"Birds fly for First Tee - Greater Philadelphia at First Tee Champions Challenge
By Doug Milne
NAPLES, Fla. - While Wednesday served as the first of two pro-am days at Tiburon Golf Club, a short drive away at TwinEagles Golf Club, the 18th edition of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge reached an inspirational ending.
Ten First Tee participants representing five First Tee Chapters across the country descended upon Southwest Florida for the opportunity to compete in the three-day, two-person tournament in conjunction with the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO.
In partnership with the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge was comprised of three nine-hole rounds on three different Naples golf courses.
After Monday and Tuesday’s first two rounds at Tiburón Golf Club and Wyndemere Golf Club, respectively, Wednesday’s final 9-hole round ended at TwinEagles with an overall win by 16-year-old Jake Smaron and 18-year-old Devin Carpenter from First Tee – Greater Philadelphia. The team earned the most collective points over the course of the three days
“Congratulations to the First Tee – Greater Philadelphia team for their win,” said Sanda Rios, Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “It feels appropriate that your last nine holes this week was out here at the TwinEagles course. So, double congratulations to the Eagles from Sunday and to the First Tee – Greater Philadelphia team for this win here today.”
“This was so cool,” said Smaron. “I had never been anywhere in the south for golf. The weather has been amazing, the courses are incredible. These are probably the three nicest courses I’ll ever play in my life. And, I played pretty good on them, so this really has been just an amazing experience.”
“It has been really incredible being out here and having the opportunity to play these incredible golf courses,” said Carpenter, the other winning member of the First Tee – Great Philadelphia team. “These golf courses look – and play – amazing. So, it all has been just incredible.”
“Naples does have over 90 public and private courses, do we really do consider ourselves the golf capital of the world,” Rios added. “I hope you will all come back and visit.”
The five First Tee Chapters included Massachusetts, Metropolitan New York, Minnesota, Greater Philadelphia and Greater Chicago.
“I want to offer a big congratulations to all the players who were here for this,” Rios said. “Your hard work and dedication really paid off. I encourage each of you to always remember that life is a lot like the game of golf. One day, your game’s going to be spot on, while another day not so much. I encourage everyone to just stay focused and persevere. You can achieve anything you want…..just like how you earned your spot here today.”
First Tee is a national youth development organization which helps foster inner strength, confidence and resilience in kids – qualities that will serve them on the golf course and in life. Its character education programs are offered at golf courses, schools and youth centers in all 50 states and at six international locations.
“I joined First Tee my eighth-grade year and am now a high school junior,” said Smaron. “These last four years being involved with First Tee has really helped me grow as a person and player. It’s not just about golf. First Tee helps people become better people, overall. It has shaped me and a lot of other kids into better people.”
“First Tee has meant so much to me,” added Carpenter. “Both on and off the course, I feel like I have developed so much as a person. Because of the friends and mentors, I now have because of First Tee, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without First Tee.”
Go Birds….and go Carpenter and Smaron!
