Category: News

Chapter Awarded Teen Retention & DEI Grant

PGA Tour Superstore is a Trustee Corporate Partner of First Tee. Their generosity with First Tee is tremendous across the country.  We conduct programming in their stores, hold events and meetings and many of our students work at the stores.  In addition, they conduct a Leadership Series each year for our students in the stores.  Attending students are then nominated and selected for two Leadership Summits in Atlanta and Montana, both life-changing trips.

Recently, our chapter was awarded $26,000 from PGA Tour Superstore for teen retention and DE&I initiatives.  We are so excited that our Chapter can award more college scholarships to our alumni and continue to grow diversity in the game of golf.

College Scholarship Awards Party

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 College Scholarship Recipients! We celebrated their awards at the PGA Tour Superstore in Palm Beach Gardens. This year we awarded $37,500 dollars to nine alumni (Pictured above right: The winners with Chapter Directors, staff, and Coaches).

From the Palm Beaches Chapter Tyler Mistretta, Sebastian Nachilly, Felipe Obando, Billy Reid, Jayda Dookie, and Jacie Goodman were awarded college scholarships for their 2023-2024 school year (pictured above left).

Our grants are generously funded by the Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship, the PGA Tour Superstore’s Teen Retention and DE&I Grants, Keiser University College of Golf, the Asher Hendel Memorial Scholarship, the Tim “Rosie” Rosaforte Memorial Scholarship and the Bruce “Flash” Fleisher Memorial Scholarship.

Tyler is entering his junior year at Florida Southern where he is playing on the golf team and majoring in Finance. Sebastian is entering his junior year at Ole Miss where he is majoring in business and economics. Jacie is attending the University of Michigan as a sophomore and earned the Evans Caddie Scholarship. Jayda is a freshman and earned the Evans Caddie Scholarship to attend Michigan State University majoring in International Business.  Felipe and Billy are attending the Keiser University College of Golf as sophomores and were awarded a scholarship through First Tee funded by Keiser University.

Behind The Scenes Tour Of Western Amateur Telecast

First Tee alumni Jacie Goodman and Katelyn Harwood were joined by Chapter participant Melvin Watson for a tour of Lowell Thaler Media’s studio during preparation for the production of the WGA’s Western Amateur.  The students met the behind-the-scenes production team that work together to bring the tournament’s live coverage to Golf Channel’s digital platforms. Both Jacie and Katelyn are in college with an interest in entering the sports management industry after graduation.  Jacie is an Evans Caddie Scholar attending the University of Michigan after caddying four years at Old Marsh Golf Club to earn the scholarship. Katelyn is attending Rollins College majoring in Business Management with a minor in Communications.

The Western Amateur is renowned for being the toughest test in amateur golf. It has been a prestigious national championship since its founding in 1899. Many of golf’s greatest players have etched their names on the George R. Thorne Trophy, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Chick Evans.

Special SHOUT OUT to Lowell for hosting the students. They were blown away by the technology and teamwork it takes to produce the telecast.

Coach Glen’s Students Rock Drive, Chip & Putt

Coach Glen Beaver had SO many students participate in Drive, Chip & Putt this year! Jaclyn Nolen, Abriella Morrisson, Blake Mayer, Amelia Meadows, Skyler Nolen, Vivian Sterijevski, Sofia Mayer, and Mateo Muñiz all competed and posted fantastic scores.

“I am proud of each of them.  Competition is tough at every level.  Sometimes the nerves take over and sometimes they drive you to success.  No matter the outcome, they key is to have fun and learn something to improve for next year,” said Coach Glen.

Five Beaver Golf junior students are moving on to the sub-Regionals hosted at BallenIsles Country Club.  They are: Jaclyn, Abriella, Blake, Amelia, Vivian and Mateo.

Keiser University College Golf Prep Academy

Chapter participant Melvin Watson attended Keiser University’s First Tee College Golf Prep Academy. In late June, the students worked with the golf professionals at Keiser to improve their games and learn what it is like to play college golf, including living in dorms. Some activities included playing Bear Lakes Country Club, The Falls Club and the Palm Beach Par 3, hitting balls at Drive Shack, and attending a class at Body and Core Pilates. Guest speakers included Coach Brandon Miller, College of Golf Instructor David Wixson, College of Golf Program Director Brian Hughes. 

