Golf to Paradise - First Tee Champions Challenge Set to Kick off Chubb Classic Week in Naples, Feb. 10-12

Golf to Paradise - First Tee Champions Challenge Set to Kick off Chubb Classic Week in Naples, Feb. 10-12

First Tee Participants Representing Five First Tee Chapters to Compete in Three-Day Tournament in Conjunction with the 2025 Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO

 

NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 29, 2025 – The 18th edition of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge is set to return to Naples, Feb. 10-12, when 10 First Tee participants representing five First Tee Chapters throughout the country converge upon Southwest Florida to compete in a three-day tournament, taking place 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 will feature three nine-hole rounds of competition, with an alternate format each day on three of Naples’ premier golf courses. On Monday, Feb. 10, the teams will play in a better-ball – four ball at Tiburón Golf Club (Gold Course); Tuesday will be a scramble format at Wyndemere Golf Club and Wednesday will be a modified alternate shot format at The TwinEagles Club (Talon Course). The chapter that earns the highest number of points throughout all three formats will be named 2025 Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge winners.

 

The five First Tee Chapters scheduled to be represented are:

First Tee – Massachusetts

First Tee – Metropolitan New York

First Tee – Minnesota

First Tee – Greater Philadelphia

First Tee – Greater Chicago

 

“As a globally renowned golf destination with over 90 public and private courses, we are excited to once again sponsor the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge in partnership with the Chubb Classic, which is an ideal fit for showcasing Florida’s Paradise Coast,” said Sandra Rios, Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “We are thrilled to welcome the First Tee chapters from across the country as well as the PGA TOUR Champions’ top talent to our community and are proud to be able to support this very worthy initiative.”

 

In addition to the three rounds of golf, the First Tee participants will also engage in special community service projects, meet PGA TOUR Champions players at a special First Tee Champions Challenge Clinic presented by Porsche Naples, and be treated to multiple evening special events showcasing Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast.

 

“We are honored and grateful to once again partner with the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and our supporting partner Porsche Naples in welcoming First Tee participants from throughout the country to our paradise in Southwest Florida and the Chubb Classic,” said Sandy Diamond, executive director of the Chubb Classic. “As the former chief development officer at the First Tee of Metropolitan New York, I understand firsthand how these opportunities and events can help mold and shape young people’s lives on and off the course. This event and experience serve as the perfect kickoff for Chubb Classic tournament week.”

 

First Tee is a national youth development organization that enables kids to build inner strength, confidence and resilience – 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.  

 

“We are looking forward to leaving the cold weather behind for a few days and return to beautiful Naples and Florida’s Paradise Coast for the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge,” said Bill Hyndman, chief executive officer of the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia. “The experience our First Tee kids have through this event – tournament golf, community service and meeting legends of the game at the Chubb Classic – speaks volumes to the efforts that the Chubb Classic and the Naples, Marco Island and Everglades CVB are putting into giving life lessons and introducing our kids to memories they will take with them forever.”

 

First Tee Champions Challenge participants include:

Jack Yucatonis            First Tee – Massachusetts

Olivia Jatczak             First Tee – Massachusetts

Brooke Matthew         First Tee – Metropolitan New York

Emily Bui                    First Tee – Metropolitan New York

William Davies           First Tee – Minnesota

Jayla Mao                    First Tee – Minnesota

Jake Smaron               First Tee – Greater Philadelphia

Devin Carpenter          First Tee – Greater Philadelphia

Carson Valeroso         First Tee – Greater Chicago

Jasmine McGhee         First Tee – Greater Chicago

 

Sophia and Stella Travlos of the First Tee – Metropolitan New York chapter exercised their sisterly bond to win the 2024 edition of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge by five strokes over three days of competition.

 

The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, Naples’ Flagship PGA TOUR Champions event, will take place Feb. 13-16 at Tiburón Golf Club’s Black Course. A field of 78 players consisting of World Golf Hall-of-Famers, major champions, past champions and legends of the game will compete in the 54-hole championship for a share of the $1.8 million purse.

 

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Chubb Classic, including exclusive packages offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. All 2025 tournament tickets will be completely digital and will be emailed after purchase. They can be viewed on either a mobile device or printed out and scanned at the main gate. Tickets can be purchased at www.ChubbClassic.com/tickets. A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales at the Chubb Classic will go directly to the First Tee and the First Tee five participating chapters.

 

Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon, the only facility to host a PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour event in the same calendar year, features two 18-hole Championship golf courses, The Gold and The Black. The Black Course, which opened in 2001, has a very distinctive look with pine straw-lined fairways, crushed coquina waste areas and undulating greens nestled amidst acres of pine trees and native Florida foliage. The Black Course is designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International to protect and enhance its natural surroundings.

 

For more information on the Chubb Classic, visit www.ChubbClassic.com, and on social media @ChubbClassic on X (formerly Twitter), @ChubbClassic on Instagram, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChubbClassic.

 

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January 29, 2025
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