Category: News

3 STUDENTS GOING TO PEBBLE!!

Congratulations to Marley, Jordan, and Elisa for being selected to play in the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach at Spyglass Hill. These three chapter stars will tee it up on two of golf’s most iconic stages in September — we are so proud of you!

The PURE Insurance Championship is a 54-hole golf event, featuring 80 PGA TOUR Champions professionals, 80 First Tee juniors, and 160 Amateurs.

WYLIE GETS 2ND W

Wylie won the AJGA Under Armour Jordan Speith Championship at Brookhaven CC in Dallas. He posted a two shot victory by shooting 8 under par with rounds of 68-67-70. This is his second AJGA tournament win.  Since the DUB, he has been invited to play in the Junior PGA Championship at Purdue University and The Junior PLAYERS Championship presented by Rolex at TPC Sawgrass.

“Bottom line– he has worked hard,” said Chapter CEO Carl Mistretta Jr. “And on all aspects. Full swing, short game, putting, mental game, fitness, nutrition. If there is a way to get better, he is willing to put in the time and effort.”

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS

We have begun our summer programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs.  Coach Frank Wingate and Coach Devin Shaw taught 40+ teens at Forest Hill High School and groups of high school students in Boynton Beach and Lake Worth High School. The teens really enjoyed the SNAG putting games and competition.

After three days with the BGC students, we held a field trip at Popstroke in Delray Beach. Coach Devin and Coach Frank taught them how to putt and the entire group had a blast with lunch following the putting.

LITTLE SMILES & ADOPT-A-FAMILY

We have teamed up with Little Smiles and had the incredible opportunity to work with Adopt-A-Family at their facility and with the kids visiting us at Dyer Park. Kindergarten through middle school students were introduced to the game of golf through fun, hands-on instruction led by our dedicated Coaches — Zack Anderton, Devin Shaw, Frank Wingate, William Curry, and Nyla Sims. Through putting, chipping, and full swing activities we focused on building confidence, setting goals, and growing through challenges — both on and off the course.

VETERANS AT KEISER UNIVERSITY

Our first FORE Freedom veterans’ golf class was held at Keiser University.  The classes will run through September every other Friday.  Thank you, Coaches Peter and Evan for working with the group during class.

Golf is more than just a game. It helps you build confidence, stay focused, and grow on and off the course.  At Keiser University Golf Coaching Center, our lessons and programs are designed to help adults and juniors improve their skills, enjoy the process, and walk away with more than just a better swing.  Whether you’re picking up a club for the first time or building on years of experience, you’ll find coaching that supports your goals and helps you play your best.

To learn more about our FORE Freedom classes, please visit our website.

TREE AT TGL & PLACED 8TH AT PUBLINKS

Chapter alumni, Tyler “TREE” Mistretta has been spending time at the SoFi Center to assist TGL this summer with testing of the newest golf balls used by Tour players.  Check out this video of TREE hitting into the big screen.

TREE also finished at 1-under par in the FSGA Publinks Championship at Sandridge GC in Vero Beach.  After an opening round of 77, he followed up with two rounds of 69 to claim 8th place at the tournament, only 4 shots off the winning pace.

ROY AND TAMMY INDUCTED INTO 1457

Our Chapter recently inducted Roy and Tammy Duke into our planned giving program named The Society of 1457.  (Pictured above: Roy with fellow Society members Andrew Hunt and Carl Mistretta). The roots of golf can be traced back to Scotland in 1457.

Our youth development organization has continued the traditions of the game for over 37 years in Palm Beach County. Our Chapter has evolved into a major youth development organization at our Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park and other golf courses all throughout the county. Founded by George McGrory (“Mr. Mac”), our non-profit organization, The Children’s Golf Foundation, Inc. began serving young people with special needs in 1988.

Our chapter of First Tee was established with the support of our Founding Partners, the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation and The Honda Classic. Our service area includes all of Palm Beach County, which encompasses over 300,000 young people under the age of eighteen. Our chapter is one of over 150 throughout the world and one of 15 chapters in the state of Florida. Our programs are taught by PGA and LPGA Coaches trained by First Tee.

Why make a planned gift and join the Society of 1457?

  • Help ensure the future growth of our organization and mission
  • Pledge a significant gift with lasting impact on our programs
  • Give back to your community
  • Create a legacy gift
  • Reduce your amount of estate taxes

Variety of giving platforms include:

  • Cash or cash-equivalent assets
  • Non-cash assets such as securities, life insurance policies, CDs, retirement accounts
  • Charitable Gift Annuity and or Trusts

Please contact Carl Mistretta at [email protected] if you are interested in including our Chapter in your estate plans.

Sponsor Spotlight: HUNTERS RUN

Our Chapter depends on the generosity of our local golf clubs to help us fund our mission and community outreach programs.  We were delighted to receive a generous donation from the Hunters Run Ladies Golf League.“Hunters Run has been a longtime supporter and great partner,” said Chapter President Joe Gorman.  “We really appreciate the support from their members and staff.  They help us make a lasting impact in our community.”Pictured above is the Hunters Run Ladies League co-chairs Pam Good and Michele Shapiro, Chapter Development Director Henry Chateauvert.

LISA NAPOLI RETIRING DIRECTOR

Lisa Napoli joined our Chapter Board in 2015 when she was Vice President of Seacoast Bank.  She has since retired from Seacoast and celebrated 7 years of marriage with husband Joe.  She recently stepped down from her Board positions with our Chapter after 10 years of service. Lisa was a driving force in our Chapter’s growth and expansion to serve thousands of students and veterans in the Treasure Coast.

She served as Chapter Vice President and sat on the board of First Tee – Florida Gold Coast which governs Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  One of her biggest contributions to our organization was establishing our College Scholarship Committee where she served as Chair, developing all the criteria, applications and interview processes for the applicants.  She will continue to serve on the Scholarship Committee.

“We are so thankful for Lisa’s many years of service,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “She was an ideal board member and I know she is very proud that this year we are awarding 24 of our alumni with over $100,000 in college scholarships.  Lisa has impacted the lives of so many.”