Congrats to Chapter student Alyssa Cleckley on being inducted into the BAK MSOA chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. This prestigious achievement is based on Academic Excellence (maintaining a GPA of 3.9 or above), Leadership, Character, Citizenship and Service in your community.
We are so proud of you!
This year’s Women’s Day at the Country Club of Florida was filled with laughter, fundraising, and unforgettable moments—but none quite as remarkable as what happened on the 8th hole.
Chapter student Taylor Pedrique has been part of Coach John’s programs at The Golf Club of Jupiter for many years. Now 12, Taylor stepped onto the tee box of the par-3 eighth hole with confidence, a 4-hybrid in hand from 123 yards, and a quiet focus that caught everyone’s attention.
With her foursome watching, Taylor struck a beautiful shot. The ball sailed high into the breeze, landed softly just beyond the bunker—and rolled straight into the hole! For Taylor, it was a dream come true—and her very first ace.
The ace was made special by the setting, the spirit of Women’s Day, and the joy of seeing a young leader from our Chapter achieve something magical at Country Club of Florida. Taylor was recognized later that afternoon during the closing remarks, where she received a standing ovation and a commemorative ball.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Women’s Day at the Country Club of Florida such a memorable celebration of sport, spirit, and community. Your generosity and support of our students is sincerely appreciated.
Tim “Rosie” Rosaforte enjoyed a lifetime love for golf and rose through the newspaper ranks to become a top American golf journalist. Rosie covered the PGA TOUR with several news organizations including the Palm Beach Post, Golf Channel and NBC Sports.
With generous support from last year’s Rosie Pro-Am we have honored Rosie’s passion for the game by establishing the Tim Rosaforte Endowed Scholarship through the Evans Scholars Foundation. The scholarship will be awarded every four years and will support full tuition and housing for Evans Scholarship recipients from our Chapter.
Bella Cecere of Old Marsh Golf Club is the recipient of the newly founded Tim Rosaforte Endowed Named Scholarship and will begin attending University of Delaware in fall 2025.
“The opportunity to caddie has profoundly impacted my life in countless ways. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences caddying has provided and the doors it has opened. It is an honor to have received this scholarship. Receiving this scholarship will alleviate the financial burden on my widowed father and me, allowing me to pursue my dream of helping others heal throughout my life. The prospect of obtaining a quality college education without being constrained by financial worries is something I could have only dreamt of while growing up. In being awarded this scholarship, I am immensely grateful and proud to join such an extraordinary legacy. Thank you so much.” – Bella Cecere
The second annual Rosie Pro-Am will be held at Floridian National Golf Club. Please support our scholarship fund by making a donation or placing a bid at rosieproam.com on one of our many incredible silent auction items. We have many foursomes, instructional packages and sports memorabilia up for auction. Golf packages include Floridian, Oakmont, The Bear’s Club, Apogee, Jupiter Hills, Old Marsh, Old Palm, Medalist, Trump National, The Park and more!! Please visit rosieproam.com to place your bid.
Skratch Golf brought their Pickers series to First Tee, capturing the spirit of the game while interviewing CEO Carl Mistretta, Jr. and First Tee students Jordan Reyes and Zoe Shamy. The crew explored unique finds from Blake’s Golf Shop, including clubs from Jesper Parnevik and Bernhard Langer. The best part? They tested them out at our very own Dyer Park driving range!
Need some new clubs for yourself? Please visit blakesgolfshop.com to review over 5,000 items listed for sale.
On a recent Saturday morning, students, staff, coaches and volunteers all gathered to wish longtime Coach Joel Zanville a fond farewell as he moves back to Ohio to be near family.
“Coach Joel has been with us for over ten years,” said Chapter CEO Carl Mistretta Jr. “He found his calling with our special needs programs and impacted the lives of so many of our students. His smile, dedication and uplifting attitude will be greatly missed.”
No. 11 Florida Southern ran away to its 17th Sunshine State Conference Championship after posting a 54-hole team score of 861 (-3) at the Rio Pinar Country Club, the Moccasins’ first league title since 2010.
