Our Chapter has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with BGC SLC including summer camps. LPGA Coach Gabbie Budd explaining the golf swing and how to be respectful to others to summer camp participants of the Boys and Girls Club St. Lucie County.
Pictured above: LPGA Coach Gabbie Budd explaining the golf swing and how to be respectful to others to summer camp participants of the Boys and Girls Club St. Lucie County.
Summer camps and programs are in full swing. Register now!
Our program locations include:
• Crane Watch Club
• The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• The Champions Club
• Trident Golf Club
• Jensen Beach Golf Club
• Fairwinds Golf Course
• Sailfish Sands Golf Course
• First Tee League
For more information and to register, please visit our website.
Our annual golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at The Bear’s Club. Sponsorships are now available for the event. Our day at Jack Nicklaus’ home course includes lunch, gift bag, golf, caddy, prizes, dinner and drinks. All players compete in both gross and net divisions.
This is your chance to join our current sponsors of Andrew and Cindy Brock, PGA TOUR Superstore TruGreen and Comcast. We are offering a variety of sponsor opportunities.
The schedule for the day is noon lunch and warm-up, and a 1:00pm shotgun. The tournament format is play your own ball, no scramble, one best ball of the foursome. Limited field to ensure a fast pace of play.
For more information contact [email protected] or call 561-307-4060.
We recently had 10 students from Coach Glen Beaver’s programs compete in Drive, Chip & Putt, a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. The competition was conducted at The Falls Club, with three of our students advancing to the next round to be held in August at Old Marsh Golf Club.
Advancing to Sub-Regionals pictured above:
Abriella Morrison: Girls 6-18. 2nd Overall
Ameila Mayer: Girls 9-10. 3rd Overall
Mateo Muñiz: Boys 10-12. 3rd Overall
Also, Sara Valentine from Coach Connie Capanegra’s class, competed at The Club at Ibis and won overall first place at the competition to also advance to the next round.
Pictured left: Sara in the middle accepting the winning ribbon.
In addition, 4 other students from Coach Glen’s class (pictured below) won ribbons.
Xander Trivlis: Boys 7-9. 1st Chipping
Blake Mayer: Boys 7-9. 3rd Chipping
Marina Sterijevski: Girls 9-11. 3rd Putting
Sofia Mayer: Girls 12-13. 3rd Chipping
Chapter alumna Nyla Sims is interning this semester at the prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. Nyla is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore enrolled in the PGA Golf Management program.
“What an incredible opportunity for Nyla to begin her career,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Baltusrol has played host to 17 major championships including seven U.S. Opens, two U.S. Women’s Opens and two PGA Championships. The club has a deep history in the game, and she will learn so much from their golf staff and the membership.”
Nyla plays on her college golf team and is a member of the Club Management Association of America, the Professional Golf Management Student Association and *Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She has also received our Chapter college scholarship.
“My ultimate goal is to become a PGA Professional and General Manager of a golf club,” said Nyla. “I want to continue to help grow the game of golf and create more diversity in the spirit of everything I have learned through First Tee.”
First Tee karma definitely exists. Just a few weeks before the U.S. Open, Chapter Director John Hahn let staff know that PGA TOUR professional and local resident Matt Fitzpatrick had golf clothes and equipment to donate to our Chapter. The donation included hats, shirts, shoes and other equipment.
A few weeks later, Matt went on to win the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Congrats on the historic win Matt and thank you for donating to the students of First Tee!
Pictured above left: Students from PBSO Police Athletic League were each given a Workday hat donated by Matt.
Wiley “Coyote” Inman won a SFPGA Medalist Tour Event! He won in a playoff after posting 73-70 for a one under two-day total at Osprey Point on the Raven/Falcon course. This was Coyote’s first win since he moved up to the SFPGA’s top junior division.
The Coyote followed the SFPGA win by firing rounds of 72-68 to clinch a spot in the Junior PGA Championships to be conducted at Cog Hill in Palos Park, Illinois in August.
“Very proud of the Coyote,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Even more impressive is that he is notching these victories against the older players. He just finished eighth grade and will start high school in the fall and play on the Palm Beach Gardens High golf team.”
Wylie has also been volunteering as a Junior Assistant Coach with our summer camp programs at Dyer Park.
Keep it up Coyote. We think you might have found your lucky hat!
Jayda Dookie represented our Chapter at the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy in San Francisco. This is an all-girls event that focused on leadership development, remaining active in the game of golf, learning the value/impact of volunteerism, and recognizing the importance of teamwork.
Jayda described her experience at the event:
“This academy was very engaging. It was an eye-opening experience. The academy featured mostly female guest speakers and they discussed different skills and gave us background on the different paths life might take us on. They offered informative discussions on how to market ourselves for college admissions and our future. We also had lots of fun. We volunteered at the Pomeroy Center, which helps with rehabilitation and education for people with disabilities. We spent a few hours teaching people how to play golf. I was very proud to make a difference in their lives. We went sightseeing at Muir Woods and took a boat tour around the Bay. We played The Olympic Club, home of the 2012 U.S Open and 2021 Women’s Open. I just loved the course. I am so grateful to the First Tee and John Deere for the opportunity. I hope many more young women enjoy this experience next year. It really was life changing!
Our Chapter has recently welcomed a new Trustee family.
