WEBSTERS NEWEST CHAPTER TRUSTEES

Our Chapter has recently welcomed a new Trustee family. 

Longtime supporters Jeffrey and Marion Webster (pictured above) support our chapter through the Webster Family Foundation. Jeff’s father, John A. Webster Jr, along with his wife Ann, established the foundation, which has generously contributed to many important causes, including the Orchard House, the New England Veterinary Medical Association and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. John was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Nashawtuc Country Club and the Johns Island Club. 

Jeff and Marion have continued the tradition of the Webster Family Foundation with a Trustee pledge. Jeff and Marion are dedicated golfers and are looking forward to attending their first Trustee meeting this fall at Pebble Beach.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR PROGRAMS

Summer camps and programs in full swing. Register now!

Our program locations include: 
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• Drive Shack
• John Prince Golf Learning Center
• The Golf Club of Jupiter 
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Madison Green Country Club
• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center – Dyer Park
• North Palm Beach Country Club
• Okeeheelee Golf Course
• Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
• Park Ridge Golf Course
• Southwinds Golf Course
• Westchester Country Club
• The Village Golf Club
For more information and to register, please visit our website.

TYLER QUALIFIES FOR THE US AMATEUR!!

Chapter alumnus Tyler Mistretta shot three under par for two days at Hobe Sound Golf Club to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.  This was his first attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. 

He shot even par in his first round. During round two, he started off hot with an eagle on the first hole. He stayed red-hot with five birdies over the next seven holes for a 32 on the front nine. He closed with a 37 on the back with eight pars and a single bogey for his final round of 69. Chapter Program Director Zack Anderton caddied for the second round.

Tyler earned the second of two spots to advance to the U.S. Amateur at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J. August 15th to 21st. Nearly 8,000 players from around the world tried to qualify for one of the 312 available spots in the tournament. The 312 players will play a two-day stroke play tournament to narrow the field to 64 players to compete in match play to determine the eventual champion.

“This is simply unbelievable!” exclaimed Tyler.  “So many people help make this happen from my parents, First Tee staff, the SFPGA, FSGA and AJGA, Jack Nicklaus, Bob Ford, my high school coaches to Coach White and my teammates at Florida Southern, Ed Humenick my swing coach, Drake Kelso my club fitter and Stephen Sweeney my putting coach.  I just cannot thank all the people that have helped me achieve this goal in my first attempt.”

Tyler is going into his sophomore year at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. He is a member of the Mocs golf team and is the first Florida Southern men’s golfer to play in the U.S. Amateur since Marc Dull in 2016.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB SLC

Our Chapter has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County in their many clubs across the county. 

“The pinnacle of our partnership is the funding and installation of our new golf complex at their Westside Club,” said Anthony Coletta, Chapter Director of Operations. “We expect to enroll hundreds of students in First Tee programs each year at Westside. It is a game changer for these students and our chapter.”

Pictured above: Coach Willie Scott with a great group of BGC SLC teenagers that are fully engaged in his programs.

CMAA 100-HOLE CHALLENGE TIME – WHO’S PLAYING?

Want to play 6 free rounds of golf? It is time again to play 100 holes in one day to support the thousands of children and veterans in our programs. Clubs that have participated to support our chapter include Harbour Ridge, Hobe Sound Golf Club, Willoughby, Piper’s Landing, The Yacht & Country Club. Who else is in this year? Last year we raised over $20,000.

Country Clubs can play and so can individual golfers. For more information please visit our website or contact Anthony Coletta at [email protected] or 603-969-5477.

THE HONDA CLASSIC SETS A NEW CHARITABLE RECORD

They did it once again! In 2022, The Honda Classic raised and distributed over $6.4 million to 100 local charities including $2 million to the Nicklaus Children Healthcare Foundation.  Their charitable giving broke their previous record and impacted the lives of 100,000 children in 2022.

Honda Classic Executive Director Emeritus Ken Kennerly and new Honda Classic Executive Director Andrew George presented the BIG check to summer camp students and Chapter Executive Carl Mistretta, Director of Program Development Emily Valentine and Coach Gail Galin.  

