Category: News

Jack Bloomfield, our previous Director of Operations, is helping raise money for the Parkland 17 memorial.

A little more than a year ago, Jack joined a team of community servants in support of building a public memorial honoring the 17 victims of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This devastating day happened a little over 7 years ago on February 14, 2018, and literally changed our community of Parkland and Coral Springs forever.

The memorial, designed by Gordon Huether of Napa, California, was the final selection of over 55 submissions from artists around the world. It has been designed with input from the victims’ families and the community at large. The memorial will be a place of healing and remembrance that will be standing for hundreds of years honoring and remembering the 17 lives lost on that tragic day. The building site will be on the old Heron Bay Golf Course.

Jack has created a donation page to support the memorial and we hope our Chapter family will assist in their fundraising efforts.

To learn more about the Parkland17 Foundation please visit www.parkland17.org

Isabella said about the experience, “Feeling incredibly grateful to have been selected to attend PXG’s #SheGolfs Day to Play Experience in collaboration with First Tee. From start to finish, the experience was unforgettable. I received a custom PXG club fitting, was gifted amazing PXG apparel, and had the chance to play “The Other Course” at the stunning Scottsdale National Golf Club: the views, the course, the energy—absolutely unreal.”

“One of the most meaningful parts of the day was connecting over dinner with a group of incredible women who are pushing the boundaries in golf. Their stories, strength, and presence were truly inspiring—each of them showing the world that women belong in every part of this game. They are role models to so many young girls, and me.

I met some of the most genuine, driven, and passionate people, and I’ll carry this experience with me forever. Thank you to Renee Parsons, PXG, and First Tee for the opportunity and for championing women in golf.”

We are continuing our 2025 FORE Freedom clinics with 32 Veterans registered for the golf program held at Topgolf Pompano. We are delighted to bring golf to so many of our nation’s heroes.

Coaches Michele Conte, LPGA and Robert Ferzoco lead the clinics with assistance from volunteers Gary Moses and Arthur Bailey.

Thus far in 2025, over 100 veterans have attended our these programs held across Broward County at Palm-Aire Country Club, Topgolf Pompano, All Golf @ CB Smith Park, Eagle Trace Golf Club, and Cooper Colony Golf and Country Club.

For more information on our FORE Freedom classed, please visit our website.

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 during your birthday month either by mail or online.  Just check or click the box for the FJGC plate!

For more information, please visit the FJGC website.

Enroll your children at one of our 10 Palm Beach County Program Locations. 

• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center- Dyer Park
• Belle Glade Municipal Golf Club
• Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• John Prince Learning Center
• Golf Club of Jupiter
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Okeeheelee Golf Course
• Red Reef Golf Course
• Village Golf Club

Ocean Reef Club recently hosted the 2025 Chapter Championship of First Tee – Florida Gold Coast. Think Palm Beaches versus Treasure Coast versus Broward.  The annual tournament features four high school students per team from our three chapters in a best-ball format. The Palm Beaches chapter shot four under par to edge out the Broward and Treasure Coast chapters by one shot at three under. The scores have never been this close, and the victory came down to a birdie putt made by Palm Beaches student Marley Pedrique on the 18th hole.

Pictured above left to right: Chapter CEO Carl Mistretta Jr. with the winning Palm Beaches team of Zoe Shamy, Jordan Reyes, Landon Murray and Marley Pedrique with ORC member and Chapter Director Greg Thompson, whom with wife Kathy, are First Tee Trustees. Greg also serves as President of the Broward chapter.

Pictured above: Six alumni also played in a separate individual division. Palm Beaches alumni Tyler Mistretta shot three under par 68 with two eagles to win his second alumni division title.

Isabella Rubio said about the experience, “I want to thank the sponsors and staff for giving me such a great once in a lifetime opportunity by inviting me to Ocean Reef. I had lots of fun and I enjoyed every aspect of the event on and off the golf course.”

