Category: Palm Beaches

The Brooks Koepka Charitable Fund has announced the “12 days of Brooksmas.” Brooks Koepka’s foundation will be giving $1,200 to 12 different nonprofits, both locally and nationwide! Our Chapter was selected as one of the 12 charities. “We are very excited for this generous support from a local legend, major champion and one of the greatest players in the game,” said Steve Rockoff, Chapter Chairman. “Brooks grew up here and continues to live here. It is inspiring to our students, staff and board members to see him supporting our organization.” Follow @Bkoepkafoundation on Instagram to learn more.

Our chapter serves thousands of students to teach them to play golf and advance through our Life Skills curriculum.  We are thankful that golf is a social distancing sport as we have been very busy. We also serve students with special needs and disabled veterans in our golf programs.  This year we awarded $20,000 in college scholarships to our past students. Like most organizations, our fundraising efforts have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many more parents are applying for financial aid due to unemployment or underemployment. We hope that you can support our children and veterans this year through a secure online donation. Small donations are greatly appreciated! Checks may be mailed to: First Tee – Palm Beaches 7301 N. Haverhill Rd. Riviera Beach, FL 33407 The chapter can also accept money wire transfers or stock donations.  If you wish to donate this way please reach out to Carl Mistretta, our Executive Director at [email protected] for wiring instructions.

PGA National Resort & Spa – Champion & Fazio November 20 – 22, 2020

Volunteer Needs: – Timing Station Volunteers (Champion & Fazio Courses) – Water Rovers (Champion & Fazio Courses) The AJGA has created an online sign-up link to allow everyone to specify their available dates and times. Please contact: Melanie Sands Email: [email protected] Cell: (609) 744 – 6921

Team BallenIsles consisting of the club’s General Manager- Ryan Walls and Director of Golf- Jeff Fitzherbert (pictured above left), did not stop at 100 holes. They kept going and played 125 holes at Jupiter Country Club! The club membership supported their efforts with over $15,000 in donations to support our children and veterans. They were also joined by Young Professional members Jon Cross and Mason Meany, chapter student Harry Hutchings and chapter supporter Tony Lafaso. Two weeks prior, Chapter staff- Carl Mistretta (pictured above middle), David Trout and Emily Valentine played 10 holes in the rain before playing the final 90 holes at PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE in their simulator. Chapter Treasurer Mitch Stump (pictured above right) just kept playing in the rain! To date, we have raised over $31,000 of our total goal of $40,000. Please consider a donation to help fund our children’s and veterans’ programsduring these difficult times in support of everyone who played 100 holes or more. Are you interested in playing the 100-Hole Challenge this year at your club? There is still time. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The TimberTech Championship recently held at The Old Course at Broken Sound was an exciting event with a strong field of PGA TOUR Champions players. Congratulations to Darren Clarke who won the championship. Six Chapter students were invited to play in the ProAms. Pictured top left, from left to right: First Tee foursome of Felipe Obando, Shrey Shalia (Broward Chapter), Tour Player Ken Duke, Katie Harwood (Treasure Coast Chapter) and Asha Farrelly. This foursome was generously donated by the S. Randolph Scheen Family Charitable Foundation. Pictured top right, left to right: Sebastian Nachilly and Billy Reid with Tour Player Robert Karlsson. Sebastian and Billy both applied to play in the Pure Insurance Open at Pebble Beach, but First Tee players were not allowed to play due to COVID. First Tee home office invited both students to the ProAm. “What an amazing day with Robert Karllson at the Timber Tech ProAm,” said Palm Beach Chapter student Billy Reid. “We discussed course management and his thought process with many shots. He even gave me some chipping tips that I was able to implement into my round as we played. This was a great opportunity that I am very thankful for to First Tee.” Special SHOUT OUT to the tournament staff for making this opportunity happen for these deserving students.  We are very excited to be engaged with this premier golf tournament.

Congratulations to Zoey and Wylie! – Birdie participant, Zoe Shamy, won the 2020 Girls 13-18 SFPGA Prep Tour Player of the Year. – Par participant, Wylie Inman, won 2020 Boys 11-12 SFPGA Prep Tour Player of the Year. Each of the PGA Junior Tours (Prep, Challenge, and Championship) conduct a season long Player of the Year points race. Each event awards points to top finishers. The players with the most points at the end of the year are crowned Players of the Year. Chapter student Tyler Mistretta holds a .25-point lead in the Championship Tour with the final event coming up in early December at Banyan Cay. Can we go 3 for 3??

After three postponements due to rain, the new PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE in Palm Beach Gardens graciously hosted the Teen Golf Association for a Friday night get together. The weather was great! Students enjoyed pizza, a closest to the pin contest on the golf simulator and competed in a 3 -hole putting competition. Congratulations to the winners who each received a gift card to the store: Sebastian Nachilly, Eagle Participant Micah Boggs, Par Participant Sean Dully, Palm Beach Gardens High Golf Team Landon Murray, Birdie Participant

Pizza will be served. Prizes for the winners. Please register ASAP as we have limited tee times.

Besides working with thousands of children in our First Tee classes and special needs programs, our Chapter also brings the great game of golf, outdoor recreation, and social activities to hundreds of our nation’s veterans each year. Our veterans’ programs began in 1999 and continue to thrive each week. These programs are made possibly from many of our donors and a generous grant from United Technologies through The Honda Classic. Coach Dave McNulty, PGA leads our veterans’ programs. These programs help to thank our veteran participants for their service.

Our Broward First Tee Chapter has an online auction underway with incredible items including Spirit Airlines tickets, gift certificate to PGA Tour Superstore, a wine collection, Titleist golf balls, golf foursomes, etc. Please check it out and bid high!

Each year, our chapter partners with the Seminole Region of the CMAA to raise funds to support our mission and programs. Staff and donors play 100 holes in one day and secure per hole pledges to support our chapter students from kindergarten to 12th grade, children with special needs and veterans. All donations stay in Palm Beach County to serve the thousands of children and veterans in our programs. Visit our website to make a secure online donation.