CHAPTER STAFF HONORED BY LPGA AND PGA

The Ladies Professional Golf Association recently selected the recipients of their annual Junior Golf Leadership awards. Congratulations to Chapter Outreach and Special Programs Director, Connie Capanegra (pictured above left) for receiving the 2019 Southeast Section Junior Leadership Award. Connie also serves Vice President of the SE Section of the LPGA. “My focus has always been on junior golf,” said Capanegra. “Watching our many students learn the game and excel through school and go off to college is what drives me every day.” The South Florida PGA Section annually recognizes PGA Professionals for overall performance, level of service, leadership, ability to inspire fellow professionals and promote the game of golf. Congratulations to Chapter Coach Dave McNulty (pictured above right with wife Phyllis and son Sean), for receiving the 2019 South Florida PGA Patriot Award, an award which recognizes a PGA member that demonstrates an unwavering commitment and dedication to all who have served the United States. This year marks the first time the South Florida PGA will honor a member on the Section level. “I am so humbled by this award,” said McNulty. “I am so grateful for this great country’s veteran men and women. Without them where would we be?”

PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE CONTINUES GENEROUS SUPPORT

The PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE has been an inspirational partner and supporter of our Chapter through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Arthur Blank, owner of PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE, is also a National Trustee of The First Tee. “The store hosts programs, events and donates grant dollars to us every year,” said Chapter President Bobby Hendel. “They are the definition of a great partner and we cannot wait for their new store to open in Palm Beach Gardens.” Pictured above: PGA Tour Superstore representatives Ralph Stokes and Jamie Eikevik present the big check to Chapter students. P.S. A personal donation was recently made by Ralph Stokes to Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta as LSU FINALLY beat Alabama this year…Geaux Tigers!

EPS COLLEGE TRAINING CAMPS AT DYER PARK

Register now to join Shawn and his team of Coaches for a two-day EPS training camp. Shawn is recognized as a Coach of the world’s best in the area of mindset preparation for sports and business. Shawn works with over twenty universities and is changing the way athletes Think-Train & Perform. Each season, these college teams break school records, win first time conference titles, experience drastic moves in their NCAA rankings, all while athletes are constantly setting and breaking their personal bests. Our Chapter facility is home to the Palm Beach Atlantic University golf teams where Shawn is a consulting coach. The training facilities consist of a short-game and distance wedge training complex, two putting greens, double-ended hitting decks and a nine-hole par three course. Two Day Holiday Camps Cost: $579* December 28 – 29 January 3 – 4 January 18 – 19 *Each camp is limited to only 10 participants. CLICK HERE for more information. CLICK HERE to register.

OUR CHAPTER IS A LPGA*USGA GIRLS GOLF OFFICIAL SITE

ATTENTION GIRLS!

Help our Chapter receive a $25 grant for EACH girl we sign up on the LPGA Girls Golf Website. And it’s FREE! By becoming a member you earn a free entry into LPGA events, invitations to cool Girls Only activities and college scholarship opportunities. Any girl ages 7-17 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP *Registration takes about 2 minutes and you are helping to support our Chapter.

CLUB DRIVE IN PROGRESS & NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH DRIVE SHACK

Our local DRIVE SHACK on Belvedere Road opens October 18th!! DRIVE SHACK is committed to supporting the communities in which it serves by building partnerships with local organizations to help advance their missions. DRIVE SHACK has partnered with our Chapter, 2nd Swing and the PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE to kick off the Drive4Change club donation drive. Beginning opening day, on October 18th, through November 3rd, swing by Drive Shack to donate used golf clubs—anything from a single iron to a putter, to a full set of clubs—to help support our Chapter. In return, each person donating clubs will receive up to $100 of free BayPlay. Donated clubs will be valued and converted to cash donations with the help of 2nd Swing and all Drive4Change proceeds will be given directly to our Chapter with a matching donation made by DRIVE SHACK! Pictured above left to right, Chapter staff and supporters attend the VIP opening of DRIVE SHACK: Executive Director Carl Mistretta, Coach Dane Wiren, Young Professionals Chairman Tom Bliss, Outreach and Special Programs Director Connie Capanegra, LPGA, Head Pro and General Manager of the Palm Beach Par 3 Tony Chateauvert, PGA and Treasure Coast Director of Community Relations Anthony Coletta.

