The 16th edition of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge is set to return to Naples, Feb. 13-15 when 10 First Tee participants representing five First Tee Chapters throughout the country converge upon Southwest Florida to compete in a three-day championship, 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. 13, the teams will play in a better-ball – four ball at Tiburón Golf Club (Gold Course); Tuesday will be a scramble format at Royal Poinciana Golf Club (Pines Course); and Wednesday will be a modified alternate shot format at The TwinEagles Club (Talon Course). The chapter that earns the highest amount of points throughout all three formats will be named 2023 Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge winners.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the First Tee students will participate in a special First Tee Champions Challenge Clinic presented by Porsche Naples, taking place on the back of the range at Tiburón Golf Club with a PGA TOUR Champions player. The First Tee participants also will participate in a cleanup volunteer service activity on Tuesday morning on the S.S. Jolley Bridge near Marco Island prior to the clinic and their second-round play at Royal Poinciana.
“As a globally renowned golf destination with over 90 public and private courses, sponsoring the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge in partnership with the Chubb Classic is an ideal fit for Florida’s Paradise Coast,” said Paul Beirnes, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “We are thrilled to welcome this group of junior golfers from across the country as well as the PGA TOUR’s top talent to our community. I’m confident the time the professional golfers spend with the First Tee participants will lay the groundwork for future success. We are proud to be able to support this very worthy initiative.”
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.
“First Tee – 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 – 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.”
First Tee Chapters and participants include:
Ariana Petrovic First Tee – Naples/Collier
Amelia Alonso First Tee – Naples/Collier
David Jope First Tee – Massachusetts
Keira Joshi First Tee – Massachusetts
Ryan Carmody First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Aiden Palmer First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Audrey Schuebel First Tee – Philadelphia
Alyssa Schuebel First Tee – Philadelphia
Lillian Wallenfang First Tee – Chicago
Mackenzie Trovero First Tee – Chicago
Julian Alonso and Ty Kaufman of First Tee – Naples/Collier chapter teamed together to win the 2022 edition of Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge. They accumulated 96 points over three days of competition. The event celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2022.
The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, Naples’ Flagship PGA TOUR Champions event, will take place Feb. 17-19 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 2023 Chubb Classic, including exclusive packages offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. All 2023 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 will be scanned at the main gate. Purchase tickets at www.ChubbClassic.com/tickets.
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 its 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 Twitter and @ChubbClassic on Instagram.
Shemon & Sheppard have more coverage of the event.
