City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez called a press conference on Tuesday morning to talk about the future of The First Tee Miami, a youth program located at the golf course of the Melreese Country Club aimed at providing educational opportunities to build character and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
Suarez–alongside Inter Miami CF Managing Owner Jorge Mas and The First Tee operating management group led by the Charles DeLucca, Jr. and Charles DeLucca III—announced all parties came to an agreement to facilitate the relocation and advancement of the program.
“The managers of The First Tee program and Jorge Mas of Inter Miami have reached an agreement allowing The First Tee to continue its unparalleled work at another beautiful golf course in South Florida, enabling them to make an even stronger impact on youths’ lives,” said Suarez, who strongly advocated for Miami Freedom Park owners to develop a plan that preserved the youth program after 60% of Miami voters approved its project.
This agreement is another milestone toward the creation of Miami Freedom Park, which will bring a 58-acre public park and soccer stadium for Major League Soccer’s 25th franchise set to start League play in 2020 at its interim stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Through Mas, Inter Miami and Miami Freedom Park’s ownership group has agreed to provide contributions that facilitate the relocation efforts for the program to an undisclosed location.
“We continue with our mantra of promise made, promise kept,” Mas added. “The Inter Miami ownership made a commitment that we would make First Tee a priority. We are proud to contribute to the relocation and success of the program.”
The new agreement was signed Friday, May 24, in Suarez’s office by Mas and DeLucca III, the owner of the company who operates Melreese under a city contract and son of Charles DeLucca Jr.
“I don’t think there’s anybody better in our community to take this place over,” DeLucca Jr. said. “We’re going to be present in this community; we’re not leaving. So, The First Tee will live and only better.”
