NEW MENTOR PROGRAM WITH BBBS

In 2021 First Tee – Treasure Coast partnered with Big Brother’s Big Sisters and their Community Based Mentor Program to offer golf and Life Skills classes. BBBS serves young people from age five through young adulthood in one-to-one mentoring friendships. Bigs and Littles hang out 2-3 times a month for a few hours doing normal everyday activities, homework, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out. Our Chapter is offering a Life Skills program as an enrichment activity for Community Bigs to attend with their Littles, once a month. We designed the class so that participants will take part in games and drills which will teach the basics of golf and build on each skill set over the course of three golf clinics. Both Bigs and Littles will receive instruction from a First Tee trained coach from putting skills to full-swing and course playing strategies. Participants will also be learning the Nine Core values of the First Tee curriculum and how to use them in golf and in life. The first session was Saturday, October 9th with Coach Steven Adrade at Champions of Summerfield. 5 Bigs and 6 Littles enjoying golf class and pizza!

NEW HOME SCHOOL AT FAIRWINDS

Fairwinds Golf Course is offering a new home school class. Wednesdays, October 6 – December 1, 2021. 10:30am -12:00. Located at The Fairwinds Golf Course. Lesson highlights – Full swing, Putting, Chipping, Pitching and Bunker Play instruction – Sportsmanship, etiquette, rules of golf, and safety. – Fitness, coordination, stability, balance and power. – First Tee Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits. For more information contact Coach Wille at [email protected] Please visit our website to register.

TREVOR RECEIVES INAUGURAL ERLING SPEER SCHOLARSHIP

Chapter student Trevor Tarashuk received the inaugural Erling Speer Memorial College Scholarship. He is the first student from our chapter to benefit from our annual scholarship fund. Erling (pictured above right) was an instrumental chapter Director and helped launch our Chapter in 2012. His relationships with other youth serving organizations, especially the Boys and Girls Clubs, were key factors in our chapter’s early growth and today’s continued success. The Palm Beach Gardens PGA TOUR Superstore hosted our 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 Andrew and Robin Hunt Charitable Fund, Trustee Jon Orszag and the Peter G. Helie Family Scholarship, 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. 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.

FALL PROGRAMS IN FULL SWING

Register up now for Fall programs. Our programs are taught at the following golf course locations: – Crane Watch Club – The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course – The Champions Club – Riverbend Country Club – Jensen Beach Golf Club – Fairwinds Golf Course For more information and to register, please visit our website.

WELCOME COACH MATT COLEMAN

Coach Matt joined our Chapter as the lead coach at Riverbend Golf Club. Matt was introduced to us through Chapter Director, Jen Hong. Matt is a great addition to our chapter. Our 2020 Coach of the Year and former Riverbend Lead Coach, Chris Connelly, PGA (pictured above left with Matt) has volunteered his time mentoring Matt as he transitions to lead coach this Fall. Our chapter coaches enjoy helping each other and always work together to make the program a success. Chris will continue to coach in a limited compacity as his new schedule allows. Chris said, “I enjoy working with new junior golf coaches and watching their coaching styles develop over time to help the students.”

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT – GRACE

This summer our Chapter conducted a 6-week program for 25 children at the GRACE Education Center. Students practiced putting and chipping. It was the first time many had ever picked up a golf club, but they all enjoyed this new experience. Coach Joe said, “We discussed what profession they wanted to enter when they graduate school. There were plenty of hopeful nurses, doctors and lawyers. We discussed and demonstrated Respect, Sportsmanship, Courtesy and Integrity. Such a great group of kids!” Special thanks to the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County for introducing us to this new youth serving partner and for providing the funding to conduct this summer program.

ABIGAIL HALPERN WINS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – AGAIN!

Abigail Halpern won the 2020 South Florida Junior PGA Player of the Year on the Challenge Tour. This achievement marks her third consecutive Player of the Year award in SFPGA Junior golf. Abby, a native of Palm City, started playing golf at the age of 3 with the First Tee class at Hammock Creek Golf Club with Coach Bo Batchelor. She has played many junior golf tournaments and has even made two hole-in-ones! During her free time, Abigail has volunteered with the No Kill Animal Rescue Nala Dog Shelter in Palm City because she really cares about dogs. She believes dogs are man’s best animal companions in life. Abigail is a hardworking student at Hidden Oaks Middle School and has made the Honors Principal’s Roll since 2019. She is a member in the National Junior Honor Society. Abigail has been volunteering with the First Tee at Crane Watch helping and guiding young children to learn to play golf. Abigail’s mother said, “I know that the First Tee program has made a big difference in her life as a young golfer and as a student. More importantly, First Tee is shaping Abigail into a future productive and successful citizen of society.

RESOURCES IN COMMUNITY HOPE HOUSE

Chapter staff was recently invited to attend the grand opening of the Fort Pierce Police Department’s Resources In Community Hope (R.I.C.H) House. Students in attendance were introduced to the game of golf using our large clubs and tennis balls. The mission of the Fort Pierce Police Department is to reduce crime and enrich the quality of life through a collaborative partnership with all citizens. The R.I.C.H. House was established for the purpose of creating a safe haven for all those in need of services. It will be a place that fosters police and community relationships and provides a multi-purpose education and resource center for all ages to enhance their quality of life. The R.I.C.H. House will rely heavily on community partnerships and support from non-profit organizations, businesses, and volunteers to make this program well-designed and successful. The R.I.C.H. House will provide curriculums geared towards educational assistance, conflict-resolution, socialization skills, and self-esteem building for children, parents, and seniors. Our Chapter is looking forward to working with the community and delivering our life skills program.

ANNERY GIVES BACK

Annery Abrue, is a First Tee Coach at Fairwinds Golf Course and a First Tee alumna. Coach Willie Scott has been her longtime mentor since she was a freshman in high school. Annery is entering her junior year of college where she plays on the golf team and won her first college golf event this past Spring. She has just completed her first step in becoming a Golf Instructor with TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) completing Level 1 Certification. She is such an inspiration to all the young ladies! Annery made the Presidents list every semester in college with a 4.0 GPA.

HARBOUR RIDGE ROCKS THE 100 – HOLE CHALLENGE!

The staff and members of Harbour Ridge set a new 100 – Hole Challenge record for our chapter by raising $15,564 to support our children and veterans. Our goal this year is to raise $60,000. “We are so grateful for the continued support of Harbour Ridge,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “Their generosity will impact the lives of hundreds of people in their community.” Think you can beat their record? There is still time to play. Please visit our websitefor more information or contact [email protected].

BACK TO SCHOOL = BACK TO GOLF

Sign up now for Fall programs. Our programs are taught at the following golf course locations: – Crane Watch Club – The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course – The Champions Club – Riverbend Country Club – Jensen Beach Golf Club – Fairwinds Golf Course For more information and to register, please visit our website.

Participant Spotlight I Maximus Reseniz

Maximus is a PAR participant at Fairwinds Golf Course with Coaches Mark Cammarene, PGA and Willie Scott. He shows a real passion for the game of golf, spending his spare time in the back yard working on his golf swing. His favorite Nine Core Value is Responsibility because he truly understands how this value relates to being on the golf course and interacting with his fellow players.  Maximus made a 30-foot putt while playing a team competition to lead his team to victory! Coach Willie asked his what making that putt meant to him and he replied:  “It was my responsibility to make that putt so that my team would have a chance to win!”