Category: Palm Beaches

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.

JOIN US AT THE END OF THE YEAR BASH

Please join us on December 18th at the Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park from 10-12 pm for our end of the year celebration. This is a free event for parents and children. Dyer Park is located at 7301 Haverhill Rd, Riviera Beach, FL 33407. The event will feature The Dennis Walters Show, LPGA Tour Pro- Marina Alex Junior Clinic, a Jupiter High School drumline performance, range/stations to hit balls, try out the Golf Shot Air Cannon and free food and drink!

NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

We are delighted to announce a new partnership for our supporting South Florida country clubs and companies that will benefit our children and veterans with free tickets to a Dolphins game. The Miami Dolphins are teaming up with some of the top local country clubs for the First Annual Pars and Pigskins event at Hard Rock Stadium benefitting our Chapter. The event has generated so much excitement, it has been expanded to two game days! December 19th vs. the New York Jets and January 9th vs. the New England Patriots game. Packages include: • Dolphins game ticket • Private pre-game tailgate space • Complimentary transportation to and from the game via motor coach • Post-game field photo • Raffles, contests, and giveaways For more information on packages and how to get involved to benefit the youth and veteran golfers of South Florida, please contact Logan Burnett. 205-919-1009 or [email protected]

FIRST TEE WINS THE CMAA 100-HOLE CHALLENGE

Our Chapter broke our previous record and raised $73,751 this year. “We went from one club participating last year to five clubs playing this year,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “Next year our goal is to have at least ten clubs play. Everyone had a great time and the members really enjoy supporting their players.” BallenIsles hosted the friendly competition and were joined by Bear Lakes, Old Palm and Banyan Cay. Quail Ridge also played a few weeks later at their club. Below are the final standings, players and awards in the club competition: BallenIsles- $17,747 2022 Champions with highest amount of donations Ryan Walls and Jeff Fitzherbert Quail Ridge- $10,394 2nd place Dan Brosnihan, Matt Corey, Cody Sinkler, Rob Murphy, Denise Lavigne and Carl Horace Bear Lakes- $10,301 3rd place Jimmy Gascoigne and Jim Chorniewy Banyan Cay- $8,665 Highest average donation per member Jared Chipley Old Palm- $7,670 Impressive showing with their golf course closed due to construction Erik Asp In the friendly competition between Chapter staff members, Carl Mistretta blasted Emily Valentine this year $5,473 to $3,678. Chapter Directors Marina Alex and John Hahn kicked off the fundraising this year playing at The Dye Preserve and raised $3,995. 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 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. SHOUT OUT to our Club Committee of Dr. Ed Slotnick, Marsha Funk and Gwen Gordon for their leadership and commitment.

BIG MONTH FOR BILLY REID

Chapter student Billy Reid had a very memorable month. It began with a one under par score of 71 in High School Regionals at Osprey Point Golf Course to qualify as an individual for the High School State Championship at Mission Inn. Billy was the only member of his team from Palm Beach Gardens High School to advance to the State Championship. His round featured 5 birdies and an eagle. Later this month, Billy signed his letter of intent to play college golf at Keiser University. Billy is a two-sport athlete at Palm Beach Gardens and thanked his coaches, parents and the staff at First Tee for helping him achieve his dream of playing golf at the next level. Billy will be attending Keiser College of Golf & Sports Management on a special scholarship offered to First Tee students that wish to embark on a career in the golf industry.

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 – Palm Beaches 7301 N. Haverhill Rd. Riviera Beach, FL 33407 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.

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL PROGRAMS

Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Palm Beach County program locations include: – Commons Park Golf Learning Center – John Prince Golf Learning Center – Keiser University Golf Coaching Center – The Golf Club of Jupiter – Madison Green Country Club – Finnegan Learning Center- Dyer Park – Okeeheelee Golf Course – Park Ridge Golf Course – PGA Tour Superstore- PBG – Southwinds Golf Course – Wellington National Golf Club For more information and to register, please visit our website.

GREAT DAY AT THE BEAR’S CLUB

“After COVID cancelled our 2020 tournament, we came back in 2021 with tremendous success,” said Chapter President Bobby Hendel. “Thank you to everyone that played.  What a fantastic day and an awesome test of golf” Each player received a copy of One of the First, a new book written by Ralph Stokes, the Director of Partnership Marketing & Community Impact at PGA TOUR Superstore. Ralph (pictured above left) played in the tournament and shared a few stories from his book on how his life helped to open opportunities in work and society for so many people that came after him. Congrats to our 2021 Champions: 1st Place Gross: Willie Scott, Matt Meneghetti, Mike Taylor, Norris Sharper 64 (-8) 2nd Place Gross:  Michael Morsberger, Tom Bliss, Jon Cross, Kyle O’Neill 65 (-7) Match of Cards- MC 3rd Place Gross: Bobby Collins, Bob Simes, Carl Panattoni, Drake Kelso 65 (-7) MC 1st Place Net: Alan Robinovitz, Ron Getlan, Ed Slotnick, Rich Levy 54 (-18) 2nd Place Net: Stan Schachne, Shelby Coyle, Jack Bloomfield, Matt Kutner 56 (-16) MC 3rd Place Net: Wayne Canner, Cary Stamp, Andrew Endicott, Luke Arnold 56 (-16) MC Chapter students Zoe Shamy and Wylie Inman (pictured above middle)and Billy Reid (pictured right) also played in the tournament. Thank you sponsors:

FIRST CHAPTER STUDENT EARNS ACE LEVEL

Congratulations to Tyler Mistretta, our first student to complete First Tee ACE certification. ACE certification is the highest level a participant can achieve at First Tee. After completing the first four levels of certification, PLAYer, Par, Birdie, and Eagle, participants have the option of working towards this final step in the program. Students will become ACE-certified by completing four projects that will help them build a foundation in higher education and for a career. The four projects are: • Community Service: Participants learn the value of giving back by volunteering for activities at First Tee or in the community. • Career: Participants explore their interests and skills, matching them with career possibilities. • College: Participants explore issues related to college selection and educational alternatives. • Golf: Participants examine their golf skills, create an improvement plan, and assess the role they want golf to play in their lives. Tyler completed all the ACE requirements in June before heading to college to play golf at Florida Southern located in Lakeland. “It was a lot of work, but a great accomplishment to get this done,” said Tyler. “Students should start early as it takes a few years to complete the ACE requirements.”