Month: October 2017

It is with sad hearts and deep sympathy that we announce the unexpected passing of our great friend and supporter, Mike Roach.  Mike’s company upgraded our irrigation system and he visited our facility just a few weeks ago to check up on our progress and discuss some enhancements. The most important component of a golf facility to ensure healthy turf is the irrigation system.  Mike worked tirelessly during our re-grassing of 2012 to ensure our upgraded system was state of the art.  He donated many hours and equipment and asked his friends in the industry to also donate time and equipment to defray over 70% of the costs associated with the project. “We would not be where we are today without Mike’s dedication,” said Carl Mistretta, Chapter Executive Director.  “He was a great friend and we worked on many projects together during my golf course design days, including The Bear’s Club and Trump National Jupiter.  Mike was a fantastic advocate for our golf and youth development programs.” We will miss him dearly and ask that everyone involved in our Chapter to please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Services are expected to be held later this week in South Carolina.

Replicating the energy of the famed Bear Trap at The Honda Classic, this Halloween party will be raising awareness for philanthropy in Palm Beach County. Join us for spirits, brews and bites, live music, an exciting auction and prizes for the best costume!

Date: Saturday, October 28th Tickets: $225 per person ($100 Tax Deductible) TICKET AND PACKAGE OPTIONS AVAILABLE Time: 7pm – 11pm Location: PGA National Resort & Spa Attire: Casual Dress – Costumes encouraged!

Please select: “Charity to Support” – The First Tee of The Palm Beaches

CAN’T ATTEND AND WOULD LIKE TO DONATE? CLICK HERE!

Please RSVP as soon as possible to Gennifer Garvin – Director of Operations at 812-243-5703 or [email protected]

Recently our volunteer Tracy Peyton received an award for her efforts in completing 70 hours of “workship” during the 2016-2017 school year. Peyton was given the award by Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she attends school and is a member of the golf team. For the past year, Peyton has been responsible for logging database entries into our Chapter’s online system. Although the task is tedious and requires persistency, Peyton is happy to give back to her community. “It means a lot to me to support organizations like The First Tee which grow the game of golf. Having been raised playing golf myself, I recognize the character building aspect of golf which is highly beneficial to every child/teen,” Peyton said.

Over the summer, the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course with funding support from the Par 3 Foundation hosted three weeks of our chapter summer camps! The 18-hole course between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway was re-designed by Ray Floyd and is a great course for children and families to enjoy. The course is fun and challenging for golfers of any skill level to play. The PAR 3 Foundation continues to promote Raymond Floyd’s dedication to junior golf programs and growing the game. “It is a pleasure having The First Tee host the students to enjoy our facility each summer,” said Tony Chateauvert, PGA, Director of Golf of the Palm Beach Par 3. “The students learn about golf and life skills and enjoy the beach and fantastic food from our restaurant.” The Lake Worth Community Center, Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club, and students from our chapter were among the many participants to enjoy the beautiful course during the summer camps.

At a recent SE Section LPGA tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Coach Connie had the pleasure to meet the Black Knight, Gary Player. Mr. Player gave the LPGA Professionals some playing tips before their round on the Stadium Course. Pictured above: Coach Connie, Gary Player, and Teaching Professional Vanina Colledanchise from Argentina.

Our 100 Friends support our chapter in many ways, such as: – Learning about our mission and programs to act as our community ambassadors ï – Helping us to identify potential donors, corporations or foundations to support our non-profit organization – Contributing special skills and talents to help us grow and promote our youth development programs. Each year our 100 Friends gather for a golf tournament at The Bear’s Club. This year’s event is Tuesday, October 24th. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about joining the 100 Friends. New this year- The Young Professionals of the 100 Friends.  This new group is for young leaders in our community ages 25-40.  It is being headed up by Sheridan Fields from US Trust.  Sheridan chaired a similar group with great success for The First Tee of Connecticut. Please CLICK HERE for more information on The Young Professionals.

William Burke Jr., (pictured far right) our chapter summer intern from Dwyer High School’s business magnet, helped deliver over 8,000 pounds of ice to residents of the Florida Keys. The ice was generously donated by our long standing sponsor, Collins Fish & Seafood. Collins is the oldest seafood distributor in South Florida and supplies many restaurants, hotels and other businesses in the Keys and many Palm Beach County country clubs and customers. “The devastation was very sad and the people that live in the Keys are going to need a lot of help to rebuild,” said William after the trip. “They were very thankful to Collins Seafood for donating the ice and I am glad I could help out. I learned how important it is to give back and volunteer while at The First Tee this summer.”

Because of the leadership and generosity of our chapter Trustee, Jon Orszag, and other supporting donors, our annual college scholarship program has grown and thrived. This year’s recipients were chapter alumni Emily Valentine, Janelle Johnson and Jarue Johnson. As chapter students, both Emily and Janelle qualified to play in The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and Jarue was selected to attend The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy at Hofstra University. “Our Board of Directors, staff and chapter Trustees are all firm believers in the importance of academics and graduating from college,” said Steve Rockoff, Chairman of the Children’s Golf Foundation. “These impressive students are realizing the dream of a college education because of the support of Trustee Jon Orszag and their continued involvement with our chapter.” Emily (pictured in pink shirt) is a junior playing on the golf team at Palm Beach Atlantic University and coaches for our chapter. Janelle (pictured in white team shirt) is a senior playing on the golf team at Nova Southeastern University. Jarue is a junior at Florida Atlantic University and continues to play competitive golf. Both Janelle and Jarue (pictured in red shirt coaching) continue to volunteer with our chapter and served as counselors at our summer camps this year.