Dan Young Inducted Into 1457

The Society of 1457 recognizes those generous individuals that have included our organization in their planned giving.  Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta and retired Director of Operations Jack Bloomfield are both 1457 members. They recently welcomed Director Dan Young into the Society of 1457 at our Fall Tournament.  Please visit our website for more information on our planned giving program or contact [email protected].

Second Place Showing At COMTO Tourney

Team First Tee – Broward finished in second place with a score of 14 under par in the 3rd Annual COMTO of Fort. Lauderdale Golf Tournament at Jacaranda Golf Club. Our Director of Operations Sean Kicker, PGA was joined by Chapter participants, Audrey Bacic, Isabella Rubio, and Chloe Christofidis.

SHOUTOUT to COMTO Fort. Lauderdale Chapter President, Rogelio Hendricks, Jr. for extending to us the invitation to play in this year’s event.

The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is the nation’s only multimodal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry.  Home-based in Washington D.C. and with over thirty chapters spread across the country, COMTO holds a unique voice for minority professionals and businesses in transportation.  Among its initiatives are a national scholarship program and ongoing professional development and training opportunities.  Members include individuals, transportation agencies, academic institutions, industry non-profits and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs).  From highways and roads to mass transit systems, subways and rail systems, and port authorities to airports, COMTO members represent every level of the transportation industry.

Fall Tourney A Great Success

We had a fun day at Deer Creek at our annual Fall Tournament.  The course was awesome, the weather beautiful and the food delicious.  Chapter students Elisa Hernandez, David Sandino and Maya Jos were positioned on par 3s and hit shots for our supporters.

First place net was won by the team of Gerry Litrento, Gary Cohen, Gary Riley and Mike Anderson with a score of 57 (pictured below left).

First place gross was won for the third year in a row by the team of Braden List, Colin List, Wes Hitchcock and Thomas Tabere with a score of 64 (pictured below right).

First Tee Fall Registration In Full Swing

Our Fall programs are under way.  Enroll your children at one of our 14 Broward County Program Locations. 

For more information and to register, please visit our website by scanning the QR code.

“We are very appreciative for everyone that helped this event be such a great success,” said Chapter President Greg Thompson. “Deer Creek’s staff, our sponsors, my fellow Directors, the many players, and our students and staff made for a fun day of golf and competition.”

Huge SHOUT OUT to our sponsors:

Participant Spotlight: Nathan Castro

Nathan showed interest in golf at a very young age, but he never had a chance to formally learn until summer 2022.  Nathan completed two months of summer clinics and expressed interest in starting to play in tournaments.

Nathan was determined to win in 2023 and asked for a private coach to help develop his swing.  Nathan’s father found Chapter Coach Christopher Cupp, PGA.  Since then, Nathan has developed his game to the next level.  He has participated in several junior SFPGA and U.S. Kids golf tournaments. He also competed in the JGA of Broward tournaments where he won 4 medals (2 golds and 2 silvers) and 3 fifth place finishes. These are impressive accomplishments for someone who started playing golf just a year ago!

Nathan has set his sights on more gold medals in the future. His long-term goal is to go to college and play golf.  He also aspires to become a pilot. We know that his determination and true grit will help him to achieve these goals! 

Sponsor Spotlight: FJGC

Did you know that the “Golf Capital of the World” license plate supports junior golf?  When you purchase this license plate you are supporting our chapter and junior golf programs across the state of Florida.

It is very easy to change over to the FJGC license plate when you renew your vehicle registration either by mail or online.  Just check or click the box for the FJGC plate!

For more information, please visit the FJGC website.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Chapter staff, students, and alumni attended a check presentation on-field at Roger Dean Stadium. The proceeds were from an auction of specialty jerseys that the Cardinals wore during Golf Night. Everyone had a great time watching the game, enjoying the food, and spreading the message about joining the programs offered by our Chapter! 

Congrats Patty!

Army Veteran and Chapter veteran participant Patty Cepeda-Russell demonstrated remarkable determination and skill as she triumphed with first place finishes in two recent Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) tournaments at North Palm Beach Country Club and Miami Lakes Golf Club. Despite the challenging and rainy weather conditions, Patty’s unwavering resolve carried her through as she navigated the wet playing conditions.

Patty joined our veterans’ programs only 10 months ago after her 2nd knee replacement. These victories are a testament to her rapid progression and dedication to the amazing game of golf. Her success serves as an inspiring example of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

“Sponsoring our advanced veteran players to play in local VGA events is new this year,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta Jr.  “In all our programs we provide opportunities for our students to compete.  With funding support of Pratt & Whitney and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation we were able to add competition for our veterans this year.”

Tyler Helps Mocs To Second Win This Fall

Florida Southern men’s golf team earned their second win of the season by one stroke at the Shark Invitational at Grande Oaks Golf Club. The team battled some extremely tough conditions and a strong field.  The Moccasins posted an even par first round and took the lead after closing the second round with a 286 (+2). The team rallied late in the final round to fire a 285 (+1) to finish the 54-hole event at 855 (+3).

The Mocs were the top team in the field with 44 birdies made. Florida Southern also finished tops in the tournament with 3 eagles, one of them made by chapter alumnus Tyler Mistretta.

Tyler finished T17th at 218 (+5) after rounds of 71 (-1), 72 (+1) and 76 (+5).

Jacie And Emily Reunion At The Big House

Chapter alumna Jacie Goodman met up with fellow alumna and Director of Program Development Emily Valentine at the Michigan versus Rutgers game at the University of Michigan. Jacie is a recipient of the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship and is currently studying Sport Management through the School of Kinesiology. 

About her experience at school, Jacie said, “I am so happy to be back at the University of Michigan for my sophomore year. I’m enrolled in 16 credits and while it keeps me extremely busy, I love my classes. My spare time is spent in the front row at every game day in The Big House. Basketball season is right around the corner.  It’s going to be extremely busy since I am Treasurer of the student section- The Maize Rage. Overall, the semester is off to a fantastic start. Having Emily visit me gave me a familiar sense of home, and I am happy to have been a part of her first game day in Ann Arbor. Go Blue!”