Category: News

Sponsor Spotlight: Skate Payments

We are delighted to announce our newest sponsor: Skate Payments, a South Florida based fintech company.

Would your club or business be interested in no longer paying credit card processing fees? Credit card fees paid by clubs and businesses each year total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Skate Payments empowers business owners and clubs with updated hardware and software that pass the credit card processing fees to customers. 

If customers want their points or cash-back incentives on their credit cards, why should your club or business pay these fees? Skate Payments transitions these fees to become a choice made by the customers.  

To offer customers a better experience and the ability to pay in cash, Skate Payments offers their SkatePay mobile app, which offers customers and businesses real-time processing of cash transactions in the form of ACH. This means no one pays the credit card processing fees and there are no longer disputes and/or chargebacks. Funds are settled the same day!

There is a reason PayPal bought Venmo, and seven banks/credit card companies now own Zelle. We will be the last generation to use credit cards. You already know that your teens and college students rarely use them. Skate Payments is positioned for the incredible opportunity to save their clients from paying millions of dollars in credit card fees while offering a simple solution for customers to access electronic cash. They have partnered with our Chapter as their goal is to have the golf industry be one of the early adopters of saving lots of money.

Would you like to learn more? Visit their website at: www.skatepaymets.com or please contact Kris Patterson at Skate Payments at [email protected] or 917-657-1895.

Great Time At 100 Friends Tournament

Chapter supporters, Trustees, Coaches, staff, Directors, students and veterans enjoyed an unbelievable day at High Ridge Country Club for our annual 100 Friends tournament.  High Ridge is one of the premier golf courses in the state and the country.  This was the first time many of our players had the opportunity to enjoy this highly ranked golf course and clubhouse.

The event was a huge success because of the generosity of our sponsors:

First place gross was won with a tournament record of 12-under par 60 by the team of  Bobby Collins, Trustee Bob Simses, Tommy Pitts and Drake Kelso.  First place net was won by the team of Drew DiAlberto, Lou Chiera, Ed Kolo and Michael Deno with a 22-under par score of 50.

Back At It: Birdies And Hooks 

We partnered with The Fishing Community Organization for another veterans Birdies and Hooks event. Veterans enjoyed a golf clinic hosted by Coach Nancy Stuart at John Prince Golf Learning Center. After tuning up their golf swings, veterans went to Lake Osborne in John Prince Park. While there was plenty of nibbles on their fishing lines, unfortunately, no one was able to reel in any fish, with one fish escaped off the hook in midair as it was reeled in.

Free Veteran Classes

Join us for FREE veteran golf clinics every Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 AM at Dyer Park. 

We provide golf equipment, golf instruction, and opportunities to socialize with your peers and play local golf courses. These programs are open to Palm Beach County veterans.

For more information and to register, please visit our website.

Alumni Spotlight: Savannah Mansueti

Welcome new Manager of Operations, Chapter alumna Savannah Mansueti.

Savannah began her journey with our Chapter as a participant in 2008.  She learned about the organization’s core values and practiced them in her everyday life. As she progressed through our programs, Savannah transitioned into a dedicated volunteer and Assistant Coach. 

During her junior and senior years of high school, she had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Life Skills and Leadership National Academy and the Drive Your Future National Academy. “These experiences were so awesome to attend, and I am so glad to have learned from other First Tee coaches and participants,” said Savannah.

Savannah was also the president of our Teen Golfers Association and graduated in 2019 from Dwyer High School with the IB Diploma. She attended the University of Florida and earned her bachelor’s degree.

“My time at the University of Florida was a period of growth and cherished memories. From late nights at the library to cheering on the Gators at the Swamp, each memory I made holds a special place in my heart. I pursued my bachelor’s in political science and a minor in sociology of social justice and policy, which opened new possibilities for me both in terms of experiences and classes. I’m excited for the next steps in my career and owe thanks to First Tee – Palm Beaches for helping make it all possible,” said Savannah. 

As our new Manager of Operations, Savannah is committed to furthering the organization’s mission and instilling our core values and character-building life skills into the next generation, growing Game Changers, and expanding the reach of our Chapter.

Great Week At The TimberTech Championship

Our partnership with the PGA Champions Tour TimberTech Championship continues to grow.  This year our Coaches Gabbie Budd, LPGA and Nyla Sims accompanied students Emma Huber and Mia Baez to play in the Women’s Pro-Am on Monday of tournament week. The students spent the morning listening to a panel led by former LPGA Tour Player and current broadcaster Morgan Pressel. Emma and Mia were inspired by Morgan’s words, and both wish to continue her legacy by being fierce competitors on the course, and Game Changers off the course.   Our ladies team was paired with Chapter Director Ken Duke for the Pro-Am.  Ken made the experience one of a kind. Mia and Emma were both astonished by how straight and far the ball went when Ken hit it! 

On Thursday of tournament week 60 students, parents and coaches attended our first ever Junior Clinic at the TimberTech sponsored by ADT.  PGA Champions Tour player Tim O’Neal shared his life’s journey in professional golf, including the ups and downs.  He never gave up and used our core value of Perseverance to shape his life.  Tim impressed the crown with his incredibly long and straight shots into a 20-mph wind.  Some of the students also tried their hand at some shots on the range.  ADT handed out gift bags to all the students and Tim signed lots of autographs!

Mateo Muñiz attended the final round of The TimberTech Championship and had an awesome time. This was his first time attending a Champions Tour event and he had the opportunity to speak with Bob Toski, Ernie Els, Mike Weir, K.J. Choi, Jerry Kelly, David Toms, and 2022 TimberTech Champion, Bernhard Langer. 

Connecting With Golf

We enjoy our long partnership working with the students from the Connections school at Drive Shack. The Connections school is a nonprofit educational center that delivers high-quality, specialized instruction to students with autism in Palm Beach County. Through Connections, young people with autism have access to quality instruction, therapies, and care so they can achieve their full potential. Our organization began serving children with special needs in 1988.  It is still an important part of our mission and programs.

Londyn Takes First Place

Chapter participant Londyn Leon from our Keiser College of Golf program took first place at the SFPGA tournament at PGA Golf Club at PGA Village. Londyn is 9 years old and despite living with spinal bifida, she still competes against her able-bodied peers.

“Very impressive few months for our students,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta Jr.  “Tournament wins, District and Regional wins and a State title.  Well done!  We are so proud of our players and coaches.”