Category: News

Program Partner – Franklin Academy

Trachide Greene, a teacher at Franklin Academy, helps organize after school clubs and programs with our chapter. Mrs. Greene has created an after school golf club for elementary and middle school students. One of our First Tee coaches provides weekly golf programs at the school to teach them about our core values and basic golf fundamentals through games and activities. Franklin Academy also hosts club vs. club matches against St. Ann Catholic School.

(Coach Dariel pictured above left and Coach Connie pictured above right with the students)

College Scholarships Awarded

Chapter alumni Felipe Obando, Billy Reid, Tyler Mistretta, Sebastian Nachilly, Jacie Goodman, Allison Santini, Nyla Sims and Savannah Mansueti were recently awarded college scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year. Chapter friend and supporter Peter Helie (pictured above middle) has generously funded the Helie Family Scholarship program for the past two school years.

Felipe and Billy are attending the Keiser University College of Golf as freshmen and were also awarded a scholarship through First Tee funded by Keiser University.  A portion of Felipe’s scholarship was funded by Chapter President Bobby Hendel in memory of his late son, Asher (pictured above right).

Tyler is entering his sophomore year at Florida Southern where he is playing on the golf team and majoring in Finance.  Sebastian is entering his sophomore year at Ole Miss where he is majoring in business and economics.  Jacie is attending the University of Michigan as a freshman and also earned the Evans Caddie Scholarship.  Allison will be graduating in May from Palm Beach Atlantic and plans to attend law school.  Nyla is currently interning at Baltusrol and will be graduating from the PGA Golf Management Program at Maryland Eastern Shore where she plays on the golf team.  Savannah will be graduating in December from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science.

Michael B. Finnegan – Missing The Legend

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. Those who were lucky enough to know Mike will tell you that he made everyone feel special.  He lived in the moment and made the moments with him memorable. Mike was a great golfer. He loved his family and was adored by everyone who knew him. 

Mike’s family was so touched by the outpouring of love and generosity shown to them from the country and the world in the aftermath of September 11, that they established the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation.  Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation’s mission has been to honor Mike’s memory and spirit by continuing his way of living life: giving generously.

In 2004, The Michael B. Finnegan Foundation joined The Honda Classic as a Founding Partner of First Tee – Palm Beaches. First Tee has been offering golf instruction and their life skills curriculum to children across the country since 1997.  

We named our 12-acre driving range and 9-hole par-3 golf course in Dyer Park “The Michael B. Finnegan Golf Learning Center” to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. With our combined efforts we help many challenged children discover the lessons Mike learned from the game of golf: Honor, Discipline, Competition, Patience and Camaraderie.

 THE ROY A HUNT FOUNDATION

The Roy A. Hunt Foundation helped start our Chapter and is recognized as our Founding Parnter.  For the last 12 years, the Hunt Foundation has provided generous funding for our children and veterans. 

The Hunt Foundation’s mission is to support organizations that strive to improve the quality of life through the Foundation’s four main special initiatives: community development, environment, international development, and youth violence prevention. The foundation formed in 1966 in honor of Roy Arthur Hunt, with his descendants still active in the foundation today. Our Chapter President Andrew Hunt continues to serve on his family’s foundation board. We are very thankful for their continued support. 

 Great Time At 2%+ Club Tourney At Monarch

Earlier this year, Chapter Director Chris Burr developed the 2%+ Club.  To continue its fundraising efforts, a tournament was offered to members and guests of Monarch Country Club to learn more about our Chapter and join the 2%+ Club.

The tournament featured a unique two-person scramble that consisted of both match play and stroke play in two separate divisions.

Wes Hightower and Wes Starling (pictured above) shot 61 win the first division. Chris Monhollen and Jordan Lassinger shot 65 to win the second division.

Interested in joining? The 2%+ Club invites golf enthusiasts to donate 2%+ of their annual golf expenses to support our children and veterans. For the typical golfaholic, this equates to between $10 and $50 per month.

How do you contribute? First, do the math! Take your total golf expenses each year and multiply that amount by 2%. Then, divide that amount by 12 months. This amount becomes your monthly donation. It is easy to donate one-time or monthly on our secure website.

For every $100 donated, donors will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (includes two Garden View rooms) and a foursome to play one round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The prize package also includes $1,500 towards airfare, trip expenses, etc. Certain restrictions apply. Drawing to be held February 27, 2023. Winner will book their trip directly with Pebble Beach Resorts. The winning certificate does not expire, and the golf and room rates are valid for one year.  For example: $300 donation = 3 chances to win.

If you have any questions regarding the 2%+ Club, please contact Chapter Director, Chris Burr, at [email protected] or call at (561) 400-5970.

