The Monterey Peninsula is an international tourist destination famously known for its beautiful coastline, mild climate, golfing mecca Pebble Beach and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. Its location on the central coast of California provides for fertile soil, making this one of the richest farming regions in California. Salinas, located about six miles from the Pacific Ocean and a short drive from Pebble Beach, serves as home to many working class families supporting this agricultural region.

Through a partnership with East Salina's Alisal Union School District, The First Tee of Monterey County provides transportation to students to the 63-acre campus of The First Tee of Monterey County (TFTMC), previously the Twin Creeks Golf Course. Every two weeks, approximately 2,000 students pass through the facility ' with over 6,000 total members between the ages of 4 and 17 using the facility annually.

TFTMC offers golf lessons as well as instruction in its nine core values: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy and Judgment.  Since 2004, this facility has been a haven for youth from struggling neighborhoods 'a quiet place to do homework, spend time with friends and learn from adult mentors.

As an active resident of the Monterey Peninsula, this community is my home. Seeing firsthand the many benefits young people have experienced through this invaluable resource drove me to become heavily involved with this group, first through the fundraising arm, the Big Z Sales Club and today as a member of the TFTMC Board of Directors.

For the past two years, Carmel Realty Company has been a sponsor of the Big Z Golf Tournament and the Ladies Z Golf Tournament. Most recently, Carmel Realty Company sponsored the Ladies Z, at Tehama, with all proceeds benefiting The First Tee of Monterey County.