Month: March 2019

The Honda Classic and our Chapter Coaches partnered with The Els for Autism Foundation to host a special clinic during tournament week for children with autism. Thirty plus local children attended and had a wonderful time on the driving range. The clinic concluded with a generous contribution to the Els for Autism Foundation from the PGA Tour Superstore. Pictured above: Els Center of Excellence Participants along with Els for Autism Founder- Leizl Els, Chapter Director of Development – Jack Barret, Marlene Sotelo, Els for Autism Chief Operation Office and Eric Bems from PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE.

Chapter participants were invited to tour the set of Golf Channel on Saturday morning of tournament week. Not only did they hang out with Golf Channel Anchor Tim Rosaforte, but they were invited to tour the on-site T.V. production truck.

Chapter students Savannah Mansueti and Trevor Tarashuk 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. Both reporters also performed a “Social Media Takeover” of The First Tee National Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter sites. Followers from across the nation were kept up to date in real time on the students’ interviews of the entire day.

Each year, the Monday morning after The Honda Classic, the Champion Course at PGA National hosts our annual golf tournament. It is a rare opportunity to experience what PGA TOUR Professionals face on Championship Sunday as we play the Sunday tournament pin placements. Chapter supporters, donors and even a few of our students participated in the ultimate test of their golf skills. Pictured above left to right: James Wittek and David Ladd won the gross division with a score of 67. Bill Inman and Wayne Sanders were the net division winners with a score of 60.

The eighth annual Women’s Leadership Forum presented by The Honda Classic was an enlightening and educational morning during tournament week. More than 200 women gathered at 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 Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen and Suzy Whaley, President of the PGA of America. Chapter female participants were invited to attend and enjoy the event with Chapter staff and Directors to help them prepare for their academic and professional careers. Pictured above: Chapter Participants – Jacie Goodman, Staci Pla, Mia Thorson, Annika Sowerbutts, Sydnee Beebe along with Program Director – Connie Capanegra, Treasure Coast Director of Operations – Gennifer Garvin, Volunteer Coordinator Liz Alter, and Suzy Whaley.

Program Director Connie Capanegra teamed up with three of our Chapter students- Tan Ritthisorn, Makenna Bernstein and Felipe Obando and played with PGA TOUR player Dylan Frittelli the Saturday morning of tournament week at the Palmer Course at PGA National. A second team included Chapter students- Jacie Goodman, Zoe Shamy and Landon Murray with Executive Director Carl Mistretta. They played with PGA TOUR player Roberto Diaz. “What an incredible experience!” exclaimed Palm Beach Gardens High School varsity golfer Jacie Goodman. “We had a great time and I learned a lot about what it really takes to play professional golf. The food and gifts were awesome. We even received a gift suitcase.” Carl’s team beat Connie’s team 59 to 64 to finish in third place and claim a trophy. “We had a bet and now Connie owes me lunch,” said Carl after the victory. “She really hates losing and I am going to order lobster!”

For the sixth consecutive year, United Technologies has provided our Chapter with 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. “United Technologies continued generous support has allowed our Veterans golf programs to expand every year,” said Bobby Hendel, Chapter President. “Our UTC sponsored year-round golf programs for Veterans and the Patriots Outpost are a great way to thank our nation’s heroes.” 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. Pictured above with chapter Directors, Coaches and Veterans: UTC staff members Tom Vining, Mary Milmoe, Beth Amato and Matt Enochs.

Minutes before The Honda Classic Junior Clinic was set to begin, Jason Dufner was practicing with a longtime friend from Auburn University, Dominic Bozzelli. Sebastian Ayala (pictured above with Dufner) attending the clinic, asked Dominic for his autograph. Seconds later Dufner points to Dominic and tells Sebastian, “I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you can tell me his name.” Without hesitation, Sebastian answered correctly, and Jason paid up! Sebastian then utilized one of our Nine Core Values- Judgement and donated the money to our Chapter. Thanks to Sebastian and Jason!

Hundreds of Chapter participants and area students visited The Honda Classic on Tuesday afternoon of tournament week for our annual Junior Clinic. PGA TOUR Professional, Graeme McDowell joined the students for an afternoon of hitting shots and answering questions. Newly inducted World Golf of Hall member Dennis Walters put on a fantastic show with Superdog Bucky. Graeme and Dennis signed many autographs and took tons of pictures with the students.