This summer, we partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Belle Glade to bring golf to nine different clubs in the Glades area. The young people were introduced to the game of golf by Coaches Wayne Monroe, Devin Shaw, and Roy Collins. Our coaches spent the summer working with the students on their golf skills and mentoring them on how golf can be an integral part of their lives.
This year, we were excited to add the Belle Glade Teen Center, and the Wellington Club joined us. These two clubs focused on putting in their classes to prepare them for a field trip to PopStroke of Palm Beach, where everyone had a memorable time playing the course with our coaches.
“Belle Glade and its surrounding communities are the most underserved areas in Palm Beach County,” said Chapter President Joe Gorman. “We have served the children and teens in the Glades for over 10 years. As we impact all of Palm Beach County, the Glades is a big focus of our community outreach programs.”
Congrats to our newest Chapter Trustee, Mark Lewis, for winning the Club Championship this summer at Maroon Creek Club in Aspen, Colorado. Mark supports our chapter through the Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation. The Lewis Foundation mission is to empower the next generation, encourage the change-makers and transform young dreamers into fearless doers.
One of our favorite nights of the year is our annual college scholarship party held at PGA Tour Superstore. This year we broke a new record awarding over $108,000 to alumni from our Palm Beach, Treasure Coast and Broward Chapters. Fifteen alumni from the Palm Beach Chapter received scholarships this year.
Isabella Cecere, Delaware Jayda Dookie, Michigan State Angelina Guertin, Palm Beach State Tanmay Mahani, Florida Abner McWilliams, Keiser Billy Reid, Palm Beach Atlantic Sydney Rogers, Florida Nathan Vertez, Florida Annika Collado, Florida Golf Coast Jacie Goodman, Michigan Marcus Irene, Sheridan Technical Elise Mucklow, US Merchant Marine Daniela Perez, Florida Atlantic Morgan Rodriquez, Delaware State Jessica Stark, Pam Beach Atlantic
Chapter alumni Nashawn Tyson captured his first Palm Beach Golf Association County Amateur title carding a stellar 12-under-par total of 201 with all three rounds under par (67-66-68) at The Park West Palm. Chapter student Wylie Inman, a senior at Dwyer High and USF commit, posted 7-under par for a 6th place finish to edge chapter alumni Tyler Mistretta and chapter supporter Hampton Beebe by one shot.
The Links at Boynton Beach hosted seven of our FORE Freedom golfers to play nine holes on their Challenge course. Patricia Cepeda-Russel (Army) shot the lowest score of 37. She won one-hour of free bay time donated by Drive Shack/Puttery. The winning foursome received a sleeve of Wilson golf balls as a prize. Thank you, Bo Preston, for providing this opportunity to play for our nation’s heroes!
A tradition spanning nearly four decades, the Parent-Child has extended its reach over time, and we now gladly invite golfers (men, women, boys and girls) of all ages. Parents and Grandparents are eligible to play with their children and grandchildren in one of the multiple age divisions.
On Saturday, September 27th, the 37th Annual Palm Beach Parent-Child Classic will take place on The Nest Par 3 Course at Sandhill Crane Golf Club. The limited field of 36 teams will be comprised of a mix of Amateurs and Professionals of all ages.
Help us support the thousands of children and veterans we serve each year. Our Pebble Beach Raffle features a chance to win a trip to play Pebble Beach! For every $100 donated, you will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (includes two Garden View rooms) and a foursome to play one round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The prize package also includes $1,500 towards airfare, trip expenses, etc.
Certain restrictions apply. Drawing to be held March 3, 2026. Please scan the QR code or visit pebbleraffle.com to donate and for more information.
Zicka Homes is a long-term generous supporter and is recognized as a Core Value Sponsor of our Chapter. For more than five decades, the Zicka family has built some of the most breathtaking custom homes in Cincinnati. Founded in 1967 by Mike Zicka, Zicka Homes has grown to be recognized as the area’s most elite custom builder, garnering recognition as Builder of the Year multiple times. Today, Mike’s children, Julie, Patrick, and Katie, oversee the company with the same attention to detail and respect as their father.
The First Tee National Alumni Advisory Council held its first in-person meeting in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 15, 2025) – First Tee has launched a National Alumni Advisory Council, a group of 20 dynamic alumni who are business and community leaders from across the United States. The council will play a key role in shaping the future of the organization’s growing Alumni Network.
The Alumni Council’s primary focus will be to guide and direct strategies that engage more alumni in meaningful ways — helping them stay connected to each other and to First Tee’s mission of empowering young people through golf and life skills programming.
In addition to virtual meetings, the Alumni Council will gather annually, with its first session having taken place Sept. 12-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is sponsored by Gallagher.
“First Tee alumni are an essential part of our story and our future,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The Alumni Council will help ensure we are creating opportunities for them to continue to grow, give back and lead, while staying connected to the values they developed through First Tee.”
The Alumni Council is co-chaired by Rayshon Payton of First Tee – Metropolitan Oklahoma City, who works as general counsel for Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt, and Sara Diaz of First Tee – San Antonio, a presenter for ESPN+ and PGA TOUR Live and vice president of recruiting for Capstone Hospitality.
“I’m thrilled to come full circle with First Tee, an organization that has shaped not only my life but the lives of so many others,” Payton said. “Serving as board chair of the Alumni Council is a special opportunity to give back, support the next generation and help strengthen a community that continues to inspire growth on and off the course.”
“I’m excited to continue being part of the First Tee, the program where my golf journey began,” Diaz said. “I’m truly honored to be selected as co-chair of the First Tee Alumni Council and look forward to expanding our Alumni Network to foster lasting connections and meaningful opportunities.”
