Year: 2021

Chapter student, Tyler Mistretta, received a $1,000 college scholarship from the Palm Beach Golf Course Superintendents Association. He attended the PBGCSA annual meeting at Old Marsh and was recognized among the 13 scholarship winners for the 2021-2022 school year. Tyler (pictured above, the tallest one of course) is headed to Florida Southern College in August. “I am so thankful for this scholarship. The only way I can live my dream of playing college golf is with financial aid,” said Tyler. “The PBGCSA members have helped First Tee for so many years and I am honored to be selected for this scholarship.”

100 Friends Invitational Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at The Bear’s Club. Sponsorships available.  Please review our limited number of sponsor opportunities. Our day at The Bear’s Club includes lunch, practice balls, gift bag, caddie and golf. Register HERE to play! Sponsorship Opportunities  

The East Team won the 9th Annual BallenIsles Junior Cup against the West Team 19 to 8 during a two-day, Ryder Cup-style tournament played. The tournament featured 24 male and 12 female junior golfers, ages 18 years and younger, representing the top junior players in South Florida. Pictured above: Chapter student Tyler Mistretta hoists the BallenIsles Junior Cup. For two of our students in singles of match play, it came down to the last putt on the last hole. Sebastian Nachilly and Tyler Mistretta have played golf together since they were eight years old. This was their last head-to-head match as juniors. Sebastian defeated Tyler one up by making a 10-foot putt for par on the 18th hole. Chapter students Nick Estrada, Poppy Lee and Christiana Lee also were selected to play. “It was fantastic to see so many of our students participate,” said Chapter Executive Carl Mistretta. “Many of them are now off to college to play golf. The members and staff of BallenIsles are so very generous to host this incredible event.”

Birdie class participant Landon Murray won his second week in a row in the 12- to 14-year-old division of The Junior Tour Powered by Under Armor at the Jensen Beach Country Club. On the first week, Landon finished strong with +6 score of 42 and on week two +4 score of 40. This is a 9-hole league match. He made an incredible shot on hole 5, with a 35-foot putt for birdie! Landon’s mother commented, “We are so very proud of Landon and all of his dedication and hard work. First Tee has given him some incredible opportunities and our family is truly grateful.” There are 4 more upcoming events giving him the chance to qualify for the National Championship in Orlando, FL.

Summer is over and we are beginning our Fall programs. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Our 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.

Birdie Participant, Mateo Muniz recently competed in the 2021 Toski Junior Tournament at Boca Grove last week! When Mateo arrived, he learned that the tournament did not allow caddies. He was up for the challenge! The course was very challenging, and Mateo had to play a few holes in the rain. “It was a great experience and fun course to play,” said Mateo. “Meeting Mr. Toski was so cool! I answered a question correct and received a signed copy of his book!”

It started with a tie for first shooting 74 at the AJGA Visit Tallahassee Junior All-Star event. Staci advanced to the tournament and finished tied 6th, carding two under par 70 in her final round. She then placed 3rd in the AJGA Harold Varner III tournament in Clemmons, NC by going low the last day with a score of 68. Staci finished 2nd in the US Kids World Teen Championship including a first round one under par score of 71. To top it all off, she was selected as the IMG Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year in the Girls 11-14 age division. Way to go Staci!

Where: Keiser University Flagship Campus (Home of 5-time NAIA National Golf Championship titles) College of Golf indoor and outdoor training facilities 2600 N. Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33409 Dates: August 2-4, 2021 Time: 8:30 – 12:30 Ages: Boys and Girls, ages 7-17, all ability levels welcome Price: $210 (Includes instruction, lunch and goodie bag) Sibling discount 50% Please visit our website to register. Questions? Please contact: Peter Crocitto at [email protected]or by 561-519-9740.

Pratt & Whitney staff that included Mary Anne Cannon and Matthey Enochs visited the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park during one of our daily veterans’ programs to meet the group and present a very generous program grant. Chapter veterans proudly accepted the check from the team from Pratt & Whitney. Honda Classic President John Domenico, Executive Director Ken Kennerly, Tournament Director Andrew George and other tournament staff members also participated in the presentation. “We are very grateful to Pratt & Whitney for continuing their support of our veterans’ programs,” said Chapter Chairman Steve Rockoff. “They stepped up to serve our community during a very difficult year for non-profits. We now have the capacity to grow our veterans’ programs this year.” The Honda Classic is a Founding Partner of our Chapter. Their total impact of our organization exceeded $200,000 in 2021. The Honda Classic awarded $5.1 million to 100 South Florida philanthropic organizations in 2021, a number that approaches tournament record levels despite the widespread impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The $5.1 million distribution impact the lives of more than 100,000 children and provide a much-needed boost to South Florida community charities that faced their own fiscal challenges in a tough year. The Honda Classic has now surpassed $55 million in charitable contributions as American Honda approaches its 41st year as title sponsor of the PGA TOUR event, including almost $40 million in the 15 years since Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. became the host organization and moved the event to PGA National Resort and Spa.

Billy heading to Pebble Beach! Congratulations to chapter ACE participant, Billy Reid, for being selected to the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach, the pinnacle experience of First Tee participation. An official PGA TOUR Champions event, the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach pairs one First Tee junior with a PGA TOUR Champions player and two amateurs. The tournament is televised nationally on Golf Channel. Jacie heading to John Deere Academy! Congratulations to chapter ACE participant, Jacie Goodman, for being selected to the 2021 John Deere Drive Your Future Academy. This all-girls event focuses on learning the value and impact of volunteerism, understanding the significance of values and skills learned through playing golf, and recognizing the importance of building a strong network. The academy will take place in Detroit, where participants will be immersed in both its historic and modern culture and participate in workshops and playing golf with new mentors. Tyler heading to Montana! Congratulations to chapter ACE Participant, Tyler Mistretta, who was selected to attend the First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore Leadership Summit at West Creek Ranch in Montana in August! The weeklong event will include collaborative workshops as well a dynamic outdoor and team-building activities that will explore concepts of relationship building, positive risk taking, and identifying character strengths.

Our recently formed Athlete Ambassadors have agreed to volunteer their time to help us introduce the game of golf to students in our community. MLB player Heath Slocumb and NFL player Nick O’Leary have agreed to help. Both Heath and Nick, accompanied by Symmetra Tour player Jessica Dreesbeimdieke, hosted 25 students from West Palm Beach PAL. Heath answered questions about his playing career (pictured above left) and then the 3 athletes hit shots for the students (pictured above right). The students then tried out 3 golf stations of hitting, putting and chipping. Heath ended the day by signing baseball cards for the students. A group from West Palm Beach PAL is visiting our facility weekly to learn the game of golf and the life skills of First Tee. Our second group hosted by the Athlete Ambassadors included 25 members of the Sigma Beta Leadership Club. Heath spoke with them about his passion for the game and how golf has helped him in life and business. The teens from the Sigma Beta Leadership Club (pictured below) plan on attending a 9-week program with their mentors in the fall.

Weekly summer camps allow participants ages 6 to 18 to learn the First Tee life skills through the game of golf. Camps are offered at golf courses located throughout Palm Beach County. Please visit our website for locations and to register your children. Camp locations include: Finnegan Learning Center Dyer Park Keiser College of Golf John Prince Learning Center Madison Green Country Club Okeeheelee Golf Course Palm Beach Par 3 Park Ridge Golf Course Seagate Country Club The Golf Club of Jupiter