A Fan’s Eye View with AT&T’s Lucky Foursome at the National Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Jasmine February 13, 2015
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AT&T’s golf fan Foursome has begun their week of VIP treatment at the National Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and it looks like they’ve been having a ball getting to participate in all of the new experiences AT&T planned for them!

In celebration of 30 years with Pebble Beach, AT&T invited four golf fans, Tim Lang- Military Veteran, Katie Horsford- First Tee mentor, Dan McLaughlin of The Dan Plan and Tiffany Fitzgerald of Black Girls Golf, to the tournament to cover it from the fan’s perspective. So for all of you that couldn’t make it out this time, prepare to live vicariously through the Foursome, who have been sharing a first-hand look of all the unique things that make this tournament one-of-a-kind.

This week the group has met veterans and delivered food for the Veteran’s Transition Center of Monterey County, an organization that helps homeless Veterans transition into permanent jobs and housing; played in the Boys & Girls Club Pro-AM, where they ran into some pretty cool people; and paid a visit to the Golf Academy to experience new technology. While there, they did a Video Swing Analysis with Laird Small, Director of the Pebble Beach Golf Academy, tested the Robotic Swing Trainer with Scot Nei, one of golf’s most innovative instructors and spent some time at the Science and Motion PuttLab with Kevin Hanssen, PGA Member and the Lead Instructor at the Pebble Beach Golf Academy. As if that weren’t enough, the Foursome also received Full Swing Instruction from Dan Pasquariello, who was selected by Golf Magazine as one of its “100 Best Teachers in America” in 2011/2012.

All in all, the group has been living every golf fan’s dream over the past few days, as you’ll see below!

Foursome Fan Moments

 

PB_HeadShots_Tiffany

We had the chance to catch up with Foursome member Tiffany Fitzgerald and hear more about her Fan’s Eye View experience so far.

How did you feel when AT&T originally approached you to be a part of this amazing opportunity?

At first I was skeptical. Why would a company like AT&T want to talk with Black Girls Golf? After the initial conversations I understood more about what they were trying to do and I was honored to be a part. When I learned about the itinerary, all the things we would have access to, I was very excited to learn that AT&T was interested in inviting me to participate in the Fan’s Eye View. However, I didn’t think Black Girls Golf was the kind of company, size of scope that a large brand like AT&T would be interested in.

What have you been the most excited about with your AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am experience?

So far, this just being day 2, I was most excited about meeting Condoleezza Rice on the practice range. A very close second would be the swing lessons we received at the Pebble Beach Golf Academy. Using swing robots and calibrated putting learning aids really helped me understand what a proper golf swing should feel like. I can’t wait to practice what I’ve learned.

Are there any golfers that you really geeked out over meeting this week?

I would love to meet Jordan Spieth. I hear that we may get an opportunity to do that later in the week.

There are a number of celebrities that always go to the Pro-Am event, did you see anyone or get to meet any celebrities at the event so far?

I was prepared to see, and/or meet celebrities at the tournament. I think one of the special things about the AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm is the accessibility of the celebrities. I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to meet someone like Condoleezza Rice. When the people at AT&T saw how excited I was when I noticed her on the practice range, they made sure that I had the opportunity to meet her and take a photo with her.

You guys are getting to check out some brand new technology at the Golf Academy. Can you talk about what you were/are most excited by?

The closest I’ve ever been to golf technology is the simulator at my local golf store. Today, we worked with a robotic training tool that helped your body create and repeat the proper swing mechanics in front of a monitor so you could actually see what your body looks like making the proper golf movements. It was pretty amazing to feel the difference between what I had been doing and what I should be doing.

What’s the vibe like with the lucky four fans? Have you guys all bonded?

We all were able to see each other’s videos, so we understood that golf was the one thing we all had in common, but we didn’t meet until we all arrived in Monterey. We played a round together in the Boys & Girls Club ProAM at Monterey Peninsula Country Club and we really bonded on the course. I think that’s what’s so special about golf, it can bring strangers together and create and friendship. Golf creates an environment where you are supporting and encouraging each other. We are all having a really good time together.

I’ve noticed that golf is a big networking opportunity as well when it comes to establishing and growing professional relationships. For someone that has never played golf though, what advice would you give them? What’s the first step?

The first step is to always accept an invitation to play. Playing a round of golf with someone you want to do business with gives you both the opportunity to learn more about each other. The second thing, and perhaps the most important, is to be comfortable with your game. If you are new, be upfront about what your level of play and play your game. As long as you know the rules and the etiquette, your skill level and your confidence will improve as you play. Just keep playing.

You’ve inspired a lot of women with what you’re doing with BlackGirlsGolf. Net, who inspires you?

I’m inspired by the many African-American golfers who endured cruelty and humiliation for the love of this game. I feel like it’s my responsibility to them, and to the game to keep working towards making a more inclusive and diverse environment for us all to enjoy the game.

Get to Know Tiffany Fitzgerald

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackGirlsGolf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackGirlsGolf.Net

To keep up to date with the journey and experience all of it with them – follow #ATTPROAM on Twitter and:

Website: http://www.attpbgolf.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/attproam

Note: This post is in partnership with AT&T. All opinions are my own.

Categories: Lifestyle
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Jasmine
Jasmine is the Associate Editor/Reporter for FanBolt. She’s been obsessed with pop culture and entertainment news since the olden days of MTV’s ‘TRL’ and graduated in 2009 with her BA in Journalism. She’s a huge horror and sci-fi/fantasy fan and her favorite shows include: American Horror Story, Game of Thrones, Pretty Little Liars, Doctor Who, Bates Motel, Once Upon A Time and Scandal, to name a few.

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