Category: News

TRICK OR TREAT – HALLOWEEN GOLF

HALLOWEEN GOLF AT DYER PARK Saturday, October 30th from 9:30am to 11:00am (no regular classes) • Halloween Golf Stations • Prize For Best Costume • Lots of Fun, Candy, and Golf FREE to attend! To register, please contact Emily Valentine at [email protected] HALLOWEEN ADULT-CHILD SCRAMBLE AT DYER PARK Sunday, October 31st at 1:30 PM Cost: $25 per team • Tournament Prizes • Costume Contest • Pizza and Beverages To register, please contact Coach Joe Gerard at [email protected] Both events to be conducted at the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park, 7301 N Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, 33407.

WE WILL MISS YOU FLASH

Bruce Lee Fleisher, fondly nicknamed “The Flash,” professional golfing legend, and incredible human being both on and off the course, passed away on September 23rd, 2021, after a valiant fight against Multiple Myeloma, Amyloidosis and Heart Failure. Born in Union City, Tennessee on October 16,1948, Bruce’s love for all things golf began at the young age of 7 when he started working as a caddie with his two older brothers. He attended both Miami Dade Junior College and Furman University, and at the age of 19 became the third-youngest player to win the U.S. Amateur. He followed this great feat by placing lowest amateur at the 1969 Masters Tournament, soon after he would turn professional. His young professional career also included winning both individual and team gold medals in golf at the 1969 Maccabiah games giving much pride to the Jewish community. Bruce was known as a journeyman, having a very modest PGA tour career with only a single win at The New England Classic. He managed to stay competitive until he was able to join the PGA Champions Tour at the age of 50. He became the first player to ever win back-to-back championships in his first two events. He would go on to win 18 times including a major, the 2001 US Senior Open. He was a great supporter of First Tee and our children and veterans. Many of his friends and family have made generous donations in his memory to support our mission and programs. Rest in peace Flash.

NEW MENTOR PROGRAM WITH BBBS

In 2021 First Tee – Treasure Coast partnered with Big Brother’s Big Sisters and their Community Based Mentor Program to offer golf and Life Skills classes. BBBS serves young people from age five through young adulthood in one-to-one mentoring friendships. Bigs and Littles hang out 2-3 times a month for a few hours doing normal everyday activities, homework, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out. Our Chapter is offering a Life Skills program as an enrichment activity for Community Bigs to attend with their Littles, once a month. We designed the class so that participants will take part in games and drills which will teach the basics of golf and build on each skill set over the course of three golf clinics. Both Bigs and Littles will receive instruction from a First Tee trained coach from putting skills to full-swing and course playing strategies. Participants will also be learning the Nine Core values of the First Tee curriculum and how to use them in golf and in life. The first session was Saturday, October 9th with Coach Steven Adrade at Champions of Summerfield. 5 Bigs and 6 Littles enjoying golf class and pizza!

NEW HOME SCHOOL AT FAIRWINDS

Fairwinds Golf Course is offering a new home school class. Wednesdays, October 6 – December 1, 2021. 10:30am -12:00. Located at The Fairwinds Golf Course. Lesson highlights – Full swing, Putting, Chipping, Pitching and Bunker Play instruction – Sportsmanship, etiquette, rules of golf, and safety. – Fitness, coordination, stability, balance and power. – First Tee Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits. For more information contact Coach Wille at [email protected] Please visit our website to register.

