Category: Palm Beaches

Now is the time to reserve your place for the “Par 3 On Palm Beach Invitational Golf Tournament on November 21, 2022. Bring your best foursome and be ready to be challenged on the beautiful oceanfront golf course of the Palm Beach Par 3. 

Only eighteen lucky foursomes competing for the championship with all proceeds benefitting the children of First Tee – Palm Beaches.  Our event includes a continental style breakfast, delicious luncheon and the knowledge that more children will learn the First Tee life skills and how  to  play the great game of golf.

R.S.V.P Today!

Reserve your foursome by e-mailing Jessica at [email protected] or call 561-278-1937.

View the Entry Form.

The Women’s Tournament Division at Hunter’s Run Country Club selected our Chapter this year to be the benefitting charity of their annual fundraising efforts.  

“We are very appreciative of the WTD’s generosity,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta.  “This gift will help fund our female programs and initiatives.  This type of support that we receive from our local country clubs is the most important fundraising we do every year.”

The members of Hunters Run also plan to conduct a Club Drive for us this upcoming season!

(Pictured left to right:  Club President Michael Rappaport, WTD Board Co-Chair Eve Langer, Chapter student Daniela Perez, Chapter Director of Program Development Emily Valentine and WTD Board Member Sue Layton.)

Chapter Directors Marina Alex and John Hahn, with his wife Kaitlyn, kicked off the “Challenge” this year and played at Palm Beach Par 3 and raised $2,845 in just one day.

Morgan Jewell, head professional at Floridian National Golf Club and a Treasure Coast Chapter Director proposed the idea of inviting his fellow golf professionals to play the “Challenge” on Floridian National’s The Harmon, a nine-hole par-3 course.  Other club professionals and staff also played the “Challenge” at Jupiter Country Club.

The following clubs and staff participated this year and have raised a total of $112,241 for our children and veterans:

BallenIsles- $22,440, Ryan Walls and Jeff Fitzherbert
Trump Jupiter- $20,849, John Ebmeyer
Admirals Cove- $13,961, Chas Golibart and Will Coleman
The Bear’s Club- $12,868, Ryan Fountain
Bear Lakes- $10,460, Jimmy Gascoigone and Ryan Crowley
The Preserve at Ironhorse- $6,617, Maddox Morneaux
Jonathan’s Landing- $3,825, Paige Golibart
Broken Sound- $3,353, Rick Sutton
Matt Cahill from Seminole, Mason Colling from Lost City and Jared Chipley from Banyan Cay also played and raised a total of $6,791.

In their annual battle, Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta raised $5,924 and crushed our Director of Program Development Emily Valentine, who did raise an impressive $2,467.

Former Chapter Director and Treasurer, Mitch Stump, is currently on the shelf from playing golf but promises to hit 100 putts this year!

“This funding changes lives in our community,” said Chapter President Bobby Hendel.  “We can reach more students of diversity and more females, award more college scholarships, buy more teaching supplies, train more coaches, continue to upgrade our golf facility and so much more.  The impact is incredible for this year and next.”

For every $100 donated, donors will be entered to win a 3-night stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach (includes two Garden View rooms) and a foursome to play one round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The prize package also includes $1,500 towards airfare, trip expenses, etc. Certain restrictions apply. Drawing to be held February 27, 2023. Winner will book their trip directly with Pebble Beach Resorts. The winning certificate does not expire, and the golf and room rates are valid for one year.  For example: $300 donation = 3 chances to win.

Ready to play? We have playing opportunities open in October. Please contact Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta at [email protected] or 561-307-4060.

Ready to donate? Please support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day to support our mission and programs. Please visit our donation page for a secure tax-deductible contribution. 

Before graduating high school, Jacie Goodman earned the highest level of accomplishment in First Tee- the ACE level.  To achieve ACE, students must complete an extensive program in four categories of college preparation, career exploration, improving their golf game and community service.  Jacie is the second student from our Chapter to achieve the ACE level.

“It means so much to me to complete the ACE level,” said Jacie.  “First Tee has opened so many doors for me.  I learned so much about college and possible careers through ACE.  I also volunteered at the Els School for Autism and improved my golf game because of the ACE program.”

Chapter supporter Jeremy Howard of Inlet Properties contacted our Chapter as he conducted his Dos Mas golf tournament.  Dos Mas is a two-person, two-club tournament held at Jupiter Dunes par-3 course.  Jeremy wanted to use the proceeds of the event to purchase a new set of clubs and golf bag for one of our students.  Chapter staff selected Jacie Goodman. She was fitted for her new clubs at PGA TOUR Superstore. Jacie is now attending the University of Michigan where she plans on playing lots of golf with her new set!

Devin Shaw, U.S. Army, found a passion for golf through his time at our Chapter. Through our veterans’ golf programs, he made new friends with other veterans and improved his golf game. When he first started, he scored around 100. But after attending our veteran lessons and working with our Program Coordinator, Zack Anderton, he broke 80 for the first time. 

With his passion for golf, Shaw enjoys sharing this experience with his fellow veterans. He is planning to take groups of veterans out to play golf at local courses with the help of our Chapter. 

Our nation’s heroes enjoy our golf programs with generous funding from Pratt & Whitney and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.

Each week, we deliver golf programs to many local veterans. We provide golf equipment, golf instruction, and opportunities to socialize and play local golf courses. To learn more or to register for a program, please visit our website.

Trachide Greene, a teacher at Franklin Academy, helps organize after school clubs and programs with our chapter. Mrs. Greene has created an after school golf club for elementary and middle school students. One of our First Tee coaches provides weekly golf programs at the school to teach them about our core values and basic golf fundamentals through games and activities. Franklin Academy also hosts club vs. club matches against St. Ann Catholic School.

(Coach Dariel pictured above left and Coach Connie pictured above right with the students)

Enroll your children in our First Tee programs as golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime!

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

This month our country remembers all of those lost on September 11, 2001.  

Michael Bradley Finnegan died tragically that day while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. Those who were lucky enough to know Mike will tell you that he made everyone feel special.  He lived in the moment and made the moments with him memorable. Mike was a great golfer. He loved his family and was adored by everyone who knew him. 

Mike’s family was so touched by the outpouring of love and generosity shown to them from the country and the world in the aftermath of September 11, that they established the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation.  Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation’s mission has been to honor Mike’s memory and spirit by continuing his way of living life: giving generously.

In 2004, The Michael B. Finnegan Foundation joined The Honda Classic as a Founding Partner of First Tee – Palm Beaches. First Tee has been offering golf instruction and their life skills curriculum to children across the country since 1997.  

We named our 12-acre driving range and 9-hole par-3 golf course in Dyer Park “The Michael B. Finnegan Golf Learning Center” to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. With our combined efforts we help many challenged children discover the lessons Mike learned from the game of golf: Honor, Discipline, Competition, Patience and Camaraderie.