Category: News

JACIE AWARDED THE EVANS SCHOLARSHIP

Jacie started with our Chapter in fifth grade. Now she is a high school senior playing on the golf team and will be attending college starting in August!

Chapter student Jacie Goodman has enjoyed an incredible eight years as a First Tee student. She attended the Game Changers Academy in Boise, Idaho and the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy in Detroit, Michigan. She has volunteered as an Assistant Coach and worked at the Els Center of Excellence serving students on the autism spectrum.

During her sophomore year she asked about joining our caddie program. There was an opening available at Old Marsh Golf Club and her journey began to become an Evans Scholar. Through the Western Golf Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation awards full tuition and housing scholarship to deserving caddies. There are currently 1,070 promising young men and women at 22 leading universities across the country.

To earn this prestigious and very competitive scholarship candidates must demonstrate:

  • A strong caddie record………Jacie will have over 160 loops in 3 years.
  • Excellent academics…………How about a 3.7 GPA.
  • Financial need………………..Jacie grew up in a single parent household.
  • Outstanding character……….First Tee, Sports Management Magnet, Els for Autism
    volunteer, National Honor Society, Golf Team Captain.

“The members at Old Marsh simply love Jacie,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “It has been an incredible three-year experience for her. We are so appreciative to the members and golf staff at Old Marsh, especially Caddie Master Ron Letellier who played such an integral role in her success. She is not only our first chapter student to win the scholarship, but she is also the first female caddie from Florida to become an Evans Scholar!”

Jacie applied to 9 Evans Scholar colleges and was accepted to Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and many others. The last step was earning the Evans Scholarship. During her scholarship interview, there was not a dry eye in the house. She was awarded the scholarship and will be attending the University of Michigan in the Fall. Go Blue!

“Michigan was always her first choice, and her dreams have come true,” said Jacie’s mom Paula Goodman. “She worked so hard for this scholarship. It took so many people to make it happen for her- First Tee for the opportunity, the members of Old Marsh and the Evans Scholars Foundation. These generous people have changed Jacie’s life.”

Pictured above, left to right: John Braniff- Evans Foundation Director and Old Marsh member, Jack Druga- VP Development Evans Foundation, Paula Goodman, Jacie, Ron Letellier, Carl Mistretta and Emily Valentine.

Interested in impacting the lives of First Tee students? Implementing a high school program at your club is actually very easy. For more information, please contact [email protected]

MARINER SANDS CLUB DRIVE HUGE SUCCESS

We recently completed the largest Club Drive in our Chapter’s history because of the generosity of the members of Mariner Sands. In April, Mariner Sands member Leigh Schmalz, with support from golf professional, Tim McKenna and their “golf bag drop off team” collected 65 golf bags, over 1,200 golf clubs and other types of golf equipment. 
 
“What an incredible Club Drive,” said Chapter Director of Operations Anthony Coletta. “We have never seen this amount of donations. The members of Mariner Sands have been very supportive over the years and did a great job of cleaning out their trunks and garages.”

Some of the clubs will be used for our older students and veterans. The majority are sold online to pay for child appropriate golf equipment and to also fund our outreach programs and assist parents with program scholarships.

Interested in hosting a Club Drive? Please contact [email protected]

WELCOME TO THE TEAM COACH GABBIE!

Gabbie Budd, LPGA is an accomplished golfer, certified professional, and most important, she loves teaching juniors the game of golf. Gabbie has recently joined our team as a full-time Chapter Coach.

She attended Keiser University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Golf Management, played on the Women’s Golf Team, and became an LPGA Professional. Most recently, Gabbie was an Assistant Golf Professional in Boca Raton, FL where she created and managed numerous junior programs with kids from ages 3-16 years old and organized junior tournaments and events

Off the golf course, Gabbie enjoys kayaking, hiking, and going to the beach.

NEW PROGRAM PARTNER – PROJECT LIFT

Our Chapter recently began a new partnership with Project Lift by offering 4 weeks of First Tee programs conducted at Fairwinds Golf Club that have transitioned to the new Westside practice facility for 4 more weeks. Coaches Willie Scott and Mark Cammarene, PGA are coaching the 8-week program. Special SHOUT OUT to Fairwinds Golf Club and Boys and Girls Club St. Lucie County for hosting the students. Chapter President Andrew Hunt and Director Ken Duke both personally support Project Lift and have been instrumental to their growth over the last 10+ years.

Project Lift is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk teens and their families through treatment of substance use disorders, mental health counseling, mentoring, and vocational skills training. Project Lift was founded in 2010 in Palm City and recently expanding to a new location in Fort Pierce.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR PROGRAMS

Enroll your children in our First Tee programs as golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime!

Our program locations include:
• Crane Watch Club
• The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• The Champions Club
• Trident Golf Club
• Riverbend Country Club
• Jensen Beach Golf Club
• Fairwinds Golf Course
• Sailfish Sands Golf Course

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

JEFFREY AND SUZANNE CITRON NEWEST CHAPTER TRUSTEES

Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron believe in the power of the individual and how one person can inspire a group and then a community to realize even greater goals. As both are successful entrepreneurs, the couple recognizes that creativity, innovation and risk taking are essential to achieve meaningful outcomes.

