Sofia joined my homeschool classes well before we relocated to Commons Park in Royal Palm Beach.  Back then, I knew she had a lot of promise, she even took some private lessons.  While she did not fully pursue golf because of her interests in volleyball, she kept coming to class and her swing improved.  Overtime, she and others from the class would play some friendly rounds on the course and I think a seed of passion started to grow.  The more you play, the more you discover if you love the sport enough to do more.

Just last year, I saw something different in her so I started to offer her some opportunities to get more involved in First Tee and that's when everything changed. I am really proud of her.  Looking forward to seeing how far she takes it.

If you are involved with our junior golf program, you have more than likely had a conversation with Mayda Muniz, my behind the scenes administrator.  I know she speaks to parents about the importance of registering with First Tee even if your golfer is young because you just never know where golf will take them. I get the pleasure of nominating golfers to participate in First Tee opportunities often.  If your golfer puts in the effort, I am happy to help open doors for them.

​Once in South Carolina, they spent a day playing golf two courses in Aiken, South Carolina.  "Both were absolutely gorgeous and nothing like what we have here Florida." Then it was time to get to work as standard bearers in the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club. Each participant was assigned to follow one of the top six threesomes in the tournament, giving them a front-row seat to some of the best junior golf talent in the world. "It was really awesome watching the players. I have never done anything like this! It was overall such a unique experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to come along with the team."

I am truly honored to be able to be a First Tee Coach and it is an honor to nominate my students for these opportunities.  I still talk to students who have graduated and they often speak about these trips fondly.  

The first ever James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational is in full swing and First Tee participants were onsite this evening to hear from PGA Champions Player, Dicky Pride and former NFL quarterback, Brady Quinn.  The First Tee of the Palm Beaches hosted a fun evening of games as a way to celebrate the tournament and thank ADT for their generous donation of $10,000.  

Beaver Golf students:  JW Lewis, Mateo Muniz and Xander Trivlis had front row seats as Dicky shared his golf journey which included competing as a walk on in college and then recovering from a boating accident which left him unable to play golf for 10 months.  When he returned to the sport, he was fired up to play professionally and after a lot of disciplined practice and dedication to the fundamentals he was able to turn pro in 1993.  While Dicky has only won once, he absolutely loves playing golf.  To this day, he remains consistent in his training and is always learning, He encouraged the young golfers to keep that same mindset in anything that they pursue.

Grady followed that with his story about setting goals and dreaming big.  He shared the importance of keeping your goals in front of you all the time.  Write them out and put them on a mirror or somewhere you will be forced to look which will make you think about how you will achieve those goals. Brady also mentioned that achieving goals means making sacrifices.  When your friends are playing games or going to the movies, you will need to make the decision to stay back and work on your goals.  Most importantly, he encouraged the golfers to listen to their parents because they have traveled the road before you and want to you avoid pitfalls.  Since some are stubborn, Brady also mentioned that failing is just an opportunity to learn. 

Great advice all around!  ​

Elise Rivas Mucklow is an incredible young woman.  She has always impressed me with her ability to communicate and she makes me laugh every week as she leads the morning warm-up.  When you see her in action, it will become clear that the military is a great fit for her.  I was not surprised when I heard that she received Congressional nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Both programs emphasize engineering—a passion she has pursued for years.  If for some reason those don't work out she will attend Florida Atlantic University.  

​Have you always wanted to join the military?
Not at all. I don’t come from a military family. My interest in the military began unexpectedly through STEM. I was part of a robotics team for a few years, which introduced me to various STEM and mechanical engineering opportunities. One day, I saw a flyer for the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. It seemed foreign and intimidating, but I decided to try it.