Chapter alumnus Tyler “TREE” Mistretta tied for fourth individual with rounds of 69-75-73 = 217. In his final round, TREE used 11 pars and three birdies, which featured back-to-back birdies on the back nine, to finish in the top five. With his fourth-place finish, TREE earned all-tournament honors with two of his teammates.
TREE also received the 2025 MOCSYS Academic Award for the student-athlete on his team with the combination of the most credit hours and highest GPA.
In addition, he joined three of his teammates to earn a 2025 All-Conference Award. Mocs Coach Brian Richey earned the Conference Coach of the Year award.
Welcome Dr. Matthew Tavolacci as a new sponsor of our Fore Freedom programs.
Dr. Tavolacci specializes in sports injuries of the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle. Dr. Matt is an experienced chiropractor and uses a variety of manual soft tissue therapies, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercises, stretch/strengthening routines and massage therapy to treat his patients.
Dr. Matt first heard about our Chapter through one of his current patients who is dealing with medical issues. As a child of a Navy Vietnam veteran, Dr. Matt has always had a deep respect for military veterans and has been dedicated to serving veterans since the inception of his private practice. He accepts the VA healthcare insurance when many other providers do not, in hopes of helping the saturated VA healthcare system to address the care of our nation’s heroes.
Our Chapter was honored to receive a generous $25,000 donation from the Admirals Cove Foundation. We are incredibly grateful for the longtime support of the members of Admirals Cove and their foundation, and for the support of Admiral’s Cove resident and longtime Board Member and Chairman Emeritus Dick Sheehan (pictured above with Chapter Development Director Henry Chateauvert). This generous contribution will help us expand character-building programs that empower youth both on and off the course.
The Admirals Cove Foundation was founded to improve lives in their surrounding community and to strengthen Admirals Cove through a culture of giving. Through their annual giving campaign, the Foundation’s efforts are focused exclusively in the areas of education, health, and social services.
More than nine in 10 parents with adult children aged 18-35 say they’ve seen how youth sports can shape a child’s future
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (May 8, 2025) – Despite an unsteady economy, nearly nine in 10 American parents say they are making room in the budget for extracurricular activities (88%), including sports. Nine in 10 parents say playing sports helps children build character (92%) and teaches them important life skills (90%), according to new research from The Harris Poll and First Tee.
The global consulting and market research firm teamed up with the nonprofit youth development organization to explore the value parents place on youth sports, with a particular focus on the long-term impact of coaches. The Harris Poll surveyed 2,042 U.S. adults in March 2025 and analyzed the data by gender, age, race, education and income, among other characteristics.
While few young athletes ultimately turn professional, parents believe youth sports can have lifelong benefits off the field. Nearly nine in 10 parents strongly recommend youth sports to other parents, believing that coaches can impact a child’s ability to work well with others (89%), respect others (89%) and be resilient in the face of challenges (88%).
“According to this new research, parents with adult children say the confidence their child built through sports continues to shape their success today, a data point that reinforces First Tee’s mission of teaching not only golf skills but also life skills and values that equip kids to face new challenges,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “While we have heard success stories from countless First Tee alumni, we are grateful to Harris Poll for helping us quantify the incredible impact of extracurricular activities.”
Generations of Americans have been shaped by youth sports, with nearly 70% of parents who grew up with coaches saying they wouldn’t be where they are today without those influential adults in their life (67%). First Tee knows its coaches are the key to its success, which is why it’s celebrating them during First Tee Week, May 19-25. The new brand awareness campaign will mark the launch of a PSA titled “Dear Coach” and feature a panel discussion on the impact of coaches at the PGA TOUR’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
Other key findings from the survey include:
“Even amid economic uncertainty, parents see youth sports as a non-negotiable investment in their child’s future,” said Abbey Lunney, Managing Director of the Trends and Thought Leadership Practice at The Harris Poll. “Nearly 9 in 10 say the experience helped prepare their children for the future. Our data shows they’re not just hoping for athletic success—they’re prioritizing confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills shaped by meaningful coaching.”
This is the third annual research collaboration between The Harris Poll and First Tee.
Download the full 2025 report.
For the results of the 2024 parent survey, click here.
