Month: November 2021

Kylie Porter Chooses Gratitude Despite Life’s Challenges

Kylie Porter (right) alongside fellow First Tee – Canton participant, Ava Kemp.

If you’ve ever met Kylie Porter from First Tee – Canton you would never know all that she has overcome. Kylie has been a fighter since the day she was born. As a newborn, Kylie was transported to the Akron Children’s Hospital NICU as a 4-pound twin. Her parents had a priest called to the hospital to give Kylie her last rights, as they were told she wouldn’t survive. And if by some miracle she was to survive, she would never walk and would experience cognitive delays.

Kylie beat the odds.

Despite the doctor’s diagnosis, she has become a remarkable, intelligent young lady who is grateful to play her favorite sport…golf. Kylie has been a part of First Tee – Canton for more than seven years, where she is known for her amazing smile, positive attitude and hard work. Her parents truly thought they would never see the day and credit First Tee for not only teaching Kylie how to play the game of golf but providing a space where she could develop her character and values such as honesty, respect and acceptance.

“First Tee is more than just learning how to golf. At First Tee – Canton, I learned how important core values are to use everywhere. Not just in the sport of golf, but also in utilizing the values to help guide me in my everyday life. My favorite value is perseverance. In order to pursue your goals in life, you have to persevere and work hard towards your goals.”

Kylie has certainly made her mark at First Tee – Canton.

In 2019, the chapter honored Kylie with their first ever “Bill Hayes Perseverance Award.” In an effort to honor Mr. Hayes, a former volunteer who continued to serve despite his health issues, the award was created to recognize participants that also persevere in life. They believed that Kylie was a perfect fit to receive the first award.

Kylie recognizes how blessed she is and shares her story to advocate for other kids dealing with challenges in their life. Now 14 years old, Kylie has been diagnosed with Stickler syndrome, which contributes to severe hearing loss. However, she doesn’t let this stop her. Kylie uses her platform as a means to motivate young people and encourage them to find confidence despite their hearing loss. She uses social media to spread this message and share her story. Because of her efforts, Kylie was recently honored as a HearStrong Champion through the HearStrong Foundation.

She wants to inspire kids and teens with hearing loss and one day be an audiologist to help others like herself.

Kylie, you inspire us to learn and grow from our challenges.

In this season of thankfulness, we are grateful for our donors and supporters who help lift up our mission so we can reach young people like Kylie. This holiday season, when you donate to a First Tee chapter, they’re eligible for matching dollars, up to $1 for every $2 you donate, thanks to a matching grant program from Charles R. Schwab.  Find a chapter to donate today and join our mission to empower young people to build their strength of character through golf.

CHAPTER WINS 2021 100-HOLE CHALLENGE

Our Chapter to date has raised over $20,000.00 this year. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. Of course, the real winners are the thousands of children and veterans that participate in our programs because of the generosity of these clubs. Our three Chapters combined (Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Broward) raised the most money this year with an incredible $201,183! Chapter Director Jen Hong kicked off this year’s event and raised $1,593. Two of our Directors, RJ Bibby and Richard Chase, are still fundraising. RJ is leading the individual category with $3,362 and Harbour Ridge led the club fundraising this year with $15,464. Please visit our website to donate. Special congratulations to the Seminole Region Charity Committee members who worked so hard to make all this happen. For the 11th year, the charities beat prior year’s number and set a new record of $430,000 raised. Since inception, CMAA has raised over $2.4 million to support South Florida charities.

CHAPTER ALUMNA FINISHES IN 1ST PLACE

Annery Abreu is attending Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina and playing in the #1 position on their golf team. She recently finished in 1st place in the individual division at the Eastern Shore Collegiate Golf Challenge in Ocean City, Maryland. Congrats Annery!

STEVEN ANDRADE JOINS THE CHAPTER TEAM

We are delighted to announce that Steven Andrade has joined our Chapter in the position of Program Coordinator. Steven’s main goal will be to grow our organization by recruiting new program locations, youth serving program partners, coaches, volunteers and ultimately new students. Steven has served as a Chapter Coach, Assistant Golf Professional at the Champion’s Club, and brings end-to-end management experience in the hospitality industry. Steven loves golf, his family, and the Dallas Mavericks.

KEN DUKE & FRIENDS HOST FANTASTIC EVENT

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 event was cancelled, but the recent 5th Annual Ken Duke & Friends Celebrity Pro-Am was a huge success. The event began with dinner at Carson’s Tavern. The next night featured a live auction and dinner at Floridian National Golf Club. Representatives from each benefitting charity spoke including Folds of Honor, Project Lift, Martin County North Little League Baseball and our Chapter. The next morning, Jack Nicklaus greeted the tournament’s largest field of 120 players at breakfast in support of Ken’s event and the benefiting charities (Jack and Ken pictured above middle). The players teed it up at Floridian in a scramble format. Celebrity players included John Daly, Ernie Els, Seth Joyner, Jim McMahon, Michelle McGann and Brandon Weeden. A gross score of 19-under par, 53, won the scramble, but of course the real winners were the charities. The 3-day event raised a new record $550,000. “Ken is such a great asset to First Tee – Treasure Coast,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “His generosity to our children and veterans from this tournament and his leadership as a chapter Director represent such incredible dedication. Everyone at the event was touched by the people Ken supports through this event.” At the dinner at Floridian, Ken Duke and Friends presented a game changing impactful check of $50,000 to our Chapter (pictured above right, left to right: Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta, Chapter Director Ken Duke, Chapter President Andrew Hunt, Chapter Director Wes Hightower).

