Henderson teen earned chance to golf with a pro

It was a good birthday for 16-year-old Julian Glasser, who was selected from about 200 applicants to participate in the Nature Valley First Tee Open in Pebble Beach, Calif.

"This has been going on for about eight years," said Christopher Seely, a spokesman with First Tee. "This is the first year Nature Valley has sponsored the event."

The event pairs 78 junior golfers with professional golfers .

Junior golfers can participate for two years. This year was Glasser's second.

"But just because they were selected one year doesn't mean they are automatically coming back," Seely said. "They still have to submit an application each year."

Glasser traveled with his mother to Pebble Beach July 8-10.

"It is such a beautiful course," Glasser said. "You can see the ocean, and it is just breath taking to watch the waves crash while you play."

Getting to the tournament wasn't easy.

Glasser had to write an essay and go through an interview process.

"They asked me a lot of questions," Glasser said. "They asked me things like what my core values are and my best shot, which was holed out from 135 yards away in Boulder City."

When Glasser was selected in 2010, he played with professional golfer Mark Wiebe. Wiebe wrote a recommendation for Glasser to return this year .

"I was really nervous," Glasser said. "But Mark told me not to be. (Pro golfers) are just like everybody else."

The experience helped Glasser develop more confidence while playing.

Even though he wanted to play with Wiebe again, players are paired with new golfers to give them a new experience.

This year, Glasser was paired with John Jacobs.

"I am surprised how nice they are," Glasser said. "You would think they wouldn't be this nice to a junior (golfer)."

Even though he played better last year, shooting a 67, Glasser still enjoyed the experience, shooting a 72.

Both Wiebe and Jacobs gave Glasser good advice: Continue to practice.

Glasser is at a different course almost every day, whether it is Angel Park in Las Vegas or Legacy Golf Club in Henderson .

Glasser has been golfing for six years since his father introduced him to the sport.

"My first tournament, I got a 129," Glasser said. "I saw others getting 73 s, and I knew I wanted to beat them."

After about three years of hard work and practice, Glasser started beating some of his competition and lowering his score to the low 70s.

"My coach was proud of me," Glasser said. "He saw me when I was in the 120s, and now I am all the way down to the 60s and average in the low 70s."

But Glasser was even more proud of himself.

"I knew I deserved it," Glasser said. "I practiced really hard."

Glasser is practicing for the Junior PGA Championship Aug. 2-5.

Sarah Thomas, 16, of Henderson also was chosen. She was out of town for several golf tournaments and unavailable for interviews.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.