very well might have come from money donated by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. “And knowing that more of those students are going to benefit from this money that we’re generating from this (tournament) I can’t even say how grateful I am for that,” she says. Nocon has attended the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am several times and once even handled social media duties for First Tee – Monterey County. The kids would get in the van in Salinas and head down the coast to Pebble Beach, which is about 30 minutes away. “You get out of the van, and you’ve got this, like. the iconic Monterey fog, like you see the ocean there and just the energy that comes with tournaments, like that is always so palpable,” she says. “I don’t even know how to describe it. It feels electric in the air.” Interestingly, while she does have favorite players – Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, to name a few – Nocon’s most vivid memories are of the beauty of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Or maybe, given her interest in the environment, that’s not such a surprise, after all. “I remember the first time I was at No. 18,” she says. “Man, it’s beautiful. … I remember standing there and being like, wow, this is the most amazing like hole in golf. And I’m just here at the fairway, watching someone tee off. … It was very, very much a standout moment for me. I think it was because it was such a beautiful day. The sun was out, and you could hear the waves just to the left of the tee box.” John has seen that same beauty from inside the ropes. He played in the unique event that features the PGA TOUR’s best playing with businessmen and celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment nine times before becoming the tournament director and MPF CEO. John notes it took 65 years to raise the first $100 million but only a decade to reach the second. He credits that growth to the support of the tournament’s title sponsor, as well as its secondary partners and the amateurs and celebrities who believe in the mission. “It’s such a wonderful collaborative effort on everybody’s part,” John says. A year ago, restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tournament to make some dramatic changes. For the first time, no amateurs played, and there were no spectators. Still, the tournament was able to give over $10 million back to the community and John and his staff soon realized a milestone no other TOUR event had reached loomed large on the horizon. Over the years, the charitable dollars have gone to support food security, which was particularly important during the pandemic, education, equity and health and human services, as well as to conquer the digital divide. The tournament even bought body cameras for the Salinas Police Department and helped with relief efforts after natural disasters like the area’s fierce wildfires, too. PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan says the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is an example of the good works made possible by the support and partnership between the TOUR’s best players and its tournaments and sponsors. “The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has for decades combined the best in sports and entertainment for our fans along with a charitable impact that positively affects thousands of lives in Monterey and the surrounding communities,” Monahan explains. John has lots of great memories of the years he’s been involved with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am but setting this week’s TOUR charitable-giving standard is special. And hearing the impact the tournament has had on people like Nocon brings the hard work full circle. “Well, this obviously is at the top of the heap,” John says. “I mean, when you hit something, when you’re part of something that is eclipsing the first-ever milestone, 200 million, I would say that’s definitely on the top of the highlight reel. “But there’s so many. I think just knowing everybody’s efforts of our team — we have small team, 11, 12 people — and to know that we’re able to be part of something that’s so successful and just continuing to grow. We’re always trying to raise the bar and the experience for the players here, which in turn raises, much, much needed funds for the community — life changing funds for the community. “So, I think that’s kind of what, if you sleep well at night, that’s makes me sleep really good to know that what we’re doing really makes a difference in lives, changing lives.”
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Notes and observations from Saturday’s third round of the Greenbrier Classic where Sebastian Munoz set himself up for his first PGA TOUR win with a steady 2-under 68. The Colombian sits 14-under and leads by two over Robert Streb (65) at 12 under. Rookie Xander Schauffele (66) and former prodigy Jamie Lovemark (66) will also try to chase down a maiden PGA TOUR win from three back at 11-under. For more from Old White TPC check out the Daily Wrap. MUNOZ MOVIE NIGHTS Sebastian Munoz has turned off his phone and retreated to his room for 1980s movie nights as he tries to stem the nerves during his battle for a maiden PGA TOUR win at the Greenbrier Classic. The 23-year-old Colombian, who prior to this week had finished no higher than T27 on the TOUR and ranks 198th on the FedExCup, has led through all three rounds at the Old White TPC. His two-shot buffer over Robert Streb in his first 54-hole lead on TOUR and represents the chance to significantly change his life bringing with it significant nerves. Knowing his phone would be blowing up with well wishes and social media notifications he simply turned it off. “I am going to try to do the same thing. I’ve had my phone off since Thursday. We’re going to keep it that way,â€� he smiled as he explained how he kept a calm demeanor. After Thursday’s hot start Munoz retreated to his room to watch 1980s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and after another good effort Friday kept the theme going by watching Rainman. Slightly superstitious he will once again find an 80s classic and is considering Top Gun for his Saturday night flick. As for tomorrow’s final round? He hopes keeping a simple game plan will allow him to continue on to victory. “I’ll try to play boring golf. I try to hit the fairway and hit the greens,â€� he said. “I’ll try to keep it steady, but you just take what you can get.