Category: Palm Beaches

Valentina Guertin and Zoey Shamy represented our chapter at the First Tee National Championship at the Walker Course at Clemson University. Zoe shot 221, +5, for the three-day event including a first round 68 to finish tied 4th. Valentina shot 227, +11, to finish in 13th place.

The First Tee National Championship brings together First Tee’s top players for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play under pressure at the collegiate and/or next level. The tournament is played at acclaimed college campuses, including Clemson University, Notre Dame and Stanford University, and is the only First Tee national event that is purely tournament golf.

Chapter student Melvin Watson and Broward student David Sandino were selected for the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

The First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., presented by Amazon Web Services, Mayo Clinic and Topgolf Callaway Brands, is a five-day learning and empowerment academy. Participants selected to attend participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. First Tee invites its partner, RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice, to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. 

The experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position our teens to be Game Changers in their current and future communities. The academy is the ultimate tribute to Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.

About the trip, Melvin said, “Thank you to First Tee – Palm Beaches for nominating me and believing in me. I was nervous to meet new people, but when I arrived, there were so many genuine First Tee students and coaches. I met four of my new best friends Lily McGowan (First Tee – Greater Sacramento), Jules Mahan, (First Tee – Greater San Antonio) Isabella Herrera (First Tee – Silicon Valley), and Benjamin Wade (First Tee – Tennessee). Also, my chaperone Matthew was a great mentor throughout the trip. I had loads of fun and great conversations with them. I appreciate them for letting me be myself and being themselves around me as well. I am just getting started but I have more things I want to achieve in my life. This opportunity inspired me to keep going.”

Check out the academy recap video.

Veterans’ programs had a busy summer! We recently had eight veterans on Tuesdays at Drive Shack with Coach Devin Shaw.  Our veterans’ programs are free of charge to our nation’s heroes and offer golf instruction, equipment if needed, outdoor recreation, lots of fun and important social interaction.

Please visit our website to learn more about our veterans’ programs.

Devin Shaw, a 50-year-old Army Veteran with 12 years of service as a unit supply specialist, is making waves in the golf community through his involvement with our veterans’ programs.

A passionate golfer with 15 years of experience, Devin discovered First Tee just three years ago and has since become a dedicated ambassador for the organization.

He has taken the initiative to start several programs for veterans, including a Monday session in Belle Glade and a Tuesday program at Drive Shack. He also leads the Wednesday veterans’ program at Dyer Park and runs a special summer program for blind veterans on Wednesdays.

In addition to his work with veterans, Coach Devin is a familiar face at the Martin Downs Pro shop where he works with his First Tee – Treasure Coast mentor, Joe Grohman, PGA. Together Groman and Shaw dedicate their Fridays to mentoring kids, teaching golf and instilling our values and life skills.

Coach Devin’s commitment to the sport and community is evident in his achievements on the Veteran’s Golf Association competitive tour, where he has won three tournaments this past year.  Driven by his commitment to children and veterans, Coach Devin is not just a volunteer but also has lofty professional aspirations. He is currently a Level 2 First Tee Coach and is working towards becoming a Level 3 Coach.

His journey and contributions highlight his passion for golf and his dedication to giving back to the community that has supported him. His efforts are a testament to the positive impact that programs like First Tee can have on individuals and the broader community.

The 2024 100-Hole Challenge is upon us. Our goal is for each player to play a minimum of 100 holes of golf on a single day. Support one of our players by making a per hole pledge! 10 cents per hole is only a $10 donation.

We also offer a chance to win a trip to play and stay Pebble Beach!

Please visit our website for more information and to donate.

Sure, it is only August, but our October tournament at the newly re-designed The Bear’s Club is almost sold out!  Interested in sponsoring?  Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach has been a long time Chapter supporter.  They recently donated a grant of $1,000 to support the children of Riviera Beach in our programs.

The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach was chartered in 1951 as a part of the worldwide voluntary service organization Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach has contributed over $5 million in support of youth and community programs in Riviera Beach. They are an organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time.

Their club is a positive influence in the local community so that children will be a part of a community that believes in them, nurtures them and provides the support they need to thrive. 

Enroll your children at one of our 9 Palm Beach County Program Locations.

For more information and to register, please visit our website or scan the QR code.

Register for summer camps at the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park.

Register for summer camps at Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club.

Register for summer camps with Beaver Golf at the Commons.

Register for summer camps at The Golf Club of Jupiter.

Register for summer camps at Keiser University College of Golf.

Erin Finnegan and her son Bradley visited the Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park on a recent Saturday morning.  Chapter Founder, Director and Chairman Emeritus Dick Sheehan, Vice Chairman Ken Kennerly, Chapter President Bobby Hendel and Executive Director Carl Mistretta Jr. also come out to visit with Erin and Bradley (pictured above left).

In 2009, when we rebranded as First Tee – Palm Beaches our Founding Partners included the Finnegan Foundaton and The Honda Classic.  The Finnegan Foundation was created to support the less fortunate.  The family was interested in supporting our organization because of our programs for children with special needs.

Throwback picture (above right) from 2009 with Jack Nicklaus, our Honorary Chairman, Erin Finnegan and Dick Sheehan.

Chapter participants Annika Collado and Matthew Jimenez along with chapter alumni and Manager of Operations Savannah Mansueti (on zipline) were selected to attend the First Tee Leadership Academy in Atlanta.

In partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore, First Tee Leadership Academy builds on the 5-week local Leadership Series and provides selected teens insight on how successful teams perform. The curriculum explores leadership concepts focusing on

• building a successful team by recognizing values and identifying strengths/weaknesses,
• leading a team by developing authentic relationships and empowering others,
• supporting the team by developing awareness and acting with humility, and
• assessing based on comprehending and identifying the teams need and supporting through innovation and advocacy. 

The academy provides an opportunity for teens to explore team dynamics that enhance their future performance as they collaborate with peers and adult mentors. Activity-based workshops are facilitated by leaders from the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes Benz Stadium, and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. 

48 teens were selected to attend the leadership academy. 30+ leaders from the Arthur M. Blank Family of Businesses facilitated 18+ hours of activity-based leadership programming throughout the academy week.

Some highlights included a self-guided tour at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, a team scavenger hunt at the College Football Hall of Fame, golf programming at the PGA TOUR Superstore’s Store Support Center that included a putting competition and the opportunity to explore the latest technology and test equipment at their state-of-the-art fitting studio, Skyline Park at Ponce City Market, soccer programming at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, and high/low ropes course and zipline at Treetop Quest.

48 teens were selected to attend the leadership academy. 30+ leaders from the Arthur M. Blank Family of Businesses facilitated 18+ hours of activity-based leadership programming throughout the academy week.

Some highlights included a self-guided tour at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, a team scavenger hunt at the College Football Hall of Fame, golf programming at the PGA TOUR Superstore’s Store Support Center that included a putting competition and the opportunity to explore the latest technology and test equipment at their state-of-the-art fitting studio, Skyline Park at Ponce City Market, soccer programming at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, and high/low ropes course and zipline at Treetop Quest.

Our partnership continued this summer with the Edna Runner Tutorial Center in Jupiter. 25 students attended three sessions with Coach Devin at Dyer Park to learn about the fundamentals of golf and our valuable life skills program.