Year: 2018

The Teen Golfers Association is a new addition to The First Tee of The Palm Beaches Chapter comprised by the Par, Birdie, Eagle, and Ace participants. This vision of TGA is to attract more teens to the game of golf by providing a fun, engaging and learning environment. Chapter Coaches and Alumni Emily Valentine and Quinn Reid started the TGA to bridge the gap in teenage retention. “This great sport and organization has provided tremendous opportunities for me over the years,” said Emily. I could not think of a better way to give back.” Quinn added, “Having a group that teenagers can gather and excel in, is very important and helps to recruit new teenagers to our chapter.” For more information, please email: [email protected]. Follow @tftpbtga on Instagram and “LIKE” Teen Golfers Association on Facebook to stay updated on all TGA events.

The BallenIsles Charities Foundation (BICF) was established with the goal of “Making a Difference” to local not-for-profit organizations in areas surrounding their residential community located in Palm Beach Gardens. In their 7th year, BICF recently conducted their annual fundraising event for the grant distributions, including a one-day golf tournament over 36-holes at BallenIsles. Pictured are our chapter participants that were the “Pros” on selected par-3 holes to hit a tee shot and putt with the members. “The First Tee students impressed our members with their shot making and putting skills and their confidence and social skills” said Dr. Eddy Slotnick, Chapter Director and BallenIsles resident. “It is always a special experience to meet the young people who benefit from the BICF grant.” BICF generously awarded $20,000.00 to support the mission and programs of our Chapter. Special thanks to Bob Anton, the members of BallenIsles, and to the BallenIsles Charities Foundation for their continued support of our chapter.

Earlier this year, Michael Pakradooni, President of Atlantic Refrigeration hosted a fun tournament at the incredible Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course. The event raised over $125,000 for our chapter. Pictured above: Pakradooni with the winning team of MJ Saad, Bill Feely, Robert Klein and Robert Hill presenting the big check to chapter students and veterans. “We want to ensure that the children of Palm Beach County who desire to learn how to play golf receive the opportunity to do so,” said Pakradooni. “This event will help make that a reality.” Guests were treated to breakfast, golf and lunch. LPGA Tour legends and World Golf Hall of Fame members Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon greeted the guests at check-in and spent time with our chapter students (pictured right). Atlantic Refrigeration has been keeping The Palm Beaches’ pristine estates and private clubs cool and comfortable for over 50 years. Their reputation for honesty, quality and integrity has been earned with every residential or commercial air conditioning system they have installed, repaired or replaced since 1962. For more information, please visit their website at http://atlanticrefrigeration.cc/home.html

Chapter students Amber Steele and Xavier Adams served as roving PGA TOUR Junior Course Reporters at The Honda Classic. The students received inside the ropes media credentials and shadowed reporters preparing articles and videos for media publications. This experience is designed to enhance their communication and journalism skills.

Chapter Participants greeted patrons with complimentary pairings guides upon entering The Honda Classic. Students wore bibs with the tournament and Chapter logos and delivered a friendly request for a $1 donation. Participants from The First Tee of Aiken also joined in the fun! All of the students that donated their time on the weekend handed out over 20,000 pairings guides and collected over $5,000.00 to support our mission and programs. Thank you to all tournament patrons that donated to our Chapter.

The seventh annual Women’s Leadership Forum presented by The Honda Classic was an incredible morning during tournament week. More than 200 women gathered at the beautiful PGA National Resort & Spa and participated in an engaging morning on topics vital to their professional and personal development. The two Leadership Guest Speakers were Judy Marks and Vicki Poponi. Our chapter female participants were invited to attend and enjoy the event to help these young ladies advance their professional careers and thrive in today’s fast-paced business environment. Pictured above: Chapter Participants – Amber Steele, Savannah Mansueti, Jacie Goodman, Alexandria Walker, Annika Sowerbutts, Sydnee Beebe along with Chapter Program Director – Connie, Treasure Coast Director of Operations – Gennifer Garvin, Donna White, LPGA and Chapter Director Maria Marino.