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

This summer, Bijan Lombeshkon, was selected to attend the prestigious First Tee Leadership Summit in Atlanta in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The Summit was a weeklong experience designed to empower young leaders through skill-building, mentorship, and personal growth.

Hosted at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s Westside Works Campus, the Summit brought together promising teens from across the country for a transformative week of workshops, team activities, and one-on-one mentoring with accomplished business and community leaders. Bijan was selected based on his outstanding character, involvement in our local chapter, and passion for making a difference.

“The Trip in Atlanta was truly a life changing experience.  It inspired me in so many different ways,” said Bijan.  “It taught me a ton of different skills in life.  I enjoyed meeting new people, making friends, and listening to the speakers that shared so many words of wisdom with us.  I am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity that I experienced. It was so much fun!”

Chapter student, Davis Lucas, from Coach John Gansz programs at The Golf Club of Jupiter, recently received his first-ever set of brand-new custom fitted golf clubs.  The gift was made possible because of the generosity of longtime supporter Jeremy Howard and his Dos Mas Charity Tournament.

Davis was treated to a professional fitting at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Palm Beach Gardens, where he was matched with clubs tailored specifically for him. This incredible experience not only marks a turning point in his golf journey but also highlights the power of community support.

The moment was made even more special through the support of our Chapter President and PGA TOUR Superstore manager, Joe Gorman, who was instrumental in coordinating the fitting and celebrating the occasion with Davis.

“Moments like this are what First Tee is all about – giving kids the tools, mentorship, and support to grow on and off the course,” said Chapter President Joe Gorman. “We are incredibly grateful to Jeremy and the Dos Mas members for investing in our students.”

The First Tee National Championship brings together our top players from across the nation for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play under pressure at the high school and collegiate level. The First Tee National Championship was played at Notre Dame this year and is the only national First Tee event that is purely tournament golf.

Chapter student and Sophomore Marley Pedrique finished third (73-72-71) in the girls’ division to earn an exemption into the PURE Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event that will take place September 19-21 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The PURE Insurance Championship pairs golf legends with First Tee juniors for a week of mentorship and competition. Players are eligible for an exemption if they finish top five at the National Championship, have not previously played the PURE Insurance Championship and will still be in high school this fall.

Chapter student and Seminole Ridge High School graduate Annika Collado earned the honor of valedictorian after four years of hard work.  She will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers in the fall.

“I committed to academics like I did to golf,” said Annika after being named SRHS’s top scholar for 2025. “I put homework and golf on the same level of importance.”

Annika has been successful at both, earning a 3.98 GPA and a 5.28 weighted HPA while playing on the Seminole Ridge golf team and reaching the district and regional tournaments all four years. During much of that time, she also was caddying at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach and working with younger players as a junior coach with First Tee – Palm Beaches.

“Annika has done great things for us,” said Chapter CEO Carl Mistretta Jr. “And she has benefited from everything First Tee has to offer including attendance at national leadership summits, a chance to meet golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, and caddying at Pine Tree, where she received a scholarship from the club’s Scotty Foundation.  Annika is a good player…and she likes to volunteer with the little kids. We really like to see the older kids giving back.”

Chapter alumni, Nathan Vertes, had the pleasure of attending the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club. First Tee HQ connected Nathan with First Tee – Greater Detroit’s Program Director John Page and CEO Carl Bentley.  They generously provided tickets to the event.

While he was there, Nathan connected with potential participants and shared his insights on the impact First Tee had on his life. He also offered suggestions on how the Greater Detroit chapter could grow and improve. Nathan referenced many of the great programs that our Chapter offers. First Tee – Greater Detroit were especially interested in learning more about national opportunities and scholarships available through First Tee HQ.

Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club recently hosted 6 veterans from our FORE Freedom programs to play nine holes of early morning golf. Congrats on the lowest score of 41, shot by Francis Archer (Army). He won a hat and golf balls for his victory.  Thank you, Coach Peter Nathan, for facilitating the round for the veterans.