Month: July 2021

Mateo Muniz Finishes 2nd At The Toski

Birdie Participant, Mateo Muniz recently competed in the 2021 Toski Junior Tournament at Boca Grove last week! When Mateo arrived, he learned that the tournament did not allow caddies. He was up for the challenge! The course was very challenging, and Mateo had to play a few holes in the rain. “It was a great experience and fun course to play,” said Mateo. “Meeting Mr. Toski was so cool! I answered a question correct and received a signed copy of his book!”

Staci Has An Incredible Run Of Tourneys

It started with a tie for first shooting 74 at the AJGA Visit Tallahassee Junior All-Star event. Staci advanced to the tournament and finished tied 6th, carding two under par 70 in her final round. She then placed 3rd in the AJGA Harold Varner III tournament in Clemmons, NC by going low the last day with a score of 68. Staci finished 2nd in the US Kids World Teen Championship including a first round one under par score of 71. To top it all off, she was selected as the IMG Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year in the Girls 11-14 age division. Way to go Staci!

Three-Day Keiser University Summer Camp

Where: Keiser University Flagship Campus (Home of 5-time NAIA National Golf Championship titles) College of Golf indoor and outdoor training facilities 2600 N. Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33409 Dates: August 2-4, 2021 Time: 8:30 – 12:30 Ages: Boys and Girls, ages 7-17, all ability levels welcome Price: $210 (Includes instruction, lunch and goodie bag) Sibling discount 50% Please visit our website to register. Questions? Please contact: Peter Crocitto at [email protected]or by 561-519-9740.

Pratt & Whitney Fund Vets Programs Via Honda Classic Grant

Pratt & Whitney staff that included Mary Anne Cannon and Matthey Enochs visited the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park during one of our daily veterans’ programs to meet the group and present a very generous program grant. Chapter veterans proudly accepted the check from the team from Pratt & Whitney. Honda Classic President John Domenico, Executive Director Ken Kennerly, Tournament Director Andrew George and other tournament staff members also participated in the presentation. “We are very grateful to Pratt & Whitney for continuing their support of our veterans’ programs,” said Chapter Chairman Steve Rockoff. “They stepped up to serve our community during a very difficult year for non-profits. We now have the capacity to grow our veterans’ programs this year.” The Honda Classic is a Founding Partner of our Chapter. Their total impact of our organization exceeded $200,000 in 2021. The Honda Classic awarded $5.1 million to 100 South Florida philanthropic organizations in 2021, a number that approaches tournament record levels despite the widespread impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The $5.1 million distribution impact the lives of more than 100,000 children and provide a much-needed boost to South Florida community charities that faced their own fiscal challenges in a tough year. The Honda Classic has now surpassed $55 million in charitable contributions as American Honda approaches its 41st year as title sponsor of the PGA TOUR event, including almost $40 million in the 15 years since Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. became the host organization and moved the event to PGA National Resort and Spa.

Three Chapter Students Selected For National Opportunities

Billy heading to Pebble Beach! Congratulations to chapter ACE participant, Billy Reid, for being selected to the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, the pinnacle experience of First Tee participation. An official PGA TOUR Champions event, the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach pairs one First Tee junior with a PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The tournament is televised nationally on Golf Channel. Jacie heading to John Deere Academy! Congratulations to chapter ACE participant, Jacie Goodman, for being selected to the 2021 John Deere Drive Your Future Academy. This all-girls event focuses on learning the value and impact of volunteerism, understanding the significance of values and skills learned through playing golf, and recognizing the importance of building a strong network. The academy will take place in Detroit, where participants will be immersed in both its historic and modern culture and participate in workshops and playing golf with new mentors. Tyler heading to Montana! Congratulations to chapter ACE Participant, Tyler Mistretta, who was selected to attend the First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore Leadership Summit at West Creek Ranch in Montana in August! The weeklong event will include collaborative workshops as well a dynamic outdoor and team-building activities that will explore concepts of relationship building, positive risk taking, and identifying character strengths.

