Category: News

Remembering Jerry Tankersley

Gerald “Jerry” Hardie Tankersley of Stuart, FL passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the age of 85. Jerry is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Jerry worked in the financial services industry in the senior management ranks of both very large and very small firms including Thomson McKinnon Securities, Prudential Securities, Inc., Lebenthal and Company, Inc. and Merrill Lynch.

In 2005, he received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Securities Industry Association. Jerry had a passion for golf and served as Treasurer and Club President at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, NY and as Treasurer and Club President at Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart, FL.

Jerry served as a role model and mentor to many. His wise counsel, optimism, generosity, and quick wit will always be remembered by his friends and family.

He was also a founding Board Member of First Tee – Treasure Coast and served as our Vice President. 

“We miss him so much,” said Chapter President Andrew Hunt. “He was always the voice of reason and considered everyone else’s thoughts and opinions before adding his own.  He was a true gentleman and helped us grow our chapter to serve thousands of residents of the Treasure Coast.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Tee – Treasure Coast, 2000 SE St. Lucie Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996 or online at
https://firstteefloridagoldcoast.org/donate.

Sponsor Spotlight: Morell Studios

Morell Studios is a Trustee Corporate Sponsor of our Chapter.

Morell Studios has enjoyed over 40 years of experience providing museum quality works of art to the most prestigious clubs and companies. When major U.S. golf organizations, the biggest names in the golf industry, chapters of First Tee and the top golf courses in the U.S. need a premium quality recognition award or product, they contact Morell Studios.

Morell Studios has created masterpieces for the PGA of America, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam and such prestigious clubs as Seminole, The Bear’s Club, Pine Tree, Oakmont, Baltusrol, Winged Foot, and Shinnecock Hills to name only a few.

For more information please visit their website or contact them at 561-223-3960 or [email protected]

Visit Blake’s Golf Shop New Location

What happens to the thousands of clubs donated to our Chapter? Many adult clubs are used by our teens and veterans.  But many are sold at Blake’s Golf Shop to raise money to fund age-appropriate US Kids Clubs and to support our community outreach programs.

Blake’s Golf Shop has over 7,000 items listed on their website. Check it out!

Or take a drive and visit Blake’s Golf Shop brand new location at 4760 Woolbright Rd, Unit 105, Boynton Beach, FL 33436.  Clubs, bags, shoes, clothes, you name it! There is even a simulator where you can try before you buy.

Summer Fun With Edna Runner

Our partnership continued this summer with the Edna Runner Tutorial Center in Jupiter. The students visited Dyer Park to hit some long drives! The counselors divided the groups with 10 girls and 11 boys each taking turns on our main tee.

Coach Chip’s Programs Grow And Expand

Coach Chip Inks’, PGA, class at the Village Golf Club in Royal Palm started back in 2022 with 3 kids.  Now, in 2023, 13 kids and teens ranging from ages 7-15 are now attending. One of his students, Sayonee, started lessons when she was 12 years old and played on the varsity team at Royal Palm High School as a freshman. She is now volunteering at our summer camps at Dyer Park.

Please visit our website to learn more about Coach Chip’s programs at Village Golf Club.

Project Lift Belle Glade

We are back in the Glades!  Programs are off and running in partnership with Project Lift in Belle Glade! Special Thank you to Mrs. G and Vic Miller for believing in our program and bringing it to the teens of Project Lift!

Police Athletic League Cabana Colony

Program Coordinator Zack Anderton has been coaching a PAL program at Dyer Park. The group from Cabana Colony PAL started off by learning about the fundamentals of golf and even decorated golf balls for some extra fun! 

Participant Spotlight: Abriella Morrison

Coach Glen Beaver is very proud of his student Abriella Morrison who recently finished 1st at Jupiter Dunes and has three other 2nd place finishes this year.  She is putting in the work and it is paying off.  Way to go Abriella!

Introducing Golf To Bethlehem Learning Center

Coach Chip Inks, PGA, has enjoyed teaching the children at Bethlehem Learning Center. This group is full of Game Changers! The students showed Coach Chip great respect and gave her their full attention. By the end of the classes, each kid learned the ability to hit a golf ball. We are excited about this new partnership.

Wylie And Zoe: UF, FSU, Stanford And Pebble!!

What a huge month for Chapter students Zoe Shamy and Wylie “Coyote” Inman.  We mean HUGE!

COLLEGE GOLF CAMPS:  To start out the month, both attended college golf camps at Florida State University (Zoe) and the University of Florida (Wylie). This experience was funded by the Buttercut Country Club Scholarship. BCCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2021 with the mission to support passionate young golfers with scholarships to Division I Golf Camps with the aim of developing friendships and life experiences on the course.

About the camp experience, Wylie said, “Florida Gator Golf Camp was one of the best weeks I have ever had. Spending time with fellow golfers and Division I golf coaches was an incredible opportunity. Winning the long drive competition and the camp tournament was very cool as I was able to see the work I’m putting in on and off the course is paying off.  Thank you Buttercut for this scholarship.”

Zoe expressed, “I had a great time at FSU and learned a lot. I met some great coaches and was introduced to the top level of collegiate golf. I am very thankful to the people at Buttercut who made this experience happen for me.”

FIRST TEE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Next, Zoe and Wylie represented our chapter at the First Tee National Championship at Stanford. Zoe shot rounds of 76–73–76 to finish tied for 12th. Wiley shot 71 the first day and fired a final round of one under 69 to post the lowest round of the tournament in the boys’ division and was the only boy to break 70 for the entire event. He finished in 14th place.

PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP:  Finally, congratulations to the duo for being selected to the 2023 Pure Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee-  WOW! We cannot wait to see them play and perform at Pebble Beach in September.