Sports
Palm Desert Tennis Phenom Chance Rozpedski Eyes Pro Career While First Tee Receives Landmark Youth Golf Funding
The Coachella Valley continues to serve as a premier breeding ground for elite athletic talent. In the latest edition of NBC Palm Springs Sports with Tim O'Brien, powered by Agua Caliente Casinos, the spotlight shined brightly on a rising local tennis phenom charting his path to the professional ranks, alongside a major multi-million dollar financial injection for youth golf development across the desert.
Sixteen-year-old Palm Desert native Chance Rozpedski is going all-in on his dream of becoming the next tennis professional to emerge from the Coachella Valley. Rozpedski recently secured a major career milestone by capturing the prestigious boys' 16 singles title at the historic Ojai Tournament. Building on that regional momentum, the young athlete traveled to Anaheim last month for a highly competitive United States Tennis Association event.
Facing elite competition, Rozpedski endured a grueling schedule of multiple high-intensity matches in a single day. His durability paid off, officially qualifying him for the upcoming USTA National Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rozpedski and his family emphasize that his development strategy centers entirely on competing against top-tier opponents to test his current baseline, regardless of the immediate win-loss outcome. The long-term blueprint calls for Rozpedski to secure a spot at a top-tier Division One collegiate program before transitioning into a full-time career on the pro circuit. The collegiate aspiration runs in the family, as his father, Marcin Rozpedski, previously played collegiate tennis for the UCLA Bruins.
Transformative Funding for Youth Golf
Shifting from the tennis courts to the local links, the game of golf is poised to become significantly more accessible for thousands of local children. The PGA of America REACH Foundation, operating in a direct philanthropic partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the PGA TOUR Superstore, officially announced that First Tee Coachella Valley has been selected as a grant recipient to establish dedicated PGA Junior League programming.
The substantial 7.6 million dollar nationwide grant initiative will expand access to the sport over the next three years. Locally, the funding will provide specialized PGA Junior League scholarships to help eliminate financial barriers for participants. The grant ensures that local youth can access premium golf courses, golf equipment, custom uniforms, and professional coaching from certified PGA of America Golf Professionals entirely at no cost to their families.
First Tee Coachella Valley serves thousands of children annually, utilizing the game of golf to build character, instill core life values, and promote healthy habits. NBC Palm Springs will provide an expanded, in-depth look at how this new grant will shape the local junior golf landscape later this week.
Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.
By: Tim O'Brien
June 1, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
James Nellis from @dsrt_club_lq and @rd_rnnr_lq makes us one of his signature dishes, his Maine scallops with hibiscus puree. His creativity and skill lead to unique bold flavors and scrumptious dishes. We chat about his love of trying new things in the kitchen, what being a chef means to him, and how food can different, flavorful, and fun. This is James Nellis on a plate. See it now on nbcpalmsprings.com
At the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, first responders, families and community members came together to honor the lives lost—and the heroes who answered the call 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Two first responders who responded to opposite sides of the World Trade Center met for the first time at the event, sharing a powerful moment of remembrance and connection. 26 flights. Three times. One enduring message: Never Forget. #NeverForget #September11 #911Memorial #MemorialStairClimb #FirstResponders HonorAndRemember 911
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.