Category: News

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.

Over forty supporters played 100 holes of golf in one day in our Chapter’s largest fundraiser of the year.  Round one of the 100-Hole Challenge was played at the Rees 9-hole par-3 course at Coral Ridge Country Club in morning and afternoon waves.  Players at the Rees 9 even included local high school students.  Round two was played in the comforts of air conditioning in simulators at Lauderdale Links.

Donations are still coming in for their efforts, so we are not yet ready to announce the winners.  Leaders in the clubhouse are Stan Schachne as the #1 fundraiser with over $12,000 raised.  Pictured left: Stan is playing his 100 holes in Scotland!  Adios is leading the golf club division with over $10,000 raised.  Oliver Meyer is leading the high school division with over $10,000 raised.  Watch out as Directors Greg Thompson and Buddy Mansor are making a run!

All players who raise over $2,000 earn a $500 shopping spree from:

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

For every $100 donated, our supporters will be entered into a raffle to win a two room 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and a foursome of golf at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.

HUGE SHOUT OUT to all the players and Coral Ridge Country Club and Lauderdale Links for hosting!  Donations raised will fund community outreach programs, provide for student financial aid, buy equipment, train coaches and so much more.

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 eight alumni (Pictured above right: The winners with Chapter Directors, staff, and Coaches). From the Broward Chapter, Evan Kicker, became our first scholarship recipient.  He will be attending Indian River State College to study criminal justice. Our grants are generously funded by the Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship and the PGA Tour Superstore’s Teen Retention and DE&I Grants. (Pictured above left: Chapter President and Trustee Greg Thompson holding the big check with Evan.)

Greg Myer, U.S. Marine Corps, has been playing golf on and off for the past 10 years, but started taking it more seriously in 2019 when he enrolled in our golf programs.

When talking about his experience in our programs, he said: “The Mission United First Tee program has been a blessing to me, helping keep me active and connected with other veterans.  Learning the game of golf with professional coaches has not only helped to improve my game, but my mental health and resilience.  It is great to get out on the golf course and connect with so many great people.”

Our veterans’ programs are generously sponsored by The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

Interested in joining our veterans’ programs?  Please visit our website for more information.

Chapter student Jahsiah Bowie was chosen for the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia. This is a five-day learning and empowerment academy. Students selected to attend the academy participated in important conversations involving issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position our teens to be advocates for justice and social change in their current and future communities. First Tee Game Changers Academy is the ultimate tribute to our former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.

Two of our Chapter students were chosen to attend life-changing trips with our partnership with PGA Tour Superstore. After a 5-week locally led Leadership Series by Superstore General Managers, students are then nominated and chosen for two different Leadership Summits to expand their leadership skills.

David Sandino was chosen to attend the First Tee Leadership Summit in Montana. Set in the unforgettable backdrop of Arthur Blank’s private West Creek Ranch, each teen is challenged to build on their current strengths and values in an intimate setting which provides community building, inspiration and connection with their peers, adult mentors, and the outdoors. Activity-based workshops are facilitated by leaders from PGA Tour Superstore headquarters, West Creek Ranch, and First Tee headquarters.

Kai Clark traveled to PGA Tour Superstore’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta along with 47 other teens to develop new leadership skills by learning about the powerful impact sports have on community, business and civic pride. The academy provides an opportunity for teens to explore team dynamics that enhance their future performance as they collaborate with peers and adult mentors. Activity-based workshops are facilitated by leaders from the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes Benz Stadium, and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Congratulations to Chapter participant Ryan Shimony for receiving the Junior Golf Association’s Citizens & Sportsmanship Award! This is awarded to the boy or girl of any age who is an outstanding young person in the JGA program. A list of candidates is compiled with recommendations for character, attitude, leadership on and off the course.

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 Angelina Guertin (pictured above left). The Palm Beaches team shot a tournament record score of 65 to edge Broward with a 69 and Treasure Coast with a 76.

The Broward team (pictured above right) included Ryan Shimony, Emilio Katsilometes, Audrey Bacic, and Isabella Rubio.

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.