PGA Tour Is Coming To South Florida

Our local PGA Tour event held at PGA National is right around the corner February 29th through March 3rd.   We welcome a new sponsor in 2024.

“I would like to give a warm welcome to Cognizant as the new title sponsor of this historic golf tournament,” said Chapter Director and Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Maria Marino. “PGA National has hosted this fan favorite and family friendly event for almost 17 years and has seen some fabulous finishes. As a resident and member of PGA National and the District 1 County Commissioner, I invite everyone to the new Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. 

Need tournament tickets?  Please visit thecognizantclassic.com for tickets and hospitality options.

Fun Day With Coach Joe

Coach Joe Grohman, PGA hosted 10 veterans from all military branches at the Champions Club in Stuart. Veterans enjoyed a free golf clinic and lunch. We thank all of those who attended for their service and huge SHOUT OUT to General Manager David Ladd, PGA and his staff at the Champions Club for helping enrich the lives of our nation’s heroes.

Farewell Coach Ben

Chapter Coach Ben Miller, PGA accepted the First Assistant Golf Professional position at Monarch Country Club. Coach Ben has been an important part of our team and he will be missed immensely. Throughout Coach Ben’s time at First Tee, he created a positive impact on so many of our students in the Treasure Coast. He had a great repertoire with the students, and he was able to connect with them on a level that goes beyond golf. Best of luck Coach Ben and we hope to see you out there with the juniors in the future.

Congrats Coach Gabbie

Congratulations Chapter Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA on completing her Class A LPGA Certification!

Coach Gabbie has been an LPGA A2 professional since December 2020, and she has spent the last three years attending classes and seminars to complete her Class A. 

Her goal as an instructor is to grow the game that we all love, and through First Tee she has been able to accomplish this goal daily. She finds her role very rewarding, and she has committed herself to building Game Changers through the game of golf. 

We are so proud of Coach Gabbie and look forward to watching her grow in her career and as an integral part of our team.

Mentoring With Big Brothers Big Sisters

This fall, we teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring golf to students at Pinewood Elementary School. Big Brothers Big Sisters focuses on pairing up a “Big” with a “Little” to provide the Littles with a positive role model and to give the Bigs an opportunity to be involved in their community. Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA was a firsthand witness to the success of this program. Each week, the Littles were so excited to see their Bigs, and the Bigs felt the same way!

Fun With Martin County PAL

We recently partnered with the Martin County Police Athletic League (PAL) at Sailfish Sands Golf Course for a 6-week program. Each week, the participants learned golf and life skills we establish through the game. The students learned how to set and pursue goals.

For the final week of class, they had a fun celebration at the indoor hitting bays at Sailfish Sands! Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA taught the program.  She was inspired by the kids’ excitement.  She was thrilled by the enthusiasm that the students demonstrated. We are so proud of these students and their commitment to being Game Changers.

PGA Tour Is Coming To Town

Our local PGA Tour event held at PGA National is right around the corner February 29th through March 3rd.   We welcome a new sponsor in 2024.

“I would like to give a warm welcome to Cognizant as the new title sponsor of this historic golf tournament,” said Chapter Director and Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Maria Marino. “PGA National has hosted this fan favorite and family friendly event for almost 17 years and has seen some fabulous finishes. As a resident and member of PGA National and the District 1 County Commissioner, I invite everyone to the new Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. After all, Palm Beach County is the golf capital of the world.”

Need tournament tickets?  Please visit thecognizantclassic.com for tickets and hospitality options.

Emily Joins The Golden Cubs

The mission of the Golden Cub Ambassador Club is to further the legacy of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation by providing annual support of programs and projects focused on the health and well-being of children and families.

Chapter Senior Program Director Emily Valentine joined the Golden Cubs (pictured above with Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and other GCAC members).

Friends of the Foundation ages 21 to 45 are invited to join the Golden Cub Ambassador Club, because together we can make a difference #ForetheChildren! 100% of the funds raised will be distributed annually to a program or project in support of children’s health care as voted on by the membership.

West Palm Beach 100 Partnership

Chapter staff, students and Directors attended the West Palm 100 event at Drive Shack.  West Palm 100 is a social and civic organization comprised of like-minded individuals that are dedicated to supporting West Palm Beach’s children, families, and neighborhoods through the donation of time, money, and people power.  They host a monthly ‘Happy Hour for a Cause’ at various West Palm Beach establishments, with the proceeds donated to our monthly local charity of choice.  The event and raffle raised over $1,000 to support our mission and programs.