Third time's a charm

Woodbridge golfer qualifies for First Tee Open at Pebble Beach

All joking aside, Woodbridge golfer Beau Zastrow has qualified for the Wal-Mart First Tee Open, a pro-am tournament that will be held at Pebble Beach on Labor Day weekend.

After coming up short in his first two attempts, Zastrow said the third time proved to be a charm, as he was one of 40 junior players selected from a field of 80 participants during the tourney qualifier held July 16-19 at Kansas State University.

Zastrow, an incoming senior at St. Mary's High, shot a two-round total 79-78—157 on the university's Colbert Hills Golf Course to place in the top 15 in the golf portion of the qualifying process. However, players were also scored on interviews, essays and community involvement, with each component factoring into the final score.

During his interview, Zastrow told judges that his motto was "Third time's a charm," explaining that he had failed to qualify in his previous two efforts.

The interview left an impression on the judges, who, knowing how important qualifying was to Zastrow, decided to play a little joke on him at the awards banquet.

As the names of the 40 qualifiers were called out one by one, Zastrow, who was confident he would be selected, grew more uncomfortable.

Eventually, only one qualifying spot remained.

Woodbridge golfer Beau Zastrow qualified for the Wal-Mart First Tee Open, which will be held on Labor Day weekend at Pebble Beach. (Courtesy photo)

"It was ridiculous," Zastrow said of the stressful moments leading up to the final selection. "All my friends were telling me not to worry, that I'd get in," added Zastrow, who was the only one of seven Sacramento First Tee members present not be chosen to that point.

Before the judges had even called the final name, Zastrow let out a big sigh of relief.

"They said 'from the Sacramento chapter,' and I knew I was the only one left," Zastrow said. "When I went to accept my award, a judge told me that they wanted to play a joke on me. I didn't think it was funny until afterwards and I asked the judge why they had to do that to me.

"(Qualifying) feels really good. I told the judges that my favorite value is perseverance."

Zastrow said he will travel to Pebble Beach on Aug. 25 and that a pairings party for the First Tee Open will be held on Aug. 26. Each junior qualifier will play in a foursome that includes a professional player from the Champions Tour and two amateurs.

The tournament will be held Aug. 29-31.