â€� And he will try to continue to make putts. Munoz leads the field in Strokes Gained: Putting at an incredible 9.181 through three rounds making 396’1â€� worth of putts. STREB SADDLES UP FOR REVENGE Two years ago Robert Streb had the chance to win the Greenbrier Classic, joining a four-man playoff for the title. Just getting there had been an impressive effort given he broke his putter at the turn on Sunday and putted with a wedge on the back nine that yielded five birdies. Ultimately, he was unable to get the win but the 2015 McGladrey Classic champion has the chance for revenge this week, starting Sunday just two back in second place. It’s a timely performance as he currently ranks 137th in the FedExCup. “I’m trying to put that aside and trying to just focus on winning here and see if we can play well,â€� Streb said. “Hopefully the points will take care of themselves.â€� Streb’s Saturday effort was highlighted by a brilliant hybrid out of the rough on the par-5 12th hole from 232-yards that almost went in the hole. The resulting eagle and round of 65 has him in great shape. “Maybe I left a couple out there coming in, but hopefully have a chance tomorrow,â€� he said. SHOT OF THE DAY ROOKIE XANDER READY TO ATTACK When Xander Schauffele nabbed a top-5 finish in just his second PGA TOUR event in the fall last year he was already liking his chances of a trip to the FedExCup Playoffs. With four made cuts out of the blocks in his rookie year the confidence was starting to certainly build. But then six missed cuts in the next eight starts followed and by the time he headed to the U.S. Open last month he had faded to 135th on the FedExCup list and was in danger of losing his card. The 23-year-old then surprised plenty by contending at Erin Hills, finishing in a tie for fifth, catapulting him back into the high confidence realm once more. Decent efforts at the Travelers Championship (T14) and the Quicken Loans National (T35) have moved him to 94th on the FedExCup list entering the Greenbrier Classic, virtually securing a Playoff berth. “Knowing that I have a job virtually taken care of for next year is a huge relief,â€� he said. “It frees me up to maybe go at a few more pins tomorrow. Really get aggressive at times and push for a win. “You can only do as much as you can with the swing and with putts. But if I can kind if keep this attitude, never know what can happen. “I don’t really know what’s going to go on with by body and how my mind works, but hopefully I can prepare for it properly.â€� CALL OF THE DAY   LOVE CHASES HISTORY Davis Love III will attempt to create history on Sunday as he looks to become the oldest winner on the PGA TOUR. A Life Member on the TOUR based on a minimum of 20 victories (21), Love III carded a third-round 2-under 68 and will enter the final round at T5, four strokes behind. A victory Sunday would come in Love’s 741st official PGA TOUR start at the age of 53 years, 2 months and 26 days breaking Sam Snead’s record of 52 years, 10 months and 8 days at the 1965 Wyndham Championship. Love would also set a record for most years between first and last victory on the TOUR (30 years, two months and 20 days since his first win at the 1987 RBC Heritage). “I don’t think much about age. I think I want to get out and compete. There is a reason why I keep having surgery and coming back and doing the rehab and trying to play,â€� he said. “I think I can play out here. I watch Vijay (Singh) go out there and pound balls and keep having a good finish here and there, keep making the FedExCup 125. I want to keep doing that. I want to keep staying out here and competing. “I’m just trying to hang in there. I feel like if I can make some putts I can still compete with them.â€� ODDS AND ENDS Jamie Lovemark (T3), in search of his first victory in his 113th PGA TOUR start, owns runner-up finishes at the 2009 Safeway Open and 2016 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The former prodigy admits there will be nerves but he’s excited about the prospect of a breakthrough win. “I think everyone feels more comfortable as time goes on. I’m 29; I’m getting kind of old. So hopefully get one of these someday soon,â€� he said. “Everyone is more nervous on Sunday. That’s fine. That’s why we play. Not a huge deal. Just got to take it slow and give myself a lot of decent looks and don’t be too aggressive going into the greens.â€� Defending champion Danny Lee (64-68-70) sits six back in a tie for 8th. After making the cut on the number (his first made cut in four tries at The Old White TPC), Phil Mickelson posted a 1-over 71 Saturday to fall to T61. Opening this week with rounds of 69-67, Greenbrier resident Bubba Watson (T67) struggled to a 5-over 75 Saturday, his first-over par score in 15 rounds at The Greenbrier Classic. Smylie Kaufman (T54) has a current streak of 258 consecutive holes without a three-putt. BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA Munoz needs just 9 more feet of putts in his final two holes to get to 400 feet of putts made this week😳😳😳 #isthatgood — Teryn Schaefer (@TerynS_PGATOUR) July 8, 2017 🔥 🔥 🔥@jsmunozgolf has the flat stick dialed in.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/b5jCY0GI8P — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2017 Missed green? No problem. Robert Streb (@therealstrebber) converts from 91’6″ on his opening hole. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/tovjnvg6yS — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2017
Sixteen years ago a 13-year-old Japanese boy woke up early to watch Tiger Woods win the Masters. His dreams of being on that stage became reality Sunday in Augusta.