PAL Takes Over Dyer Park

Wow what a day! Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League hosted a Summer Wrap Up Scavenger Hunt/Field Day and we’re joined by PAL groups from West Palm Beach, Davie, North Miami, and Riviera Beach.    Three different South Florida counties were represented!

Over 160 athletes competed in a First Tee Golf station, flag football, basketball, soccer, relay races, and more! Special thank you to the many officers who volunteered, the PBSO Grill Team who provided lunch, and Kona Ice who ended the day with a sweet treat!

Welcome Darrell Bock, PGA

We would like to welcome Darrell Bock, PGA to our Chapter staff as our new and first Director of Operations.

Darrell is a New York native and grew up on Long Island.  His career in golf started as a caddy at Maidstone Club.  An avid and active junior player, he went on to play college golf at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC.  After graduation, Darrell became Assistant Director for the Golf Management Program at Methodist.

His career in the administrative segment of the golf industry continued for more than 20 years working for three PGA of America Sections, two as Executive Director, which ultimately let to a position at PGA HQ as Director, Section Affairs in 2008.  In 2015, Darrell ventured out of golf to start a new business, owning and operating two Jimmy John’s locations in West Palm Beach.  Having sold the business and franchisees in 2022, Darrell was ready to come back to the business of golf and has joined our team.

Second Annual Chapter Championship

Breakers West Country Club generously hosted our second annual Chapter Championship. Four person teams from the Treasure Coast, Palm Beaches and Broward Chapters competed in a one best-ball format.

The Palm Beaches winning team defended their title.  This year’s players were Wylie Inman, Valentina Guertin, Angelina Guertin, and Zoey Shamy. The Palm Beaches team shot a tournament record score of 65 to edge Broward with a 69 and Treasure Coast with a 76.

In the alumni division, Billy Reid (pictured above right) posted a 74 to score a 3 shot victory over defending champion Tyler Mistretta and professional golfer Janelle Johnson.

Zoe Scores A Big W!!

Congratulations to Chapter student Zoe Shamy for winning the SFPGA Junior Cup at Old Palm Golf Club with rounds of 69, 71, 73 for a total of three under par 213 for a one shot victory over Nicole Sardinha.

“We are so proud of Zoe,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta.  “Three days of walking in the heat to complete the victory in an SFPGA’s junior major is an incredible accomplishment. Zoe puts in a lot of hard work to compete at this level and it led to a win against a very talented field of players.”

Chapter Awarded Teen Retention & DEI Grant

PGA Tour Superstore is a Trustee Corporate Partner of First Tee. Their generosity with First Tee is tremendous across the country.  We conduct programming in their stores, hold events and meetings and many of our students work at the stores.  In addition, they conduct a Leadership Series each year for our students in the stores.  Attending students are then nominated and selected for two Leadership Summits in Atlanta and Montana, both life-changing trips.

Recently, our chapter was awarded $26,000 from PGA Tour Superstore for teen retention and DE&I initiatives.  We are so excited that our Chapter can award more college scholarships to our alumni and continue to grow diversity in the game of golf.

100-Hole Challenge In Full Swing!

Over forty supporters played 100 holes of golf in one day in our Chapter’s largest fundraiser of the year.  Round one of the 100-Hole Challenge was played at the Rees 9-hole par-3 course at Coral Ridge Country Club in morning and afternoon waves.  Players at the Rees 9 even included local high school students.  Round two was played in the comforts of air conditioning in simulators at Lauderdale Links.

Donations are still coming in for their efforts, so we are not yet ready to announce the winners.  Leaders in the clubhouse are Stan Schachne as the #1 fundraiser with over $12,000 raised.  Pictured left: Stan is playing his 100 holes in Scotland!  Adios is leading the golf club division with over $10,000 raised.  Oliver Meyer is leading the high school division with over $10,000 raised.  Watch out as Directors Greg Thompson and Buddy Mansor are making a run!

All players who raise over $2,000 earn a $500 shopping spree from:

There is still time to donate and support our 100-Holers on our secure donation website.

For every $100 donated, our supporters will be entered into a raffle to win a two room 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and a foursome of golf at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.

HUGE SHOUT OUT to all the players and Coral Ridge Country Club and Lauderdale Links for hosting!  Donations raised will fund community outreach programs, provide for student financial aid, buy equipment, train coaches and so much more.