Category: News

Students Play In The Monday Pro-Am

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!”

Fantastic Farewell For The Honda Classic

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.”

Sponsor Spotlight: Florida Junior Golf Council

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.

Last Chance To Enter Our Pebble Beach Raffle

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.

Enter Now!

Veteran Spotlight: Martin Mueller

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.”

N.I.C.K.’s Kids Having Fun

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 Finishes 2nd!

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.

Learning Leadership With Superstore

Our First Tee Leadership Series in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore is underway with 13 teen students attending the five-week series.

The teens will discover personal values and leadership skills through interactive sessions facilitated by the PGA TOUR Superstore general manager. The curriculum explores potential career fields based on interests to guide the participants as they navigate future collegiate and professional opportunities. The five-week series will conclude with a virtual town hall featuring First Tee alumni and young professionals in medical, sports and communications fields.

BGC Outreach Program In Full Swing

We have recently begun new programming sessions with the Boys and Girls Club at multiple centers including Rick and Rita Case, Carver Ranches and Florence DeGeorge.  We are so excited to introduce our great game to more deserving students throughout Broward County.

Holiday Camp Was A Blast

Coach Chris Cupp, PGA hosted camps at AllGolf at C.B. Smith Park over the holiday season. The kids and teens learned about golf, participated in full swing analysis and mini-putt, and participated in golf ball design competitions. Fun was had by all!