Month: October 2021

4 Ways To Encourage Positive Thinking In Kids

We all deal with highs and lows in life. Even as kids, we experience a variety of emotions that have a direct impact on our choices, and the way we think about ourselves. A bad experience can result in negative thinking which can be detrimental to a young person’s self confidence and outlook on life. That’s why positive thinking is so powerful— not just for adults but kids as well. Maintaining a positive attitude can be challenging at times, but through practice and encouragement it becomes a skill that can shape and transform young lives.

Just as you exercise your swing before hitting the ball, it’s important to practice things that can promote positive thinking. Our minds are valuable tools, and maintaining a healthy and positive headspace can improve confidence and drive in all aspects of life.

Here are four ways that you can encourage positive thinking in your kids:

  1. Always Give Your Best Effort – Parents and mentors should encourage kids to give their best effort as often as possible. At First Tee, we believe that it is important to help kids show up to the challenge, and develop the resilience and inner strength needed to give their best effort on and off the golf course. If kids can give their best effort in all of their endeavors, they will be able to realize what they are truly capable of. This can directly improve their confidence, and help them develop a positive attitude about the world around them.
  1. Give Back To Your Community – Giving back to your community, or causes that you care about is another great way to maintain a positive mindset. Volunteering can help your family connect with others who hold similar values and beliefs. Even activities as simple as tutoring someone on the weekend, or pulling a neighbor’s weeds can have a tremendous effect on the community you live in. When kids can see that their actions can make a positive difference in the world, they will be more likely to feel positively about themselves, and their community.
  1. Practice Positive Self-Talk – Parents and mentors should show kids the importance of being gentle with themselves and others. A great way to help kids develop this skill is to tell them to talk to themselves as if they are talking to their best friend. If they wouldn’t say something mean to their friend or loved one, they shouldn’t say it to themselves. The way we think directly impacts our behavior and feelings about the world. If kids can think positively about themselves, they will likely feel the same way about the world around them.
  1. Take Ownership & Responsibility For Your Actions – Helping kids realize they have control over the outcomes of the challenges they face can help build confidence and reduce overall anxiety. Reducing anxiety and practicing problem-solving skills at a young age can have a huge effect on how their mindset develops through the rest of their lives. Raising confident kids is one of the best ways to help encourage positive thinking.

First Tee guides kids and teens to strengthen what’s inside them and put it into action. It’s a priority for us to show young people the value of caring for their social and emotional wellness. So when they step up to the next shot, math test, or presentation they have the strength to move forward, aim further, and finish stronger than the last time.

If you are interested in getting your child involved with First Tee, you can learn more and sign up today.

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REGISTER NOW FOR FALL PROGRAMS

Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Palm Beach County program locations include: – Commons Park Golf Learning Center – John Prince Golf Learning Center – Keiser University Golf Coaching Center – The Golf Club of Jupiter – Madison Green Country Club – Finnegan Learning Center- Dyer Park – Okeeheelee Golf Course – Park Ridge Golf Course – PGA Tour Superstore- PBG – Southwinds Golf Course – Wellington National Golf Club For more information and to register, please visit our website.

GREAT DAY AT THE BEAR’S CLUB

“After COVID cancelled our 2020 tournament, we came back in 2021 with tremendous success,” said Chapter President Bobby Hendel. “Thank you to everyone that played.  What a fantastic day and an awesome test of golf” Each player received a copy of One of the First, a new book written by Ralph Stokes, the Director of Partnership Marketing & Community Impact at PGA TOUR Superstore. Ralph (pictured above left) played in the tournament and shared a few stories from his book on how his life helped to open opportunities in work and society for so many people that came after him. Congrats to our 2021 Champions: 1st Place Gross: Willie Scott, Matt Meneghetti, Mike Taylor, Norris Sharper 64 (-8) 2nd Place Gross:  Michael Morsberger, Tom Bliss, Jon Cross, Kyle O’Neill 65 (-7) Match of Cards- MC 3rd Place Gross: Bobby Collins, Bob Simes, Carl Panattoni, Drake Kelso 65 (-7) MC 1st Place Net: Alan Robinovitz, Ron Getlan, Ed Slotnick, Rich Levy 54 (-18) 2nd Place Net: Stan Schachne, Shelby Coyle, Jack Bloomfield, Matt Kutner 56 (-16) MC 3rd Place Net: Wayne Canner, Cary Stamp, Andrew Endicott, Luke Arnold 56 (-16) MC Chapter students Zoe Shamy and Wylie Inman (pictured above middle)and Billy Reid (pictured right) also played in the tournament. Thank you sponsors:

