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Big Brothers Big Sisters spent six weeks with Coach Gabbie, LPGA at Pinewood Elementary school. The bigs and littles had a blast learning how to golf and our First Tee life skills curriculum!
LPGA Girls golf is back in action! Coach Gabbie, LPGA, and her students have spent the last two weeks learning how to putt & chip. Next, they are onto full swing. Ages are 6 to 12 and 13 to 18. There is still time to register to join this girls-only Saturday morning class at Champions Club!
Coaches Ben Miller, PGA and Gabbie Budd, LPGA and have been spending time at the YMCA of the Treasure Coast in Stuart with 3rd through 5th grade after school participates. Each week the Coaches spend time teaching the game of golf along with our core values. The Y kids are always ready to learn and are great participants.
Hobe Sound Golf Club recently welcomed John Pershern, PGA as their new Head Golf Professional. John was happy to give of his time to the boys from Banner Lake Community Center by giving some pointers on putting technique and helping with a friendly competition. Chapter Director and Coach John Sedwitz coaches this outreach program at Hobe Sound Golf Club on Tuesday afternoons. Thanks for the great work and dedication Coach John!
Chapter Director Ken Duke generously donated $50,000 to support the children and veterans of our Chapter. He surprised the attendees at our End of Year Bash with this incredible grant from his annual golf tournament.
Ken is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour Champions. He formerly played on the PGA Tour and won the 2013 Travelers Championship. Pictured right: Ken gave some full-swing pointers to a student from the Police Athletic League.
“Ken has been a great friend to our organization,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “He is an inspirational ambassador for the PGA Champions Tour and supports junior golf in the Treasure Coast and his home state of Arkansas. His generosity has helped fuel our growth in Martin and St. Lucie Counties.”
Winter is here and the weather has cooled off. Enroll your children in our Treasure Coast County programs.
For more information and to register, please visit our website.
Marsh & McLennan Agency is a full-service commercial insurance brokerage that offers business insurance such as property & casualty, company employee benefits and private client services.
MMA has been a consistent partner of our chapter over the last 5 years. On top of serving on the board, Rob Bruce, VP of Commercial Real Estate/Hospitality for MMA, has also started a Young Professionals organization back in 2017 to support the charity. He has spent 5 years building the YP group and recently passed the torch to a fellow chairman, Mathew Kaplan, to continue the legacy.
Chapter Director Robert Bruce II is an associate of Marsh & McLennan Agency. He is a Business Insurance Producer specializing in Real Estate and Hospitality. They have supported Robert’s involvement with First Tee to ensure our local Chapter can consistently provide life changing programs for kids, veterans, and special needs individuals. Contact Robert at [email protected] for more information.
Thank you to Marsh & McLennan to their continued partnership over the years and the future to come.
Jillian Bourdage, a chapter alumna, and Casey Weidenfeld conducted a first-class clinic for a group of our Broward Veterans. The event was held at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, hosted by their Director of Golf, Julian Gil. Jillian and Casey both grew up as junior golfers in Broward County and now play Division I golf. Jillian is a junior at Ohio State University and Casey is a sophomore at Auburn University. Both girls have won numerous tournaments and awards throughout their careers.
Jim Goldsmith, Army, has been playing golf for the last 3 years. He was a recent participant in our veterans’ programs.
When talking about his experience in our 8-week programs he said: “What a great and timely experience this was for me. My coaches all knew how to work with me to correct my posture, stance, and swing. They were amazing and very patient. It is a true blessing to share this golfing outing with my fellow veterans. Thanks to all that put this together to make it happen. I look forward to continuing to participate in this amazing program.”
Ryan Shimony enjoyed quite the year in golf. The 17-year-old Parkland resident played 100 holes of golf in a single day at the Country Club of Coral Springs; was one of 78 teens from around the country to be selected to play at Pebble Beach and represented his high school in the state golf championships.
“When I think back over this past year, I am really proud of what I have accomplished,” said Ryan. “My golf game drastically changed for the better.”
Shimony was one of 78 First Tee teens who were selected by a national panel to play in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The tournament featured PGA TOUR Champions professionals, First Tee juniors, and amateurs. Shimony finished tied for 25th with a two-day total of 4-under par, 140 (69-71).
“The PURE Insurance Championship was an experience of a lifetime,” Shimony said. “Playing on two of the most iconic courses [Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill] in the world, and being able to play with PGA Tour Championship player, Cliff Kresge, was something that I will never forget.”
“First Tee has given me the opportunity to help others who are less fortunate,” said Shimony, who has raised more than $18,000 through sponsors and donations while participating in the 100-Hole Challenge.”
The Young Professionals held their annual golf tournament and fundraiser in December at Bridges of Springtree Golf Club. Over 50 players participated and helped raise over $10,000 to support our children and veterans.
“Our members really enjoy the event, and we are supporting the largest golf-related youth development organization in South Florida, so it is well worth it.,” said Young Professional Chairman Robert Bruce.
The event was a four-person scramble and featured a putting contest, raffle prizes and closest to the hole competitions. The winning team of Marcus Schnellenberger, Casey Andersen, Jonathan Ozner and Brett Merslich fired an impressive round of 16 under par
Our Young Professionals invites new members to join our network of active Broward County based individuals dedicated to our mission. The Young Professionals supports the chapter through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and by broadening awareness in the Broward area as ambassadors of our local chapter. Please visit our website for more information.
Thank you to our sponsors who generously supported the tournament. RT Specialty, Marsh McLennan Agency, KBH Holdings, Marcus Schnellenberger/Keller Williams Realty, CAN Insurance, Korman Realty, Jared Stitz, Loop19, PGA Tour Superstore, the Cunningham Foundation, Robert Bruce Family Foundation and Paragon.
