Rendon-Mendoza, Peros selected for once-in-lifetime trip
By Paul Valencia, Columbian
High School Sports Reporter
Published: May 8, 2016, 9:30pm
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Julieta Rendon-Mendoza of Union High School poses for a selfie with Tiger Woods (in red) in the background at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Course in South Carolina.Photo Gallery
“The First Tee believed in me when no one else did.”
Julieta Rendon-Mendoza wrote those words in an essay, describing the impact the youth golf program has had in her life.
Now a junior at Union High School, Rendon-Mendoza noted that the mentors and coaches from First Tee were the first people in her life to tell her she had potential, that she only became confident due to her association with the program.
“When others see me, I can’t control my skin color nor my short stature … but I can control the way I see myself and through my confidence I can let that shine through,” she wrote.
That essay was selected to be among the winners of a contest that earned her a trip to Georgia and South Carolina last month, to watch some of the best junior golfers in the world compete, to see a surprise guest — Tiger Woods — and even swing by a little place called Augusta National, home of The Masters.
She was not the only one from Clark County.
Zach Peros, a junior from Skyview, also won the contest that selected a number of golfers from throughout the country.
Peros heard about the contest the day of the deadline to enter, and he was not sure his essay would be up to task. As a student with a 3.98 grade-point average, though, he got the job done.
Rendon-Mendoza and the Union Titans are scheduled to compete in the Class 4A District 4
girls golf tournament today and Tuesday at Lewis River Golf Course in Woodland. Peros, meanwhile, has qualified for the Class 4A state boys tournament, which will be played later this month.
Before high school golf’s final month, though, the two got to enjoy a junior golf tour in a golf-rich region.
They got to play a practice round at Sage Valley, one of the premier courses in South Carolina, as well as volunteer at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, one of the top junior events in the world.
“Give a little to get a little,” Rendon-Mendoza said, referring to the philosophy of First Tee.
Her favorite moment was meeting one of her golf heroes.
“There was a rumor they would have someone famous. We were all trying to figure out who. It was a surprise. It was just so exciting just to see him.”
It was more than just the chance to see Woods hit balls at a clinic. She got to shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Julieta,” Rendon-Mendoza said. “ ‘Hi. My name is Tiger Woods,’ he said. Like, ‘Oh, my gosh. Of course you’re Tiger Woods.’ ”
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While the tournament was in South Carolina, the group stayed in Georgia. The bus driver yelled “Detour time” and took the group outside the gates of Augusta National. While the golfers were not allowed on the grounds, they did take pictures in front of the famous sign.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Rendon-Mendoza said.
Peros said there was not one thing that stood out; just a lot of memorable things from the trip.
“It was more than an awesome thing,” Peros said. “Awesome is not the right word to describe what it was. It was better than awesome. Getting to bond with other people and getting to see something so different was pretty great.”
Rendon-Mendoza and Peros are part of Leisure Hour Junior Golf Program, which has a partnership with The First Tee. Both programs have been instrumental in their lives.
“Honesty, integrity, confidence all come up in the game of golf,” Rendon-Mendoza said. “It’s a really big part of developing the character in oneself.”
Both say they might play golf in college but education is the main priority. They plan to play golf for the rest of their lives.
“I see it more as a social experience,” Peros said. “It’s given me the opportunity to meet people.”
The game also has taught him how to handle himself properly.
“Do the right thing when no one’s looking,” he explained.
Rendon-Mendoza said she will continue to volunteer through junior golf programs such as Leisure Hour and First Tee.
“I believe everyone has potential, and everyone needs someone to believe in them to fulfill that potential because that’s exactly how The First Tee impacted my life,” she wrote in her essay.
“Now, when I pass by a mirror … I see someone more powerful and capable.”
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