Category: News

Our partnership with Mission United introduces us to veterans to participate in a year-round golf instructional program. Veterans who advance through the program are invited for a round of golf with Veteran Outreach Director Jack Bloomfield. Subbing for Jack Bloomfield at our last golf outing was Veterans Coach Garry Moses. The round was played at the Parkland Golf and Country Club. Veteran participants were Kevin Sutton, Erik Ducharme, Coach Garry Moses and Karriem Edwards. Special thanks to Parkland Director of Golf, Paul Crespo for hosting the outing. 

The Young Professionals support our Chapter through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and by broadening awareness in the Broward area as ambassadors of our organization. The group recently held an event at PGA TOUR Superstore with a great turnout and a successful night of networking and fellowship. More than 20 young men and women attended to learn more about First Tee and the thousands of children and veterans we serve. Interested in joining the Young Professionals? Please visit our website for more information.

Clubs and players are signing up now!

Sponsorships are now available for our golf tournament at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club on Monday, October 10th. 12:00noon warm-up and lunch. 1:00pm shotgun with dinner and drinks following golf. Play your own ball, not a scramble, limited field.

Spirit Airlines, PGA TOUR Superstore, Comcast Business have already committed to sponsorships. Please visit our sponsor page for more information or contact [email protected].

Introducing our newest First Tee School Program at Silver Ridge Elementary School in Davie. Carol Bayazitoglu is the Physical Education teacher teaching the program in her K-5 classes. The school received one of our grants for golf equipment and curriculum in March and the students were introduced to golf in May.  Coach Carol said, “The kids love it, and we will begin the program again during the first week of school in the Fall.”

Natalie Sosa, 13 grabbed a victory at Indian Spring CC in the SFPGA Junior Links Tour in the Girls 12-14 Division. She is a Chapter student at Davie Golf Club.

Rafa Barreto also won on the SFPGA Junior Prep Tour with his career low tournament score of 74 at Hammock Creek. He’s been an active First Tee participant for the last 5 years at Grand Palms and now at Davie.

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour has a membership of more than 1,300 junior golfers ages 6-18 and conducts more than 120 tournaments annually. They strive to provide opportunities to those juniors who possess the potential skill and aspirations to compete at the high school or collegiate level, in addition to those who are new to the game.

Summer camps and programs in full swing. Register now!

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
– Pompano Beach Golf Club
– Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club
– The Club at Weston Hills
– The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club
– Eagle Trace Golf Club

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

Maxo Louis is 57 years old and served in the Air Force. Max has been playing golf for just 4 weeks. This was he first session in our 8-week program. 

Max shared some comments about his experience with our veterans’ program: “At first, I was not sure if I could hit the ball down range. Then I met Coach John the first week and he made it seem so easy. Last week, coach Nick watched me hitting some balls and he corrected lots of my bad habits. Today I feel a lot more comfortable, and I had a lot of fun. I met Mr. Wesley who also work at the Miami V.A. hospital, and we plan on being golf buddies as an encouragement to practice often and to improve our skill and knowledge of the game. I would like to thank First Tee for providing this program which gave me a once in a lifetime chance of learning golfing on a prestigious golf course like The Club at Weston Hills.”

This program is generously funded by The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

Three programs are currently being conducted with program partners that serve children with special needs by First Tee Coach Greg Mingo.

The mission of LIFE Development Center is to assist individuals with special needs to experience life to their fullest potential. LIFE explores new and exciting experiences for its students, giving them the ability to choose which classes they attend based on their interests and goals. 

Twelve participants from the school are being hosted at Pembroke Pines Country Club. SHOUT OUT to LIFE Directors Lisa Suite and Noel Hall for their continued support in hosting the program and LIFE staff member Miss Chi for her assistance in teaching the class.

The central purpose and role of Divine Academy is to provide students with special needs the means and knowledge for independent living and to enter the workforce through educational, vocational, and life skills instruction in a safe, nurturing, and structured environment.

Eleven participants from the school are being hosted at Pembroke Pines Country Club. SHOUT OUT to the Divine Directors Pam Vogelsang and Ingrid Garcia for their continued support in our partnership for this program.

The David Posnack Jewish Community Center enriches lives by connecting people through cultural, educational, social, recreational and wellness programs in an environment of fun, friendship and unity. The J is open to all and proudly guided by Jewish values.

We are conducting golf program at the J for students with special needs with seven participants. SHOUT OUT to J Center Director Debbie Lombard for her great support of our partnership for this program.

Limited spots available. Experience what it is like to be a college athlete for 3 days at Keiser University’s Golf Coaching Center

Train on state-of-the-art equipment, play three rounds of golf, stay in the college dorms, and three meals a day are included.

Dates: June 28-30, Cost: $700

Registration Requirements: Open to students 14-18 years old and enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school

Males required handicap 12.0 or lower, females 14.0 or lower.

Please register on our website.

For information, please view the academy flier or contact Connie Capanegra at [email protected]

Longtime chapter supporter, Bernhard Langer, made a HUGE donation of clubs and Longtime chapter supporter, Bernhard Langer, made a HUGE donation of clubs and equipment. John Linn, 2021 Volunteer of the Year and Veteran Outreach coordinator, Jack Bloomfield made a visit to Bernhard’s home to pick up over 600 clubs including iron sets, woods, wedges, and putters. Some of the clubs donated were even used in many of his worldwide victories over his 50-year career.

Bernhard is a member of the Golf World Hall of Fame, has won 119 tournaments across the globe including the 1985 and 1993 Masters, has been a member of 10 European Ryder Cup teams and was the captain of the 2004 Ryder Cup team for Europe.

Pictured above, left to right: John Linn, Bernhard Langer, Jack Bloomfield.

Many of our program locations are offering weekly summer camps. Register now for a great week of golf and fun.

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
– Pompano Beach Golf Club
– Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club
– The Club at Weston Hills
– The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club
– Eagle Trace Golf Club

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