Category: Treasure Coast

Treasure Coast golfers have no doubt taken notice of the “Golf Capital of the World” license plate proudly displayed on thousands of local automobiles. Many golfers do not know that the benefitting charity of this license plate is junior golf. Created in 2002 by the Dade Amateur Golf Association, the Florida Junior Golf Council was formed for the benefit of Florida’s junior golf programs. Through the efforts of the late Charlie DeLucca, the “Golf Capital of the World” license plate was passed into law by the Florida legislature and Governor Jeb Bush. All revenue generated supports junior golf programs. To date, over $8.7 million has been distributed to support junior golf. The FJGC license plate grant program is designed to assist organizations that introduce young people to golf, through instruction and competition, teach the values and Rules of Golf, stress integrity, courtesy, self-discipline, and other life skills.  Additionally, the grant program assists junior golf organizations that serve economically disadvantaged youth, children with special needs and the general population.  The FJGC is planning to significantly increase the size of grants for the next year because of the impact of COVID-19 on junior golf programs. “We are now seeing that junior golf programs have to offer smaller class sizes, pay for more coaches to ensure safety and spend unbudgeted funds on thermometers, sanitizer, masks and gloves,” said Charlie DeLucca III, Executive Director of the First Tee of Miami and board member of the FJGC. “After speaking with several junior program executive directors and administrators it became obvious that the FJGC needed to step in and assist these important programs. All Florida golfers recognize the license plate, but many do not understand the incredible impact it has on junior golf. (Pictured above: Chapter Executive Director Carl Mistretta with one of his two FJGC license plates.) The easiest way to purchase the license plate is during your birthday month by renewing your tag registration. The plate can be purchased online or in person at the office of the tax collector or tag agency. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Head Golf professional Tom Yeager raised over $5,000 for First Tee – Treasure Coast playing 100 holes of golf this September. Coach Chris Connelly, PGA and Director of Community Outreach Anthony Coletta also played 100 holes and raised over $4,000 for our chapter. Special thank you to Hobe Sound Golf Club and the generosity and support of its wonderful members! Donations are still being accepted to recognize Tom, Anthony and Chris for playing 100 holes in one day!

Our newest program location, Fairwinds Golf Course in Fort Pierce, kicked off classes with a free clinic for new students hosted by the Director of Golf- Mark Cammarene, PGA and new First Tee Coach- Willie Scott of Swing Tree Golf. 20 junior golfers battled the wind to participate in a putting activity at the clinic. A new 9-week Saturday session is now in progress. Registration is still open for more students to enroll. Special SHOUT OUT to Fairwinds member, Thomas Moore, for making a very generous donation to assist students in need of financial assistance to attend these classes. We are very thankful to St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation and the entire staff at Fairwinds Golf Course for giving us the opportunity to grow the game and make a greater impact in the Fort Pierce community.

Arthur M. Blank, Chairman, PGA TOUR Superstore and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and a Trustee of First Tee, has donated $9.5 million to the national organization to impact the lives of thousands of students across the country. “We are grateful for leaders like Arthur Blank and his family of businesses who understand the power of investing in young people and their communities through First Tee,” said Jay Monahan, Commissioner, PGA TOUR and Chairman, Board of Governors, First Tee. The new grant will help First Tee reach more children across the U.S. and strengthen First Tee’s curriculum for teenage participants. Pictured above: Joe Gorman, Manager of the PGA TOUR Superstore on PGA Boulevard presented a $15,000 check from the Blank Family Foundation to Chapter students- the entire Turner family! PGA TOUR Superstore and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have supported First Tee for more than a decade, helping First Tee grow from reaching 260,000 students in PGA TOUR Superstore markets in 2011 to more than 1.5 million young people in 2019. This new grant will help First Tee focus on the critical teenage years, where in the U.S. one in five public school children drop out before they finish high school.

Sailfish Point Head Golf Professional Victor Tortorici, PGA was selected as the South Florida PGA Section “Golf Professional of the Year 2020.” “Victor, his staff and the members of Sailfish Point have been generous supporters of our chapter,” said Andrew Hunt, Chapter President. “Congratulations to Victor on such well deserved recognition for his many contributions to the game of golf in the Treasure Coast.”

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