Category: News

BEAVER GOLF KIDS ON A ROLL

Coach Glen Beaver’s students continue to have fabulous success.

Mateo won an SFPGA Prep Tour tournament at PGA National-Estates Course. Mateo tied for first, shooting a one under 71. It was a scorcher!

Abriella won first place in the Palm Beach County Junior Golf Tournament. She competed in the Experienced 6-9 Division which included boys and girls at Osprey Point Golf Course.

Xander finished in a tie for second place in a SFPGA Links Tour Tournament at Eaglewood in Hobe Sound. He has worked so hard and persevered through so many mental challenges in this game. We are extremely proud of him.

FIRST TEE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Marcus Irene from Nancy Stuart’s program at John Prince Park attended the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. This trip builds on the 5-week local Leadership Series and is designed for teens to explore leadership concepts including (1) building authentic relationships by developing awareness, (2) growing through challenge via positive risk taking, and (3) developing positive self-identity through dynamic outdoor and team building activities.

Set in the unforgettable backdrop of West Creek Ranch in Montana, each teen is challenged to build on their current strengths and values in an intimate setting which provides community building, inspiration and connection with their peers, adult mentors, and the outdoors. Activity-based workshops are facilitated by leaders from PGA TOUR Superstore headquarters, West Creek Ranch, and First Tee headquarters.

Watch the video recap.

PALM BEACH 17 U TEAMS ADVANCES TO JR. LEAGUE REGIONALS

Chapter students on the Palm Beach 17U Teams coached by PGA Professional David Flinn at BallenIsles are headed for the third straight year to the PGA Jr. League Regionals!

Palm Beach’s 17-and-under teams advanced to the PGA Jr. League Regional competition after winning their respective divisions during the Section Championship at Osprey Point Golf Course. The team will play in the Regional Qualifier for the third consecutive year, held at The Park in West Palm Beach.

PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together through fun, team golf experiences.

ALYSSA ADVANCES AT DCP

Alyssa Cleckley started her golf training with our Chapter two years ago. Her golfing skills have improved tremendously, and she is doing well playing tournaments. Alyssa placed first in the Sub-Regional Drive, Chip and Putt competition at BallenIsles Country Club, and she will be competing in the Regional Competition at the Sea Island Club in St. Simon, Georgia.

Many thanks to coaches and staff at First Tee for giving her a great start.

CMAA 100-HOLE CHALLENGE TIME!!

Our 100-Hole Challenge is the biggest fundraiser of the year! The first leg is complete with a huge thank you to the Palm Beach Par 3 for hosting.  Over 50 players had tons of fun in our fast-paced alternate shot format.

We were honored to have three-time major champion Nick Price join us on the course.  Three-time Superbowl champion Tim McKyer also joined us for the day.

Here are the leaders to date:

In the club division:

BallenIsles is in the lead with $18,600 raised.

New team from Loxahatchee are in second at $16,300.

Hunters Run turned it on this year and is in third at $11,500.

New team from PGA National at $6,800.

New team from Frenchman’s Reserve is at $5,300.

Everglades Club at $2,300.

We also had teams play from Old Marsh, Ibis, Eastpointe and Breakers West.

Boca West, Bear Lakes and Trump Jupiter will play later this month.

In the corporate division:

Lifetime Performance at $15,600

Black Diamond General Contracting at $15,000

In the high school/alumni division:

Tyler Mistretta and Sebastian Nachilly playing for the Bruce Fleisher College Scholarship at $2,700.

There’s still time to donate or even play.  This event helps us expand our programs to support the youth and veterans of Palm Beach County.

We also offer a chance to win a trip to play and stay at Pebble Beach!

Please visit our website for more information and to donate.

Interested in playing September 23rd at Jupiter County Club?  Please contact [email protected] for more information.

JACIE HAVING A BLAST

Chapter alumna Jacie Goodman is having a great time as an Evans Caddie Scholar at the University of Michigan.  At the Michigan versus UT game she interviewed Rob Stone of Fox Sports and was featured on the big screen! Jacie also has access to the sidelines and press box during football games.  She has an internship with Michigan Sports and is Vice President of Maize Rage, which is the student cheering section for the Michigan basketball teams.  Jacie is a junior in the sports management program with a minor in business.

Check our her interview with Rob Stone.

Sponsor Spotlight: BallenIsles Charities Foundation

The BallenIsles Charities Foundation was established in 2011 with the goal of Making a Difference to local nonprofit organizations in areas surrounding our residential community located in Palm Beach Gardens. The launch of the Foundation underscores a commitment to those civic and tax-exempt organizations that make such a difference, not only to our own residents, but to so many of our neighbors in the surrounding cities, towns and communities. Our donors recognized that by working together they could make a significant positive impact providing financial and in-kind support in these areas: Civic, Health & Human Services, Environment, and Education. Over a span of thirteen years, the BallenIsles Charities Foundation has awarded over $8 million to 95 local area organizations.

RUNNERS UP AT CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP

Our 3rd annual Chapter Championship took place at BallenIsles Country Club, featuring teams of high school students from our three chapters: Broward, Palm Beaches, and Treasure Coast and an Alumni Division.

The Broward chapter almost pulled off their first victory by posting a three under par score of 69. The championship came down to the final hole, with Palm Beaches securing a one-shot victory over Team Broward.  Our chapter players were Audrey Bacic, Elisa Hernandez, Andres Hernandez and David Sandino (pictured above left with Director of Operations Sean Kicker, PGA and Program Director Rob Ferzoco).

In the alumni division, Felipe Obando, Trevor Tarashuk, and Nyla Sims competed, with Trevor Tarashuk, an alumnus of the Treasure Coast Chapter, scoring the win with a round of 77 (pictured above right with Treasure Coast Program Director Steven Andrade).

Giant SHOUT OUT to BallenIsles Country Club for hosting the event and to our generous sponsors.  They each made this event very special for all the high school players.

DAVID AND MELVIN HEAD TO MINNESOTA

Chapter student Melvin Watson and Broward student David Sandino were selected for the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., presented by Amazon Web Services, Mayo Clinic and Topgolf Callaway Brands, is a five-day learning and empowerment academy. Participants selected to attend participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. First Tee invites its partner, RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice, to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. 

The experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position our teens to be Game Changers in their current and future communities. The academy is the ultimate tribute to Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.

Check out the academy recap video.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WEEK

We held a Youth Development Week at AllGolf @ C.B. Smith Park that brought together a many young golf enthusiasts eager to learn and have fun. The highlight was the end-of-week party, celebrating the kids’ progress and achievements. The party was filled with laughter, games, and prizes. The collaboration among First Tee – Broward, AllGolf @ C.B. Smith Park, and Kemper Sports has proved to be a winning combination. Together, we create an environment that fosters learning, growth, and a love for the game.