Category: News

Sydney Attends Game Changers Academy

Chapter student Sydney Rogers (pictured left) was chosen for the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia. This is a five-day learning and empowerment academy. Students selected to attend the academy participated in important conversations involving issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position our teens to be advocates for justice and social change in their current and future communities. First Tee Game Changers Academy is the ultimate tribute to our former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.

Zoe And Wylie At Pebble This Week

Chapter students Zoe Shamy and Wylie “Coyote” Inman are playing in the ultimate First Tee student opportunity this week- the Pure Insurance Championship.  They will be playing in this televised event paired with a PGA Tour Champions professional at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.

Make sure to tune in to Golf Channel this weekend to watch them play.

Friday Sept 22, Saturday Sept 23, Sunday, Sept 24

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  EST

Want to play at Pebble Beach? Enroll your child in a First Tee program. It is the only way to qualify.

Michael B. Finnegan – Always In Our Hearts

This month our country remembers all of those lost on September 11, 2001.

Michael Bradley Finnegan died tragically that day while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. He lived in the moment and made moments with him memorable. He loved his family and was adored by everyone who knew him. 

Mike’s family established the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation in 2002 to honor Mike’s memory and spirit by continuing his way of living life: giving generously.

In 2004, The Michael B. Finnegan Foundation became a Founding Partner of First Tee – Palm Beaches.  We named our 12-acre driving range and 9-hole par-3 golf course “The Michael B. Finnegan Golf Learning Center” to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. 

100-Hole Challenge

We are underway!!  Are you in?

Loblolly is in the lead for the clubs with over $8,000 raised.

Peter Crocitto is in the board member lead with over $3,600 raised.

Ben Miller is in the coach lead with over $2,000 raised.

All players who raise over $2,000 earn a $500 shopping spree from:

We have multiple dates to play or play at your own club.  Please contact [email protected] for more information.

College Scholarship Awards Party

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 College Scholarship Recipients! We celebrated their awards at the PGA Tour Superstore in Palm Beach Gardens. This year we awarded $37,500 dollars to nine alumni (Pictured above right: The winners with Chapter Directors, staff, and Coaches).

From the Treasure Coast Chapter, Katelyn Harwood and Trevor Tarashuk were awarded the Erling Speer Memorial Scholarship for their 2023-2024 school year (pictured above left).  

Katelyn is attending Rollins College majoring in Business Management with a minor in Communications. Trevor is entering his sophomore year in the PGA Golf Management program at Florida Gulf Coast University.

National Amputee Coalition Annual Convention

Coach Joe Grohman, PGA, attended the National Amputee Coalition Annual Convention! This year’s conference theme was “Elevate Together Towards Tomorrow,” which highlighted the ways to build the future for the limb loss and limb difference community to ensure a world where the community thrives. 

The coalition celebrates its diverse community and aims to fully engage all people living with limb loss and limb difference to build a collective voice on critical issues, impacting the community, and to elevate the organization’s mission: to support, educate, and advocate for people impacted by limb loss and limb difference.

Second Annual Chapter Championship

Breakers West Country Club generously hosted our second annual Chapter Championship. Four person teams from the Treasure Coast, Palm Beaches and Broward Chapters competed in a one best-ball format.  

The winning Palm Beaches team players were Wylie Inman, Zoey Shamy, Valentina Guertin, and Isabella Guertin. Palm Beaches team shot a tournament record score of 65 to edge Broward with a 69 and Treasure Coast with a 76.

The Treasure Coast team included Matthew Peter, Maddox Simon, David Alvarez, Liam Ferguson, and Josh Heinemann. 

In the alumni division, Billy Reid posted a 74 to score a 3 shot victory over defending champion Tyler Mistretta and professional golfer Janelle Johnson.

Mia Has Great Time At Pinehurst – Advances At DCP

In early August, Mia “Cheetah” Baez finished tied for 28th in the Girls 7 and Under Division at the US Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst, NC.  Over 2,300 kids from over 50 countries participated.

“What a brilliant performance for her,” said Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA.  “She has only been playing golf for ten months and is still getting adjusted to new clubs.”

At her DCP qualifier, Mia was hoping for a score of mid-60s or low 70s.  But the Cheetah just killed it with a brilliant score of 93. She hit 3 awesome drives which earned her 26 points. She did well with chipping. She really shined with putting by sinking her 30-foot putt and did well on the other two putts, which earned her 55 points. She is working hard on her short game, putting, and chipping as she prepares for her DCP sub-regional at BallenIsles Country Club.

“I could thank you immensely First Tee, I could thank you a million…But I never could thank you enough!” —Mia Baez

“We give a special thank you to Coach Gabbie for her excellent coaching and communication skills,” said Mia’s father, Alf Baez. “Coach Gabbie keeps Cheetah engaged as she learns so fast. This is evident in Cheetah’s recent scores, which have exceeded all expectations.  We are so impressed with Cheetah’s progress in just 10 months of learning golf. Thank you Coach Gabbie for everything you do!”

Ken Duke Gets A Big Win!

Chapter Director Ken Duke rolled in a 5-foot birdie on the 18th hole to win the Shaw Charity Classic for his first title on the PGA Tour Champions.

“This is exciting. I mean, I’ve always dreamed about this,” Duke, said. “This is where I started my professional career up here in Canada and I always thought that I’d win up here, and here we are. I mean, 1996 to 2003, so here we are finally doing it.”

The Shaw Charity Classic is backed by a philanthropic group of Calgary business leaders known as “The Patron Group.”  Together they created the Shaw Charity Classic – the PGA TOUR Champions’ only Canadian event. 

“We are so proud and happy for Ken,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt.  “He hit some fantastic shots on 17 and 18 to secure the victory.  Ken is one of our strongest board members.  He generously supports our many children and veterans and impacts so many lives in the Treasure Coast through his Ken Duke & Friends golf tournament.”

Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach

Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach has been a long time Chapter supporter.  They recently donated a grant of $2,500 to support the children of Riviera Beach in our programs.

The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach was chartered in 1951 as a part of the worldwide voluntary service organization Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach has contributed over $5 million in support of youth and community programs in Riviera Beach. We are an organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time.

Their club is a positive influence in the local community so that children will be a part of a community that believes in them, nurtures them and provides the support they need to thrive. 

Pictured above:  Grants Coordinator Chelsea Mistretta with Club President Robert Dillingham.