At home on the range

Golf is a way of life for Sean Forster. His uncles bought the native of 18th and Johnston his first set of clubs at age 5. Two years later, he was playing at FDR Golf Course, Broad and Pattison.

Now 16, Forster is competing in national tournaments. The La Salle College High senior traveled to Kansas this week to compete with 62 other boys in the First Tee National Chapter Qualifier.

The three-day, 36-hole stroke play qualifier gave the top 15 junior golfers spots in the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach from Sept. 3-5. The famous golf course has hosted the best players from the PGA Tour at the US Open.

Even though Forster didn’t make the cut, he said the tournament was a great experience. The golfer tallied scores of 77-90-81, and noted that his second-round performance hurt his chances.

"I was a little upset that I didn’t take my time," he said as he prepared to board his plane home Tuesday afternoon. "If I didn’t feel the pressure in the second round, I would’ve scored better.

"I was hitting the ball great. I just didn’t drop enough putts."

Forster took the trip to Kansas through his involvement with the First Tee Learning Center, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation that introduces the game to youths 8-18 from various backgrounds.

First Tee opened a 4,000-square-foot learning center at FDR Golf Course, where Forster volunteers two to three days a week. The La Salle varsity golfer was chosen for the tournament after submitting an essay about how First Tee impacted his life.

The tournament was played at Colbert Hills Golf Club in Manhattan, Kan., the site of the NCAA Men’s Central Regional. Playing golf on the road is nothing new for Forster, who enjoys taking his clubs on family vacations. During a trip to Bermuda or a visit to his grandparents’ home in Albany, N.Y., there is always time to play a round or two.

But Forster said FDR always will be number-one on his list.

"It’s my home course," he said. "I love playing there."

The trip served a dual purpose for Foster. He had the opportunity to check out Kansas State — a school he is considering — while he stayed in the dorms. The Midwest college is one of 23 schools across the nation participating in First Tee’s leadership scholarship program.

To become a First Tee Scholar, student-athletes must meet certain criteria, including a minimum GPA of 3.0, evidence of responsible citizenship through meaningful involvement in community or civic opportunities, and participation in the First Tee program at the time of application.

"It’s a chance to get financial aid from 23 colleges," said Forster, who boasts a 3.5 GPA.

Forster, who moved to Plymouth Meeting with his mom when he was 12, said La Salle was the right choice for a budding golfer. The school has one of the Catholic League’s top programs.

The team went to the championship game this year, losing to St. Joseph’s Preparatory High. Forster missed the qualifying cut for the match, but is looking forward to getting another chance next spring.

"I was qualified for the last spot with somebody," he said. "I wasn’t upset. He was a senior and I still have one more shot next year."

Forster, who averaged a 4-over-par 40 as a junior, admitted something about high-school matches makes him nervous.

Prior to high school, golf ranked behind hockey and basketball for the teen. As a kid, he played roller hockey recreationally at Rizzo Rink, Front Street and Washington Avenue.

Forster tried out for La Salle’s golf team his freshman year, but didn’t make the cut. A year later, he started taking lessons with coach Mike Meriana at a golf center in Conshohocken.

"I got a coach and have been working hard ever since," he said.

On Aug. 9, the golfer will return to his home course at FDR when the Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Golf Association and First Tee Philadelphia hold a tournament for high-school players. The championship round will follow Aug. 10 at the Melrose Country Club, 7600 Tookany Creek Parkway in Cheltenham.

Forster is approaching the event with the same optimism that has helped him on the course.

"I am sure I am going to know a lot of kids there," he said. "Hopefully I will get two good scores and win this year."

The golfer enjoys volunteering his time at the First Tee Learning Center, where he passes his knowledge of the game on to youngsters learning to play the sport. He tries to instill confidence in the kids as they’re practicing their putts.

"The more you practice, the better you’re going to get," Forster said he tells his students. "You can’t put your head down."

The golfer seems to be following his own advice as he plans to keep his high-school career on par and, hopefully, continue playing in college. Aside from Kansas State, his Division I options through the First Tee scholar program include the University of Maryland, University of Richmond and University of Louisville.

But to get to any of those schools, Forster knows he’ll have to maintain his drive both on and off the course.

"I have to keep up with my schoolwork — no senioritis — and have best year golf-wise."