"Hi, my name is Sam Barbour and I currently am attending my second year at Dobyns Bennett High School. Around 8 years ago, I began playing golf alongside my two older brothers. They helped me to grow up with golf in my life, which encouraged me to start First Tee a year later when I was 9 years old. Since then, my dad has taught me how to play and enjoy golf.
When I started the program at Cattails Golf Club, I played a lot with my friends from school, but I began to meet new people that I have grown up with in the First Tee program. Since then, I have made my way through PLAYer, Par, Birdie, and Eagle level, and I am now working on my Ace level coursework. First Tee has meant a lot to me, especially in golf aspects like rules and etiquette, and also in social skills like communication and helping others.
In terms of competitive golf, I am currently on the Dobyns Bennett golf team, and have played both my Freshman and Sophomore year. In the fall of 2020, we were able to finish 1st in the Conference, District, and Regional championships. What I have loved about golf most is collaborating with my teammates like I have the past two years. Even though Covid-19 had made the 2020 year hectic, we were still able to have fun and play golf, which is what I hope to do in the future as well.
This school year I have been primarily in virtual classes, which has been difficult, though it is something that will help me get ready for college. I plan to play tennis in the spring season as well, which will hopefully increase my endurance for the golf season in the summer and fall."
