During a recent event at Lily Pulitzer in the Gardens Mall, the store raised over $2,000 for our Chapter in their Shop to Support event. Chapter Coach Nyla Sims attended the event and introduced our organization to many shoppers at the store. SHOUT OUT to Marla at the store for making it all happen!
The Country Club of Florida held a Women’s Charity Day benefiting our Chapter and raised a total of $4,555! A special SHOUT OUT to club member, Sherry Fleming, Head Professional Chris Kushner, and Sharon O’Brian, Head of the Women’s Golf Foundation for organizing this event to support our children and veterans.
Two of our veterans, Devin Shaw and Patty Russell, were sponsored to play in a Veterans Golfer Association tournament. Patty picked up golf for the first time 6 months ago and has already broken 100. In her first two events, she shot 112 and 105. Patty’s USGA handicap started at 38 and has dropped to 23.4. Devin Shaw shot a 93 at Jensen Beach Golf Club and placed 1st in his division with an 85 at Rockledge Country Club. In the past year, Devin has cut his handicap by more than half.
Our veteran’s programs are generously sponsored by Pratt & Whitney and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.
Chapter Philanthropy Coordinator, Chelsea Mistretta, attended the Southeast Florida Honor Flight in April. Honor Flight flies local WWII, Korean & Vietnam War veterans to Washington, DC to visit the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifices. She traveled with Max Misemer, a Vietnam Navy veteran. He served as a corpsman and transported marines and tanks in Vietnam.
The group started their day flying from PBI airport to Washington D.C. bright and early. Their first stop was Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Next, they visited the Air Force Memorial for lunch and a group picture. They concluded the trip at the Vietnam and World War II memorials. When they arrived back at PBI, friends, family, and community members were waiting for them for a massive homecoming.
“This was the experience of a lifetime,” said Chelsea. “Being able to show my appreciation to a man who fought for my freedom is something I will never forget.”
Chapter alumnus Felipe Obando played in the 5th annual United States Disabled Open at PGA Golf Club. This was Felipe’s first tournament for disabled golfers. He has a goal to play in the USGA’s Adaptive Open in the very near future. The United States Disabled Open was conducted by the US Disabled Golf Association with the PGA of America serving as Presenting Partner of this year’s championship.
Chapter alumnus and Ace student Tyler Mistretta won the 2023 Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year award. He is Florida Southern College’s seventh SSC Freshman of the Year after averaging a 73.28 scoring average across 29 rounds. He played in 10 events this season for the FSC Moccasins, finishing in the top-15 five times.
Our special partnership with Gold Coast Down Syndrome continues to grow. What started as a small class to introduce their students to golf, has grown into two amazing programs. We now host programs for the GCDS adults, teens, and tweens twice a week. Wednesdays the adults meet at the GCDS Center and Thursdays the teens and tweens meet at Drive Shack.
Elleson McCumber, a student at Suncoast High School, and 10 others recently volunteered to help students improve their golf games. Elleson organized this event through the S&S Society with other high school students in the area. The volunteers met students from the First Tee Golf Club at Franklin Elementary and Middle School with Coaches Sam and Dariel. The high school students were paired up with the younger students and accompanied them to three skill stations before heading out to our par-3 course to caddie and play.
Sara Valentine, a Chapter student with Coach Connie Capanegra won her third consecutive Girl’s 11-12 Prep Tour title at Eagle Trace Golf Club. Sara won by three strokes. Way to go Sara!
Kids and teens registered for our on-course programs will soon have a new way to bring First Tee home! The First Tee App has games and challenges that will reinforce the life and golf skills they learn on the course. Your participant will earn badges and points as they complete the activities in the App, encouraging them to continue playing and tracking their progress over time.
The First Tee App will be available for download on your mobile device or tablet or from your computer’s internet browser on May 31.
2022 was a great year! Please review our Annual Report to learn how we impact our community.
Summer is almost here! Enroll your children in our Palm Beach County programs. We have 16 program locations across the county.
Classes are grouped by ages. All ages (from 2 to 18 years old) are invited to Saturday classes at the Finnegan Learning Center at Dyer Park!
2-3 years old: Little Chippers
4-6 years old: Rugrats
7-9 years old
10-14 years old
15-18 years old
For more information and to register, please visit our website.
