Category: Treasure Coast

DENNIS WALTERS WINS THE SEATED PLAYERS FLIGHT

Our non-profit organization’s founding mission is serving children with special needs. As such, Dennis Walters has been involved for a long time as is now an Honorary Board Member. Dennis won the Seated Players Flight in the inaugural event at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

This was Walters’ first tournament since he was paralyzed in an accident in 1974. He made an impressive par on his final hole to win the tournament. He chipped the ball off the ninth green to 4 feet by turning in his seat to move his body sideways in his adaptive golf cart. 

Dennis is the only person paralyzed below the waist who earns a living as a professional golfer. To play, he worked with his father and a few friends to fashion a seat on the passenger side of a golf cart. This invention rotates 90 degrees and allows Dennis to play the game he loves. He now conducts The Dennis Walters Golf Show all over the world, a one-hour show with a combination of golf mastery and human inspiration.

JOIN THE 2%+ CLUB

We launched the 2%+ Club with the goal of golf enthusiasts donating 2%+ of their annual golf expenses to our children and veterans. For the typical golfaholic, this equates to between $10 and $50 per month.

All funds raised support the mission of the First Tee – Treasure Coast, which is to impact the lives of young people, including those with special needs, and veterans, by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

How do you contribute? First, do the math! Take your total golf expenses each year and multiply that amount by 2%. Then, divide that amount by 12 months. This amount becomes your monthly donation. It is easy to donate on our secure website.

If you have any questions, please contact Chapter Director, Chris Burr, at [email protected] or call at (561) 400-5970.

KEVIN PERKINS GOLF ACADEMY

Kevin Perkins Golf Academy is conducting after school programs at Sailfish Sands. The programs are open to boys and girls ages 7-17. Starting on August 23, there will be nine sessions taking over nine consecutive Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. The curriculum includes golf skills, such as full swing, putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play, as well as First Tee life skills. A TrackMan Launch Monitor is utilized in each session. For more information, contact Kevin at 561 301-3783 / [email protected] or please visit our website.

100 – HOLE CHALLENGE IS UNDERWAY

Our annual 100 – Hole Challenge is underway!

Last year we raised over $25,000 with the help of participating clubs and players. This year the following are participating with a goal to raise $60,000:

Floridian National Golf Club
Jupiter Island Club
Turtle Creek
Directors Jen Hong, Wes Hightower and Richard Chase
Staff from Titleist, Stitch, TaylorMade and Holderness and Bourne

Ready to play? There is still plenty of time. Please visit our website for more information or contact [email protected]

Ready to donate? Please support these folks crazy enough to play 100 holes in one day to support our mission and programs. Please visit our donation page for a secure online tax-deductible contribution. 

TREASURE COAST HOMESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Program Coordinator Steven Andrade attended the Treasure Coast Homeschool Open House at Westside Church on Saturday, July 16th. This event for the homeschool community helps families find amazing resources for the school year and more! We awarded prized for holed putts by homeschool students and showcased our beautiful Chip and Putt Sports Complex at Westside Church. 

Interested in organizing or participating in a home-school program? Please contact [email protected] for more information.

FIRST ANNUAL CHAPTER CHAMPIONSHIP

The Club at Ibis generously hosted our first annual Chapter Championship. Three person teams from the Treasure Coast, Palm Beaches and Broward Chapters competed in a one best-ball format. As expected, it came down to the last few holes with Palm Beaches shooting 2-under par 70 to edge Broward by two shots. The winning Palm Beaches team players were Billy Reid, Zoe Shamy and Jayda Dookie (pictured above left with Palm Beach President Bobby Hendel and Program Coordinator Zack Anderton).

Treasure Coast team players were Ridgeway Clark, Garrett Miller and Brian Sowerbutts.

We also had an individual alumni division won by Tyler Mistretta (pictured above middle) with a bogey free round of 2-under 70 to beat Janelle Johnson by five shots.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL PROGRAMS

Enroll your children in our First Tee programs as golf is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime!

Our program locations include: 
• Crane Watch Club
• The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• The Champions Club
• Trident Golf Club
• Jensen Beach Golf Club
• Fairwinds Golf Course
• Sailfish Sands Golf Course
• First Tee League

For more information and to register, please visit our website.

SAILFISH POINT HOSTS ANNUAL TOURNEY

Sailfish Point has completed an extensive renovation and re-design of their golf course with Nicklaus Design. 

“The new golf course is simply spectacular,” said Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta. “We are so thankful to the members and staff and very excited they are hosting our tournament on their new course.”

Our annual golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at Sailfish Point. Sponsorships are now available for the event. Our day at this Jack Nicklaus Signature Course includes lunch, gift bag, golf, prizes, dinner and drinks. All players compete in both gross and net divisions. 

The schedule consists of noon lunch and warm-up with a 1pm shotgun start. The competition will be playing your own ball, no scramble, with a limited field. One best ball of the foursome.

This is your chance to join our current sponsors of Steady Returns, Wes Hightower, Amazon Web Services, PGA TOUR Superstore, and Comcast. We are offering a variety of sponsor opportunities. 

For more information please contact [email protected] or 603-969-5477.

TREASURE COAST HOMESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Chapter staff recently attended the Treasure Coast Homeschool Open House. We had the chance to interact with homeschooling families while sharing all the opportunities the First Tee offers. COVID resulted in many families moving to and staying with home schooling. Home school students have an opportunity to schedule First Tee programs as a PE option with our Chapter. 

Interested in enrolling your home school students in First Tee programs? Please contact our Program Coordinator at [email protected] for more information.

ARC PARTICIPANTS ATTEND WESTSIDE GOLF COMPLEX

Over 20 special needs participants from The Arc attend weekly summer outings at our Westside Golf Complex. Coach Ben Miller, PGA delivers golf lessons, games and fun to the participants. ARC promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

SAILFISH SANDS HOSTS YMCA STUART VETERANS PROGRAM

We have just begun a new partnership with the YMCA Stuart to deliver golf programs to veterans at the newly renovated Sailfish Sands golf course (formerly Martin County Golf Course). Golf is a great way for local veterans to connect with each other while enjoying outdoor recreation. Chapter Coach Ben Miller, PGA is conducting the weekly clinics for the vets. The YMCA is a leading non-profit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other.