Month: September 2019

PEBBLE BEACH! TUNE IN THIS WEEKEND

Tune in this weekend to watch Chapter student Tyler Mistretta and 77 other students from First Tee chapters across the country compete in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee.  The tournament is an official PGA TOUR Champions event to be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California.   Below are the telecast times on GolfChannel: Fri, Sep.27 3:00-6:00 pm (Live) Sat, Sep.28 3:00-6:00 pm (Live) Sun, Sep.29 3:00-6:00 pm (Live) Want to apply to play in this tournament when you reach high school? Stay active in The First Tee! The PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee is the only event of its kind where 78 First Tee teenagers from across the country are paired up with 78 PGA TOUR Champions players and 156 amateurs during an official PGA TOUR Champions tournament. Tyler will compete for the Pro-Junior Team title. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their understanding and application of the values and life skills learned through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability. This year’s field of professionals will include World Golf Hall of Fame Members Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen, as well as defending champion and recent KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship winner Ken Tanigawa. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.  Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course on Friday and Saturday, with the final round contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 23 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday. Nearly 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs in the field. 

REGISTER FOR STEAM

IMG’s Honda Classic team will host a Family STEAM Golf Day at The First Tee of The Palm Beaches. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) When: October 17th, 2019 Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cost: FREE! Location: The First Tee of The Palm Beaches 7301 N Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Along with receiving golf skills instruction, student participants will have the opportunity to learn about different golf course grasses, learn how to properly cut a cup, identify plants, preserve wildlife habitats, and learn about the ecology, conservation and environmental aspects of golf courses. The First Tee of The Palm Beaches’ Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center par-3 course and practice range will be used as an environmental learning lab to facilitate the connections between golf courses and STEAM education. The Honda Classic will also be hosting their annual Kids Ticket contest at Family STEAM Golf Day where the participants can draw, color or paint designs to be selected as the highlighted artwork on the Honda Classic’s kid ticket for the 2020 tournament. CLICK HERE to RSVP. Space is limited.

REGISTER FOR STEAM

IMG’s Honda Classic team will host a Family STEAM Golf Day at The First Tee of The Palm Beaches. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) When: October 17th, 2019 Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cost: FREE! Location: The First Tee of The Palm Beaches 7301 N Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Along with receiving golf skills instruction, student participants will have the opportunity to learn about different golf course grasses, learn how to properly cut a cup, identify plants, preserve wildlife habitats, and learn about the ecology, conservation and environmental aspects of golf courses. The First Tee of The Palm Beaches’ Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center par-3 course and practice range will be used as an environmental learning lab to facilitate the connections between golf courses and STEAM education. The Honda Classic will also be hosting their annual Kids Ticket contest at Family STEAM Golf Day where the participants can draw, color or paint designs to be selected as the highlighted artwork on the Honda Classic’s kid ticket for the 2020 tournament. CLICK HERE to RSVP. Space is limited.

NEW COACH TRAINING FOR PLAYER LEVEL

Recently, our Chapter held our first PLAYer Coach Training at Parkland Golf & Country Club. A new group of 23 Coaches are now certified to teach The First Tee program at the PLAYer level. Ten of the Coaches were from the Palm Beach chapter. Conducting local training of new Coaches is a welcome addition implemented by The First Tee home office beginning this year. Training Coaches at a chapter level will allow us to grow even larger. The training was led by Chapter Staff Connie Capanegra, LPGA, Rick Hengstenberg, PGA, Robert Ferzoco and Emily Valentine. Thank you to our Host Coaches Drew Dallanegra, PGA and Jonathan Smith, PGA at Parkland. The First Tee Coach Program is developed with input from leading experts in the field of positive youth development. The program focuses on empowering participants through decision-making and exploring options. This helps foster positive relationships between coaches and young people, inspiring the golfers of tomorrow to look to the future, set goals, and unlock their potential.

PALM BEACH GARDENS WINS PRESEASON SHOOTOUT

The second annual High School PreSeason Shootout was recently hosted by Admirals Cove Village Course. The Palm Beach Gardens High School Junior/Senior team (featuring chapter student Tyler Mistretta) won the boys’ scramble event at 14 under par and the Gardens sophomore team (featuring chapter student Billy Reid) came in second place at 11 under par. Suncoast won the girls’ division with a one under par round of 70. Huge SHOUT OUT to the staff and members of Admirals Cove for hosting this fun event that kicks off the local high school golf season.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS EXPANDING MEMBERSHIP

Members of our Chapter’s Young Professionals (YP) wrapped up the summer at a recent golf event at North Palm Beach Country Club. The group is open to golfers and non-golfers wishing to support our chapter from ages 21-39. For more information on joining the YP, please CLICK HERE.

FREE OPEN HOUSE AT SEAGATE COUNTRY CLUB

Join us at Seagate Country Club to learn basic golf instruction, play fun games and receive information about the upcoming First Tee Fall Programming.