When I was accepted, I felt nervous, especially about the physical challenges. However, during the seminar, I discovered a unique community, built strong connections, and realized I have the grit and determination to achieve difficult goals. I pushed through physical challenges by thinking of my squad, who depended on me, and learned I was more capable than I had imagined. That experience sparked a desire for more of those challenges.
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Why did you leave the robotics team?
Being part of the robotics team was an amazing experience, but it was a serious time commitment. It consumed so much of my time that I couldn’t pursue other interests. In my final year, I decided to explore new opportunities, like First Tee, and focus on singing, a passion I’ve had since childhood.
I’ve always enjoyed singing and started with my local choir at a young age. I was part of the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches before joining the Schola Cantorum of Florida Choir at FAU, where I’ve received invaluable coaching. I also sing in my church choir at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Singing has been a creative outlet that complements my academic and STEM pursuits.
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What do you think about First Tee?
If I could change one thing, I would have become more involved in First Tee earlier. I didn’t realize how many great opportunities were available through the program. Initially, I didn’t fully evaluate it against my other extracurriculars.  Now, I’m working on my ACE certification but I'm most excited to volunteer as a TGL Ball Runner.

Golf, traditionally, is about being outdoors and playing a consistent game. However, TGL introduces technology to the sport, making it more accessible to people who may not enjoy the traditional format. As a STEM enthusiast, I’m excited to see how technology reshapes golf.  It could be the start of something new.

Why did you decide to learn golf?
When I joined the homeschool golf class, I was 14 years old and noticeably one of the oldest students in the class.  My grandfather was the golfer in the family and I thought it would be fun to take on a new challenge that was different yet similar to tennis. It was however, a very daunting task which filled me with a lot of self doubt since my expected level of success did not come easy.  Coach Glen was very patient and created a safe space for me to not feel judged as a late-comer to the game. 

Over the years, Coach Glen provided the proper guidance that I needed to progress, given that practicing outside of class has never been a big priority.  This is not because I do not enjoy golf but because my STEM commitments basically hijacked my schedule. Now, I can actually swing my driver 150 - 200 yards straight which is amazing growth for me and I even won a closest to the pin contest in a golf tourney for the local Junior Achievement organization. 

I think it is important to mention that I appreciate Coach Glen’s encouragement to the group each and every week. He does not want us to become brats that just show up to become talented at golf.  He wants us to develop character even outside of golf.  I really enjoy hearing all of the personal examples that he shares. 

​What have you learned about golf?
Golf is a social game that introduces you to people you might never meet otherwise. I’ve played with people whose only shared interest with me was golf, and that’s a great way to start conversations and network. One of my instructors at the Naval Academy Summer Seminar once told me, “I’ve never met a Naval Officer who didn’t know how to golf.”  That was enough motivation for me to keep moving forward. 
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I’ve also learned that golf is a lifelong sport. Unlike football or baseball, which are often played for a season in life, golf is something people enjoy well into their later years.

Final Thoughts
On Golf: Don’t be intimidated to start golf at any age, even if you’re learning alongside younger students. Casual play will introduce you to people of all ages, so embrace the opportunity with a good attitude. When the First Tee opportunities are offered, make room for them.  Finally, take advantage of resources like the Palm Beach County Junior Card to play more often and build your confidence.
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On Life: Pursue your true interests with commitment and consistency. Develop them over time and don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities. Also, consider studying economics—it provides valuable insights into how our country operates and how decisions are made.  The more you know, the more you can challenge others to think differently.  

Earlier today, PGA National was the host location for The Battle for Palm Beach, a charity event featuring members of Good Good Golf and Barstool Golf.  It was a one of a kind opportunity! Some Beaver Golf junior students along with other First Tee participants from the chapter were invited to participate in a special meet and greet before the scramble started. 

All First Tee participants were given VIP passes which allowed them to relax in cushy chairs while watching the golfers warm up.  A couple of the players cautioned the First Tee participants, "We are not the people to watch if you want to learn how to play golf, we are out here to have fun."  While that might be true, they are pretty good players in their own right with several shooting in the 70s at least once in their lifetime.   

Two teams competed and only one team prevailed.  Fortunately for the First Tee of the Palm Beaches Team Riggs prevailed over Team GM.  That's $10,000 that will be used to further the mission of First Tee.  You can watch the entire match below: ​

When you meet and greet, you get autographs and pictures.

The Match started on hole #10 of the Champ Course with a draft!

It was a perfect weather day and we all had a blast!!