Ten First Tee Participants Representing Five First Tee Chapters to Compete in Three-Day Tournament in Conjunction with the 2024 Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO
NAPLES, Fla., – The 17th edition of the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge is set to return to Naples, Feb. 12-14, 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. 12, 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 2024 Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge winners.
The five First Tee Chapters scheduled to be represented are:
First Tee of Naples/Collier
First Tee of Massachusetts
First Tee of Metropolitan New York
First Tee of Greater Philadelphia
First Tee of 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 in 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 also will participate in special community service projects, meet PGA TOUR Champions players at a special First Tee Champions Challenge Clinic presented by Porsche Naples, and will be treated to multiple evening special events showcasing Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast.
Cypress Ascendant, an Official Marketing Partner and the Official Title Insurer of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, is teaming up with the Chubb Classic in 2024 as a supporting partner in the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge. Cypress Ascendant will support each of the participating First Tee Chapters by helping to offset player travel costs and donating to each participating chapter.
“We are excited to once again partner with the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and our supporting partners Porsche Naples and Cypress Ascendant 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 the Chubb Classic.”
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 leaving the cold weather behind for a few days and return to beautiful Naples and the Paradise Coast of Southwest Florida 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 CVB are putting into giving life lessons and introducing our kids to memories they will take with them forever.”
“First Tee – Naples/Collier looks forward to welcoming the four chapters for the three-day Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge,” said Cindy Darland, Executive Director of First Tee – Naples/Collier. “We wish all participants great success in this year’s event.”
First Tee Champions Challenge participants include:
Braden Miller First Tee – Naples/Collier
Harrison White First Tee – Naples/Collier
Alex Dias First Tee – Massachusetts
David Jope First Tee – Massachusetts
Sophia Travlos First Tee – Metropolitan New York
Stella Travlos First Tee – Metropolitan New York
John Diamond First Tee – Greater Philadelphia
Marty Burns First Tee – Greater Philadelphia
Caera Owens First Tee – Greater Chicago
Gabriela Simons First Tee – Greater Chicago
Amelia Alonso and Ariana Petrovic of First Tee – Naples/Collier chapter teamed together to win the 2023 edition of Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge. They accumulated 98 points over three days of competition and an 18-point victory.
The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, Naples’ Flagship PGA TOUR Champions event, will take place Feb. 16-18 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 2024 Chubb Classic, including exclusive packages offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. All 2024 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. 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 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 X (formerly Twitter), @ChubbClassic on Instagram, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChubbClassic.
About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of kids and teens through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
About First Tee — Naples/Collier
First Tee — Naples/Collier is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee — Naples/Collier reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at 12 program locations and more than 30 schools. Learn more at https://firstteenaplescollier.org/
About Florida’s Paradise Coast
The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for area travel and tourism information about Florida’s Paradise Coast. Located in Southwest Florida, this premier vacation and meeting destination offers leisure and business travelers a variety of exceptional year-round amenities and attractions. Set along a 30-mile Gulf of Mexico coastline ribboned with white-sand beaches, visitors will discover a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere highlighted by a lively social scene, robust arts and culture activities, exceptional restaurants, luxury boutique shopping and plenty of outdoor adventure experiences. Home to over 90 public and private golf courses, sports enthusiasts have access to a variety of championship courses; pickleball and tennis facilities; and water activities ranging from kayaking to sailing charters. Outdoor adventures include exploring the world-famous Everglades – the only sub-tropical mangrove wilderness in the U.S. and home to endangered wildlife and over 350 species of birds. Florida’s Paradise Coast is truly where the high life meets the wildlife. Recent accolades include being named the No. 1 “Best Beach Town in the U.S. to Live In,” No. 1 “Healthiest and Happiest City in America” and “One of the Best Small Cities in the U.S.” Located just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa, and four hours from Orlando, Florida’s Paradise Coast is easily accessible by Interstate highway. Travelers outside of the Sunshine State can fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida’s Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
About Cypress Ascendant
Cypress Ascendant is a diversified boutique investment and advisory partnership. Our portfolio includes sectors such as real estate, finance, sports, entertainment, hospitality, events, insurance, consumer goods, technology, and data. Our fundamental principle is based on having only strategic partners, quality relationships and connectivity. Cypress Ascendant’s General Partners are meaningful investors personally, creating financial alignment with all Limited Partners. To learn more about Cypress Ascendant, please visit www.cypress-ascendant.com.
About Tiburón Golf Club
Located in Naples, Florida, Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf features two 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf courses, The Gold and The Black. Tiburón also is home to the CME Group Tour Championship and the Grant Thornton Invitational and is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Tiburón’s Gold Course opened in 1998 and the Black Course opened in 2001. Both courses play to a par of 72 and feature five sets of tees. The Gold Course can play as long as 7,382 yards, while The Black Course can play up to 6,949 yards from the championship tees. The 295-room Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, sits adjacent to the two award-winning courses, while the 450-room Ritz-Carlton Naples is just a few miles away. The semi-private club has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Tiburón’s 27,000-square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse features three dining rooms, private member locker rooms and lounge areas, as well as an award-winning golf shop.
About Chubb
Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.
About The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO
The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO has been held in Naples, Fla., since 1988 and features stars from the PGA TOUR Champions competing over 54 holes for a share of $1.8 million in prize money. Past champions include legends of the game such as Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer. The event is owned and operated by Outlyr, a global marketing and event management agency that operates a number of professional golf tournaments, sporting and lifestyle events across the country as well as managing the sponsorship portfolio for several blue-chip clients. Visit www.ChubbClassic.com for more information.
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
Media Contact:
Jeremy Friedman
Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO
Outlyr
407-721-9752
jfriedman@outlyr.com