 Annual Golf Tourney At Sailfish Point

Sailfish Point Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and is essentially an island, located at the tip of Hutchinson Island. With views of the ocean, intracoastal, and inlet, this tournament will be one for the ages!  Last summer the club completely renovated and re-grassed the golf course. Nicklaus Design implemented many outstanding design changes, including a brand-new bunker style that is unique and fun to play.

Our annual golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at Sailfish Point. Our day at Sailfish Point includes lunch, gift bag, golf, prizes, dinner, and drinks. Play your own ball.  One best ball of the foursome.  All players compete in both gross and net divisions. Limited field.  Noon lunch and warm-up with a 1pm shotgun start. 

Please visit our website for more information and the entry form.

We have sponsorships still available.  Please join our other sponsors of Steady Returns, Wes and Nikki Hightower, Seminole Hard Rock, Amazon Web Services, PGA TOUR Superstore, Key Private Bank, Northern Trust, Comcast and BankUnited. We are offering a variety of sponsor opportunities. 

 Golf at Rich House

Rich House is an organization driven by the Fort Pierce Police Department that helps the youth build trust, gain confidence, and be courageous in decision making through officer/youth mentorships. 

Every Tuesday, Rich House hosts a community event for kids and teens that includes various activities such as flag football, arts, and crafts, and golf clinics provided by our First Tee Coaches.  

Serving Children – Boys & Girls Clubs

Our Chapter continues to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County throughout the year. We concluded summer camps with an end of summer bash! 

Over 200 BGC SLC summer camp participants had the opportunity for a fun day at our beautiful Westside golf learning facility. Participants learned core values, parts of the golf club, and had a blast participating in golf games and contests. 

Coach Ben Miller, PGA was seen cartwheeling because he could not contain his excitement!

 100-Hole Challenge Has Record Year!

It started with a bang!  Twelve staff members from Harbor Ridge Yacht and Country Club, including Director of Golf Joe Beezup, completed the 100-Hole at Challenge at Harbour Ridge to raise a new record at the club of $17,140 for our chapter!  (Harbour Ridge staff pictured above middle and right.)

Earlier this year, Chapter Director Morgan Jewell proposed the idea of inviting his fellow golf professionals and industry representatives (pictured above left) to play the “Challenge” on Floridian National’s The Harmon, a nine-hole par-3 course.  The following clubs and companies participated at Floridian and raised a total of $69,755 for our Chapter.

Floridian National Golf Club- $54,474, Morgan Jewell

Turtle Creek- $6,040, Toby Hill

Jupiter Island Club- $4,642, Matt Muller

Staff from Titleist, Stitch, TaylorMade and Holderness and Bourne- $4,599

Chapter Directors Jen Hong, Wes Hightower, Richard Chase and RJ Bibby also played and have raised $5,478.

To date, donations to this year’s 100-Hole Challenge total an incredible $93,457.

“This is a game changer for us,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt.  “Morgan did an unbelievable job planning this event and it will have significant impacts on the children, teens and veterans we serve this year and next.  We are very appreciative of the participating clubs and companies, and of course all the generous donors.”

For every $100 donated, donors will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (includes two Garden View rooms) and a foursome to play one round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The prize package also includes $1,500 towards airfare, trip expenses, etc. Certain restrictions apply. Drawing to be held February 27, 2023. Winner will book their trip directly with Pebble Beach Resorts. The winning certificate does not expire, and the golf and room rates are valid for one year.  For example: $300 donation = 3 chances to win.

Ready to donate? Please support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day to support our children and veterans.  Please visit our donation page for a secure online tax-deductible contribution. 

Ready to play?  There is still time.  Please visit our website for more information or contact [email protected]

 College Scholarships Awarded

Chapter alumni Katie Harwood, Annery Abreu and Trevor Tarashuk were recently awarded college scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year.  Our scholarship fund was founded with a grant from Andrew and Robin Hunt (pictured above middle left) in memory of former Director Erling Speer (pictured above middle right).  

A portion of Katie’s scholarship, known as the “Rosie,” was funded by board member Bobby Hendel in memory of Tim Rosaforte (pictured above right) for students interested in pursuing a career in the sports industry.  Katie is attending Indian River Community College this fall and plans to enroll in a Florida four-year college in the spring.  Annery will be graduating Chowan University in December and plans to work as an Assistant Golf Professional at Fairwinds Golf Course.  Trevor is entering his sophomore year in the PGA Golf Management program at Florida Gulf Coast University.

(Pictured above left: Katie and Annery with the big check at our scholarship reception at PGA TOUR Superstore.)