Category: News

BGC GREAT FUTURES

We have partnered with the Boys & Girls Club High School’s Great Futures Program for the past 3 years! Coaches Nyla Sims, Frank Wingate, and William Curry provided from 4-6 weeks of golf classes at the high schools. These classes culminated in a field day at PopStroke Delray. By the end of the summer, these high schoolers had all experienced and practiced different golf skills. The students tested their putting skills at PopStroke.

See you again next summer Great Futures!

PEDRIQUE SISTERS SCORE W’S

Taylor won the SFPGA Prep Tour Championship at The Park with a round of 70.  It was her third win of the season. Her other victories were at Fairwinds (76) and Lost Lake (75).

Marley won the FSGA Florida Junior Tour Sugar Mill Open with rounds of 71 and 73. She won in wire-to-wire fashion. Her final round of 73 proved to be enough as she captured a three-shot victory.

JUPITER HIGH IS #1

For the fifth consecutive year, Senior Program Director Emily Valentine, LPGA, has dedicated her expertise and leadership to the Jupiter High School Girls Golf team as Head Coach. This season, the Warriors clinched the SFPGA East Coast High School Championship, won Districts, and placed second at Regionals.

Chapter participant, Keala Richichi, serves as the Warriors’ captain. During the High School Championship, Jupiter outperformed notable programs such as Pine Crest School, SLAM!, and Doral Prep Academy, showcasing the team’s depth and its growth and resilience.

Next, the Jupiter Warriors captured the FHSAA Class 3A, Region 2, District 7 Championship with a dominant performance. The Warriors posted an outstanding team score of 299, finishing 31 shots ahead of runner-up Vero Beach High School.

“This team has worked incredibly hard all season,” said Emily. “To see them play with focus, integrity, and joy — the same values we teach at First Tee — makes me so proud as both their coach and a mentor.”

After their second place at Regionals at Royal St. Cloud, the team is now off to the State tournament ranked as the #1 team in Florida.

A special shoutout goes to The Club at Admiral’s Cove, which generously allows the Warriors to call their course “home.” The support of such a premier facility is key to the team’s continued growth and success.

GCDS TEENS AND TWEENS

Every week, our teens and tweens from Gold Coast Down Syndrome meet at Drive Shack to learn the game of golf, build skills, and most importantly, have fun with friends. Thank you, Drive Shack, for helping us turn Thursdays into the highlight of their week!

SAVANNAH ATTENDS LEVEL 2

Coach Savannah attended Level 2 Coach Training at First Tee – Greater Houston in Houston, TX. Savannah has been part of the First Tee since 2008, starting as a participant and growing through the program into the leader she is today.

Now serving as our Manager of Operations for First Tee – Florida Gold Coast, Savannah continues to deepen her impact by advancing her coaching skills and expanding her knowledge of youth development and golf education. She currently leads our Ages 2–3 Golf Program at Dyer Park and coaches at two school programs—Guidepost Montessori and Somerset Academy Avenir—where she introduces young golfers to the game through fun, engaging lessons that build confidence and character.

Her next goal? To keep climbing through the program and achieve Level 3 Coach Certification!

EMILY IN PUERTO RICO

Senior Program Director, Emily Valentine, LPGA, recently brought her passion for coach education to First Tee – Puerto Rico, where she led a one-day Level 1 Coach Training at TPC Dorado Beach for 11 of their new coaches.

Emily led the coaches through the First Tee Coach Philosophy, blending golf instruction with life-skills development to prepare them to impact young people across Puerto Rico.

With this new group of trained coaches, First Tee – Puerto Rico is eager to expand its reach and deepen its impact, ensuring that even more young people across the island have access to the life-changing opportunities through First Tee.

A big thank you to our friends at First Tee – Puerto Rico for welcoming Emily and hosting an incredible day of learning and connection.

VETS PLAY VGA EVENT

Veterans program Coaches Devin Shaw and David Fleck played at PGA Village’s Dye course with Chapter veterans Michael Sturgeon and Mike Carey, long-time participants in our FORE Freedom Golf program.

RAY MARTIN SUPPORTS VETS

President Ray Martin of Extreme Government Solutions visited veterans’ program at Dyer Park.  His company has donated over $1,000 to our veterans’ program this year.  As a retired Army Officer, he is proud to support our Fore Freedom golf program.

MISS YOU COACH CRAIG

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our founding Executive Director, Craig Watson, PGA. Crais also served as the founding golf coach of the men’s and women’s golf teams at Palm Beach Atlantic University.  His passion for the game and devotion to young people shaped the very heart of our chapter. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating his remarkable life at Dyer Park. Craig’s legacy lives on in every student, volunteer, and friend he inspired both on and off the course.

The Watson Scholarship has been founded to honor the legacy of Craig and his father, Bob.  Secure online donations may be made on our website.

ANNUAL APPEAL

It is the time of year for giving and supporting your community.  Please help us serve the thousands of children and veterans in our programs.  Donate to our Pebble Beach Raffle for 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 visit pebbleraffle.com to donate and for more information.