Category: News

The Crockett Foundation believes our kids deserve every opportunity to explore, engage and experience the changing world around them.  They are a proud program of our Chapter, positively impacting the lives of students through our golf and life skills programs.

The Crockett Foundation is on a mission to build the future of Broward County, one child at a time. Since 2002, the Crockett Foundation has positively impacted thousands of children’s lives across South Florida.

Their after school and summer youth development and coding programs have provided middle school students with the support they need to master their toughest academic challenges. These programs enable students to develop into future leaders and improve their communities.

The Crockett Foundation has helped thousands of students in our local communities graduate high school with better grades, new skills, and a fresh and more positive outlook on life.

Enroll your children at one of our 10 Palm Beach County Program Locations. 

• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center- Dyer Park
• Belle Glade Municipal Golf Club
• Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• John Prince Learning Center
• Golf Club of Jupiter
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Okeeheelee Golf Course
• Red Reef Golf Course
• Village Golf Club

Chapter CEO, Carl Mistretta, recently had the privilege to meet the new Honorary Chair of First Tee– Jim Nantz.  Jim’s distinguished broadcasting career spans more than four decades.  He becomes the third Honorary Chair in First Tee’s history, following President George W. Bush (2011-2024) and President George H.W. Bush (1997-2010). As Honorary Chair, Jim will help promote First Tee’s purpose and expand its reach to empower even more young people.

“Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand how golf builds character, resilience and integrity – the very qualities First Tee instills in young people,” said Jim Nantz. “I am honored to serve as Honorary Chair and support an organization that uses this remarkable game to help kids develop the strength of character they will carry with them throughout their lives.”

We are deeply saddened to report the passing of our chapter’s founding Executive Director, Craig Watson, PGA. Please join us for his celebration of life at Dyer Park. Also, if you have pictures of Craig to share, please email them to [email protected]

Chapter student, Jordan Reyes (pictured above, center) became our first student to attend the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression.  He had a fantastic time at the camp. The Pathway to Progression is an enhanced development experience held at Bally’s Ferry Point in New York City in partnership with the 2025 Mastercard APGA Tour Championship. During this three-day program, participants received valuable development, evaluation, and training from the Pathway to Progression Director of Instruction and team of coaches.

The Pathway to Progression Junior Program provides the opportunity for highly talented diverse junior golfers to qualify for enhanced golf development opportunities, college preparation and the opportunity to participate in the AJGA Amundi Evian Showcase Event this winter in Las Vegas, for which Jordan is attending!

Jordan also recently placed in the Top 10 with rounds of 72 and 74 at the Nicklaus Junior Championship held at The Bear’s Club and Tequesta Country Club.

Tune in September 19-21 to Golf Channel to watch Chapter students Marley Pedrique and Jordan Reyes compete in the Pure Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.

80 exceptional First Tee teens have been selected to compete in this life changing tournament.  The annual tournament uniquely pairs First Tee participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals and amateurs from the business world for a week of competition and mentorship. The teens, ages 15 to 18, represent 48 First Tee chapters nationwide and will compete for the male and female pro-junior titles.

Marely and Jordan were chosen based on both their golf skills and personal growth through First Tee’s youth development programs. This year’s class boasts an average GPA of 3.89 and nearly seven years of involvement with First Tee.

Want your kids to play at Pebble, register for First Tee programs!

The Palm Beach County PAL scheduled a fun-filled three-day event at the Palm Beach Par 3. On day one, Coaches Devin Shaw and Frank Wingate taught the students about putting and chipping.  It was a great first day, establishing fundamentals and fostering a love of the game.

On day two, the PAL students were working on full swing techniques and hitting the smash bag.  There were putting and chipping contests with prizes of hats and snacks. On the last day, they had a great time playing nine holes at the Par 3 Course and enjoyed pizza afterward.

At just 7 years old, Audriana Cannizzaro is already making waves in the junior golf world. Having picked up a golf club as soon as she could walk, she joined our chapter in 2023 and is a joy to have in our programs.

This summer, Audriana participated in her very first Drive, Chip & Putt qualifier at The Nest. She earned 2nd place in putting, 1st place in chipping, and 1st place overall, securing her spot in the upcoming sub-regional qualifier.

Over the summer, we partnered with Clewiston Parks and Rec to bring golf to all their students over eight weeks of camp. Coaches Nyla and Zack traveled to Clewiston every Friday to meet with Coach Brannan, teaching and playing golf games with the kids. Some of the kids had never played golf.  By the end of the summer, the kids with experience were excited to help the others who had never played, and everyone looked forward to Friday Golf Class. In the final week, everyone gathered for a big putting challenge and enjoyed ice cream and popsicles after the competition.

This summer, we partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Belle Glade to bring golf to nine different clubs in the Glades area. The young people were introduced to the game of golf by Coaches Wayne Monroe, Devin Shaw, and Roy Collins. Our coaches spent the summer working with the students on their golf skills and mentoring them on how golf can be an integral part of their lives.

This year, we were excited to add the Belle Glade Teen Center, and the Wellington Club joined us. These two clubs focused on putting in their classes to prepare them for a field trip to PopStroke of Palm Beach, where everyone had a memorable time playing the course with our coaches.

“Belle Glade and its surrounding communities are the most underserved areas in Palm Beach County,” said Chapter President Joe Gorman.  “We have served the children and teens in the Glades for over 10 years.  As we impact all of Palm Beach County, the Glades is a big focus of our community outreach programs.”

Congrats to our newest Chapter Trustee, Mark Lewis, for winning the Club Championship this summer at Maroon Creek Club in Aspen, Colorado.  Mark supports our chapter through the Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation.  The Lewis Foundation mission is to empower the next generation, encourage the change-makers and transform young dreamers into fearless doers.

One of our favorite nights of the year is our annual college scholarship party held at PGA Tour Superstore. This year we broke a new record awarding over $108,000 to alumni from our Palm Beach, Treasure Coast and Broward Chapters.   Fifteen alumni from the Palm Beach Chapter received scholarships this year.

Isabella Cecere, Delaware
Jayda Dookie, Michigan State
Angelina Guertin, Palm Beach State
Tanmay Mahani, Florida
Abner McWilliams, Keiser
Billy Reid, Palm Beach Atlantic
Sydney Rogers, Florida
Nathan Vertez, Florida
Annika Collado, Florida Golf Coast
Jacie Goodman, Michigan
Marcus Irene, Sheridan Technical
Elise Mucklow, US Merchant Marine
Daniela Perez, Florida Atlantic
Morgan Rodriquez, Delaware State
Jessica Stark, Pam Beach Atlantic