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!

The Impact Of Having A Good Mentor

Having someone that you can look up to and go to for support is one the most important things a kid can have. Mentors give youth (and even adults) the confidence they need to confront challenges and come up with their own solutions. They provide a safe place for kids and teens to be themselves and have fun, while also learning valuable life skills.  

A great mentor has many traits— they can be a role model, cheerleader, policy enforcer, advocate, and friend to the students they work with. First Tee mentors have a sincere desire to be involved with their students, and treat them with respect. They practice active listening skills and empathy, while also seeking solutions and opportunities for those they work with. 

We celebrate each of our coaches, and recognize them for the unique role they play in young lives. In fact, research shows that First Tee participants think of their coaches as more than just teachers and counselors, but real mentors who have made a positive difference in their lives. 

Here are four ways a mentor impacts their mentees that were inspired and created by what our junior golfers have to say about their coaches:

1. Mentors show that you can never stop learning

They are always growing and showcasing that to their mentees who can feel inspired by how they adapt to life’s challenges.

“I constantly heard that sport emulates life, and life emulates sports. I didn’t understand this concept until I started the First Tee program. Through this sport, I learned accountability and responsibility for my actions and how to respond to adversity.  These lessons have affected my thinking about the impact I have on those around me and how important it is for me to strive to be my best self.”  – Quincy Crawford, participant, 2021 Scholar

2. Mentors help inspire students to be game-changers

Not just for themselves, but in their everyday lives and especially with their peers.

“Having an amazing mentor through the First Tee who I have developed a strong relationship with has inspired me to help others find mentors that can help them through their education and career.”Remi Shendell, participant, First Tee Scholar

3. Mentors teach the importance of active listening

Not only do they offer support, but they show how valuable it can be to listen to someone in both good and bad times.

“Coach Mary Beth McGirr has been a major influence in my life, helping me with golf and with learning critical life skills that will aid me throughout my life. She took me under her wing and has been a shining example for me to follow. Additionally, as a woman, she has been an amazing mentor and example of a strong, confident female for me to look up to and admire. Coach Mary Beth has been one of my biggest fans and encourages me to do my best. She takes time to talk about my golf, life, family and personal struggles. She has been an excellent example of a strong leader and businesswoman who consistently gives back to the game and the community.” –  Alyssa Caraballo, The First Tee of Roanoke Valley

4. Mentors guide students to lead by example

It’s easy to tell someone what to do, but more impactful to give students the tools and examples they need to come to their own solutions.

“Coach Donnie Caldwell, PGA has given me great advice with my golf but more importantly, in my life. He has told me ‘make choices today that you’ll be proud of tomorrow.’ I used to just make choices that seemed the easiest or most convenient. But now I take time to think about those big decisions and how my choices may also affect others. Without him and his advice, I don’t know where I would be with my life, and that’s scary. He has made me a better person and he has shown me how to make the most of my life.” – Braxton Caldwell, First Tee of Pine Mountain

As you can see, the impact of a great mentor is one of our strongest tools in life. Our mentors work to guarantee students that there is someone who cares about them and who will assure them they are not alone in dealing with challenges. Offered at more than 1,200 locations, our program was developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and is delivered by trained coaches, or as our participants say— mentors! 

Check with your local chapter about how you can become a mentor to a junior golfer in your community.

CONNECT EVENTS ARE BACK

Join us at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Plantation on November 9th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for fun contests and to learn more about the children and veterans that we serve. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Please scan the QR code to RSVP. Sponsorships are available. Please visit our website for more information.

100-HOLE CHALLENGE SETS NEW RECORD

Our chapter recently completed our fourth and final day of the 2021 100-Hole Challenge. Special thanks to the Country Club of Coral Springs and Director of Golf/General Manager Bill Friesing for donating the course and for their continued support. 2021 new record statistics over the four days of playing: Total number of players: 63 Total number of donors: 951 Chapter Director Stan Schachne was the top fundraiser with $11,403 raised. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. Over $100,000 has been raised to date. There is still time to donate via our secure website.

ANNOUNCING NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Operations- Sean Kicker, PGA and our new Manager of Operations- Janelle Johnson. Sean is a PGA Professional, a Broward County mainstay and a First Tee Coach of our largest program in the county. Below are a few of his accomplishments: -2020 First Tee of Broward Coach of the Year Award -2020 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Golf Professional of the Year Award Winner -2019 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Professional Development Award Winner -2018 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Junior Golf Development Award Winner -2002 New England PGA Maine Chapter Merchandiser of the Year Award Winner (Resort) He is also an SFPGA Southern Chapter Board Member and serves on the South Florida PGA Junior Golf Committee. He won 6 professional tournaments and has a career low round of 64. Janelle will be working with our staff, coaches and parents with everything from financial aid to monthly newsletters. Janelle is a chapter alumna and our first student to attend the First Tee tournament at Pebble Beach.  She played at Pebble Beach with John Cook and made the cut!  She was a recipient from our college scholarship fund and played college golf at Nova Southeastern. She has been playing professionally since graduating college with a degree in business.

CROCKETT FOUNDATION PROGRAM PARTNER

Three programs recently began with 33 middle school children from Margate, Pompano and North Lauderdale participating in a nine-week First Tee session. The programs are generously hosted by The Bridges at Springrtree Golf Club and Pompano Beach Golf Course. Coaches Darrell Welker, Jairo Hernandez, Jerrell Gill and Carlos Rodriquez will be delivering the life skills program to the students with help from volunteers Dianne Rugerrio and Max Levinson.

FALL TOURNEY AT ROYAL PALM

Chapter supporters and students had a fantastic day at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club at our annual Fall Golf Tournament. Our day featured delicious food, a wonderful golf course and inspirational speeches from chapter students and veterans. The team of Michael Deno, Ed Kilo, Mark Wykle and Nick Ruskowki won the net division with a score of 55. Pictured above: The team of Braden List, Colin List, Dutin Furnari and Lance Aker won the gross division on a match of cards with a score of 67. The tournament was an incredible success due to our generous sponsors. Thank you for the continued support of our children and veterans.

BACK TO SCHOOL = BACK TO FALL PROGRAMS

Fall programs are up and running. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Broward County program locations include: Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort Hollywood Beach Golf Club Parkland Golf & Country Club PGA TOUR Superstore – Plantation Pompano Beach Golf Club Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club The Club at Weston Hills The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club Eagle Trace Golf Club