Tuesday afternoon of tournament week Chapter participants were invited to a special behind the scenes tour of The Honda Classic sponsored by TRUGREEN. The tour included the media center, inside the ropes access to the driving range and putting green and the ShotLink and GolfChannel trucks.
Chapter students, staff and Coaches attended the annual Women’s Leadership Forum presented by The Honda Classic Tuesday of tournament week. The forum was an enlightening and educational event attended by more than 350 women to participate in an engaging discussion on topics vital to their professional and personal development.
The leadership guest speaker was Shannon Miller, Seven-Time Olympic Medalist. Miller, who began competitive gymnastics at a young age and was just 15 years old at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. She won five medals in the Barcelona and returned four years later to lead the United States to the team all-around gold medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
Chapter female students Annika Collado, Jayda Dookie, Isabella Rubio, Maeva Adam, and Natalie Sosa with Coaches Connie Capanegra, Gabbie Budd, Nyla Sims, and Patty Cepeda-Russell enjoyed a wonderful breakfast while listening and asking questions of Sharon Miller.
Tuesday of Honda week was also Mardi Gras. Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta is a New Orleans native and took the opportunity to pass out beads and doubloons to all the kids and even a few adults. Mistretta shared a few Mardi Gras facts with the crowd before the big show began.
Dennis Walters, and PGA Tour professional Andrew Kozan hosted our annual Junior Clinic sponsored by TRUGREEN. The event began with Dennis and Gussie putting on their inspirational show of golf trick shots. As always, the crowd was amazed. Gussie even hit a few shots. Does Dennis ever miss a shot?
Andrew grew up in South Florida and attended The King’s Academy and then played college golf at Auburn. He talked to the kids and teens about challenges in his life and how he practices and manages his game to play professional golf. He watched chapter student Mateo Muniz and alumnus Billy Reid hit some shots for the crowd. Billy hit it far and Mateo hit it straight!
Hot dogs and snacks were served to all that attended. Over 100 juniors joined us for the clinic. Thank you TruGreen for sponsoring our great partnership.
In a tournament week full of student opportunities, it all began with Chapter students playing the Monday Pro Am with PGA TOUR professional Marcus Byrd.
“Wow, that was awesome,” said Mateo. “First, we received all kinds of SWAG- clothes, shoes, golf balls, a golf bag, sunglasses, a cooler and a hat- then we played a golf course in PGA Tour conditions with Marcus, a PGA pro. It was his first time playing the course, but he talked with us the entire day and we had a great time.”
We had two groups of students play, Boys vs Girls! The boys group consisted of Executive Director Carl Mistretta Jr. and students Wylie Inman, Mateo Muniz, and Nashawn Tyson playing with PGA TOUR professional Marcus Byrd. Our Director of Program Development, Emily Valentine, played with Olivia St. Antoine, Audrey Bacic, Annika Collado, and PGA TOUR professional Erik Barnes. For the record, the girls beat the boys this year.
“This is definitely one of our most coveted local participant opportunities,” said Mistretta. “It is made possible because of the support and generosity of The Honda Classic and is reserved for our most dedicated students each year. Want to play in this awesome Pro-Am? Then please join the First Tee!”
What an incredible playoff finish for our local PGA Tour event with Honda in their final year as the title sponsor. Congratulations to Chris Kirk for winning a very exciting 2023 tournament that came down to a playoff. It was his first win on tour in eight years.
Kirk gave up the lead on the final hole after his second shot hit a stone wall just short of the flag and led to a bogey. He then won the tournament over Eric Cole on hole 18, the first playoff hole, with his third shot hit to a few inches of the cup to set up a victory clenching birdie.
The Honda Classic is a Founding Partner of our Chapter. They support our children’s and veterans’ programs throughout the year in many ways from grants, hosting our Monday after the Honda tournament, to providing volunteers and even donating practice balls for our driving range. Honda is ending their title sponsorship of the tournament after 42 years.
“We are sincerely and forever grateful to Honda for supporting our chapter for the last 14 years,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Honda’s incredible contributions to our organization alone total over $1.6 million. They have generously impacted the lives of thousands of children and veterans in our South Florida golf programs.”
Did you know that the “Golf Capital of the World” license plate supports junior golf? When you purchase this license plate you are supporting our chapter and junior golf programs across the state of Florida.
It is very easy to change over to the FJGC license plate when you renew your vehicle registration either by mail or online. Just check or click the box for the FJGC plate!
For more information, please visit the FJGC website.
Please enter our raffle to win a trip to Pebble Beach! For every $100 donated, you will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (includes two Garden View rooms) and a foursome to play one round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The prize package also includes $1,500 towards airfare, trip expenses, etc.
Certain restrictions apply. Drawing to be held February 27, 2023. Winner will book their trip directly with Pebble Beach Resorts. The winning certificate does not expire, and the golf and room rates are valid for one year.
For example: $300 donation = 3 chances to win.
February 23rd to 26th
PGA National Resort & Spa, The Champion Course
Need tournament tickets or hospitality? Please visit the tournament website.
Martin J. Mueller Sr., U.S. Coast Guard, has been playing golf since high school, but started seriously playing the last 3 years as a part of our veterans’ golf programs.
When talking about his experience in our programs at Weston Hills Country Club, he said: “This program under the expert direction of Mr. Jack Bloomfield, is just as unique as it is awesome. The team of coaches assembled at Weston Hills are very impressive. You would be hard-pressed to find a better group, which is comprised of Nick Cupper, Steve Voguit, and, most recently, CJ Chatham. It’s been such a blessing to enjoy the opportunity to learn from these men. I am very excited for the next session to begin so I continue the life-long journey of improving my game.”
Chapter Coaches conducted a 4-week program for N.I.C.K.’s Kids (Nothing’s Impossible for Cancer Kids) at Davie Golf Course. The program consisted of teaching the kids the motion of the golf swing, solid fundamentals, such as grip, stance and posture, and general knowledge of the game of golf.
Coach Luis Damas and Coach Christopher Cupp challenged the kids with giant Tic-Tac-Toe boards and Target Bucket Golf. We even got the parents involved and had a great Par 3 game of kids vs. parents on the final day. Of course, the kids took the victory!
Special thanks to Chapter Director Lou Chiera and the Chiera family for funding this awesome program.
Emilio Katsilometes shot 79 to finish 2nd in the SFPGA Prep Tour at Shell Point Golf Club in Fort Myers. He finished just one shot out of the lead in very windy conditions.
Emilio is a sophomore at Cypress Bay High School and a student at Davie Golf Club. He also volunteers as a junior coach at AllGolf @ C.B. Smith Park with Chapter Coach Chris Cupp, PGA.
