Page 22 - First Tee - Tampa Bay Alumni Book

Senuda Rajapakse
First Tee – Tampa Bay
Age: 22
Years in First Tee: 6
College: University of Florida | Civil Engineering
What are you doing today?
I am finishing up my Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Systems.
What impact did First Tee have on your life?
First Tee really changed my life for the better. I have lifelong friends who I still talk to daily, even four years after graduating from the program. Whenever I am back home,
I know I can always go to Rogers Park and find people to talk to or play golf with. First Tee also opened the door
for me to travel, win scholarships, and even gave me an edge when I was looking for full-time employment.
What is your favorite memory from your First Tee – Tampa Bay experience?
Participating in all of the charity scrambles. Regardless of the course we played, it was always fun to meet new people, laugh, eat good food and compete for first place.
How did First Tee – Tampa Bay equip you to take on new experiences or challenges?
I used to be very shy before getting into golf. At First
Tee, I met so many people that had the same interest
as me - golf - that it was impossible to not get into a conversation. As a young adult, I can have a conversation with anybody about almost anything because of my experience at First Tee. In short, First Tee took me out of my shy comfort zone, brought me into an uncomfortable one, but gave me the tools I needed to feel at home.
Is there a specific core value or life skill that you learned which has helped you in life?
Perseverance. The big idea is to always keep
pushing to get better, even when it’s tough.
First Tee took me out of my shy comfort zone.
20 | FirstTeeTampaBay.org