TREVOR RECEIVES INAUGURAL ERLING SPEER SCHOLARSHIP

Chapter student Trevor Tarashuk received the inaugural Erling Speer Memorial College Scholarship. He is the first student from our chapter to benefit from our annual scholarship fund. Erling (pictured above right) was an instrumental chapter Director and helped launch our Chapter in 2012. His relationships with other youth serving organizations, especially the Boys and Girls Clubs, were key factors in our chapter’s early growth and today’s continued success. The Palm Beach Gardens PGA TOUR Superstore hosted our annual scholarship award ceremony. Seven-chapter students celebrated their scholarship awards with parents, friends, coaches, staff and board members. Because of the generosity of the Andrew and Robin Hunt Charitable Fund, Trustee Jon Orszag and the Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship, our chapter awarded a record $34,000 in scholarships to these deserving students. Students pictured left to right back row: Trevor Tarashuk attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the PGA management program. Sebastian Nachilly attending Ole Miss. Tyler Mistretta attending Florida Southern College where he will play on the golf team. Students pictured left to right front row: Nyla Sims attending University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she plays on the golf team and is in the PGA management program, Savannah Mansueti attending the University of Florida. Amber Steele attending Palm Beach State College. Alison Santini attending Palm Beach Atlantic University. Our scholarship fund is available to our students to apply who remain active in First Tee and our chapter through high school. Special thank you to our scholarship committee of: Lisa Bebout, Earnie Ellison, Maria Marino, Jennifer Hong and Christopher Burr.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Register up now for Fall programs. Our programs are taught at the following golf course locations: – Crane Watch Club – The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course – The Champions Club – Riverbend Country Club – Jensen Beach Golf Club – Fairwinds Golf Course For more information and to register, please visit our website.

CONNECT EVENTS ARE BACK

Join us at the PGA TOUR Superstore in Plantation on November 9th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for fun contests and to learn more about the children and veterans that we serve. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Please scan the QR code to RSVP. Sponsorships are available. Please visit our website for more information.

100-HOLE CHALLENGE SETS NEW RECORD

Our chapter recently completed our fourth and final day of the 2021 100-Hole Challenge. Special thanks to the Country Club of Coral Springs and Director of Golf/General Manager Bill Friesing for donating the course and for their continued support. 2021 new record statistics over the four days of playing: Total number of players: 63 Total number of donors: 951 Chapter Director Stan Schachne was the top fundraiser with $11,403 raised. Thank you to all our donors and players for this incredible support. Over $100,000 has been raised to date. There is still time to donate via our secure website.

ANNOUNCING NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Operations- Sean Kicker, PGA and our new Manager of Operations- Janelle Johnson. Sean is a PGA Professional, a Broward County mainstay and a First Tee Coach of our largest program in the county. Below are a few of his accomplishments: -2020 First Tee of Broward Coach of the Year Award -2020 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Golf Professional of the Year Award Winner -2019 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Professional Development Award Winner -2018 South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Junior Golf Development Award Winner -2002 New England PGA Maine Chapter Merchandiser of the Year Award Winner (Resort) He is also an SFPGA Southern Chapter Board Member and serves on the South Florida PGA Junior Golf Committee. He won 6 professional tournaments and has a career low round of 64. Janelle will be working with our staff, coaches and parents with everything from financial aid to monthly newsletters. Janelle is a chapter alumna and our first student to attend the First Tee tournament at Pebble Beach.  She played at Pebble Beach with John Cook and made the cut!  She was a recipient from our college scholarship fund and played college golf at Nova Southeastern. She has been playing professionally since graduating college with a degree in business.

CROCKETT FOUNDATION PROGRAM PARTNER

Three programs recently began with 33 middle school children from Margate, Pompano and North Lauderdale participating in a nine-week First Tee session. The programs are generously hosted by The Bridges at Springrtree Golf Club and Pompano Beach Golf Course. Coaches Darrell Welker, Jairo Hernandez, Jerrell Gill and Carlos Rodriquez will be delivering the life skills program to the students with help from volunteers Dianne Rugerrio and Max Levinson.

FALL TOURNEY AT ROYAL PALM

Chapter supporters and students had a fantastic day at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club at our annual Fall Golf Tournament. Our day featured delicious food, a wonderful golf course and inspirational speeches from chapter students and veterans. The team of Michael Deno, Ed Kilo, Mark Wykle and Nick Ruskowki won the net division with a score of 55. Pictured above: The team of Braden List, Colin List, Dutin Furnari and Lance Aker won the gross division on a match of cards with a score of 67. The tournament was an incredible success due to our generous sponsors. Thank you for the continued support of our children and veterans.

BACK TO SCHOOL = BACK TO FALL PROGRAMS

Fall programs are up and running. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Broward County program locations include: Grand Palms Hotel-Spa & Golf Resort Hollywood Beach Golf Club Parkland Golf & Country Club PGA TOUR Superstore – Plantation Pompano Beach Golf Club Cooper Colony Golf & Country Club The Club at Weston Hills The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club Eagle Trace Golf Club