Maria Ramos tried her hand at several sports before fate intervened. Her grandfather was a talented golfer and caddie. Though they never met, his legacy helped shape the path she walks today. With his memory in mind, Maria’s mom encouraged her to try golf.
Watching tournaments on TV, Maria noticed there weren’t many players who looked like her. Still, the presence of trailblazing players like Lorena Ochoa and Maria Fassi helped her envision a place for herself in the sport. “One day, we went to First Tee – Greater Philadelphia, and there was this overwhelming sense of kindness and care for students,” Maria said.
She quickly discovered that First Tee offered more than golf instruction. One lesson that left a lasting impression is the importance of using good judgment, Maria said. On the course, this means evaluating your shot from every angle, making a decision and executing with confidence, Maria explained. Off the course, it’s the mindset Maria brings to solving computer algorithms — thinking critically and acting with clarity.
College, community and continued growth
Maria now studies artificial intelligence at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s a member of the First Tee College Scholarship Program, which provides financial support, professional development opportunities and mentorship to standout First Tee alumni.
The program has helped Maria sharpen her networking skills, and she’s built strong bonds with her fellow Scholars, she said. “Now, as an adult I represent the future of First Tee,” she said. “I have no doubt we will all be friends for the rest of our lives and maintain involvement.”
Maria’s commitment to making a difference was recently rewarded by First Tee Trustee, Accenture. Maria teamed up with classmates to win Accenture’s 2025 Innovation Challenge an opportunity she learned about through Accenture’s partnership with First Tee. During the competition, Maria and her teammates consulted for the Special Olympics, integrating technology and social impact.
“Partnering with the Special Olympics for this year’s Accenture Innovation Challenge was a delight,” said Christy Sovereign, senior managing director at Accenture and president and CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. “Being able to witness how the next generation of leaders applied technology and teamwork to make a real difference in the lives of athletes and their communities was truly inspiring. Congrats to Maria and team for launching their Impact Passport program that empowers individuals with IDD to build social connections, track progress and engage with Special Olympics communities.”
Maria also explored her passion for making a difference through technology while studying abroad in Costa Rica. “I saw that some rural farmers had engineered amazing technologies that would likely never make it to market,” she said. “With my engineering background, eventually I hope to work in impact investing, focusing on technologies made by or for marginalized communities.”
Maria has big plans for this summer as a USGA Pathways Intern, which means she’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 U.S. Open.
The First Tee Alumni Network is your resource for job listings, networking and access to First Tee alumni meetups. Learn more.
The Liberty National Foundation announced earlier today an extension of its long-standing support through 2029.
Committing an additional $1 million, this latest gift brings the Fireman family and Liberty National Foundation’s total contribution to First Tee to $8 million since its first commitment in 2012.
The announcement was made during a special event at Liberty National Golf Club, where the Fireman family was celebrated for their continued support of First Tee’s mission to build character in young people through the game of golf. The new commitment will primarily support four First Tee chapters across New Jersey, which collectively impacted nearly 29,000 youth in 2024.
Jennifer Weiler, Senior Vice President of Network Relations at First Tee, joined Liberty National Foundation and New Jersey’s First Tee chapter leaders at the event.
“What makes this partnership so meaningful is how it helps us shape young potential into lifelong character,” said Weiler. “The continued support from the Liberty National Foundation allows us to reach thousands of children across New Jersey, particularly in underserved communities where access to character-building programs like ours can be transformative.”
Dan Fireman, Founder of the Liberty National Foundation, emphasized the alignment between First Tee’s mission and his family’s values.
“Through this continued partnership with First Tee, we’re committed to ensuring that more young people, especially those from underserved communities, have access to the character-building power of this great game,” said Fireman.
Dan’s father, Paul Fireman, was recognized last November when First Tee honored him with the Lifetime Achievement award.
First Tee has grown into a global youth development organization impacting more than 3.1 million kids and teens annually through its network of 150 Chapters with programs delivered at more than 1,700 golf facilities, as well as in nearly 12,000 schools and more than 2,000 youth centers. The organization has expanded internationally, with programs now in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Morocco.
The Liberty National Foundation’s gift will help further First Tee’s commitment to providing inclusive access to its programs, with a focus on reaching young people from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.
