Category: News

We are proud to announce that the South Florida PGA has selected First Tee/PGA HOPE Veteran Richard George to represent PGA HOPE South Florida as a member of Team South Florida at the prestigious 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup! This exciting opportunity showcases Richard’s dedication to the game and his remarkable journey as a veteran.

The 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup will take place on May 11-12 at the beautiful Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC. This two-day event will unite twelve teams, each selected through an application process by PGA of America Sections nationwide.

We wish Richard and all the members of Team South Florida the best of luck at the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup. We’re thrilled to see Richard representing his fellow veterans, First Tee – Broward, and the South Florida PGA community in this incredible event!

Our veterans’ program recently began a 6-week session at Topgolf Pompano. Twenty-one veterans registered and attended the first class.  Coaches Michele Conte and Robert Ferzoco teach the program with help from volunteers Troy Nelson and Gary Moses each week.

Special thank you to Topgolf managers William Reynolds, Will Jones and their staff for their continued support and communication organizing these impactful programs.  Thank you to Topgolf Pompano for donating the hitting bays.

Please visit our website to learn more about our registering for our veterans’ programs.

We are excited to announce that the South Florida PGA and First Tee – Broward have teamed up to offer a PGA HOPE Basecamp at AllGolf at CB Smith Park! This program is an excellent opportunity for veterans to continue instruction who have already participated in a previous 6-week PGA HOPE programs.

When: Every other Monday, from 9 – 10 AM

Basecamp offers a fun and supportive environment where veterans can continue to improve their golf skills while enjoying the camaraderie, networking, and lasting connections that make these programs so special.

For specific dates and more information, please get in touch with Christopher Cupp at 404-509-5555 or [email protected].

Only one team foursome is left to play this very exclusive private club. For more information and to register, please review the tournament invitation. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Questions and to reserve your team? Please contact Gale Nelson ASAP at [email protected]

Enroll your children at one of our 10 Palm Beach County Program Locations. 

• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center- Dyer Park
• Belle Glade Municipal Golf Club
• Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• John Prince Learning Center
• Golf Club of Jupiter
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Okeeheelee Golf Course
• Red Reef Golf Course
• Village Golf Club

Joe Highsmith has excelled at all levels of golf in his career. Highsmith, a 24-year-old lefty with a bucket hat and a broad smile, became the first player to make the cut on the number and win on the PGA Tour since Brandt Snedeker at Torrey Pines in 2016.

“Winning was the last thing on my mind,” Highsmith said. “It’s incredible to come out on top. I played probably the best round of my life.”

His strong mental game guided him to victory at The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Highsmith rallied from a four-shot deficit with three straight birdies around the turn and a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th to clinch the title.

On Tuesday morning of tournament week, The Cognizant Classic and PGA Tour honored the late Jeff Babineau with the 2025 Tim Rosaforte Distinguished Journalist Award. Babineau, a beloved figure in golf journalism, passed away on December 9.

Babineau’s journey in sports journalism began in 1986 with the Orlando Sentinel, where he covered golf and other sports. In 1998, he joined Golfweek eventually ascending to editor in 2008. Known to everyone in the industry as “Babs”, he served as editor until 2014 when he returned to his true passion—writing about golf. Recently, Babineau departed Golfweek to pursue freelance opportunities, including with the PGA Tour.

Throughout his distinguished career, Babineau covered hundreds of professional golf tournaments across the PGA Tour, LPGA, major championships, Presidents Cups, and Ryder Cups.

“Jeff would be so honored to receive this award,” said his wife Jane. “He admired Rosie very much—he was one of his guys. He used the word ‘mentor’ frequently, and always considered Rosie among the best in the business.”

The tournament media room at The Cognizant Classic has also been named in Tim’s honor.

Pictured above: Members of the Babineau and Rosaforte families gathered to honor Babs and remember Rosie.

The 2025 Rosie Pro-Am is sold out in May at Floridian National Golf Club.  Our silent auction website is now live with incredible foursomes, instruction packages, TGL tickets and sports memorabilia.  Please visit www.rosieproam.com to view the items and make your bid or donate to the Rosie Pro-Am which supports our college scholarship fund and the Evans Caddie Scholarship.

The Ernie Els #GameOn Autism Golf Clinic at the Cognizant Classic was a huge success! 8 participants learned golf fundamentals from First Tee Coaches Karina and Haley, alongside three PGA TOUR players, including Kevin Velo, Ben Martin and First Tee HQ ambassador Alex Smalley. Through engaging golf games, the program helps players develop motor skills while fostering social communication in a fun and supportive environment.

Each year, Chapter supporters, donors, alumni and students tee it up on the Champion  Course and play the Sunday pin positions from the PGA Tour event.  The tournament sells out every year and lets our guests experience what it feels like to play a golf course in PGA Tour conditions.

First place gross was won by the team of Brad Parker, Bill Fleming, Matt Kutner and Tim Mahler with an impressive score of 65.  (Pictured above left)

First place net was won by the team of Wayne Sanders, Tyler Wright, Bill Inman and Chapter student Wylie Inman with a score of 58. (Pictured above middle)

And former Chapter Director Andrew Brock scored his 8th hole-in-one on #5.  Sorry about the bar tab Andrew!

Pratt & Whitney continues to fund a generous grant benefiting our veterans’ programs for the twelfth consecutive year. Pratt & Whitney staff presented the BIG check Thursday morning of tournament week to our veterans and Coaches in the Patriots Outpost (the tournament’s military appreciation tent sponsored by Pratt & Whitney).  Hundreds of other veterans were also in attendance.

On Wednesday of tournament week, Pratt & Whitney sponsored Veterans’ Appreciation Day at the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park.  40 veterans joined us for the inspiring Dennis Walters Golf Show, and a two-man scramble tournament on our par-3 golf course. We wrapped up the day with a delicious lunch provided by Mission BBQ. A huge thank you to Coach Devin, also a veteran, for organizing such a meaningful and unforgettable experience for our nation’s heroes.

“Pratt & Whitney’s incredible generosity has allowed our veterans’ golf programs to grow and even include competitive tournaments,” said Chapter Director Bobby Hendel. “We offer six program locations across Palm Beach County, and this grant provides our nation’s heroes with the opportunity to play at local golf courses.”

In honor of the men and women who have and are currently serving our nation, the tournament, in partnership with Pratt & Whitney, offers complimentary tickets for Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, their registered Dependents, and Non-Retired Veterans Thursday through Sunday of tournament week.

Chapter alumnus Tyler “TREE” Mistretta posted his best tournament of the year at Boulder Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas with rounds of 69-71-69 to lead his team to a second-place finish.  He finished tied for 7th in the individual division.  TREE is a redshirt junior at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida.  His team posted a tournament best round of 16 under par in the final round to vault into second place.