St. Johns Insurance Company Becomes Platinum Partner with The First Tee of Central Florida

Orlando, Fla. (September 14, 2016) – The First Tee of Central Florida is pleased to announce that St. Johns Insurance Company has signed on as a Platinum Partner to support The First Tee’s mission of positively impacting the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Based in Orlando, Fla., St. Johns Insurance Company is a privately-held Florida company specializing in homeowners’ insurance products and services. St. Johns Insurance Company is owned by St. Johns Holding Company.   “We are headquartered in Orlando and we reside in this community, so it was important to us that we work with a local organization that promotes growth and well-being, particularly with the youth of Central Florida,’ said Jonathan Mertz, Marketing Director of St. Johns Insurance Company. “Partnering with The First Tee gives us the opportunity to support the local community while also impacting the national organization. The Nine Core Values and Healthy Habits are ones that every person should adhere to. It is incredible how The First Tee can teach these lessons to our future generations through golf – a game that parallels many of the challenges one will face throughout their life. Be it dealing with life’s bunkers or water hazards, or understanding the value of integrity and honesty when you are your own scorekeeper, The First Tee’s mission is one that we wholeheartedly stand behind.” Through this partnership with The First Tee of Central Florida, St. Johns Insurance Company will help grow youth participation in the game of golf and will also help to attract other beginning golfers not previously exposed to the game. “Support from partners such as St. Johns Insurance Company helps to make possible a breadth and variety of programming that would not otherwise be accessible to area youth,” said Thomas Lawrence, Executive Director of The First Tee of Central Florida. “The First Tee maintains that no child will ever be turned away for an inability to pay, and it is the generosity of our partners that ensures we are able to stand behind that policy.” In the past four years alone, The First Tee of Central Florida has introduced the game of golf, its core values and healthy habits to over 60,000 young people in Central Florida through programs taking place in 118 elementary schools, after-school programs, and at local golf courses. In addition, The First Tee of Central Florida is having a deep impact on young people through its Life Skills Experience Programs that currently takes place at eight local golf courses, where hundreds of young people are consistently exposed to research-proven curriculum, while in a safe environment, delivered by trained coaches who serve as positive adult role models. Learn more about St. Johns Insurance Company by visiting www.stjohnsinsurance.com.