They were recently introduced to the curriculum and programs of First Tee. With a grant from The Charles Lafitte Foundation, they have become our second Chapter Trustee.

“Jeff and Suzanne’s generous gift could not have come at a better time,” said Chapter President and fellow Trustee Andrew Hunt. “First Tee and the game of golf is experiencing incredible growth in every segment of society. Their support will help us grow and expand to impact the lives of thousands of young people in the Treasure Coast.”

The Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF) was established in 1999 by the Citrons to support innovative and effective ways of helping people help themselves and others around them to achieve healthy, satisfying and enriched lives. CLF supports four primary causes: education, children’s advocacy, medical research & initiatives, and the arts.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – CASEY STENGEL

Casey joined our First Tee program at John Prince Golf Learning Center 
In 2018. He was a regular attendee and progressed through the first level very quickly.

“He called us last Spring asking if he could volunteer for Summer Camp,” said Coach Nancy Stuart. “He meant every day of the entire summer! Casey was at camp setting everything up around 7:15am every morning.”

Casey helped to teach and instill the same core values and healthy habits he learned as a First Tee student. The students really related to Casey and learned a great deal from him.

NINE CHAPTER COACHES ATTEND FIRST TEE TRAINING

It takes three levels of training to complete the First Tee Coach training process. An incredible number of nine of our Coaches attended First Tee Level 2 Coach Training in Orlando in April. 

“Our coaches are enthusiastic and caring individuals that serve as positive mentors and role models to kids and teens of diverse backgrounds,” said Chapter Executive Carl Mistretta. “A coach’s ability to develop impactful relationships with students is the backbone of our program. We make a concentrated effort and allocate funding for coach training each and every year.”

First Tee’s training system is built on research-proven methods of positive youth development, providing coaches with the tools to make students feel safe, included and empowered.

(Picture above from left to right) Coach Connie Capanegra was a First Tee trainer with Sue Boyer, Joe Gerard, Zack Anderton, Gail Galin, Willie Scott, Steven Andrade, Hector Zapata, and Glen Beaver.

ADMIRALS COVE FOUNDATION CONTINUES GENEROUS SUPPORT

When our Chapter was formed in 2009, the members and staff at Admirals Cove were the first country club to support us in many ways, includiing through their foundation. They have continued their generous support for the thirteenth year in a row. 

“First Tee embodies all of the qualities that the Admirals Cove Foundation wishes to support,” said Dick Sheehan, a Chapter Board Member and resident of Admirals Cove. “The club has watched the chapter grow and flourish.”

Pictured above: ACF Board Members Charles Ezrine & Larry Altman with Chapter staff member Emily Valentine and Dick Sheehan.

COLLEGE GOLF PREP ACADEMY AT KEISER UNIVERSITY

Limited spots available. Experience what it is like to be a college athlete for 3 days at Keiser University’s Golf Coaching Center

Train on state-of-the-art equipment, play three rounds of golf, stay in the college dorms, and three meals a day are included.

Date: June 28-30

Price: $700

Registration Requirements: Open to students 14-18 years old and enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school

Males required handicap 12.0 or lower, females 14.0 or lower.

Please register on our website. For information, please view the academy flier or contact Connie Capanegra at [email protected]

JACK DRUGA JOINS CHAPTER AS NEWEST DIRECTOR

Jack Druga, Vice President of Development and PGA Ambassador for the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation, has recently joined our Chapter as our newest Director. Before joining Evans, Jack was the longtime head golf professional of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island. 

“We have students caddying at six clubs in Palm Beach County in partnership with the Evans Scholars Foundation,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Caddying is a unique opportunity to meet successful business leaders, save some money for college and eventually apply for this prestigious WGA scholarship. Country clubs can start a teen caddie program even if they do not have a regular caddie program. Our staff and fellow Directors are looking forward to working with Jack to grow teen caddie programs in South Florida.”

Chapter student Jacie Goodman (pictured above with Jack Druga) is our first student to be award the Evans scholarship and she is the first female caddie from Florida. Jacie will be attending Michigan in the Fall.

Jack grew up caddying at Oakmont Country Club, so he understands what an incredible opportunity caddying can provide to high school students.

“We supply teens who are motivated with a great job,” said Jack. “Just imagine if each club allowed even one or two high school students to caddie. I do believe a golf club is improved with the presence of a few teen caddies, even if it’s just on weekends.”

PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT: BLAKE LEON

Blake Leon has been a student with Coach Glen since September 2018.  From the first day of class, he has been very enthusiastic about learning and progressing in the game. Just when he was playing his best golf, Covid shut down golf courses and health concerns in his family caused him to stay away from group activities.  He was away from the game for over a year when he returned to lessons last summer.   

Since then, he has embraced every aspect of golf possible including the First Tee curriculum. When Blake finished the Birdie level his mom commented:  “This level was pivotal for Blake.  It had such a positive impact in every area of his life, through the vision casting and goal setting specifically. Golf has added so much exponential growth to all areas of his life. It is so amazing to see him evolve into all he is meant to be, through love of a sport! I’m just so grateful for what the First Tee sessions offer and the support that it provides.”

Coach Glen added: “It is an honor to coach Blake, as he is willing to put in the effort to practice his drills and he takes responsibility for his progress by working cooperatively with his family to attain his goals.  His determination and zeal for the game is electric.”