Category: News

Chapter Award Winners

Coach of the Year Coach Jairo Hernandez. Coach Jairo runs the third-largest program at Eagle Trace Golf Club and is working to continue to grow his program. He has some of the top junior golfers in his programs, including one of the largest groups of teen golfers.

Student of the Year Haady Elneser. Haady has attended programs at Grand Palms & Davie Golf Club for the past 6 years. He is a junior at FAU School and maintains a very high GPA. Haady volunteers every weekend to mentor the younger participants and was selected to represent our chapter at the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA Tour Superstore in Montana last summer.

100-Hole Challenge 3Peat

For the third year in a row, our organization won top fundraiser in the Seminole Region’s CMAA 100-Hole Challenge.  In combination with our Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapters, we raised over $380,000.  The Broward Chapter raised over $131,000 with directors, staff, high school students and golf and country clubs participating.  Director Stan Schachne won first place in raising over $12,000 last year.  Adios won top golf club fundraiser with over $10,000 raised.

“Special thanks to our players and the CMAA committee,” said Lou Chiera, Chapter Co-Chair of our Country Club Committee.  “This is our largest fundraiser of the year.  The players had a great time playing and impacted the lives of many children and veterans in Broward County.”

Interested in playing in 2024?  Please contact [email protected]

Partner Spotlights: Lion Star & Superschool

We have begun our four-week winter special needs golf programs with Lion Star Academy. 14 children will participate in the golf program every other Thursday. Coach Robert Ferzoco is teaching the class with the assistance of many of the Lion Star Academy staff. Special thanks to office manager Lisa Bennett for her help in coordinating and assisting in the program.

Lion Star Academy has transformed the lives of extraordinary students since 2005. LSA knows that every kid with special needs possesses a light that when nurtured, sparks a discovery of their unique gifts and talents.

We also have recently begun a winter golf program at SuperSchool, a 501c3 non-profit special education school. 39 children with special needs will participate in the golf program during February and March. Coach Rob teaches the program along with the assistance of many of the SuperSchool staff. Special thanks to Director Mrs. Caitlyn and Assistant Director/Lead Teacher Ms. Teena for their help in coordinating the program.

SuperSchool’s primary goal is to assist students with varying disabilities reach their utmost potential in a supporting and nurturing environment.

Sponsor Spotlight: Miller Construction Company

Florida natives Thomas J. Miller and Harley W. Miller established Miller Construction Company in 1973 with a far-sighted partnership approach based on fostering long-term relationships. They set out to differentiate themselves with steady, measured growth, achieved by serving discerning clients exceptionally well. Since then, Miller has completed more than 500 commercial projects for the private sector in Florida, including office buildings, industrial, manufacturing & distribution, automotive, retail, healthcare, higher education, and hospitality.

Miller Construction has been a long-time supporter of First Tee – Broward.  Traci Miller is a former Chapter board member and Miller Construction has sponsored multiple events over the years. We thank them for their continued support. 

Participant Spotlight: Sophie Hong

Sophie Hong, a chapter participant since 2016, competed in the Special Olympics 2023 State Golf Championships at Orange County National. Sophie competed in the Individual Skills Competition as a representative player for Special Olympics Palm Beach County. The individual skills competition spanned two days, featuring events using driver, iron, and chipping, pitching, short and long putts.

Sophie excelled in the competition, demonstrating proficiency in measuring distances for her driver and irons, executing precise pitch shots clearing an obstacle (a fence), and accurately gauging proximity to the hole. She also displayed precision in chipping and accuracy in short and long putting.

Since 2016, Sophie has actively participated in our Saturday Special Needs Golf Program. This program has provided her with opportunities to learn and practice fundamental golf skills. The 3-hole game training in each class has allowed her to apply essential techniques for competition. Through consistent efforts from both Sophie and her coaches, she achieved an outstanding score of 76 in the Individual Skills competition, securing the Gold Medal.

Watch a video of Sophie’s skills

Wylie And Zoe Score FJT Majors’ Runner-Ups

Zoe competed in the FSGA’s Florida Junior Tour (FJT) 54-Hole Major at Florida State University’s Seminole Legacy Golf Club in the Girls’ 16–18 division.  She posted an opening round 74 to stand atop the leaderboard. In the second round, Zoe held her lead with an even-par 72.

Zoe explains, “I have been able to stay consistent and play well by forgetting about the bad shots and not focusing on the fact that I am in the lead. Instead, I focus on just playing golf.”

Sitting five shots back in the last round, Amelie Phung knew she would need her best stuff to have a chance at victory. She carded five birdies and one bogey for a tournament low round of 68. Phung won the Girl’s Division by six strokes over Zoe’s final round 79 for second place.

Wylie Inman competed in the FJT 54-Hole Major at the University of Gainesville’s Mark Bostick Golf Course in the Boys’ 13-15 division.  In cold conditions, he posted rounds of 70-71-70 to finish solo second.  Wylie carded the most birdies of the tournament with eleven over the three days.

“Very proud of these students,” added Executive Director Carl Mistretta Jr.  “They both played solid and were in the hunt for a victory in cold and difficult conditions with many D1 college coaches watching.  Keep an eye on these two, they are incredibly talented and will each play at the next level.”

100-Hole Challenge 3Peat

For the third year in a row, our organization won top fundraiser in the Seminole Region’s CMAA 100-Hole Challenge.  In combination with our Broward and Treasure Coast Chapters, we raised over $380,000.  The Palm Beach Chapter raised over $132,000 with 12 golf and country clubs participating.  BallenIsles won first place in raising over $20,000 last year.  Participating clubs include:

  • BallenIsles
  • Boca Rio
  • Seminole
  • Trump Jupiter
  • Delaire
  • Ibis 
  • Bear Lakes
  • Dye Preserve
  • Mayacoo Lakes
  • Old Palm
  • Broken Sound
  • Hunter’s Run

“Hats off to our participating clubs and the CMAA committee,” said Dr. Ed Slotnick, Chapter Vice President and Chairman of our Country Club Committee.  “This is our largest fundraiser of the year.  The club staff that participated had a great time playing and impacted the lives of many children and veterans in Palm Beach County.”

Interested in playing in 2024?  Please contact [email protected]

Chapter Award Winners

We handed out our annual student awards at the End of Year Bash. Senior Program Director Emily Valentine, Director of Operations Darrell Bock, PGA, Program Director Zack Anderton, and Treasure Coast Director of Operations Anthony Coletta presented the awards.

Student of the Year Melvin Watson.  Melvin attends programs at  Dyer Park and recently went on field trips to the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta and the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.

Student of the Year Kimberly Cummings.  Kim attends Saturday morning classes at Dyer Park and has been a participant in our programs for over 20 years.

Veteran Participant of the Year Tom Molloy.  Tom has been in our veteran programs for over five years and attends weekly sessions all around the county. He also plays with our veterans at local golf courses.

Coach of the Year Wayne Munroe.  Coach Wayne has been working with us for three years and works with the students of the Police Athletic Leagues, Boys & Girls Clubs and Belle Glade.

Volunteer of the Year Lanny Browne. Lanny volunteers at Dyer Park on Saturday morning in Coach Gail’s class.