Month: May 2020

With our golf programs on hold until further notice, please see below some creative videos, assignments, and games for parents to implement at home with their children. We will continue to update with new games and videos. Please CLICK HERE for all information. Video Opportunities #GOLFATHOME We are asking our students to create and share fun #GolfAtHome video(s) to demonstrate how you are having fun with golf at home. Here is how it works: – Within the next few days, come up with a homemade putt-putt course (Max. of two holes), trick shot or creative way you are practicing your golf game while at home. – Since we cannot shake hands at this time, send us some video ideas on how to greet someone while using social distancing. – Take a video of your #GolfAtHome (and make sure to wear First Tee branded shirts and hats, if possible). – Share the videos on your social channels using #GolfAtHome and tag @thefirsttee and our chapter @ftpalmbeaches

The recent pandemic has led to schools closing around the world, impacting millions of students nationwide and creating an increased demand for free online home-schooling resources. The PGA TOUR is here to help. They have partnered with First Tee to launch Links to Learning. The PGA TOUR created family-friendly educational content and paired it with First Tee’s character-building lessons into a one-stop shop for parents, teachers and students. From Art and Math to Science and Fitness with a little creativity golf can be applied to just about any subject. CLICK HERE for more information.

Tyler Mistretta recently received an invitation from BallenIsles Country Club to participate in the ninth annual BallenIsles Junior Cup. This event is a prestigious invitation only tournament held on the club’s famous East Course in Palm Beach Gardens. The event is a Team Match Play (Ryder Cup) competition that showcases the best junior golfers from South Florida. “I am so excited to play,” said Mistretta. “I have heard all about this tournament and it was my goal to play before graduating high school. Thank you to the members and staff of BallenIsles. You have all provided tremendous support to me in my goal of playing college golf.” Mistretta will be a senior on the Palm Beach Gardens High School golf team. He was selected to the First Team All-Conference his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. The team practices and plays their matches at BallenIsles and won their Conference and District in 2019 and qualified for the State tournament.

Each summer, our chapter partners with the Seminole Region of the CMAA to raise funds to support our mission and programs. Marathon Golfers play 100 holes in one day and secure per hole pledges to support our chapter students from kindergarten to 12th grade, children with special needs and veterans. All donations stay in Palm Beach County to serve the thousands of children and veterans in our programs. CLICK HERE to make your donation. Our students, staff and coaches are playing and pledges can be made directly to their fund-raising efforts. Want to play 100 holes in one day? It is fun and a little crazy! CLICK HERE to learn more about creating your own fundraising web page and joining us for a day on the links. Please email [email protected] with questions.

The World Golf Hall of Fame celebrates golf and honors the legacies of those who have made it great. Tim Finchem, Former PGA TOUR Commissioner and an instrumental founder of The First Tee, will be inducted with the Class of 2021. Finchem helped the First Tee grow to reach more than 15 million young people. He created signature professional golf events including the FedEx Cup, the President’s Cup and the World Golf Championships. He spearheaded efforts to coordinate the bid for golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016. Tiger Woods, a winner of 82 PGA TOUR events and 15 major championships, will also be inducted in 2021. Woods is a local resident and his foundation financially supports our chapter and serves area students through year-round STEM and college-access programs for underrepresented students. Also being inducted in 2021 are elite amateur golfer Marion Hollins and four-time major champion Susie Maxwell Berning. The 2021 Induction Ceremony date and location will be announced in the coming weeks.

Jack Barrett, our long time Development Director, recently announced that he has accepted a position of Vice President of Development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County. Our chapter enjoys a wonderful working relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs to offer programming to many St. Lucie County students each year. “We are really going to miss Jack and wish him the best in his new position,” said Chairman Steve Rockoff. “He has helped grow our chapter grants, planned giving and STEM programs. We are glad he is not going too far, and we look forward to working closely with him at the St. Lucie Boys and Girls Clubs.” Jack began his career in the golf industry with The First Tee of The Palm Beaches in October 2009 as a volunteer coach and then advanced to the role of Development Director in 2010. Jack completed The First Tee Coach training and assisted in the development of the Els for Autism #GameON Golf Curriculum. He is an Els for Autism #GameON Golf Coach Trainer. Jack is also an inaugural member of our planned giving initiative- The Society of 1457. His new email address is: [email protected]