Council members represent a diverse group of graduates who embody the impact of First Tee programs. They were appointed and will serve terms of two, three or four years. Together, they will guide efforts to recruit alumni, design impactful engagement opportunities and drive alumni reconnection to local chapters. As ambassadors of the program, they will inspire current participants and help grow a powerful, united Alumni Network.
The First Tee Alumni Network includes thousands of former participants who have carried the organization’s values into their careers, communities and lives. Since its launch in 2020, the First Tee Alumni Network has provided career assistance, professional and personal development opportunities and fun events for former participants. It’s free to join and open to all First Tee Alumni.
For more information about the Alumni Network, visit firsttee.org/alumni.
2025 Alumni Council members
Rayshon Payton
Metropolitan Oklahoma City
General Counsel, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester
Sara Diaz
Greater San Antonio
VP of Recruiting, Capstone Hospitality
Anthony Bonales
Central Valley
Finance Manager, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Grace Kehoe
Greater Charlotte
Media Logger, PGA TOUR
Karrington Knight
Greater New Orleans
Staff Assistant, Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Steven Outlaw, PGA
Hammond (Historical)
Director of Sales & Marketing, Troon
Colm Parrish
Pittsburgh
Category Manager, Catalent Pharma Solutions
Hannah Rens
Siouxland
Systems Engineer, Boeing
Benjamin Nganga
Tennessee
Real Estate Valuations Analyst, Baker Tilly
Ashley Noda
Greater Sacramento
Director of Outreach & Competitive Activities, First Tee – Greater Sacramento
Alyssa Ramont
Central Valley
Executive Administrative Assistant, San Francisco Giants
David Singh
Tampa Bay
Program Manager, Cleveland Clinic of Florida
Blake Christenson
Tennessee
Designer, Cooper Carry
Michelle Xie
Silicon Valley
Software Engineer, Dave
Mia Bishop
Metro Atlanta
Psychotherapist
Brittany Gill
Greater Richmond
Corporate Partnerships Manager, PGA TOUR
Derrick Ow
Monterey County
Communications & Customer Service Coordinator, Northern California Golf Association
Connor Shooks
Benton Harbor
Sports Management Student, University of Michigan
Callen Williams
Metropolitan New York
Assistant Program Director, First Tee – Metropolitan New York
One of the most impactful aspects of the First Tee College Scholarship Program is mentorship. Each Scholar is matched with a dedicated adult to support them as they enter college and prepare for life after graduation.
First Tee Scholar Esther Etherington is a senior at Franklin College, where she’s majoring in elementary education and nonprofit leadership with plans to enter the golf industry. Last summer, Esther interned with First Tee — Greater Charleston’s Pathfinder Program and served as a USGA Pathways intern at the U.S. Open. This past summer, Esther worked at her former chapter, First Tee — Indiana, as the site director in Richmond. Her team helped to successfully launch three new community partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc. and Townsend Community Center, reaching its highest number of participants since COVID-19, 160 youth.
Esther’s mentor is Hope Oaks, a Ball State University graduate. Hope is a health science systems specialist at Pfizer, Inc., and she currently serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Golf Foundation and the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation.
They shared their experience and tips on building a successful mentor-mentee relationship.
FT: Describe your experience as a Scholar mentor.
HO: I felt honored when asked to be Esther’s mentor because I had already been a witness to her leadership at First Tee when she would speak at our fundraising events while she was in high school. Her confidence, authenticity and desire to share the gifts she was given resonated with me.
FT: How did you build trust with your mentee?
HO: My experience has been that trust is built with time and keeping commitments with one another. My mentors have set a good example for me by creating a safe space to share questions, challenges, goals, disappointments, frustrations and the emotions that go with them. It’s vital to know you can 100% show up and express your true self.
FT: What is one word you’d use to describe your mentoring relationship and why?
HO: Joy. Whenever the next thing on the calendar is coming up that we have set, I know that our time together will result in a happy spirit and a positive memory. Esther inspires me and we both have similar humor.
FT: Describe a memorable moment you’ve shared with your mentee.
HO: One of my favorite moments was this summer when I spent the day observing and volunteering at Esther’s First Tee location in Richmond. Her organization and leadership skills are to be coveted. It was so much fun to see it all in action with her coaches, volunteers and students. She was truly sharing her gifts with the world. The parents were happy their kids were in the program, and you could see the kids were delighted to be there and having fun while learning. Esther is a connection and networking queen, and she built a successful program in less than six months from scratch because of her reputation and genuine relationships in her community. She connects with each child at their level: kindness, care, thoughtfulness and fun are all in her bag of superpowers. She continues to inspire me as an example and I’m grateful for the opportunity this program has afforded us.
FT: How has your mentor helped you feel more confident or prepared for life after college?
EE: Hope has helped me feel more prepared for life after college by celebrating and capitalizing on my strengths. Her perspective has provided valuable connections, advice and friendship which has made me a better and more well-rounded person.
FT: How do you feel your relationship with your mentor has changed your college experience?
EE: The relationship that I have with Hope has been a transformative part of my college experience because she is a close member on my “go to” team. Hope is always a phone call or text message away.
FT: Drawing from what you’ve observed in your peers’ mentoring relationships, what advice would you share with someone just starting out as a mentor?
EE: When you are just starting out as a mentor, it is important to remember that the mentor and mentee relationship is a two-way street. Your mentor is there for you in the highs and lows of college and beyond, so effort and transparency are important.
FT: Describe a memorable moment you’ve shared with your mentor.
EE: We have had many memorable moments including going to a Purdue basketball game, the Indy Jazz Kitchen and lots of golf together. At the top of the list includes Hope traveling from Indianapolis when I was the site director at First Tee – Indiana in Richmond to volunteer with the kids.
