Year: 2017

The game of golf, and specifically our Chapter, lost a lifelong leader and supporter in July.  Robert L. Watson, member of the PGA of America for more than 65 years, passed July 17, 2017, one week after his 94th birthday, at his home in Jupiter, FL. Pictured above: Bob with golf legends Sam Snead and Seve Ballesteros. A native of Wichita Falls, TX, Watson got his start in golf as a caddy at Wichita Falls Country Club. Upon graduation from high school he joined the U.S. Army. Following his discharge, he attended the University of Texas, playing golf for the legendary Coach Harvey Penick, and won individual honors in Southwest Conference play twice, in 1948 and 1949. Watson’s first job as a golf professional was as an assistant to Jackie Burke at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, NY. Over the next 40 years, from 1950 through 1990, Watson served as head PGA professional at the Metropolis, Ardsley, Fairview, Wykagyl and Westchester Country Clubs, all in Westchester County north of New York City. Watson also established a unique playing record by winning tournaments in eight consecutive decades. It started in the 1930s with the 1939 Wichita Falls City Junior Championship at the age of 16. His final win was in May 2000, for his age group at the South Florida Senior Open at Ibis Country Club in West Palm Beach. His biggest victory, Watson always said, was in the 1958 Panama Open with seven of the top 10 money winners on what today is known as the PGA Tour in the field, including Arnold Palmer. A few years later after winning the Colombian National Open, Watson delighted tournament officials and spectators by making his acceptance remarks in Spanish. Watson also won several Metropolitan PGA Section titles over the years and was inducted into the Met PGA and University of Texas Halls of Fame. In recent years, Watson was on the teaching staff at Jonathan’s Landing Country Club in Jupiter and helped found our Chapter. A memorial service was held at Jonathan’s Landing where the legend of Bob Watson was shared with stories and toasts from Watson’s members, staff and golf industry friends. Survivors include sons Craig Watson and his wife Wendy of Jupiter and Rob Watson of Daytona Beach, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made in Watson’s name to the Bob Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund for the men’s and women’s golf teams at Palm Beach Atlantic University coached by his son, Craig Watson.  The scholarship fund assists students from The First Tee with tuition and living expenses to attend PBAU.  Donations may be made online at www.firstteepalmbeaches.org or mailed to: The First Tee of The Palm Beaches 7301 North Haverhill Road West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Please make checks payable to The First Tee of The Palm Beaches and reference the Bob Watson Memorial Fund in your donation.

This important national academy managed by The First Tee home office is provided for advanced high school players interested in playing college golf.  24 elite junior golfers from The First Tee chapters across the country were selected from hundreds of applicants to attend the academy hosted by our chapter in July.  Applicants must have low handicaps and be enrolled in The First Tee for a minimum of three years. Pictured above at the academy closing dinner at The Breakers Hotel, the students each received a commemorative plaque from Morell Studios. Congratulations to Chapter Coaches Craig Watson, PGA and Nancy Stuart, LPGA for being selected to coach the students during the week at the academy. Participants were immersed in the routines of playing college golf by living in the dormitories at Keiser University, walking morning rounds of 18-holes while carrying their bags and participating in structured work out sessions at The Florida Institute of Performance and engaging in late afternoon practice sessions at our golf facility in Dyer Park.  The Bear’s Club, Seagate Country Club, The Palm Beach Par 3 and Jupiter Hills generously hosted the students for golf during the week.  The curriculum of The First Tee Life Skills Experience was incorporated into every aspect of the academy. Specifically, during the academy the students participated in interactive sessions in the areas of:

• golf technique
• education and career exploration
• physical fitness and nutrition
• golf equipment fitting

The academy was made possible with the help of our staff and coaches, Directors, country clubs and many community sponsors.

Recently our Chapter received a visit from staff members of American Honda and The Honda Classic including American Honda Vice President of Community Relations Steve Morikawa, Tournament Executive Director Ken Kennerly and Tournament Director Andrew George.  The folks from Honda visited with Chapter staff and the parents and children from the Obando family, who are chapter students.  The Honda Classic Cares presented a generous “big check” donation.  The Honda Classic is a Founding Partner of our Chapter. The Honda Classic Cares mission is to give to the children of our community. While the PGA TOUR tournament strives to provide Palm Beach County with a premier professional sporting event, the ultimate goal is to positively impact youth in need, and create a brighter future for our community. Through their host organization, Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc., The Honda Classic Cares awards grants available to local non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County and throughout South Florida to enhance the health and welfare of our children and the future of our community.

Recently at our golf facility in Dyer Park, 50 Senior Citizens from the Edna W.  Runner Tutorial Center came out and enjoyed a morning of golf.  We also conduct a program for their youth participants during the summer. “This is our second year inviting them out to the facility, and they had a blast,” said Coach Dave McNulty, PGA. Thank you to Chapter Director Maria Marino who made the introduction and helped secure program funding through the Jupiter Children’s Foundation. Click play button below to see one of the attendees using the ParaGolfer!

