Category: Broward

Fall programs are up and running. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Broward County program locations include: Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort Hollywood Beach Golf Club Parkland Golf & Country Club PGA TOUR Superstore – Plantation Pompano Beach Golf Club Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club The Club at Weston Hills The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club Eagle Trace Golf Club

Kevin Sutton is 73 and retired from the Army. He has been playing golf for 15 years and involved with our program for over 2 years. “After returning from Vietnam and joining the NYPD, for many years I had never set foot on a golf course,” said Kevin. “I have enjoyed playing now that I am retired, and my association with the First Tee has been great. The instruction the coaches give is top notch. The program is both physically and mentally rewarding.” Our veterans’ programs are conducted in partnership with United Way’s Mission United and generously funded by The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

Kevin Sutton is 73 and retired from the Army. He has been playing golf for 15 years and involved with our program for over 2 years. “After returning from Vietnam and joining the NYPD, for many years I had never set foot on a golf course,” said Kevin. “I have enjoyed playing now that I am retired, and my association with the First Tee has been great. The instruction the coaches give is top notch. The program is both physically and mentally rewarding.” Our veterans’ programs are conducted in partnership with United Way’s Mission United and generously funded by The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

Hannah is 12 years old and a straight A student. She participates in the First Tee Life Skills Experience at The Bridges at Springtree. “I have had a very positive experience with First Tee over the past 10 months.” Hannah commented. “I have worked with Coach Sue, Coach Stefan, and Coach Ron and they have all been first class coaches who constantly display a positive attitude. I have advanced through the 9-week program three times starting with Player, and I am currently at the PAR level. In this program, I have acquired skills to develop as a golfer but more importantly I have translated these skills into my everyday life. When we do the activities, it is entertaining but also educational about the golf topic we are learning. All the kids have an equal chance of winning a game because it is set up fairly, regardless of your skill level. I am very excited to be part of First Tee and I look forward to the opportunities this program will provide me as I approach high school and beyond.”

Chapter Ambassadors recently held their summer meeting at PGA Tour Superstore in Broward. The Ambassadors support us through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and by broadening awareness of our mission and programs in Broward County. The group held a putting contest at the end of the meeting, which was won by Enrique, a young boy that happened to be on the putting green at the same time the Ambassadors conducted their contest. He asked if he could join the contest and in one try, sunk a 40-foot putt to win a dozen balls! Want to network with leading professionals in Broward County and help promote the mission and programs of First Tee – Broward? Please visit our website to learn more about becoming a Chapter Ambassador.

Day 1 consisted of 9 players completing 100 holes at The Club at Weston Hills in 95-degree heat, no rain or storms! Special thank you to Director of Golf Jon Banas and the staff. Day 2 featured 16 players at Lago Mar Country Club. Weather was threatening but tropical storm Fred decided to support our mission and programs and went elsewhere. Special thank you to Ernie Ruiz, Director of golf Emma Leonardi and staff. Day 3 took place at Parkland Golf and Country Club with 18 players. Marcus Schellenurger and Mike Lewin completed 100 holes in 6 hours and 15 minutes- a new record! Special thank you to Director of Golf Paul Crespo and the staff. Our Chapter has 63 players committed to play 100 holes at one of four course locations. Our goal this year is to raise $120,000. We currently stand at $93,000 raised from over 900 donors. It is not too late to donate and support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day to help fund our children’s and veterans’ programs. Ready to donate? Please visit our donation page for a secure online tax-deductible contribution. THANK YOU PLAYERS AND DONORS!! Chapter Director Stan Schachne is leading all fundraising with $10,900 raised with only a slight edge over Shelby Coyle at $10,700. Will Jack Bloomfield make a run???

Chapter student, Ryan Shimony, was selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. this summer in Philadelphia, PA. First Tee Game Changers Academy addresses the challenges and experiences teens face in their daily lives and helps better equip them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities. This Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. Here are a few things Ryan had to say about his experience at the Academy: “It was an honor to be picked. I couldn’t believe it! I was proud, but nervous. I had never traveled alone. But I was excited to be chosen. At first, I was intimidated, walking into a room where I did not know anyone. I then started introducing myself to others and began to realize we all felt the same way. It was great meeting so many new people.” “We played golf every day along with attending our First Tee classes. I made a group of new friends from across the country. I am excited to keep in touch with them.” “The best thing I learned from the experience, was that honoring diversity is important. I learned that not everyone has the same life experiences, and we can learn from everyone’s stories. Thank you, First Tee, for such an amazing experience!”

Summer is over and we are beginning our Fall programs. Enroll your children as golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Our program locations include: • Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort • Hollywood Beach Golf Club • Parkland Golf & Country Club • PGA TOUR Superstore – Plantation • Pompano Beach Golf Club • Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club • The Club at Weston Hills • The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club • Eagle Trace Golf Club For more information and to register, please visit our website.

Our Mission United veterans golf programs continue to fill up each month. They are made possible from a generous grant from The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation. V/r Marcos Espinosa is one of our veteran students and shared this with our staff: “First Tee’s program has offered me the opportunity to explore golf. I do not think I would have had the opportunity to try golf as I thought that it was an expensive hobby. I did not consider golf a sport but the more I play, the more I realized that it has many benefits – exercise, concentration, and even controlling emotions. I wish had more time to play as golf makes me feel better overall. Being able to enjoy time with veterans is an added benefit, it is even therapeutic as many of us have emotional and physical scars which are not easy to overcome.” V/r Marcos Espinosa Special SHOUT OUT to the golf courses that provide the space and the great coaches that continue to give their all during class.

Our Chapter’s annual Club Drive was a huge success. Early estimates point to 300 sets of clubs (1,500 total clubs) being collected at over 22 different golf courses! The money raised from the Club Drive helps the children and veterans in Broward County learn important life lessons, but also teach them about the great game of golf. (Pictured above: Chapter student Jahsiah Bowie with Director Of Operations Jack Bloomfield after receiving a new set of clubs. The set was donated to this Club Drive.) Jahsiah is a 3-year participant in our Cooper Colony First Tee program and will be attending his first year as a freshman at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale. Jahsiah is working hard on his game in hopes of making the golf team this fall at Pine Crest. Did you miss this year’s Club Drive and still need to clean out your garage your trunk. It is not too late! Visit our website for a list of drop off locations. Our next Club Drive is scheduled for November 2021. Special thanks to Club Drive committee members: Dan Young, Robert Ferzoco, Stan Schachne, Lou Chiera, Laurie Villa and Bud Mansor.

Fall Golf Invitational at Royal Palm Yacht & CC Monday, October 4, 2021 12:00 Noon Registration, Warm-Up and Lunch, 1pm Shotgun Four Person Teams. Play Your Own Ball. One Best Ball of the Foursome. Net and Gross Divisions. Limited Field. Please visit our website for sponsorship opportunities. Please visit our website to purchase playing spots.

Tony Bianco is 75 years old and served in the U.S Army. Tony has been golfing for 15 years and participating in the First Tee Veterans program for 3 years. He participated with First Tee at Eagle Trace Country Club in Coral Springs. Tony commented, “I have found all of the coaches to be extremely informative. With each class they have contributed to improving my golf game. I have observed that no matter what stage a veteran’s golf game is in, the coaches are always patient and consistently take the time to make sure their instructional points are understood. Taking group lessons have also given me the opportunity to be able to interact with other veterans and to form partnerships to play golf. The camaraderie that has been built with other veterans has been a definite plus in joining this group. The First Tee Veterans program should be recognized and praised for the work that has been done to teach and improve veterans golf games and to help them reach future goals.”