Aledo Bearcats golfer Braylon Mahanay got a glimpse at his possible future recently when he competed on one of the world’s most renowned golf courses.
Mahanay competed on the Pebble Beach course in southern California, which has hosted several major golf tournaments, including the 2019 U.S. Open. He was there to compete in the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA Tour event affiliated with the First Tee program.
“Before we went I was researching and watching the 2019 U.S. Open. It was amazing to step on that course,” Mahanay said. “It was a golfer’s dream.”
Mahanay not only stepped on the course, he tamed it. He tied for first place after the 54-hole tournament concluded on Sunday, Sept. 25. However, he lost in a scorecard playoff to Bryson Hughes from Florida.
Both players finished the tournament with scores of 198, 18 under par.
Mahanay posted rounds of 65 on the Pebble Beach course, 66 on the Spyglass course (part of the Pebble Beach complex) and 67 back on Pebble Beach. He held the lead alone entering the final day before Hughes finished with a 9-under-par 63 to come from behind. Mahanay was in a tie for third after the opening day.
The event features a unique format. A select group of junior players ages 14-18 from across the United States and Morocco are paired with a PGA player and amateurs from the business world. However, the professionals are competing at their own level and the juniors are playing in their own competition simultaneously.
Throughout the week, the teens applied their character strengths and the life skills learned from First Tee programs during the one-of-a-kind event.
Mahanay was paired with Lee Janzen of the PGA, a two-time winner of the U.S. Open in 1993 and 1998.
“He was a really cool guy,” Mahanay said. “He gave me so much advice, especially about the grass being different there than back in Texas.”
Junior participants in the prestigious tournament have to complete an application and go through a rigorous screening process to be selected. This year, only 78 teens were chosen.
“It was awesome to see. What a cool experience for him to have that opportunity. He deserves it,” first-year Bearcats coach Brian Mourning said. “Just knowing him for the short time that I have, I can see why he was selected by the First Tee Program for this opportunity.
“And for him to go out play the way he did on Pebble and Spyglass is impressive. That is a testament to the hard work that he has put into getting better. Super proud of him and those who have helped him. I’m proud of our golf teams for the support they showed him and the support they have for each other.”
Mahanay did more than play golf while in California. He and his family made a vacation out of the adventure as they visited such sites as the legendary Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach (one of the most photographed trees in North America), Big Sur, and the Majestic Redwood trees. He also played The Hay, a nine-hole course across from Pebble Beach designed by Tiger Woods.
And, he made it onto television.
“I was on a couple of times. I got interviewed by Phil Blackmar of the Golf Channel,” Mahanay said. “That was really cool.”
Mahanay continued what is becoming a tradition for Aledo golfers. Former Ladycat Aly Saunders competed last year and Ella Fisher participated in 2019. Also, former Bearcat Tanner Smith would have participated in 2020, but participants were not allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When Ella went I thought, ‘Oh man, that looks so cool. I have to go,’” he said. “Then, last year my friend Aly went and it made me want to go even more.
“This was the greatest experience, playing on two of the greatest courses in the entire world.”
Mahanay, 17, volunteers at First Tee in Fort Worth teaching life skills and golf to young participants. He’s been a part of the program for 12 years.
“I am so grateful to First Tee. I owe that program so much,” he said. “I am so proud to say I’m a part of it.”
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