First Tee – Florida Gold Coast
First Tee – Palm Beaches / Michael B. Finnegan Learning Center, 7301 N Haverhill Road, Riviera Beach, FL 33407
About
First Tee – Florida Gold Coast offers golf instruction and Saturday morning golf sessions for young people. The program uses a practice facility and short course, along with a 2,500 square foot clubhouse and the Finnegan Learning Center, for its activities. The practice facility includes expanded tee areas, a short course with many playing options, practice bunkers, and putting and chipping greens.
The Children’s Golf Foundation, Inc., which supports this program, dates back to 1988 and has developed the golf facility over several decades, including a complete renovation in the summer of 2012 and reopening in January 2013. The organization’s leadership and staff include founder George McGrory; board and leadership members such as Dick Sheehan, Steve Rockoff, Ken Kennerly, Joe Steranka, Carl Mistretta Jr., Jack Barrett, Andrew Hunt, Bob Simses, and Leon McNair; and program leaders such as Craig Watson, Gennifer Garvin, Connie Capanegra, Anthony Coletta, and Jack Bloomfield. Staff credentials include Craig Watson as a PGA Professional; Gennifer Garvin and Connie Capanegra as LPGA; Anthony Coletta as a Keiser College of Golf graduate; and Jack Bloomfield as a former sales representative for Callaway Golf. First Tee states that it is a youth development organization that integrates the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. The chapter serves St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties and runs programs with special needs classes from local elementary schools, veterans with disabilities through therapists from the VA Hospital, and 13 afterschool elementary programs. Founding and supporting partners include The Honda Classic, the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation, Wadsworth Golf Charities, the Caross Foundation, and individuals and organizations connected to golf and sports such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, the USGA, Jan Beljan of Fazio Golf Course Design, The Palm Beach Kennel Club, Wayne Huizenga, the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins, and many local country clubs. The Palm Beach Atlantic University golf teams also practice at the facility.
Last updated June 1, 2026.
The Children’s Golf Foundation, Inc., which supports this program, dates back to 1988 and has developed the golf facility over several decades, including a complete renovation in the summer of 2012 and reopening in January 2013. The organization’s leadership and staff include founder George McGrory; board and leadership members such as Dick Sheehan, Steve Rockoff, Ken Kennerly, Joe Steranka, Carl Mistretta Jr., Jack Barrett, Andrew Hunt, Bob Simses, and Leon McNair; and program leaders such as Craig Watson, Gennifer Garvin, Connie Capanegra, Anthony Coletta, and Jack Bloomfield. Staff credentials include Craig Watson as a PGA Professional; Gennifer Garvin and Connie Capanegra as LPGA; Anthony Coletta as a Keiser College of Golf graduate; and Jack Bloomfield as a former sales representative for Callaway Golf. First Tee states that it is a youth development organization that integrates the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. The chapter serves St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties and runs programs with special needs classes from local elementary schools, veterans with disabilities through therapists from the VA Hospital, and 13 afterschool elementary programs. Founding and supporting partners include The Honda Classic, the Michael B. Finnegan Foundation, Wadsworth Golf Charities, the Caross Foundation, and individuals and organizations connected to golf and sports such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, the USGA, Jan Beljan of Fazio Golf Course Design, The Palm Beach Kennel Club, Wayne Huizenga, the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins, and many local country clubs. The Palm Beach Atlantic University golf teams also practice at the facility.
Last updated June 1, 2026.
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