Category: Broward

Our Chapter broke our previous record and raised $100,574.00 this year. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. 2021 new record statistics over the four days of playing: Total number of players: 63 Total number of donors: 954 Chapter Director Stan Schachne was the top fundraiser with $11,403 raised. Of course, the real winners are the thousands of children and veterans that participate in our programs because of the generosity of these clubs. Our three Chapters combined (Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Broward) raised the most money this year with an incredible $201,183! Special congratulations to the Seminole Region Charity Committee members who worked so hard to make all this happen. For the 11th year, the charities beat prior year’s number and set a new record of $430,000 raised. Since inception, CMAA has raised over $2.4 million to support South Florida charities.

Our Fall veterans’ program in partnership with the United Way’s Mission United kicked off at Pompano Beach Golf Course and the Club at Weston Hills. 36 of our nation’s heroes are enjoying golf instruction and fellowship with Coaches Steve Voguit, Nick Cupper, TJ Ziol and Darrell Welker and volunteers Mike Dobzinski, John Linn and Braden List. Thank you for your service!

Due to the pandemic, for the first time in nearly two years, our Chapter conducted a CONNECT event at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Plantation earlier this month. “We had over one hundred people attend,” said Chapter President Dan Young. “It was fantastic to see everyone in person especially so many of our students and veterans.” Those that attended enjoyed great food from Mission BBQ and participated in putting, long drive and closest to the pin contests with the winners receiving PGA TOUR Superstore gift certificates as prizes. The event was generously sponsored by Lauderdale BMW of Pembroke Pines, Stellar Public Adjusters, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Brian Cunningham Foundation.

After a career in the golf industry that has spanned fifty years, Jack Bloomfield has recently retired as Director of Operations for our Chapter. Bloomfield, affectionally known as Bloom, has been with our Chapter since 2014. He has enjoyed an interesting career in the game spanning 50 years, starting as a junior caddie. “I was retired for the second time,” Bloomfield said. “I got a call to see if I would be interested in working for the new First Tee – Broward chapter that was relaunched in 2014. I thought it was something I wanted to do, and it fit perfect at the right time in my career.” At age 15, Bloomfield had his first job scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins and his best friend approached him and said he could make in one day caddying what he currently makes in a week. After caddying and working in golf shops and even trying his hand at professional golf, fate struck in 1982 when he went to the PGA Merchandise Show in Miami and met Ely Callaway Jr. It eventually led to a job with Callaway. He was the first outside sales rep that Mr. Callaway ever hired in the history of the company and worked there until 2002. “Under Bloom’s leadership our chapter has grown to impact over 600 young people in the First Tee program, over 100 children with special needs, and 90 veterans each year,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “He also did a great job of recruiting fantastic Directors and fundraising to support our programs.” Bloomfield has already signed up to be a First Tee – Broward Ambassador and will continue to assist us with our veterans’ programs.

Special thanks to our many donors this year. Your contributions have helped us grow our programming serving children and veterans. Our last fundraising campaign of the year is our Annual Appeal. There is a new wrinkle this year with a matching grant. Charles R. Schwab has committed transformational support through a new $25 million grant will provide up to a $1 match for every $2 donated to First Tee Chapters by individuals, corporations and foundations now through 2026. This grant program will provide our chapter the opportunity to significantly grow and deepen our impact over the next several years. “I believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow,” said Charles R. Schwab. “That’s why I am investing in First Tee. I believe in this organization’s mission and the power of the First Tee Chapters to continue changing the game for young people for years to come.” Please visit our Annual Appeal secure online donation webpage or checks can be mailed directly to: First Tee – Broward Eagle Trace Golf Club 1111 Eagle Trace Blvd. Coral Springs, FL. 33071 The program was kicked off at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final event on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Pictured above: First Tee —participants Abi Morris and Jake Walden played alongside Charles Schwab and Phil Mickelson in the Wednesday pro-am.

Join us at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Plantation on November 9th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for fun contests and to learn more about the children and veterans that we serve. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Please scan the QR code to RSVP. Sponsorships are available. Please visit our website for more information.

Our chapter recently completed our fourth and final day of the 2021 100-Hole Challenge. Special thanks to the Country Club of Coral Springs and Director of Golf/General Manager Bill Friesing for donating the course and for their continued support. 2021 new record statistics over the four days of playing: Total number of players: 63 Total number of donors: 951 Chapter Director Stan Schachne was the top fundraiser with $11,403 raised. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. Over $100,000 has been raised to date. There is still time to donate via our secure website.

Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Operations- Sean Kicker, PGA and our new Manager of Operations- Janelle Johnson. Sean is a PGA Professional, a Broward County mainstay and a First Tee Coach of our largest program in the county. Below are a few of his accomplishments: -2020 First Tee of Broward Coach of the Year Award -2020 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Golf Professional of the Year Award Winner -2019 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Professional Development Award Winner -2018 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Junior Golf Development Award Winner -2002 New England PGA Maine Chapter Merchandiser of the Year Award Winner (Resort) He is also an SFPGA Southern Chapter Board Member and serves on the South Florida PGA Junior Golf Committee. He won 6 professional tournaments and has a career low round of 64. Janelle will be working with our staff, coaches and parents with everything from financial aid to monthly newsletters. Janelle is a chapter alumna and our first student to attend the First Tee tournament at Pebble Beach.  She played at Pebble Beach with John Cook and made the cut!  She was a recipient from our college scholarship fund and played college golf at Nova Southeastern. She has been playing professionally since graduating college with a degree in business.

Three programs recently began with 33 middle school children from Margate, Pompano and North Lauderdale participating in a nine-week First Tee session. The programs are generously hosted by The Bridges at Springrtree Golf Club and Pompano Beach Golf Course. Coaches Darrell Welker, Jairo Hernandez, Jerrell Gill and Carlos Rodriquez will be delivering the life skills program to the students with help from volunteers Dianne Rugerrio and Max Levinson.

Chapter supporters and students had a fantastic day at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club at our annual Fall Golf Tournament. Our day featured delicious food, a wonderful golf course and inspirational speeches from chapter students and veterans. The team of Michael Deno, Ed Kilo, Mark Wykle and Nick Ruskowki won the net division with a score of 55. Pictured above: The team of Braden List, Colin List, Dutin Furnari and Lance Aker won the gross division on a match of cards with a score of 67. The tournament was an incredible success due to our generous sponsors. Thank you for the continued support of our children and veterans.