Category: News

ATLANTA WINS TGL!

Key Hammer strategy and Billy Horschel’s clutch putt seals the deal as Atlanta Drive GC battled to a thrilling 4-3 victory over New York. Atlanta Drive GC takes home the 2025 SoFi Cup! Huge congratulations to Billy Horschel, Lucas Glover, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay for an unforgettable win.

Atlanta Drive GC is owned by First Tee Trustee, Arthur Blank. Headquartered in Atlanta, AMB Sports and Entertainment includes the National Football League Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer 2018 Cup champion Atlanta United, the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium, America’s largest specialty golf retailer PGA TOUR Superstore, and four ranches in Montana– Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and The Ranch At Dome Mountain.

TEENS MEET JACK NICKLAUS

A night to remember! Marley, Jordan, Asha, Zoe, Valentina, and Angelina had the incredible honor of meeting Jack Nicklaus at a special dinner supporting the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational held at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club during tournament week.  Jack Nicklaus serves as Honorary Chairman of our Chapter.

“Dinner was delicious, and Mr. Nicklaus shared some very interesting stories about his life and career with the entire audience.  I learned a lot from the GOAT,” said Jordan.  “It was an awesome evening.  Thank you First Tee for inviting the students to attend.”

WYLIE WINS HIS FIRST AJGA TOURNAMENT

Chapter student Wylie Inman won his first AJGA tournament at Rayburn Resort and Marina in Brooklande, Texas.

Wylie shot nine under par for the three-day event and won by three shots after shooting 69-69-66.  His final round 66 included an eagle on hole #14 and a closing birdie on hole #18.

Wylie commented on the win:

“It feels so good to get my first AJGA win. I played with a lot of confidence in my game this weekend which led to the victory. I traveled to Texas solely to secure this win. Being tied for the lead with 6 holes left, and executing at such a high level down the stretch, was an incredible feeling. This is a week I will never forget.”

Wylie is committed to play DI golf at the University of South Florida.

STEM CLASS AT ST. MARK’S

Students at St. Mark’s Episcopal School are integrating STEM into their First Tee golf sessions! In week five, they explored ball flight using vector and scalar concepts—vectors determine direction, while scalars measure speed. This hands-on learning helps young golfers improve their swings with science.

Our STEM programs are sponsored by Carrier.  Carrier supports the next generation of leaders and is committed to positively impacting the community.

FORE FREEDOM CLASSES AT DRIVE SHACK

Our Chapter delivers weekly golf programs to hundreds of local veterans. 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, free of charge. These programs are generously sponsored by Pratt & Whitney and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.

Veterans can join every Tuesday, starting at 1:00 PM at Drive Shack. Please contact Devin Shaw at [email protected] or 334-733-4749 prior to attending a class to ensure availability.

NATHAN VERTES

Chapter Alumnus Nathan Vertes volunteers for Beaver Golf while he is home from college. He is excelling at the University of Florida where he is majoring in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy. Nathan was also one of our inaugural First Tee Scholars, which afforded him a college scholarship from First Tee HQ.  HQ has even provided Nathan with a mentor who oversees Pharmacy at the Mayo Clinic.

He recently applied to UF’s Pharmacy Early Assurance Program (PEAP) and was accepted. Through this program, he will be provided with mentorships, workshops, and training for a career in pharmacy. To top it off, while on vacation with his family in Michigan he has begun studying to get his pharmacy technician certification to take the national test. He also applied for and received a summer internship at Physicians Compounding Pharmacy in Bloomfield Hills, MI. After all these accomplishments you will still find him playing golf and volunteering his time with First Tee students.

PBGCSA CONTINUES SUPPORT

Chapter Program Director Zack Anderton and Henry Chateauvert attended a recent event hosted by the Palm Beach Golf Course Superintendents Association to receive our annual grant. We are so thankful that the PBGCSA Board of Directors continue to support our Chapter through this grant that helps us maintain and improve our turf conditions.

The purpose of the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association is to promote sustainable turf management and unify the golf course superintendents of the state. To achieve these goals, the Florida GCSA will engage in cooperative communications and education efforts with various interested organizations and regulatory and governmental offices to achieve the highest standards of professionalism.

LOBLOLLY TOURNAMENT NEXT MONTH

Our Treasure Coast Chapter is excited to announce that their tournament this year will be at Loblolly!  Loblolly just completed a major renovation of the golf course and clubhouse.  They are both spectacular.  Loblolly is very special for those that have not played it.

Spring Invitational

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Loblolly
“Member for a Day”

12:00 Noon Registration, Warm-Up and Lunch
1pm Shotgun
Dinner & Drinks following golf
Four Person Teams. Play Your Own Ball. One Best Ball of the Foursome.
Net and Gross Divisions. Limited Field.
$750 per person, $3,000 per foursome.

Please visit our website for the tournament application and sponsorship opportunities.

Please contact Steven Andrade at [email protected] for more information.

THE CORNELIA T. BAILEY FOUNDATION

The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation was founded in 2007 to promote the arts, education, and initiatives that seek to better our world by utilizing nature and the sciences.

Mrs. Cornelia T. Bailey established the foundation during her lifetime, and it now honors her philanthropic legacy. She enjoyed supporting philanthropic organizations that focused on education, veteran outreach, medical research, and, most significantly, the arts in all their forms. We are proud to continue her legacy.

The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation generously funds our veterans’ programs, ensuring that all veterans can enjoy the program, free of charge. They also fund our advanced players to compete in local Veterans’ Golf Association tournaments.