RSVP FOR FAMILY STEAM GOLF DAY

IMG’s Honda Classic team will host a Family STEAM Golf Day at The First Tee of The Palm Beaches. Spots are limited. RSVP ASAP! When: October 17th, 2019 Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00pm Cost: FREE! Location: Dyer Park The First Tee of The Palm Beaches 7301 N Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Along with receiving instruction on their putting strokes, student participants will have the opportunity to learn about: different golf course grasses, how a golf hose is cut, identifying plants, preserving wildlife habitats, ecology and 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 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.

CHAPTER ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEE TIMES MAGAZINE

If you play golf, you have seen the newspaper version of The Tee Times at local golf clubs and businesses as it was launched in 2007. Earlier this summer, Jeff Ward (pictured above right) was named the new general manager and brought a vision for growth and improvement. The newspaper is now distributed in magazine format with a much broader editorial base that will cover the golf lifestyle of South Florida. October was the first edition of the new magazine. To download the October issue, please CLICK HERE. “We are always looking for ways to increase our media coverage,” said Carl Mistretta, Chapter Executive Director (pictured above left). “Tee Times will inform our target audience about our many accomplishments and opportunities for children and Veterans. I am also very excited about Jeff’s vision as this magazine is the only dedicated coverage of golf in our service area.” Interested in having monthly issues delivered to your club or business? DELIVERY IS FREE. Please CLICK HERE to have copies delivered each month to your club our business. Our monthly e-newsletters will include a link to the latest issue of The Tee Times. As a part of our new partnership, the magazine will promote and cover the many exciting stories regarding our programming and students.

100 FRIENDS AT THE BEAR’S CLUB TO HONOR ADAM DONER

Our 100 Friends support our chapter in many ways, such as: • Learning about our mission and programs to act as our community ambassadors • 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. Adam was the perfect example of a dedicated member of the 100 Friends. He not only financially supported our Chapter, but he told everyone about us, brought in new supporters and put his children through our programs. Each year our 100 Friends gather for a golf tournament at The Bear’s Club. This year’s event is Tuesday, October 22nd. Tournament Itinerary: Noon warm-up, 1:00pm shotgun start, concluding with dinner and cocktails. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about playing The Bear’s Club and joining the 100 Friends.

CHAPTER MOURNS THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ADAM DONER

If you knew Adam, count yourself as a very lucky person. He was the life of the party, lived for each day and loved being a father most of all. “Adam above all else, just wanted to talk and tell stories and jokes. He was the only person I have ever met that could continue a conversation through his golf swing!” said Bobby Hendel, Chapter President and close friend of Adam. Adam loved to play golf and was a long-time supporter of our Chapter. Both of his children, the source of his pride of joy- Brandon and Eden- were students in our programs. Brandon represented our Chapter and played in the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Pictured above middle: Brandon, second from left, enjoying a golf tournament with his father and friends. Above right: Brandon at Pebble Beach. Chapter staff were very close to Adam and his family and we will be dedicating our upcoming tournament at The Bear’s Club to him and the memories he helped us all to create.

TYLER HAS GREAT TIME AT PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

It was the trip of a lifetime for 78 First Tee students, including Chapter participant Tyler Mistretta. The tournament allows the students to step into the spotlight of a nationally televised golf tournament and show off their life and golf skills learned in The First Tee program. ” I knew it was going to be incredible, as I have met others who have already played,” said Tyler. “But it was actually one hundred times better then you could ever imagine. This is an experience that all students of the First Tee should strive for.” The teens played with Confidence and Perseverance on two world-class golf courses in Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills, while being mentored by legends of the game – their PGA TOUR Champions partners. (Pictured above right: Tyler with his pro partner, Carlos Franco) Tyler and Franco shot 6-under best ball the first day at Poppy Hills and then faced 40 miles per hour winds at Pebble the second day. They managed to grind out a one over par round at Pebble in the tough conditions but missed the cut.

Pictured above left: Tyler standing near 8 green at Pebble and right: enjoying the Ghost Trees of 17 Mile Drive.

Just being selected to play in this unique event was the real prize, but two of these teens are bringing home some nice hardware for winning the Pro-Junior title.  Congratulations to Sam Sommerhauser from First Tee of Greater Sacramento, who was paired with Kirk Triplett.  They finished at 23-under, winning the male Pro-Junior title. And Ashley Menne from First Tee of Phoenix, paired with Tom Lehman, won the female Pro-Junior title with a score of 18-under.

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.