Category: News

Students Play Player Foundation Tourney

Chapter students Asha Farrelly and Davis Lucas played in the exclusive Reunion tournament sponsored by The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter. The event celebrated the reunion of lifelong friends & Vivienne’s birthday. The event’s focus was to raise funds through the sale of teams and an auction to benefit organizations that lift children out of poverty through education, health, and housing.

Pictured above left to right are golf legends: Nancy Lopez, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Retired NFL player Victor Green, Asha Farrelly, Gary Player, Ian-Baker Finch, Lee Trevino and Dennis Walters.

Special SHOUT OUT to Amanda -Leigh Player Hall for inviting and coordinating our First Tee students to play.

Jayda Earns Evans Caddie Scholarship

Congratulations to chapter student Jayda Dookie for earning The Evans Scholars Caddie Scholarship! The Evans Scholars Foundation is a charitable trust that provides full, four-year tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving caddies. The Foundation is overseen by the Western Golf Association.  To earn the scholarship, students must demonstrate a strong caddie record, exemplary grades, financial need and leadership and community service.

Jayda is a senior at Suncoast Community High School in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) and Innovative Interactive Technology (IT) magnets. During high school, she caddied at Seminole Golf Club and completed a total of 90 loops. She plans to study Business Administration and International Studies at college.

“This was a big commitment and to be honest, I was not sure I could pull it off as a Suncoast IB student while also playing competitive golf,” said Jayda.  “The caddie experience changed my life because of the people I met and their mentoring me to choose a career path.”

Our chapter has partnered with seven clubs in Palm Beach County that have teens caddying to eventually apply for the scholarship.  The clubs currently involved are The Bear’s Club, Seminole, Old Marsh, The Country Club of Florida, Gulfstream, Pine Tree and Boca Rio.  If your club is interested in helping teens, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Program Spotlight: Christ Fellowship Of Belle Glade

We recently resumed programming in partnership with Christ Fellowship at the Belle Glade Municipal Golf Course. Throughout the week of spring break, Coach Nyla Sims, Patty Cepeda-Russell, and Roy Lee had 50+ students participating in our First Tee programs.

“We have enjoyed a long history in the Glades,” said Executive Director Carl Mistretta.  “A lot of people do not even realize that the Glades are actually in Palm Beach County and part of our territory.  COVID put all these programs on hold, but now we are back in full force.”

Summer Camps

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.

We Mourn The Loss Of Bob Massimini

Bob was larger than life and a long-time fixture at our veterans’ programs and events.  We miss his smile and sense of humor.  And of course, he always charmed the ladies.

“You come back from combat,” explains Massimini. “You have mental stress. And this is what this golf stuff is all about. You go out there, and you take that stress out on that little white ball. I make sure that I can come to the Honda Classic every year. I meet people at Dyer Park, and I really have a good time.”

Robert Massimini died at the age of 97 on April 12. He was born on November 10, 1925, in Pittsburgh. He served in the Navy and worked as an umpire.

Robert is survived by his daughter Dana Price, son-in-law Chris Price, stepchildren Dallas, Debbie, Gary, and Marybeth, as well as his granddaughter Amy Hamilton, granddaughter Morgan Schavolt, step-granddaughters Autumn and Julie, and great-grandchildren Amelia, Emma, and Dallas James.

Memorial Service
April 30, 2023
1:30 p.m.
Community of Hope Church
14055 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470

Sponsor Spotlight: Gunther Motor Company

Gunther Motor Company is owned and operated by the Gunther Family and has been selling and servicing cars in South Florida since 1969. The company has Volkswagen, Volvo, Mazda, KIA, and used car dealerships in South Florida. The dealership is now into their third generation of family members working for their organization. With their gift of support to our chapter, Gunther Motor Company’s goal is to allow us to continue to empower and support children across Broward County.

Veteran Spotlight: Steve Greenstein

Steve Greenstein, Army, has been playing golf for the last 4 years as a part of our veterans’ golf programs.

When talking about his experience in our programs at Club at Weston Hills, he said: “The coaches are great, and I continue to improve my game with their instruction. I am grateful to First Tee – Broward for providing this program for us.”

Great Fun At The Kiwanis Golf Tournament

Our Chapter sent a foursome to play in the Kiwanis Tamarac Golf Tournament.  Our team consisted of Coach Robert Ferzoco and Chapter students Elisa Hernandez, David Sandino, and Andres Hernandez. This is the second year in a row we have participated in this annual event at Woodmont Country Club. The team shot a best ball team score of 63 with 9 birdies and 9 pars. Elisa Hernandez even won the longest drive of the days for the ladies!

Thank you to Linda Brown-Doriot who coordinated for us to be able to play in the event. A special thank you to Michele McMahon who purchased the foursome and donated it to our chapter.

New Program At The Super School

Our Chapter has partnered with Super School, a 501c3 non-profit special education school to offer an eight-week golf program to twenty-four children with special needs at the school in Plantation. Super School’s primary goal is to assist students with varying disabilities reach their utmost potential in a supporting and nurturing environment. The class is taught by Coach Robert Ferzoco along with the assistance of many of the Super School team.  Special thanks to Director Mrs. Caitlyn and Assistant Director/Lead Teacher Ms. Teena for their help in coordinating the program.

Special Needs Program Spotlights: Lion Star Academy

We recently began a four-week special needs golf program with Lion Star Academy to serve fourteen children. Week one was taught by Coach Robert Ferzoco along with the assistance of the many of the Lion Star Academy staff. Special thanks to office managers Nicole Javier and Lisa Bennett for their help in coordinating and assisting in the program.