Athlete Ambassadors Host West Palm Beach Pal & Sigma Beta Leadership Club

Our recently formed Athlete Ambassadors have agreed to volunteer their time to help us introduce the game of golf to students in our community. MLB player Heath Slocumb and NFL player Nick O’Leary have agreed to help. Both Heath and Nick, accompanied by Symmetra Tour player Jessica Dreesbeimdieke, hosted 25 students from West Palm Beach PAL. Heath answered questions about his playing career (pictured above left) and then the 3 athletes hit shots for the students (pictured above right). The students then tried out 3 golf stations of hitting, putting and chipping. Heath ended the day by signing baseball cards for the students. A group from West Palm Beach PAL is visiting our facility weekly to learn the game of golf and the life skills of First Tee. Our second group hosted by the Athlete Ambassadors included 25 members of the Sigma Beta Leadership Club. Heath spoke with them about his passion for the game and how golf has helped him in life and business. The teens from the Sigma Beta Leadership Club (pictured below) plan on attending a 9-week program with their mentors in the fall.

A Few Weeks Remain For Summer Camps

Weekly summer camps allow participants ages 6 to 18 to learn the First Tee life skills through the game of golf. Camps are offered at golf courses located throughout Palm Beach County. Please visit our website for locations and to register your children. Camp locations include: Finnegan Learning Center Dyer Park Keiser College of Golf John Prince Learning Center Madison Green Country Club Okeeheelee Golf Course Palm Beach Par 3 Park Ridge Golf Course Seagate Country Club The Golf Club of Jupiter

Program Spotlight | Mission United

Our Mission United veterans golf programs continue to fill up each month. They are made possible from a generous grant from The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation. V/r Marcos Espinosa is one of our veteran students and shared this with our staff: “First Tee’s program has offered me the opportunity to explore golf. I do not think I would have had the opportunity to try golf as I thought that it was an expensive hobby. I did not consider golf a sport but the more I play, the more I realized that it has many benefits – exercise, concentration, and even controlling emotions. I wish had more time to play as golf makes me feel better overall. Being able to enjoy time with veterans is an added benefit, it is even therapeutic as many of us have emotional and physical scars which are not easy to overcome.” V/r Marcos Espinosa Special SHOUT OUT to the golf courses that provide the space and the great coaches that continue to give their all during class.

2021 Club Drives A Huge Success

Our Chapter’s annual Club Drive was a huge success. Early estimates point to 300 sets of clubs (1,500 total clubs) being collected at over 22 different golf courses! The money raised from the Club Drive helps the children and veterans in Broward County learn important life lessons, but also teach them about the great game of golf. (Pictured above: Chapter student Jahsiah Bowie with Director Of Operations Jack Bloomfield after receiving a new set of clubs. The set was donated to this Club Drive.) Jahsiah is a 3-year participant in our Cooper Colony First Tee program and will be attending his first year as a freshman at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale. Jahsiah is working hard on his game in hopes of making the golf team this fall at Pine Crest. Did you miss this year’s Club Drive and still need to clean out your garage your trunk. It is not too late! Visit our website for a list of drop off locations. Our next Club Drive is scheduled for November 2021. Special thanks to Club Drive committee members: Dan Young, Robert Ferzoco, Stan Schachne, Lou Chiera, Laurie Villa and Bud Mansor.

Veteran Spotlight – Tony Blanco

Tony Bianco is 75 years old and served in the U.S Army. Tony has been golfing for 15 years and participating in the First Tee Veterans program for 3 years. He participated with First Tee at Eagle Trace Country Club in Coral Springs. Tony commented, “I have found all of the coaches to be extremely informative. With each class they have contributed to improving my golf game. I have observed that no matter what stage a veteran’s golf game is in, the coaches are always patient and consistently take the time to make sure their instructional points are understood. Taking group lessons have also given me the opportunity to be able to interact with other veterans and to form partnerships to play golf. The camaraderie that has been built with other veterans has been a definite plus in joining this group. The First Tee Veterans program should be recognized and praised for the work that has been done to teach and improve veterans golf games and to help them reach future goals.”

Want To Play Six Free Rounds Of Golf?

One tiny wrinkle, the six rounds are all in one day! It is that time of year again for the CMAA 100-Hole Challenge. Our Chapter has 63 players committed to play 100 holes at one of four courses in August. Our goal this year is to raise $120,000. It is not too late to register to play, or make a donation and support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day to help fund our children’s and veterans’ programs. Ready to play? Please visit our website for more information. Ready to donate? Please visit our donation page for a secure online tax deductible contribution.