Category: News

Chapter Directors Marina Alex & John Hahn Kick Off 100-Hole Challenge

Are you interested in playing 6 rounds of golf? All in one day! Still interested? Chapter Directors Marina Alex and John Hahn kicked off our 2021 CMAA 100-Hole Challenge this month at The Dye Preserve. That is correct- they played 100 holes of golf in one day to support our Chapter. Their all-day golf efforts raised over $3,400 for our children and veterans. That equates to $34 per hole in donations! “What a great way to kick off this year’s 100-Hole Challenge,” said Chapter Chairman Steve Rockoff. “We appreciate Marina’s and John’s long day of golf at The Dye Preserve to raise these funds.” Donors can still support Marina’s and John’s efforts by making a secure online donation at our 100-Hole Challenge website. Marina is a veteran professional golfer on the LPGA Tour with over three million dollars in career earnings and one career victory. John is a former professional golfer who played on the European Tour and is now a business development professional at Goldman Sachs. If your club is interested in hosting the 100-Hole Challenge to support our chapter or if individuals wish to join us to play, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Thank You Jesper Parnevik

Chapter President Bobby Hendel connected with PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and European Tour winner, Jesper Parnevik. Jesper and his wife, Mia, were interested in making a very large donation of golf equipment and clothing to our children and veterans. Jesper, who has played professionally throughout the world since 1986 and won 15 times, recently decided to relocate his family home and began the process of organizing and cataloging 35 years of golf equipment. The Parneviks donated over 500 individual clubs, 49 sets of irons and hundreds of pairs of shoes and clothing items. It took chapter staff multiple trips and a large truck to pick everything up. Pictured left above (left to right) loading the truck: Blake Robbins, Development Director David Trout, Jesper, Chapter President Bobby Hendel and Mia. “The students really enjoy wearing the clothes,” said Bobby Hendel. “Jesper donated hats, shirts and pants and they fit many of our participants.” Pictured right above: Students from the West Palm Beach Police Athletic League show off their inner Parnevik with Jesper’s under the brim logos.

Time To Register For Summer Camps

Weekly summer camps are in progress and allow students ages 6 to 18 to learn First Tee life skills through the game of golf. Intermediate and advanced camps also being offered! Camps are offered at golf courses located throughout Palm Beach County. First Tee Summer Camp Locations: Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course College of Golf – Keiser University Finnegan Learning Center Dyer Park John Prince Golf Learning Center Madison Green Country Club Okeeheelee Golf Course Park Ridge Golf Course Palm Beach Par 3 Seagate Country Club The Golf Club of Jupiter Please visit our website for locations and to register your children.

Special Olympics Florida Check Presentation

Spirit Airlines recently presented our chapter with a $2,000 check to fund our Special Olympics program. Thank you to Chapter Director Laurie Villa, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Spirit, for in assisting with the funding for this program. The program will run nine consecutive weeks on Saturdays at the Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort in Pembroke Pines. Nine athletes, ages 18 and up, were introduced to First Tee with hopes to train and compete in the Special Olympics golf competitions in the Fall. Golf clubs were provided for those who needed them. Athletes also each received two sleeves of golf balls. First Tee Recognized Coaches Robert Ferzoco and James Rondeau are teaching the program along with Special Olympics Nova Agency Coordinator Greg Mingo.

Volunteer Of The Year

Steve Greenstein – Volunteer of the Year Steve has been volunteering for 18 months with our chapter and is currently assisting with Coach Hector at Cooper Colony Country Club. Steve originally began volunteering two years ago when he came out as a participant in our Mission United Veterans golf classes. “Steve has a heart of gold and a desire to give of his time and talents,” said Jack Bloomfield, Chapter Director of Operations. “We are fortunate to have Steve on our volunteer team.”

Veteran Spotlight | Charles Schmidt

Charles Schmidt, 77 years old was in the United States Air Force. Charles has been playing golf 50 years and has been involved with First Tee for 6 years. “The First Tee has provided an amazing program for our veterans’ community to learn and play better golf. Our thanks go out to the numerous pros and staff who have volunteered their time and expertise. It has been a rewarding experience to meet our fellow vets and to encourage each other in this wonderful game.” This program is made possible because of a generous grant from the Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., Foundation.

Divine Academy Of Broward | Special Needs Program

First Tee – Broward began a new golf program with the Divine Academy of Broward, a school serving students with special needs. This Program will run 9 weeks at the Divine Academy of Broward in Hollywood. Students ages 11-19 were introduced to the game golf and the First Tee Nine Core Values and Healthy Habits with SNAG (Starting New at Golf) golf clubs, targets and tennis balls. First Tee Recognized Coach Robert Ferzoco is teaching the program with help from Divine Academy staff members – Brendan Barnard, Miss Santana, and Miss Roxana.

Gunther Motors Sponsors And Wins Par 3 Corporate Challenge

The Rees Jones 9-hole par three course at Coral Ridge Country Club provides for a sensational venue for our annual Corporate Challenge each year. We are so appreciative to the members and staff at Coral Ridge for hosting this fun event. Thank you to Gunther Motor Company for being our presenting sponsor and congrats for winning the tournament and defending your title (pictured above left: Joe Gunther, PJ Healey, Jay Gunther, James Gunther). The event was played by foursomes representing nine companies and raised $18,000 to support our children and veterans. The winner takes the trophy to display for the year at their company. First Tee participants and veterans were our guest speakers at the reception after the golf. Additional SHOUT OUT to American Social for being the dinner sponsor, Chapter Director and Tax Partner Adam Spiegel at BDO USA for sponsoring the golf carts and Chapter Director Laurie Villa from Spirit Airlines for sponsoring the green fees.

Thank you to First Tee – Broward students Jasiah Bowie, Natalie Sosa, and Lily Celentano for hitting shots that the teams could use to improve their scores!

Time To Register For Summer Camps

Weekly summer camps allow participants ages 6 to 18 to learn First Tee life skills through the game of golf. Intermediate and advanced camps also being offered! Camps are offered at golf courses located throughout Broward County. Please visit our website for locations and to register your children. Camp locations include: Cooper Colony Country Club Grand Palms Hotel – Spa & Golf Resort (*also available-Advanced Elite Training Program)

Sailfish Point Continues Generous Support

The Sailfish Point Ladies Golf Association choose First Tee – Treasure Coast as their beneficiary of their annual charity day. The 9-hole and 18-hole leagues collected club donations in addition to monetary donations. The ladies donated 6 bags of clubs and $2,200 to support the children and veterans of our Chapter. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ladies Golf Association and the Sailfish Point staff of Vic Tortorici and Allison Lepping for conducting a great event to help support the children of the Treasure Coast.

BOGO At POPSTROKE For Chapter Students

Chapter students may enjoy a buy one, get one free round of golf at POPSTROKE, Mondays to Fridays from June 1st to August 31st. Please print and present this coupon to redeem your free round.