Category: News

Spring Season PGA Jr. League at Davie G.C. kicked off in early April. 22 Chapter students, both boys and girls, ages 7 to 16, registered to play in this 8-week season. One of the most important aspects of PGA Jr. League is the team component. All students are part of a local team of four or more players. 

Each team is typically broken down into two-person pairs who play together in games. ‍All League games are played in a two-person scramble format.

Next step is for our Chapter Team to compete in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season.

Each month, members of our veterans’ programs play an 18-hole round at rotating golf courses in Broward. In March, the Mission United Veterans foursome visited Woodmont C.C. in Tamarac. The monthly 18-hole golf outing is usually lead by veteran outreach director, Jack Bloomfield but subbing for him this month was First Tee volunteer, John Linn. 

Special thanks to Woodmont Golf Professional Lee Shapes for hosting this month’s foursome.

Pictured above from left to right: John Linn, Martin Mueller, Tom Kruse, Freddie Williams.

Frank Schmidt is 75 years old and served in the US Air Force. He has been participating in our programs for 3 years. He mostly plays Pompano Golf Course where some of the Mission United Veterans programs are held. 

Frank said, “I can see the light at the end of my golf tunnel. The confidence building efforts by some wonderful First Tee instructors has been exceptional. I am not sure how Jack Bloomfield puts it all together for us veterans, but he sure makes us happy. First Tee has given me a new and healthy outlook. There is yet another heart felt praise for this program in that it has brought together a number of service people that have and will turn into regular golf foursomes and of course friends.”

Mission United Veterans is a monthly event where Broward veterans receive 8 weeks of golf instruction at rotating golf courses in Broward. The different host locations are Pompano Beach Golf Course (picture left) coached by TJ Ziol and Darrell Welker and volunteer Garry Moses. Eagle Trace Golf Club (picture middle) coached by Darrell Welker and Jairo Hernandez and volunteers John Linn and Pat Bennett. Weston Hills (pictured right) coached by Nick Cupper and Steve Voguit and volunteer John Linn.

Each week the veterans play a putting or chipping contest and the winner gets to take home a dozen Titleist golf balls. 

Winner: Pompano Beach Golf Course – Tony Bianco
Winner: Eagle Trace Golf Club – Charlie Schmidt
Winner: Weston Hills – Karriem Edwards

These programs are generously funded by the Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

Our chapter is continuing our partnership with the Orange Bowl Committee with a Community Outreach Program at community middle schools. Sixteen students attended the program taught by First Tee Coaches Karen Michaels and Robert Ferzoco.

The program reached three middle schools (Lauderdale Lakes Middle School, Driftwood Middle School, and Plantation Middle School) in Broward County this month. The program will also reach Silver Lakes Middle School located in North Lauderdale and McNicol Middle School located in Hollywood.

Pictured above: Teacher Miss Gresham and the students at Plantation Middle School.

Chris Cupp, PGA recently joined our full-time staff as our newest Chapter Coach. Chris is a PGA Professional and has over 30 years of experience in the golf industry. Chris has previously coached with our Chapter and has been recognized as a leader in junior golf development programs. He will be working with First Tee, special needs and veterans’ programs. We are very excited to have Coach Chris join our team.

Golf is a sport that grandparents can play with their children and their grandchildren.

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.