Category: News

EXCLUSIVE JOINS CHAPTER AS NEWEST SPONSOR

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Exclusive Charter Service. ECS is an Aircraft Charter Broker committed to providing private aviation solutions that empower clients to complete their mission. ECS has the perfect private jet charter to suit everyone’s needs. Corporate, pleasure, or a little bit of both, ECS charter flights deliver their clients to their destination in style and comfort.

“Giving back to our community is an important aspect of our business,” said Jason Johnson, ECS President and CEO. “First Tee’s values and life skills curriculum and their commitment to the underserved children of Palm Beach County were a perfect alignment with our charitable giving.”

ECS provides clients with an exceptional private aviation experience. Their daily focus centers on comfort, efficiency, performance, reliability, safety, and service. The security of their members is extremely important. ECS is a leader in the private aviation industry with safety standards that ensure our passengers step foot on only the safest aircraft available for charter. 

Whether reserving flight plans or safely delivering clients to their destination, we aim to please. Clients notice the difference the first time they charter a plane with ECS. 

For additional information or for a fast quote for your next luxury flight please visit the ECS website.

TOP 10 SFPGA FINISH FOR THE COYOTE AND A VICTORY

Chapter student Wylie “Coyote” Inman finished strong with an even par final round score of 72 for a two-day total of +1 in the SFPGA Tour Championship at Banyan Cay.  

His goal was to finish in the top 10 and he finished tied for 6th.  The Coyote finished the season in 11th place overall in the 13–18-year-old division. He won the Prep Tour 2020 Player of the Year, then won a tournament on the Challenge Tour in 2021 which triggered him moving up to the Champions Tour.

“Wylie had an incredible year,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Keep in mind he’s only in eighth grade and competing in the same division with high school seniors. Watch out for him in 2022!”

Wylie then went on to win the U.S. Kids tournament in December at Mayfair Country Club in Sanford, FL with scores of 75-74=149 in a sudden death, three-hole playoff. This was the Coyote’s first two-day U.S. Kids tournament victory.

ZOE REPEATS SFPGA PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS

Congratulations to Chapter ACE participant, Zoe Shamy, for being named the South Florida PGA Junior Tour Most Improved Player and Player of the Year!! 

“What an incredible accomplishment,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Last year she won POY honors on the Prep Tour, moved up this year to the Challenge Tour and won POY again. Wow, way to go Zoe!”

Her year on the Challenge Tour included two wins, fourteen Top-10 finishes and a 79.5 scoring average. Zoe got game.

CHAIRMAN ROCKOFF RETIRES & HONORED AS COMMUNITY GIANT

Steve Rockoff was asked to get involved with our organization in 2007 by founding chairman and his real estate business partner Dick Sheehan. Steve served as Vice Chairman and together they reinvigorated our organization through the difficult recession of 2007 and 2008. As a result of many hours and tireless effort, Steve was instrumental in securing our founding charter as a chapter of First Tee in 2009.

Steve then became Chairman in 2011. Through his ten years as Chairman, our organization has experienced tremendous growth and each year impacts thousands of children and veterans in our community.

“It has been a fun and rewarding ten years,” said Steve. “I could never have envisioned the success that we have enjoyed. We have an engaged board of directors, dedicated staff and coaches and fantastic support from country clubs and the entire community.”

In December, Steve was recognized and honored as a Community Giant by the Inner City Youth Golfers’ organization (pictured above left) for his dedication to the community and game of golf. He is also Chairman of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Hall of Fame Committee and Secretary of the Governing Board of the Loxahatchee River District. 

Steve will remain on our board as a director. Other notable accomplishments under the tenure of Chairman Rockoff:

• Organization expanded from Palm Beach to Martin, St. Lucie and Broward Counties 
• Dyer Park golf facility completely renovated in 2012 and clubhouse replaced in 2013 totaling $1 million in improvements
• Established three chapters’ Advisory Councils to advise our governing board of directors and implemented a strong committee structure
• First Tee students have grown from 200 per year to over 2,000 per year
• Special Needs students have grown from 100 students to over 500 per year
• Veteran participants have grown from 20 to over 350 per year
• Organization distributed $34,000 in college scholarships last year
• Five of our students participated in First Tee national events last year including the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
• Organization continues to produce students playing college golf each year
• Recognized as a Chapter Chairman Emeritus

CHAPTER WINS 2021 100-HOLE CHALLENGE

Our Chapter to date has raised over $20,000.00 this year. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. Of course, the real winners are the thousands of children and veterans that participate in our programs because of the generosity of these clubs. Our three Chapters combined (Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Broward) raised the most money this year with an incredible $201,183! Chapter Director Jen Hong kicked off this year’s event and raised $1,593. Two of our Directors, RJ Bibby and Richard Chase, are still fundraising. RJ is leading the individual category with $3,362 and Harbour Ridge led the club fundraising this year with $15,464. Please visit our website to donate. Special congratulations to the Seminole Region Charity Committee members who worked so hard to make all this happen. For the 11th year, the charities beat prior year’s number and set a new record of $430,000 raised. Since inception, CMAA has raised over $2.4 million to support South Florida charities.