ANNUAL APPEAL TIME WITH MATCHING GRANT FROM CHARLES SCHWAB

Special thanks to our many donors this year. Your contributions have helped us grow our programming serving children and veterans. Our last fundraising campaign of the year is our Annual Appeal. There is a new wrinkle this year with a matching grant. Charles R. Schwab has committed transformational support through a new $25 million grant will provide up to a $1 match for every $2 donated to First Tee Chapters by individuals, corporations and foundations now through 2026. This grant program will provide our chapter the opportunity to significantly grow and deepen our impact over the next several years. “I believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow,” said Charles R. Schwab. “That’s why I am investing in First Tee. I believe in this organization’s mission and the power of the First Tee Chapters to continue changing the game for young people for years to come.” Please visit our Annual Appeal secure online donation webpage or checks can be mailed directly to: First Tee – Treasure Coast Children’s Services Council of Martin County 101 SE Central Pkwy Stuart, FL 34994 The program was kicked off at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final event on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Pictured above: First Tee —participants Abi Morris and Jake Walden played alongside Charles Schwab and Phil Mickelson in the Wednesday pro-am.

FIRST TEE WINS THE CMAA 100-HOLE CHALLENGE

Our Chapter broke our previous record and raised $100,574.00 this year. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. 2021 new record statistics over the four days of playing: Total number of players: 63 Total number of donors: 954 Chapter Director Stan Schachne was the top fundraiser with $11,403 raised. Of course, the real winners are the thousands of children and veterans that participate in our programs because of the generosity of these clubs. Our three Chapters combined (Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Broward) raised the most money this year with an incredible $201,183! Special congratulations to the Seminole Region Charity Committee members who worked so hard to make all this happen. For the 11th year, the charities beat prior year’s number and set a new record of $430,000 raised. Since inception, CMAA has raised over $2.4 million to support South Florida charities.

FALL VETS PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Our Fall veterans’ program in partnership with the United Way’s Mission United kicked off at Pompano Beach Golf Course and the Club at Weston Hills. 36 of our nation’s heroes are enjoying golf instruction and fellowship with Coaches Steve Voguit, Nick Cupper, TJ Ziol and Darrell Welker and volunteers Mike Dobzinski, John Linn and Braden List. Thank you for your service!

CONNECT EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS

Due to the pandemic, for the first time in nearly two years, our Chapter conducted a CONNECT event at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Plantation earlier this month. “We had over one hundred people attend,” said Chapter President Dan Young. “It was fantastic to see everyone in person especially so many of our students and veterans.” Those that attended enjoyed great food from Mission BBQ and participated in putting, long drive and closest to the pin contests with the winners receiving PGA TOUR Superstore gift certificates as prizes. The event was generously sponsored by Lauderdale BMW of Pembroke Pines, Stellar Public Adjusters, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Brian Cunningham Foundation.

BLOOM RETIRES, BUT STILL HANGING OUT WITH US

After a career in the golf industry that has spanned fifty years, Jack Bloomfield has recently retired as Director of Operations for our Chapter. Bloomfield, affectionally known as Bloom, has been with our Chapter since 2014. He has enjoyed an interesting career in the game spanning 50 years, starting as a junior caddie. “I was retired for the second time,” Bloomfield said. “I got a call to see if I would be interested in working for the new First Tee – Broward chapter that was relaunched in 2014. I thought it was something I wanted to do, and it fit perfect at the right time in my career.” At age 15, Bloomfield had his first job scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins and his best friend approached him and said he could make in one day caddying what he currently makes in a week. After caddying and working in golf shops and even trying his hand at professional golf, fate struck in 1982 when he went to the PGA Merchandise Show in Miami and met Ely Callaway Jr. It eventually led to a job with Callaway. He was the first outside sales rep that Mr. Callaway ever hired in the history of the company and worked there until 2002. “Under Bloom’s leadership our chapter has grown to impact over 600 young people in the First Tee program, over 100 children with special needs, and 90 veterans each year,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “He also did a great job of recruiting fantastic Directors and fundraising to support our programs.” Bloomfield has already signed up to be a First Tee – Broward Ambassador and will continue to assist us with our veterans’ programs.

ANNUAL APPEAL TIME WITH MATCHING GRANT FROM CHARLES SCHWAB

Special thanks to our many donors this year. Your contributions have helped us grow our programming serving children and veterans. Our last fundraising campaign of the year is our Annual Appeal. There is a new wrinkle this year with a matching grant. Charles R. Schwab has committed transformational support through a new $25 million grant will provide up to a $1 match for every $2 donated to First Tee Chapters by individuals, corporations and foundations now through 2026. This grant program will provide our chapter the opportunity to significantly grow and deepen our impact over the next several years. “I believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow,” said Charles R. Schwab. “That’s why I am investing in First Tee. I believe in this organization’s mission and the power of the First Tee Chapters to continue changing the game for young people for years to come.” Please visit our Annual Appeal secure online donation webpage or checks can be mailed directly to: First Tee – Broward Eagle Trace Golf Club 1111 Eagle Trace Blvd. Coral Springs, FL. 33071 The program was kicked off at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final event on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Pictured above: First Tee —participants Abi Morris and Jake Walden played alongside Charles Schwab and Phil Mickelson in the Wednesday pro-am.