Golfers were tasked to tee off at the Chuck Hill Golf Classic, presented by A&G Concrete Pools, for a huge fundraising effort for Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County (BGCSLC). This year the funds earned are earmarked for the Lighthouse Youth Teen Center, an upcoming mecca destined to be a jewel of the Lakewood Park community in Fort Pierce.

              Before heading out on the course golfers were treated to breakfast sandwiches from the Club’s ‘Learn & Earn’ food truck manned by teens from the ‘Into the Future’ workforce readiness program followed by Club teens performing the National Anthem.
              Former State Representative, Larry Lee Jr., inspired the field of golfers with a heartfelt message about how important this collaborative endeavor with First Tee of the Treasure Coast, Restoring the Village, and BGCSLC is to the community.

            The foursome of Mike Piazza, Mike Schramm, Nate Spera, and Kevin Murphy took the top spot with a total gross score of 51 after their 18 holes of chipping, putting, and driving. They may have had an assist on their score that cost them a few dollars, but we will get to that soon.

            Thirty-four teams stepped up to their tee box in support of the Club’s endeavor. The Lighthouse Youth Teen Center is in partnership with former State Representative Larry Lee, Jr., and his Restore the Village program. The two-story Club and community hub will be surrounded by a six-hole instructional golf course and two micro soccer fields. The workforce development opportunities for the teens in Lakewood Park are endless.

            Getting back to the winning foursome, they cleared their scorecard 21 under par with a score of 51. They may have had some help, but that advantage was available to all players. For the first time, the annual Golf classic featured two ladies’ pro golfers, McKenzie Lyng, CEO of Backswing Golf Events, and Gabi Powell on the course willing to trade one of their shots for a donation to the Club’s fundraiser. “The teams were very receptive to this new addition. The scores were lower, and they brought in nearly $5,000 to benefit the Lighthouse Youth Teen Center,” said Charles Cuomo, event chair.

               In other results, Steve Strickland, Gretchen Steel, Brian Avila, and Isobel Kennedy earned the ‘Closest to the Pin’ recognition at holes 5 and 11 for men and women’s categories.

              Next year’s Chuck Hill Golf Classic is in the planning stages. To sign up your team contact Michelle Oakley at [email protected].