Every Monday, Coach Ben Miller, PGA, meets with ARC at the Westside Learning Center. The kids are learning how to follow directions and how to hit the ball in the air. One student, Riley, is always eager to hit, especially if she is in the red tee box with a red club. There was a new student, Trevor, who was totally hooked and did not want to leave even after the rest of the class was finished.
Summer is in full swing, and so are our campers at Westside Boys & Girls Club. This was their introduction to golf. The first two weeks were composed of a SNAG driving range set up to learn the basics of the golf swing. Next, Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA, and Coach Ben Miller, PGA, set up a 5-hole course using hula hoops and cones to help teach the fundamentals of the game and what it means to make a par. Every session ends with group discussions about why it is important to respect our peers and to overcome difficult challenges.
Last call for summer camps!
For more information and to register at one of our 8 program locations, please visit our website.
We are pleased to announce our newest program partner: PGA Golf Club in Port Saint Lucie! Coach Alex Iguchi, PGA looks forward to meeting your children at an upcoming summer camp. Financial aid is available.
Please visit our website for more information on the PGA Golf Club programs and to register.
Gerald “Jerry” Hardie Tankersley of Stuart, FL passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the age of 85. Jerry is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Jerry worked in the financial services industry in the senior management ranks of both very large and very small firms including Thomson McKinnon Securities, Prudential Securities, Inc., Lebenthal and Company, Inc. and Merrill Lynch.
In 2005, he received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Securities Industry Association. Jerry had a passion for golf and served as Treasurer and Club President at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, NY and as Treasurer and Club President at Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart, FL.
Jerry served as a role model and mentor to many. His wise counsel, optimism, generosity, and quick wit will always be remembered by his friends and family.
He was also a founding Board Member of First Tee – Treasure Coast and served as our Vice President.
“We miss him so much,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “He was always the voice of reason and considered everyone else’s thoughts and opinions before adding his own. He was a true gentleman and helped us grow our chapter to serve thousands of residents of the Treasure Coast.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Tee – Treasure Coast, 2000 SE St. Lucie Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996 or online at
https://firstteefloridagoldcoast.org/donate.
Two generations of Hunt family members now serve as Hunt Foundation Trustees, continuing the Foundation’s mission of supporting organizations that strive to improve the quality of life. The Hunt Foundation annually grants approximately $3.8 million primarily in the United States, through smaller general grants and through the Foundation’s special initiatives. Thanks to the generosity of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, we can fund many First Tee programs across our Treasure Coast territory. Andrew Hunt, a 3rd Generation Trustee of the Hunt Foundation, is the founder of our Chapter and serves as our Treasure Coast Board President.
Clubs and players are signing up! Are you in?
Three of our veterans, Homer, Diane, and Doug, are hoping to break 100 by the end of our 6-week program. The program consists of a full swing clinic followed by personal stories and sharing thoughts on current events. During our first session, Coach Ben Miller, PGA, helped Doug create more width in his swing, showed Diane how to set up and hit up on her driver, and assisted Homer with chipping and pitching with spin.
Coach Willie Scott, Director of Program Development Emily Valentine, and Program Coordinator Steven Andrade had the privilege of training over a dozen St. Lucie County PE teachers to deliver our programs in their curriculum at their respective schools.
These trained coaches not only introduce junior golf and an opportunity to enhance golf skills, but they also create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment to help your child prepare for life ahead, including friendships, school, college, and even their careers.
We truly value our partnership with the YMCA of Stuart as they share our passion for positive youth development.
Coaches Gabbie Budd, LPGA, and Ben Miller, PGA, spent a week with over 100 summer camp participants. We delivered an exceptional program and introduced so many kids to the game of golf.
The participant’s favorite game was soccer golf. Coaches set up a 6-hole golf course and had campers pair up in an alternate shot format. There were so many teachable moments, including honesty and integrity, as the participants were responsible for accurately keeping their own scores. As the program progressed, they were introduced to golf clubs instead of soccer balls.
Our Chapter students participated in the AJGA’s “Day in a Life” program at the UNIQLO / Adam Scott Junior Championship at Hammock Creek Golf Club. The program is designed to give the younger generation an opportunity to be introduced to career paths in golf outside of playing the game. The AJGA showcases the business side of golf, such as Tournament Administration, Tournament Operations, and Communications, while having fun watching the next generation of juniors compete in a national tournament.
We recently joined the graduates of Samuel Gaines Middle School, for a fun filled day at our Westside Learning Facility! These students were taught by Coach Ben Miller, PGA and Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA. They learned the fundamentals of the game of golf. These short sessions offered more than enough time to spark their interest in the sport of a lifetime and the sport of business.
Coach Gabbie Budd, LPGA, has enjoyed teaching the children at Olivet Private School. This group is full of Game Changers! The students showed Coach Gabbie respect and gave her their full attention. By the end of the six classes, each kid had the ability to hit a golf ball, keep score, and were able to identify the parts of the golf club. This has been a great partnership for our Chapter!