CHAPTER ALUMNA FINISHES IN 1ST PLACE

Annery Abreu is attending Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina and playing in the #1 position on their golf team. She recently finished in 1st place in the individual division at the Eastern Shore Collegiate Golf Challenge in Ocean City, Maryland. Congrats Annery!

STEVEN ANDRADE JOINS THE CHAPTER TEAM

We are delighted to announce that Steven Andrade has joined our Chapter in the position of Program Coordinator. Steven’s main goal will be to grow our organization by recruiting new program locations, youth serving program partners, coaches, volunteers and ultimately new students. Steven has served as a Chapter Coach, Assistant Golf Professional at the Champion’s Club, and brings end-to-end management experience in the hospitality industry. Steven loves golf, his family, and the Dallas Mavericks.

KEN DUKE & FRIENDS HOST FANTASTIC EVENT

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 event was cancelled, but the recent 5th Annual Ken Duke & Friends Celebrity Pro-Am was a huge success. The event began with dinner at Carson’s Tavern. The next night featured a live auction and dinner at Floridian National Golf Club. Representatives from each benefitting charity spoke including Folds of Honor, Project Lift, Martin County North Little League Baseball and our Chapter. The next morning, Jack Nicklaus greeted the tournament’s largest field of 120 players at breakfast in support of Ken’s event and the benefiting charities (Jack and Ken pictured above middle). The players teed it up at Floridian in a scramble format. Celebrity players included John Daly, Ernie Els, Seth Joyner, Jim McMahon, Michelle McGann and Brandon Weeden. A gross score of 19-under par, 53, won the scramble, but of course the real winners were the charities. The 3-day event raised a new record $550,000. “Ken is such a great asset to First Tee – Treasure Coast,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “His generosity to our children and veterans from this tournament and his leadership as a chapter Director represent such incredible dedication. Everyone at the event was touched by the people Ken supports through this event.” At the dinner at Floridian, Ken Duke and Friends presented a game changing impactful check of $50,000 to our Chapter (pictured above right, left to right: Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta, Chapter Director Ken Duke, Chapter President Andrew Hunt, Chapter Director Wes Hightower).

ANNUAL APPEAL TIME WITH MATCHING GRANT FROM CHARLES SCHWAB

Special thanks to our many donors this year. Your contributions have helped us grow our programming serving children and veterans. Our last fundraising campaign of the year is our Annual Appeal. There is a new wrinkle this year with a matching grant. Charles R. Schwab has committed transformational support through a new $25 million grant will provide up to a $1 match for every $2 donated to First Tee Chapters by individuals, corporations and foundations now through 2026. This grant program will provide our chapter the opportunity to significantly grow and deepen our impact over the next several years. “I believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow,” said Charles R. Schwab. “That’s why I am investing in First Tee. I believe in this organization’s mission and the power of the First Tee Chapters to continue changing the game for young people for years to come.” Please visit our Annual Appeal secure online donation webpage or checks can be mailed directly to: First Tee – Treasure Coast Children’s Services Council of Martin County 101 SE Central Pkwy Stuart, FL 34994 The program was kicked off at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final event on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Pictured above: First Tee —participants Abi Morris and Jake Walden played alongside Charles Schwab and Phil Mickelson in the Wednesday pro-am.

FIRST TEE WINS THE CMAA 100-HOLE CHALLENGE

Our Chapter broke our previous record and raised $100,574.00 this year. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. 2021 new record statistics over the four days of playing: Total number of players: 63 Total number of donors: 954 Chapter Director Stan Schachne was the top fundraiser with $11,403 raised. Of course, the real winners are the thousands of children and veterans that participate in our programs because of the generosity of these clubs. Our three Chapters combined (Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Broward) raised the most money this year with an incredible $201,183! Special congratulations to the Seminole Region Charity Committee members who worked so hard to make all this happen. For the 11th year, the charities beat prior year’s number and set a new record of $430,000 raised. Since inception, CMAA has raised over $2.4 million to support South Florida charities.

FALL VETS PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Our Fall veterans’ program in partnership with the United Way’s Mission United kicked off at Pompano Beach Golf Course and the Club at Weston Hills. 36 of our nation’s heroes are enjoying golf instruction and fellowship with Coaches Steve Voguit, Nick Cupper, TJ Ziol and Darrell Welker and volunteers Mike Dobzinski, John Linn and Braden List. Thank you for your service!

CONNECT EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS

Due to the pandemic, for the first time in nearly two years, our Chapter conducted a CONNECT event at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Plantation earlier this month. “We had over one hundred people attend,” said Chapter President Dan Young. “It was fantastic to see everyone in person especially so many of our students and veterans.” Those that attended enjoyed great food from Mission BBQ and participated in putting, long drive and closest to the pin contests with the winners receiving PGA TOUR Superstore gift certificates as prizes. The event was generously sponsored by Lauderdale BMW of Pembroke Pines, Stellar Public Adjusters, PGA TOUR Superstore and the Brian Cunningham Foundation.