Category: Blog

In February, members of the Valspar Championship team, including Tournament Director Tracy West, volunteered their time and the supplies to refresh some of our office space. While the team was painting, they also provided a unique opportunity for four of our participants to be interviewed by a professional crew for an upcoming segment with Valspar Championship, First Tee and Footjoy. Photos:Left: Tournament Intern James Conner, Tournament Intern Helary Gladstone, Valspar Championship Tournament Director Tracy West, Valspar Brand Manager Sara Hackney, Valspar Associate Creative Director Kelsey Jaglowski, Tournament Intern Eddie Klem; Right: Eddie painting in the conference room Though the tournament was canceled this year due to COVID-19, we are so lucky to have this Championship so involved in the local community and providing unforgettable experiences for our youth. Thank you Valspar Championship for all you due for Tampa Bay year after year! Photos: Left: Eleanor being interviewed; Right: Coach Lizette and Program Director Coach Karen with Eleanor, Mackenzie, Panagioti and Paige

The First Tee welcomed 318 campers for the Life Skills Experience this summer! Students enjoyed course time at least one day each week, along with driving range access and various games designed for fun as well as learning core values and healthy habits. Thanks to grantors like the Florida Junior Golf Council, Pinellas County Business Technology Services, Paradise Golf and the Salvatore Mascari Family Fund, we offered camp at a discounted rate to all families and provided 40 scholarships for youth in need! “The First Tee does such an amazing job at making golf fun and teaching kids in a way that they can understand.” ~ 2019 Scholarship Parent        

In June, the Valspar Championship held their annual Innisbook Charity Breakfast to celebrate the success of the PGA TOUR event and disperse proceeds totaling well over $2 million. Copperhead Charities the 501(c)3 Foundation operating the event proudly announced the tournament was able to support 70 nonprofits this year in our community with these significant funds. The presentation even included a shout out to our very own CEO Cary Stiff congratulating her on her upcoming retirement at the end of the year and her 40 years of service in our community. We are fortunate in having this event in our backyard and honored to take part in the festivities every year: * The First Tee participants act as Standard Bearers on Thursday * Foundation volunteers work at the Michelob ULTRA Club Thursday through Sunday * Birdies for Charities bonus program * Both the Chi Chi Golf Club and Driving Range have event tickets for sale each year    

The First Tee of Clearwater was featured in a 1/2 hour Master’s “Tee It Up” Special the Saturday prior to the Masters Tournament. Filming took place during Saturday classes and featured various students, parents and volunteers, including a feature on participant Panagioti. To watch the Masters special visit: www.wfla.com/sports/golf/junior-golf/first-tee-helps-young-golfers-learn-life-skills/1895147501

Valspar Championship had another great field of players from all over the world! As part of Thursday’s First Tee day, 13 of our participants were Standard Bearers for the late tee times.  Our kids got to meet golfers like Sam Saunders, K.J. Choi, Branden Grace and 2016 Champion Charl Schwartzel! Our participants enjoy the time to talk to the Pros and see the PGA TOUR event from inside the ropes, a place some of them hope to one day be playing. Thank you to Valspar Championship for providing our participants such an amazing experience year-after-year.  It is an unforgettable day and one they will cherish throughout their life.

The 12th annual Chi Chi Pro Am went back to its roots with a shamble at the Feather Sound Country Club.  Sponsors and guests enjoyed a beautiful Florida day on the course with their PGA and LPGA pros, along with Chi Chi Rodriguez visiting each foursome, Long Drive and Trick Shot Artist Trevor Consavage and Dialed In Golf Solutions Trackman technology. Following play a lunch featured Chi Chi Rodriguez, Board Member Scott Curtis and a lively auction hosted by Tampa Bayshore Marketing’s own Jenn Holloway. Co-Chairs Vin Campagnoli and Mark Carron proudly announce the event netted approximately $164,000 to further our mission of hope for community families. The net funds raised will support the annual $909,000 programming budget to educate and assist at-risk children using the golf course as a living classroom. Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Raymond James and Co-Title Sponsor Envestnet!

