Category: News

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.

CMAA 100-Hole Challenge In Full Swing

Twenty supporters played 100 holes of golf in one day in our Chapter’s largest fundraiser of the year at the Palm Beach Par 3.  Players were from area golf clubs and even local high school students and chapter alumni.   The following golf clubs are playing so far:BallenIsles
Bear Lakes
Boca Rio
Broken Sound
Delaire
Hunters Run
Ibis
Mayacoo
Mirasol
Old Palm
Seminole
Trump Jupiter- and more to come!

Donations are still coming in for their efforts and some clubs have yet to play, so we are not yet ready to announce the winners.  Leaders in the clubhouse are our Executive Director, Carl Mistretta Jr. as the #1 fundraiser with over $11,000 raised.  Old Palm is leading the golf club division with over $6,000 raised.  Wylie Inman is leading the high school division with over $4,000 raised.

All players who raise over $1,500 earn a $500 shopping spree from:

Pictured above left: Team Boca Rio of Chris Duquette and Nate Bashaw won the most birdies competition with 30.

Pictured above middle: On the last shot of the day, Michael Kolar scored a hole-in-one!

There is still time to donate and support our 100-Holers on our secure donation website.

HUGE SHOUT OUT to Tony Chateauvert, PGA and the Palm Beach Par 3 for hosting!  Donations raised will fund community outreach programs, provide for student financial aid, buy equipment, train coaches and so much more.

There are still opportunities to play and join in on the fun.  Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Chapter Awarded Teen Retention & DEI Grant

PGA Tour Superstore is a Trustee Corporate Partner of First Tee. Their generosity with First Tee is tremendous across the country.  We conduct programming in their stores, hold events and meetings and many of our students work at the stores.  In addition, they conduct a Leadership Series each year for our students in the stores.  Attending students are then nominated and selected for two Leadership Summits in Atlanta and Montana, both life-changing trips.

Recently, our chapter was awarded $26,000 from PGA Tour Superstore for teen retention and DE&I initiatives.  We are so excited that our Chapter can award more college scholarships to our alumni and continue to grow diversity in the game of golf.

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 Palm Beaches Chapter Tyler Mistretta, Sebastian Nachilly, Felipe Obando, Billy Reid, Jayda Dookie, and Jacie Goodman were awarded college scholarships for their 2023-2024 school year (pictured above left).

Our grants are generously funded by the Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship, the PGA Tour Superstore’s Teen Retention and DE&I Grants, Keiser University College of Golf, the Asher Hendel Memorial Scholarship, the Tim “Rosie” Rosaforte Memorial Scholarship and the Bruce “Flash” Fleisher Memorial Scholarship.

Tyler is entering his junior year at Florida Southern where he is playing on the golf team and majoring in Finance. Sebastian is entering his junior year at Ole Miss where he is majoring in business and economics. Jacie is attending the University of Michigan as a sophomore and earned the Evans Caddie Scholarship. Jayda is a freshman and earned the Evans Caddie Scholarship to attend Michigan State University majoring in International Business.  Felipe and Billy are attending the Keiser University College of Golf as sophomores and were awarded a scholarship through First Tee funded by Keiser University.

Behind The Scenes Tour Of Western Amateur Telecast

First Tee alumni Jacie Goodman and Katelyn Harwood were joined by Chapter participant Melvin Watson for a tour of Lowell Thaler Media’s studio during preparation for the production of the WGA’s Western Amateur.  The students met the behind-the-scenes production team that work together to bring the tournament’s live coverage to Golf Channel’s digital platforms. Both Jacie and Katelyn are in college with an interest in entering the sports management industry after graduation.  Jacie is an Evans Caddie Scholar attending the University of Michigan after caddying four years at Old Marsh Golf Club to earn the scholarship. Katelyn is attending Rollins College majoring in Business Management with a minor in Communications.

The Western Amateur is renowned for being the toughest test in amateur golf. It has been a prestigious national championship since its founding in 1899. Many of golf’s greatest players have etched their names on the George R. Thorne Trophy, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Chick Evans.

Special SHOUT OUT to Lowell for hosting the students. They were blown away by the technology and teamwork it takes to produce the telecast.

Coach Glen’s Students Rock Drive, Chip & Putt

Coach Glen Beaver had SO many students participate in Drive, Chip & Putt this year! Jaclyn Nolen, Abriella Morrisson, Blake Mayer, Amelia Meadows, Skyler Nolen, Vivian Sterijevski, Sofia Mayer, and Mateo Muñiz all competed and posted fantastic scores.

“I am proud of each of them.  Competition is tough at every level.  Sometimes the nerves take over and sometimes they drive you to success.  No matter the outcome, they key is to have fun and learn something to improve for next year,” said Coach Glen.

Five Beaver Golf junior students are moving on to the sub-Regionals hosted at BallenIsles Country Club.  They are: Jaclyn, Abriella, Blake, Amelia, Vivian and Mateo.

Keiser University College Golf Prep Academy

Chapter participant Melvin Watson attended Keiser University’s First Tee College Golf Prep Academy. In late June, the students worked with the golf professionals at Keiser to improve their games and learn what it is like to play college golf, including living in dorms. Some activities included playing Bear Lakes Country Club, The Falls Club and the Palm Beach Par 3, hitting balls at Drive Shack, and attending a class at Body and Core Pilates. Guest speakers included Coach Brandon Miller, College of Golf Instructor David Wixson, College of Golf Program Director Brian Hughes. 

PAL Takes Over Dyer Park

Wow what a day! Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League hosted a Summer Wrap Up Scavenger Hunt/Field Day and we’re joined by PAL groups from West Palm Beach, Davie, North Miami, and Riviera Beach.    Three different South Florida counties were represented!

Over 160 athletes competed in a First Tee Golf station, flag football, basketball, soccer, relay races, and more! Special thank you to the many officers who volunteered, the PBSO Grill Team who provided lunch, and Kona Ice who ended the day with a sweet treat!