Category: Treasure Coast

Classes from January 23 – February 27 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PLAYER | Ages 6-16 $120 for 6 weeks 3400 SE Summerfield Way, Stuart, FL 34997 Please visit our website to register. For more information, please contact Coach Steven Andrade at [email protected] or (561) 324-7021.

Our spring golf tournament will be held on Monday May 10th, 2021 at Jupiter Hills- The Hills Course. Last summer, the course underwent a significant re-grassing and renovation including re-design of a few holes. The club hosted the 1987 U.S. Amateur Championship and the 2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. The Hills course is one of the highest ranked golf courses in the country. Please register ASAP as this event will sell out quickly. Sponsorships are also available. Due to COVID restrictions, we will be using tee times this year and there will be no large gatherings. Please contact Gennifer Garvin at [email protected] or 812-243-5703 for more information.

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following locations: Crane Watch Club The Champions Club Jensen Beach Golf Club The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course Riverbend Country Club Fairwinds Golf Course

Our spring golf tournament will be held on May 11th at the Hills course at Jupiter Hills. The course underwent a significant renovation including re-design of a few holes. The club hosted the 1987 U.S. Amateur Championship and the 2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. The Hills course is one of the highest ranked golf courses in the country. More information on the tournament will be released soon in an upcoming newsletter and on our website.

Vietnam veteran Julio Gomez is even par: 72-years-old, and participates in our First Tee Veterans Program at Jensen Beach Golf Club. He served four years in the Marines in Vietnam and is a Purple Heart recipient (Wounded in battle TWICE in the same day). “I really enjoy the golf instruction we receive from First Tee Coach Wayne Huffines,” said Julio. “We also have a great time because we have the opportunity to play 9 holes after our lessons at the club.” Hats off to Jensen Beach Golf Club for hosting our nation’s heroes.

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following 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 Coming Soon: The re-designed and brand new Sailfish Sands!

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. 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 also be mailed to: First Tee – Treasure Coast Children’s Services Council of Martin County 101 SE Central Pkwy Stuart, FL 34994 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.

Tom is a participant in on Monday morning veterans’ programs at Jensen Beach Golf Club with Coach Wayne Huffines, PGA. Tom is 81 years old and served in The United States Army. He also spent a portion of his career in the FDNY before retiring in 2002 and moving to Florida. Tom says he never played golf before until being introduced to the game by friend and First Tee coach Dave McNulty, PGA. “I love the opportunity that First Tee has given me, introducing me to a sport that allows me to enjoy the outdoors and have a safe outlet, especially during this pandemic,” said Tom. Tom is now a member at Palm Cove Golf and Yacht Club in Palm City and plays golf several times a week! THANK YOU Tom for your service to our country and to all our nation’s heroes. SHOUT OUT to Jensen Beach Golf Club for graciously hosting our Veterans each week.

Meet Grace Bischoff. She lives in Tequesta and enjoys dance, arts and crafts, and musical theater. She is 11 years old and is the middle child with an older sister, Ellie, and younger sister, Charlotte. Grace joined our chapter in 1st grade and is excited to be in First Tee classes with Coach Chris at Riverbend Country Club! She enjoys practicing with her dad and grandfather. Coach Chris said, “Grace has been a pleasure to coach and has evolved so much since being with First Tee. She is always looking out for the younger participants to help them improve their life skills and promote healthy choices. I am excited to see all the great things Grace accomplishes!”

Great news! Palm Beach and Martin Counties have been selected as a potential site for The Junior Tour powered by Under Armour beginning in the Spring of 2021. There are two seasons per year, March-April and September-October consisting of 6 events each. The League registration fee covers the following items per player: • Entry into ALL 6 league, 9 hole matches • Under Armour Junior Tour Polo Shirt • Opportunity to earn points from each match to qualify for State & National Tournaments • Opportunity to be the League Champion from each division and earn FREE entry into the National Tournament. For more information, please visit https://www.uagolftour.com/ Interested? Please take a moment to fill out this survey.

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 (Palm Beach Chapter), Shrey Shalia (Broward Chapter), Tour Player Ken Duke, Katie Harwood (Treasure Coast Chapter) and Asha Farrelly (Palm Beach Chapter). 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 Pro-Am. “I really enjoyed the tips that Mr. Duke gave me about addressing the ball and striking it better,” said chapter student Katie Harwood. “He had me open up the club face to get under the ball better. He also pushed me to use clubs that I am not comfortable with like my driver. I smoked it the first time he challenged me to hit it!” Special SHOUT OUT to the tournament staff for making this opportunity happen for these deserving students. We are extremely excited to be engaged with this premier golf tournament.

First Tee registration is open at multiple program locations in St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Please visit our website to learn more about class days and times at the following 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