Year: 2021

TYLER ATTENDS INAUGURAL PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Thanks to an expanded partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, First Tee offered a first-of-its-kind leadership summit for our teen participants. The Leadership Summit is designed to strengthen the participants leadership skills through dynamic outdoor and team-building activities, preparing them to transfer those skills to other scenarios they will face in the future. Chapter student Tyler Mistretta attended the summit at the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana with 19 other teenagers. The students participated in collaborative workshops in to challenge their conceptions of transformational leadership. First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence and resilience were an integral part of the experience, combined with a robust curriculum that explored the concepts of relationship building, positive risk taking, and character evaluation. “This was my last participant opportunity as a First Tee student before going to college,” said Tyler. “It was an unbelievable week as all 20 students learned so much and really bonded. West Creek Ranch is just awesome. I rode a horse for the first time, and everything was incredible, especially the hospitality, rooms, and food. I cannot thank Mr. Arthur Blank, Mr. Joe Gorman, First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore enough for this once in a lifetime experience.” Pictured right: Tyler with Ralph Stokes, Director of Partnership Marketing at PGA TOUR Superstore and the beautiful backdrop of the mountain view from West Creek Ranch.

CHAPTER STUDENTS RECEIVE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Palm Beach Gardens PGA TOUR Superstore hosted our chapter’s 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 Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship (Peter pictured above right), Chapter Trustee Jon Orszag and the Andrew and Robin Hunt Charitable Fund, 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. Nyla, Alison, Tyler and Sebastian are employees of PGA TOUR Superstore and will continue to work at the store during college holidays and summer. 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.

CHAPTER STUDENTS RECEIVE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Palm Beach Gardens PGA TOUR Superstore hosted our chapter’s 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 Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship (Peter pictured above right), Chapter Trustee Jon Orszag and the Andrew and Robin Hunt Charitable Fund, 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. Nyla, Alison, Tyler and Sebastian are employees of PGA TOUR Superstore and will continue to work at the store during college holidays and summer. 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.

REMEMBERING MICHAEL B. FINNEGAN

During this time of the year, we especially remember and honor all of those lost on September 11, 2001. Michael Bradley Finnegan died tragically that day while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. Those who were lucky enough to know Mike will tell you that he made everyone feel special. He lived in the moment and made the moments with him memorable. Mike was a great golfer. He loved his family and was adored by everyone who knew him. Mike’s family was so touched by the outpouring of love and generosity shown to them from the country and the world in the aftermath of September 11, that they established the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation in 2002; a lasting legacy in Mike’s memory created to support various charities and programs including junior golf; several programs are designed to introduce the game of golf to young people with special needs. In 2004, The Michael B. Finnegan Foundation joined The Honda Classic as a Founding Partner of First Tee – Palm Beaches. First Tee has been offering golf instruction and their Nine Core Values curriculum to children across the country since 1997. We named our 12-acre driving range and 9-hole par-3 golf course in Dyer Park “The Michael B. Finnegan Golf Learning Center” to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. Please help continue the great work of our Chapter of teaching young people the values and life skills inherent in the game of golf by sponsoring Team Finnegan in the 100-Hole Golf Challenge to help raise funds for our mission and programs. Please visit Team Finnegan’s donation page to donate in Mike’s memory.

REMEMBERING MICHAEL B. FINNEGAN

During this time of the year, we especially remember and honor all of those lost on September 11, 2001. Michael Bradley Finnegan died tragically that day while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. Those who were lucky enough to know Mike will tell you that he made everyone feel special. He lived in the moment and made the moments with him memorable. Mike was a great golfer. He loved his family and was adored by everyone who knew him. Mike’s family was so touched by the outpouring of love and generosity shown to them from the country and the world in the aftermath of September 11, that they established the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation in 2002; a lasting legacy in Mike’s memory created to support various charities and programs including junior golf; several programs are designed to introduce the game of golf to young people with special needs. In 2004, The Michael B. Finnegan Foundation joined The Honda Classic as a Founding Partner of First Tee – Palm Beaches. First Tee has been offering golf instruction and their Nine Core Values curriculum to children across the country since 1997. We named our 12-acre driving range and 9-hole par-3 golf course in Dyer Park “The Michael B. Finnegan Golf Learning Center” to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. Please help continue the great work of our Chapter of teaching young people the values and life skills inherent in the game of golf by sponsoring Team Finnegan in the 100-Hole Golf Challenge to help raise funds for our mission and programs. Please visit Team Finnegan’s donation page to donate in Mike’s memory.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Students are back in school, and we have begun our Fall programs. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Palm Beach County program locations include: – Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course – College of Golf – Keiser University – Commons Park Golf Learning Center – John Prince Golf Learning 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.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Students are back in school, and we have begun our Fall programs. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Palm Beach County program locations include: – Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course – College of Golf – Keiser University – Commons Park Golf Learning Center – John Prince Golf Learning 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.

