Category: News

Golf Is A Social Distancing Sport – Register Now!

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in Palm Beach County. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following locations: Michael B. Finnegan LC- Dyer Park John Prince Golf Learning Center Seagate Country Club Commons Park Golf Learning Center Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course Madison Green Country Club Village Golf Course Okeeheelee Golf Course Wellington National Golf Club The Golf Club of Jupiter Southwinds Golf Course

Life Changing Month For Tyler Mistretta

COVID has caused many event cancellations such as the inaugural First Tee National Championship and participating in the High School State Championships for public school students. But there have also been many positives. Chapter student Tyler Mistretta was invited to play in the TimberTech Pro-Am by tournament staff as they heard about the many opportunities he missed this year due to COVID. He played with PGA Champions Tour Professional Joe Durant. Tyler joined him to play from the tips and shot 69. “It was my best ball striking round ever,” said Tyler. “Mr. Durant was awesome to play with and helped me with my game. I am extremely thankful to Mr. Hollis Cavner, Mr. Ken Kennerly and Mr. Eddie Carbone from Prolinks Sports for offering me this opportunity.” A few weeks later Tyler signed his letter of intent to play college golf at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. It is an incredible achievement considering he was ranked 3,000 in the country in 2019 and improved his ranking to 500 in six months. “Mr. Kennerly introduced me to Rocco Mediate and Lee Janzen at the TimberTech,” said Tyler. “Both are major champions and Florida Southern alumni. That was pretty special.”

Instead of competing in the FHSAA State Championship, the Palm Beach County School District conducted a County Championship at Wellington National (pictured left). Palm Beach Gardens High won the event by three shots over Boca Raton to advance to the Tri-County Championship with teams from Broward and Dade counties. PBG senior Jack Hasson lead the team with 73, while senior Tyler Mistretta and junior Aidan MacFarquhar each posted 75s. Junior Davis Dickinson shot 80 for the fourth team score to secure the championship. With his first SFPGA win this summer at Doral, Tyler has been leading The Honda Classic SFPGA Player of the Year points race all summer. With 3 tournaments to go he held a ¼ point lead over Jonathon Mourin. James Hassell and Tyler Stachkunas were also in the hunt. At the Junior Tour Championship this weekend at Banyan Cay, Tyler shot 75 the first round with a cold putter to tie for 21st place. At the conclusion of the Saturday round, he was awarded the SFPGA Most Improved Player for lowering his stroke average this year by 5 shots to 71.5 (pictured below left). On Sunday, he played fantastic and Tyler shot 1-under 71 with a birdie on the eighteenth hole to tie for 8th and secure Player of the Year (pictured below right).

“There are so many people to thank- my parents, coaches, First Tee, Jack Nicklaus, the SFPGA, FSGA and AJGA, Seminole, The Honda Classic, TimberTech Championship, North Palm Beach Country Club, and more. I will have to sit down and make a list,” said Tyler. “My goal is to be able to give back one day as an adult and help other students the same way so many people helped me.”

12 Days Of Brooksmas

The Brooks Koepka Charitable Fund has announced the “12 days of Brooksmas.” Brooks Koepka’s foundation will be giving $1,200 to 12 different nonprofits, both locally and nationwide! Our Chapter was selected as one of the 12 charities. “We are very excited for this generous support from a local legend, major champion and one of the greatest players in the game,” said Steve Rockoff, Chapter Chairman. “Brooks grew up here and continues to live here. It is inspiring to our students, staff and board members to see him supporting our organization.” Follow @Bkoepkafoundation on Instagram to learn more.

Annual Appeal

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.  This year we awarded $20,000 in college scholarships to our past students. 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 be mailed to: First Tee – Palm Beaches 7301 N. Haverhill Rd. Riviera Beach, FL 33407 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.

Veteran Spotlight – Tom Molloy

Tom is a participant in on Monday morning veterans’ programs at Jensen Beach Golf Club with Coach Wayne Huffines, PGA. Tom is 81 years old and served in The United States Army. He also spent a portion of his career in the FDNY before retiring in 2002 and moving to Florida. Tom says he never played golf before until being introduced to the game by friend and First Tee coach Dave McNulty, PGA. “I love the opportunity that First Tee has given me, introducing me to a sport that allows me to enjoy the outdoors and have a safe outlet, especially during this pandemic,” said Tom. Tom is now a member at Palm Cove Golf and Yacht Club in Palm City and plays golf several times a week! THANK YOU Tom for your service to our country and to all our nation’s heroes. SHOUT OUT to Jensen Beach Golf Club for graciously hosting our Veterans each week.

Student Spotlight – Grace Bischoff

Meet Grace Bischoff. She lives in Tequesta and enjoys dance, arts and crafts, and musical theater. She is 11 years old and is the middle child with an older sister, Ellie, and younger sister, Charlotte. Grace joined our chapter in 1st grade and is excited to be in First Tee classes with Coach Chris at Riverbend Country Club! She enjoys practicing with her dad and grandfather. Coach Chris said, “Grace has been a pleasure to coach and has evolved so much since being with First Tee. She is always looking out for the younger participants to help them improve their life skills and promote healthy choices. I am excited to see all the great things Grace accomplishes!”

Under Armour Junior Tour Coming 2021

Great news! Palm Beach and Martin Counties have been selected as a potential site for The Junior Tour powered by Under Armour beginning in the Spring of 2021. There are two seasons per year, March-April and September-October consisting of 6 events each. The League registration fee covers the following items per player: • Entry into ALL 6 league, 9 hole matches • Under Armour Junior Tour Polo Shirt • Opportunity to earn points from each match to qualify for State & National Tournaments • Opportunity to be the League Champion from each division and earn FREE entry into the National Tournament. For more information, please visit https://www.uagolftour.com/ Interested? Please take a moment to fill out this survey.

Students Play Timber Tech Pro Am with Ken Duke

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 right, 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 Pro-Am. “I really enjoyed the tips that Mr. Duke gave me about addressing the ball and striking it better,” said chapter student Katie Harwood. “He had me open up the club face to get under the ball better. He also pushed me to use clubs that I am not comfortable with like my driver. I smoked it the first time he challenged me to hit it!” Special SHOUT OUT to the tournament staff for making this opportunity happen for these deserving students. We are extremely excited to be engaged with this premier golf tournament.

More 100-Hole Challenge Success

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]

Veteran Spotlight

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.”