FIRST CHAPTER STUDENT EARNS ACE LEVEL

Congratulations to Tyler Mistretta, our first student to complete First Tee ACE certification. ACE certification is the highest level a participant can achieve at First Tee. After completing the first four levels of certification, PLAYer, Par, Birdie, and Eagle, participants have the option of working towards this final step in the program. Students will become ACE-certified by completing four projects that will help them build a foundation in higher education and for a career. The four projects are: • Community Service: Participants learn the value of giving back by volunteering for activities at First Tee or in the community. • Career: Participants explore their interests and skills, matching them with career possibilities. • College: Participants explore issues related to college selection and educational alternatives. • Golf: Participants examine their golf skills, create an improvement plan, and assess the role they want golf to play in their lives. Tyler completed all the ACE requirements in June before heading to college to play golf at Florida Southern located in Lakeland. “It was a lot of work, but a great accomplishment to get this done,” said Tyler. “Students should start early as it takes a few years to complete the ACE requirements.”

CHAPTER STUDENTS ADVANCE TO HIGH SCHOOL REGIONALS

Chapter girls dominated at Districts. Jacie Goodman (pictured above left, holding trophy on right) helped Palm Beach Gardens High School to capture the District golf title at Wellington National Golf Club. Chapter staff member Emily Valentine coached the Jupiter High girls’ team that finished in second place. Chapter student Zoe Shamy (pictured above right, second from right, next to Emily) shot 79. Dwyer High finished in third place featuring Olivia St. Antoine. All 3 teams have advanced to Regionals. The Palm Beach Gardens High boys’ golf team also advanced to Regionals finishing in 3rd place. Chapter student Billy Reid plays on the boys’ team.

TRICK OR TREAT – HALLOWEEN GOLF

HALLOWEEN GOLF AT DYER PARK Saturday, October 30th from 9:30am to 11:00am (no regular classes) • Halloween Golf Stations • Prize For Best Costume • Lots of Fun, Candy, and Golf FREE to attend! To register, please contact Emily Valentine at [email protected] HALLOWEEN ADULT-CHILD SCRAMBLE AT DYER PARK Sunday, October 31st at 1:30 PM Cost: $25 per team • Tournament Prizes • Costume Contest • Pizza and Beverages To register, please contact Coach Joe Gerard at [email protected] Both events to be conducted at the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park, 7301 N Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, 33407.

WE WILL MISS YOU FLASH

Bruce Lee Fleisher, fondly nicknamed “The Flash,” professional golfing legend, and incredible human being both on and off the course, passed away on September 23rd, 2021, after a valiant fight against Multiple Myeloma, Amyloidosis and Heart Failure. Born in Union City, Tennessee on October 16,1948, Bruce’s love for all things golf began at the young age of 7 when he started working as a caddie with his two older brothers. He attended both Miami Dade Junior College and Furman University, and at the age of 19 became the third-youngest player to win the U.S. Amateur. He followed this great feat by placing lowest amateur at the 1969 Masters Tournament, soon after he would turn professional. His young professional career also included winning both individual and team gold medals in golf at the 1969 Maccabiah games giving much pride to the Jewish community. Bruce was known as a journeyman, having a very modest PGA tour career with only a single win at The New England Classic. He managed to stay competitive until he was able to join the PGA Champions Tour at the age of 50. He became the first player to ever win back-to-back championships in his first two events. He would go on to win 18 times including a major, the 2001 US Senior Open. He was a great supporter of First Tee and our children and veterans. Many of his friends and family have made generous donations in his memory to support our mission and programs. Rest in peace Flash.

NEW MENTOR PROGRAM WITH BBBS

In 2021 First Tee – Treasure Coast partnered with Big Brother’s Big Sisters and their Community Based Mentor Program to offer golf and Life Skills classes. BBBS serves young people from age five through young adulthood in one-to-one mentoring friendships. Bigs and Littles hang out 2-3 times a month for a few hours doing normal everyday activities, homework, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out. Our Chapter is offering a Life Skills program as an enrichment activity for Community Bigs to attend with their Littles, once a month. We designed the class so that participants will take part in games and drills which will teach the basics of golf and build on each skill set over the course of three golf clinics. Both Bigs and Littles will receive instruction from a First Tee trained coach from putting skills to full-swing and course playing strategies. Participants will also be learning the Nine Core values of the First Tee curriculum and how to use them in golf and in life. The first session was Saturday, October 9th with Coach Steven Adrade at Champions of Summerfield. 5 Bigs and 6 Littles enjoying golf class and pizza!

