CHAPTER STUDENTS RECEIVE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Palm Beach Gardens PGA TOUR Superstore hosted our chapter’s 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 Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship (Peter pictured above right), Chapter Trustee Jon Orszag and the Andrew and Robin Hunt Charitable Fund, 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. Nyla, Alison, Tyler and Sebastian are employees of PGA TOUR Superstore and will continue to work at the store during college holidays and summer. 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.

REMEMBERING MICHAEL B. FINNEGAN

During this time of the year, we especially remember and honor 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 in 2002; a lasting legacy in Mike’s memory created to support various charities and programs including junior golf; several programs are designed to introduce the game of golf to young people with special needs. 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 Nine Core Values 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. Please help continue the great work of our Chapter of teaching young people the values and life skills inherent in the game of golf by sponsoring Team Finnegan in the 100-Hole Golf Challenge to help raise funds for our mission and programs. Please visit Team Finnegan’s donation page to donate in Mike’s memory.

REMEMBERING MICHAEL B. FINNEGAN

During this time of the year, we especially remember and honor 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 in 2002; a lasting legacy in Mike’s memory created to support various charities and programs including junior golf; several programs are designed to introduce the game of golf to young people with special needs. 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 Nine Core Values 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. Please help continue the great work of our Chapter of teaching young people the values and life skills inherent in the game of golf by sponsoring Team Finnegan in the 100-Hole Golf Challenge to help raise funds for our mission and programs. Please visit Team Finnegan’s donation page to donate in Mike’s memory.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Students are back in school, and we have begun our Fall programs. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Palm Beach County program locations include: – Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course – College of Golf – Keiser University – Commons Park Golf Learning Center – John Prince Golf Learning 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.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Students are back in school, and we have begun our Fall programs. Golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime! Register now. Palm Beach County program locations include: – Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course – College of Golf – Keiser University – Commons Park Golf Learning Center – John Prince Golf Learning 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.

AMBASSADORS ROCK THE PALM BEACH PAR 3

Chapter Ambassadors had a fun time at the Palm Beach Par 3. The event was a fantastic opportunity for current and potential members of the group to network, meet new faces, all while enjoying fun golf and great food and drink. The Ambassadors are a group of active Palm Beach County based professionals of all ages dedicated to the mission of First Tee. The Ambassadors support our chapter through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and by broadening awareness in Palm Beach County as representatives of our local chapter. Events will be conducted throughout the year and are open to all Ambassadors and their guests to encompass a variety of golf and social venues. Also, a weekly golf league has been formed by Ambassador Board Members as an additional benefit to their members to promote growth and networking among the group. Special SHOUT OUT to Tony and Angie at the course for hosting us! If you are interested in joining the Ambassadors, please contact David Trout, PGA, at [email protected].

VETERAN SPOTLIGHT: HOMER WATTS

Homer Watts is 80 years old and served in Vietnam. He enjoys participating in our veterans’ programs and even helps Coach Dave McNulty with special needs classes on Saturday mornings. Our veterans’ programs are made possible by generous grants from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation and Pratt & Whitney. Our Dyer Veterans group is always growing! Are you a Veteran in West Palm Beach? Come join the group. Please contact Coach Dave at [email protected] for more information.

WANT TO PLAY SIX FREE ROUNDS OF GOLF?

One tiny wrinkle, the six rounds are all in one day! It is that time of year again for the CMAA 100-Hole Challenge. Our goal this year is to raise $80,000. It is not too late to register to play or make a donation and support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day. Your donation helps to fund our children’s and veterans’ programs. Ready to play? Please contact [email protected] for more information. Ready to donate? Please visit our donation page for a secure online tax-deductible contribution.

TYLER AWARDED PBGCSA SCHOLARSHIP

Chapter student, Tyler Mistretta, received a $1,000 college scholarship from the Palm Beach Golf Course Superintendents Association. He attended the PBGCSA annual meeting at Old Marsh and was recognized among the 13 scholarship winners for the 2021-2022 school year. Tyler (pictured above, the tallest one of course) is headed to Florida Southern College in August. “I am so thankful for this scholarship. The only way I can live my dream of playing college golf is with financial aid,” said Tyler. “The PBGCSA members have helped First Tee for so many years and I am honored to be selected for this scholarship.”

CHAPTER STUDENTS PLAY BALLENISLES JUNIOR CUP

The East Team won the 9th Annual BallenIsles Junior Cup against the West Team 19 to 8 during a two-day, Ryder Cup-style tournament played. The tournament featured 24 male and 12 female junior golfers, ages 18 years and younger, representing the top junior players in South Florida. Pictured above: Chapter student Tyler Mistretta hoists the BallenIsles Junior Cup. For two of our students in singles of match play, it came down to the last putt on the last hole. Sebastian Nachilly and Tyler Mistretta have played golf together since they were eight years old. This was their last head-to-head match as juniors. Sebastian defeated Tyler one up by making a 10-foot putt for par on the 18th hole. Chapter students Nick Estrada, Poppy Lee and Christiana Lee also were selected to play. “It was fantastic to see so many of our students participate,” said Chapter Executive Carl Mistretta. “Many of them are now off to college to play golf. The members and staff of BallenIsles are so very generous to host this incredible event.”

LANDO KEEPS UP THE GREAT PLAY

Birdie class participant Landon Murray won his second week in a row in the 12- to 14-year-old division of The Junior Tour Powered by Under Armor at the Jensen Beach Country Club. On the first week, Landon finished strong with +6 score of 42 and on week two +4 score of 40. This is a 9-hole league match. He made an incredible shot on hole 5, with a 35-foot putt for birdie! Landon’s mother commented, “We are so very proud of Landon and all of his dedication and hard work. First Tee has given him some incredible opportunities and our family is truly grateful.” There are 4 more upcoming events giving him the chance to qualify for the National Championship in Orlando, FL.