Category: News

COUNTDOWN TO THE 2019 HONDA CLASSIC

The Honda Classic is right around the corner from February 25th to March 3rd. The Honda Classic brings the world’s best PGA TOUR players to Palm Beach County, providing a week of entertainment for the entire community, with a greater goal of supporting South Florida charities, including our Chapter. To purchase tickets or for more information please CLICK HERE. To enter Birdies for Children and a chance to win a 2019 Honda vehicle, please CLICK HERE. Scroll down and select The First Tee. Mark your calendar and join us for the following chapter events at The Honda Classic: Tuesday, February 26 – The First Tee Junior Clinic, 4:00pm Champ Range Monday, March 4 – The First Tee Invitational

IN MEMORIAM: GEORGE H. W. BUSH

George H.W. Bush, our 41st President, embraced the game of golf for most of his life. Bush endeared himself to everyone he played with because of his fast pace of play. He supported the game in a variety of ways, which included serving as the first Honorary Chairman of The First Tee. Bush, who died at age 94, was inducted into the World Golf Hall in 2011 through the Lifetime Achievement category. Three years earlier he received the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor, that recognizes the spirit and ideals of the nine-time USGA champion. “Golf has meant a lot to me,” Bush said in 2008. “It means friendship, integrity and character. I grew up in a family that was lucky enough to have golf at the heart of it for a while. My father was a scratch player, and my mother was also a good golfer. It’s a very special game.”

PAR 3 ON PALM BEACH INVITATIONAL ALMOST SOLD OUT

Want to have a great time playing golf on the ocean? Our 2nd Annual Par 3 On Palm Beach Invitational is coming up fast. Monday, January 21, 2019 Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course 2345 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL 33480 8:15am Continental Breakfast and Warm-Up 9:00am Shotgun Lunch Immediately Following Play One Best Ball of the Foursome Title Sponsor: Please CLICK HERE for the tournament registration form.

DENNIS WALTERS AND BUCKY COMING TO DYER PARK

Join us for The Dennis Walters Golf Show at the Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center Saturday December 15th at 10:45am Dyer Park 7301 N. Haverhill Road West Palm Beach, FL 33407 *FREE ADMISSION* The Dennis Walters Golf Show is a one-hour combination of “Golf Lessons and Life Lessons”. It is great golf, great fun, along with an inspiring message. You do not want to miss Super Dog Bucky’s tricks and proficiency at math!

SCOUTS EARN THE GOLF MERIT BADGE

Along with many other requirements, Boy Scouts must complete a minimum of 21 merit badges to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Chapter Coach Rick Hengstenberg, PGA taught the golf merit badge to local Scouts in November at Scout Advancement Weekend (SAW) held at Tanah Keeta, the local Scout Camp in Tequesta. At SAW, the Scouts learned about the history of the game, rules, etiquette, golf skills and golf fundamentals. After lunch, the Scouts spent the rest of the day playing golf at River Bend Golf Club. They learned that pace of play, raking footprints in bunkers and filling divots are all part of being a responsible golfer. A big SHOUT OUT to River Bend and their members for making this program a success!!

MONDAY AFTER THE HONDA CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

The Honda Classic is rapidly approaching.  We play the Champion Course Monday morning after the tournament in PGA Tour conditions with the Sunday pins! Last year, this tournament sold out quickly. Monday, March 4, 2019 7:15 registration, warm-up, breakfast 8:00am shotgun Lunch and awards following play Two-person teams, play your own ball One best ball of the foursome Net and gross divisions Please CLICK HERE for the tournament registration form. Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to The Honda Classic.

OUR 100 FRIENDS ENJOYED A GREAT DAY AT THE BEAR’S CLUB

This year’s tournament was graciously hosted by GolfChannel’s Tim Rosaforte, our Chapter Honorary Vice Chairman. The tournament was dedicated in memory of our great friend David Burke. We extend our sincerest gratitude to Jack Nicklaus, our Chapter Honorary Chairman and a Trustee of The First Tee, and the members and staff of The Bear’s Club for hosting our annual 100 Friends’ golf tournament and dinner. “We were very excited to have Tim host the event and help us remember Burkie,” said Carl Mistretta, Executive Director. “Tim is a great friend to golf and The First Tee. This tournament helps us raise dollars for programs and helps us generate tremendous community awareness.” The winners of the net division with a score of 53 were – Bill Dunn, Bill Owens, Sheridan Fields, and John Rothberg (pictured above with Rosaforte and Chapter President Bobby Hendel). The winners of the gross division with a score of 67 were Team ESPN consisting of Steve Politziner, Eric Glasband, Ryan Burke (Burkie’s son!), and Nolan Murphy. “Our sponsors and supporters had a fantastic time, and everyone enjoys the hospitality of this very special club,” said Bobby Hendel, Chapter President. “It is just a great day of golf and fellowship.”

Thank you sponsors!

PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE CONTINUES GENEROUS SUPPORT

In partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Delray Beach PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE continues to contribute annual grants to our Chapter. The SUPERSTORE not only supports our Chapter financially, but also hosts our Coaches and students for programming and always welcomes our students to assist with club fitting and repairs. Pictured above right: Ralph Stokes and Erik Bems from PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE present the check from the Blank Foundation to Chapter Chairman Steve Rockoff, Chapter President Bobby Hendel and Chapter Development Director Jack Barrett. In related news, Ralph’s Crimson Tide beat the pants off of Carl’s LSU Tigers yet again!!

JOIN US FOR THANKSGIVING CAMP AT DYER PARK

Monday-Wednesday November 19th – 21st from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM Rate: $90 all 3 days, $70 for 2 days, $40 for 1 day

Dyer Park – 7301 N. Haverhill Road West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Please contact Coach Joe Gerard for further information and to register at [email protected]

PALM BEACH GARDENS HIGH WRAPS UP GREAT SEASON

The golf team at PBGHS recently concluded an incredible season under Coach Mike Hurley and Denmother Carl Mistretta. Chapter students Billy Reid, Harrison Hutchings, Aidan MacFarquhar, Connor Noone and Tyler Mistretta play on the team. The team is over the top appreciative to BallenIsles Country Club members and staff for hosting their practice and matches this year. Special SHOUT OUT to Chapter Director and club member Dr. Eddy Slotnick and Director of Golf Jeff Fitzherbert for their incredible support. Below is a summary of the team’s impressive 2018 statistics: – 13-2 Overall Record – 8-2 Conference Record – Conference Champions – 2nd Place North County Tournament – 2nd Place Districts (lost in playoff) – 3rd Place Regionals (missed State by two shots) Just wait until next year!

JETT FERM WELCOMED INTO SOCIETY OF 1457

Jett Ferm was inducted at The Bear’s Club into the Society of 1457, our Chapter’s planned giving initiative. Jett has generously remembered our Chapter and The First Tee home office in his estate planning. Jett’s friend, David Humphreys, accepted the induction gift on behalf of Jett. “Planned giving is the future of fundraising for our chapter,” said Chapter Director Ken Ohrstrom and an inaugural member of the Society of 1457. Pictured above: David accepts the induction gift from Tim Rosaforte and the other Society of 1457 members present that included: Andrew Hunt, Jack Bloomfield, John Rothberg, Bobby Hendel, Ken Ohrstrom, Jack Barrett and Carl Mistretta. If you are interested in learning more about the Society of 1457 please CLICK HERE.