Category: Broward

William H. “Doc” Dewberry Jr., is 69 and a formerly in the United States Air Force. Doc has been enjoying the sport for 60 years! He has been a participant in one to two of our golf programs each year for the past 3 years. “I have to give special recognition to two First Tee coaches, Ken Tate and Steve Voguit, who have helped me tremendously to re-learn how to swing,” said Doc. “I was a very good player at one time but due to injuries while serving in the military, I lost much of the use of my lower body when swinging a club. They both have given me expert instruction and I am now hitting the ball exceptionally well. I have also gone through two liver operations. To be back out on the course, I have to give special thanks to First Tee – Broward.”

February 9, 2021 5:00pm – 6:00pm Via Instagram Live @firstteepalmbeaches

Sponsored by

• Raffle – $10.00 minimum online donation to enter at firstteeflgoldcoast.org • Gift Certificates will be distributed to 3 winners for Tour Van fittings at a PGA TOUR Superstore location. Valued at $150.00 each. • Additional prizes will also be awarded. • The Plantation, Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens store locations will be promoting 10% off. Feb 12th thru Feb 14th to anyone that joins in to watch and mentions their participation in this event at one of these three stores. Certain exclusions may apply. Rees has earned the nickname, “The Open Doctor”. Golf courses he designed, redesigned, or renovated have hosted: • 7 U.S Open Venues (14 Championships) • 9 PGA Championship Venues (12 Championships) • 6 Ryder Cup Venues (7 Events) • 2 Walker Cup Venues (2 Events) • 2 Presidents Cup Venues (3 Events)

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in Broward County. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following locations: • Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort • Hollywood Beach Golf Club • Parkland Golf & Country Club • Pompano Beach Golf Club • Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club • The Club at Weston Hills • The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club • Eagle Trace Golf Club • PGA TOUR Superstore- Plantation

Miami Lakes-based BankUnited has been a longtime supporter of our chapter and we recently asked three questions to Gerry Litrento, Senior Executive/Consumer and Small Business Banking, who is also a Director of First Tee – Broward and a Board Member of our chapter governing board, The Children’s Golf Foundation. With so many worthy organizations in South Florida, what drew you to support First Tee? First Tee offers more than golf lessons for kids, it offers life lessons and I genuinely believe in our curriculum. Learning golf takes an incredible amount of patience and mental focus. If you take the time to develop those skills when you are young it will bode well for you in later life. Being able to play golf is also a wonderful professional asset to help young people in their future careers. Why do you believe First Tee’s mission is important? First Tee is achievement oriented and it engages students outdoors away from the computer screens. As a kid, my mother used to tell me to go find something that I could do by myself, that would bring me peace and that I could continue on as a became an adult. She was right, and golf was the answer to her advice. What do you foresee as golf’s future? I recently took part in our chapter’s annual golf tournament at Royal Palm County Club. It was different this year without the pre- and post-round gatherings and dinner, but the four hours to spend with friends to support First Tee is what really matters. We help make a difference in many young people’s lives. As long we introduce golf to a new generation, they will find their own passion for the game and keep it alive. About BankUnited BankUnited, N.A.,is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BankUnited, Inc., and is one of the largest independent depository institutions headquartered in Florida, providing a broad range of consumer and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. BankUnited operates convenient banking centers throughout Florida and New York, along with 24-hour digital access. As of December 31, 2019, BankUnited N.A. has $32.9 billion in total assets. At BankUnited we are committed to giving back to the communities in which we live, work and conduct business. We collaborate with a broad range of partners on an ongoing basis to identify community needs and impactful solutions. Our dedication to building strong communities through the Community Reinvestment Act supports low-and moderate-income individuals and families, as well as small businesses.

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in Broward County. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following locations: Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort Hollywood Beach Golf Club Parkland Golf & Country Club Pompano Beach Golf Club Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club The Club at Weston Hills The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club Eagle Trace Golf Club PGA TOUR Superstore- Plantation

Our chapter serves thousands of students to teach them to play golf and advance through our Life Skills curriculum.  We are thankful that golf is a social distancing sport as we have been very busy. We also serve students with special needs and disabled veterans in our golf programs. Like most organizations, our fundraising efforts have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many more parents are applying for financial aid due to unemployment or underemployment. We hope that you can support our children and veterans this year through a secure online donation. Small donations are greatly appreciated! Checks may also be mailed to: First Tee – Broward Eagle Trace Golf Club 1111 Eagle Trace Blvd. Coral Springs, FL 33071 The chapter can also accept money wire transfers or stock donations.  If you wish to donate this way please reach out to Carl Mistretta, our Executive Director at [email protected] for wiring instructions.