As one of Valspar Championship’s Community Driver Charities, Chi Chi’s team assembled lots of groups and individuals to support the PGA TOUR event.  This year, over 30 of our supporters volunteered at the Michelob Ultra Club concession just off the 18^th green.  Serving food and beer throughout the week, volunteers earned a percentage of sales plus tips, all to be donated back to the Foundation’s two educational programs: the Chi Chi Academy and The First Tee of Clearwater! A Big shout out to the below businesses and groups for helping throughout the week! Art & Frame Center BKS-Partners Bimbo Bakeries USA Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oldsmar CRUSH Networking Harbor Exchange Club Raymond James

We’re honored to be selected as the beneficiary of a golf tournament celebrating the life of an incredibly beloved woman in our community. Thank you to Courtney Fox, Whitney Wenglasz and everyone at the Eagles Golf Club for the loyal support! This annual tournament has raised over $8,000 and the funds have paid for equipment, scholarships and programming that teaches life-skills through golf. Thank you to all the events that have chosen us as a beneficiary: * Dunedin Heritage Golf Tournament * Paradise Golf The First Tee of Greater Tampa Bay Golf Tournament * Pinellas County Office of Technology and Innovation Golf Tournament * Rotary Clubs of Dunedin Waterside & Safety Harbor Golf Tournament * Simply Event’s Beer & Burger Throwdown * Turkey Trot – West Florida Y Runners Club  

On the last day before the Holiday break Academy students spent the afternoon with endless rides on go-karts, playing games and soaking each other on the bumper boats at Celebration Station! This annual end of the year get together allows our students, teachers and supporters a wonderful opportunity to spend time together outside of the classroom. Special thanks to Bill, Whitney and Hayden Hurter who help plan and fund the event. A big thank you to Bimbo Bakeries USA, Chi Chi Rodriguez Ladies’ Golf Association, East Lake Woodlands Women’s Golf Association and Club Members, Nielsen and all of our wonderful volunteers who give time and donations. Each student goes home with a gift and goodies following an afternoon of fun!

              

    

On December 19th, the Foundation celebrated the Holiday season with our 3rd Music ‘n Mistletoe event at the Amalie Arena. Board Members, sponsors and their guests enjoyed a buffet dinner, Live Auction and Program in the Firestick Grill before heading to their VIP seats in the arena for the new Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL show. Co-Chairs Phil & Melanie Powell and Bill & Mikki Wickett proudly announce the event netted approximately $110,300. Funds raised support the $909,000 yearly education budget serving our  mission to educate and assist at-risk children using the golf course as a living classroom. Thank you Tom & Mary James and Bob & Debbie Basham for co-hosting this amazing event and to our sponsors who help continue our mission of preparing students for the game of life!

Co-Chair Bill Wickett receives a holiday gift from 7th grader Katrina

Co-Hosts Tom & Mary James

Baystar Restaurant Group’s guests Foundation Board Vice Chairman Frank Chivas, Karson Chivas, Jayme Chivas, Karla Mallah, Ashley Messingschlager, Cody Chivas and Ben Mallah

  Co-Chairs Phil & Melanie Powell

Celebration of the 39th annual Chi Chi Charity Classic opened with a special red, white and blue salute to our Veterans as sponsors and guests gathered to enjoy two fun filled days of golf featuring 11 different restaurants from the on-course Cuisine King Food Village. A sit down dinner by Baystar Restaurant Group at Nielsen’s Oldsmar campus started with Posting of the Colors by Safety Harbor American Legion Post 238 and featured Alumni story Leo Schoolfield.

Event Co-Chairs Jessica Majeski, Katie Majeski and Sean Tobe proudly announce the event netted approximately $186,000. Funds raised go towards the $909,000 yearly education budget serving our mission to educate and assist at-risk children using the golf course as a living classroom. Thank you to co-title sponsors JM Family Enterprises and Raymond James! We are looking forward to celebrating 40 years of serving kids next November!

        

     

On September 29th, over 125 participants enjoyed a 3.1 mile track throughout the newly renovated golf course, led by the Chick-fil-A Westfield Countryside Cow in a Pace Golf Cart.  The weekend started with a packet pick up party on Friday at the Chi Chi Sports Complex featuring food from CiCi’s Pizza and Bimbo Bakeries USA, plus corn hole, music and putting games with The First Tee of Clearwater. Following the race on Saturday, runners and walkers enjoyed more music, games and even a dance party with the Cow. We appreciate all of the sponsors, vendors, runners and volunteers who participated in our first ever run!

Huge thank you to Jeff Iosa with the Highland Running Club and Craig Davide from Nolan’s Pub for helping us put on this inaugural run!