Sister Power Leads to First Tee Champions Challenge Title for Metro New York

By Zachary Sepanik

NAPLES, Fla. – Sophia and Stella Travlos of the First Tee – Metropolitan New York chapter exercised their sisterly bond to win the 17th annual Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge by five strokes on Wednesday at The TwinEagles Club.

The Travlos sisters have been playing golf together since they were young. Now 16 years old, they have a strong connection on and off the course.

“We are always a team in life,” said Stella. “Golf is difficult, being head-to-head, but it was great to work together and get it done this week.”

In partnership with the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, and taking place in conjunction with the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, the 27-hole competition featured 10 participants representing five First Tee Chapters including Naples, Chicago, Philadelphia, Massachusetts and Metropolitan New York. On Monday, the teams played a four-ball format at Tiburón Golf Club (Gold Course), followed by a scramble on Tuesday at Wyndemere Golf Club before concluding with a modified alternate shot at The TwinEagles Club (Talon Course) today.

Sophia and Stella combined to shoot 33-35-37 for a winning total of 105 strokes.

“It means everything, especially having my sister with me,” said Sophia. “To do this together was an amazing experience. The Talon Course today was a perfect championship test because it was in great shape and very challenging.”

The team of Marty Burns and John Diamond representing the Philadelphia chapter earned runner-up honors with a score of 110 strokes, while Alex Dias and David Jope of the Massachusetts chapter (112) finished third. In search of a three-peat, Naples/Collier (115) ended the competition in fourth place, and Chicago (142) rounded out the participating chapters.

Earlier in the week, the First Tee students participated in a special First Tee Champions Challenge Youth Clinic presented by Porsche Naples with PGA TOUR Champions player Notah Begay III. They also participated in a volunteer clean-up service at the S.S. Jolley Bridge near Marco Island, in conjunction with Keep Collier Beautiful, Inc. and Florida Sea Grant.

“Without the sponsors [from Cypress Ascendant to Porsche Naples, the CVB and even SERVPRO], we wouldn’t be here and get to enjoy such a great opportunity,” said Stella. “Everything was amazing this week.”

With the 2024 Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge in the books, the First Tee students will now have the opportunity to take in the Chubb Classic, contested Friday through Sunday at Tiburón Golf Club.

“The First Tee Champions Challenge is all about giving the First Tee participants lessons on and off the golf course, and we had another tremendous week,” said Sandy Diamond, executive director of the Chubb Classic. “As the former chief development officer at the First Tee of Metropolitan New York, I know firsthand how these experiences can mold and shape a young person. Through tremendous tournament golf, community service and meeting legends of the game at the Chubb Classic this week, our First Tee participants are going home with memories they will take with them forever.”