'Swing Fore the Future' gala to benefit First Tee of Naples/Collier's new Learning Center
The ambitious plan to build a home venue for the First Tee of Naples/Collier should take a giant step forward Monday at the “Swing Fore the Future” fundraising gala, hosted by Arthrex.
Organizers of the sold-out event, which features a dozen golf-themed auction items as well as a trio of portraits by pop golf artist Christopher “CR” Obetz, are hoping it will generate between $2 and $3 million toward First Tee’s new Learning Center.
The gala will also include a fireside chat with PGA and Champions Tour Legends Bernhard Langer, Padraig Harrington, Jeff Maggert, and Peter Jacobsen, moderated by Golf Channel host Rich Lerner.
Last year, First Tee began a capital campaign with the goal of raising $10 million to cover the center’s construction costs as well as an operational fund for the facility. Following Monday’s gala, the organization should be more than halfway to that goal.
The center will be part of a larger public golf venue on the site of the former Golden Gate Country Club, which will also include a BigShots Golf Driving Range facility and a 12-hole Nicklaus Designs golf course.
Ann Bain, a First Tee board member and chair of the gala, said the groundbreaking for the center is tentatively set for late spring.
“Once the shovels are in the ground we hope to open within a year,” she said.
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With the dearth of public golf facilities in Collier County, the Learning Center will allow First Tee to greatly expand its outreach by being able to offer both weekend and summer programs.
“In the rainy season we won’t be washed anymore when we try to do a program,” Bain said.
In fact, within three years of its opening, First Tee projects it will be able to effectively double its enrollment from 1,000 to 2,000.
“We get them there with the fun of golf but we have an opportunity to really make an impact on them in their lives,” Bain said. “It’s just going to be a perfect location for kids to have another out-of-school program. That’s the way we look at ourselves.”
Following the gala, First Tee will continue to do information sessions for members at Collier golf clubs where both kids and organizers explain how First Tee has helped them, both on and off the course.
“They say it takes a village; this project will absolutely take a village,” said Bain, who added she’s optimistic First Tee can reach its $10 million goal this spring. “There’s so many golfers and so many fans of the First Tee here that we just have to find them all and I think it will happen.”
To learn more, visit firstteenaplescollier.org.
First Tee Champions Challenge set for Naples
The 16th edition of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge is set for Feb. 13-15 in Naples.
Ten First Tee participants representing five chapters from across the county will compete in a three-day championship that takes place in conjunction with the Chubb Classic.
The challenge features three nine-hole rounds of competition at a trio of Naples golf courses. On Monday, the teams will play a better-ball format at Tiburón Golf Club; Tuesday will be a scramble format at Royal Poinciana; and Wednesday will be a modified alternate shot at TwinEagles' Talon Course.
First Tee students will also participate in a special clinic Tuesday with a Champions player at Tiburón as well as a volunteer service activity on the S.S. Jolly Bridge near Marco Island.
"First Tee of Naples/Collier is honored to once again be the benefitting charity of the Chubb Classic and hosting the annual Golf to Paradise - First Tee Champions Challenge," said First Tee of Naples/Collier executive director Cindy Darland. "We look forward to welcoming our fellow First Tee participants from around the country for a tremendous week, and we wish all First Tee participants great success in this year's event."
Arirana Petrovic and Amelia Alonso will represent First Tee of Naples/Collier in the competition, which includes chapter teams from Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Metropolitan New York.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: First Tee of Naples/Collier Learning Center as spring ground breaking target
