James Thomas (JT) Moore, is a senior at Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, he moved to Virginia in 2011, where, in 2012, he became an active member of The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC. There, JT is currently an Eagle participant. He previously was a member of The First Tee of Augusta, Georgia for five years.
It was JT’s father who first enrolled him, along with his sister, at The First Tee of Augusta. Little JT was only 9-years old then. Today, at 18-years old, 6’ tall and 153 pounds, JT has been a proud member of his high school golf team for four years. Most notably, during his senior year he was named as Team Captain, along with Most Valuable Golfer. And he has lettered there three years. It’s an impressive feat for someone so involved in academics and sports so successfully.
While in high school, JT especially enjoyed English and Governmental Studies. With a keen mind, his focus is deep and concentrated. And he is the kind of person that once he’s set his sights on something, it’s hard to distract him.
It’s rare nowadays to find such skill, passion and commitment all rolled up into one dedicated teenage, but JT has all of that, and more.
JT was also a member of the high school track team. A diligent student and skilled athlete, the studious scholar maintained a 3.3 GPA throughout his time there. He also served as an active volunteer in his school and within the community.
With a busy lifestyle, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, JT realized early on the many benefits of volunteering and the enormous impact that it has on those in his community. The effort has helped him to gain new friends, learn strong communication skills, and even advanced his career opportunities. Research has shown that volunteering can also help teens to advance their mental and physical health.
JT usually plays golf twenty, or more, times a month. He loves each time that he can get out on the course and carries a 4.8 handicap. Linda Gaudi oversees his technique and has servesd as his Swing Coach, 2012 to present.
“The mental aspect of the game is my biggest challenge,” says the player who admits to reading lots of golf books and watches golf instructional videos.
“I enjoy playing golf, because it requires hard word, dedication and determination. It’s fun seeing all of that hard work paying off.”
As a member of The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC, JT has achieved many fantastic opportunities. Being selected as one of eighty-one participants across the United States to participate in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, 2015, was the acclimation of hard work and determination. It is the one accomplishment that he will never forget!
Now he finds himself having to make a final hard decision: Which college or university to attend? After applying to six colleges and universities and being accepted to five, JT has narrowed his decision down to two; and, of those two that are being considered, both of the schools have offered him academic and athletic scholarships. JT is in a tremendous position. If all goes as planned, he hopes to continue playing golf on a collegiate level while pursuing a degree in Business Management.
“I am very grateful to all of the opportunities that The First Tee Program has made available to me, and will always support and give back anyway that I can,” he says. No doubt, JT is overly excited about his future as a collegiate golfer and what these next four years have to offer!
JT has posted a video on YouTube to share with everyone just what he has in mind for his future. For more information, you may contact him at jbmoore1986@gmail.com and he sincerely thanks you for their support!