When: October 8th, 2019 – 4pm Where: Seagate Country Club 3600 Hamlet Drive Delray Beach, FL 33436 Cost: FREE

Please call the Seagate CC golf shop to register at 561-498-8298 or contact Coach Whitney Young at [email protected]

CHAPTER HELPING TO SUPPORT GRAND BAHAMA

South Florida was extremely lucky to be spared by Hurricane Dorian. However, our neighbors in Grand Bahama were totally devasted. Chapter Director Joe Davis is a Bahamian citizen residing in the State of Florida. He is the Executive Chairman, CEO of Aerologistc Group Limited & Bahamas Development Bahamian Group Limited. Joe lost many family members and friends to the storm. Because of his relationships with the airline industry and the Bahamian government, Joe is helping to bring in needed supplies to Grand Bahama. The U.S. has done a fantastic job sending traditional relief supplies such as water, clothing, tarps and grocery items. However, Grand Bahama is desperately in need of the following items:
– Pickup trucks – Tools for contractors, carpenters (i.e. power tools, skill saws, drills, hammers, etc.) – Ladders – Extension electrical cords – Portable generators – Multiple power outlet surge protectors – SAT phones – Toolboxes – Tool belts – Chain saws – Jerry Jugs 5 gal – Scrubs S,M,L – Table saw – Tile cutter – Tile wet saw – Nail guns – Compressor – Cordless drill – Router bits
If you wish to donate, please drop off any of the above small supplies at our Chapter in Dyer Park located at 7301 N. Haverhill Road in Riviera Beach. We will arrange to have the supplies flown or ferried to Grand Bahama. Please contact Joe Davis to donate any vehicles or large items at [email protected]

FALL CLASS REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Have you made The First Tee a part of your Back to School Plans?

73% reported high confidence in their ability to do well academically. 82% felt confident in their social skills with peers. 52% credited the program for their ability to appreciate diversity.

Positive impact on your child, your family, your community.

Register today at program locations in West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Delray Beach and more!

REMEMBERING MICHAEL FINNEGAN

Today our country remembers the loss of thousands of our friends our family. Our chapter Directors, staff and supporters remember Michael Finnegan and his family. Mike made everyone feel special. He lived without hesitation.  He lived in the moment and made the moments memorable.  He put his family and friends at ease with themselves.  He listened.  He was a peacemaker.  He was loyal.  He had the gift of wit.  He made everyone laugh.  He danced like no one was watching.  He did ordinary things extraordinarily well.  He was a great golfer.  He honored “the game” with his talent and grace.  He loved his family.  He was the best husband, the best father, the best son, the best brother, and the best friend anyone could be.  He had the serenity in his life we all long for, yet while you were with him you had it too.  Mike honored the gift of life and he shared his love of life with everyone he met. The unique gift Mike shared with his family and friends is individual and remains in their hearts forever. Michael Bradley Finnegan was born on March 14, 1964 in Kingston, NY to Beverly and Frank Finnegan.   He graduated from University of Richmond in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economic.  He married Erin McDonnell in 1992 and moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey.  He had three beautiful children; Bridget Annie, born 11/4/95, Michael Bradley, born 12/23/97 and Francis John (Jack), born 8/3/01.  Mike died tragically on September 11, 2001, while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center.  He was 37 years old. Golf was a huge part of Mike’s life (see Mike’s accomplishments below). Mike thoroughly enjoyed time spent with friends on the golf course.  For Mike, golf was a metaphor for life.   “The game” reflected the way Mike lived; with honor, dignity, camaraderie, grace, competitiveness, and an occasional can of “swing oil.” Even with all of Mike’s success at the game, he considered a hole-in-one to be the pinnacle of golf – a feat he never accomplished. Thus was born “Finny’s Annual Hole-In-One Tournament and the Finnegan Foundation.  A time to bring together friends and family – in Mike’s honor – benefiting those less fortunate than us. The Finnegan Foundation is a Founding Partner of our Chapter. Members of his family continue to support our Chapter and have a special place in their hearts, just like Mike, for our programs that serve children with special needs. Michael’s wife Erin, serves on our Honorary Board of Directors and his children, parents and cousins have helped raise and donate money for our programs. Mike’s Golf Accomplishments 1980 – 1st Place Qualifying Medal, Ulster County Junior Match Play 1981 – 1st Place Qualifying Round, Ulster County Amateur Golf Championship 1981 – Winner of Maurice Davenport Memorial Tournament 1981 – Winner of 32nd Ulster County Men’s Amateur Golf Championship Youngest Winner of the Herdegin Memorial Trophy 1986 – Member of Winning Mens Team Ulster County ACS Championship 1994 – Qualified for the New Jersey State Golf Association State Amateur Championship 1995 – Qualified for the New Jersey State Golf Association State Amateur Championship 1996 – Member of Winning Mens Team Ulster County ACS Championship 1998 – Winner Club Championship —  Rock Spring Club 2000 – Winner Club Championship —  Rock Spring Club 2001 – Qualified for the New Jersey State Golf Association State Amateur Championship 2001 – September 8th New Jersey National Golf Club “Great round of golf” Michael B. Finnegan’s last round of golf on this earth