NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 9, 2023 – 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.
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 Tiburón Golf Club
Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon and 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.
About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. 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 34,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.
About The Chubb Classic
The Chubb Classic has been held in Naples, FL, 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 professional golf tournaments across the country. Outlyr also operates a number of other sporting and lifestyle events and manages 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 34 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, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.
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 Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Media Contact:
Jeremy Friedman
Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO
Outlyr
407-721-9752
jfriedman@outlyr.com