Category: News

RAFAEL “RAFA” BARRETO-JIMENEZ LIGHTING UP SFPGA JUNIOR PREP TOUR

The SFPGA Junior Prep Tour is no match for 9-year-old Rafael “Rafa” Barreto-Jimenez!

Rafa has won two of his last three tournaments and has climbed his way into 2nd place on the Player of the Year points standings! 

In July, he used the Spirit Airlines tickets he won at the First Tee Broward Par-3 Corporate Challenge, to fly to a tournament in Washington, D.C.

His father, Richardo Barreto, said “As a volunteer coach of the First Tee – Broward, and Rafa’s father, I thank Spirit Airlines for the great support given to First Tee year after year.”

100 – HOLE CHALLENGE TIME! WHO IS IN?

Last year we had 63 players and raised $100,000 with over 900 donors to support the thousands of children and veterans in our Broward County programs. Our goal this year is to raise $120,000. We currently stand at $54,000 raised from over 500 donors.

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

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

ISABELLA AND SHREY ARE GAME CHANGERS

Chapter students Isabella Rubio and Shrey Shalia attended the First Tee Game Changers Academy in Philadelphia in July. 

The academy addresses the challenges and experiences our teens face to better equip them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities. The students from across the country who attended this five-day learning and empowerment academy participated in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I honestly had the best experience in my life, said Isabella, “It has made me a better person and has allowed me to see other people’s points of view. I have lots of intel to bring back to our chapter too!”

Shrey added, “The First Tee Game Changers leadership program was an eye-opening experience that taught me the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I believe privilege is an opportunity that should not go to waste and brings the responsibility to give back.”

GREAT FUN AT SUMMER CAMP

Students had a fantastic time at ALLGOLF summer camp. The highlight of the week was a Drive, Chip and Putt competition.  

Congratulations to Nicole who took 1st place!  She sunk a 40-footer (on her final putt) which earned her 200 points and propelled her into the lead!  She ended up with 495 points total from the three categories. 

It came down to a tie between Michelle and Colin for 2nd and 3rd place (400 points each).  This meant a tiebreaker of one long putt – closest to the hole.  Michelle nestled one about 6 inches from the hole, which just edged-out Colin (who hit a great putt to about 2 feet). 

FIRST INAUGURAL CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP!

The Club at Ibis generously hosted our first annual Chapter Championship. Three person teams from the Treasure Coast, Palm Beaches and Broward Chapters competed in a one best-ball format. As expected, it came down to the last few holes with Palm Beaches shooting 2-under par 70 to edge Broward by two shots. The winning Palm Beaches team players were Billy Reid, Zoe Shamy and Jayda Dookie (pictured above left with Palm Beach President Bobby Hendel and Program Coordinator Zack Anderton).

Broward team players were Audrey Bacic, Ryan Shimony and Isabella Rubio (pictured above right).

We also had an individual alumni division won by Tyler Mistretta (pictured above middle) with a bogey free round of 2-under 70 to beat Janelle Johnson by five shots.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

RYAN HEADED TO PEBBLE BEACH

Chapter student Ryan Shimony has been selected to play in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. The tournament is a 54-hole golf event, featuring PGA TOUR Champions professionals, First Tee juniors, and amateurs. The tournament is played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. We are super excited for Ryan on this life changing experience!

FALL PROGRAMS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

Enroll your children in our First Tee programs as golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime!

Our program locations include:
– All Golf at CB Smith Park
– Davie Golf Club
– Hollywood Beach Golf Club
– Parkland Golf & Country Club
– PGA TOUR Superstore – Plantation
– Jess Frank Golf at Deer Creek Country Club
– Pompano Beach Golf Club
– Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club
– The Club at Weston Hills
– The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club
– Eagle Trace Golf Club
– The Club at Emerald Hills

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

SAILFISH POINT HOSTS ANNUAL TOURNEY

Sailfish Point has completed an extensive renovation and re-design of their golf course with Nicklaus Design.

“The new golf course is simply spectacular,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “We are so thankful to the members and staff and very excited they are hosting our tournament on their new course.”

Our annual golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at Sailfish Point. Sponsorships are now available for the event. Our day at this Jack Nicklaus Signature Course includes lunch, gift bag, golf, prizes, dinner and drinks. All players compete in both gross and net divisions.

The schedule consists of noon lunch and warm-up with a 1pm shotgun start. The competition will be playing your own ball, no scramble, with a limited field. One best ball of the foursome.

This is your chance to join our current sponsors of Steady Returns, Wes and Nikki Hightower, Amazon Web Services, PGA TOUR Superstore, Key Private Bank and Comcast. We are offering a variety of sponsor opportunities.

For more information please contact [email protected] or 603-969-5477.

DENNIS WALTERS WINS THE SEATED PLAYERS FLIGHT

Our non-profit organization’s founding mission is serving children with special needs. As such, Dennis Walters has been involved for a long time as is now an Honorary Board Member. Dennis won the Seated Players Flight in the inaugural event at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

This was Walters’ first tournament since he was paralyzed in an accident in 1974. He made an impressive par on his final hole to win the tournament. He chipped the ball off the ninth green to 4 feet by turning in his seat to move his body sideways in his adaptive golf cart. 

Dennis is the only person paralyzed below the waist who earns a living as a professional golfer. To play, he worked with his father and a few friends to fashion a seat on the passenger side of a golf cart. This invention rotates 90 degrees and allows Dennis to play the game he loves. He now conducts The Dennis Walters Golf Show all over the world, a one-hour show with a combination of golf mastery and human inspiration.

JOIN THE 2%+ CLUB

We launched the 2%+ Club with the goal of golf enthusiasts donating 2%+ of their annual golf expenses to our children and veterans. For the typical golfaholic, this equates to between $10 and $50 per month.

All funds raised support the mission of the First Tee – Treasure Coast, which is to impact the lives of young people, including those with special needs, and veterans, by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

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 on our secure website.

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

KEVIN PERKINS GOLF ACADEMY

Kevin Perkins Golf Academy is conducting after school programs at Sailfish Sands. The programs are open to boys and girls ages 7-17. Starting on August 23, there will be nine sessions taking over nine consecutive Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. The curriculum includes golf skills, such as full swing, putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play, as well as First Tee life skills. A TrackMan Launch Monitor is utilized in each session. For more information, contact Kevin at 561 301-3783 / [email protected] or please visit our website.

100 – HOLE CHALLENGE IS UNDERWAY

Our annual 100 – Hole Challenge is underway!

Last year we raised over $25,000 with the help of participating clubs and players. This year the following are participating with a goal to raise $60,000:

Floridian National Golf Club
Jupiter Island Club
Turtle Creek
Directors Jen Hong, Wes Hightower and Richard Chase
Staff from Titleist, Stitch, TaylorMade and Holderness and Bourne

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

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