Longtime supporters Jeffrey and Marion Webster (pictured above) support our chapter through the Webster Family Foundation. Jeff’s father, John A. Webster Jr, along with his wife Ann, established the foundation, which has generously contributed to many important causes, including the Orchard House, the New England Veterinary Medical Association and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. John was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Nashawtuc Country Club and the Johns Island Club.
Jeff and Marion have continued the tradition of the Webster Family Foundation with a Trustee pledge. Jeff and Marion are dedicated golfers and are looking forward to attending their first Trustee meeting this fall at Pebble Beach.
Summer camps and programs in full swing. Register now!
Our program locations include:
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• Drive Shack
• John Prince Golf Learning Center
• The Golf Club of Jupiter
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Madison Green Country Club
• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center – Dyer Park
• North Palm Beach Country Club
• Okeeheelee Golf Course
• Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
• Park Ridge Golf Course
• Southwinds Golf Course
• Westchester Country Club
• The Village Golf Club
For more information and to register, please visit our website.
Chapter alumnus Tyler Mistretta shot three under par for two days at Hobe Sound Golf Club to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. This was his first attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.
He shot even par in his first round. During round two, he started off hot with an eagle on the first hole. He stayed red-hot with five birdies over the next seven holes for a 32 on the front nine. He closed with a 37 on the back with eight pars and a single bogey for his final round of 69. Chapter Program Director Zack Anderton caddied for the second round.
Tyler earned the second of two spots to advance to the U.S. Amateur at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J. August 15th to 21st. Nearly 8,000 players from around the world tried to qualify for one of the 312 available spots in the tournament. The 312 players will play a two-day stroke play tournament to narrow the field to 64 players to compete in match play to determine the eventual champion.
“This is simply unbelievable!” exclaimed Tyler. “So many people help make this happen from my parents, First Tee staff, the SFPGA, FSGA and AJGA, Jack Nicklaus, Bob Ford, my high school coaches to Coach White and my teammates at Florida Southern, Ed Humenick my swing coach, Drake Kelso my club fitter and Stephen Sweeney my putting coach. I just cannot thank all the people that have helped me achieve this goal in my first attempt.”
Tyler is going into his sophomore year at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. He is a member of the Mocs golf team and is the first Florida Southern men’s golfer to play in the U.S. Amateur since Marc Dull in 2016.
First Tee Chapters provide inclusive golf and character building programs for all kids and teens
By Megan Hart, First Tee HQ
About a quarter of Americans have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but as many organizations have redoubled their focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in recent years, this group can often go overlooked in discussions on the topic.
For 25 years, First Tee has shown up every day, determined to ensure that every kid and teen feel welcome and included. First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is just one example of our Chapters who promote inclusive programs.
The Chapter partners with organizations like Els for Autism, Special Olympics of Hamilton County and SCRATCHgolf to serve players of all abilities and skill levels, proving golf is for everyone.
Thanks in part to the United States Golf Association’s IDEA Grant, the chapter has been able to expand its opportunities for all kids. The IDEA Grant was created to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility efforts at the local golf level. This grant program awarded $200,000 from USGA to First Tee Chapters across the country in 2021.
“USGA’s support is a game changer for the youth in the communities that we serve,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “With these grants, our chapters are opening the door to even more youth, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities, to explore the possibilities in golf and beyond as they build their character and life lessons through the game.”
The USGA’s efforts to make golf more inclusive go far beyond its work with First Tee. The association will host the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst this July, which will feature the globe’s top golfers with disabilities, including those with limb impairments, intellectual and neurological impairments and seated golfers. Among the field is First Tee — Tampa Bay alum Joey Hill and First Tee — Triangle alum Zachary Duncan!
‘You just have to love the kids and find out what they need’
First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is focused on reaching children from all backgrounds and abilities, and with the help of the USGA and other organizations, they have found creative ways to become more accessible.
The Chapter will bring back programming for kids with autism this fall after it was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff first trained with Els for Autism in 2018.
Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky also partners with Special Olympics of Hamilton County to introduce participants to golf. The program attracted about 20 kids per year before the pandemic, and it’ll return this summer for a weekly series.
Three kids have transitioned from the Chapter’s Special Olympics program to its golf course program, and Executive Director Alicia Yund recalls seeing a Special Olympics participant return for a community field day hosted by the chapter.
“It was cool to see him thriving and see how all the other kids were in awe of him and his ability to hit the ball,” she said. “It’s great when all kids are included.”
Wendy Mockabee manages the School Program at First Tee – Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, which integrates First Tee’s life skills program into elementary and middle schools in the community. One of the participating schools exclusively serves special needs students, and it’s been inspiring to see how teachers have adapted First Tee programming to meet the needs of the kids. For example, teachers attached a leaf blower to a golf club so children with mobility challenges could instead push a button to move the ball.
In addition, the chapter hosts programming for kids with life-threatening and chronic health challenges, including SCRATCHgolf. In partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute and the Congenital Heart Alliance of Cincinnati, the chapter recently held a multiday camp for kids with heart defects, who are then provided scholarships for future programming.
“We’ve been very focused on making sure all kids have a safe space, an environment where we’re prepared to make any modifications necessary to make them feel welcome and part of First Tee community,” Yund said. “Weaving accessibility and inclusion into programming — outside of finding more volunteers — it’s not a daunting or taxing effort. You just need to love the kids and find out what they need.”
A number of First Tee chapters within the network offer youth development and programming for participants with disabilities. Contact your local chapter to learn more.