Well…we made it. Through heat, storms and a pandemic, we were able to finish the 3rd leg of this year’s 100-Hole Challenge at Lago Mar Country Club. THANK YOU to our many donors and everyone that played this year to help in achieving the largest fundraising event in the 7-year history of our chapter. The website is still live for anyone wishing to donate to a great cause and to recognize those who played 100 holes of golf in one day! The challenge was played at the Country Club of Coral Springs, Club at Weston Hills and finished at Lago Mar Country Club after two rainouts! Here are some stats on this year’s challenge: Total Number of Players: 40 Dollars Raised: $91,708 Number of Donors: 874 Interested in playing in 2021? Please contact Jack Bloomfield at [email protected]

Age:  77 Branch of Service: Navy Years Playing Golf: 61 Participating in our programs in partnership with Mission United since March 2016. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the golf classes for veterans.  It has reminded me of lifelong values I can always learn and re-learn,” said Tom.  “I have brushed up on the fundamentals of the golf swing thanks to the coaching of superior professionals such as Coaches Nick Cupper, Dave McNulty, Duncan Smith, Steve Voguit and Darrell Welker.  New veteran participants have also been introduced to my circle of friends.  Thank you First Tee for making golf so enjoyable and rewarding.”

During the month of Veterans Day, we are honored to thank all Veterans for their service and report on our programs serving our nation’s heroes. Recently our summer Veterans program concluded at The Club at Weston Hills. Thank you to Coaches Steve Voguit and Nick Cupper for conducting the program. A special thank you to The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation for funding this important program. “I want to thank you for the opportunity to take part in the First Tee golf classes through Mission United. The instructors were so very knowledgeable and very patient. Not everyone that plays any sport can teach. First Tee’s instructors had the special combination of knowing the game of golf and explaining it with patience which is such a great asset to your program. I am so looking forward to all future First Tee programs for veterans.”  – Deborah Bell “First Tee has provided me an opportunity to learn the wonderful game of golf. Not only am I learning this game, but I’ve met some great people as well. From the golf pros, to my fellow veterans, I’ve made some new relationships while playing a great game! I’m playing golf on a regular basis and getting better each time. All thanks to the generosity of those that underwrite this great program.” – Bill Mei

The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation is building on its long-standing partnership with First Tee – Broward. This year, Veterans Day marked a milestone of 200 heroes helped by the commitment to providing a therapeutic community for those who served our nation. Our chapter teamed up with local golf courses and trained golf professionals in 2016 to offer group golf lessons for veterans. The first class of 20 filled up within two days and had a waiting list, which underscored the long-term need for a program designed for veterans. Four years later, the program offers eight classes annually. The classes serve veterans from 22 to 75 years old and provide a combination of team building and therapy aimed at combatting PTSD. The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation has donated $60,000 in scholarships to First Tee – Broward, along with sponsoring many of its programs and initiatives in the community, including its annual fundraiser and its work with the Special Olympics organization. “Our foundation and First Tee share the common mission of having a positive impact on the lives of children, families and military veterans,” said Laurie Villa, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Spirit Airlines and President of The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation. “It’s a privilege to be able to create meaningful social impact and change, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to work with First Tee – Broward to instill those values in our community.” Spirit’s Team Members also participate in First Tee – Broward’s annual golf tournament to help raise awareness of the organization and its mission.   “We are very grateful to The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation for their incredible support,” said Jack Bloomfield, Director of Operations for First Tee – Broward. “Their partnership has been invaluable for our students and our veterans, who have directly benefited from their generosity.” About Spirit Airlines:   Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) is committed to delivering the best value in the sky. We are the leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. This allows our Guests to pay only for the options they choose — like bags, seat assignments and refreshments — something we call Á La Smarte. We make it possible for our Guests to venture further and discover more than ever before. Our Fit Fleet® is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the U.S. We serve destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, and are dedicated to giving back and improving those communities. Come save with us at spirit.com.  Spirit Media Relations 954.364.0231 [email protected]

The TimberTech Championship recently held at The Old Course at Broken Sound was an exciting event with a strong field of PGA TOUR Champions players. Congratulations to Darren Clarke who won the championship. Six Chapter students were invited to play in the ProAms. Pictured top left, from left to right: First Tee foursome of Felipe Obando (Palm Beach Chapter), Shrey Shalia (Broward Chapter), Tour Player Ken Duke, Katie Harwood (Treasure Coast Chapter) and Asha Farrelly (Palm Beach Chapter). This foursome was generously donated by the S. Randolph Scheen Family Charitable Foundation. Pictured top left, left to right: Sebastian Nachilly and Billy Reid with Tour Player Robert Karlsson. Sebastian and Billy both applied to play in the Pure Insurance Open at Pebble Beach, but First Tee players were not allowed to play due to COVID. First Tee home office invited both students to the ProAm. “The First-Tee program taught me to hold a golf club in my hand five years ago and this opportunity to play with a PGA professional has been incredible,” said Broward Chapter student Shrey Shalia. “Today’s experience has certainly helped me in strengthening my confidence in my golf game.”

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in Broward County. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following locations: Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort Hollywood Beach Golf Club Parkland Golf & Country Club Pompano Beach Golf Club Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club The Club at Weston Hills The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club Eagle Trace Golf Club PGA TOUR Superstore- Plantation