The Honda Classic and our chapter Coaches partner with The Els Center for Excellence to host a special clinic during tournament week for children with autism. Fifty plus local children attended and had a wonderful time on the driving range. The clinic concluded with Dennis Walters and super dog Bucky entertaining the students with incredible golf shots.

For the fifth year in a row United Technologies has provided our Chapter a generous grant benefitting our programs serving Veterans with disabilities. A check was presented in the amount of $35,000 in the Patriots Outpost (the tournament’s military appreciation tent sponsored by UTC) in the presence of hundreds of Veterans. Special shout out to the UTC team of Beta Amato, Tom Vining, Mary Milmoe and Deanna Usiadek for the inspiring support. “Our partnership with United Technologies and their continued generous support has allowed our golf programs serving Veterans to expand every year,” said Carl Mistretta, Chapter Executive Director. “On behalf of UTC, our staff, coaches and Board of Directors we thank all Veterans for their service.” In honor of the men and women who have and are currently serving our great nation, The Honda Classic in partnership with United Technologies offers complimentary tickets for Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, their registered Dependents and Non-Retired Veterans Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Tickets also provide access to the United Technologies Patriots Outpost hospitality pavilion overlooking the signature par-3, 17th hole where complimentary lunch and snacks will be provided each day.

Three of our Chapter students- Harry Hutchings, Tyler Mistretta and Christopher Curtis and Program Director – Connie Capanegra, teed it up with PGA TOUR player Andrew Filbert the Saturday morning of tournament week at the Palmer Course at PGA National.

Hundreds of Chapter participants and local youth visited The Honda Classic on Tuesday afternoon of tournament week for our free annual Junior Clinic. PGA Tour Professionals Ben Crane and Cameron Tringale joined the youth for an afternoon of hitting shots and answering questions. The pros then asked a few of our students to step up and demonstrate their swings. Crane and Tringale signed many autographs and took tons of pictures with the students.

Many of our supporters enjoyed the opportunity to experience PGA TOUR playing conditions, including Sunday pin placements at The Monday after The Honda Classic Invitational on the Champion Course at PGA National. The pins were tucked and the rough was up. Playing in this event really demonstrates just how good the players are on the PGA TOUR. “From the Junior Clinic to the Monday after Invitational, The Honda Classic is our biggest week of the year,” said Bobby Hendel, Chapter President. “The tournament brings tremendous community awareness to our organization and helps us raise much needed funds.” Congratulations to first place in the gross division with a score of 67 by David Ladd and Mark Dutler (pictured above left with Chapter staff Aliya Howard and Connie Capanegra). First place in the net division was won by Tim and Matt Wilhelmy with a score of 57.

Congratulations to local PGA TOUR Professional Justin Thomas for winning the 2018 Honda Classic. The Honda Classic was thrilled to announce a record breaking attendance of 224,624 spectators propelled by the competitive playing of Tiger Woods and a thrilling playoff victory by world no. 3, Justin Thomas! The Honda Classic is a Founding Partner of our Chapter and supports our mission and programs through their charitable giving. Our Chapter also raises funds through the Monday after Tournament, Birdies for Children, other designated grants and the PGA TOUR donated their Wednesday Pro-Am purse. The tournament has an impact to our Chapter each year of over $100,000. “We have worked hard to attract a diverse spectator base and were thrilled to see this strategy pay off in the way the community supported this year’s tournament. It was just an incredible week of golf and fun. We look forward to more great events in the years to come so that we can continue to grow upon the impact that we make in this community through our Honda Classic Cares initiative and our charitable giving,” said Honda Classic Executive Director and our Chapter Vice Chairman Kenneth R. Kennerly. The 2019 Honda Classic will be played February 25-March 3, 2019.