Category: News

LOOKING FOR NEW CLUBS?? WANT TO DONATE CLUBS??

Through the generosity of local golfers and country clubs, our Chapter receives thousands of donated golf clubs. Some can be used by our high school students and veterans, but many are too big or too stiff for children. We partner with Blake’s Golf Shop to sell the remaining clubs which raises funds to buy child appropriate U.S. Kids Clubs and to fund our programs.

“We have about one-half of the courses in Palm Beach County helping out with Club Drives each year,” said Chapter Development Director David Trout, PGA. “Club members really enjoy cleaning out their trunks and garages and donating their old clubs and bags to a great cause that serves children and veterans.”

Please visit our website for the complete list of club donation drop off sites.
Country clubs interested in hosting a Club Drive this year should contact David Trout, PGA at [email protected] for more information.

If you are in the market for a different set of clubs, bags, shoes, etc. please visit Blake’s Golf Shop. Your purchase will support the mission and programs of First Tee – Palm Beaches. There are two ways to shop. Visit their online ebay site with over 6,000 listings or visit their physical location at:

Blake’s Golf Shop 
1820 Hypoluxo Road, Unit C6
Lake Worth Beach Fl. 33462
561-703-7788

Blake’s Golf Shop is located in Lake Worth, immediately west of I-95. Please call 561-703-7788 to arrange a time to see their incredible inventory or just stop by between 10am-4pm on Monday- Saturday.

FELIPE AWARDED KEISER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

When Felipe was in 5th grade, his school art teacher entered him into The Honda Classic Kids Ticket of Admission Art Contest. This was the first time he was introduced to the game of golf. A couple of weeks later, he learned he had won the contest and was awarded admission tickets to The Honda Classic! He met many PGA Tour Professionals, including Russel Henley during tournament week. Felipe also met Ken Kennerly, the Executive Director of The Honda Classic and our Chapter Vice Chairman. Ken gave Felipe and his family tickets to Disney World and even better, a lifetime scholarship to attend programs at First Tee – Palm Beaches. 

Felipe’s experience at First Tee has greatly impacted his life. He was introduced to a game he learned to love despite his disability. He was born with a deformed right hand that resembles a claw. At First Tee, he met coaches who became mentors. He participates in many chapter events and volunteers with the younger children. In 2018, Felipe and 7 other chapter teenagers established our Chapter’s Teen Golf Association (TGA) and he served as the recruiter. Felipe and the team grew the TGA to a thriving club that meets throughout the year. 

Felipe was selected to participate in multiple participant opportunities, including being a Junior Course Reporter at The Honda Classic, and volunteering as a standard bearer at the First Tee – Aiken Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in South Carolina. He is currently attending the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with the PGA TOUR Superstore. 

Now a senior at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, he will graduate high school in June. He was recently awarded a four-year full scholarship in partnership with our chapter to attend the Keiser University College of Golf where he will have the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree, an accomplishment he has always dreamed of. 

“First Tee has changed my life in a huge and positive way,” said Felipe. “I plan on continuing to volunteer as an assistant coach throughout college and beyond.”

IT’S ALMOST HONDA CLASSIC TIME

– Fan First Experience https://thehondaclassic.com/fan-experience/
– Patriots Outpost https://thehondaclassic.com/military-appreciation/
– Incredible Hospitality https://thehondaclassic.com/hospitality/
– Variety of Ticket Options https://thehondaclassic.com/tickets/

Please visit The Honda Classic’s website for more information and to purchase tickets.

GOLF MOURNS THE LOSS OF ROSIE

James Rosaforte III, 66, of Jupiter, joined the Lord on Jan. 11, 2022 after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

“He was golf’s best friend and a big supporter of our organization and our students,” said Chapter President Bobby Hendel. “He was a dear friend to me and served as our Honorary Vice Chairman. We will miss him greatly.”

Tim, as his mom called him, attended Brewster High School and became the second person in his family to attend college, at the University of Bridgeport and the University of Rhode Island, where he also played on the football teams. 

Tim graduated from URI in 1977 with a Bachelors of Science in Journalism. HE moved to Tampa where he worked as a sportswriter for the Tampa Times and Clearwater Sun, before moving to Fort Lauderdale in 1981 to work for the Sun-Sentinel. Tim married his wife, Genevieve Stewart, in Fort Lauderdale in 1983. They moved to Palm Beach County after their first daughter Genna was born in 1987, which is when he started writing for the Palm Beach Post. Their second daughter, Molly, was born in 1991. 

Tim started writing for Sports Illustrated in 1994, then Golf World/Golf Digest in 1996 as his family moved to Jupiter. Tim also started working as a TV announcer for Sunshine Network in the 1990s. He appeared on PGA Tour Sunday on USA Network from 2003-2007 before he became a regular on Golf Channel, where he served as the sport’s first true “insider.”

Tim covered almost 150 majors and 17 Ryder Cups, wrote four books, won dozens of writing awards, served as president of the American Golf Writer’s Association, and received the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Tim retired in late 2019, not long after he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. 

Among his many honors: The PGA of America made him their 12th honorary member and the first journalist; he received the 2021 Memorial Golf Journalism Award from Jack and Barbara Nicklaus; his hometown Honda Classic named the Media Room after him and created the Tim Rosaforte Distinguished Writers’ Award; and the University of Rhode Island endowed a scholarship in Tim’s name in the neuroscience department. 

