Year: 2021

Inaugural Leadership Series In Partnership With PGA Tour Superstore

The First Tee Leadership Series in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore kicked off this month at the Palm Beach Gardens store. 10 students including two from our chapter participated. The program is an interactive five-week series designed to provide teens the opportunity to discover their personal values and emerging leadership strengths. Through the series, teens also begin to explore potential career fields based on those findings and frame out multi-year goals to guide them as they navigate future career opportunities. The Leadership Series – which was co-created between First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore – is being hosted in 27 communities across the country where there is a store and a First Tee chapter. PGA TOUR Superstore general managers will facilitate the interactive sessions between Feb. 8 and March 15 either virtually or in stores and chapters, with safe and socially distant protocols in place. Once the participants complete the series, they will be eligible to apply for the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The Summit will be held this August at PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana. Forty teens will be selected for the Summit where they will take part in interactive workshops and outdoor leadership trainings.

100 – Hole Challenge A Fantastic Success

Willoughby Golf Club and Stuart Yacht and Country Club joined together to play the 100 – Hole Challenge to support our children and veterans. This is their second year in a row participating and we are very thankful for their members’ continued support! Director of Golf, Gerry Knebels represented Willoughby Golf Club and raised $5,050 through the support of his membership. Head Golf Professional Dean Lawson and Dave Shimko represented Stuart Yacht and Country Club and raised $4,900 with the support of their membership. A portion of their donations came from the Breezy Foundation, a scholarship fund in memory of Briana Lawson. During this difficult time of COVID, these donations will support local programs in the Treasure Coast.

Time To Schedule Club Drives

Time to clean out the trunk and the garage and donate all of that unused golf equipment! Club Drives help us support thousands of young people in Martin and St. Lucie Counties, including those with special needs, and veterans. The club schedules a two-week time frame for members to drop off donated clubs at the cart barn. Their donations are tax deductible and we give each donor an IRS receipt letter for their tax returns. At the conclusion of the Club Drive, we will come by and pick everything up. We provide signage, example newsletter text and pictures, and receipts. Please contact Gennifer Garvin at [email protected] or 812-243-5703 to schedule your Club Drive.

Tim Rosaforte To Receive Memorial Golf Journalism Award

Jack Nicklaus recently called Tim Rosaforte to congratulate him on being named the recipient of this year’s Memorial Golf Journalism Award. The award was created to honor journalists who served their profession with conspicuous honor and made a major contribution and impact on golf journalism. “It’s pretty surreal to have Jack call to tell you that you’ve won an award like that,” Rosaforte said. “I’ve known Jack for a long time, and it was an emotional moment. It means a lot to be honored at Jack’s tournament.” Rosaforte, a longtime Jupiter resident, was one of golf’s original “insiders” during his four-decade career that included stops at the Palm Beach Post, Sports Illustrated and Golf World. The 65-year-old retired from the Golf Channel a year ago because he has early-onset Alzheimer’s. “Tim has been a great friend for some 40 years,” Nicklaus said. “We first met at Oak Hill at the 1980 PGA Championship, and our paths have crossed countless times since. Tim is also one of this generation’s great golf journalists. “He has developed relationships and trust from so many in the game, and you always know that if there was an important story to be told in golf, Tim was going to be the first call you received and usually the first one to report it.” In late October, Rosaforte became the first journalist – and the 12th person overall – to receive Honorary Membership in the PGA of America. Rosaforte also received the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism in 2014.

Celebrity Pro-Am At The Breakers

First Tee – Florida Gold Coast, the parent organization of First Tee – Palm Beaches, Broward and the Treasure Coast, held its Inaugural Celebrity Pro-Am at the Breakers Ocean Course in December. The event began with lunch at the Flagler Steakhouse with the players, our Chairman Steve Rockoff, Vice Chairman Ken Kennerly and Executive Director of the David Burke Foundation, Ryan Burke. The winning team shot a 13-under par score of 57 in a format of one best-ball net of the foursome. The winning team consisted of the Breakers Ocean course architect- Rees Jones, Peter Helie, Phil Restino and chapter students Felipe Obando and Billy Reid. “We had an incredible day at the Breakers,” said Steve Rockoff, Chapter Chairman. “Everyone had a great day, and it was a lot of fun to have Rees tell the group about the course re-design. It is such a fun course to play.” The proceeds of this inaugural event will benefit our 2021 college scholarship fund and veterans’ programs.

Sponsor Spotlight – Insperity

Insperity, a trusted advisor to America’s best businesses for more than 27 years, provides an array of human resources and business solutions designed to help improve business performance. Insperity Business Performance Advisors offer the most comprehensive suite of products and services available in the marketplace. Insperity was co-founded in 1986 in Houston, Texas with the mission is to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. In 2004 they created their own PGA Champions Tour event, called the Insperity Invitational, which is still going strong. Arnold Palmer became their national spokesman in 2004 until his passing in 2016.

Let us help you run better, grow faster and make more money. Call 800-465-3800 to find out how.

Meet Veteran Participant – William H. “Doc” Dewberry Jr.

