Category: News

Our first FORE Freedom veterans’ golf class was held at Keiser University.  The classes will run through September every other Friday.  Thank you, Coaches Peter and Evan for working with the group during class.

Golf is more than just a game. It helps you build confidence, stay focused, and grow on and off the course.  At Keiser University Golf Coaching Center, our lessons and programs are designed to help adults and juniors improve their skills, enjoy the process, and walk away with more than just a better swing.  Whether you’re picking up a club for the first time or building on years of experience, you’ll find coaching that supports your goals and helps you play your best.

To learn more about our FORE Freedom classes, please visit our website.

Chapter alumni, Tyler “TREE” Mistretta has been spending time at the SoFi Center to assist TGL this summer with testing of the newest golf balls used by Tour players.  Check out this video of TREE hitting into the big screen.

TREE also finished at 1-under par in the FSGA Publinks Championship at Sandridge GC in Vero Beach.  After an opening round of 77, he followed up with two rounds of 69 to claim 8th place at the tournament, only 4 shots off the winning pace.

Visit our website to register.

For more information contact: Henry Chateauvert at (914) 620-5677 or [email protected]

Our Chapter recently inducted Roy and Tammy Duke into our planned giving program named The Society of 1457.  (Pictured above: Roy with fellow Society members Andrew Hunt and Carl Mistretta). The roots of golf can be traced back to Scotland in 1457.

Our youth development organization has continued the traditions of the game for over 37 years in Palm Beach County. Our Chapter has evolved into a major youth development organization at our Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park and other golf courses all throughout the county. Founded by George McGrory (“Mr. Mac”), our non-profit organization, The Children’s Golf Foundation, Inc. began serving young people with special needs in 1988.

Our chapter of First Tee was established with the support of our Founding Partners, the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation and The Honda Classic. Our service area includes all of Palm Beach County, which encompasses over 300,000 young people under the age of eighteen. Our chapter is one of over 150 throughout the world and one of 15 chapters in the state of Florida. Our programs are taught by PGA and LPGA Coaches trained by First Tee.

Why make a planned gift and join the Society of 1457?

• Help ensure the future growth of our organization and mission
• Pledge a significant gift with lasting impact on our programs
• Give back to your community
• Create a legacy gift
• Reduce your amount of estate taxes

Variety of giving platforms include:

• Cash or cash-equivalent assets
• Non-cash assets such as securities, life insurance policies, CDs, retirement accounts
• Charitable Gift Annuity and or Trusts

Please contact Carl Mistretta at [email protected] if you are interested in including our Chapter in your estate plans.

Our Chapter depends on the generosity of our local golf clubs to help us fund our mission and community outreach programs.  We were delighted to receive a generous donation from the Hunters Run Ladies Golf League.“Hunters Run has been a longtime supporter and great partner,” said Chapter President Joe Gorman.  “We really appreciate the support from their members and staff.  They help us make a lasting impact in our community.”Pictured above is the Hunters Run Ladies League co-chairs Pam Good and Michele Shapiro, Chapter Development Director Henry Chateauvert.

Lisa Napoli joined our Chapter Board in 2015 when she was Vice President of Seacoast Bank.  She has since retired from Seacoast and celebrated 7 years of marriage with husband Joe.  She recently stepped down from her Board positions with our Chapter after 10 years of service. Lisa was a driving force in our Chapter’s growth and expansion to serve thousands of students and veterans in the Treasure Coast.

She served as Chapter Vice President and sat on the board of First Tee – Florida Gold Coast which governs Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  One of her biggest contributions to our organization was establishing our College Scholarship Committee where she served as Chair, developing all the criteria, applications and interview processes for the applicants.  She will continue to serve on the Scholarship Committee.

“We are so thankful for Lisa’s many years of service,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “She was an ideal board member and I know she is very proud that this year we are awarding 24 of our alumni with over $100,000 in college scholarships.  Lisa has impacted the lives of so many.”

Enroll your children at one of our 10 Martin and St. Lucie and Counties Program Locations.

• The Shores of North River Golf Club
• Crane Watch Club
• The Champions Club
• Fairwinds Golf Course
• The Florida Club
• Jensen Beach Golf Club
• Martin Downs Golf Club
• PGA Golf Club
• Sailfish Sands Golf Course
• 24/7 Indoor Golf

For the third year in a row, we hosted the 8th grade field day for Samuel Gaines Academy at the Westside Chip and Putt Complex—and what a day it was!

More than 100 enthusiastic students joined us for a morning of fun, fresh air, and their first introduction to golf. For many, it was their very first time to ever hold a golf club.  It took some time to get comfortable, but their excitement was contagious. By the end of the day, students were making solid contact and celebrating their progress.

We are passionate about more than just golf—we’re focused on building game changers. We use golf as a vehicle to teach life skills, confidence, and core values that students can carry with them on and off the course. Field days like this are the perfect opportunity to introduce youth to a new sport in a welcoming, supportive environment.

A big thank you to the teachers and staff who helped make the day possible—and to the students, who reminded us all how fun it is to try something new.

Chapter student Alyssa Cleckly turned heads at the South Florida Junior Prep Tour held at Hammock Creek. Alyssa delivered an outstanding performance, finishing the tournament tied for first place.

Thanks to her impressive play, Alyssa has earned a well-deserved spot in the upcoming Florida Girls Regional.  Both her father and everyone at First Tee are immensely proud of Alyssa’s accomplishments. Her hard work and positive attitude continue to pay off.

We recently partnered with Weatherbee Elementary School, United Way, and the Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County for an unforgettable day of golf and fun. With 20 enthusiastic students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, the event introduced them to the game of golf through four exciting activity stations.

Coach Jenna led students through full swing basics and Coach Abelina focused on chipping skills. Coach Trevor brought the action indoors with a full swing virtual golf experience and Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA, guided participants through the fundamentals of pitching.

The students had an absolute blast! They kept asking: “When is First Tee coming back?” That is certainly what we like to hear.

SHOUT OUT to United Way for the program grant and the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County for helping create such a fun day.

Community veterans enjoyed a very successful season at Champions Club for our Fore Freedom accessible programs. Lou Marino struggles with his back and used our Paragolfer to play. Ken and Laura Bianco had a great time attending multiple sessions. Kenny even started walking better through the lessons. Tom Doud, Phil Pizzingrilli, Tom Molloy, Al Macsuga enjoyed coming early to the class to putt and chip.

Since 1999, our Chapter has been serving our nation’s heroes.  Thank you for your service.  For more information on our veterans’ programs, please visit our website.

Over 90 board members from our 3 chapters and governing board of directors, staff, coaches, students and special guests attended our Spring Social & Meeting at PopStroke.  This event is a networking opportunity for everyone involved in our organization to spend time together getting to know one another and sharing ideas.

The event included an impressive and diverse panel of industry leaders discussing how the game and their businesses have changed since Covid.  The panel included (above left), Kathy Jorden (Membership Executive Apogee and Chapter Director), David Ladd, PGA (General  Manager Champions Club), Greg Nathan (CEO National Golf Foundation) and Tim Glita Chief People Officer Popstroke).