The mission of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is to improve lives in their community through environmental, social and governance support. As part of their work, Bank of America develops strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations serving local needs to bring collective networks and expertise to help communities grow and thrive. Our chapter recently received a generous grant to provide our life skills programming to children in our community. Pictured left to right back row: Sr. Vice President of Consumer Vehicle Lending – Dan Jardin, Coach Sam Velazquez, Development Director – Jack Barrett, Manager of Operations – Aliya Howard and participants Bastiano and Baggio Velez Alcarado.   

Marathon Golf recently kicked off this summer with a bang!  The Palm Beach Atlantic Ladies Golf Team Members – Alex Dowd, Tori Hays, Emily Valentine, Katie Humphreys along with Chapter Development Director – Jack Barrett played a grand total of 360 holes and raised over $5,000, which will be matched by the Seminole Region CMA! Gary Collins, the man behind Marathon Golf, announced that all clubs and Marathon Golfers raised over $225,000 this year to support local charities. With their charitable giving, the Seminole Region Club Managers Association is changing lives in South Florida.  The Seminole Region CMA is recognized as a Nine Core Value Sponsor of our Chapter.

The American Society of Golf Course Architects Foundation partners with local chapters of The First Tee during their Annual Meeting to provide college scholarships to deserving students.  The annual scholarship is sponsored by CMF Global, an industry leader in providing everything needed for golf course irrigation systems.  Coincidentally, CMF Global generously assisted our Chapter by donating irrigation supplies during our facility renovation in 2012. Scholarship recipients from The First Tee are invited to attend the Donald Ross Dinner at the ASGCA Annual Meeting.  This is the third year of the scholarship which began in 2015 with scholarships awarded to students from the San Diego chapter, and subsequently students from the Washington D.C. chapter in 2016. The ASGCA held their Annual Meeting in South Florida in May and our Chapter alumni and Coach, Emily Valentine, was the recipient of the 2017 ASGCA Foundation college scholarship.  The scholarship will fund Emily’s summer classes. Pictured above left to right: Chapter Program Director Connie Capanegra, ASGCA Fellow and Chapter Honorary Chairman Jack Nicklaus and Emily.

Congratulations Class of 2017! Two of our students graduated from high school this spring and both will be attending college this fall. Quinn Reid graduated from Cardinal Newman High School as a Member of the National Honor Society, editor of the yearbook, Alumni Award recipient for the golf team and Captain, and the Humanity Service award recipient.  Quinn will start her collegiate career locally at Palm Beach State College. Bella Gingrich graduated from Cardinal Newman High School as a Member of the National Honors Society, Senior Class President, Secretary of the debate Honor Society, and Newman Safe Group Ambassador.   Bella is attending Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA this fall. We wish Quinn and Bella continued success in their academic careers. Pictured above left to right: Quinn, Chapter Program Director Connie Capanegra and Bella at Cardinal Newman’s graduation.

Wednesday ~June 21 ~ 8:00am to 5:30 pm All oil change proceeds will be donated to The First Tee of The Treasure Coast.

6574 SE Federal Hwy., Stuart (772) 288-7478 Call today to schedule your oil change!

www.ParadiseTireandService.com

The members of Mariner Sands Country Club recently held a Club Drive to benefit our chapter.  The members collected roughly 30 bags and 600 clubs to support our golf programs. Special thanks to Leigh Schmalz for coordinating this generous contribution.  Without the tremendous support of our local golf clubs our Chapter could not continue to grow and serve the Treasure Coast community.

Chapter Director, Chef Mark Zollo, owner of the Cornerstone Bistro, hosted a very special evening at his restaurant to benefit our Chapter. Chef Zollo hosted over 125 guests, sold over 180 raffle tickets and raffled off 22 outstanding items.  The evening featured “Stag’s Leap” wine and a mouthwatering three course meal by Chef Zollo. Veterans Mary Anderson and Buck Ancell shared their experience in our Veterans programming, and participants Brook Pimpo and Kameron Povio (pictured below) also shared their experiences as a result of enrolling in our chapter programs.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to Jim Crane, a Trustee of The First Tee, and the members and staff of Floridian National Golf Club for recently hosting our annual spring golf tournament. “Our sponsors and supporters had a fantastic time at the premier golf club in South Florida,” said Andrew Hunt, Chapter President. “Floridian is very special. We are very thankful to Jim Crane and Mark Zollo for the delicious lunch and dinner provided by the Cornerstone Bistro.” The winners of our 2017 event with a net score of 51 were – Brent Waugh, Buzz Holland, Tooraj Nowzamani, and George Lepine (pictured left).  Winners of the gross division with a score of 66 Lenny Loyd – Chapter Director, Mark Ensio, Joe McCart, and John DiSalvatore.

Thank you sponsors!