William H. “Doc” Dewberry Jr., is 69 and a formerly in the United States Air Force. Doc has been enjoying the sport for 60 years! He has been a participant in one to two of our golf programs each year for the past 3 years. “I have to give special recognition to two First Tee coaches, Ken Tate and Steve Voguit, who have helped me tremendously to re-learn how to swing,” said Doc. “I was a very good player at one time but due to injuries while serving in the military, I lost much of the use of my lower body when swinging a club. They both have given me expert instruction and I am now hitting the ball exceptionally well. I have also gone through two liver operations. To be back out on the course, I have to give special thanks to First Tee – Broward.”

Join Us For A Connect Event With Rees Jones

February 9, 2021 5:00pm – 6:00pm Via Instagram Live @firstteepalmbeaches

Sponsored by

• Raffle – $10.00 minimum online donation to enter at firstteeflgoldcoast.org • Gift Certificates will be distributed to 3 winners for Tour Van fittings at a PGA TOUR Superstore location. Valued at $150.00 each. • Additional prizes will also be awarded. • The Plantation, Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens store locations will be promoting 10% off. Feb 12th thru Feb 14th to anyone that joins in to watch and mentions their participation in this event at one of these three stores. Certain exclusions may apply. Rees has earned the nickname, “The Open Doctor”. Golf courses he designed, redesigned, or renovated have hosted: • 7 U.S Open Venues (14 Championships) • 9 PGA Championship Venues (12 Championships) • 6 Ryder Cup Venues (7 Events) • 2 Walker Cup Venues (2 Events) • 2 Presidents Cup Venues (3 Events)

Golf Is A Social Distancing Sport – Register Now!

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in Broward County. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following locations: • Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort • Hollywood Beach Golf Club • Parkland Golf & Country Club • Pompano Beach Golf Club • Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club • The Club at Weston Hills • The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club • Eagle Trace Golf Club • PGA TOUR Superstore- Plantation

Tim Rosaforte To Receive Memorial Golf Journalism Award

Jack Nicklaus recently called Tim Rosaforte to congratulate him on being named the recipient of this year’s Memorial Golf Journalism Award. The award was created to honor journalists who served their profession with conspicuous honor and made a major contribution and impact on golf journalism. “It’s pretty surreal to have Jack call to tell you that you’ve won an award like that,” Rosaforte said. “I’ve known Jack for a long time, and it was an emotional moment. It means a lot to be honored at Jack’s tournament.” Rosaforte, a longtime Jupiter resident, was one of golf’s original “insiders” during his four-decade career that included stops at the Palm Beach Post, Sports Illustrated and Golf World. The 65-year-old retired from the Golf Channel a year ago because he has early-onset Alzheimer’s. “Tim has been a great friend for some 40 years,” Nicklaus said. “We first met at Oak Hill at the 1980 PGA Championship, and our paths have crossed countless times since. Tim is also one of this generation’s great golf journalists. “He has developed relationships and trust from so many in the game, and you always know that if there was an important story to be told in golf, Tim was going to be the first call you received and usually the first one to report it.” In late October, Rosaforte became the first journalist – and the 12th person overall – to receive Honorary Membership in the PGA of America. Rosaforte also received the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism in 2014.

Celebrity Pro-Am At The Breakers

First Tee – Florida Gold Coast, the parent organization of First Tee – Palm Beaches, Broward and the Treasure Coast, held its Inaugural Celebrity Pro-Am at the Breakers Ocean Course this week. The event began with lunch at the Flagler Steakhouse with the players, our Chairman Steve Rockoff, Vice Chairman Ken Kennerly and Executive Director of the David Burke Foundation, Ryan Burke. The winning team shot a 13-under par score of 57 in a format of one best-ball net of the foursome. The winning team consisted of the course architect- Rees Jones, Peter Helie, Phil Restino and chapter students Felipe Obando and Billy Reid. “We had an incredible day at the Breakers,” said Carl Mistretta, Chapter Executive Director. “Everyone had a great time, and it was a lot of fun to have Rees tell the group about the course re-design. It is such a fun course to play.” The proceeds of this inaugural event will benefit our 2021 college scholarship fund and veterans’ programs.

2021 SFPGA Junior Tour Schedule Released

Registration for the SFPGA Junior Tour is now open and offers a variety of tours for players of all skill level ages 6-18. The Links, Prep, Challenge and Championship tours provide a journey for young golfers who are just starting out to when they are competitive tournament players and perspective college golfers. Links Tour – A series of 9-hole events which provides a competitive and fun tournament atmosphere for players to gain stroke play experience and learn the game of golf. This tour is aimed at beginner-level golfers, ages 6-14. Prep Tour – Players on this tour must have some previous tournament golf experience as it is single day, 18-hole rounds for junior golfers ages 9-18. Challenge Tour – This is a series of two-day tournaments for junior golfers ages 11-18 at some of south Florida’s premier golf facilities. Championship Tour – The Championship Tour is an invitational-only tour based on the previous year’s scoring average and point standings. This tour features two or three-day events for juniors ages 13-18. Please visit the SFPGA Junior Tour website to register and for more information.