The Honda Classic is a Founding Partner of our chapter and Kennerly serves as Vice Chairman of our Board of Directors.  The tournament’s financial support to our organization each year represents one of the largest PGA TOUR event donations to a First Tee chapter.  Through our many events, engagements and awarded grants in partnership with the tournament, the total amount donated to our chapter in 2022 was $170,890.00.

NEW CHAPTER DIRECTOR CHRIS BURR LAUNCHES THE 2%+ CLUB

What is the 2%+ Club?
Our Chapter launched the 2%+ Club with the goal of golf enthusiasts donating 2% or more of their annual golf expenses to our children and veterans. For the typical golf enthusiast 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! What are your total golf expenses each year? Next, multiply that amount by 2%. Then, divide that amount by 12 months. This amount becomes your monthly donation, and your pledge is processed securely online on our website.

Questions?
Contact Chapter Director, Chris Burr, at [email protected] or call at (561) 400-5970.

NEW CHAPTER COACH BEN TEACHING MARTIN COUNTY PARKS & REC

Originally from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Coach Ben Miller, PGA started playing golf at the age of 12 where on the golf course by his grandmother’s home. He played high school golf for 4 years before moving to Saint Augustine, FL to attend Flagler College where he graduated in 2016. While in college, he worked at Marsh Creek Country Club. After graduating, he was hired by the club as a golf professional where he was assigned the responsibility to establish a junior golf program. He left Marsh Creek with a successful junior golf program in early 2022 to move to south Florida to be closer to family. 

Coach Ben has completed First Tee Level I training and is already very active at Sailfish Sands, Westside Golf Complex and many other program locations in the Treasure Coast. He is conducting a summer camp with Martin County Parks & Rec. He is teaching the program at their campus, but our goal is to bring the students to Sailfish Sands once all phases of their renovations are complete. Coach Ben had a big turnout with 19 participants! 

Pictured above: Coach Ben with the students learning about Respect and Honesty.

NEWLY RENOVATED SAILFISH POINT TO HOST OUR 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 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. 

12noon lunch and warm-up, 1:00pm shotgun. Play your own ball, no scramble, limited field. One best ball of the foursome. This is your chance to join our current sponsors of Amazon Web Services, PGA TOUR Superstore and Comcast. We are offering a variety of sponsor opportunities

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

PROGRAM LOCATION SPOTLIGHT – CHAMPION’S CLUB

Champion’s Club students recently played a 3-hole tournament to end their 6-week session program under Coach Steven. 

“The Champions Club has been a fantastic partner,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “David Ladd, their General Manager, was one of our first chapter coaches and their ownership has been very supportive of First Tee for many years. They have also invested to upgrade their driving range and added a new short game area, which our students really enjoy.”

Our Saturday morning programs are a great way to introduce kids and teens to the game of golf along with the life skills curriculum of First Tee. To sign up for programs at Champions Club please visit our website.

JOHN SEDWITZ NEWEST CHAPTER DIRECTOR

Our Chapter welcomes John Sedwitz as the newest member of our Treasure Coast Board. John first joined our chapter as a volunteer and has contributed by coaching the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County and at Banner Lake Community Center. 

John is a year-round resident of Hobe Sound where he and his wife, Ginny, enjoy living in such a wonderful community. With his role as a Director, John will contribute to the success and growth of our organization and strives to ensure that our students learn to love the game of golf, but also learn to be responsible, accountable, and productive individuals.

John has 37 years of business experience and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hobe Sound Golf Club Property Owners Association. John is excited to continue to coach, but also serve as a Director for our Chapter.

SUMMER CAMPS IN FULL SWING!

Summer camps and programs are in full swing. Register now!

Our program locations include: 
• Crane Watch Club
• The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• The Champions Club
• Trident Golf Club
• Jensen Beach Golf Club
• Fairwinds Golf Course
• Sailfish Sands Golf Course
• First Tee League
 
For more information and to register, please visit our website.