Category: News

Marsh & McLennan Agency is a full-service commercial insurance brokerage that offers business insurance such as property & casualty, company employee benefits and private client services.

MMA has been a consistent partner of our chapter over the last 5 years. On top of serving on the board, Rob Bruce, VP of Commercial Real Estate/Hospitality for MMA, has also started a Young Professionals organization back in 2017 to support the charity. He has spent 5 years building the YP group and recently passed the torch to a fellow chairman, Mathew Kaplan, to continue the legacy.

Chapter Director Robert Bruce II is an associate of Marsh & McLennan Agency. He is a Business Insurance Producer specializing in Real Estate and Hospitality. They have supported Robert’s involvement with First Tee to ensure our local Chapter can consistently provide life changing programs for kids, veterans, and special needs individuals. Contact Robert at [email protected] for more information.

Thank you to Marsh & McLennan to their continued partnership over the years and the future to come.

Jillian Bourdage, a chapter alumna, and Casey Weidenfeld conducted a first-class clinic for a group of our Broward Veterans. The event was held at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, hosted by their Director of Golf, Julian Gil. Jillian and Casey both grew up as junior golfers in Broward County and now play Division I golf. Jillian is a junior at Ohio State University and Casey is a sophomore at Auburn University. Both girls have won numerous tournaments and awards throughout their careers.

Ryan Shimony enjoyed quite the year in golf. The 17-year-old Parkland resident played 100 holes of golf in a single day at the Country Club of Coral Springs; was one of 78 teens from around the country to be selected to play at Pebble Beach and represented his high school in the state golf championships.

“When I think back over this past year, I am really proud of what I have accomplished,” said Ryan. “My golf game drastically changed for the better.”

Shimony was one of 78 First Tee teens who were selected by a national panel to play in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The tournament featured PGA TOUR Champions professionals, First Tee juniors, and amateurs. Shimony finished tied for 25th with a two-day total of 4-under par, 140 (69-71).

“The PURE Insurance Championship was an experience of a lifetime,” Shimony said. “Playing on two of the most iconic courses [Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill] in the world, and being able to play with PGA Tour Championship player, Cliff Kresge, was something that I will never forget.”

“First Tee has given me the opportunity to help others who are less fortunate,” said Shimony, who has raised more than $18,000 through sponsors and donations while participating in the 100-Hole Challenge.”

The Young Professionals held their annual golf tournament and fundraiser in December at Bridges of Springtree Golf Club. Over 50 players participated and helped raise over $10,000 to support our children and veterans.

“Our members really enjoy the event, and we are supporting the largest golf-related youth development organization in South Florida, so it is well worth it.,” said Young Professional Chairman Robert Bruce.

The event was a four-person scramble and featured a putting contest, raffle prizes and closest to the hole competitions. The winning team of Marcus Schnellenberger, Casey Andersen, Jonathan Ozner and Brett Merslich fired an impressive round of 16 under par

Our Young Professionals invites new members to join our network of active Broward County based individuals dedicated to our mission. The Young Professionals supports the chapter through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and by broadening awareness in the Broward area as ambassadors of our local chapter. Please visit our website for more information.

Thank you to our sponsors who generously supported the tournament. RT Specialty, Marsh McLennan Agency, KBH Holdings, Marcus Schnellenberger/Keller Williams Realty, CAN Insurance, Korman Realty, Jared Stitz, Loop19, PGA Tour Superstore, the Cunningham Foundation, Robert Bruce Family Foundation and Paragon.

We are excited to announce Greg Thompson as our new Chapter President. Greg previously served as our Vice President and currently serves as a Director on the First Tee – Florida Gold Coast Board of Directors.

He and his wife Kathy (pictured above left) support First Tee as Trustees. Greg has worked as a CFO with extensive global experience across many industries including chemicals, building products, medical equipment, manufacturing, technology software and services, and public accounting. Greg recently retired as executive vice president and chief financial officer of KEMET following the sale of the company. Greg and his wife Kathy reside in Fort Lauderdale and they both enjoy golf and boating.

Erica Bennett has accepted the role as our Chapter Vice President. Erica has served as a Director since 2019 and has now joined as a Director on the First Tee – Florida Gold Coast Board. Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and a master’s degree in Education. She has enjoyed 30 years working in the fields of public relations, marketing, television, and education (all while writing and publishing her book and telling her story to numerous audiences around the globe). She is always paving the way with her commitment to empowerment, purpose, and inclusivity.

The principles that guide her life also are central to her leadership as a co-founder of ORCA Golf and its parent company, 17Yards Golf. She has built and grown ORCA Golf to not only feature quality products but to take a revolutionary stance and grow the golf industry as a whole.

NICK’s Golf allows children who are undergoing chemotherapy to have something fun to look forward to by enrolling them in a learn to golf program through The Chiera Family Foundation and our Chapter. The Chiera Family Foundation helps support four different programs for kids and young adults who are battling cancer. NICK’s Golf allows the cancer patient and their siblings and friends to join them for the four-week golf sessions. For some of these children who are battling cancer, it is the first time that they have had some fun with their siblings or friends. Being outdoors also gives the parents a break from the grind of hospital visits.

Special SHOUT OUT to Chapter Director Lou Chiera and his family for making this incredible program happen through their foundation.

Winter is here and the weather has cooled off. Enroll your children in our Broward County programs.

For more information and to register, please visit our website.