Month: November 2021

Please join us on December 18th at the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park from 10-12 pm for our end of the year celebration. This is a free event for parents and children. Dyer Park is located at 7301 Haverhill Rd, Riviera Beach, FL 33407. The event will feature The Dennis Walters Show, LPGA Tour Pro- Marina Alex Junior Clinic, a Jupiter High School drumline performance, range/stations to hit balls, try out the Golf Shot Air Cannon and free food and drink!

Our Chapter broke our previous record and raised $73,751 this year. “We went from one club participating last year to five clubs playing this year,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Next year our goal is to have at least ten clubs play. Everyone had a great time and the members really enjoy supporting their players.” BallenIsles hosted the friendly competition and were joined by Bear Lakes, Old Palm and Banyan Cay. Quail Ridge also played a few weeks later at their club. Below are the final standings, players and awards in the club competition: BallenIsles- $17,747 2022 Champions with highest amount of donations Ryan Walls and Jeff Fitzherbert Quail Ridge- $10,394 2nd place Dan Brosnihan, Matt Corey, Cody Sinkler, Rob Murphy, Denise Lavigne and Carl Horace Bear Lakes- $10,301 3rd place Jimmy Gascoigne and Jim Chorniewy Banyan Cay- $8,665 Highest average donation per member Jared Chipley Old Palm- $7,670 Impressive showing with their golf course closed due to construction Erik Asp In the friendly competition between Chapter staff members, Carl Mistretta blasted Emily Valentine this year $5,473 to $3,678. Chapter Directors Marina Alex and John Hahn kicked off the fundraising this year playing at The Dye Preserve and raised $3,995. 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 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. SHOUT OUT to our Club Committee of Dr. Ed Slotnick, Marsha Funk and Gwen Gordon for their leadership and commitment.

Chapter student Billy Reid had a very memorable month. It began with a one under par score of 71 in High School Regionals at Osprey Point Golf Course to qualify as an individual for the High School State Championship at Mission Inn. Billy was the only member of his team from Palm Beach Gardens High School to advance to the State Championship. His round featured 5 birdies and an eagle. Later this month, Billy signed his letter of intent to play college golf at Keiser University. Billy is a two-sport athlete at Palm Beach Gardens and thanked his coaches, parents and the staff at First Tee for helping him achieve his dream of playing golf at the next level. Billy will be attending Keiser College of Golf & Sports Management on a special scholarship offered to First Tee students that wish to embark on a career in the golf industry.

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 – Palm Beaches 7301 N. Haverhill Rd. Riviera Beach, FL 33407 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.