VETERAN SPOTLIGHT – KEVIN SUTTON

Kevin Sutton is 73 and retired from the Army. He has been playing golf for 15 years and involved with our program for over 2 years. “After returning from Vietnam and joining the NYPD, for many years I had never set foot on a golf course,” said Kevin. “I have enjoyed playing now that I am retired, and my association with the First Tee has been great. The instruction the coaches give is top notch. The program is both physically and mentally rewarding.” Our veterans’ programs are conducted in partnership with United Way’s Mission United and generously funded by The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

VETERAN SPOTLIGHT – KEVIN SUTTON

Kevin Sutton is 73 and retired from the Army. He has been playing golf for 15 years and involved with our program for over 2 years. “After returning from Vietnam and joining the NYPD, for many years I had never set foot on a golf course,” said Kevin. “I have enjoyed playing now that I am retired, and my association with the First Tee has been great. The instruction the coaches give is top notch. The program is both physically and mentally rewarding.” Our veterans’ programs are conducted in partnership with United Way’s Mission United and generously funded by The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT – HANNAH CHANG

Hannah is 12 years old and a straight A student. She participates in the First Tee Life Skills Experience at The Bridges at Springtree. “I have had a very positive experience with First Tee over the past 10 months.” Hannah commented. “I have worked with Coach Sue, Coach Stefan, and Coach Ron and they have all been first class coaches who constantly display a positive attitude. I have advanced through the 9-week program three times starting with Player, and I am currently at the PAR level. In this program, I have acquired skills to develop as a golfer but more importantly I have translated these skills into my everyday life. When we do the activities, it is entertaining but also educational about the golf topic we are learning. All the kids have an equal chance of winning a game because it is set up fairly, regardless of your skill level. I am very excited to be part of First Tee and I look forward to the opportunities this program will provide me as I approach high school and beyond.”

JULY AMBASSADOR MEETING

Chapter Ambassadors recently held their summer meeting at PGA Tour Superstore in Broward. The Ambassadors support us through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and by broadening awareness of our mission and programs in Broward County. The group held a putting contest at the end of the meeting, which was won by Enrique, a young boy that happened to be on the putting green at the same time the Ambassadors conducted their contest. He asked if he could join the contest and in one try, sunk a 40-foot putt to win a dozen balls! Want to network with leading professionals in Broward County and help promote the mission and programs of First Tee – Broward? Please visit our website to learn more about becoming a Chapter Ambassador.

100 – HOLE CHALLENGE BREAKING RECORDS IN 2021

Day 1 consisted of 9 players completing 100 holes at The Club at Weston Hills in 95-degree heat, no rain or storms! Special thank you to Director of Golf Jon Banas and the staff. Day 2 featured 16 players at Lago Mar Country Club. Weather was threatening but tropical storm Fred decided to support our mission and programs and went elsewhere. Special thank you to Ernie Ruiz, Director of golf Emma Leonardi and staff. Day 3 took place at Parkland Golf and Country Club with 18 players. Marcus Schellenurger and Mike Lewin completed 100 holes in 6 hours and 15 minutes- a new record! Special thank you to Director of Golf Paul Crespo and the staff. Our Chapter has 63 players committed to play 100 holes at one of four course locations. Our goal this year is to raise $120,000. We currently stand at $93,000 raised from over 900 donors. It is not too late to donate and support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day to help fund our children’s and veterans’ programs. Ready to donate? Please visit our donation page for a secure online tax-deductible contribution. THANK YOU PLAYERS AND DONORS!! Chapter Director Stan Schachne is leading all fundraising with $10,900 raised with only a slight edge over Shelby Coyle at $10,700. Will Jack Bloomfield make a run???