Category: News

VETERAN SPOTLIGHT: RODGER STENSON

Rodger Stenson is new to our chapter but is already in love with golf! He is a veteran at the Newell Golf Academy at Park Ridge Golf Course.

Rodger shared that after some reorganization in his company, he could no longer afford living in Boynton Beach. He moved to Panama where he could make ends meet. Rodger was an avid golfer in his younger years and was ready to start again after focusing on his family. However, he was the victim of a robbery. This left him with almost nothing, including the loss of his golf clubs. His dream was a set of Ping Irons.

After this terrible event, he moved back to Florida where he found our FORE Freedom veterans’ programs. Thanks to Blake’s Golf Shop, Rodger received a new set of golf clubs in a rightfully earned Ping G2 iron set for free.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: CARRIER

Carrier supports the next generation of leaders and is committed to positively impacting communities. In 2026, Carrier is providing a $5,000 needs-based scholarship for First Tee alumni pursuing post-secondary education in trade or engineering-related programs. Scholarship funds will be used to help eligible participants enroll in accredited trade schools, technical programs, or engineering degree programs, supporting career pathways aligned with technical and skilled professions.

CIENNA WINS DONNA BROWN AWARD

ACE student Cienna Collado received the inaugural Donna Brown ACE Award, presented by Mark Brown and the Ladies of Lost City at the third annual Donna Brown “Believe” Golf Tournament. This tournament serves as a celebration of Donna’s invaluable friendship and her indelible impact on Atlantis Golf Club/Lost City Golf Club over the past four decades.

Cienna is a senior at Seminole Ridge Community High School and currently holds the #1 seed on the girls’ varsity golf team. Cienna has been a participant in our programs for over 8 years. She is a member of the Seminole Ridge High School’s television production program, where she is the Executive Producer of the daily news broadcast.

With support from the Donna Brown ACE Award, Cienna plans to complete a summer internship with us centered on social and digital media coverage of youth, veterans, and special needs programming.

BIG CROWD FOR TGL

With Youth Empowerment Center on the left, PBSO PAL in the middle, and MCSO PAL on the right, 30 kids and chaperones attended a fantastic TGL match at SoFi Stadium!

Special thank you to Southern Company for generously providing tickets to the match and a sweet treat for all of us from Kona Ice!

PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT: JETT MEYTIN

Jett Meytin is already an accomplished golfer at only eight years old. He participates in our program through Newell Golf . He has played over 50 junior golf tournaments, with wins in over half of these events. Recently, Jett traveled to Mississippi to play in a 2-day US Kids event and the US Kids World Championship at Pinehurst Resort. His most iconic memory of golf is shooting a one under par score of 35 on the last day of the US Kids World Championship.

CONNECTIONS CLASSES ARE A HIT

We love our Connections classes! We continue to see a huge turnout each week as the special needs students have a fantastic time learning and playing golf. This program is a wonderful opportunity to engage our students with the game and each other in a fun and outdoor environment.

VETERANS’ DAY OUT

We had the distinct honor of hosting veterans Mike Arnett, Francis Archer, and longtime First Tee supporter Bob Rodgers for a round at the Palm Beach Par 3- golf on the ocean!! Under perfect conditions, the group enjoyed a premier golfing experience followed by lunch at Al Fresco’s. This day was significant as it marked Bob’s first return to the course in over 40 years, while also being Francis’s very first visit.

JACIE AT FINAL FOUR & NATTY

Jacie Goodman had the opportunity to attend the Final Four Game and the Men’s College Basketball National Championship games.  Jacie said, “Watching these games is a memory I will never forget. I watched my team win only eight games my sophomore year to winning it all my senior year. I am proud to attend the University of Michigan and serve as Vice President of the basketball student section, the Maize Rage. It is truly a full-circle moment for me.”

TREE SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE!

Tyler “TREE” Mistretta competed in nine tournaments for the Moccasins and holds a 70.9 stroke average. Tyler shot a career-low 66 in the final round of the Argonaut Invitational, where he also led the team to a tied-4th finish. He ranks 27th in the nation and 12th in the region. Congrats to all the Mocs!

FLOYD FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Raymond Floyd, a retired professional golfer, and longtime Chapter supporter, has 63 professional wins including the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Through the Palm Beach Par 3 Foundation, the Floyd family made a generous donation to our Chapter to support community outreach programs, special student events and a college scholarship each year, with preference to our alumni that will be playing college golf.