Tim is survived by his wife Genevieve, daughters Genna (Nick) Bezek and Molly (Mason) Colling; grandchildren Graham, Finn and Saylor James; brothers Andy (Kim) Rosafort and Michael (Kathi) Rosafort, sister Shirlyn (Scott) Malley and his many nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a celebration of life Thursday, Feb. 17, (2pm) at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens on 5343 Northlake Boulevard. The service will be live-streamed at funerals.online.church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Nantz National Alzheimer Center | Houston Methodist, and the Tim Rosaforte Scholarship, University of Rhode Island Foundation and Alumni Engagement, P.O. Box 1700, Kingston, R.I., 0288

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR PROGRAMS

Enroll your children in our First Tee programs to learn:

– How to play
– About the rules
– Our valuable life skills curriculum

and to meet new friends and because golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime!

Our program locations include:
• Commons Park Golf Learning Center
• John Prince Golf Learning Center
• Keiser University Golf Coaching Center
• Madison Green Country Club
• Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center – Dyer Park
• North Palm Beach Country Club – NEW!
• Okeeheelee Golf Course
• Park Ridge Golf Course
• PGA TOUR Superstore – Palm Beach Gardens
• Southwinds Golf Course
• The Golf Club of Jupiter
• Wellington National Golf Club

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

VETERAN PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Coach Wayne Huffines (pictured above left) uses swing analysis technology to make golf more enjoyable for veterans’ programs.

Bob Truckenmiller (pictured above right) is a combat wounded Vietnam veteran and a participant of our Jensen Beach Country Club veterans’ program. Bob has been attending our programs for several years which enhances his physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being through the game of golf.

GOLF MOURNS THE LOSS OF ROSIE

James Rosaforte III, 66, of Jupiter, joined the Lord on Jan. 11, 2022 after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

“He was golf’s best friend and a big supporter of our organization and our students,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “He was a dear friend to me and served as our Honorary Vice Chairman. We will miss him greatly.”

Tim, as his mom called him, attended Brewster High School and became the second person in his family to attend college, at the University of Bridgeport and the University of Rhode Island, where he also played on the football teams. 

Tim graduated from URI in 1977 with a Bachelors of Science in Journalism. HE moved to Tampa where he worked as a sportswriter for the Tampa Times and Clearwater Sun, before moving to Fort Lauderdale in 1981 to work for the Sun-Sentinel. Tim married his wife, Genevieve Stewart, in Fort Lauderdale in 1983. They moved to Palm Beach County after their first daughter Genna was born in 1987, which is when he started writing for the Palm Beach Post. Their second daughter, Molly, was born in 1991. 

Tim started writing for Sports Illustrated in 1994, then Golf World/Golf Digest in 1996 as his family moved to Jupiter. Tim also started working as a TV announcer for Sunshine Network in the 1990s. He appeared on PGA Tour Sunday on USA Network from 2003-2007 before he became a regular on Golf Channel, where he served as the sport’s first true “insider.”

Tim covered almost 150 majors and 17 Ryder Cups, wrote four books, won dozens of writing awards, served as president of the American Golf Writer’s Association, and received the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Tim retired in late 2019, not long after he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. 

Among his many honors: The PGA of America made him their 12th honorary member and the first journalist; he received the 2021 Memorial Golf Journalism Award from Jack and Barbara Nicklaus; his hometown Honda Classic named the Media Room after him and created the Tim Rosaforte Distinguished Writers’ Award; and the University of Rhode Island endowed a scholarship in Tim’s name in the neuroscience department. 

Tim is survived by his wife Genevieve, daughters Genna (Nick) Bezek and Molly (Mason) Colling; grandchildren Graham, Finn and Saylor James; brothers Andy (Kim) Rosafort and Michael (Kathi) Rosafort, sister Shirlyn (Scott) Malley and his many nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a celebration of life Thursday, Feb. 17, (2pm) at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens on 5343 Northlake Boulevard. The service will be live-streamed at funerals.online.church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Nantz National Alzheimer Center | Houston Methodist, and the Tim Rosaforte Scholarship, University of Rhode Island Foundation and Alumni Engagement, P.O. Box 1700, Kingston, R.I., 02881.

FREE JUNIOR CLINIC AT THE HONDA CLASSIC

Park at Mirasol Park at 3:15pm and take the free shuttle to the Champion Range at PGA National for a fun, interactive clinic with a PGA TOUR Professional and the Dennis Walters Golf Show! 

Mirasol Park is located one mile north of PGA Blvd on Jog Road.
Food and drinks will be provided. All ages and families are welcome.

FAIRWINDS’ WEE LINKS GRAND OPENING

Join us on Saturday, February 19th at Fairwinds Golf Course as World Golf Hall of Fame Member Dennis Walters (pictured above) performs his inspiring show. Starting at 1 PM, the Dennis Walters Golf Show will be followed by the Inaugural Wee Links Junior Invitational at 2:30pm. Register your child by calling 772-462-4653 or emailing [email protected]. The field is limited.

The Wee Links is a creation of golf course architect Erik Larson of BrightView Golf Services. It is a 6-hole chipping and pitching course designed to help players improve in all those super important short shots from inside 50 yards. Wee Links will become the home of our First Tee program at Fairwinds. The venue will provide an opportunity for new players to learn the fundamental skills necessary to become a golfer.