Veterans’ programs had a busy summer! We recently had eight veterans on Tuesdays at Drive Shack with Coach Devin Shaw. Our veterans’ programs are free of charge to our nation’s heroes and offer golf instruction, equipment if needed, outdoor recreation, lots of fun and important social interaction.
Please visit our website to learn more about our veterans’ programs.
Devin Shaw, a 50-year-old Army Veteran with 12 years of service as a unit supply specialist, is making waves in the golf community through his involvement with our veterans’ programs.
A passionate golfer with 15 years of experience, Devin discovered First Tee just three years ago and has since become a dedicated ambassador for the organization.
He has taken the initiative to start several programs for veterans, including a Monday session in Belle Glade and a Tuesday program at Drive Shack. He also leads the Wednesday veterans’ program at Dyer Park and runs a special summer program for blind veterans on Wednesdays.
In addition to his work with veterans, Coach Devin is a familiar face at the Martin Downs Pro shop where he works with his First Tee – Treasure Coast mentor, Joe Grohman, PGA. Together Groman and Shaw dedicate their Fridays to mentoring kids, teaching golf and instilling our values and life skills.
Coach Devin’s commitment to the sport and community is evident in his achievements on the Veteran’s Golf Association competitive tour, where he has won three tournaments this past year. Driven by his commitment to children and veterans, Coach Devin is not just a volunteer but also has lofty professional aspirations. He is currently a Level 2 First Tee Coach and is working towards becoming a Level 3 Coach.
His journey and contributions highlight his passion for golf and his dedication to giving back to the community that has supported him. His efforts are a testament to the positive impact that programs like First Tee can have on individuals and the broader community.
The 2024 100-Hole Challenge is upon us. Our goal is for each player to play a minimum of 100 holes of golf on a single day. Support one of our players by making a per hole pledge! 10 cents per hole is only a $10 donation.
We also offer a chance to win a trip to play and stay Pebble Beach!
Please visit our website for more information and to donate.
Sure, it is only August, but our October tournament at the newly re-designed The Bear’s Club is almost sold out! Interested in sponsoring? Please contact [email protected] for more information.
The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach has been a long time Chapter supporter. They recently donated a grant of $1,000 to support the children of Riviera Beach in our programs.
The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach was chartered in 1951 as a part of the worldwide voluntary service organization Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach has contributed over $5 million in support of youth and community programs in Riviera Beach. They are an organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time.
Their club is a positive influence in the local community so that children will be a part of a community that believes in them, nurtures them and provides the support they need to thrive.
There was a viral moment at the 2024 U.S. Open, when in a news conference, First Tee – Sandhills participant Tytus Solt asked World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler about staying calm after a recent triple bogie.
“I think that’s something you just learn playing more and more golf, that bad breaks are going to come, but it’s more about your response to those things,” Scheffler answered.
Everyone has highs and lows on the golf course, but the most successful players have strategies to control their emotions. And the important thing is, those strategies can be useful in tough moments off the course too.
At First Tee, we teach the 4 Rs.
Relax: “This can look a few different ways,” explained AnnaLeis Caldwell, from the Programs team at First Tee. “You might hum a song while walking to your next shot. You might close your eyes for a moment or visualize your next shot.” The former collegiate golfer said she uses breathing patterns to calm down while walking to her ball. “Every player may find something a little different works best for them,” she said.
Replay: This technique is not just useful when you hit a poor shot, Caldwell explained. It is most effective when you use the 4 Rs to keep your emotions level, so you do not get too excited or upset. Replaying a good shot can help boost your confidence. Meanwhile, Bobby Jones famously said, “I never learned anything from a match I won.” Replaying a poor shot and considering what went wrong can be enlightening too.
Ready: This is when you choose your target and club before completing your pre-shot routine, Caldwell said. Consistency and rhythm are important in golf, which explains why research shows that having a pre-shot routine can help you play better.
Re-do: In this step, you put everything together, hit your next shot and start the process over again. “This is your opportunity to start fresh,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell still uses the 4 Rs when she is playing golf but acknowledged there can be off-the-course applications too. “It could be helpful for kids during testing, maybe after receiving a poor grade or even while playing other sports,” Caldwell said.
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Actors Michael Peña and Kathryn Newton will headline the two weeklong retreats focused on sharpening leadership skills.
WEST CREEK RANCH, Mont. (August 5, 2024) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore are set to host 40 teens from across the country at West Creek Ranch, an intimate setting in Montana for leadership development, community building and connection. Owned by PGA TOUR Superstore chairman and First Tee board member Arthur M. Blank, the picturesque ranch is the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these teens to explore leadership development, community building and problem solving. Students spend much of the time in outdoor interactions including whitewater rafting, horseback riding and archery, based on the belief that connections made in nature provide benefits that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
Each week will tee off with keynote speakers who will discuss their individual leadership, share life experiences and examine how they have grown through opportunities and challenges. The first week will feature actor Michael Peña, while actor and First Tee alumnus Kathryn Newton will be the featured speaker during the second week.
The First Tee Leadership Summit is designed to help teens grow their leadership skills through hands-on activities that require teamwork and personal strength. Daily leadership themes include pursuing goals, growing through challenges and building positive self-identity.
This is the fourth consecutive year that nonprofit youth development organization First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore will hold this event at West Creek Ranch. This year’s group comes from 25 cities across the country, with 20 teens attending each week. West Creek Ranch is a 6,600-acre working ranch in Emigrant, Montana, that is bordered by the Yellowstone River and Gallatin National Forest.
“We are excited to host these 40 impressive teens for an unforgettable week of personal growth and relationship building,” said Dick Sullivan, Executive Chairman & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “So many lessons from golf can be applied to life, and we truly believe in the positive impact sports can have on kids and teens, which is why we’re proud to support this event and partner with First Tee chapters across the country.”
“Thank you to Arthur Blank and PGA TOUR Superstore for their continued generosity in supporting this event,” added Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “The lessons these young leaders will take away from Montana will shape their futures in remarkable ways.”
At the conclusion of the Summit, four students will be selected for the First Tee College Scholarship Program and will receive financial support as well as access to mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout college.
To be eligible for the Summit, teens completed a five-week Leadership Series that was hosted at PGA TOUR Superstore locations across the country, before completing applications that outlined their leadership experience and goals. For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and Arthur Blank have championed First Tee’s mission through donations and by supporting participant events, including the Leadership Summit and the Leadership Academy, which is held in Atlanta.
The Leadership Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee to expose teens to new challenges and inspire them as they prepare to embark on life after high school.
See the full field of participants.
