For the third consecutive year, the Tesori Family Foundation hosted a group of local children with special needs and their families for a golf clinic at Sawgrass Country Club that included a special demonstration from PGA Tour player Jordan Spieth.
A field of “VIPs” participated in the All-Star Kids Clinic, which was held Wednesday, May 9, on the eve of the opening round of THE PLAYERS Championship. Among the volunteers at the clinic were coaches from The First Tee of North Florida and PGA Tour caddies, including Paul Tesori himself, who is the caddie for THE PLAYERS Championship 2018 winner Webb Simpson, a former PGA Tour player and a Nocatee resident. Paul and his wife Michelle started the golf clinics for kids with special needs in 2014 after their son Isaiah was born with Down Syndrome.
Spieth kicked off the clinic by demonstrating different shots and a few trick shots. Spieth’s younger sister Ellie has learning disabilities herself.
“He did a great clinic,” said Paul Tesori. “He engages with the kids. He’s never in a rush to get out of here, which is extremely special to us.”
After Spieth’s demonstration, the children were divided into groups and rotated through 15- to 20-minute sessions on putting, chipping and driving, which to the enjoyment of the kids, included using the automated ball teeing system known as Power Tee.
Following the clinic, the Tesoris presented awards and prizes to each of the participants and then sent them in golf carts to Sawgrass Beach Club, where they enjoyed an all-you-can-eat pizza party. Also at the event, the PGA Tour Superstore and Cal Ripken Foundation presented the Tesori Family Foundation with donations.
Founded in 2009, the Tesori Family Foundation supports several local and national nonprofits throughout the year. In addition to supporting the special needs community, the foundation benefits the elderly and the homeless, as well as many other groups in need.
