Category: News

Steve Greenstein, Army, has been playing golf for the last 4 years as a part of our veterans’ golf programs.

When talking about his experience in our programs at Club at Weston Hills, he said: “The coaches are great, and I continue to improve my game with their instruction. I am grateful to First Tee – Broward for providing this program for us.”

Our Chapter sent a foursome to play in the Kiwanis Tamarac Golf Tournament.  Our team consisted of Coach Robert Ferzoco and Chapter students Elisa Hernandez, David Sandino, and Andres Hernandez. This is the second year in a row we have participated in this annual event at Woodmont Country Club. The team shot a best ball team score of 63 with 9 birdies and 9 pars. Elisa Hernandez even won the longest drive of the days for the ladies!

Thank you to Linda Brown-Doriot who coordinated for us to be able to play in the event. A special thank you to Michele McMahon who purchased the foursome and donated it to our chapter.

Our Chapter has partnered with Super School, a 501c3 non-profit special education school to offer an eight-week golf program to twenty-four children with special needs at the school in Plantation. Super School’s primary goal is to assist students with varying disabilities reach their utmost potential in a supporting and nurturing environment. The class is taught by Coach Robert Ferzoco along with the assistance of many of the Super School team.  Special thanks to Director Mrs. Caitlyn and Assistant Director/Lead Teacher Ms. Teena for their help in coordinating the program.

We recently began a four-week special needs golf program with Lion Star Academy to serve fourteen children. Week one was taught by Coach Robert Ferzoco along with the assistance of the many of the Lion Star Academy staff. Special thanks to office managers Nicole Javier and Lisa Bennett for their help in coordinating and assisting in the program.

According to Alexander Duque’s parents, our First Tee programs with Coach Chris Cupp, PGA have been the pathway to self-confidence and personal pride for him.

Having been born a preemie in 2015, Alexander had already overcome many adversities. In 2021, he survived a craniotomy from a head injury. “We are in a debt of gratitude for the love and care of the NICU Doctors at Baptist Hospital as well as the Surgical Doctors and staff at Nicklaus Children’s Hospitals,” said Leticia Castro, Alexander’s mother. 

As a consequence of his medical history all doctors advised against Alexander playing contact sports. This was hard to hear. How were they to keep their child active and safe without sports? That is when his parents found First Tee with Coach Chris at CB Smith Park. It was an immediate perfect fit.  Alexander was won over to golf on his first day when he met Coach Chris.

“Coach Chris brings a generous and welcoming spirit. This spirit is evidenced by Coach’s enthusiasm and love every time he leads a lesson or class,” said Jaz Duque, Alexander’s father.

Since joining First Tee, Alexander has found a good role model in Professional Golfer Rory McIlory. Alexander loves Rory and especially Rory’s St. Bernard Dog Golf Club Driver Head Cover. Through an online search, Alexander discovered that Rory has had a St. Bernard all his life. As soon as Alexander discovered Rory, he wanted his own set of golf clubs.

Now instead of only playing video games he also watches YouTube videos learning about Rory’s life, his training schedule and his golf stroke. Alexander is quite focused on copying Rory’s swing. When not in class, Alexander is adamant about teaching mom and dad how to play golf.

Visit our website to register for one of Coach Chris’ programs.

Spring is here and the weather has cooled off.  Enroll your children in our Broward County programs.

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