Category: News

We have officially teamed up with PGA HOPE for a six-week program at AllGolf at CB Smith Park. With this partnership, we hope to bring golf to our local veterans in a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment. Throughout this series, participants will work on all aspects of the game including putting, chipping, full swing, driver instruction, and on-course fundamentals, while building camaraderie and enjoying the many positive benefits the game provides. The program focuses on golf instruction, but on connection, confidence, wellness, and community as well.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of the PGA of America, designed to introduce and enhance the game of golf for veterans and active-duty military. We are proud to partner with PGA HOPE and continue growing the game while honoring and supporting those who have served.

Our supporters and guests were treated to a truly special experience at one of Broward County’s most elite private clubs. From the pristine course conditions to the outstanding hospitality, Shell Bay Club provided a day that everyone will remember for years to come. Pictured above left:  The caddies had our names on the back of their bibs!

The day was filled with camaraderie, great shots, incredible food and plenty of memorable moments as our guests enjoyed everything the club has to offer. There was a genuine sense of appreciation to Shell Bay Club for welcoming our supporters to this incredible project.

Most importantly, the event brought together people who believe in our mission and the importance of investing in the next generation. Because of these partners and supporters, we can continue building game changers by teaching life skills, confidence, and resilience through the game of golf.

Students and veterans of our programs also were sponsored to play in this event. Thanks to the generosity of Shutts & Bowen law firm, our teens, Taylor Berry and Rafa Barreto experienced an over the top and a once in a lifetime experience at Shell Bay (pictured above middle). Likewise, Valerie and Barry Taintor sponsored a team of our veterans to play. Ed Villegas, Bogey Perez, and Joe Watler, (pictured above right with our Coaches and students) are very thankful for the opportunity to play such an amazing course.

Congratulations to our tournament winners!

First Place Gross- Team Cadillac Championship: Dave Mack, Wes Patterson, Hannah Leiner and Michelle Rodriguez

First Place Net- Team James Hardie Invitational: Steve Marino, Peter Bernhardt, Todd Lawrence and Sherlock Holland II.

We are incredibly thankful to the entire Shell Bay team for their partnership and hospitality. Their commitment to our mission helped create a first-class experience for our guests while making a lasting impact on the youth we serve.

Thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and supported this year’s Shell Bay Invitational. Together, we are helping create opportunities for thousands of young people across our community.

We are delighted to welcome the PGA Tour’s Cadillac Championship back to South Florida at Trump Doral.  The tournament has already generously supported our Chapter in their first year back!

In addition, we are proud to announce Dave Mack, the tournament’s Executive Director, has joined our Chapter Board.

A South Florida native, Mack’s appointment is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal achievement. Growing up in the region, Mack regularly attended the Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral alongside his father which provided him with experiences that helped shape his lifelong passion for sports, community, and world-class events.

Mack brings 18 years of experience across the NBA and NFL, having built a reputation as one of the industry’s most accomplished revenue and event leaders.

Now, Mack brings his experience, innovative mindset, and deep-rooted local connection to the Cadillac Championship as it reclaims its place in Miami’s sporting landscape.

The Cadillac Championship has announced their hospitality offerings for 2027. Please visit their website for more information or contact [email protected]

Enroll your children at one of our 6 Palm Beach County Program Locations. 

• Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center – Dyer Park
• Palm Beach National Golf Club
• Park Ridge Golf Course

Congrats to Chapter participant Jordan Reyes who has been selected to play in the First Tee National Championship from June 21 – 25, 2026 to be held at the Finley Golf Club at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s top players from across the country for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play under pressure at the collegiate and/or next level. The First Tee National Championship is played at acclaimed college campuses and is the only national participant opportunity that is purely tournament golf.

Milagro Teen Center showed off their golf skills on the course at Boca Golf and Racquet Club. Special thanks to Newell Golf for instructing our students and sharpening their skills. They enjoyed working with Coach Cameron and Coach Kyle on target practice and distance control.

Police Athletic League students visited Drive Shack to enjoy a day full of interactive games and friendly competition. The group started by playing both nine-hole Puttery courses. The kids competed in putting contests and hole-in-one challenges. After a delicious lunch, the students spent time playing yard games and ending the day in the hitting bays. In the bays, they played virtual games using TrackMan technology.

Special thanks to Coaches Nyla, Devin, and Frank for orchestrating the event and mentoring the participants throughout the day.

To earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, Chapter Participant Keala Richichi organized a caddie project to introduce caddying to young students. Keala has caddied throughout high-school at Seminole Golf Club. To complete the project, she visited Dyer Park to share her hands-on experience as a caddy with our students of all ages. After speaking about her experience, she then led the class in basic skills needed to be a caddy. To practice, all students hurried onto our par-3 course to practice what Keala taught them. Each student took turns practicing as a caddy by carrying each other’s clubs, sharing information about the next shot, and reading putts.

Thank you Keala, there is no doubt we have some future caddies in our midst and congrats on earning the highest award in Girl Scouts.

Our CEO, Carl Mistretta Jr., was interviewed on the Coastal Pearl Podcast to explore how golf is being used as a powerful tool for youth development, confidence-building, and life skills.

Watch this amazing interview.

Chapter alumnus Tyler “TREE” Mistretta is a Division II Men’s Golf National Champion! Florida Southern beat Wingate in the final round of Medal-Match Play to win their 14th men’s national championship.

TREE shot a career low 64 in the final round of stroke play to lead his team to the #1 seed in Medal-Match Play. He finished 3rd as an individual in stroke play at 11-under par.  In Division II, Medal-Match Play is playing your opponent in an 18-hole match where all strokes count. Lowest score wins a point for their team.

FSC beat Colorado-Christian in the round of 8 with a score of 3-2. They beat Lee in the semi-finals 4-1. In the finals, FSC beat Wingate 3-2 with the three seniors securing the winning points. TREE’s six rounds were an incredible 21 under par at 70-71-64-68-68-70.

TREE graduated with a bachelor’s in finance last year and earned his MBA this year as a fifth-year redshirt senior. Next up, he is turning pro, securing sponsors, and will play in PGA TOUR Q-School in the Fall. For more information, please visit https://tylermistretta.com

Wylie has graduated high school and is now officially an alumni!  He hit the tri-fecta at his Senior Awards Ceremony for Dwyer High School. He earned the University of Cambridge AICE Diploma as a member of the National Honor Society and he was awarded male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Wish Wylie luck as he plays Division I golf at the University of South Florida next year!

Our chapter has hosted Pars for Parkinsons Programs for the last two years. Mark Susskind started the program with the intention of showing people with Parkinsons that golf is an activity they can enjoy. Our partners at Newell Golf Academy partnered with Mark and made the dream come true. Since the beginning, 30+ people with Parkinsons have enjoyed golf with their peers and coaches.