Year: 2021

Karriem Edwards, 55 years old was with US Navy. He has been playing golf and taking lessons since 1993. Edwards has attended two veterans’ sessions now through Mission United at Weston Hills. “These sessions have become more about relaxing and connecting with people than with a golf ball. We improved our skills but also forged bonds and camaraderie. Even our competitions had the sense of ‘one for all and all for one’, If one wins, we all win. I would like to thank Mission United and First Tee for the opportunity and support as well as Coach Nick and Coach Steve for fostering an environment of collaborative learning and bonding.” Our veterans’ programs are made possible from a generous grant from The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

Recently our Ambassadors gathered for a fun event at Springtree Golf Course in Sunrise. The group enjoyed nine holes of golf followed by networking, fellowship and fun! 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.

First Tee – Metropolitan New York participant Megha Ganne, 17, showed her grit and her strength of character at the U.S. Women’s Open last week, taking an early lead over an impressive field and finishing as the low amateur. Megha has participated in First Tee since she was 7 years old, and First Tee – Metropolitan New York Chief Strategy Officer and Program Director Katie Rudolph has served as her longtime coach and mentor. Join us in continuing to root her on this summer and as she enters Stanford University in the fall of 2022. Read more about Megha in this Golf Digest story.

By the way, participants play all six rounds in one day! The 2021 100-Hole Challenge is underway. We have 56 players signed up to play soon at Weston Hills, Lago Mar, Parkland and the Country Club of Coral Springs. Interested in playing the 100 Hole Challenge? Contact Jack Bloomfield at [email protected] or at 954-740-0622. To support one of our players with a secure online pledge for their heroic golfing efforts please visit our website.

Comcast Business has signed on to be one of the First Tee – Broward newest corporate partners as a Nine Healthy Habits Sponsor. First Tee and Comcast both share a commitment to supporting the communities they serve and specific groups including local youth and the military, including veterans, service members and military families. Over the past year, Comcast Business has also stepped up its support for another group that is critically important to the South Florida community – small businesses. In October 2020, it launched Comcast RISE, a multi-year effort to provide grants and media and technology resources to small businesses negatively impacted by recent events including the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, nearly 2,500 entrepreneurs nationwide have been selected as Comcast RISE recipients, including 103 small businesses in Florida. Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support. Comcast Enterprise is also one of the leading service providers of Fiber Optics to the mid-level to large Enterprise market. Comcast Business and Comcast Enterprise has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. Comcast is also proud to be our Chapter’s telecommunications service provider. For more information, call Ed Kolo: 954-299-6815 or email: [email protected]

Our Chapter is delighted to announce our newest First Tee Trustee- Greg Thompson.  Greg has worked as a CFO with extensive global experience across many industries including chemicals, building products, medical equipment, manufacturing, technology software and services, and public accounting. Greg was appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of KEMET in December 2018.  As a result of the recent sale of the company he will be retiring at the end of June. He will also serve as a Director of our Chapter.  Greg and his wife Kathy reside in Fort Lauderdale and they both enjoy golf and boating.  He will represent our Chapter by attending the annual First Tee Trustee meeting in early October at TPC Sawgrass and a special Trustee gathering in mid-October at Augusta National and Sage Valley. “We are delighted to welcome Greg as our newest Trustee,” said Chater President Dan Young.  “His generous gift will allow us to reach even more students and veterans in Broward County and open up new strategic opportunities for our chapter.  We also look forward to his experience and insights as a new Director.” Greg brings 25 years of experience engaging with boards of directors and audit committees to enhance shareholder value through strategy development, acquisition and divestiture initiatives, capital structure optimization and operational improvements while maintaining a focus on pragmatic risk management, prudent financial controls and fiscal discipline.

Congratulations to our FIRST EVER chapter participant to be selected to a First Tee Headquarters Participant Opportunity, Ryan Shimony! Ryan was selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. this July in Philadelphia, PA. First Tee Game Changers Academy is an evolution of the longest standing participant event to address the challenges and experiences teens face in their daily lives and better equip them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities. This Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

Weekly summer camps allow participants ages 6 to 18 to learn First Tee life skills through the game of golf. Intermediate and advanced camps also being offered! Please visit our website for locations and to register your children. Camp locations include: Cooper Colony Country Club Grand Palms Hotel – Spa & Golf Resort (*also available-Advanced Elite Training Program)