Category: Palm Beaches

Our First……First Tee Scholar

Congratulations to chapter student Nathan Vertes from Coach Glen’s program for becoming our first student to be named a First Tee Scholar!

The First Tee College Scholarship Program supports selected alumni throughout their college career. The need and merit-based program provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years of college admission. The program also provides professional development workshops, access to internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. One of the key factors of the program is pairing Scholars with a dedicated adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the four years.

Two Top Fives And A Top Ten

Fantastic showing for two of our alumni at the Palm Beach County Golf Association’s County Amateur Championship at The Park West Palm.  Chapter alumni Nashawn Tyson finished 2nd at 11 under par and Tyler Mistretta shot a final round 66 to finish tied for 5th at 8 under par. 

Sponsored by the Palm Beach Kennel Club, the Annual Palm Beach County Amateur Championship sets the stage for South Florida amateur golfers to battle for the title as the best amateur golfer in the County.

Also, Sebastian Nachilly posted a final round of 2 under par 68 to finish tied for 7th in the FSGA Public Links Championship at Dubsdread GC in Orlando.

Thank You Breakers Palm Beach

Volunteers from the Breakers maintenance teams have been assisting us all summer with our turf programs including aeration, verticutting, bunker repairs, topdressing and landscaping.  The Breakers Palm Beach strives to make a difference in the world. Through Volunteer Time Off (VTO), they empower their staff to use work time to volunteer, and to further inspiring their employees to inject energy and enthusiasm into the local community. Chapter Director Mark Reid inspires the golf course and hotel maintenance teams to assist our Chapter by providing agronomic and landscape assistance at our Finnegan Learning Center in Dyer Park.

And to top it all off, the Breakers donated a Toro spray rig to our maintenance team.  (Pictured: Chapter Superintendent Ryan Kelly with Mack Gennette from the Breakers delivering the spray rig.)

Always Improving

Chapter Coaches, Tami Blanks, Danni Rocco, and Devin Shaw attended First Tee Level 2 Coach Training in Clearwater, FL. The First Tee Coach Training Program is focused on coaches having the opportunity to expand their knowledge of our curriculum and implement what they have learned within a live class setting, then receive feedback from the trainers. This is an important step of many for coaches to adopt and implement our coaching strategies. In-person coach training allows coaches to:

  • Share best practices about age-based programs
  • Deepen their coaching skills; and
  • Interact with the refreshed curriculum.

The Little Club Supports Female Students

In May, The Little Club in Gulfstream hosted an LPGA Amateur Golf Association event. The Pink Ball Tournament featured 18 foursomes in a shotgun start. Chapter students Annika Collado, Cienna Collado, and Asha Farrelly were invited to attend and had a fantastic time. 

Sponsor Spotlight: Palm Beach County Sports Commission

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is again sponsoring our upcoming Chapter Championship at BallenIsles.

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission attracts sporting events and activities to Palm Beach County to enhance occupancy of hotel room nights; to maximize the positive economic impact of these events and activities on the Palm Beach County economy; to maximize the utilization of County facilities; to utilize events and activities to promote the image of Palm Beach County as a sports tourism destination on a national and international level.

Each year, the events they support are responsible for nearly one million sports visitors to Palm Beach County – sleeping in our hotels, utilizing our facilities, enjoying our attractions and eating in our restaurants.

Rosie Pro-Am Enjoys Incredible Success

Floridian National recently hosted the inaugural Rosie Pro-Am.  The event benefitted The “Rosie” Scholarship Fund and ultimately the students of First Tee – Florida Gold Coast. The event netted over $170,000 in its inaugural year and will fund an endowed Evans Caddie Scholarship and impact the lives of many of our students through The “Rosie” Scholarship.

The winning net team of Justin Wood, Kelly Kennerly, Kelly Hagar, and Steve Hagar posted a score of 58 (pictured above left).

The winning gross team of Trevor Dodds, Andrew Hunt, Anthony Coletta, and Carl Mistretta posted a score of 63 (pictured above right with Evans Caddie Scholar and Rosie Scholarship winner Jacie Goodman).

Tim was a legend and enjoyed a long and successful career in golf media. He wrote for the Tampa Times, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest. He also worked in broadcasting with USA Network and Golf Channel. Tim was a rare breed of journalist who successfully worked in both television and print at the same time. He served as the President of the Golf Writers Association of America. 

Please support The Rosie through an online donation or visit our silent auction site featuring world class golf foursomes, trips, instruction and sports memorabilia.

Chapter Students On Fire!

Congratulations Zoe Shamy and Valentina Marie Guertin for being selected to compete in the First Tee National Championship at Clemson University this summer!

This event brings together 48 of First Tee’s top players for an opportunity to showcase how our program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate level.

Way to go Melvin!  Melvin Watson was selected for the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr this July in Minneapolis, Minnesota! During this event, teens will participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building.

We’re thrilled to announce that Marcus Irene from First Tee – Palm Beaches has been chosen to participate in the Leadership Summit hosted by First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore at West Creek Ranch in Montana in August!

During this weeklong event, teens will be encouraged to further develop their existing strengths and values in a close-knit environment that fosters community, inspiration and connection with their peers, adult mentors and the great outdoors.

We’re so proud of Annika, from Beaver Golf, and Matthew, from John Prince, for being selected to the First Tee Leadership Academy in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore in Atlanta, Georgia!

This event builds on the 5-week leadership series and gives teens the opportunity to explore team dynamics that enhance their future performance as both leaders and successful team members.