NEW HOME SCHOOL AT FAIRWINDS

Fairwinds Golf Course is offering a new home school class. Wednesdays, October 6 – December 1, 2021. 10:30am -12:00. Located at The Fairwinds Golf Course. Lesson highlights – Full swing, Putting, Chipping, Pitching and Bunker Play instruction – Sportsmanship, etiquette, rules of golf, and safety. – Fitness, coordination, stability, balance and power. – First Tee Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits. For more information contact Coach Wille at [email protected] Please visit our website to register.

TREVOR RECEIVES INAUGURAL ERLING SPEER SCHOLARSHIP

Chapter student Trevor Tarashuk received the inaugural Erling Speer Memorial College Scholarship. He is the first student from our chapter to benefit from our annual scholarship fund. Erling (pictured above right) was an instrumental chapter Director and helped launch our Chapter in 2012. His relationships with other youth serving organizations, especially the Boys and Girls Clubs, were key factors in our chapter’s early growth and today’s continued success. The Palm Beach Gardens PGA TOUR Superstore hosted our annual scholarship award ceremony. Seven-chapter students celebrated their scholarship awards with parents, friends, coaches, staff and board members. Because of the generosity of the Andrew and Robin Hunt Charitable Fund, Trustee Jon Orszag and the Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship, our chapter awarded a record $34,000 in scholarships to these deserving students. Students pictured left to right back row: Trevor Tarashuk attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the PGA management program. Sebastian Nachilly attending Ole Miss. Tyler Mistretta attending Florida Southern College where he will play on the golf team. Students pictured left to right front row: Nyla Sims attending University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she plays on the golf team and is in the PGA management program, Savannah Mansueti attending the University of Florida. Amber Steele attending Palm Beach State College. Alison Santini attending Palm Beach Atlantic University. Our scholarship fund is available to our students to apply who remain active in First Tee and our chapter through high school. Special thank you to our scholarship committee of: Lisa Bebout, Earnie Ellison, Maria Marino, Jennifer Hong and Christopher Burr.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Register up now for Fall programs. Our programs are taught at the following golf course locations: – Crane Watch Club – The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course – The Champions Club – Riverbend Country Club – Jensen Beach Golf Club – Fairwinds Golf Course For more information and to register, please visit our website.

Taking on Challenges

Taking on Challenges

Experiences can be some of our greatest teachers, and there are a variety of learning opportunities ahead for parents and students alike. While some will be fun and exciting, others may be challenging or difficult to navigate. Without practice or understanding, some of these new experiences are likely to leave students feeling overwhelmed and stressed. However, if you can help your student choose to see every experience as one that can build character, they’ll always come out better equipped for whatever comes next.

We believe in developing experiences that are just as fun as they are meaningful. As a result, our students are empowered by new challenges which result in continuous personal growth and essential character development.

Going back to school is the perfect opportunity to practice growing through challenges. To help parents and students navigate their back-to-school transition, we’ve developed a few tips to help them get ready.

  • Use STAR
    • S stands for STOP and take a deep breath.
    • T stands for THINK of all your choices.
    • A stands for ANTICIPATE what could happen (good or bad) as a result of your choice.
    • R stands for RESPOND by selecting the best choice for what to do.
  • Identify Challenges and Support
    • Ask your child to identify challenges for specific subjects and social interaction
    • Work with them to create a list of people they can lean on for support

Each of these steps can plant seeds of mindfulness as students go through everyday life. Taken directly from our First Tee programs, where we prepare kids to face new experiences by helping them to identify their support team, reflect on their opportunities, and strengthen what they bring to everything they do. We define strength of character as the self-confidence to show up to the challenge, the resilience to keep going when you fail, and the inner strength to do the right thing even when it’s the hard thing to do. It’s what will allow your child to walk away from failure determined, not defeated.

With our over 20 years of experience, we’ll continue developing experiences that build character to empower kids and teens through a lifetime of new challenges and continuous personal growth. This way your kids will never face a challenge they can’t go through or grow through. To learn more about getting your child involved with First Tee, you can find a chapter near you today!