Category: News

Game Changers Tournament

We recently hosted our inaugural Game Changers Golf Tournament at Fairwinds Golf Course! Thanks to our coach and the man behind the mission, Willie Scott for making his vision a very successful reality! Special thank you to Fairwinds Golf Course, The Rusty Putter, and the Bonner Bar for being our title sponsors. The tournament consisted of 132 players, 4 1/2 hours, perfect weather, great networking, and $40,000 dollars raised!  Proceeds will fund our trip for students to the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Creating Game Changers With Martin County Parks And Rec

Friday afternoons are golf time with Martin County Parks and Rec After-School Group at the GAAP Center. Coach Ben Miller teaches 16 kids, ages 7-9, the importance of collaborating and working with their peers. Using SNAG (Starting New at Golf) equipment, Coach Ben divides the group into 4 teams. Each student gets two swings before switching with one of their teammates. After multiple rounds and a point tally, the winning team is declared. In the first few sessions, it was apparent that the other teams were not thrilled with their loss, and most were unwilling to congratulate the winning team. Coach Ben and the teachers with the group discussed that everyone should be happy for their peers when they do well. By the 3rd session, the group began to catch on to the importance of being supportive. Now that we are 5 sessions in, the winning team is always congratulated by their peers.

Malachi & Jah’Cory Having Fun At Golf

“What’s a slice? What’s a hook?” asked BGC teen student Malachi Davis. Even though he has been introduced to the game this year, Malachi is hooked. In his first few sessions, Malachi was too nervous to make a swing at the ball and not confident enough to ask questions. Now every session seems to start with multiple questions. After a brief demonstration on how to shape the ball a bit, Malachi was successful in learning to turn his natural fade or slice oriented shot into a slight draw. This is very impressive given how new he is to the game. In addition to the Boys and Girls Club sessions, Malachi has been frequenting Fairwinds. He even had the confidence to play 9-holes with complete strangers. Coach Ben Miller, PGA is very proud of how golf has allowed Malachi to come out of his shell. With high school enrollment just over a year from now, he has set the goal of making the golf team. 

Malachi’s development has resulted in other kids in the BGC group to become interested in trying out the game. Jah’Cory, an avid football player and track athlete, somehow found time outside of his busy schedule to join Malachi and Coach Ben Miller for 9-holes at Fairwinds Golf Course. This was a whole new experience for Jah’Cory. The highlight of the day was making a 3-putt bogey on the 4th hole. As much as Jah’Cory loves to hit his driver, he is quickly learning that putting is the way to score in golf. 

Program Partner Spotlight: Banner Lake Club

John Sedwitz first joined our Chapter as a volunteer. He continues to contribute to the success of our Chapter by coaching programs for the students at Banner Lake Community Center and serving as a Board Director.  The students are welcomed and learn how to play golf at Hobe Sound Golf Club.

The Banner Lake Club was established in 1939 with a mission of improving the quality of life for Hobe Sound residents, especially those requiring financial, social, and educational support. 

Join Our Summer Camps

Summer is almost here!  Enroll your children in our programs in Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  

We are back at Crane Watch Club! Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA has begun after school programs and Saturday classes. 

For more information and to register at one of our 8 program locations, please visit our website.

Sponsor Spotlight: The Honda Classic

The Honda Classic, a Founding Partner of our Chapter, brings the world’s best PGA Tour players to Palm Beach County, providing a week of entertainment for the entire community. Chris Kirk won the 2023 tournament, which was his first win on the PGA Tour in eight years. Honda Classic Cares contributes net proceeds from the tournament to South Florida non-profit organizations.  

Enter Our Pebble Beach Raffle

Please enter our raffle to win a trip to Pebble Beach!  For every $100 donated, you will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (includes two Garden View rooms) and a foursome to play one round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. For example: $300 donation = 3 chances to win.  The prize package also includes $1,500 towards airfare, trip expenses, etc. 

Certain restrictions apply. Drawing to be held March 4, 2024. Winner will book their trip directly with Pebble Beach Resorts. The winning certificate does not expire, and the golf and room rates are valid for one year.

Shop To Support At Lily Pulitzer

During a recent event at Lily Pulitzer in the Gardens Mall, the store raised over $2,000 for our Chapter in their Shop to Support event. Chapter Coach Nyla Sims attended the event and introduced our organization to many shoppers at the store. SHOUT OUT to Marla at the store for making it all happen!

Thank You Country Club Of Florida Ladies

The Country Club of Florida held a Women’s Charity Day benefiting our Chapter and raised a total of $4,555! A special SHOUT OUT to club member, Sherry Fleming, Head Professional Chris Kushner, and Sharon O’Brian, Head of the Women’s Golf Foundation for organizing this event to support our children and veterans.

Veterans Sponsored To Compete In VGA

Two of our veterans, Devin Shaw and Patty Russell, were sponsored to play in a Veterans Golfer Association tournament. Patty picked up golf for the first time 6 months ago and has already broken 100. In her first two events, she shot 112 and 105. Patty’s USGA handicap started at 38 and has dropped to 23.4. Devin Shaw shot a 93 at Jensen Beach Golf Club and placed 1st in his division with an 85 at Rockledge Country Club. In the past year, Devin has cut his handicap by more than half.

Our veteran’s programs are generously sponsored by Pratt & Whitney and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.

Chelsea Flies With Honor Flight

Chapter Philanthropy Coordinator, Chelsea Mistretta, attended the Southeast Florida Honor Flight in April. Honor Flight ​flies local WWII, Korean & Vietnam War veterans to Washington, DC to visit the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifices. She traveled with Max Misemer, a Vietnam Navy veteran. He served as a corpsman and transported marines and tanks in Vietnam.

The group started their day flying from PBI airport to Washington D.C. bright and early. Their first stop was Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Next, they visited the Air Force Memorial for lunch and a group picture. They concluded the trip at the Vietnam and World War II memorials. When they arrived back at PBI, friends, family, and community members were waiting for them for a massive homecoming.

“This was the experience of a lifetime,” said Chelsea. “Being able to show my appreciation to a man who fought for my freedom is something I will never forget.”